IF YOU HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THE CURRENT SERMON SERIES, PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CHAPTERS OF REVELATION:  Revelation: 20-22; IN PREPARATION FOR THIS SUNDAY’S MESSAGE.

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16, NIV).

             Given the first century church was under close scrutiny by the Romans, any written document that was branded a threat to the empire placed both the author and the reader in danger. Revelation was coded in such a manner that an outsider would consider it to be gibberish, but the church well could understand.

             During this highly charged political season, much is being made of the practice called code switching.    Code-switching is the manner of changing how one speaks, behaves, or presents themself in different situations or circumstances. It can involve switching between languages, dialects, styles, pacing, or registers. Many politicians code-switch to ensure vital information is delivered to voters and constituents in ways that resonate with different cultures, generations, and socioeconomic statuses.

             Paul once said, “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some”          (1 Corinthians 9:22, NIV). Paul recognized that every person is unique. One size or approach to communicating with others will not fit all.  We each comprehend differently, relate differently, and learn differently.

             Even more, the skills and techniques we utilized in the workplace ten years ago may not be as effective today. Those who continue learning and adjusting their work methods are most likely to succeed in today’s fast-changing world. The code words one might use with members of Generation Y would fall on deaf ears were the same approach used with a with a group of Baby Boomers.