Sunday Worship, August 12th, 2018 "Ephesians 4:25-5:2 "Words Implements of Grace and Weapons of Destruction"

Photo by Christian Begeman, Christian takes amazing photos!

Below please find the video of this last Sunday's sermon and below that the scripture along with some additional supporting scripture that I used in the sermon.  The sermon focused upon the fact that we are all called to support the body of Christ, the Church.  We are not to be dividers but uniters, we are not to destroy but rather to build up.  We are not to speak harshly to our brother or sister, nor are we to disparage our brethren.  One should not speak in gossip... words which either intentionally or unintentionally sow the seeds of division.  Too often, the tiniest seed is the one that grows up to divide the body and has the potential to drive many away from the body and grace of Christ.

Let us not lay stumbling blocks before our fellow followers, but rather work together no matter our differences... to lift up and strengthen the body of Christ.  

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,

Roy

Ephesians 4:25-5:2 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Rules for the New Life
25 So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. 26 Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not make room for the devil. 28 Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. 29 Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up,[a] as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. 31 Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, 32 and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.[b] 5 1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, 2 and live in love, as Christ loved us[c] and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Footnotes:
a) Ephesians 4:29 Other ancient authorities read building up faith
b) Ephesians 4:32 Other ancient authorities read us
c) Ephesians 5:2 Other ancient authorities read you

Ephesians 4:15-16 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
15 But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.

Ephesians 4:25-30 New Century Version (NCV)
25 So you must stop telling lies. Tell each other the truth, because we all belong to each other in the same body.[a] 26 When you are angry, do not sin, and be sure to stop being angry before the end of the day. 27 Do not give the devil a way to defeat you. 28 Those who are stealing must stop stealing and start working. They should earn an honest living for themselves. Then they will have something to share with those who are poor.
29 When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need—words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you. 30 And do not make the Holy Spirit sad. The Spirit is God’s proof that you belong to him. God gave you the Spirit to show that God will make you free when the final day comes.

Psalm 4:4
New International Version
Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.

New Living Translation
Don't sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent. Interlude

English Standard Version
Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah

New American Standard Bible 
Tremble, and do not sin; Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

King James Bible
Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

Contemporary English Version
But each of you had better tremble and turn from your sins. Silently search your heart as you lie in bed. 

Good News Translation
Tremble with fear and stop sinning; think deeply about this, when you lie in silence on your beds. 

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Be angry and do not sin; on your bed, reflect in your heart and be still. Selah 

NET Bible
Tremble with fear and do not sin! Meditate as you lie in bed, and repent of your ways! (Selah) 

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Tremble in awe and you will not sin; speak in your hearts and meditate upon your beds.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Tremble and do not sin. Think about this on your bed and remain quiet. [Selah]

JPS Tanakh 1917
Tremble, and sin not; Commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah 

New American Standard 1977 
Tremble, and do not sin; Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

Jubilee Bible 2000
Stand in awe, and sin not; meditate in your heart upon your bed, and desist. Selah.

King James 2000 Bible
Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

American King James Version
Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart on your bed, and be still. Selah.

American Standard Version
Stand in awe, and sin not: Commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah

English Revised Version
Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah

Webster's Bible Translation
Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

World English Bible
Stand in awe, and don't sin. Search your own heart on your bed, and be still. Selah.

Young's Literal Translation
Tremble ye, and do not sin;' Say ye thus in your heart on your bed, And be ye silent. Selah. 

Proverbs 12:18 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
18 Rash words are like sword thrusts,
    but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Matthew 5:22 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
22 But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister,[a] you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult[b] a brother or sister,[c] you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell[d] of fire.

a) Matthew 5:22 Gk a brother; other ancient authorities add without cause
b) Matthew 5:22 Gk say Raca to (an obscure term of abuse)
c) Matthew 5:22 Gk a brother
d) Matthew 5:22 Gk Gehenna

Matthew 12:36 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
36 I tell you, on the day of judgment you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter;

Proverbs 18:21 New Century Version (NCV)
21 What you say can mean life or death.
    Those who speak with care will be rewarded.

Romans 14:13 New International Version (NIV)
13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.

"It costs God nothing, so far as we know, to create nice things: but to convert rebellious wills cost Him crucifixion." 
- C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity