What Are Ya’ll Talking About?
Luke 24:17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?
Intro: One of the most important elements of the Christian life is our communication.
What you talk about and who you talk to will strongly affect your life and your testimony.
QUOTE: “Half the world is composed of people who have something to say and can’t, and the other half who have nothing to say and keep on saying it.” – Robert Frost
QUOTE: “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.”
Jesus walked up to a couple of men walking down the road and asked them, “What are ya’ll talking about?
Or in King James language, He asked, “What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another…?”
I began to do a deep dive into passages of Scripture that dealt with this matter of talking and communing.
It was fascinating what I found.
There are several kinds of communication found in the Bible that we ought to understand.
There are several kinds of communication that we should imitate and pursue.
A. Communication that Improves
· Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
There is no question as to what this verse is talking about.
The relationship makes each other better; sharper.
Conversation can sharpen your countenance and the countenance of the one you’re talking with.
QUOTE: “A single conversation across the table with a wise man is better than ten years mere study of books.” - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
B. Communication that Inquires
1. For Concerns
I Kings 10
· 1 And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions.
· 2 And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.
· 3 And Solomon told her all her questions: there was not any thing hid from the king, which he told her not.
The queen’s conversation was questions. Hard questions.
She found the wisest man in the world, and she took advantage of it.
She asked him all that was in her heart.
She had an inquiring mind, and Solomon didn’t mind answering her questions.
I am amazed at how few young people ask questions.
I’m amazed at how few questions people have that are about to get married.
Or are just starting a family.
Or have children that are not interested in the things of God.
Or are having marital problems.
Nobody seems to be hungry for wisdom and answers.
Instead of finding people with wisdom and knowledge, they sit around and discuss nonsense.
WHAT ARE YA’LL TALKING ABOUT?
Luke 1
· 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
· 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
2. For Companions
Daniel 1
· 18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
· 19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.
· 20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
Nebuchadnezzar had a pretty stringent vetting process.
He didn’t let just anyone hang around with him and counsel and advise him.
He had a very elaborate screening process.
Because they passed the test, see verse 19, therefore stood they before the king.
Some of you need to have so inquiring conversations with people before you allow them into your inner circle.
C. Communication that Inspires
Matthew 17
· 3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
· 4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
D. Communication that Invests
2 Kings 2:11
· 10 And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.
· 11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
Acts 20
· 4 And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
· 5 These going before tarried for us at Troas.
· 11 When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.
Back to our text, the main event is the conversation that took place.
From verse 13 all the way to verse 36, the main point was what they were talking about.
I. Communication that Creates a Burden – vs. 17-24
Talking about all the things that had happened – vs. 14
Unprecedented events: SEE 18
Cleopas should have been very informed.
His wife was at the foot of the cross for all of it. (John 19:25)
· John 19:25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
It is also highly possible that she was in the group that heard of the resurrection in Luke 24:10.
Instead of being encouraged and rejoicing in the resurrection, they chose not to believe it.
In spite of what had transpired, their takeaway was depressing and sad.
They were not rejoicing in the graves being opened.
· Matthew 27:52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
They were not excited about the veil in the Temple being rent.
· Luke 23:45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
They were not talking about the thief turning to Christ for salvation on the cross.
· Luke 23:42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
They were not rejoicing in the public profession of faith of the Roman centurion.
· Luke 23:47 Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.
After listing all the negative aspects of the last 3 days, they had talked themselves into depression.
The Lord’s first impression of them was that they were sad.
II. Communication that Confirms a Belief – vs. 25-29
The communication of Jesus was an attempt to OVERIDE their previous communication.
Their problem was they were slow of heart to believe.
This was being compounded by the fact they were quick of tongue to doubt.
Jesus’ solution to their lack of belief was to load them down with Scriptures.
· Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
There’s no greater subject to talk about than the Word of God.
· Luke 24:27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
EXPOUND: to unfold the meaning of what is said, explain
In order to do that, you must first know it. Be familiar with it.
The Bible is clear – he began at Moses and ALL the prophets.
He expounded unto them in ALL the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
Then you must believe it.
Then you must understand it.
Then you must have meditated on it enough to be able to explain it to others.
III. Communication that Cultivates a Burning – vs. 30-32
· 32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
While Jesus was talking to these disciples, their burden was replaced with a burning.
Their depression was replaced with an impression.
Their exasperation was replaced with an excitement.
Words matter! What you talk about can make a difference!
They both experienced this deep burning within their hearts at the communication of Jesus.
They couldn’t wait to look up the other disciples and share it.
The Bible says they rose up the same hour and found the other disciples.
· 33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,
· 34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.
· 35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.
Does your communication create a burden or does it cultivate a burning?
Do you know your Bible well enough to overturn the doubts and sadness of others?
Can you share the Scriptures and expound the Word of God and build up the faith of your brothers and sisters?
What are ya’ll talking about?
Conclusion:
· Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
· Matthew 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
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