The Power of the Spoken Word
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Introduction to the Origin of the Material “…God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe” (1 Corinthians 1:21). Preaching is a verbal art form. The preached sermon is verbal communication. In its early history the sermon was not written and then read to the audience, it was developed and delivered orally. The sermons in this book were developed to be spoken and not written to be read. I use a sermon syllabus format that is fully explained in my book: “Grace Is Not A Blue-Eyed Blonde”.1 After the sermon is delivered orally it is transcribed and put into written form. I have tried to maintain the integrity of the spoken word. The sermon syllabus is included at the beginning of each chapter and it is the only thing I have in the pulpit other than the Bible. The vignettes between chapters are stories from my clinical work with clients and church members. The stories are camouflaged just enough to be unrecognizable, but true to the intent of what was said. These stories, because of some of the language, were not used in the original sermons. William Jennings Bryan returning from a tour of political speeches said to his wife: “Mary, I have had a strange experience. Last night I found that I had power over the audience. I could move them as I chose. I have more than the usual power as a speaker, I know it. God grant that I may use it wisely.”2 This is my constant prayer: “God may I use the power of the spoken word wisely.” A word is dead When it is said, Some say, I say, it just Begins to live That day.3 1. Rollins, Eugene C. Grace Is Not A Blue-Eyed Blonde. Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse, 2008. pp 3-8. 2. Josephson, Matthew. The Policos. New York: Harcourt, Brace and Co, 1938, p.534. 3. Bianchi, Martha D. Poems by Emily Dickinson. Little, Brown and Company. Clinical Vignette Mama Tried But Mama Lied I came home from school With eyes filled with tears Cause by words from my peers. Mama tried to soothe the pain But all her attempts were in vain. Mama tried But Mama lied When she said: “Sticks and stones may break your bones but words will never hurt you.” Mama tried But Mama lied Many years from that day And the pain of those Words will not go away. (Words written by a 65 year old man)
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About the Book
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will hurt me until the day I die. I dedicate this work to the clients of my forty-six years of therapy and pastoral work who have shared their pain and sorrow inflicted by words. No wound is more difficult to overcome than the wound caused by words. Love is destroyed by words. Families are separated by words. Young lives are placed on roads that lead to dead-ends and destructions by words. Careers are ended, reputations are lost and wars are begun all because of words. To the many who have suffered so greatly I pray this book will help others understand your pain. “Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances.” (Proverbs 23:11 New American Standard Bible)