1. TBN
  2. Programs
  3. Your Move with Andy Stanley
  4. Episodes
  5. Andy Stanley - The Weight of Your Words (Part 2)
Your Move with Andy Stanley

Andy Stanley - The Weight of Your Words (Part 2)

April 25, 2026 | 28:29

Andy Stanley - The Weight of Your Words (Part 2)
Your Move with Andy Stanley — to help people make better decisions and live with fewer regrets.
#Wordswespeak #Communication #Relationships #Wisdom #Foolishness #Responsibility #Criticism #Peopleinyourlife #Encouragement #Blessing #Love #LoveyourNeighbor #UnconditionalLove #AndyStanley

Closed captions

Show Timecode
Your Move with Andy Stanley | Andy Stanley - The Weight of Your Words (Part 2) | April 25, 2026
  • ...
  • 00:00:00.633 --> 00:00:00.051
  • Andy stanley: hey everybody, welcome to your move where we
  • 00:00:00.485 --> 00:00:01.686
  • Help you make better decisions and live with fewer regrets.
  • 00:00:01.820 --> 00:00:04.122
  • I'm andy stanley, and i'll be your guide.
  • 00:00:04.255 --> 00:00:05.857
  • And here's something we rarely think about.
  • 00:00:05.990 --> 00:00:08.293
  • You have a relationship with a lot of people, but the
  • 00:00:08.426 --> 00:00:10.662
  • Relationship you have with them is usually very different than
  • 00:00:10.762 --> 00:00:13.631
  • The relationship they have with you.
  • 00:00:13.731 --> 00:00:15.533
  • Whether it's your boss, your son, or your daughter, maybe
  • 00:00:15.667 --> 00:00:18.136
  • An employee.
  • 00:00:18.269 --> 00:00:19.504
  • It's two different relationships, and we should
  • 00:00:19.637 --> 00:00:21.539
  • Choose our words accordingly.
  • 00:00:21.673 --> 00:00:23.208
  • And today i'll tell you how right here on "your move."
  • 00:00:23.341 --> 00:00:24.309
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:00:26.411 --> 00:00:32.117
  • Andy: today, if you have not been tracking along with us, or
  • 00:00:32.117 --> 00:00:34.285
  • If you have, we are actually in part two of a series entitled
  • 00:00:34.285 --> 00:00:37.555
  • "the weight of your words."
  • 00:00:37.555 --> 00:00:39.724
  • "the weight of your words," and if you have ever been crushed by
  • 00:00:39.724 --> 00:00:43.361
  • Someone's words, you get this, and you know what we're
  • 00:00:43.361 --> 00:00:46.631
  • Talking about.
  • 00:00:46.631 --> 00:00:47.999
  • Words carry weight.
  • 00:00:47.999 --> 00:00:49.434
  • They can leave a mark for good or for bad.
  • 00:00:49.434 --> 00:00:51.436
  • They can inspire, they can build or they can destroy, they can
  • 00:00:51.436 --> 00:00:55.440
  • Wound, right?
  • 00:00:55.440 --> 00:00:56.808
  • I mean, we have all been on the receiving end of words that have
  • 00:00:56.808 --> 00:00:59.277
  • Built us up.
  • 00:00:59.277 --> 00:01:00.645
  • We've all been on the receiving end of words that have torn us
  • 00:01:00.645 --> 00:01:03.581
  • Down, left us wondering, taking away our confidence.
  • 00:01:03.581 --> 00:01:08.119
  • "i'm so proud of you."
  • 00:01:08.119 --> 00:01:12.023
  • "you embarrassed me tonight."
  • 00:01:12.023 --> 00:01:15.994
  • "i wouldn't miss it for the world."
  • 00:01:15.994 --> 00:01:20.398
  • "you're not needed here anymore."
  • 00:01:20.398 --> 00:01:23.735
  • We've all been on both sides of things like that, haven't we?
  • 00:01:23.735 --> 00:01:26.504
  • In fact, some of those phrases are emotional for you.
  • 00:01:26.504 --> 00:01:29.274
  • Maybe something recently.
  • 00:01:29.274 --> 00:01:30.675
  • That's the power of words.
  • 00:01:30.675 --> 00:01:32.610
  • Here i am reading words on a screen that reflects something
  • 00:01:32.610 --> 00:01:36.181
  • Someone has said to you, and suddenly it's very personal.
  • 00:01:36.181 --> 00:01:38.816
  • It's very emotional.
  • 00:01:38.816 --> 00:01:40.385
  • Our lives, i don't need to convince you of this, but our
  • 00:01:40.385 --> 00:01:42.720
  • Lives have been shaped by the words spoken to us, over us, at
  • 00:01:42.720 --> 00:01:47.659
  • Times we feel like words spoken at us.
  • 00:01:47.659 --> 00:01:50.094
  • This is true for our childhood.
  • 00:01:50.094 --> 00:01:51.963
  • It's true right now for some of you in your marriages.
  • 00:01:51.963 --> 00:01:54.299
  • You are dealing with wounds and carrying wounds, and your spouse
  • 00:01:54.299 --> 00:01:57.368
  • Has said, "i'm just telling the truth.
  • 00:01:57.368 --> 00:01:58.703
  • I'm just being honest.
  • 00:01:58.703 --> 00:02:00.071
  • We talked about that last time."
  • 00:02:00.071 --> 00:02:01.406
  • And you're like, "yeah, you're just being honest, but you're
  • 00:02:01.406 --> 00:02:03.074
  • Killing me with the weight of your words."
  • 00:02:03.074 --> 00:02:05.877
  • Words inflate or deflate our confidence.
  • 00:02:05.877 --> 00:02:08.980
  • With the words spoken to us or at us or over us, it impact who
  • 00:02:08.980 --> 00:02:12.283
  • We see in the mirror, right?
  • 00:02:12.283 --> 00:02:15.019
  • And here's the thing, and here's where we make a turn.
  • 00:02:15.019 --> 00:02:16.888
  • While we are quick to acknowledge the fact that
  • 00:02:16.888 --> 00:02:19.057
  • People's words spoken to us, over us and at us have impacted
  • 00:02:19.057 --> 00:02:22.126
  • Our lives and our childhood, and again who we see in the mirror,
  • 00:02:22.126 --> 00:02:24.862
  • We're quick to recognize that i don't have to convince you
  • 00:02:24.862 --> 00:02:26.864
  • Of that.
  • 00:02:26.864 --> 00:02:28.233
  • What we are not so quick to recognize, what we're often slow
  • 00:02:28.233 --> 00:02:31.769
  • To recognize, and here's the point of today's few minutes
  • 00:02:31.769 --> 00:02:34.439
  • Together, and what we are slow to take responsibility for is
  • 00:02:34.439 --> 00:02:38.743
  • How our words land and impact others which should bother all
  • 00:02:38.743 --> 00:02:46.084
  • Of us, right.
  • 00:02:46.084 --> 00:02:47.885
  • But it should bother a specific group of us more.
  • 00:02:47.885 --> 00:02:51.990
  • Those of us who consider ourselves jesus followers.
  • 00:02:51.990 --> 00:02:55.159
  • The idea that our words have the potential to wound, that our
  • 00:02:55.159 --> 00:02:58.730
  • Words have the potential to undermine somebody's confidence
  • 00:02:58.730 --> 00:03:01.799
  • Or to undermine someone's self-esteem or to inflict a scar
  • 00:03:01.799 --> 00:03:05.169
  • That they carry with the rest of their lives, that potential with
  • 00:03:05.169 --> 00:03:07.739
  • Our words should really bother us.
