The following post is contributed by Harold Phillips, Coordinator of CBF Missouri. This past August, at the Movement Leadership Team (MLT) meeting, those gathered were asked to write “One Sentence Sermons.” Harold reflects on his sermon below.

Talk Is Cheap is going to be inscribed on my tombstone. A better phrase might be “walk the walk, not just talk the talk” but that inscription would cost more.

In my Baptist context, I often hear pastors grouse about situations in Baptist life or within their churches, but do nothing to change them. The same is true for laity who like to second-guess their pastor or other leaders.

Lots of talk but very little action.

Conversely, I look at countless friends who don’t talk much about what they do — they just do it.  They teach ESL classes for new friends in our country.  They volunteer in the local school to befriend a child with a tough home life. They spend weekends working in a food pantry for those who are without food. They serve in their church behind the scenes to help the rest of us experience worship (think about who prepares the communion elements!). The list goes on and on.

Jesus changed the world not by his words, but by his life — he was always on the move and always creating change.

I fully realize our salvation hope is not built around works. I also know it is not built around words either. When push comes to shove, forget the talk

— because by itself, it is not worth much.