Sermon by – Lead Pastor Justin Kendrick – Vox Church
My Personal Sermon Notes …
The Art of Being the Same Person Everywhere
Key Verse
Proverbs 11:2–3
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.”
Series Overview
Week 1: Integrity at Our Jobs
Week 2: Integrity in Hospitality
Week 3: Integrity in Our Words
The Power of Words
Hebrews 11:21
“By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff.”
Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me — Ridiculously wrong.
Words are so powerful and transformative—even at a physiological level. Words shape our world. We collect both positive and negative words about ourselves that we hold onto forever.
Mark Twain said, “I can live for two months on a good compliment.”
Proverbs 18:21
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”
Proverbs 12:18
“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
Every time we speak—or withhold our words—we are shaping and manipulating the world around us.
God gave us language as a part of being created in His image: with the ability to speak things into existence.
Matthew 12:36–37
“I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Francis Schaeffer said: “God won’t judge you on His Word; He will judge you on your words.”
Our words have the ability to create and destroy. So how do we gain control over the struggle of what we say—or don’t say? How do we become a people of transformed speech?
Jacob’s Blessing Story – Our Deep Longing for Affirmation
Genesis 27: The Deception
Jacob’s story of receiving the blessing meant for Esau is dramatic and messy:
- Isaac, their father, was old and blind and ready to pass on the covenantal blessing to Esau, the firstborn.
- Rebekah, who favored Jacob, devised a deception: Jacob would pretend to be Esau.
- Jacob dressed in Esau’s clothes, covered his arms with goat hair, and brought food to his father.
- Isaac was suspicious but eventually gave the blessing to Jacob—words of prosperity, rule, and covenant favor.
Genesis 27:27–29
“So he came near and kissed him. And Isaac smelled the smell of his garments and blessed him and said,
‘See, the smell of my son
is as the smell of a field that the Lord has blessed!
May God give you of the dew of heaven
and of the fatness of the earth
and plenty of grain and wine.
Let peoples serve you,
and nations bow down to you.
Be lord over your brothers,
and may your mother’s sons bow down to you.
Cursed be everyone who curses you,
and blessed be everyone who blesses you!’”
When Esau discovered the deception, he was devastated and begged for a blessing too, but Isaac responded:
Genesis 27:35
“But he said, ‘Your brother came deceitfully, and he has taken away your blessing.’”
Despite the deceit, the blessing couldn’t be revoked—once spoken, it was binding.
This story mirrors our inner lives. Deep down, we have a longing for validation, affirmation… a blessing.
We are a generation hunting for a blessing—from friends, family, work, children, loved ones, and church. But we cannot bless ourselves. Blessing must come from outside ourselves.
Tim Keller: “Every human being needs blessing. We need assurance of unique value.”
Jacob represents our struggle. He wanted a blessing so he dressed up like someone else. Just like we wear masks to chase affirmation, breaking the integrity of our character.
Wrestling for a True Blessing
Genesis 28:20–21
“Then Jacob made a vow, saying, ‘If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God.’”
Genesis 32:24–29
“And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, ‘Let me go, for the day has broken.’ But Jacob said, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me.’ And he said to him, ‘What is your name?’ And he said, ‘Jacob.’ Then he said, ‘Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.’ Then Jacob asked him, ‘Please tell me your name.’ But he said, ‘Why is it that you ask my name?’ And there he blessed him.”
In the original language, it says “Jacob Jacobed”—he wrestled. We wrestle with God, but also with ourselves.
It appears Jacob is winning, but then the mysterious man touches his hip, dislocating it. God was always in control. Jacob finally realizes that the blessing he sought from people was the blessing he truly needed from God.
When a man knows he is blessed, approved, and cherished by God, his heart is made whole.
Jacob holds on. He won’t let go until he receives the blessing. God changes his name—from usurper to overcomer. Then, He blesses Israel.
Transformed Speech Comes from Transformed Identity
Trying to change our speech through behavior modification won’t work. Real transformation starts in the heart.
Jesus changes our inner life—and out of that, our words change.
Jacob dressed up to steal the firstborn blessing.
Jesus showed up dressed like us to give us His firstborn blessing.
Ephesians 1:3–5
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,
even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love
he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.”
What do we do to obtain that blessing?
Do what Jacob did—cling to Him. Hold on.
Hebrews 12:22–23
“But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering,
and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect.”
In God’s family, all who come through Christ are firstborn and receive the double portion blessing.
This must be our source of identity, value, and worth.
Characteristics of Transformed Speech
- Speak from a place of faith – Our words should be seasoned with belief in God’s promises.
- Speak from a posture of humble brokenness – Sometimes the kindest thing God does is slow us down to make us whole.
- Learn to speak blessing over others – Jacob spent his life stealing blessings, but ends his life giving them.
Dallas Willard on blessing:
“Blessing is the projection of good into the life of another. It isn’t just words; it’s the actual putting forth of your will for the good of another person. It’s the essence of our calling as believers to bless and not curse.”
Blessing someone is simple, but we struggle to do it. Why? Because it requires seeing them the way God sees them.
Blessings build others up.
Ephesians 4:29
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
God’s intention for His Church is for us to be a people who speak blessing and favor over others—countercultural in a world of critique and complaint.
Find people to edify. Speak life, speak encouragement, speak blessing. Our words create the reality of the world we live in.
Have the faith and strength to speak it in truth—not to manipulate or flatter, but to build up, comfort, and restore.
VoxNotas 
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