  • 00:03:07.739 --> 00:03:09.374
  • And of all people, we should take responsibility for
  • 00:03:09.374 --> 00:03:12.844
  • Our words.
  • 00:03:12.844 --> 00:03:14.779
  • Now, real quick, if you're not a jesus follower, if you're not a
  • 00:03:14.779 --> 00:03:19.384
  • Christian, or maybe you used to be, and you kinda hit the eject
  • 00:03:19.384 --> 00:03:21.986
  • Button and you're out, isn't it true that you may be more
  • 00:03:21.986 --> 00:03:25.723
  • Curious if the christians you knew had been more cautious with
  • 00:03:25.723 --> 00:03:30.261
  • Their words?
  • 00:03:30.261 --> 00:03:31.596
  • Well, isn't it true that you may be more curious or maybe are
  • 00:03:31.596 --> 00:03:34.232
  • More open to leaning in or rediscovering the faith that you
  • 00:03:34.232 --> 00:03:37.135
  • Grew up in, or grew up with, if the christians around you had
  • 00:03:37.135 --> 00:03:41.472
  • Used their words in a different way, as it relates to you, and
  • 00:03:41.472 --> 00:03:43.975
  • Not just to you, but the people that you love the most?
  • 00:03:43.975 --> 00:03:47.779
  • So in this series, we're talking about three dynamics that are at
  • 00:03:47.779 --> 00:03:51.049
  • Work, at work in every conversation.
  • 00:03:51.049 --> 00:03:52.817
  • And regardless of your faith, tradition, or regardless of
  • 00:03:52.817 --> 00:03:54.852
  • Whether or not you even have faith, this is gonna be super,
  • 00:03:54.852 --> 00:03:57.255
  • Super helpful.
  • 00:03:57.255 --> 00:03:58.589
  • Because these three dynamics they're weaving their way into
  • 00:03:58.589 --> 00:04:02.260
  • Every conversation we have.
  • 00:04:02.260 --> 00:04:03.594
  • These three dynamics actually determine what people hear
  • 00:04:03.594 --> 00:04:07.465
  • Regardless of what we actually say.
  • 00:04:07.465 --> 00:04:10.535
  • And here's the thing, this is why we should be good at this.
  • 00:04:10.535 --> 00:04:13.304
  • We have all been on the receiving end of all three of
  • 00:04:13.304 --> 00:04:16.774
  • These dynamics, which means this should be easy for us.
  • 00:04:16.774 --> 00:04:20.445
  • Because, you know, we should be able to keep it front and
  • 00:04:20.445 --> 00:04:22.480
  • Center, but we don't.
  • 00:04:22.480 --> 00:04:24.916
  • So the last time we were together, we talked about the
  • 00:04:24.916 --> 00:04:26.684
  • First one of these dynamics, and the first one, the first one is
  • 00:04:26.684 --> 00:04:29.087
  • Simply this, that words are not equally weighted.
  • 00:04:29.087 --> 00:04:31.389
  • In other words, all words don't weigh the same, and specifically
  • 00:04:31.389 --> 00:04:35.026
  • Negative words weigh way more than positive words.
  • 00:04:35.026 --> 00:04:40.231
  • Andy: hey, i wanted to take just a minute to address a growing
  • 00:04:40.298 --> 00:04:43.234
  • Crisis in america.
  • 00:04:43.234 --> 00:04:44.569
  • Did you know that nearly 75 million americans have no
  • 00:04:44.569 --> 00:04:47.805
  • Religious affiliation, none whatsoever?
  • 00:04:47.805 --> 00:04:50.208
  • Most of us know some of these people.
  • 00:04:50.208 --> 00:04:51.642
  • Many of us are related to some of these people.
  • 00:04:51.642 --> 00:04:53.644
  • So for us they aren't statistics, they're people we
  • 00:04:53.644 --> 00:04:56.447
  • Love and would love to see return to faith in jesus.
  • 00:04:56.447 --> 00:04:59.650
  • So at your move we are committed to reaching people with the
  • 00:04:59.650 --> 00:05:02.854
  • Teaching of jesus right where they are and when they least
  • 00:05:02.854 --> 00:05:06.591
  • Expect it.
  • 00:05:06.591 --> 00:05:07.925
  • We use a research backed digital strategy that's already making
  • 00:05:07.925 --> 00:05:10.928
  • A difference.
  • 00:05:10.928 --> 00:05:12.296
  • So if you'll stick around after today's message, we would love
  • 00:05:12.296 --> 00:05:14.232
  • To tell you more about it or visit the website or call the
  • 00:05:14.232 --> 00:05:17.535
  • Number on your screen to learn how you can be a part of this
  • 00:05:17.535 --> 00:05:20.371
  • Revolutionary approach to introducing and reintroducing
  • 00:05:20.371 --> 00:05:23.908
  • People to jesus.
  • 00:05:23.908 --> 00:05:25.777
  • Andy: so today i want to talk about the second dynamic, and
  • 00:05:25.843 --> 00:05:28.312
  • The second one is this, "the source determines weight."
  • 00:05:28.312 --> 00:05:32.984
  • Source determines weight.
  • 00:05:32.984 --> 00:05:34.986
  • The weight of a word is determined ultimately by the
  • 00:05:34.986 --> 00:05:38.423
  • Source of the word.
  • 00:05:38.423 --> 00:05:39.891
  • The who said behind the what said.
  • 00:05:39.891 --> 00:05:42.627
  • So let me give you a couple of illustrations.
  • 00:05:42.627 --> 00:05:44.662
  • So ladies, imagine and many of you don't have to imagine this.
  • 00:05:44.662 --> 00:05:48.132
  • Those of you who are moms don't have to imagine this, you decide
  • 00:05:48.132 --> 00:05:51.702
  • To meet one of your girlfriends during your lunch break for
  • 00:05:51.702 --> 00:05:54.305
  • Lunch, or maybe you meet one of your girlfriends for coffee and
  • 00:05:54.305 --> 00:05:56.908
  • They get there early.
  • 00:05:56.908 --> 00:05:58.242
  • And you walk in and your girlfriend looks up at you,
  • 00:05:58.242 --> 00:05:59.811
  • Looks at you and says, "wow, you look great.
  • 00:05:59.811 --> 00:06:03.815
  • I mean, that outfit, i mean, you look great, you look so young."
  • 00:06:03.815 --> 00:06:08.352
  • Well i mean that's, yeah, i mean those are five pound words.
  • 00:06:08.352 --> 00:06:11.956
  • Thank you, right?
  • 00:06:11.956 --> 00:06:13.424
  • Now imagine that afternoon you're at home and your 15 year
  • 00:06:13.424 --> 00:06:17.295
  • Old daughter walks through and she does a double take and she
  • 00:06:17.295 --> 00:06:21.799
  • Says, "mom, you look great that what you're wearing, you look so
  • 00:06:21.799 --> 00:06:28.372
  • Young we could be sisters."
  • 00:06:28.372 --> 00:06:30.575
  • Then she turns around and runs off to her room.
  • 00:06:30.575 --> 00:06:33.711
  • Now i know what some of you are thinking.
  • 00:06:33.711 --> 00:06:35.146
  • You're thinking, i don't have that much imagination.
  • 00:06:35.146 --> 00:06:39.917
  • You used it all up because andy, come on, let's be honest, if the
  • 00:06:39.917 --> 00:06:44.622
  • Resurrection of jesus is here, that would come in somewhere,
  • 00:06:44.622 --> 00:06:50.995
  • You know.
