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