Playlist: Language, Bad (topic)
Flavorless Salt
Sermonette by Hunter D. SwansonThe metaphor of properly flavoring our speech with salt applies to how we speak to those who have not yet been called, which reflects on the family name of God.
Profanity (Part One)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughLanguage that desecrates and debases—what James calls the "untamable tongue"—serves as the entry point into a much larger biblical theme of profanity, one that extends far beyond mere cursing into the entire orientation of a person's life toward or away from God. James 3:6-10 describes the tongue as "a fire, a world …
Profanity (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughProfanity, in its fullest biblical sense, extends far beyond crude speech, though foul language is where the subject most naturally begins. The third commandment prohibits taking God's name in vain, but the Hebrew word translated "take" carries a broader meaning than the English suggests—better rendered "bear" or "carry." …
Reviler
Sermonette by Ronny H. GrahamAs culture degenerates, the sin of reviling has become more pervasive, as impatient narcissists lash out at others, using foul and abusive language.
Potential for Good
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe chief tool we can use to do good (building positive relationships between other people) is to develop and exercise the mind of God within us.
Why the Last Great Day?
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughSome words are inadequate to describe the magnitude of certain things. Why is the 'Last Great Day' called great?