  • 00:06:50.995 --> 00:06:53.998
  • And what makes the difference?
  • 00:06:53.998 --> 00:06:55.333
  • The location, i don't you know, the words at home weigh more
  • 00:06:55.333 --> 00:06:57.235
  • Than words.
  • 00:06:57.235 --> 00:06:58.569
  • No, no, no, it's not the location.
  • 00:06:58.569 --> 00:06:59.937
  • It's not the words.
  • 00:06:59.937 --> 00:07:01.272
  • I mean, five pound words become fifty pound words depending on
  • 00:07:01.272 --> 00:07:04.242
  • Who's using those words.
  • 00:07:04.242 --> 00:07:06.878
  • Not because of where.
  • 00:07:06.878 --> 00:07:08.412
  • Because of who?
  • 00:07:08.412 --> 00:07:09.747
  • Another illustration, my administrative assistant diane
  • 00:07:09.747 --> 00:07:11.883
  • Grant has worked with me for over 25 years, which means she
  • 00:07:11.883 --> 00:07:15.520
  • Either needs a standing ovation or a long vacation or both.
  • 00:07:15.520 --> 00:07:18.623
  • But anyway, we're familiar for 25 years, so she knows me well,
  • 00:07:18.623 --> 00:07:21.025
  • And we're able to communicate so well, and you know, it's a great
  • 00:07:21.025 --> 00:07:23.761
  • Working relationship.
  • 00:07:23.761 --> 00:07:25.129
  • And every once in a while when i need to go deliver some negative
  • 00:07:25.129 --> 00:07:28.599
  • Information or some negative news to an employee, she'll say,
  • 00:07:28.599 --> 00:07:32.136
  • "remember, remember, your words weigh a lot."
  • 00:07:32.136 --> 00:07:37.775
  • Sometimes every once in a while she'll say this, "andy, andy, i
  • 00:07:37.775 --> 00:07:40.811
  • Think you should let me tell her.
  • 00:07:40.811 --> 00:07:42.480
  • I think you should let me tell him."
  • 00:07:42.480 --> 00:07:45.182
  • My words don't weigh as much.
  • 00:07:45.182 --> 00:07:48.119
  • Do you know why she tells me to remember?
  • 00:07:48.119 --> 00:07:49.620
  • Because i forget.
  • 00:07:49.620 --> 00:07:50.988
  • Because when i see the people that i work with, you know who
  • 00:07:50.988 --> 00:07:52.957
  • I see?
  • 00:07:52.957 --> 00:07:54.325
  • I see coworkers.
  • 00:07:54.325 --> 00:07:55.660
  • I see peers, i see friends.
  • 00:07:55.660 --> 00:07:57.795
  • Who do they see?
  • 00:07:57.795 --> 00:07:59.330
  • They see the boss.
  • 00:07:59.330 --> 00:08:00.765
  • It's very different.
  • 00:08:00.765 --> 00:08:02.099
  • We're in a relationship.
  • 00:08:02.099 --> 00:08:03.467
  • It is not the same relationship.
  • 00:08:03.467 --> 00:08:05.670
  • So to tease this out a little bit, okay.
  • 00:08:05.670 --> 00:08:07.838
  • It kind of looks like this.
  • 00:08:07.838 --> 00:08:09.173
  • Source determines weight.
  • 00:08:09.173 --> 00:08:10.708
  • Weight determines impact, and impact determines outcome.
  • 00:08:10.708 --> 00:08:14.145
  • The source of the words determines the weight of
  • 00:08:14.145 --> 00:08:15.846
  • The word.
  • 00:08:15.846 --> 00:08:17.181
  • The weight determines the impact, how it lands.
  • 00:08:17.181 --> 00:08:19.150
  • And the impact ultimately in most cases determines
  • 00:08:19.150 --> 00:08:23.354
  • The outcome.
  • 00:08:23.354 --> 00:08:24.722
  • Now if you're into physics, just ignore this.
  • 00:08:24.722 --> 00:08:26.057
  • I realize this, i'm messing with your categories.
  • 00:08:26.057 --> 00:08:27.892
  • Okay, but you get what i'm saying in terms of the flow
  • 00:08:27.892 --> 00:08:29.927
  • Of communications.
  • 00:08:29.927 --> 00:08:31.262
  • Now, i'm often asked, and this may sound strange for me to talk
  • 00:08:31.262 --> 00:08:33.598
  • About myself for just a second, but i'm often asked, in
  • 00:08:33.598 --> 00:08:36.133
  • Leadership context especially with business leaders or
  • 00:08:36.133 --> 00:08:39.637
  • Ministry leaders, you know, when we're doing q&a.
  • 00:08:39.637 --> 00:08:41.872
  • "hey, andy."
  • 00:08:41.872 --> 00:08:43.207
  • There's three questions i always get.
  • 00:08:43.207 --> 00:08:44.575
  • And this is always one.
  • 00:08:44.575 --> 00:08:45.910
  • "how do you handle conflict or how do you handle criticism?
  • 00:08:45.910 --> 00:08:47.612
  • How do you handle criticism?"
  • 00:08:47.612 --> 00:08:48.946
  • And my first response is, "what criticism?"
  • 00:08:48.946 --> 00:08:53.451
  • I mean, who would criticize a pastor?
  • 00:08:53.451 --> 00:08:54.885
  • I mean, i'm sort of beyond, people don't know.
  • 00:08:54.885 --> 00:08:56.454
  • Okay, that's not true.
  • 00:08:56.454 --> 00:08:57.888
  • And so here's what i always say.
  • 00:08:57.888 --> 00:08:59.690
  • I say, well, it depends on where the criticisms coming
  • 00:08:59.690 --> 00:09:03.327
  • From, right?
  • 00:09:03.327 --> 00:09:04.695
  • Because source determines weight and source determines weight,
  • 00:09:04.695 --> 00:09:08.733
  • Not just with the negative.
  • 00:09:08.733 --> 00:09:10.067
  • So, this is what i want you to get today.
  • 00:09:10.067 --> 00:09:12.303
  • Source determines weight with the positives as well.
  • 00:09:12.303 --> 00:09:15.439
  • And this is why this is so important, which means i'm going
  • 00:09:15.439 --> 00:09:17.642
  • To tease this out a little bit more in a minute so you'll, you
  • 00:09:17.642 --> 00:09:19.644
  • Can take this home.
  • 00:09:19.644 --> 00:09:20.978
  • Which means every single one of you, those of you watching,
  • 00:09:20.978 --> 00:09:24.315
  • Those of you wherever you are in the world, and regardless if
  • 00:09:24.315 --> 00:09:27.118
  • You're a christian or regardless of your faith tradition, this
  • 00:09:27.118 --> 00:09:29.353
  • Isn't all skate.
  • 00:09:29.353 --> 00:09:30.721
  • Every single one of you has unique potential to leverage the
  • 00:09:30.721 --> 00:09:35.393
  • Weight of your words in specific relationships.
  • 00:09:35.393 --> 00:09:38.663
  • And if you get this right, you make other people better.
  • 00:09:38.663 --> 00:09:44.869
  • If you were to ask sandra, what the moment where she felt most
  • 00:09:44.869 --> 00:09:49.440
  • Affirmed in her role as a mom, she would tell you about a short
  • 00:09:49.440 --> 00:09:53.644
  • Exchange she had with her dad years ago.
  • 00:09:53.644 --> 00:09:55.246
  • And last night we were having dinner and i told her i was
  • 00:09:55.246 --> 00:09:57.114
  • Going to share this story.
