Church of Our Redeemer

Live Like You Were Dying – “Speak Sweetly”

A sermon preached by the Rev. John Thomas Sheehan
February 17, 2008

“What if you knew you only had 30 days to live?” How would you change?

As I said last week – life is terminal – the question is not if it’s when.

Yet, it is easy for us to live as though we were going to be here forever. We settle into a routine of fast paced living. We give little thought to where we are going or what direction we are headed. All we know is that we are going fast and we can’t seem to get off the treadmill.

Clearly this is not something new. James (the brother of Jesus) writes: “And now I have a word for those who brashly announce, ‘Today – at the latest, tomorrow – we’re off to such and such a city for the year...” You don’t know the first thing about tomorrow. You’re but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, “If the Lord wills it and we’re still alive, we’ll do this or that.’”(4:14-15 The Message)

Against the backdrop of eternity, even if you live 80, 90, or 100 years, your life is still just a vapor that quickly vanishes. The only thing we know for sure is that we have today.

So, on this day we’re going to focus on just one line from the song, “Live Like You Were Dying” that line that talks about is to “speaking more sweetly.”

Our words have power – the power lift up and encourage and the power to tear down and destroy. So the Lord’s the gift of “voice” is an amazing and powerful gift. Voice allows us, to express our deepest thoughts and emotions. In Genesis we are told that God used words in creation: “And God said. Let there be ... and there was ...” John writes, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” Jesus is the Word, John continues by saying that, “In the Word (in Jesus) was life, and the life was the light of men.” In the past God spoke through the prophets – today He has spoken through and by his son. The most powerful communication of God to mankind came in the form of Jesus. He is the ultimate and complete Word from God.

Some here today could give testimony to the power of hurtful words. You still remember word for word a verbal lashing you received from a parent or a teacher or a coach or a spouse. It may have happened years ago, but even in this moment you can feel the emotion of embarrassment, shame or anger. Verbal shrapnel has left scars on all of us.

On the other hand, some of you know the power of affirming words. You have experienced the joy of someone’s verbal blessing. Words have inspired you, comforted you, and challenged you. You know what it’s like for someone to look you in the eye and say “I believe in you…You can do it!”

Here are three ways to use your words so that they are life giving. If you only had 30 days to live, I am convinced these three suggestions would be changes you would want to make.

Appreciate people

In Colossians Paul challenges us to “Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done.” (2:7 NLT)

One of the defining characteristic of a Christian is an attitude of gratitude.

It’s easy for our words to be more about grumbling than about gratitude. This is a struggle as old as the human race.

When God created Adam and Eve he put them in the Garden of Eden (paradise). It was perfect in every way. Everything was provided for their enjoyment. God only withheld one thing from them; one tree in the middle of the garden. Rather than gratitude for what they had, they were tempted to grumbling about what they couldn’t have.

Before we throw stones at Adam and Eve, we need to look at our hearts. Compared to the most of the world – we are ultra rich. And rather than being grateful for what we have – we tend to be preoccupied with what we don’t have.

St. Benedict considered grumbling a serious offense against community life. He writes, “First and foremost, there must be no word or sign of grumbling, no manifestation of it for any reason at all.” The most wonderful line in Benedict’s rule describes the appropriate response to a monk who was creating discord by their grumbling. “Let Father Abbot send two stout monks to explain the matter to him.” You complain and whine in the monastery and you get a visit from a couple of monks named Louie and Guido. Hmm – this might be a good strategy for the church.
Some of you are thinking – come on John – “you don’t understand how hard my life is.” Sorry, you’re not off the hook. Listen to what Paul writes.

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Did you hear those first words? No matter what happens – ALWAYS be thankful. No matter what you are going through; even if you only had 30 days left to live you can still be filled with gratitude. First and foremost if you know Jesus Christ as your savior, you have an eternal life to be thankful for. No matter what life throws at you, you are loved. You are forgiven. You have hope. You are at peace with God. So, you can face death without fear.

When is the last time you just said “thank you” to Jesus?

There is a fascinating story about gratitude in the book of Luke.

