A Real Slobberknocker

When Spit Flies

Slobberknocker.

It’s a rather juicy and colorful country word I learned growing up. Folks would use it to describe a vicious collision during a football game. We’re talking about a hit so hard that spit would fly everywhere. Slobberknocker…get it?

If you’re a wrestling fan, you’ve probably heard announcer Jim Ross throw this term around more than the Rock throws the People’s Elbow. Yeah, I just mentioned wrestling in the same breath as Jesus.

A Trip to the Ten Towns

But long before Wrestlemania or the Royal Rumble, there was a real slobberknocker in a tiny corner of the world known as the Ten Towns. Folks there will never forget the day that Jesus used a glob of His own supernatural spit to knock a dude’s deafness into next week (Mk 7:31-37).

It all happens during a long road trip for Christ and His crew. Did you catch all that’s been going on? Let’s rewind a ways and review, shall we? It starts when the Lord’s own hometown of Nazareth gives Him a stiff arm (Mk 6:1-6).

Trying to Take Some Time off

After that He sends the Twelve out in teams of two to practice serving and loving people on their own (Mk 6:7-13). Jesus gets the bad news that the local king has killed His cousin (Mk 6:14-29). It’s right about here when the Lord starts looking to take His guys and take some time off (Mk 6:30-31).

Oh, but just the opposite happens. This is right about the time Jesus’ popularity peaks and things really amp up. After a big crowd chases him down the beach while He’s traveling by boat, our Savior serves them up an all-you-can-eat seafood buffer using only a a couple of fish sandwiches (Mk 6:32-44).

Problems on the Inside

When Christ sends His disciples off in a boat across the big lake, He miraculously meets up with them in by walking out the waves during a midnight storm (Mk 6:45-52). He follows that by healing all sorts of folks in several lakeside villages (Mk 6:53-56). Some are cured by just grabbing His clothes.

Follow that up with yet another showdown with religious power brokers from the Hebrew home office in Jerusalem (Mk 7:1-23). These dudes are all freaked out when Jesus’ team won’t follow their own manmade rules for obeying God through external actions. But He makes it clear that our problem isn’t on the outside but the churning urn of burning funk on the inside of hearts.

That’s when Christ gets so serious about getting away that He and His boys head north across the border near a city on the Mediterranean Sea called Tyre. Despite trying to keep a low profile in a foreign land, He ends up helping a desperate mom by driving the demon out of her daughter (Mk 7:24-30).

A Roundabout Route

We pick up the story in Mark’s biography of the radical Rabbi/Carpenter as He packs up and hit the road again. The author traces His rather roundabout route. “Jesus left Tyre and went up to Sidon before going back to the Sea of Galilee and the region of the Ten Towns” (v31).

If you’re following along on the map, you’ll see they head further north about twenty miles to Sidon before swinging back south in a clockwise loop. They make an end run to the eastern side of the lake we call the Sea of Galilee.

Off Herod’s Radar

In doing so, Jesus and His arrive back in the Ten Towns metro area. The Ten Towns, also known in some Bible translations as the Decapolis, is an alliance of cities which share a heavy influence of Greek culture.

This is non-Jewish territory. It allows the Lord to stay off Herod Antipas’ radar as well as avoiding those pesky Pharisees. But it’s not like Jesus can keep it on the down low for very long. His popularity had already spread to the Ten Towns (Mt 4:25)

His Reputation Precedes Him

That’s because Christ got an amazing amount of local media attention after healing a naked, demon-possessed dude living in a local graveyard (Mk 5:20). Let’s just say His reputation preceded Him to the Ten Towns.

So it’s not long before He’s asked to help someone. “A deaf man with a speech impediment was brought to Him, and the people begged Jesus to lay His hands on the man and heal Him” (v32). Locals clearly believe He can help their friend.

God Takes Requests

This is a great reminder of a couple of things. First of all, we should do what we can for others what they can’t do for themselves. Specifically when that involves getting them closer to Jesus.

Second, the Son of God takes requests. He’s ready to hear our pleas on behalf of others. The fancy schmancy word for that is intercession. It’s action of intervening for someone else when we see the need for divine intervention.

A Speech Impediment

In this case, the man can’t hear. We don’t know why. Chances are he could at some point. That’s because Mark describes him as having a “speech impediment” (v32). This is the compound Greek word μογιλαλος/mogilalos, which literally means to have difficulty speaking.

This doesn’t mean he couldn’t or wouldn’t talk at all. It simply means he was very hard to understand. When you have severe hearing loss, you have a hard time speaking because you can’t hear yourself. This means the guy could probably hear at one point. The dude has gone deaf over the course of his life.

Getting Alone with the Son of God

Whatever the case, Christ gets to work. But first He creates some distance from the crowd. “Jesus led Him away from the crowd so they could be alone” (v33). These days you would suspect this was to avoid some sort of HIPAA violation. But that’s not the case in the First Century.

