Hey Phil,
This was very good.  Thank you for sharing.
Kathy



At 12:18 PM 2/27/2008, you wrote:
>Here is a pretty good read.  My only direct comment on this is can it also
>therefore be said of those with nice cars, lots of money, and a big house,
>that they are tithers?  Shoot, they may not even be Christians.  I'll post a
>quote from a book that says it well, too, and it isn't even Christian in
>nature.
>
>Phil.
>
>
> > Reply-To: "Stu" <[log in to unmask]>
> > From: "Stu" <[log in to unmask]>
> >
> >
> > The Overflow Of The Heart
> >
> >
> >
> >     Good morning folks, It is so nice to have you with me here this
> > fine morning.
> >
> >     I was reading this article and this story popped out at me, so I
> > thought it would be nice to include it in this message, for it fits
> > the bill completely.
> >
> >
> > Let me tell you a story about something that happened a number of
> > years ago while I worked at Pizza Hut in Brookings:
> >
> > One night we were very busy at the restaurant, and our supply truck
> > came late, right in the middle of the supper rush.
> >
> > I was in charge of the kitchen, and so I had to make sure all the
> > stuff got put away and still keep the kitchen running.
> >
> > I stood there in the middle of all this stuff that had to be dated,
> > refrigerated or frozen, and make sure the other stuff got rotated.
> >
> > And as I was discussing what to do with my co-workers, including
> > another shift supervisor like myself, I uttered a swear word under my
>breath.
> >
> > Which one? None of your business, but the one you're thinking of will
> > work just fine.
> >
> > Anyway, the crew just stood there in shocked silence, they couldn't
> > believe I had said this, because they had never heard me swear before.
> >
> > I got ribbed about it pretty good later on, and a few days later, as
> > a crew of us was driving to another town to work that Pizza Hut, so
> > they could have their Christmas party, my little snafu was the main
> > topic of conversation. They gave me such a rough time!
> >
> > But it was light-hearted fun, they were playing up the fact that it
> > had never happened before.
> >
> > Today, I want to talk about what comes out of our mouths, because
> > what we say says a lot. It says a lot about our character and our
> > love and allegiance to Christ, or lack thereof.
> >
> > And in doing so I want us to look at Matthew 12:33-37.
> >
> > 33  Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the
> > tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
> >
> > 34  O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good
> > things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
> >
> > 35  A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth
> > good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth
> > evil things.
> >
> > 36  But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak,
> > they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
> >
> > 37  For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou
> > shalt be condemned.
> >
> > Jesus says in our passage today that words reflect the heart, and I
> > want to address that aspect today.
> >
> > These are hugely important words about how we talk, and we need to
> > take them seriously. So to help us get a grasp on these words, I want
> > to look at three very important facts about your speech that need to
> > be addressed out of this passage.
> >
> > My intention is to give you some very specific information about how
> > important our speech is and also how we can work to develop our
> > speech to reflect a love for and allegiance to Christ.
> >
> > So here we go, here's the first fact that I want to address:
> >
> > 1. Your speech identifies you.
> >
> > Look at verse 33,
> >
> > "Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and
> > its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit."
> >
> > This is a pretty simple concept to grasp. If you see an apple on a
> > tree, what kind of tree is it? An apple tree, right? This is the
> > audience participation part, by the way ...
> >
> > If you see a cherry on a tree, what kind of tree is it? A cherry tree!
> >
> > And teenagers, this one is one you can answer: if you see money on a
> > tree, then what kind of tree is it? A money tree! Otherwise known as
>"parents."
> >
> > However, I need to tell you that this tree only exists in one place:
> > your imagination.
> >
> > If you see a lemon on a tree, what kind of tree is it? A lemon tree!
> >
> > You get the picture right? A tree is recognized and identified by its
>fruit.
> >
> > So how would your speech identify you?
> >
> > Would it identify you as an encourager? Would it identify you as
> > someone who is in love with Jesus and people? Or would it identify
> > you as someone who knows the Word of God?
> >
> > On the other hand, would your speech identify you as a gossip or
> > rumor-monger? Would it identify you as a liar? Would it identify you
> > as whiner or complainer?
> >
> > Would it identify you as someone who seeks to cause division among the
>church?
> >
> > Because whether you like it or not, and whether you realize it or
> > not, people hear what you say, and they identify you by it.
> >
> > And so if you want to be identified as a follower of Christ, you need
> > to talk like one.
> >
> > If you want to know how to do that, simply read through the book of
> > Proverbs, as well as the gospels. Tons of stuff that's understandable
> > and practical.
> >
> > Here's the second fact about speech:
> >
> > 2. Your speech reveals your heart.
> >
> > Look at the second part of verse 34 through verse 35, "For out of the
> > overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good man brings good
> > things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil
> > things out of the evil stored up in him."
