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Sermon text: Ps. 19:1-14; Philippians 4:2-9; Eph. 5:22-32; Matt. 11:28-30;
Wordless Communication
Ps 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Ps
19:2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. Ps 19:3
There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Ps 19:4 Their voice goes out into
all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the
sun, Ps 19:5 which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing
to run his course. Ps 19:6 It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is hidden from its heat.
Ps 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are
trustworthy, making wise the simple. Ps 19:8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to
the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. Ps 19:9 The fear of
the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether
righteous. Ps 19:10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter
than honey, than honey from the comb. Ps 19:11 By them is your servant warned; in keeping
them there is great reward. Ps 19:12 Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Ps
19:13 Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be
blameless, innocent of great transgression. Ps 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the
meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Ps.
19:1-14
Some facts about nonverbal communication
In a message the verbal part (words) accounts for 7%, the vocal part (tone, dialect, accent) 38%
and the nonverbal part (body language) 55%.
The use of words
The choice of words is important, but for credibility mere words have little value if they are used
in a wrong manner or if there is a conflict between words and deeds.
How do we use words?
The way we use our voice is important and the effect of the use of voice depends on the
situation and the culture. In Africa, to be convincing you must shout, in India you must use an
"emotional voice".
What is the purpose of your words.
Do your words comfort, encourage or strengthen? Or do your words depress, oppress, irritate or
subdue your listener?
Are your words
sincere, honest and reliable? Or are they dishonest and misleading?
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Other factors in communication
The nonverbal part of communication is perhaps the most important part in how people
understand each other. Nonverbal communication can be divided into two main divisions.
1. Body signals: our gestures, our facial expressions, the way we look at another, our behavior
and our actions.
2. How we live: our standard of living, our clothes, our use of money and our honesty.
Honesty is expressed in many ways:
my attitude towards others, the way I use my time at home and work and the quality of my work.
Nonverbal communication in the Bible
The Bible is full of nonverbal communication. There are many examples of how people behaved,
their attitudes towards God and other people, their priorities and their ambitions.
An example of nonverbal communication in a letter from Apostle Paul
To be able to understand the message contained in a letter, we must understand that every
letter is one complete unit. It is important to know who the writer is, to whom is the letter written
and the purpose of the letter. This is especially important if the letter is very old. Paul wrote a
letter from a prison in Rome to the Christians living in the Macedonian city of Philippi. He
wanted to thank the Christians for a gift they had sent to him through Epaphroditus.
Epaphroditus had told Paul about life in the Philippian church. There were many things that
made Paul happy, but there were also things that caused him concern. I have chosen Phil. 4:29 as an example of nonverbal communication.
1. In verse 2 there is mention of a quarrel between two important women in the church. There is
no mention of the reason for the quarrel, but its nonverbal communication to the church and to
those outside the church was negative. The message that the church should communicate is
mentioned in verse 5:
"Let your gentleness be evident to all".
2. In verses 6 and 7 Paul writes about attitudes in different situations:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will
guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus". The value of our testimony as Christians is
determined by our attitudes in our daily situations. How can people believe our testimony about
the faithfulness of God, if we do not trust Him in our every day life? Our life should communicate
trust and confidence in God.
3. In verses 8 and 9 Paul writes about behavior:
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"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about
such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it
into practice. And the God of peace will be with you". What words do we use? How do we use
them? How do our words fit our actions? All of these communicate how trustworthy we are.
The nonverbal message of Jesus
Jesus is the absolute example of how the gospel should be communicated. We will never reach
the level of Jesus, but is important to have a perfect example so that we can evaluate our own
standards. Jesus did use words, but what is more important, his lifestyle and values were in
total harmony with his words.
The most important hours - perhaps only 18 hours - in the life of Jesus were from Gethsemane
to Calvary. The destiny of all mankind was in balance during these hours. If all the words
spoken by Jesus, as recorded in the 4 Gospels, during this period are counted, they can be
spoken in about 5 minutes. The Gospels record slightly more then 500 words. It is the nonverbal
message that is the most powerful witness of the love of Jesus towards the whole world.
Isaiah writes in awesome wonder: 1. "Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm
of the LORD been revealed?" 7. "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth" (Is. 53:1&7).
Nonverbal communication in Gethsemane
Matthew writes:
"He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and
troubled. Then he said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay
here and keep watch with me.’ Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and
prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you
will’" (Matt. 26:37-39).
Luke writes:
"He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, ‘Father, if you are
willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.’ An angel from heaven
appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and
his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground (possibly hematidrosis, the actual
mingling of blood and sweat as in cases of extreme anguish, strain or sensitivity). When he rose
from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow"
(Luke 22:41-45).
The body, soul and spirit of Jesus was saturated by agony and intense strain taht cannot be
expressed in words. The message that Jesus communicated to his disciples expressed the
awfulness of sin that came upon Jesus. Paul writes: "God made him who had no sin to be sin
for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Cor. 5:21).
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Nonverbal communication before the great council
Jesus acted like a lamb that was to be sacrificed. He did not have any ambitions of politics or
power. During the 12 hours that Jesus was tried by the Sanhedrin (the Great Council) he spoke
about 90 words. Everything he said referred to his Messianic task which was to reconcile the sin
of the world and then take the position of the Savior of the whole world. Jesus also said that he
is the final judge of all mankind. As the judge he has the authority to set free or condemn.
Nonverbal communication before Pilate
Jesus was the suffering King, who by his behavior witnessed to absolute truth and love.
Nonverbal communication on the cross
In the middle of intense agony Jesus declared that he was in total control from the moment his
hands and feet were nailed to the cross to the moment he gave up his spirit. His powerful
message to the world is "He is the victor".
Communication in marriage
Paul uses the analogy of marriage to describe the relationship of Christ and the Church in
Ephesians 5:22-33. This passage has often been misinterpreted. The misinterpreted emphasis
has been on the submission of the wife under the authority of the husband. The correct
emphasis is the sacrificial love of the husband towards the wife, which in turn creates a loving
submission. Nonverbal communication in marriage is important and affects the happiness of
marriage.
How do husbands and wives communicate?
1. Body signals: our gestures, our facial expressions, the way we look at another, our behavior
and our actions.
2. How we live: our standard of living, our clothes, our use of money and our honesty.
Communication with children
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother"—which
is the first commandment with a promise— "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy
long life on the earth." Fathers, do not exasperate (irritate or provoke) your children; instead,
bring them up (lovingly) in the training and instruction of the Lord. Eph.6:1-4
The Christian message should always communicate that Jesus is the victor of my life, my
actions and my words. A humble, quiet and unassuming method of communication is always
more effective than a superior, proud or careless method. If we want to communicate the love of
Jesus in a believable way, we must be prepared to give ourselves for the sake of the message.
It is only then that others can see and experience the love of Christ in our lives.