The #1 “C” of Effective Communicators for God Plus 9 Others “C’s” in Order of Priority
The #1 “C” of Effective Communicators for God
#1. Content -- "I say something worth saying."
Substance!
Accurately presenting the authoritative Word of God.
(John 17:17 NIV) Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
(1 Timothy 6:3-4 NIV) If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions
(2 Timothy 2:15 NIV) Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
(2 Timothy 4:3-4 TNIV) For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
#2. Conviction -- "I believe what I say."
Passion!
Convinced beyond a doubt that this is vital truth.
(Romans 4:20-21 NIV) Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.
(Romans 8:38-39 NIV) For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(2 Timothy 1:12 NIV) That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.
(2 Timothy 3:14 NIV) But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,
#3. Credibility -- "I live what I say."
Integrity!
Practicing what is preached without pretending to be perfect.
(Ezra 7:10 NIV) For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.
(Mark 12:14 NIV) They came to him and said, "Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?
(Luke 6:40 NIV) A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.
(1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV) Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
(James 3:2 NIV) We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.
#4. Clarity -- "I say it simply."
Simplicity!
Knowing it so well that it is plainly said and easily understood.
(Nehemiah 8:8 NIV) They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read.
(1 Corinthians 14:8 NIV) Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?
(2 Corinthians 11:6 NIV) I may not be a trained speaker, but I do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way.
#5. Connection -- "I apply it to right now."
Relevance!
Linking eternal truths with living this week.
(Psalms 119:105 NIV) Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
(Matthew 6:1-6 NIV) [THE PRINCIPLE] "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.[THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION] 2 "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 5 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17 TNIV) All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that Gods' people may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
#6. Creativity -- "I keep it interesting."
Attention-Getting!
Refusing to be boring with God's Good News.
(Matthew 6:25-34 NIV) "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ? 28 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
(Matthew 13:24, 31, 33 NIV) Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field … He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field…. He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough."
#7. Compelling -- "I expect life change."
Persuasive!
Information intended for transformation.
(Isaiah 55:11 NIV) so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
(James 1:22-25 NIV) Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does.
#8. Concise -- "I say it succinctly"
Succinct!
Get to the point while making a point.
(Acts 20:7-9 NIV) On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting. 9 Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead.
#9. Compassion -- "I say it caringly"
Empathy!
Broken hearts needing mending.
(2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
(1 Thessalonians 2:7 NIV) but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.
#10. Comical -- "I speak humorously."
Laughter!
Holy humor heals.
(Proverbs 17:22 NIV) A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
(Psalms 126:2 NLT) We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, "What amazing things the LORD has done for them."