Apples of Gold
Scripture:
Proverbs 25:11 “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”
Introduction:
 When Jesus was teaching His disciples to pray, He gave them a key phrase that establishes the mission of His Church. That phrase, “On earth as it is in heaven”, must become our guideline for everything that we do as believers. Our speech must be in line with this principle. God has called us to be the light of the world, the salt of the earth and the city set on the hill. As such, our language should be in line with God’s purposes as stated in Luke 4:18-19. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord”
Therefore we must take every opportunity to proclaim that which establishes the Kingdom of God. That means we declare the truth of the Word of God, we find the will of God and promote that above all else and use our words to build up and establish value in others.

I. Kingdom is established in our lives as we give ourselves to know The Word of God and how to share it with those around us.
Proverbs 25:2 “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
A. God’s secrets are available to those who are dedicated enough to search them out.
Deuteronomy 29:29 “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”
B. The discovery of God’s Word enables us to properly represent Him and demonstrate the Kingdom to those we come into contact with.
C. Discovering God’s ways causes us to desire to be more like our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Psalm 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.”

II. The Lord is refreshed when we bless those around us with His word.
Proverbs 25:13 “Like the cold of snow in time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes the soul of his masters.”
A. The Lord’s primary goal in ministry is to bless people.
Matthew 5:43-45 “You have heard that it was said, ‘you shall love your neighbor £ and hate your enemy.’ 44£But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
B. God is a God of love and gentle toward His people.
Isaiah 40:11 “He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young.”
1. Fitly spoken words will encourage and strengthen.
2. Fitly spoken words lift people out of depression into the arms of the Lord.
3. Jesus was gentle with everyone except the self-righteous, holier than thou crowd who placed heavy burdens on everyone they disagreed with.
C. Jesus gently called all in need to respond out of His heart of love.
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

III. Just as God called Ezekiel to prophesy life, He has called us to minister life to all we come into contact with.
Ezekiel 37:9 “Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.”
A. Fitly spoken words are like golden apples.
B. Golden apples enrich those who receive them.
C. Let’s pass out some golden apples and see the Kingdom of God released here on earth.
D. “On earth as it is in heaven”.