Overview:
Ephesians 4:25–32
Ours is a strange generation. Spoiled might be a better word. There are more churches today than ever before. We have an abundance of good teaching, close fellowship, support groups for a large spectrum of needs, caring Christians, and the hope of even more well-trained young men and women soon to be graduated from excellent and dedicated institutions. In the United States, the opportunities for employment and career advancement have seldom been better, and the challenge to reach a lost world for Christ has never been greater or brighter. And yet . . . infighting, negativity, and hurtful assaults between Christians are at an all-time high. At a time when we have every reason to pull together and work in harmony to get the job done, it seems as though some would much rather weaken the ranks and hinder our effectiveness. Today, let’s go back to some of the basics that our indulged era seems to have forgotten.
Message Summary:
In “Why Do We Throw Rocks at Each Other?” Pastor Chuck Swindoll addresses a troubling paradox in the modern church: despite an abundance of resources, teaching, and opportunities for ministry, infighting and negativity among Christians are at an all-time high. Swindoll explores why believers often resort to “hurtful assaults” rather than pulling together in harmony. By returning to the foundational instructions in Ephesians 4, this message provides a roadmap for replacing destructive behavior with a commitment to truth, healthy anger management, and a spirit of kindness that reflects the grace we have received from Christ.
Message Key Facts:
- The “Spoiled” Generation: Swindoll notes that despite having more access to biblical training and support than any previous generation, modern Christians often struggle with basic relational harmony.
- The Cost of Infighting: Negative assaults between believers weaken the ranks and hinder the church’s effectiveness in reaching a lost world.
- The Root of the Problem: Conflicts often stem from “spiritual indulgence” and forgetting the basic commands regarding how we are to treat one another.
- The Standard of Communication: Scripture calls for a total rejection of falsehood and a commitment to speaking words that build others up.
- The Motivation for Grace: Our primary reason for forgiving and being kind to others is the fact that “God in Christ also has forgiven you.”
Message References:
1. The Paradox of Modern Ministry
Swindoll observes that we live in an era of unprecedented opportunity for the Gospel, yet we often waste our energy on internal skirmishes.
- Abundant Resources: We have more churches, support groups, and institutions than ever before.
- A Strange Negative Trend: Negativity and infighting have increased, creating a “hindrance” to the very mission we claim to support.
2. The Basic Rules for the Road (Ephesians 4:25–29)
Paul provides specific “thou shalts” and “thou shalt nots” for Christian behavior.
- Truth over Falsehood: We are to lay aside falsehood and speak truth, recognizing that we are “members of one another.”
- Anger without Sin: Scripture allows for anger but forbids it from becoming a foothold for the devil. We are commanded to resolve anger quickly.
- Productive Labor: Replacing theft or selfishness with hard work so that we have something to share with those in need.
- Edifying Speech: Our words should be “good for edification according to the need of the moment,” giving grace to those who hear.
3. The Grief of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30)
Our “rock-throwing” is not a private matter; it has a spiritual consequence.
- Grieving God: When we treat each other poorly, we grieve the Holy Spirit who has sealed us for the day of redemption.
- Relational Holiness: Our treatment of others is a direct reflection of our relationship with the Spirit.
4. The Replacement Strategy (Ephesians 4:31–32)
The message concludes with a call to “put away” the old habits and “put on” the new.
- The List to Discard: Bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander must be removed from the believer’s life.
- The List to Adopt: We are called to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving toward one another.