  • 00:09:57.114 --> 00:09:58.482
  • I asked her, "can i share this story?"
  • 00:09:58.482 --> 00:09:59.817
  • I said, "it's already in my notes, it would really
  • 00:09:59.817 --> 00:10:01.185
  • Help if you said yes."
  • 00:10:01.185 --> 00:10:02.520
  • She said yes.
  • 00:10:02.520 --> 00:10:03.854
  • And i went over it with her just to make sure
  • 00:10:03.854 --> 00:10:05.322
  • I got the details right, and we both got emotional.
  • 00:10:05.322 --> 00:10:07.992
  • So she's downstairs, andrew's 30 years old now, so then he was in
  • 00:10:07.992 --> 00:10:10.661
  • A high chair, and she's downstairs early one morning and
  • 00:10:10.661 --> 00:10:13.497
  • Her parents just spend the night with us.
  • 00:10:13.497 --> 00:10:14.832
  • She's down there by herself and she's got him in the high chair,
  • 00:10:14.832 --> 00:10:16.567
  • And she's doing the, you know, the poke and swipe, the poke it
  • 00:10:16.567 --> 00:10:19.003
  • In, swipe the bottom lip, poke.
  • 00:10:19.003 --> 00:10:20.738
  • Is that what you call it?
  • 00:10:20.738 --> 00:10:22.073
  • Something like that.
  • 00:10:22.073 --> 00:10:23.441
  • Anyway, she's got that thing going on.
  • 00:10:23.441 --> 00:10:24.775
  • Her dad comes downstairs, her dad is a man of few words,
  • 00:10:24.775 --> 00:10:26.544
  • Incredible man, but you know, sits down quietly,
  • 00:10:26.544 --> 00:10:29.647
  • Waits, watches.
  • 00:10:29.647 --> 00:10:31.382
  • And then he says to her, and i quote, "you are a really
  • 00:10:31.382 --> 00:10:37.922
  • Good mom."
  • 00:10:37.922 --> 00:10:40.424
  • Now, just to brag on my wife, okay, there were more epic and
  • 00:10:40.424 --> 00:10:46.330
  • Interesting and affirming mother moments than poke and swipe
  • 00:10:46.330 --> 00:10:49.300
  • Early in the morning when getting mushed into andrew's
  • 00:10:49.300 --> 00:10:51.869
  • Face, okay.
  • 00:10:51.869 --> 00:10:53.204
  • I mean, and to be honest, even bad mothers feed their
  • 00:10:53.204 --> 00:10:56.240
  • Babies, okay.
  • 00:10:56.240 --> 00:10:57.575
  • So this isn't like, whoa, you're feeding your baby.
  • 00:10:57.575 --> 00:11:00.111
  • Oh my gosh.
  • 00:11:00.111 --> 00:11:01.479
  • You are like, no, right?
  • 00:11:01.479 --> 00:11:02.947
  • That's the point.
  • 00:11:02.947 --> 00:11:04.315
  • That's the whole point.
  • 00:11:04.315 --> 00:11:05.649
  • It wasn't what.
  • 00:11:05.649 --> 00:11:07.351
  • It was who?
  • 00:11:07.351 --> 00:11:08.686
  • I mean, she homeschooled our kids for ten years.
  • 00:11:08.686 --> 00:11:11.555
  • Okay, she taught them to read, she taught them math, she can
  • 00:11:11.555 --> 00:11:14.325
  • Remember algebraic expressions.
  • 00:11:14.325 --> 00:11:15.760
  • She'd bungee jump.
  • 00:11:15.760 --> 00:11:17.094
  • She learned to knit because ally wanted to learn to knit, then
  • 00:11:17.094 --> 00:11:19.163
  • Ally didn't want to knit, but she'd already learned, she did
  • 00:11:19.163 --> 00:11:20.965
  • All that, no complaining.
  • 00:11:20.965 --> 00:11:22.600
  • One christmas, one of our boys gave her spinners for
  • 00:11:22.600 --> 00:11:25.002
  • The minivan.
  • 00:11:25.002 --> 00:11:26.337
  • You remember spinners that you put on the wheel?
  • 00:11:26.337 --> 00:11:27.705
  • And she just feigned gratitude like, "oh my gosh, it's what
  • 00:11:27.705 --> 00:11:30.975
  • I've always wanted."
  • 00:11:30.975 --> 00:11:32.343
  • She's looking at me like, "will these go in the minivan?"
  • 00:11:32.343 --> 00:11:33.811
  • I'm like, "they don't go in the minivan."
  • 00:11:33.811 --> 00:11:36.147
  • She took them to home school day at six flags year after year
  • 00:11:36.147 --> 00:11:40.251
  • After year.
  • 00:11:40.251 --> 00:11:41.619
  • That's a real thing, home school day at six flags.
  • 00:11:41.619 --> 00:11:42.953
  • And i learned, i never went because she's a way better
  • 00:11:42.953 --> 00:11:44.755
  • Parent than me, and i had to work that day.
  • 00:11:44.755 --> 00:11:46.991
  • What day is it?
  • 00:11:46.991 --> 00:11:48.325
  • Oh yeah, i gotta work anyway.
  • 00:11:48.325 --> 00:11:49.860
  • As much as i want to go to home school day at six flags, the
  • 00:11:49.860 --> 00:11:52.029
  • Lines were really short with all the roller coasters.
  • 00:11:52.029 --> 00:11:55.366
  • Not because, you know, there were fewer kids, but because on
  • 00:11:55.366 --> 00:11:58.736
  • Average, homeschoolers aren't that brave.
  • 00:11:58.736 --> 00:12:00.704
  • Anyway, so they, sorry, homeschool kids.
  • 00:12:00.704 --> 00:12:03.440
  • Anyway, so the point is, if we wanted to like put everything
  • 00:12:03.440 --> 00:12:06.777
  • She's done as a fabulous mom on the wall, there's so much to
  • 00:12:06.777 --> 00:12:09.246
  • Brag about, but you ask her, that's the moment because source
  • 00:12:09.246 --> 00:12:14.752
  • Determines weight.
  • 00:12:14.752 --> 00:12:18.055
  • Now, so what do we do with that?
  • 00:12:18.055 --> 00:12:19.924
  • I mean, that's just true.
  • 00:12:19.924 --> 00:12:21.792
  • And nobody's gonna argue with that.
  • 00:12:21.792 --> 00:12:23.327
  • But imagine just for a moment, i'm gonna give you a
  • 00:12:23.327 --> 00:12:25.129
  • Specific application.
  • 00:12:25.129 --> 00:12:26.463
  • Imagine if we remembered that everywhere we went in
  • 00:12:26.463 --> 00:12:30.000
  • Every conversation.
  • 00:12:30.000 --> 00:12:31.368
  • Anytime you realize i have a little bit of a unique
  • 00:12:31.368 --> 00:12:34.772
  • Advantage, i have a little bit of a unique relationship.
  • 00:12:34.772 --> 00:12:37.675
  • If we're in a relationship, it's not the same relationship,
  • 00:12:37.675 --> 00:12:39.243
  • Who am i?
  • 00:12:39.243 --> 00:12:40.945
  • Imagine what we could do.
  • 00:12:40.945 --> 00:12:42.479
  • Imagine what you could do, the power of your word.
  • 00:12:42.479 --> 00:12:44.048
  • So here's the application.
  • 00:12:44.048 --> 00:12:45.649
  • Remember, because we forget.