I guess there’s the chance that He remembers how the last miracle He performed in the area wasn’t exactly received with open arms. Our Savior healed that demon-possessed man by sending a couple of thousand evil spirits into a herd of hogs. When the pigs died after taking a flying leap off a cliff, locals begged Him to leave (Mk 5:1-20).

Eliminating Distractions

But I suspect the Lord simply doesn’t want to put on a big show. It’s not looking for a photo opp or creating a media event. He’s simply providing a quiet and compassionate cure for a particular person.

Could it be that Christ is taking the man’s disability into consideration? Getting alone with him would also eliminate visual distractions. All he sees would be Jesus.

Hanging out with Jesus

Whatever the case, we can be sure that our Savior loves to get alone with us. He wants to eliminate the distractions that steal our focus from Him. Turn off the phone. Close the laptop. Walk away from the TV. Get alone with the Son of God. He loves to just hang out. Just you and Jesus.

To be sure, following Christ is a team sport. We desperately need other believers in our lives. But it’s also intensely personal. Jesus wants to get alone with each of us. As a matter of fact, He LOVES to get alone with each of us.

Sign Language

When the two of them are off to themselves Jesus begins the exam with a touch. “He put His fingers into the man’s ears” (v33). This is probably His not-so-subtle form of sign language letting His patient know what He’s about to do.

We’ve got to remember that this just about the only way Christ can communicate His care and compassion to the guy. After making the massive leap from heaven to earth, He’s not going to let the man’s deafness get in the way. He meets him smack dab in his disability.

Meeting Us Where We Are

And He does the same for us. He meets us where we are…right in the middle of our brokenness. In the middle of our depression. In the middle of our pain. In the middle of our sin. In the middle of our rebellion.

There’s an old tune by King David that goes a little something like this. “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed” (Ps 34:18). In other words, He never closer than when we’re at our lowest. Let THAT sink in.

Goober from the Son of God

After probing the man’s ears, that’s when things get a little…um…messy. “Then, spitting on His own fingers, He touched the man’s tongue” (v33). Yup, you read that right. Jesus spits. Goober from the Son of God. The Lord hocks a loogie.

After digging deeper into the original language for this verse, I’m pretty sure I’ve found my new favorite Greek word. It’s πτυω/ptuo. Go ahead, say it out loud. It’s sounds EXACTLY like you think it would…puh-TOO-ee! And it means EXACTLY what you think it does…to spit. I told you this was going to be a real slobberknocker!

Drool as a Tool

It’s not the only time Jesus uses His own drool as a tool in the healing process. A little later in Mark, He applies His saliva to restore the sight to a man in Bethsaida (Mk 8:22-26). John tells us about the time Christ combines clay and spit cure another guy’s blindness (Jn 9:6-7).

So if God can use slobber for His glory and our good, He can use just about anything. That includes you and me.

Heavenly Healing

But our Savior has three more little steps before this hearing impaired man receives his miracle. “Looking up to heaven, He sighed and said, ‘Ephphatha,’ which means, ‘Be opened!’” (v34). One, He looks up. Two, He sighs. Three, He commands.

First, Jesus looks up in another form of non-verbal communication. He wants this guy to know this will be a heavenly healing. As Christ’s kid brother writes, “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father” (James 1:17). If it’s good, it’s from God.

The Savior’s Heavy Sigh

Second, He sighs. Here’s another example of where the English language has a hard time getting across the gist of the biblical Greek. The word the NLT translates as “sighed” (Gr. στεναζω/stenazo) means to moan and groan as the result of deep concern or stress. It’s expressing a complaint excessively or grumbling strongly.

So the Savior heaves a heavy sigh. What’s the Messiah moaning and groaning about? You can just about bet He’s brokenhearted over the damage our sin has caused. Not just to His Dad’s perfect creation but to ourselves as well.

We can trace it all back to our first parents. Adam and Eve fell for the lie from a satanic snake that God was holding out on them (Gen 3:1-7). Things have been spiraling in the wrong direction ever since. Let’s not get cocky and think we wouldn’t have been such suckers for original sin. The universe is broken and we’re the ones who broke it.

The Power of God’s Words

Third, Christ commands. Thankfully, Mark does the heaving lifting of translation for us. “‘Ephphatha,’ which means, ‘Be 

opened!’” (v34). That funny looking word is actually in Aramaic, the local language spoken in first century Israel. It’s closely related to Hebrew and is still spoken in parts of the Middle East today.

Jesus orders the deaf man’s to open up and start working again. Never forget the unbelievable power when God speaks. We’re talking about words that carry total authority. If you’re wondering what I mean, He created absolutely everything out of totally nothing by simply saying a few words (Gen 1).

If God can do that, there’s nothing stopping Him from doing anything else. If He says it, stand back and watch what happens. It’s one reason Jesus is known as the Word (Jn 1:1). What He says goes. Demons hit the road. Disease disappears. Eternities change.

