In our comfortably safe country, we can be tempted to become sleepy Christians. This week we’ll look at the second method to stay awake: having godly conversation. Why is this so important and what does this look like?
Our passages today: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 and 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 with a focus on verse 6.
Preacher: Ian Bayne, 10th Jan 2021
[6] So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Introduction
In 2020 New Zealand has done very well in managing covid and we’re grateful for the freedom this permits. We must be careful not to be smug and let our guard down.
Last time we looked at why our guard may be let down because we might:
- Doubt Christ’s return – because we don’t see it today we can think He’s not coming back, or that it doesn’t matter.
- Deny the certainty of death – especially given that medicine today is very good. The average age of 80 seems to be a long way off, but we will all die.
- Live in comfortable and secure environments – focussing on improving our own comfort
- Be tempted to feast and be frivolous all of the time – while feasting is fun, we must balance this as the writer of Ecclesiastes says:
It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart.
Ecclesiastes 7:2 ESV
Steps to avoid drowsiness
We need to keep ourselves from becoming drowsy Christians. How do we do this?
1. Allow the light of God’s Word to shine on us.
We hear, heed, harbour and hold fast to the gospel.
We anticipate the completion of the gospel and can be assured of our salvation, and feed our love for Him by having appreciation for His mercy and grace towards us.
Today we’ll look at the second point:
2. Practice the art of godly conversation to make sure we are alert and sober
Some people are good at getting to the core issues in our Christian journey.
We need to foster the art of godly conversation to be an encouragement for one and another. This is one of the main reasons to meet.
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, [25] not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV
This is one of the great purposes of coming to church. Modern technology (e.g virtual meetings) can help but it isn’t a perfect substitute. What are the purposes of conversation?
Why have godly conversation?
Godly conversation…
1. Instructs us
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
Deuteronomy 6:7 ESV
2. Preserves us
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Colossians 4:6 ESV
Salt is a preservative and flavor enhancer.
3. Encourages
addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,
Ephesians 5:19 ESV
This sort of conversation encourages one another.
4. Heals us
There are words that hurt, and words that heal.
The old saying: “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” is not correct.
Words can hurt.
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Proverbs 12:18 ESV
In the book ‘Pilgrims Progress,’ characters Christian and Hopeful are crossing enchanted planes quite late into their journey. These plains cause them to feel sleepy. In order to prevent sleep, they have good godly conversation to keep them alert and sober. Many Christians late in their journey, when life becomes comfortable, can be at risk of this.
In the book, they realise that they need to (and therefore we should) discuss the:
- foolishness of relying on self-righteousness and keeping the law for salvation.
- necessity of gaining the righteousness of Christ and how this is the only option for salvation.
- relief we experience as we are saved in Christ
Try this after church!
In New Zealand we are masters of the understatement. People say things differently in America – they’re typically more direct. The advantage this gives them is the art of testimony – they are more willing to share their Christian faith openly. This isn’t saying we need to become American, but to talk more about the Christian journey.
Application
Therefore we should concentrate on godly conversation which:
1. Builds up rather than tears down.
The name Barnabas means encourager.
2. Causes our hearts to burn within us
They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”
Luke 24:32 ESV
This will happen when we speak the scriptures and express what the Lord has done for us.
3. Remembers the value of others
If we walk alone we are vulnerable.
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. [10] For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 ESV
Whatever we are, we need to practice how to use godly conversation – it might just save someone’s faith!
Resources
If you have any comments or questions, we’d love to hear from you. Please fill out the contact us form.
Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.
