Scripture Reading: Genesis 11:1-9

Failure to Communicate

Intro.

1. A productive, health society depends on good communication system. (cf. Telephone/internet outage disrupts communications, commerce, conversations, homes, etc.) Same with relationships.

2. Communication can be disrupted by many things, cf. Col. 3:8-9.

3. When communication fails, division, distrust and downfall occur.

I. CHRISTIANS MUST COMMUNICATE…

A. To God in Prayer and Praise, Lk. 18:1; Phil. 4:6-7; 1 Thess. 5:17; 1 Tim. 2:1-2; Col. 4:2.

B. To the World by Teaching the Gospel, Matt. 28:19-20; Eph. 3:8-9; 6:19; Col. 4:4-6.

C. To Each Other, Eph. 4:29-32; Jas. 3:8-12; 1:19-20; 1 Pet. 3:8-9; Jas. 5:16.

D. In Our Families (spouses, children and parents).

1. Marriage, 1 Pet. 3:7; Eph. 5:22-25, 28-29.

2. Children, Eph. 6:4 (Col. 3:21); Heb. 12:9-10.

3. Parents, Eph. 6:1-3; Lev. 19:3 (revere: fear, joined with love and affection): “…includes inward reverence and esteem, outward respect and obedience, care to please them and to make them easy.” (Matthew Henry)

II. WHEN THERE IS A FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE (Gen. 11:1-9):

-(Languages were confused because men exalted themselves rather than honor and obey God, 9:1; 11:4.) If man had done so, his ability to communicate would not have diminished.

A. Confusion, Disputes and Division Reign, Gen. 11:8-9.

1. Disputes and divisions, cf. 1 Tim. 6:4-5; 1 Cor. 1:10.

2. Speaking the same thing (unity) requires that we carefully listen to God’s word as well as to each other. (Jas. 1:19)

3. Marriages, families and churches disintegrate without communication.

B. Potential, Progress, and Productivity are Disrupted, Gen. 11:3, 4, 6, 8.

1. Goals are more difficult to accomplish without communication, cf. 1 Cor. 12:20-27; Eph. 4:15-16.

2. Church, family, teaching the lost, etc.

C. Isolation Results, Gen. 11:8 (scattered).

1. Distrust and evil suspicions, 1 Tim. 6:4.

2. Selfishness dominates and dictates decisions, Phil. 2:3-4.

3. Exposed to more dangers with less help (Gen. 11:4, 9, scattered).

-(cf. Emergency help without phone service), cf. Gal. 6:1-2.

D. Misunderstanding Increases, Gen. 11:7; cf. 1 Pet. 3:7.

1. When we cannot listen (hearts hardened) we fail to understand the truth of Christ, Jno. 8:43.

III. GUIDELINES FOR SUCCESSFUL COMMUNICATION.

A. Be Careful How You Listen, Lk. 8:8, 18 (Acts 13:16).

-Listen carefully: “Most conversations are simply monologues delivered in the presence of a witness.” (Margaret Millar)

B. Be Careful How You Speak, 1 Cor. 14:9.

-Speak plainly: “Scintillate, scintillate, globule vivific, Fain would fathom thy nature specific. Loftily poised in the ether capacious, Strongly resembling a gem carbonaceous.”

-Translated: Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are, Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky.” (sermonillustrations.com)

C. Use Love Always, 1 Cor. 13:4-8.

Conclusion

1. Don’t take communication for granted.

a. Commitment of time, effort, right motives of heart.

b. Requires honesty and the welfare of others, Prov. 10:20-21.

2. Keep the lines of communication open and active.

By: Joe R. Price

Posted: September 7, 2018