Sudden Sound

It should come as no surprise what happens next outside the Ten Towns. “Instantly the man could hear perfectly, and his tongue was freed so he could speak plainly!” (v35). Once again, Mark uses his favorite word, here the NLT translates “instantly” (Gr. ευθεος/eutheos). The author drops some form of it 40-plus times.

In other words, there’s zero recovery time. The man doesn’t just have a significant improvement in his hearing. His ears are crystal clear. Imagine going from total silence to sudden sound. In an instant, you can hear birds singing, leaves rustling, and water trickling.

Jesus’ instantaneous healing of his hearing leads directly to correcting his speech. They are tied together. Now that he can clearly hear again, his can clearly speak again. By the way, that’s pretty solid confirmation that his deafness wasn’t a birth defect.

Doing Messiah Things

The Lord does what the prophet Isaiah predicted that Messiah is supposed to do. “And when he comes, He will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf. The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy!” (Is 35:5-6).

It’s what Jesus tells the followers of John the Baptizer when they wonder if He really is the Hero from heaven everyone’s waiting for. “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen—the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the God News is preached to the poor” (Mt 11:5).

A Sneak Preview

The Son of God is providing a sneak preview of what His kingdom will eventually look like! When He returns for His ultimate encore, everything will change for the better. He’ll totally kick sin, disease, and death to the heavenly curb once and for all. If you think this is a slobberknocker, just you wait!!

Why Keep It Quiet?

Once the guy can hear and speak again, you would expect his assignment from Jesus would be to spread the word. Not so fast, my friend. “Jesus told the crowd not to tell anyone, but the more He told them not to, the more they spread the news” (v36). Wait, what?

What’s the dealio? Just remember where we are in the story of Jesus. First, the Messiah is in Gentile territory. Remember how He made it clear that at the top of His to-do list is taking the Gospel to God’s chosen people, the Jews (Mk 7:27)?

Staying on Schedule

Second, Christ has a VERY specific timetable. He doesn’t want to attract the attention of the Roman Empire too soon. They have a little problem with anyone who challenges their authority by claiming to be the King of Kings and God Incarnate.

Third, Jesus has disciples to, well, disciple. He has a limited window of three-and-a-half years to transform this ragtag team of misfits into an apostolic strike force that will change the world.

Doing What He Says

But as you can see, word of what He’s doing spreads like wildfire. The more Jesus tells us not to do something, the more we do it. Sound familiar? I need to constantly remind myself that following Him means doing what He says. It means trusting Him with the leadership of my life.

Knocking It out of the Park

It’s just hard for these folks to keep the lid on the goodness of God. “They were completely amazed and said again and again, ‘Everything He does is wonderful. He even makes the deaf to hear and gives speech to those who cannot speak’” (v37).

The original language basically says their wonder over what’s gone down is way off the charts. Jesus has knocked it out of the park. This is such a home run healing that it can’t be measured.

In other words, it’s a real slobberknocker!

©2018

Jay Jennings

That's Going to Leave a Mark!

“Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in faith, in purity” (1Tim 4:11-12).

CRASH! A car door opens and dents your brand new ride in a parking lot. BANG! Your smart phone bounces off the driveway. POW! An MMA fighter slams his opponent against the octagon. What in the wide world of sports do these things have in common? Something's going to be changed as a result of what just happened. A ding in a door. A cracked screen on a phone. The distinctive pattern of cyclone fence across the back. They all leave an impression. Okay, not necessarily in a good way. But they all leave a mark.

In a letter to his protege Timothy, Paul encourages the Ephesian lead pastor to allow himself to be used by Jesus to leave a lasting impression. “Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (v11-12). Tim won’t just be teaching by preaching. He’s to teach by example. That’s going to leave a mark!

Paul’s spiritual son may be a rookie compared to those he’s pastoring in Ephesus. But age doesn’t matter when you’re doing the right thing. People are keeping an eye you. They’re watching you closer than you realize. As my friend Ross Turner liked to say, “A talk talks and a walk talks but a walk talks louder than a talk talks.” Say that three times fast! Set an example for others. When we follow Jesus, He uses us to make a dent that makes difference. God is using you to make an impression. That’s going to leave a mark!

The apostle has left Tim as the new pastor in Ephesus now that he’s moved on to his next ministry assignment in Macedonia (1Tim 1:3). The two are doing what they can to hammer out the dents done by a team of false teachers (1Tim 1:4-7, 20; 4:1-3). Paul instructs Tim to appoint a new leadership team of overseers and deacons (1Tim 3:1-13). Their most important job is getting everyone’s eyes back on Jesus and His incredible Good News. 

Paul tells Pastor Tim to “command and teach these things” (v11). Do “these things” sound familiar? Well, they should. The apostle has just told his spiritual son to “put these things before the brothers” (1Tim 4:6, emphasis added). Just down the page, he tells him to “command these things as well” (1Tim 5:7, emphasis added). And just in case there’s any doubt what Tim is do, his mentor tells him a fourth time, “teach and command these things” (1Tim 6:2, emphasis added). Hello, McFly!! “These things” are REALLY important!