  • 00:12:45.649 --> 00:12:48.185
  • Remember, remember who you are and what you represent to the
  • 00:12:48.185 --> 00:12:51.589
  • Person on the other side of you.
  • 00:12:51.589 --> 00:12:53.424
  • It's just remember who you are and what you represent to the
  • 00:12:53.424 --> 00:12:57.661
  • Person on the other side of you.
  • 00:12:57.661 --> 00:13:01.332
  • And in any relationship where you have any advantage,
  • 00:13:01.332 --> 00:13:04.768
  • Positionally, relationally, even financially, you have a unique
  • 00:13:04.768 --> 00:13:12.343
  • Opportunity because your words carry additional weight.
  • 00:13:12.343 --> 00:13:16.981
  • And i would just want to encourage you to leverage that
  • 00:13:16.981 --> 00:13:20.351
  • Opportunity every chance you get.
  • 00:13:20.351 --> 00:13:22.486
  • Quick story.
  • 00:13:22.486 --> 00:13:23.854
  • Years ago, when president obama was elected for his first term,
  • 00:13:23.854 --> 00:13:29.593
  • I got a call from his administration to come be a part
  • 00:13:29.593 --> 00:13:31.896
  • Of the festivities in the national cathedral, the service
  • 00:13:31.896 --> 00:13:35.933
  • They have after the inauguration.
  • 00:13:35.933 --> 00:13:37.801
  • Some of you remember that.
  • 00:13:37.801 --> 00:13:39.136
  • And you may not know this, you may wanna write this down.
  • 00:13:39.136 --> 00:13:41.672
  • See, i don't know if you know this, but politics is not an
  • 00:13:41.672 --> 00:13:46.110
  • Emotionally neutral topic.
  • 00:13:46.110 --> 00:13:49.246
  • Politics, i should put that on the screen.
  • 00:13:49.246 --> 00:13:50.881
  • Politics is not an emotion.
  • 00:13:50.881 --> 00:13:53.284
  • So when i got invited, i thought, wow, what a privilege.
  • 00:13:53.284 --> 00:13:55.319
  • I was completely shocked, and i thought, wow, what an incredible
  • 00:13:55.319 --> 00:13:59.356
  • Opportunity to get to go to the national cathedral, all these
  • 00:13:59.356 --> 00:14:01.358
  • Famous people, and i get to read this thing that was written, was
  • 00:14:01.358 --> 00:14:04.295
  • Read when george washington was inaugurated.
  • 00:14:04.295 --> 00:14:07.164
  • I mean, but i realized if i do this, there's gonna be people
  • 00:14:07.164 --> 00:14:10.234
  • That are like, "yeah, he's one of us."
  • 00:14:10.234 --> 00:14:11.635
  • And other people are like, "no, he's one of them."
  • 00:14:11.635 --> 00:14:13.637
  • And you know, it just, you know, we're treading lightly, and i
  • 00:14:13.637 --> 00:14:16.540
  • Wouldn't have figured this out.
  • 00:14:16.540 --> 00:14:17.875
  • So, andrew, our oldest again, we're driving home.
  • 00:14:17.875 --> 00:14:20.077
  • I remember what road we were on.
  • 00:14:20.077 --> 00:14:21.512
  • I'd just gotten this invitation the day before.
  • 00:14:21.512 --> 00:14:23.814
  • I gotta let him know what i'm gonna do.
  • 00:14:23.814 --> 00:14:25.149
  • And i said to him, i said, andrew, he's 15.
  • 00:14:25.149 --> 00:14:27.818
  • I said, andrew, "hey, you know, i get invited to do this thing,
  • 00:14:27.818 --> 00:14:31.355
  • But some people are gonna be upset, some people are gonna be
  • 00:14:31.355 --> 00:14:33.390
  • Too excited, you know, it's divisive, it could be, you know.
  • 00:14:33.390 --> 00:14:37.094
  • And so i'm just trying to figure out what to do."
  • 00:14:37.094 --> 00:14:39.296
  • And he said something i'll never forget, and my point is,
  • 00:14:39.296 --> 00:14:41.498
  • Students, you have no idea the weight of your words with
  • 00:14:41.498 --> 00:14:44.702
  • Your parents.
  • 00:14:44.702 --> 00:14:46.070
  • He said to me, he said, "dad if god brought this opportunity
  • 00:14:46.070 --> 00:14:50.307
  • Along, don't you think you should take it regardless of
  • 00:14:50.307 --> 00:14:52.977
  • What other people think?"
  • 00:14:52.977 --> 00:14:56.046
  • It's like the peer pressure talk for grown-ups, from
  • 00:14:56.046 --> 00:14:59.883
  • The teenagers.
  • 00:14:59.883 --> 00:15:01.251
  • Dad, don't give in to peer pressure.
  • 00:15:01.251 --> 00:15:02.586
  • It's like, okay, so you know, i went ahead and did it, and you
  • 00:15:02.586 --> 00:15:05.055
  • Know, and then the whole thing turned out great.
  • 00:15:05.055 --> 00:15:06.423
  • But the point is, i'll never forget that, why?
  • 00:15:06.423 --> 00:15:09.426
  • Because his words--i mean, you know, staff and an opinion,
  • 00:15:09.426 --> 00:15:12.129
  • Everybody's got an opinion.
  • 00:15:12.129 --> 00:15:13.497
  • But my 15-year-old son?
  • 00:15:13.497 --> 00:15:14.898
  • I'm like, goodness.
  • 00:15:14.898 --> 00:15:16.266
  • So the point is, whether it's at home or at school or at work or
  • 00:15:16.266 --> 00:15:21.372
  • In the neighborhood, remember, remember who you are and
  • 00:15:21.372 --> 00:15:26.343
  • Remember what you represent to the person on the other side
  • 00:15:26.343 --> 00:15:31.248
  • Of you.
  • 00:15:31.248 --> 00:15:32.783
  • One more quick illustration.
  • 00:15:32.783 --> 00:15:34.118
  • Mom and dad, this is so important.
  • 00:15:34.118 --> 00:15:37.054
  • When you walk into your child's room to deliver some bad
  • 00:15:37.054 --> 00:15:41.325
  • News, alright.
  • 00:15:41.325 --> 00:15:43.460
  • When you walk into your child's room to deliver some not so
  • 00:15:43.460 --> 00:15:47.231
  • Good news.
  • 00:15:47.231 --> 00:15:48.866
  • You see somebody who knows better and who needs to
  • 00:15:48.866 --> 00:15:53.904
  • Do better.
  • 00:15:53.904 --> 00:15:55.806
  • But who do they see?
  • 00:15:55.806 --> 00:15:59.710
  • They see the person whose approval they want more than
  • 00:15:59.710 --> 00:16:02.646
  • Anything else in the world.
  • 00:16:02.646 --> 00:16:05.749
  • It's not the same relationship.
  • 00:16:05.749 --> 00:16:10.020
  • You have a relationship, but it's not the same relationship.
  • 00:16:10.020 --> 00:16:15.259
  • Who we are and what we represent should determine what we say,
  • 00:16:15.259 --> 00:16:20.731
  • The words we choose, because who we are and what we represent
  • 00:16:20.731 --> 00:16:23.834
  • Determines the weight of our words.
  • 00:16:23.834 --> 00:16:27.704
  • Now, so far, this has been great advice, and a lousy
  • 00:16:27.704 --> 00:16:32.876
  • Sermon, right?
  • 00:16:32.876 --> 00:16:34.244
  • In fact, some of you are like--if this is your first
  • 00:16:34.244 --> 00:16:36.046
  • Time, it's like, is this like positive thinking church?
