“You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God: I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 19.14; ESV)
Most will read over this verse and never pay it much thought, but upon considering the ramifications of this verse, the eternal nature of the Lord is clearly seen in the actions of the obedient.
Consider this, if you curse a deaf person, will he even hear it?
The answer is, “No.”
Leviticus 19.14 is a relationship verse; both our relationship to God as well as our relationship to each other.
Clearly a deaf person will not hear a cursing from your lips, but the Lord will. The Lord will see when you do not respect your fellow man and when you are not doing what is right before Him. Our words regarding others when they are not around is nothing more than a reflection of our hearts.
Our words are a reflection of our relationship with the Lord!
God is clear in His word about how we are to treat others. Gossiping and speaking behind others backs does nothing but fuel the fires of negativity and destroys everything. Yes, I said everything.
Each of us know relationship which have been utterly destroyed because of gossip and backbiting. I am sure some can name families that have split, marriages divided and congregations destroyed over gossip and backstabbing. Even King Solomon knew this when he said, “For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases” (Proverbs 26.20; ESV)
Questions for a lifetime:
1. Each day, do you spend more time talking about people or to people?
2. When you pray, do you spend more time praying about others or more time praying for others?
3. Do you spend time tearing people down with gossip or building them up with exhortation?
Remember, a “true friends says nice things behind your back.”
Retirement is defined as “the action or fact of leaving one’s job and ceasing to work.” (Oxford Dictionary) Our country has an emphasis on retirement from physical work, but that should not roll over into spiritual work.
Remember, Moses led the people of Israel at 80 years of age. Caleb was still vigorous at 85 (Joshua 14.10). Also, remember Paul’s words to Titus in Titus 2.1-10. 2.
#2 - One does not need a sophisticated education to follow Jesus
Some believe one must know everything in the Bible to follow Jesus. However, the closest followers to Jesus were ordinary men.
Remember the words regarding Peter and John in Acts 4.13? Their example was not in their education, but in their influence.
#3 - Hell is optional
One of the best parts about life is the choices we can make.
Did you know that you can make a choice not to go to Hell? You can make the choice but will you follow up on your choice? Jesus is the only way to Heaven (John 14.6). One must be in Jesus and the way to get into Jesus is through baptism (Galatians 3.27).
#5 - Everyone can do something
Following Christ is not a time to sit back and relax, but it is a time to work. Paul says we are created in Christ Jesus for good works (Ephesians 2.10). At other times, Paul speaks of the abilities given to each Christian (Romans 12.3-8; Ephesians 4.11-16).
10 –Old people should not retire; young folks need you! – Remember Moses led the people of Israel at the age of 80; Caleb was still vigorous at 85 (Joshua 14.10) and remember Paul’s words to the Titus (Titus 2.1-10).
9 – Sophisticated education is not needed to follow Jesus (Acts 4.13).
8 – Bald men, well at least one, have power (2 Kings 2.23-25)
7 – You can read the Bible every day.
6 – Everyone has a gift to use; given to them by God. (Romans 12.3-8; Ephesians 4.11-16; 1 Peter 4.10-11; Matthew 25.14-30)
5 – The Bible even has a book about sex. Apparently there is something God wants us to know. (Song of Solomon)
4 – It allows me to eat bacon. (Acts 10.15)
3 – The Bible proves itself. (Science does not prove the Bible, the Bible proves science.) – The more people search, study and investigate nature, they find themselves staring at a Creator.
2 – Hell is optional. – You do not have to go; there is a better place called heaven and the Bible tells you how to get there.
Each one knows that the world is continually watching our actions when they know that we are Christians; with this in mind, what is the most significant action a Christian can take each day?
All of us are to let our light shine before men so they can see our good works and glorify God in heaven (Matthew 5.16), but what if we took that answer a little deeper. While our example is important to the world, what is the driving force behind your example?
If you had to describe the driving force behind your example, what would it be?
What is the greatest act of a Christian?
Jesus, being asked, “What is the greatest command?” The question was valid, and the response was godly. Jesus answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.” (Matthew 22.37-38)
The great and first command is the greatest act a Christian can do each day – “Love the Lord.”
The second act of a Christian is the second command mentioned by Jesus, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 27.39)
I am sure each one understands this, but communication is important. Whether it is verbal or non-verbal, communication affects everything. For a Christian, our communication is not only towards our brothers and sisters, but it is toward God. Christians have what many consider to be a vertical communication style (our communication with God) and a horizontal communication style ( our communication with each other).
In the end, we know that your communication with God affects all of our other relationships. So, to improve our other areas of communication, we need to first start with our communication with God.
Below is the PowerPoint from Sunday evening. Take a moment and feel free to view it and see what you think.
Thank you for stopping by and seeing the newest Powerpoint lesson. Stop by each week for more.