So what exactly are “these things?” Folks who wear ties and tuck in their shirts have spent tons of time trying to figure it out. Let’s just say it’s basically the material found in 1Timothy 3:16-4:4; 5:1-6:10. The revealed mega mystery of Messiah. God’s overwhelming goodness and generosity. How to interact and encourage people of varying ages, life stages, and professions. If we’re teaching “these things” in the local church, we really can’t go wrong.

But wait just a Macedonian minute. There are some serious doubts about Tim’s credibility and credentials as a pastor. He’s young. VERY young. Because of that, he doesn’t exactly have the longest resume. His LinkedIn profile isn’t all that impressive. But Paul that’s not a problem for Paul. The apostle pumps Tim’s tires by telling him, “Let no one despise you for your youth” (v12). A warning against any sort of age discrimination for all of us!

The verb in the original language translated “despise” (Gr. kataphreneo) is a compound word which literally means “down (kata-) think (-phreneo).” It’s when we despise, disparage, or disregard somebody or something often without giving them a fair shake. Jesus loves the little children. It’s more than a song lyric from Sunday School. He told his crew, “See that you do not despise (Gr. kataphreneo) one of these little ones” (Mt 18:10). Paul warns us not to blow off God’s grace. “Or do you presume (Gr. kataphreneo) on the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not know that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” (Rom 2:4).

What a powerful reminder not to put our leaders in box. Don’t “down think” somebody simply because they don’t fit your particular mental picture of what your pastor should look like. Don’t kick a young gun to the curb just because he doesn’t have a few grey hairs. This is all about humility. Your humility. Their humility. Do you truly trust the Lord to sovereignly select and use someone you see as a kid wearing skinny jeans? You see, it’s not so much about the young leader as it is the God who guides him. Meanwhile does this Next Gen pastor readily and humbly admit he doesn’t know it all? Are they willing to listen to wise and godly counsel? 

Pastor Tim may not look old enough to drive but Paul has given his sidekick his stamp of approval. He may be a rookie but this isn’t his first rodeo. He’s got plenty of road miles as the apostle’s traveling partner since they first met a few years back in Lystra back in the day (Acts 16:1-3). He’s what we call an old soul. Humble. Wise beyond his years. As a believer, don’t dismiss someone just because of age. As a leader, humbly lean into God’s calling, no matter how many candles are on your birthday cake. 

Instead, Tim is to “set an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (v12). Let’s take a closer look at the term the translators of the ESV use as “example” (v12). This is the Greek word tupos. It describes an impression made by an impact or the imprint of one thing smacking another. This is the very same word John uses in his Gospel when telling the story of Thomas’ skepticism of Jesus’ resurrection. Tom’s not buying it until he sees “in His hands the marks (Gr. tupos) of the nails” (Jn 20:25). Just to be sure, the risen Christ didn’t show his disciple examples or samples of Roman spikes. He had holes in His holy hands and feet from the crucifixion. They made an eternal impression. They made an everlasting mark.

In the same way, God uses leaders to make a dent that makes a difference. Paul uses tupos to hammer home the idea all throughout the New Testament. He tells the Philippian believers to “join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example (Gr. tupos) you have in us” (Phil 3:17). Through Jesus, the Thessalonians “became an example (Gr. tupos) to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia” (1Th 1:7). While in Thessalonica, the apostle and his posse did everything possible “to give you in ourselves an example (Gr. tupos) to imitate” (2Th 3:9). And in a very similar letter to another pastor on assignment, Paul beats into Titus the importance of setting an example. “Show yourself in all respects to be a model (Gr. tupos) of good works, and in your teaching, show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned” (Titus 2:7) When leaders follow Jesus, He uses them to make a dent that makes difference. God is using them to make an impression. That’s going to leave a mark!

During His three years of traveling the highways and byways of First Century Palestine, Jesus continually told folks to follow Him and follow His example. “Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you find rest for your souls” (Mt 11:29). Following His example means putting down my ego and comfort. “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me” (Mt 16:24). Christ’s washing of His disciples’ filthy feet was an object lesson for all of us. “For I have given you an example, that you should also do just as I have done for you” (Jn 13:15). Following Jesus means following His example. That’s going to leave a mark!

Even now that our Savior’s headed home to heaven, we’re still called to love as He loved. That means serving as He served. “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant” (Phil 2:5-7). Forgiving as He forgives. “Forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so also you must forgive” (Col 3:13). Suffering as He suffered. “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps” (1Pet 2:21). When you don’t know what to do, focus on  “Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of God” (Heb 12:2). 

Leaders set the standard. They present the preferred pattern. A few years back, Charles Barkley went out of his way to say he was no role model. But the problem is that everyone makes an impression on those who those who are watching. God provides godly leaders who show us how to love, how to serve, how to forgive, how to give, and how to live. Paul made the incredibly bold offer to Corinthian believers, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1Cor 11:1). Just to be sure, the apostle wasn’t cocky enough to think he was all of that and a bag of godly chips. He was humbly confident in the impression God could make through him. 