  • 00:16:36.046 --> 00:16:38.749
  • I've heard that's what it is.
  • 00:16:38.749 --> 00:16:40.117
  • No, so far good advice.
  • 00:16:40.117 --> 00:16:41.452
  • So if we just stop right here, i wanna say to all of those of you
  • 00:16:41.452 --> 00:16:43.620
  • Of a different faith tradition or are not christian, you're not
  • 00:16:43.620 --> 00:16:45.389
  • A religious person.
  • 00:16:45.389 --> 00:16:46.757
  • Please, you don't need to listen to the rest of this.
  • 00:16:46.757 --> 00:16:49.193
  • But listen, you need to do that.
  • 00:16:49.193 --> 00:16:51.128
  • Imagine our nation would be a much more pleasant place if all
  • 00:16:51.128 --> 00:16:54.465
  • Of us would leverage our words with the idea of building that
  • 00:16:54.465 --> 00:16:58.068
  • Person up, the person on the other side of us, of building
  • 00:16:58.068 --> 00:17:00.471
  • Them up and encouraging them, right?
  • 00:17:00.471 --> 00:17:02.406
  • But for christians, but for christians, the stakes are
  • 00:17:02.406 --> 00:17:05.309
  • Even higher.
  • 00:17:05.309 --> 00:17:07.077
  • If you're a jesus follower or claim to be a christian, this is
  • 00:17:07.077 --> 00:17:10.080
  • Not optional.
  • 00:17:10.080 --> 00:17:11.415
  • This isn't an add on.
  • 00:17:11.415 --> 00:17:13.016
  • This isn't like, oh, this will make me a better person, and i
  • 00:17:13.016 --> 00:17:15.752
  • Want you to hear me, and this isn't a ploy to leverage, you
  • 00:17:15.752 --> 00:17:18.922
  • Know, in somebody's life to get what you want from them.
  • 00:17:18.922 --> 00:17:21.191
  • I'm just gonna add more and more positive words, leverage the
  • 00:17:21.191 --> 00:17:23.260
  • Positive so i get what i want.
  • 00:17:23.260 --> 00:17:24.628
  • This is not that, this is not a strategy for getting what
  • 00:17:24.628 --> 00:17:27.598
  • You want.
  • 00:17:27.598 --> 00:17:28.966
  • We are obligated as jesus followers to get this right
  • 00:17:28.966 --> 00:17:32.236
  • Because we have a responsibility.
  • 00:17:32.236 --> 00:17:34.004
  • We have a responsibility because we have been commanded by our
  • 00:17:34.004 --> 00:17:37.841
  • Savior to love others the way that god through christ has
  • 00:17:37.841 --> 00:17:41.512
  • Loved them, which includes the words that we use.
  • 00:17:41.512 --> 00:17:44.915
  • We've been commanded to leverage our words with the benefit of
  • 00:17:44.915 --> 00:17:47.885
  • The other person in mind.
  • 00:17:47.885 --> 00:17:49.586
  • Now last week we teased out this passage.
  • 00:17:49.586 --> 00:17:52.089
  • I'm just gonna read it to you real quick and keep moving, but
  • 00:17:52.089 --> 00:17:54.591
  • Again, this isn't optional for us.
  • 00:17:54.591 --> 00:17:56.627
  • The apostle paul taking again jesus' new covenant marching
  • 00:17:56.627 --> 00:18:00.130
  • Orders to love as god through christ has loved us.
  • 00:18:00.130 --> 00:18:03.834
  • And he says--here's what it looks like with the words that
  • 00:18:03.834 --> 00:18:05.669
  • You choose.
  • 00:18:05.669 --> 00:18:07.004
  • And he says, "do not."
  • 00:18:07.004 --> 00:18:08.372
  • It's a command.
  • 00:18:08.372 --> 00:18:09.706
  • And he says, "do not let any unwholesome or any stinky word
  • 00:18:09.706 --> 00:18:12.209
  • Come out of your mouth, but only words that are good for building
  • 00:18:12.209 --> 00:18:16.680
  • Others up."
  • 00:18:16.680 --> 00:18:18.015
  • In other words, he says, every conversation's a
  • 00:18:18.015 --> 00:18:19.383
  • Construction site.
  • 00:18:19.383 --> 00:18:20.717
  • Every conversation is a construction site.
  • 00:18:20.717 --> 00:18:22.719
  • And you're either gonna use your words to build or to tear down.
  • 00:18:22.719 --> 00:18:26.223
  • He says, so you choose your words to build others up
  • 00:18:26.223 --> 00:18:29.026
  • According to not your needs, according to their needs, "that
  • 00:18:29.026 --> 00:18:33.363
  • It may benefit those who listen."
  • 00:18:33.363 --> 00:18:37.100
  • And why must we do this?
  • 00:18:37.100 --> 00:18:39.503
  • Why is this important?
  • 00:18:39.503 --> 00:18:40.938
  • Just so, hey, well if you do this, you're just gonna
  • 00:18:40.938 --> 00:18:42.739
  • Get along.
  • 00:18:42.739 --> 00:18:44.074
  • No, that's not the reason.
  • 00:18:44.074 --> 00:18:45.442
  • The reason if you're a jesus follower or a christian, you
  • 00:18:45.442 --> 00:18:47.010
  • Have to get this right is because you don't
  • 00:18:47.010 --> 00:18:50.447
  • Represent yourself.
  • 00:18:50.447 --> 00:18:53.083
  • You're not just a representative of yourself.
  • 00:18:53.083 --> 00:18:56.019
  • For us, the application has a twist.
  • 00:18:56.019 --> 00:18:58.222
  • You know, the application for everybody is remember who you
  • 00:18:58.222 --> 00:19:00.524
  • Are and what you represent to the person on the other side
  • 00:19:00.524 --> 00:19:03.327
  • Of you.
  • 00:19:03.327 --> 00:19:04.695
  • If you're a jesus follower, if you're a christian, there's
  • 00:19:04.695 --> 00:19:06.964
  • A twist.
  • 00:19:06.964 --> 00:19:08.332
  • And here's the twist.
  • 00:19:08.332 --> 00:19:10.000
  • Remember who you are and who you represent to the person on the
  • 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:15.472
  • Other side of you.
  • 00:19:15.472 --> 00:19:18.809
  • And who are you?
  • 00:19:18.809 --> 00:19:21.111
  • You're more than the employer.
  • 00:19:21.111 --> 00:19:23.513
  • You're more than the manager.
  • 00:19:23.513 --> 00:19:25.315
  • You're more than the employee, you're more than the neighbor.
  • 00:19:25.315 --> 00:19:28.385
  • You're more than just a parent.
  • 00:19:28.385 --> 00:19:30.954
  • You're more than just the older brother, you're more than just
  • 00:19:30.954 --> 00:19:33.290
  • The older sister.
  • 00:19:33.290 --> 00:19:36.026
  • You're a follower of jesus and to use jesus' words.
  • 00:19:36.026 --> 00:19:40.964
  • You are, this is so amazing.
  • 00:19:40.964 --> 00:19:43.367
  • You are the salt of the entire earth.
  • 00:19:43.367 --> 00:19:49.439
  • So our words should do what salt does, preserve and protect,
  • 00:19:49.439 --> 00:19:54.511
  • Preserve and protect.
  • 00:19:54.511 --> 00:19:56.647
  • Never harm, never undermine.
  • 00:19:56.647 --> 00:19:59.783
  • He says there's more.
