Speak the truth in love
27 January 2008
Questions for reflection and discussion.

1. Have you ever spoken the truth to someone and it went badly. Why do you think it went badly?

2. Have you ever spoken the truth to someone and it went well. Why do you think it went well?

3. Are we always called to speak the truth when we have an opportunity?

4. Jesus said in John 18: “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” How can you tell when someone is ready to listen?

5. What other topics do we need to be speaking the truth about? Why?

Speaking the Truth in Love
Pastor David Lenz
27 January 2008

Text: Ephesians 4:14-16
“But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way …….”

Back to that night……a tense dialogue about truth. John 18:37-38
Communion’s words of institution; “On the night on which he was betrayed…..”
Pilate: “Are you king of the Jews?”
……………….
Jesus: “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
Pilate: “What is truth?”

What is truth?
The world has struggled for centuries to answer this question.
“Truth is Stranger Than it Used to Be” by Middleton and Walsh
To declare truth in today’s culture seems; presumptuous, arrogant, and even offensive.

What is truth? Roe v. Wade 1973
None of David’s pastor friends are speaking on this topic.
Please don’t ask what I think. Because I will tell you and someone will be offended.
So Pilates question goes un-answered.

The way forward: Ephesians 4:15
Speak the truth. What does that mean?
Metanarrative or overriding principle around which we organize our lives.
How do we speak a (the) truth about abortion; 1) Turn to the Bible. 2) Commit to study. 3) Commit to pray. 4) Come together for discernment. 4) Acknowledge that the word “abortion” does not appear in the Bible. 5) God speaks about life being a gift, being precious, and valued by God in the womb.
Hope Church’s declaration on abortion from 1983
Know that not everyone comes from the same metanarrative. Not everyone agrees.

Call to Action: Speak the truth in love
Don’t clobber people with the truth or berate people with the truth. Don’t make them so uncomfortable they won’t hear a word you say. Not an information dump…..listen.
“The purpose of a sermon is not to get something said but to get something heard.” Craddock
Romans 8:1 – “There is no condemnation……
I Cor 13: - Love is patient, kind, not rude, not easily angered…..
Not just in word but in deed. Not just declared but demonstrated. (ARISE, Loaves & Fishes, Vines & Branches)

Does it make a difference?
Steve Chapman in 26Jan2008 Star Tribune
25% drop in abortions since peak in 1990. Lowest since 1976
2003 Gallup Poll: 72% of teenagers believe abortion is wrong.
Movie: Juno – A pregnant 16 year old changes her mind after hearing from a teenage protester.
The prevailing view used to be: Abortion may be evil but it is necessary. Increasingly the sentiment is: Abortion may be necessary but it is evil.

Can We [Talk] Listen?
13 January 2008
Questions for reflection and discussion.

Do you have a “creepy” evangelism experience you can share?

What were you thinking during or after the sermon? How was the sermon helpful?

What does a prompting/nudge from God sound like or feel like to you?

What sphere of influence is the most difficult for you? And why?

Can We ]Talk] Listen?
Pastor David Lenz
13 January 2008

Text: Acts 8:26-39
“Get up and go towards the south”…….So he got up and went……”Go over to the chariot and stay near it.”…….So Philip ran up to it……”Do you understand what you are reading?”….. < white space> ……..Then the eunuch asked Philip, “About whom does the prophet say this?”

A Creepy Experience
A strange man asks, “Are you saved.”
Should have been a moment of joy meeting another believer but instead it was creepy.
The man didn’t offer a name, didn’t ask my name. Heard the answer and moved on.
Too often we:
Talk before we listen
Talk before building a relationship
Talk without really caring about them
“To answer before listening is folly and shame.” Prov 18:13

Philip and the Ethiopian – The Art of Spiritual Conversation
The Prompting - “Go on a road trip.”
Very specific. “Go south to the road – the desert road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”
So much ministry depends on paying attention to God’s promptings.
The prompting often seems un-spiritual.
The Action - “He started out.”
“Life’s great moments evolve from simple acts of cooperation with God’s mysterious promptings.” Bill Hybels
God is talking all the time. We need to listen and respond. Simple acts of cooperation.
Another Prompting - “Go to the chariot and stay near to it.”
The ministry of proximity.
A Natural Question - based on the circumstances. “Do you understand what you are reading?”
White space – Philip is silent and gives the Ethiopian time.
The Ethiopian invites Philip’s opinion.
The Ethiopian believes and is baptized.

Important Theological Truth
No human ever leads another human to Jesus. It is the Holy Spirit that leads us to Jesus.
It is not all on Philip. It is not all on us.

Debbie’s Story
Not part of our nature to care what someone else thinks or worried about how to respond.
Natural questions:
“Tell me about your tattoos.”
“What do you believe?”

Call to Action: A simple prayer
“Holy Spirit, I am available as you need me today. Help me to listen. Help me to respond.”

Summary Quiz – What were the final three summary points of the sermon?