Lesson: The Law of Echoes

Author - Mark Stusek
Date: 1-6-2008

A young boy lived with his grandfather on top of a mountain in the Swiss Alps. For fun the boy would often go outside and cup his hands in a way to make a megaphone and shout “HELLO”! He would stand and wait to hear his voice Echo back to him. Up from the canyons the reply would reverberate, “hello . . . hello . .. hello . . . “ Then in the same manner, he would call out “I love you . . .and once again “I love you . . .I love you . . . I love you . . .” would echo back to him.

One day the boy disobeyed his grandfather and he was severely disciplined. Reacting angrily, the child screamed “I HATE YOU!” To his surprise, the rocks and mountainsides responded “I HATE YOU... I HATE YOU . . . I HATE YOU . . .” And so it is with life -- it is one of the laws of nature. We get in return exactly what we give – it all comes back.

Tennyson said: “Our echoes roll from soul to soul and grow forever and ever.” Let’s talk about areas of our lives where the echoes apply daily.

Question: Can you name a few?

I. Marriage

The law of “echoes’” applies to marriage; you want a husband or wife to be gracious, forgiving, tolerant and supportive . . .

Question: What are we to do?

1. Honor your spouse and live out your vows and commitments to one another. Hebrews 13:4

2. Live by the Golden Rule – Treat others as you wish to be treated and see what echoes back. Matthew 7:12

3. Men are called to love and treasure their wives as Jesus loves and treasures us.

Question: How are we to do that?

· With kindness, patience, respect, forgiveness, endurance, consider others first before ourselves. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7

Question: How do women treat their husbands? Titus 2: 3-5

· With good behavior, not gossipers, don’t drink too much, teachers of good things, obedient, homemakers.

Question: What is echoing back to you in your marriage – take a look in the mirror!

Proverbs 21:9

II. Occupation – Work

The law of echoes applies to work as well.

The rocks and the mountains are ready to echo back the identical attitudes and actions we initiate.

In every relationship of life, our attitude toward other people will determine how they respond to us.

1. Treat others exactly as you would want to be treated. Luke 6:31

2. Industrial research has discovered six reasons why people quit going to business establishments.

· 1 % die

· 3 % move

· 5% develop other friendships/loyalties

· 9% leave to obtain a better price

· 14 % dissatisfied with product

· 68% quite because of an attitude of indifference toward them by an employ

Question: Do we want our friends and associates at our workplace to be happy?

If so, we are to act unselfishly and be free from: sly comments, criticism, and ugly glares. Check out the person in the mirror who glares back at you from the mirror each morning.

3. This same law is remarkably consistent with children – they echo their parents. The Seven Secrets -- Proverbs 22:6

III. Self

1. If you want to hear the echo of judgment, criticism and condemnation you start it.

If we want people - our spouse, children, co-workers. . to be understanding/broadminded while allowing us room to be ourselves, then we must model that same type of lifestyle.

2. Meekness – Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

Conclusion: Dr Martin Lloyd - Jones definition of meekness or maybe solving some on going problems. .the man who is meek is not sensitive about himself . . . not always watching himself and his own interest. He is not always on the defensive . . . he no longer worries about himself and what others say. To be truly meek means we no longer protect ourselves because we see there is nothing worth defending. So we are not on the defensive; all that is gone. . . . He never talks to himself saying `you are having a hard time, how unkind these people are to not understand you`. He never thinks `how wonderful I really am if only other people would give me a chance. Self Pity! What hours and years we waste in this! . . . “How Can I know the Lord Jesus Christ More Intimately in this New Year”

One Church, Two Locations.

Lesson: The Law of Echoes

III. Self