  • 00:19:59.783 --> 00:20:01.151
  • And not only that, you are the light of the world.
  • 00:20:01.151 --> 00:20:06.423
  • Our words should bring light and life to every single person
  • 00:20:06.423 --> 00:20:12.696
  • We meet.
  • 00:20:12.696 --> 00:20:14.064
  • Our words should bring light and life to the people on the other
  • 00:20:14.064 --> 00:20:18.168
  • Side of us.
  • 00:20:18.168 --> 00:20:19.536
  • And then jesus doubles down in case we didn't get it.
  • 00:20:19.536 --> 00:20:21.338
  • He says, so here's what you need to do, "since you're the light
  • 00:20:21.338 --> 00:20:23.507
  • Of the world, i want you to do something with it."
  • 00:20:23.507 --> 00:20:25.842
  • You've read this passage before.
  • 00:20:25.842 --> 00:20:27.210
  • Don't put it under a bushel.
  • 00:20:27.210 --> 00:20:28.578
  • Don't put it under a clay jar.
  • 00:20:28.578 --> 00:20:30.414
  • He says, "no, i want you to leverage your light.
  • 00:20:30.414 --> 00:20:33.517
  • I want you to think about who's on the other side of you, and i
  • 00:20:33.517 --> 00:20:35.619
  • Want you to let your light shine before others that they might
  • 00:20:35.619 --> 00:20:38.789
  • See ultimately how you live your life and connect the dots
  • 00:20:38.789 --> 00:20:42.459
  • Between how you live and what you say and who you worship and
  • 00:20:42.459 --> 00:20:45.228
  • Who you follow."
  • 00:20:45.228 --> 00:20:47.064
  • I want you to let your light shine in such a way that they
  • 00:20:47.064 --> 00:20:49.366
  • Might see and hear and connect the dots between why you say
  • 00:20:49.366 --> 00:20:54.304
  • What you say, why you possess, why you communicate the attitude
  • 00:20:54.304 --> 00:20:58.542
  • That you do and the care that you do, and who you follow and
  • 00:20:58.542 --> 00:21:01.211
  • Who you worship.
  • 00:21:01.211 --> 00:21:02.546
  • To leverage who you are and what you represent to the person on
  • 00:21:02.546 --> 00:21:06.850
  • The other side of you.
  • 00:21:06.850 --> 00:21:08.185
  • To leverage who you are and who you represent to the person on
  • 00:21:08.185 --> 00:21:12.689
  • The other side of you.
  • 00:21:12.689 --> 00:21:14.925
  • To use those weighty words to build and to encourage.
  • 00:21:14.925 --> 00:21:21.098
  • It's not just an opportunity for us.
  • 00:21:21.098 --> 00:21:24.301
  • It's actually our responsibility.
  • 00:21:24.301 --> 00:21:28.004
  • Imagine, just imagine for a moment.
  • 00:21:28.004 --> 00:21:32.242
  • Imagine the influence that the church would have in the
  • 00:21:32.242 --> 00:21:35.912
  • Community, and the church would have in the world if we'd just
  • 00:21:35.912 --> 00:21:39.349
  • Gotten this one thing right.
  • 00:21:39.349 --> 00:21:42.919
  • Imagine the influence.
  • 00:21:42.919 --> 00:21:44.688
  • And to be clear, for those of you who aren't christians, hear
  • 00:21:44.688 --> 00:21:46.890
  • Me out, not influenced so we could take over and have control
  • 00:21:46.890 --> 00:21:50.227
  • And have more people on our team.
  • 00:21:50.227 --> 00:21:52.529
  • Because our king said "this, i did not come to be served.
  • 00:21:52.529 --> 00:21:56.633
  • I came to serve and i came to give my life as a ransom
  • 00:21:56.633 --> 00:22:00.370
  • For many."
  • 00:22:00.370 --> 00:22:01.705
  • But imagine with taking on the attitude of christ, as paul
  • 00:22:01.705 --> 00:22:04.741
  • Talks about, the mindset of christ.
  • 00:22:04.741 --> 00:22:06.943
  • Imagine with that with that mindset.
  • 00:22:06.943 --> 00:22:08.945
  • Imagine if for the last 50 years or the last 20 years or the last
  • 00:22:08.945 --> 00:22:12.315
  • 10 years, if jesus' followers had embraced this posture when
  • 00:22:12.315 --> 00:22:17.154
  • They thought about what they were saying, how they were
  • 00:22:17.154 --> 00:22:19.923
  • Saying it, and the words they chose to the people on the other
  • 00:22:19.923 --> 00:22:22.859
  • Side of them.
  • 00:22:22.859 --> 00:22:24.494
  • Imagine, imagine where our country would be.
  • 00:22:24.494 --> 00:22:28.165
  • Imagine where the world would be.
  • 00:22:28.165 --> 00:22:29.833
  • This is what we have been invited to.
  • 00:22:29.833 --> 00:22:32.002
  • Listen, i'm not exaggerating.
  • 00:22:32.002 --> 00:22:33.470
  • It was that posture and it was that attitude that changed the
  • 00:22:33.470 --> 00:22:37.174
  • World once, that changed the world for the better once.
  • 00:22:37.174 --> 00:22:42.746
  • I imagine if that had been our track record.
  • 00:22:42.746 --> 00:22:46.883
  • Do you know what we would hear?
  • 00:22:46.883 --> 00:22:48.318
  • We would hear things like this, those christians, those
  • 00:22:48.318 --> 00:22:52.155
  • Christians, they believe some strange stuff.
  • 00:22:52.155 --> 00:22:57.727
  • But i gotta be honest, they are the most encouraging people i've
  • 00:22:57.727 --> 00:23:01.364
  • Ever met.
  • 00:23:01.364 --> 00:23:02.699
  • In fact, even when they say hard things, even when they say hard
  • 00:23:02.699 --> 00:23:06.570
  • Things, you just can't help but believe they really have your
  • 00:23:06.570 --> 00:23:08.972
  • Best interest in mind.
  • 00:23:08.972 --> 00:23:10.307
  • Even when they say some of that goofy stuff, it's like, gosh,
  • 00:23:10.307 --> 00:23:14.644
  • It's hard to hate these people, it really is.
  • 00:23:14.644 --> 00:23:17.447
  • Because i think, even though they're wrong, i think they are
  • 00:23:17.447 --> 00:23:21.585
  • Genuine and they're sincere and when i'm in trouble, that's who
  • 00:23:21.585 --> 00:23:28.058
  • I call.
  • 00:23:28.058 --> 00:23:29.426
  • And when my family hit a bump, we're not even church people and
  • 00:23:29.426 --> 00:23:33.163
  • They were there.
  • 00:23:33.163 --> 00:23:34.498
  • And my neighbor, he's a christian, and he came over and
  • 00:23:34.498 --> 00:23:37.033
  • He confronted me and he's getting all up in my face, and i
  • 00:23:37.033 --> 00:23:39.269
  • Was about to, you know, and i realized, he really cares
  • 00:23:39.269 --> 00:23:43.907
  • About me.
  • 00:23:43.907 --> 00:23:45.242
  • He didn't have to come over here and say this.
  • 00:23:45.242 --> 00:23:47.644
  • He really cares about me and my family, because all my other
  • 00:23:47.644 --> 00:23:52.849
  • Friends are saying, "oh, it's none of my business, it's none
  • 00:23:52.849 --> 00:23:54.718
  • Of my business."
  • 00:23:54.718 --> 00:23:56.086
  • But these crazy christians.
  • 00:23:56.086 --> 00:24:00.090
  • I'm not sure i could ever believe what they believe.