The apostle tells Pastor Tim to set an example for the Ephesians in five specific ways. “In speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (v12). First, make your mark through what you say. This is not just in messages and lessons but in our everyday conversation. Words matter. They matter a LOT! 

Second, show folks a pattern for behavior. Be a great spouse, great parent, great friend, great worker, and great neighbor. Work hard. What we do preaches a sermon! 

Third, show others what self-sacrificial love looks like. Let everyone know that godly love is so much more than a warm fuzzy feeling. It’s a love that does and gives with no strings attached. 

Fourth, demonstrate faith in who Jesus is and what He’s done. We’re not working our way into God’s favor. We’re placing our full trust in His life for us, His death in our place, and His resurrection we don’t deserve. 

Fifth, set an example of godly purity. This is more than washing your hands and wearing clean underwear. Don’t get me wrong, both of them are GREAT ideas! But a closer look at the Greek term here (Gr. hagneia) describes our conformity to a standard of sexual purity. The only other time we see this word in the Bible is over in chapter five of this same letter. Paul tells Tim to see “younger women as sisters, in all purity (Gr. hagneia)” (1Tim 5:2). 

Godly behavior doesn’t come with any age requirements. It’s not like a ride at Disney World that says you have to be this tall to ride. Set an example for others. Follow Jesus and He’ll use you to make a dent that makes difference. God is using you to make an impression. That’s going to leave a mark! And unlike the ding in your car door, that’s a VERY good thing!

Living Out Loud

“and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:11)

Ever heard that often quoted line from St. Francis of Assisi? You probably know the one I’m talking about. “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words when necessary.” There’s only one itty bitty problem with that little ditty. Frankie didn’t say it. It’s not in any of his writings. Nowhere. His first biographer quotes the monk as actually saying just the opposite. Words and actions go hand in hand. That’s the point Paul is trying to get across as he sings the closing line of lyrics to the worship song we read in Philippians 2:6-11. We not only live a life of obedience and worship of Jesus but look for opportunities to tell everybody who will listen that He is our Leader. We say it out loud. We live out loud.

From behind bars in Rome, the apostle writes a letter of incredible encouragement to his friends back in Philippi. Over the past couple of years, he’s had to send notes to put out theological fires in churches in Ephesus and Colossae. But this epistle is different. VERY different. Paul is so overwhelmed with the joy of Jesus while he’s in the joint that he’s got to share it with the amazing followers of we call the Philippians. A few years back, the man from Tarsus and his travel team rolled into the Macedonian port city with the message of Jesus. God used Paul to open the heart of a fashionista named Lydia, save a young woman from demon-possession and slavery, and convert a brutal prison warden and his entire family. You can read all about it in Dr. Luke’s sequel (Acts 16:12-40). 

Here in chapter 2 of his letter, the apostle can’t contain himself and bursts out into song. We’re not sure if Paul wrote it or if he was simply quoting one of the hot worship tunes of the time. But the structure is in the form of lyrics or poetry. Folks like Chris Tomlin and David Crowder compose some fantastic praise music, but this golden oldie is a classic. This little number is all about Jesus, who He is and what He’s done for us. Christ is 100% God and then added 100% humanity in order to serve and save us (Phil 2:6-7). He left His palatial home in heaven to live as one of us and then die in our place on the cross (Phil 2:8). Because of Jesus’ mind-blowing humility His heavenly Dad escorted His Son to the place of honor and gave Him a name greater than any other (Phil 2:9). The result of our Lord’s new name is the worship and submission of every person who has ever lived (Phil 2:10). We’ll not only humble ourselves before Him but tell everyone that the resurrected Rabbi from Nazareth is the ultimate authority in the universe (v11). All that leads us back to making His Father famous.

After painting a picture of how “every knee should bow” before our Savior, Paul writes, “every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (v11). The apostle is singing about the Who behind the why. Just about every Bible translator uses the word “confess.” This is from the Greek verb exomologeo, a word that describes the words proceed an inevitable action. It’s to openly and joyfully acknowledge, agree, profess, or affirm a fact to be the reason you’re about to do something. This particular song reminds me of one we sing at our church, “This Is Amazing Grace” by Phil Wickham. It goes a little something like this. “This is amazing grace, this is unfailing love. That You would take my place, that You would bear my cross. You would lay down Your life, that I could be set free. Oh, Jesus, I sing for all that You’ve done for me!” We can’t help but sing and shout about our Savior. We confess to everyone who will listen who He is and what He’s done. We say it out loud as we live out loud.