It happened as Jesus was on His was to Jerusalem. As he entered a village, ten men, all lepers, met Him. Keeping their distance, they raised their voices, calling out,“Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” Taking a good look at them, Jesus said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” They went, and while they were still on their way, they became clean. One of them, when he realized that he was healed, turned and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying God. He was so grateful, he fell at Jesus' feet. He couldn’t thank him enough. This man was a Samaritan. Jesus said, “Didn't I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Can none be found to come back and give glory to God except this outsider?” (Luke 17:12-18)

Ten lepers miraculously healed. And only one takes the time to come back and say “thanks.” Unbelievable! I love this one guy. He comes back – shouting “Praise God I’m healed.” Then he falls at Jesus’ feet and says “thank you… thank you… thank you… thank you.”

When people realize that they have been touched by God and their hearts are filled with gratitude, you know what happens? Their face gets involved and they smile more. Then their mouth gets involved and they shout-out their gratitude.

Here are a couple of ways to put this into practice.

Stop and say “thanks” to people who serve you

Life around here moves pretty fast. If we’re not careful, we can miss opportunities for gratitude to fill our soul and roll off of our lips. So, I want you to focus on noticing the small things. Then, every chance you get, say “thank you.”

When you pass the crossing guard at the school roll down your window as you go by and say, “Thanks for what you do.” When you see a solider, stop and just say, “Thanks, I appreciate your service.”

When you see the waitress, bank teller, nurse, Sunday school teacher, develop the habit of expressing thanks.

Say “thanks” to the people who shaped you

There are people who shaped you, blessed you, or sacrificed for you. If you only had 30 days to live, I bet you’d track them down and take the time to tell them what they mean to you.

Who’s coming to mind? It maybe someone you haven’t seen in years. But, they helped make you the person you are today. Go to them – look them in the eye and say, “Thanks, I am so grateful for your impact on my life.” I know this is new territory for some of you, but life is too short and we aren’t promised tomorrow. So, don’t miss this chance to express your gratitude.

Encourage people… build them up

This is huge and it is so simple to do. In 1st Thessalonians we are given this challenge. “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”(5:11)

Mother Teresa said, “Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are endless.”

One day as Jesus was teaching in the synagogue – he saw a woman who had been crippled and bent over and for 18 years – she was not able to stand up straight. Luke 13.

Jesus was moved with compassion. So, he called to her, and he reached out to touch her. When he does, she is instantly healed. She stands up straight and begins praising God. Yet, in the middle of all the excitement and praise, the leader of the synagogue steps forward and attacks Jesus for healing on the Sabbath.

When Jesus defends his actions, he calls her a “daughter of Abraham.” I can almost see her walking home. She is standing up straight. She feels ten feet tall. She is seeing things she hasn’t seen in years. And ringing in her ears are the life-giving words “daughter of Abraham.” .

We live in a world where people are beat up and put down. We all remember the saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Well, we know that’s not true. Do you remember Norm from “Cheers”? One day when he was asked how his day was, he responded, “It’s a dog-eat-dog world and I’m wearing milk bone underwear.”

Some of you feel that way about this past week. There are people all around us who are stressed, anxious, fearful, angry, insecure or discouraged. They are everywhere.

But, here is the great news. We have the unbelievable privilege of looking people in the eye and saying to them, “You matter, your life counts, God loves you, and God takes a personal interested in you.”

Have you ever watched video footage from the Special Olympics. I love these clips. As the kids compete, parents, friends and coaches cheer wildly. And as kids cross the finish line there is a mob of hugging and cheering and celebrating. It doesn’t matter how fast they are or how gifted they are. Every person is encouraged and cheered for and celebrated. If there is any group on earth that should demonstrate this kind of encouragement, it is us – the body of Christ.

We should be excessive, obnoxious, and lavish with our encouragement.

There was a documentary about a woman who was facing significant health issues. When they asked her how she was managing to face the challenges. She led them upstairs to the master bathroom.

She simply pointed to the mirror. On the mirror were these words written in lipstick by her young daughter. “The best gift I could give you is the gift to be able to see yourself as I see you. You are my hero.”