> >
> > If your heart is filled with good, your mouth reflects that. If it's
> > filled with bad, your mouth reflects that. It's pretty simple.
> >
> > If you claim to be a follower of Christ, but you're a liar, then you
> > need to re-examine whether or not you are really in love with Jesus.
> > Jesus wasn't a liar.
> >
> > If you claim to be a follower of Christ, and you spread rumors, then
> > you need to re-examine whether or not you're really following Jesus.
> > Jesus didn't spread rumors.
> >
> > If you claim to be a follower of Christ but you talk about others
> > behind their back, you need to
> > re-examine your life in Christ. Jesus wasn't a back-biter.
> >
> > If you claim to be a follower of Christ, but your language is filled
> > with four-letter words, then you need to check some things. Christ
> > didn't have a foul mouth.
> >
> > Sometimes I'll hear someone talking and I want to say, "Do you kiss
> > your momma with that mouth?"
> >
> > "What do you consider "foul words?" I don't think you need me to give
> > you a list, I think most people know clean language from foul
> > language. If you've got questions about something in particular, I'd
> > be happy to visit with you, really! And if you don't want to do that
> > and you're not sure, then use my little slogan: "when in doubt, throw it
>out."
> >
> > Now listen, we all mess up from time to time. I have been guilty of
> > all of these over time, and I'm not proud of it.
> >
> > And I have had to repent and ask for God's forgiveness, and in the
> > circumstances where I am able, ask for forgiveness of the persons
>involved.
> >
> > And I've been asking the Holy Spirit to get very tough with me about
> > this. I don't want to make excuses, because there are no excuses.
> >
> > There's no, "Oh well, that's just the way I am, deal with it."
> > There's no, "He's always been that way."
> > I can see children being brought up this way, and it's shameful to
> > the child and its parents.
> >
> > But if you're an adult, then you have absolutely no excuses for using
> > speech that dishonors God and hurts others. None. You know its wrong,
> > and its up to you to do something about it.
> >
> > And we're going to discuss some ways to do that, so you'll have some
> > tools to help you.
> >
> > But get over any thoughts that you "deserve" to speak badly, or that
> > you're too far along to change. It won't wash with me and it won't
> > wash with God.
> >
> > Here's the third fact that we need to address about our speech from
> > this passage:
> >
> > 3. Your speech will be judged.
> >
> > In verses 36-37,
> >
> > "But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of
> > judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37 For by your
> > words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
> >
> > These are some pretty harsh words from Jesus here, and there's no way
> > to sugar-coat them.
> >
> > If we're serious about being a follower of Jesus in every area of our
> > life, then we need to take these words seriously.
> >
> > Words are better indicators of a person's true character than his or
> > her carefully planned and prepared statements and speeches.
> >
> > Let's take me for example. My job is to preach to you, and you would
> > expect that what I say up here would be God-honoring and beneficial to
>others.
> >
> > But what I say out there is a much better indicator of the condition
> > of my heart than what you hear in church.
> >
> > Now hopefully, they're pretty much the same. I don't preach to people
> > when I'm talking to them, but I want my words to be Christlike no
> > matter where I am.
> >
> > If your speech is filled with the stuff we've already talked about,
> > gossip, backbiting, lying, or whatever, then it says that your heart
> > is not right with God.
> >
> > Now I want to be careful here. The context of the passage is Jesus
> > talking to people who's hearts were far from God and refused to
> > recognize Jesus for who He was and the power of the Holy Spirit
> > working through Him.
> >
> > He was talking to non-believers, and their words would be used by God
> > to show that they were not going to enter the Kingdom.
> >
> > I don't believe Jesus was talking here about someone losing their
>salvation.
> >
> > What I think Jesus was saying here is that your words not only reveal
> > your character, they also reveal your salvation.
> >
> > If there is nothing in your speech to indicate that you have a love
> > and allegiance to Christ, then maybe you don't.
> >
> > And God will use your words as evidence against you when you face Him
> > at the judgment.
> >
> > I say that because I don't want to give people the impression that
> > they need to live in fear that God's just looking for an excuse to
> > rip your salvation away from you, because that's simply not the case.
> >
> > What about slips of the tongue?
> >
> > We've all had them, and we all regret them.
> >
> > Here's what I want to say about slips of the tongue. As you become
> > more intentional about watching your speech, and as you mature in
> > Christ, this will happen less and less.
> >
> > Why? Because you will be cleaning out some of the garbage and
> > replacing it with good stuff, which I'm going to be talking about
> > more here in just a moment.
> >
> > Your heart will be a place that is filled with good things, not bad
> > things that come out through your mouth.
> >
> > Well, let's turn the corner and look at some ...