If you think this phrase “every tongue confess” looks familiar, there’s a reason. It’s sprinkled throughout the Bible. God announced to Isaiah, “To Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance” (Is 45:23). When you combine that with Paul’s words in Philippians, it connects the biblical dots between the resurrected Rabbi/Carpenter from Nazareth and the long-awaited Messiah of the Jews! In other words, Jesus isn’t just an awesome Teacher but the One God has promised would come to our rescue since our first parents listened to the lies of a satanic snake (Gen 3:15). The apostle sings about the Hero of the entire Bible! He sings about the Hero of the Big Story! All of the great movie heroes have a theme song. One day we’ll ALL sing Jesus’ song.

That tune is the a big part of the soundtrack of the New Testament as well. We’ll belt out that “Jesus Christ is Lord” (v11). It’s our acknowledgement that He is the rightful Ruler and unquestioned Boss of the Universe. When it’s all said and done, we will announce that Jesus is God and the sovereign authority of the whole shooting match. Some of you might have some doubts and are hedging your bets on this idea. Meet Thomas. You may remember him by his nickname Doubting Thomas. He had missed the meet-up with the resurrected Jesus and wasn’t buying what his buddies were selling about a resurrected Jesus. When Christ appears to His posse in the  bonus room, Tommy’s doubts disappear just as quickly. “My Lord and my God!” (Jn 21:28). He confesses with his tongue just exactly who Jesus is. Tommy and the rest of the apostle live the rest of their lives saying it out loud. They live the rest of their lives living out loud.

Telling others that Christ is in charge of your life is a sure sign that He’s come to your rescue. “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom 10:9). Chances are if my mouth is confessing Christ and my heart is trusting in what He’s done for me, I’ll be living out loud for Him. Let’s be clear about what Paul is NOT saying about being a tongue confessor. Chances are he’s not telling you to buy a bullhorn, wear a “Jesus is Lord” sandwich board, and go for a walk at the mall. But he IS saying we can’t be shy about Who we worship. You don’t have to force anyone to believe in the One who came to your rescue. On the other hand, our love for and trust in Jesus should be a regular part of our conversation. Paul’s buddy Peter says as followers of Jesus we’re “always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1Pet 3:15). Be ready. But NOT to pound your next victim into the kingdom with a 20 pound King Jimmy Bible. Be ready to share the Good News of Jesus (don’t miss this!) gently and respectfully. Put down the bullhorn. Take off the sandwich board. Simply say it out loud and live out loud.

But the worship of Jesus is NOT the last word of this worship song. This is all about “the glory of God the Father” (v11). All the Son has done shines the spotlight of praise back on the Father. As charter members of the Holy Trinity, there’s a incredible relationship there that’s hard to wrap our human minds around. During His time on our planet, Jesus continually made the supernatural connection between Him and His Dad. “All may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him” (Jn 5:23). There’s this crazy ricochet of glory that happens between the Father and Son. “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him. If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him at once” (Jn 13:31-32). Yeah, it makes my head hurt when I try to figure it out. The bottom line is when we make the Father famous, we make the Son famous. And vice versa. So the glory doesn’t just pile up in front of Christ. I know what some of you are thinking right now. There’s all this talk about the Trinity but why are you talking about the Holy Spirit. Every Member of the Big Three is fully involved in the glory ricochet. Check out what Paul wrote to the Corinthians. “No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit” (1Cor 12:3). The Spirit is the One behind every confession that Jesus is Lord. This confession is “to the glory of God the Father” (v11). 

So what do we do with the truth found here in the last line of Paul’s first century worship song? Don’t be afraid to tell others that “Jesus is Lord” (v11). He’s the One who’s truly in charge of my life. He’s the ultimate authority. Put it this way, you’re one of His direct reports. Not begrudgingly. Not unwillingly. It’s an act of love and gratitude for all He’s done for you. We say it out loud. We live out loud.

Bullets and Blah, Blah, Blah

“and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us” (Titus 2:8)

Confession time. I talk too much. I’ve ALWAYS talked too much. Sure, I’m a social creature and a people person. I love hanging out and chatting it up. But the dark side of all this is that my lips are constantly flapping. Blah, blah, blah. Some of the stuff that comes out of my mouth is decent. Some of it builds up. Some of it encourages. Some of it is healthy. How I wish it all was! An unhealthy percentage of my words is just that, unhealthy. And by doing so, I hand folks the rocks to throw back at me. Blah, blah, blah.

In his letter to Titus, Paul gives his go-to guy some personal instructions when it comes to his own life. First, he tells the Big T to teach doctrine that is strong and healthy (Titus 2:1). Here he tells him HOW to teach (Titus 2:7-8). Live what you teach. Live with integrity. Live with dignity. And keep a handle on what you say. Use “sound speech that cannot be condemned, so than an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us” (v8). By getting a grip on my big yapper, I put a lid the damage that can be done. 