Proverbs 16:24 says, “Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.”

Before we move on, I want to look at one more verse.

“Encourage one another daily, as long as it’s called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.” (Hebrews 3:13)

This is a great verse – it reminds us that all we really have is today. Our good intentions lead to many missed opportunities.

I wonder how many people God put in my path this week. But, missed them, because I was so self-absorbed or moving to fast. Jesus had this wonderful capacity to “notice” people. He never seemed to be rushed. He never looked past them to someone more important. He never seemed to see people as an interruption or an annoyance.

So, how about it? Who needs your encouragement? Who could you bless this week with no strings attached?
There is one older gentleman I heard about that whenever he flies, he picks up a few boxes of See’s candy. And as he feels prompted and led, he just gives them out to people as a way to encourage them.

However, you choose to do it, let me challenge you to be a “blessing dispenser.”

So, we can appreciate people, encourage people and lastly, we can

Pray for people

It is a wonderful privilege to be able to speak to people on behalf of God. But, it is an equal privilege to speak to God on behalf of people. In other words, we have the joy of carrying people and their needs before the very presence of God. We can prayer for our friends.

The Bible says that we can boldly go into his presence knowing that he is a good Father who delights to meet the needs of his kids. “So let us boldly approach the throne of our gracious God with confidence – so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

There is a beautiful picture in the Old Testament that illustrates this point. It’s found in the book of Exodus. It’s a picture of a personal God who puts a premium on people. In this passage, God builds into the priestly duties the responsibility of carrying the people before God.

“Aaron will regularly carry the names of the sons of Israel, over his heart, on the Breast-piece of Decision, as he enters the Sanctuary into the presence of God. He will also put the Urim and the Thummim in the breast-piece of decision. So they may be over Aaron’s heart when he enters the presence of the LORD God. In this way Aaron will always carry the Breast-piece of decision into the presence of God.” (Exodus 28:29-30)

Every time Aaron went to perform his priestly duties, he was reminded of God’s heart for the people of Israel. Each gem in the four rows of stones represented a different tribe of Israel. Every man, woman, boy and girl was represented in those stones. There wasn’t one person in all of Israel that God didn’t love or care about. It was Aaron’s job to carry the people and their needs into the presence of the Lord.

In the New Testament, we learn that all of us who follow Jesus have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us. Like Aaron we carry our friends into the presence of the Lord through prayer.

And, here’s the good news. You don’t have to go to the tabernacle like Aaron. You can go to the presence of God anytime, anywhere. My hope and prayer is that prayer becomes a lifestyle; an ongoing conversation with God throughout the day. While you are driving, showering, taking a walk or sitting in front of your computer, you can pray on behalf of the people that are in your heart.

Ephesians says, “Pray at all times. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind.” (6:18)

Did you hear that? Pray at all times (be persistent). Keep your eyes open (Stay alert). There is power in prayer. Sometimes we minimize the power of prayer and forget that prayer has the power to move heaven and earth.

Jesus teaches in the Sermon on the Mount.

“Keep on asking, and you will receive. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. If your child ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask?” (Matthew 7:7-11)

Prayer should be our first response not our last resort. So, when someone shares a need, a crisis, or praise, get in the habit of stopping right then and there and praying. People’s tears are often God’s invitation to stop and pray. Sometimes, the most important thing for you to do is to pray on someone’s behalf.

The result is that people are encouraged, God’s power is unleashed, and everyone’s faith is strengthened. Can you imagine how it might change our community and us if we just started praying for and with people? Can you imagine how it would impact people if we had no other agenda than to bring their needs before God? Let me challenge you give it a try this coming week. Make it your goal to pray with at least one person that God brings your way. Take the risk. What do you have to lose? Go for it.

I want to finish where we began. “Words kill, words give life. They’re either poison or fruit – you chose.”(Proverbs 18:21)

May your words be life-giving this week.

“May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you, may the Lord turn his face toward you and give you His peace. May God’s gracious favor lead you to speak sweeter this coming week.”