  • 00:24:00.090 --> 00:24:05.128
  • But i don't have a doubt that they believe it.
  • 00:24:05.128 --> 00:24:08.465
  • Let's do that.
  • 00:24:11.434 --> 00:24:13.737
  • When we don't get this right, paul tells us what it looks
  • 00:24:13.737 --> 00:24:16.106
  • Like, what it sounds like.
  • 00:24:16.106 --> 00:24:17.474
  • When we don't get this right, we lose the right to be heard.
  • 00:24:17.474 --> 00:24:20.110
  • We're neither salt, we're not light, we're not preserving
  • 00:24:20.110 --> 00:24:24.014
  • Anything, we're not protecting anything.
  • 00:24:24.014 --> 00:24:25.482
  • We're just having our way in the world.
  • 00:24:25.482 --> 00:24:27.017
  • And paul says, do you know what you sound like when you do that?
  • 00:24:27.017 --> 00:24:29.719
  • I don't care if you have perfect theology, perfect theology.
  • 00:24:29.719 --> 00:24:32.522
  • I don't care if you have the clearest picture of god of
  • 00:24:32.522 --> 00:24:35.158
  • Anyone in the world.
  • 00:24:35.158 --> 00:24:36.493
  • I don't care if you can diagram the entire new testament and
  • 00:24:36.493 --> 00:24:38.662
  • You've memorized it in english and in greek.
  • 00:24:38.662 --> 00:24:41.264
  • I don't care.
  • 00:24:41.264 --> 00:24:42.599
  • If you don't get this right, do you know what your words are
  • 00:24:42.599 --> 00:24:45.769
  • Into your, in your community, and the lives of the people
  • 00:24:45.769 --> 00:24:48.204
  • Around you?
  • 00:24:48.204 --> 00:24:49.573
  • Do you know what the people at work actually hear?
  • 00:24:49.573 --> 00:24:51.207
  • He says, it's a resounding gong, and i thought about bringing one
  • 00:24:51.207 --> 00:24:54.444
  • Up here, but it is so loud and obnoxious.
  • 00:24:54.444 --> 00:24:58.548
  • And a clanging cymbal.
  • 00:24:58.548 --> 00:24:59.916
  • He says, if love isn't driving your words, if concern for other
  • 00:24:59.916 --> 00:25:05.121
  • People isn't the filter through which your words pass, if you're
  • 00:25:05.121 --> 00:25:09.759
  • Not there to build them up, then just shut up because you're
  • 00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:13.496
  • Doing more harm than good.
  • 00:25:13.496 --> 00:25:19.336
  • And if you're not a christian chances are it was the reckless,
  • 00:25:19.336 --> 00:25:25.375
  • Unchristlike words of christians that either drove you away or
  • 00:25:25.375 --> 00:25:30.747
  • Keep you away or the reckless, un-christlike words of
  • 00:25:30.747 --> 00:25:35.051
  • Christians spoken to someone you love, that drove you away or
  • 00:25:35.051 --> 00:25:39.556
  • Keep you away.
  • 00:25:39.556 --> 00:25:41.524
  • That were the reason you decided to leave faith.
  • 00:25:41.524 --> 00:25:44.127
  • And if that's the case, i am so sorry.
  • 00:25:44.127 --> 00:25:48.264
  • And i hope that you will look past us, and beyond us, to
  • 00:25:48.264 --> 00:25:53.069
  • Jesus, who, and you're gonna love this.
  • 00:25:53.069 --> 00:25:54.671
  • If you're not a christian, you're gonna love this.
  • 00:25:54.671 --> 00:25:56.606
  • So look past us to jesus who reserved his harshest words for
  • 00:25:56.606 --> 00:26:02.712
  • Religious people who were careless with their words toward
  • 00:26:02.712 --> 00:26:06.850
  • The people he loved.
  • 00:26:06.850 --> 00:26:11.221
  • So for all of us, let's remember, i forget.
  • 00:26:11.221 --> 00:26:16.926
  • Let's remember who you are, and remember what you represent to
  • 00:26:16.926 --> 00:26:22.465
  • The person on the other side of you.
  • 00:26:22.465 --> 00:26:23.800
  • And if you're a christian, remember who you are and who you
  • 00:26:23.800 --> 00:26:26.503
  • Represent to the person on the other side of you.
  • 00:26:26.503 --> 00:26:29.472
  • Remember to take you into account, because the source of a
  • 00:26:29.472 --> 00:26:36.046
  • Word determines the weight of the word and the weight
  • 00:26:36.046 --> 00:26:39.115
  • Determines the impact.
  • 00:26:39.115 --> 00:26:40.650
  • And ultimately, the impact determines the outcome.
  • 00:26:40.650 --> 00:26:44.988
  • So leverage your words accordingly.
  • 00:26:44.988 --> 00:26:48.825
  • This is just one more thing that love requires of us.
  • 00:26:48.825 --> 00:26:55.932
  • And we will pick it up right there next time, in part three
  • 00:26:55.932 --> 00:26:59.636
  • Of "the weight of your words."
  • 00:26:59.636 --> 00:27:04.007
  • Andy: hey, thanks so much for watching.
  • 00:27:05.108 --> 00:27:06.810
  • You may find it hard to believe that 75 million americans claim
  • 00:27:06.810 --> 00:27:10.246
  • No religious affiliation.
  • 00:27:10.246 --> 00:27:12.382
  • On a personal note, perhaps you found it nearly impossible to
  • 00:27:12.382 --> 00:27:15.452
  • Believe that your son or your daughter or perhaps a grandchild
  • 00:27:15.452 --> 00:27:18.354
  • Drifted away from faith as part of that number.
  • 00:27:18.354 --> 00:27:21.157
  • This is a crisis culturally and perhaps for you it's a
  • 00:27:21.157 --> 00:27:24.160
  • Crisis personally.
  • 00:27:24.160 --> 00:27:25.528
  • At your move, we are committed to addressing that crisis.
  • 00:27:25.528 --> 00:27:29.432
  • We actually have a plan to solve it, but we need your help.
  • 00:27:29.432 --> 00:27:32.335
  • We've developed a digital online tool that invites people to take
  • 00:27:32.335 --> 00:27:35.739
  • A personal assessment that launches them on a journey that
  • 00:27:35.739 --> 00:27:39.109
  • Eventually intersects their questions with the teaching of
  • 00:27:39.109 --> 00:27:42.445
  • Jesus and ultimately with a bible teaching church in
  • 00:27:42.445 --> 00:27:46.216
  • Their community.
  • 00:27:46.216 --> 00:27:47.584
  • Tens of thousands of people are currently engaged in this
  • 00:27:47.584 --> 00:27:50.186
  • Process, but we need your help to continue creating the bread
  • 00:27:50.186 --> 00:27:53.590
  • Crumbs, the content that keeps them moving forward on their
  • 00:27:53.590 --> 00:27:57.160
  • Faith journey.
  • 00:27:57.160 --> 00:27:58.561
  • We're attempting something that no one has ever attempted before
  • 00:27:58.561 --> 00:28:01.765
  • And it is already working.
  • 00:28:01.765 --> 00:28:03.500
  • To find out more, go to the website or call the number at
  • 00:28:03.500 --> 00:28:06.302
  • The bottom of the screen and as always, thank you so much for
  • 00:28:06.302 --> 00:28:09.472
  • Watching and now it's your move.
  • 00:28:09.472 --> 00:28:20.984
  • ...
  • 00:28:24.220 --> 00:28:29.010