The apostle uses the phrase “sound speech” (v8). A closer look at the original text shows us a Greek word (Gr. hugies) that is very closely related to “sound” (Gr. hugiaino) used in the previous verses (Titus 1:9, 13, 2:1, 2). It describes something that’s healthy, hearty, and whole. Think ripped and robust. Every other use of this term in the New Testament has to do with health and wellness. When Jesus heals the disabled dude at the Bethesda pool, He sends him on his way by saying, “See, you are well (Gr. hugies)! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you” (Jn 5:14). Do you remember the time that the religious police got hot and bothered at Christ for healing instead of going to church? The Lord put them in their place by telling them, “Are you angry with Me because on the Sabbath I made a man’s whole body well (Gr. hugies)” (Jn 7:23). And how about the time those same religious bullies tried to intimidate Peter and John for using the power of God to heal. The dynamic duo let the Sanhedrin know that it is “by Him this man is standing before you well (Gr. hugies)” (Acts 4:10).

Are my words healthy? Are they whole? Or are they sick? Weak? Do they build up? Or do they tear down? Here in the 21st century, there’s something that Paul and Titus didn’t have to worry about. That’s the interweb. They weren’t constantly updating their Facebook status. They weren’t posting tweets every chance they got. They weren’t always uploading to Instagram. I’m not saying that social media is some demonic, dark world to avoid. But I am saying to be careful. VERY careful. King Solomon may not have  been on Vine or Pinterest, but he certainly was right when he warned his son about talking too much. “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent” (Prov 10:19). The same came be said about stuff posted on the web. Whoever restrains his keyboard is just as prudent.

When I’m smart and economical with my words, I “cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us” (v8). How many times do you see a politician regretting what he or she had to say when their opponent throws it back in their face in a commercial? And we’ve all heard the stories of our enemies killing and wounding our soldiers with weapons made in the good ol’ U.S. of A. It’s the same with our words. Think of your speech as ammo. Be very careful with it. Don’t let it be used against us. All of my blah-blah-blah is potentially lethal. Paul makes it clear to Titus that he’s not just in danger of self-inflicted wounds. Our words can be used to hurt others around us. 

Don’t give the enemy any bullets. Don’t hand them the rocks to throw back at us. They will still try to talk trash about you, but they it will just be a bunch of hot air. They’ll “be put to shame” (v8). Guess I need to keep my trap shut and limit the blah, blah, blah.

Humor That Hurts

Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving (Eph 5:4).

I love humor.  I truly believe it’s one of God’s greatest gifts.  But Paul warns his buddies in Ephesus to not let their jokes go too far or get out of control.  “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving” (v4).  The apostle is NOT saying that followers of Jesus should have their funny bone surgically removed.  But as believers, our humor shouldn’t harm others.  Our humor shouldn’t hurt others.  Rather than telling another dirty joke, let’s spend our time thanking God for all that He’s given us.  And that includes humor and laughter.

Can I be transparent for just a moment?  Thanks.  I appreciate that.  The Holy Spirit really busted my chops when I read this.  As I said before, I love humor.  I love to laugh and make folks laugh too.  There’s only one problem.  I love snark.  I love sarcasm.  I love a sharp zinger that puts someone else down.  But this can be a VERY slippery slope.  What starts as good fun can end up tearing someone else down in the name of delivering a punch line.  That’s humor that hurts.  Paul’s words here to the Ephesian church are more than a bit uncomfortable for me.  As the old saying goes, he’s gone from preachin’ to meddlin’.  I know that’s the case for me.

And let’s also not forget what’s going on here.  Paul is writing to the Ephesian church from the slammer in Rome.  He’s gotten word of a nasty heresy that’s making the rounds just down the road in places like Colossae , Hierapolis and Laodicea.  A group of spiritual hucksters has rolled into the region selling a load of spiritual snake oil.  Using this counterfeit gospel, they’ve duped Jesus’ followers into thinking our Savior got them into His kingdom but they’re responsible for staying in.  They’ve sold them on a super secret formula to do just that.  Follow their intricate list of religious rules to finish the job that Jesus started (Col 2:15-23).  There’s little doubt that following this false teaching would have resulted not just in an arrogance but would have led to cocky put downs of those who weren’t part of the “in” crowd.

First the apostle fires off a letter to these churches setting them straight.  That’s the book of the Bible we call Colossians.  Before hands that to his delivery man Tychicus (Eph 6:21; Col 4:7), he quickly writes another note to the folks in Ephesus, just 100 miles up the road.  The two letters cover a LOT of the same instruction.  Think of Colossians as treatment for the disease and Ephesians an inoculation against it.  OK, let’s dig in.

Paul begins by telling folks to avoid “filthiness” (v4).  This is the Greek word aischrotes.  It means obscenity and ugliness.  In this context, “filthiness” is something indecent, dishonorable or shameful.  It’s an act of defiance of social or moral standards resulting in disgrace, embarrassment and shame.  It’s the only time the term shows up in Scripture.  Considering the context, the apostle is probably talking about conversation focused on sex.  He’s just told us to avoid sexual sin and porn (Eph 5:3).  And in the next verse, he warns us that folks obsessed with sex, porn and other forms of greed won’t be enjoying the privileges of membership in God’s kingdom (Eph 5:5).  The placement of this verse makes it clear that the “filthiness” he’s talking about is focused on sex.

