Twin City Observer

ST. PAUL LUTHERAN
The topic for Pastor Sunwall's sermon on Sunday was "Sincerity in Speech." His lesson was from Matthew 5:33 ff.

When we look around and see people who do not have their speech we realize that our speech is a gift from God. We could get along without some of our faculties or limbs but the gift of speech is very valuable. It is often times used without much thought. There is power in speech. Often times we make a statement and afterward deny that we said it or that we did not mean it that way. Speech. is related to our tongue. In the Epistle of James we read that the tongue is a restless evil. We often speak and think afterward. It says in James 6:3, "And the tongue is a fire." Some of us get into a lot of trouble because of our tongues.

One day a deaf mute was brought to Jesus to be healed. Jesus sighed. Why? When He had restored his hearing and speech, he heard and said many things he had not said and heard before. In our lesson for today Jesus speaks about taking an oath. This is necessary some times to remind us that it is important that we tell the truth. There are degrees of oaths but Jesus said not to swear by anything at all.

The tongue is often times used for gossip. God says, "Do not bear false witness against thy neighbor." Some people emphasize the negative all the time. There are so many more important things to talk about.

Jesus said, "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." What the heart. is full of the mouth speaketh.

When we are filled with the Holy Spirit we speak of the things of God. When Jesus had healed the deaf mute he praised God. When Stephen was being stoned to death he said, "I see the heavens open and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God." After Paul was in prison, because of his testimony, he wrote in his second letter to Timothy 4:8 "Hence forth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteousness judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but to all who have loved His appearing." John also spoke, near the end of his life and said, "That which we have heard and seen we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us, and our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ." Walk through the door of opportunity with a positive message. Be sincere in your speech.

Next Sunday, September 11, St. Paul Church will go back to it's regular schedule. Sunday school and Bible classes at 9:30. Worship Service at 10:45.

Anna Wendell