> >
> >
> > Steps To Storing Up Good In Your Heart:
> >
> >
> > The obvious application of this passage in Matthew is that we need to
> > work to fill our hearts with good stuff, so that our speech will
> > reflect our love for Christ. Here are three steps you can take to help
>you:
> >
> > Prepare your heart for good.
> >
> > Two passages I want to look at very quickly here:
> >
> > Colossians 2:7 (NLT).
> >
> > Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him,
> > so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were
> > taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done.
> > Ephesians 4:31-32.
> >
> > Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander,
> > along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one
> > another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
> >
> >
> > This is a heart issue, remember. And all these things I just read in
> > these two verses are dealt with in the heart.
> >
> > We're supposed to get rid of the bad stuff, and add the good stuff of
> > compassion and forgiveness.
> >
> > This prepares our heart to receive the word of God so the Holy Spirit
> > can work in us.
> >
> > In the parable of the sower, Jesus says that the seed being spread is
> > the Word of God and that those who were able to receive it and
> > produce a crop were those with a good and noble heart.
> >
> > You can't have a good and noble heart if it's filled with rage,
> > anger, bitterness, slander, and malice.
> >
> > These things don't nourish the soil, they poison it. And is it any
> > wonder that those filled with this tend to speak in ways that
> > dishonor God and hurt others, even if they claim to be followers of
>Christ?
> >
> > Next ...
> >
> >   "Hide" the Bible in your heart.
> >
> > Psalm 119:9.
> >
> > I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
> >
> >
> > Six Ways To Do This:
> >
> >
> > * Hear
> >
> > * Read
> >
> > * Study
> >
> > * Memorize
> >
> > * Meditate
> >
> > * Apply
> >
> >
> > Here's the third step to take in storing up things in your heart:
> >
> >   Train your mouth.
> >
> > Ephesians 4:29.
> >
> > Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only
> > what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that
> > it may benefit those who listen.
> >
> > What does this have to do with storing up things in your heart?
> >
> > When you become much more intentional about what passes out of your
> > lips, then you will also find yourself becoming more conscious of
> > what's going on in your heart.
> >
> > And as this happens, you can see where you can ask the Holy Spirit to
> > do His work in you.
> >
> > One of the best ways to train your mouth is to remember the words of
> > James 1:19.   Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift
> > to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
> >
> > One of the best things you can ask yourself is this, "Is this going
> > to be Christlike?" If not, then you're probably better off not saying it.
> >
> > Another thing you can do is just simply ask, "Do I need to say
> > anything at all in this situation?"
> >
> > I have found that when I ask that question, I talk a lot less. And
> > here's the cool part--I find that a lot of times, what I was going to
> > say was going to be said by someone else anyway, or that what I was
> > going to say was so off-base I would have embarrassed myself or made
> > the situation worse. And no one wants that, right? I sure don't!
> >
> > It's been said that it's better to be thought of as a fool than to
> > open your mouth and remove all doubt!
> >
> > Now let me say that this is hard for me. I love to talk, so I love
> > being paid to do it!
> >
> > But I have to get better at just doing this (zip my lip). I can still
> > participate by facial expressions (examples), but I don't always have to
>talk.
> >
> > But in any case, I need to make sure that I'm training my mouth to
> > say only those things that honor God and help others. And you need to
> > do the same.
> >
> > You know, I don't think it's a real surprise to anyone here today to
> > hear that your speech impacts how others see you. It may not be a
> > surprise to hear that your speech reflects your love and allegiance to
>Christ.
> >
> > But I want to leave you with some positive stuff here.
> >
> > You might be sitting here today and you're feeling that your speech
> > hasn't been all that good. You're guilty of some of the stuff I've
> > mentioned, and your heart is heavy because of it.
> >
> > The good news is that forgiveness is available for you. You can call
> > out to God for forgiveness and he promises to give it. And if you're
> > serious about it, he's ready to do something in your heart, beginning
> > right now.
> >
> > But you need to take the next step. He's taken the first step by
> > pointing out something in you that you need to deal with.
> >
> > The step you need to take is to say to God, "You're right, God.
> > That's sin. Please forgive me. And help me to become a person whose
> > heart is right and who talks like it.
> >
> > Then get serious about doing something tangible about it, taking the
> > steps I mentioned a bit ago.
> >
> > I can't make you do anything. Only you can prevent forest fires. I
> > mean, take the necessary steps!
> >
> > So will you do it today? The invitation is for all of us, by the way.
> > We can all use a check-up on this. Do it today, for your sake and the
> > sake of the reputation of Christ.
> >
> > Stu
> > Stuart Swartz
> > 616 E Boothe
> > Cleveland, Tx.  77327
> > [log in to unmask]
> > IF YOU WORRY, YOU DIDN'T PRAY.  IF YOU HAVE PRAYED, DON'T WORRY.
> >
> >