Exercises we’d be better off without in 2012

~ Jumping on the bandwagon~ Running around in circles~ Pushing your luck~ Spinning your wheels~ Climbing the walls~ Beating your own drum~ Dragging your heels~ Jumping to conclusions~ Throwing your weight around~ Passing the buck

Ephesians 4:29-5:2 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. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

How do we exercise our freedom of speech?

unwholesome talk helpful,

building others up,

benefit those who listen.

bitterness, rage, anger, compassionate, kind, brawling, slander, malice. Forgiving

What kind of church do I want to be part of?

to be a church that we want to be part of…

use words that build up rather than tear down

v.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.

to be a church that we want to be part of…

be sensitive to the Holy Spirit

v.30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

to be a church that we want to be part of…

forgive as you have been forgiven

v. 31,32 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

to be a church that we want to be part of…

love like Jesus

5:1-2 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Luke 6:43-45 "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. “

Jesus is in the business of renovating our heart which requires active participation on our part and regular exercise

EXERCISES to be and become the church you want to be part of:  Watch what we are putting in -GI GO: Bite your tongue…catch the words before they get out (edit) Think of how to build up the other person Listen to the HS Spend time with Jesus everyday Pass on the forgiveness you enjoy Know you are dearly loved Pretend you are Jesus