Tri-Annual Singing!
February 21, 2026
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Category: Gossip
Subject: Gossip
Salty Language?
The phrase salty language in our time has reference to crude or angry speech. Since sailors have a reputation for such — cussing like a sailor. The salt in the ocean gives us the image from which the phrase has its origin.
In scripture there is also a reference to salty language or speech, but it is a positive one. For example, in Colossians 2:5-6 Paul exhorted, “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” In Paul’s reference the speech that should be characteristic of the child of God is that which is gracious and wise, seasoned with truth and a beneficial relevance to those who hear.
As with all things Christian, it is speech that emanates from a place of love. As the Lord’s people, our desire and action should be to improve mankind. Things like anger, malice, profanity, innuendo, bitterness, lying, gossip, slander etc., do nothing for others, and so should be absent from our conversation!
“But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him” (Colossians 3:8-10).
Sermon: The Sin of Gossip
Gossip is one of the most damaging and insidious sins that can be committed. The tongue is a dangerous weapon that needs constant surveillance!
Sermon Powerpoint View and Download:
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Sermon: Types of Fools
A list of five types of individuals who are identified as fools in scripture are discussed: The athiest, the disobedient, those who prate, those who meddle, and those who are careless.
Sermon Powerpoint View and Download:
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Sermon: Hate Speech
God condemns the use of any type of hateful speech. However, there is a difference between what is actual hate speech, and what our culture determines to be hateful.
Sermon Powerpoint View and Download:
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What Kind of Life?
What kind of life do you aspire to live? What a question! Can you imagine the answers you would get if you took a survey of Americans. We are a nation that worships at the idols of fame, prosperity, and even infamy. Americans typically want thrills, adventure and noise! How many times have you heard that? If you go to professional sporting events, it is ubiquitous, “Let’s make some noise.” “Let’s party!” “Let’s boogie!” (Yes, I know that last one dates me).
While reading this past week, I came across an interesting passage in 1 Thessalonians that I am sure you find familiar. Paul wrote:
Sermon: The Sin of Gossip
Gossip is one of the most destructive sins of the tongue that a Christian can commit.
Social Media Guidelines
Social Media in our day and time is ubiquitous. In December of last year, Facebook boasted an average of over 1.23 Billion daily users. That is about 4 times the entire population of the United States, every day! Other popular Social Media sites include Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram.
With such ubiquity comes the danger of abuse and sin. Christians need to be aware of the potential pitfalls of using these sites, lest we “fall into reproach and the snare of the devil” (1 Timothy 3:7).
Think Before You Share!
This past week I came across an article that was being shared on Facebook. It was a nice, “feel good” article. The article was reporting on a recent visit to the metroplex by movie star Kevin Costner. It seems that he had rented a car and was traveling west, when he had a flat on his rental car near Weatherford. He was grateful that several complete strangers stopped to help him change the tire. He noted that such friendliness is rare, and not to be found in Los Angeles.
Problem is, the story was a hoax, as many such posts are on the internet. Some such false reports are very destructive, as lies are told, retold and spread, often to bolster a particular political position or point of view. Too often, Christians participate (often unintentionally) in spreading such lies.
How to Kill Gossip!
Gossip is one of the most diabolical and destructive of sins. It is extremely common, it is often accompanied by disavowal and rationalization, and it can and does lay waste to relationships of all types. “A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends” (Proverbs 16:28).
It is for this reason that gossip is condemned in scripture. “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29).
Gossip dies when it hits the ears of a wise person
The way to kill gossip is to refuse to participate in the ritual.
The wise man wrote, “A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter” (Proverbs 11:13). May each of us heed the words of the Psalmist, “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3).
Sermon: Evil Suspicions
The sin of evil suspicion, or evil surmising (KJV), as listed in 1 Timothy 6, is divisive, destructive, and to be refused by faithful Christians.
Sermon: Cyber-Sin
The internet is a tool that can be used for good or evil. There are many dangers in cyberspace, and as Christians we must beware!
