August 20, 2017 The Words That Are Coming Out of Our Mouth

August 20 2017 “The Words That Are Coming Out of Our Mouth” *Matthew 15.10-20 Pastor Jacqueline Hines

Our world is preoccupied with what we eat. We want the good food, the healthy food, the nutritious food. [slide # 1 veggies] Sometime that means the expensive food, the fresh food, the tasty food. [slide # 2 fruit] For some the best food is food you plan and prepare and present for all to enjoy. For others the best food is anything you do not have to cook yourself. [slide # 3 food served]

Along with good food, we are regularly cautioned in the news about food poisoning. There are regular recalls of bad production and reminders of safe temperatures that eliminate the growth of bacteria and keep us from getting sick or even dying from bad food. [slide # 4 sick / toilet]

Jesus knows that being careful about what we eat is critical, but even more critical than what goes into our mouths is what comes out of our mouths. [slide # 5 speak life-giving words…] He tells us in verse 18 “¹⁸But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. ¹⁹For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander.” These are what defile us and make us sick and make the society sick...’” [slide # 6 dirty speech….heart]

We all appreciate good words. Nutritious words keep us mentally healthy and spiritually fit. Words that are beautifully presented, seasoned well and tasty can really make our day. [slide # 7 ice cream]

Just like an apple a day keeps the doctor away, a good word keeps the devil at bay. [slide # 8 Angel’s foot on the devil] Apples are rich in antioxidants which lower inflammation and fights disease. Good words are rich in encouragement which lowers the propensity to despair and fights depression. [slide # 9 apples]

August has been a month when the world has been hungry for words that satisfy. We are hungry, we are longing for justice and peace in our hearts, in our homes, in our country, in our world. [slide # 10 police]

Thank you all for all you have done to make this church a place of peace and justice. Thank you all for being helpful and positive and kind even when you do not agree with what is being said and done. Thank you. [slide # 11 star thanks]

Thank you for speaking the truth in love, for praying without ceasing, for remaining committed to the church rather than finding excuses and copping out. Thank you. [slide # 12 thank you smiley face]

Terrorism and racism are taking its toll. We want to be blameless as a church. We want to keep busy nurturing Bethel as a safe place to serve. We want to be a model and inspiration for our children, [slide # 13 child praying] our community and our world.

When I first came to Bethel, I needed information about where to go for this or that. A lovely Bethel member gave me the name of a business that could provide the service I needed. I called and the person on the other end of the line, denied that they did those services. The Bethel member, indignant and outraged, insisted that I go anyway which I did and another employee was sympathetic and apologetic, Thank God. All worked out well.

This week I was informed about a doctor whose prices were very reasonable. I found myself hesitating to explore that doctor, wondering if they would do harm to people like me.

But, it is not just certain people who do harm. Every human heart is prone to evil until it submits to the power of the Holy Spirit.

We have all sinned and come short of glorifying our God. So we should all be humble and daily surrender our lives to the living God. [ slide # 14 when God speaks] We should, as the psalmist says, seek peace and pursue it.

A dedicated member of another United Methodist church mentioned to me this week that she was so mad and she was planning to participate in a protest. In the midst of the conversation, I reminded her that Dr. King taught us to embrace non-violent protests. She said to me but he is no longer here to keep that teaching going. I left that conversation believing that she was planning to share angry words to wound others, rather than healing words. I hope she and all of us can follow the bible’s urging, to be angry, but sin not.

A good person learns how to use the right spices for words that would otherwise be tasteless. [slide # 15 spices] A good person learns to speak truth even when it is bitter or sour [slide # 16 bitter words] and blend it in ways that bring health and strength to our society. The good we speak, comes from good hearts. Good hearts come from worshipping a good God and produces words that are sweet and Godly. [slide # 17 sweet words]

So, as we move forward in this world, for better or worse, let us be true disciples –learners, followers in the footsteps of the prince of peace who found many ways to protest against evil. Our bishop, in her response to this week’s tragedies and reminders of how hateful the world can be, sent an email with the song we are using as an invitation to discipleship, “God, with Joy We Look Around Us”.

Let’s use this as a point of reflection in a different way this morning. Before we sing each verse, I will share an idea to help us go deeper in our thinking, speaking, and responding to religious and racial terrorism.

Silence - As we sing the first verse, give thanks for all those in the path of our lives regardless of what they look like, who they love, what they have and what they do not have…

God, with joy we look around us

At your world's diversity.

Folk of every kind surround us

And you call your church to see:

All are made in your own image!

All are people whom you love!

As we begin the second verse, let’s be honest about our pre-judgments and the hurtful anger and distracting anxiety we pour into the lives of others…silence

In the times we've hurt each other,

Lord, we've hurt the ones you bless.

Hating sister, cursing brother,

We've denied what you express:

All are made in your own image!

All are people whom you love!

Lastly, let us recommit ourselves to our God and cling to the only one who can save us and deliver us and heal us…..silence

God, you sent a Savior to us,

Breaking walls that would divide.

By your Spirit, now work through us

As we witness side by side:

All are made in your own image!

All are people whom you love!   Amen. [slide # 18 …what did your words do?]