Words of Calm, Peace, Rest; Sermon on Acts 18:7-10

Rev. George Miller
May 10, 2020
Acts 18:7-10

Last week I journeyed to the Atlantic Ocean. The sky was a clear blue with white puffy clouds.

The road was lined with leaves so lush it looked as though someone had taken the green crayon out of the Crayola box and started coloring.

Entering into Ft. Pierce you smelled the curry, smoke and spice of the food.

Crossing over the Indian River you saw boats forming foamy circles of surf behind them.

Sitting at a secluded spot, the sea was the most tranquil of turquoise.

The ocean so clean, so fresh that it felt like you could turn it into a necklace to wear around your sun kissed neck.

The surf so free of debris that it was like something from a Bob Marley-How Stella Got Her Grove Back kind of fantasy.

Except it wasn’t a fantasy, it was real…

…How did you feel after hearing these words? How did your heart respond?

Did these words give you a sense of escape, a sense of calm and peace?

Words matter.

After all, it as with a word that God spoke the world into being.

It was with the word “Go!” that Sarah went on an adventure of a lifetime.

It was with the words “Moses, remove the sandals from your feet,” that a nation was set free.

It was with a word from Queen Esther- “Let an order be written”- that her people were saved from annihilation.

It was with words that Mary heard “He is not here; Christ Has Risen!”

Again and again the sacred stories of our ancestors remind us that words create, liberate, save, and renew.

Words matter.

As the Gospel of John states “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.”

Why are we saying this?

Because we love you, and we want you to have hope.

Have you noticed the words people have been using lately?

The words in which they seem to begin conversations and start news reports?

Lately, all our words begin by framing everything in the context of Corona and what’s been lost.

Even if it’s a feel-good story, it always starts in a sense of despair.

What do you think that does to your spirit?

What do you think that does for our collective souls?

It’s one thing to be informed, but it’s another to feel like you’re constantly being nailed to the floor with the weight of the world’s worries.

Words matter because they can uplift or they can deplete you.

Words can empower or they can restrict.

That’s what Paul is reminded of today- the power of speech.

After traveling hundreds of miles, he’s made his way into the city of Corinth, telling people about the Lord.

Paul’s Holy Spirit given-gifts are so good that he even got the guard of the synagogue worshipping Christ.

The Spirit moves through all the people in such a way that regardless if they are down by the riverside or in a jail, folks want to hear what Paul’s got to say.

But let’s not forgot- Paul is human; he is just a man. He’s got his own issues; he’s got his own thorns to tend to.


So, the Lord gives Paul a pep talk- “Don’t be afraid. Say what needs to be said. Keep on moving.”

It’s what Paul needs to hear.

It’s what we all need to hear.

It’s good for us to remember that words matter.

What we read and listen to affects us, for better and for worse.

Right now it seems to be worse.

It seems like folk have gone into information overload- too much news, too much reports, too much Facebook.

Folks are getting into too many debates, picking fights just to get a reaction.

It’s toxic, and it doesn’t help the mind, body or soul during this time.

Maybe we need a break from all these words.

We’re not suggesting you cover your ears or stop being informed, but maybe we don’t need to surround ourselves with so many words right now.

Maybe during this time you only need to read the paper 5 days a week.

Maybe you only need 30 minutes a day of CNN, CNBC or Fox.

Maybe you don’t need to squabble with every person on social media who’s got something to say.

Here’s a secret- social media outlets like Facebook create your daily feed according to what will get a reaction from you, good or bad.

So don’t give them any insight into what gets you upset; give them insight into what brings you life.

Over the next week, try this- only comment on things that feed your soul-

family photos, snapshots of smiling faces, posts from long forgotten friends.

Watch and see how this will literally transform your social media experience, and in doing so perhaps reshape your world.

We’re not asking you to silence your voice or hide your opinion.

We’re empowering you with a way to use your words so that we can get through this, together.

Do you want to have your spirit nailed to the floor of despair or are you craving for adventure and liberation?

Words have power.

So speak, share, reveal words that give life, liberate, save, and renew.

After all, we all have the Word of God inside us.

Be blessed.

And remember- we are Emmanuel. We will get through this. For when we hope, we are hoping with God.

Amen.