Sermon: Some Uses of the Tongue
We all can be inconsistent in speech, sometimes saying what is needful and helpful, and sometimes sinning with our tongue. This “ought not to be so” (cf. James 3:10). Some good and bad speech is discussed in the lesson.
Sins of the Tongue
In James 3:6 the text reads, “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.” The dangers present anytime we open our mouths should give us pause, and encourage us to take great care in our speech. “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise” (Proverbs 10:19).
Following are some of the sins we may commit when we open our mouths to speak:
From the Preacher’s Pen: Respectful Conversation
Have you noticed a lack of respectful consideration in the conversations you enter? Never before in my lifetime have I witnessed raised and angry voices, profanity and innuendo as I do in the present. It is pervasive on television, in movies and, (perhaps because of the influences of the former), in the daily conversations you overhear or in which you participate.
Often, the person who is guilty is speaking with someone he doesn’t even know. He sprinkles his conversation with curses and vain repetitions, and never once considers how the listener he has just met may be offended by his speech. And it is not only men who speak this way. Increasingly we hear women and children being overtly profane in their daily conversation. On top of the corrupt speech we see insults, snideness, gossip and other offensive habits of speech. The same is true in our written conversations on Facebook, Twitter, and other types of social media.
Christians are to be the “light of the world” (cf. Matthew 5:14) in this aspect of their lives, as in any other. Paul said, “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:5-6). We would do well to remember this admonition the next time we open our mouths, take out our pen, or put our thumbs to our virtual keyboards!
Sermon: Fall Meeting 2013 (Jerry Fite)
The following wonderful lessons were preached by Jerry Fite at the West Side church from November 2-7, 2013. There were 9 lessons in all, with sermon audio and PPTX files supplied for each.
Unity in the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12)
(Saturday, November 2, 2013)
- A study of 1 Corinthians 12 explaining in the context of spiritual gifts, that the purpose of a unified spiritual body is edification. The Corinthians were to exercise their spiritual gifts to edify all, as they were united in loving care for one another.
The New Testament Canon
(Sunday Bible Class, November 3, 2013)
- The lesson discusses the canon of scripture, and how it is obtained. The point is made that the church did not determine what books were conanical. Rather, they acknowledged what all understood to be true.
Why Do You Do Good Works? (Ephesians 2:10)
(Sunday AM Worship, November 3, 2013)
- We are to do good works as a second opportunity to truly live. We are alive by the grace of God, and therefore should be zealous for good works.
Applying the Minister’s Checklist (1 Timothy 4:15-16)
(Sunday PM Worship, November 3, 2013)
- Paul revealed to Timothy certain things that should be present for him to be effective as an evangelist. In application, brother Fite asks, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every child of God in the local church observed the checklist as well?
Hold to the Pattern of Sound Words (2 Timothy 1:13)
(Monday, November 4, 2013)
- In application, brother Fites calls for faithfulness to the gospel pattern in areas such as Music in worship, Benevolence, Evangelism and the plan of Salvation.
Must I Forgive? Then How?
(Tuesday, November 5, 2013)
- Jesus indicated in Matthew 6 that we must forgive others if we wish to be forgiven. The lesson examines the obligation to forgive, and what to do if a person is unwilling to ask forgiveness of us.
Pay Attention to Your Speech (James 3:1-12)
(Wednesday AM Class, November 6, 2013)
- An expository lesson discussing James 3. Brother Fite calls for us to pay attention to our speech. Our speech should bless, edify, give grace to those who hear, and be full of thanksgiving.
A Plan for Raising Children to be Joyous Christians
(Wednesday PM, November 6, 2013)
- How do we raise joyous children? By helping them to know: The Lord is the Creator of all; their Savior from sin; their High priest; and the presenter of the Crown of Eternal Life.
Before the Judgment Seat
(Thursday, November 7, 2013)
- When we stand before the judgment seat of Christ, some will be surprised. Because they are classed among the wicked; they will be the last rather than the first, they will be lost because they were not abounding in the work of the Lord. Live so that you will not be surprised at the judgment seat of Christ.
