James 1:19-20 (NASB)

19 You know this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Now everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; 20 for a man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness of God.

Theme: Growing in godly communication/speech is an integral part of every Christian’s spiritual maturity.

Three Keys to Godly Communication

1) Open your ears (1:19)

2) Control your tongue (1:19)

3) Control your emotions (1:19-20)

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Colossians 3:5-14 [NASB]

5 Therefore, treat the parts of your earthly body as dead to sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 6 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you also, rid yourselves of all of them: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene speech from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you stripped off the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created it— 11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, and free, but Christ is all, and in all.

12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also. 14 In addition to all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

i. Why is it necessary? (5-7)
II. Laying aside the old life (8-11)
III. Putting on the new self (12-14)

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1 Thessalonians 2:9-12 (NASB)

9 For you recall, brothers and sisters, our labor and hardship: it was by working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, that we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how devoutly and rightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; 11 just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, 12 so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

Theme: The privilege of proclaiming the Gospel and making disciples comes with the God-graced responsibility of personal investment and godly conduct.

A “To-Do” List for the Christian Discipler:

1) Persist in sacrificial service (v. 9)

2) Practice exemplary behavior (v. 10)

3) Provide father-like care ((v. 11)

4) Have a clear purpose (v. 12)

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1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 (NASB)

1 For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our reception among you was not in vain, 2 but after we had already suffered and been treated abusively in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition. 3 For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not intending to please people, but to please God, who examines our hearts. 5 For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is our witness— 6 nor did we seek honor from people, either from you or from others, though we could have asserted our authority as apostles of Christ. 7 But we proved to be gentle among you. As a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children, 8 in the same way we had a fond affection for you and were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.

Theme: The privilege of proclaiming the Gospel and making disciples comes with the God-pleasing responsibility of personal integrity and godly character.

1) The Christian discipler’s message must be the true Gospel of God (2:1-2, 4, 8)

2) The Christian discipler’s manner must be godly love for others (2:7-8)

3) The Christian discipler’s motivation must be to sincerely please God (2:3-4, 5-6)

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