The apostle wants us to avoid talking about sex in a way that turns people into objects.  Talking about sex is certainly fine for married couples.  As a matter of fact, they should! Paul certainly doesn’t mind talking and teaching about sex in a healthy way.  He told the Corinthians that a husband and wife should have a healthy sex life (1Cor 7:1-5).  There might be times to cool it during important times of prayer.  But a lack of sex opens the door for Satan to tempt us with adultery.  And any married couple would do well to do an in depth study of the Song of Songs.  But the rest of us need to ignore Salt & Pepa’s advice to talk about sex obsessively and continually.

Next we’re to knock off the “foolish talk (Gr. morologia)” (v4).  This is blabbing that is both foolish and stupid.  Useless speech.  Silly speech.  Like the previous term, it’s the only time it shows up in the NT.  This is talk that’s a waste of time.  It has no purpose.  No redeeming value.  It’s just talking to hear yourself talk.  It doesn’t teach.  It doesn’t build up.  It’s not even funny.  Stop wasting your time and mine.  Put a sock in it.

Finally, Paul wants us to put an end to “crude joking” (v4).  In a general sense, the Greek word eutrapelia describes all humor, joking and facetiousness.  In a good sense, the original term describes a well-turned phrase or sharp wit.  But given the context (as well as the rest of the humor we see in Scripture), he’s talking here about dirty jokes and vulgar comedy.  This is using profanity and foul language for shock effect.  It’s coarse jesting involving vulgar expressions and indecent content.  For 21^st century believers, this means we should avoid crap like dirty jokes and dropping the F-bomb.  Do you think that’s the kind of humor Jesus used?  Naw, I don’t think so either.

What is Paul NOT saying?  He certainly isn’t telling the Ephesians to stop laughing or having a sense of humor.  King David wrote a lyric about His laughing God (Ps 2:4).  The authors of the Scripture are pretty clear that joy and laughter are a key part of what it means to imitate Jesus.  In my mind, the radical Rabbi/Carpenter is the funniest dude to ever walk the planet.  His teachings are loaded with ridiculous images and hilarious punch lines.  Don’t believe me?  Think about walking around with a 2x4 sticking out of you eyeball!  Christ nicknamed the hot-headed brothers Jimmy and John as the “Sons of Thunder.”  And tell me it’s not a hoot that He drafted Saul the Pharisee, the most legalist Jew of all time, to be His apostle to those filthy Gentiles!  Now THAT’S funny!!  On the night before His murder, Jesus told His crew that a huge point to all His teaching was “that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (Jn 15:11).  I don’t see that as a life with our sense of humor cut out.  And one awesome day on the other side of eternity, we’ll laugh ourselves silly (Ps 126:2).

God’s people aren’t above a good put down.  The Bible is loaded with them.  Here’s just a couple.  The prophet Elijah trash talked the prophets of Baal at the big showdown on Mount Carmel.  When their god didn’t respond to their pleas, Elijah said that Baal might be in the can (1Ki 18:11).  Go ahead.  Look it up.  That’s EXACTLY what he meant.  Paul wasn’t above comedy even when describing the most important doctrine.  He told the folks in Galatia that folks who are so hepped up on others being circumcised in order to follow Jesus should go ahead and “emasculate themselves” (Gal 5:12).  If they won’t cut it out, they should cut it off!  He used crude language when appropriate.  The apostle told the Philippians that compared to Jesus, everything else is just a big steaming pile (Phil 3:8).

But this is a warning that our jokes and humor have boundaries.  Don’t tear people down.  Don’t objectify certain people, races or cultures just to be punchlines.  Don’t talk about sex in unhealthy ways.  Don’t cause others to stumble in their walk with Jesus (1Cor 8:9).  Don’t clown around to the point of missing our mission.  Instead, replace all of your dirty jokes and talk about sex with thanksgiving to God.  We’ve got plenty to be thankful for.  Am I breathing?  Do I have a roof over my head?  Do I know where my next meal is coming from?  Do I have a Savior that loves me?  Did He love me SO much that He was willing to come to earth, live the perfect life that I completely failed to live?  Did He die on a cross as punishment for my sin that I should have died?   Did He rise to a glorious new life that I certainly don’t deserve?  There’s plenty to thank Him for.  

The Message is a fantastic and fresh paraphrase of the Bible.  I love how Eugene Peterson brings this verse to life.  “Though some tongues just love the taste of gossip, those who follow Jesus have better uses for language than that. Don’t talk dirty or silly. That kind of talk doesn’t fit our style. Thanksgiving is our dialect” (Eph 5:4 The Message).  Stop the humor that hurts.  Stop the humor that harms.  Instead start thanking Jesus for who He is and what He’s done.

So what do you think?  Agree?  Disagree?  I would love to hear from you.  Drop a comment below and let's chat.