Sermon Tone Analysis

One is the loneliest number

In 1968, Harry Nilsson wrote the lyrics to his song “One” after getting a busy signal.

You’ve probably heard the song on various TV shows or animated movies like Shrek.

It seems to hint at a response to a breakup.

There are times when it’s true, one can be a lonely number.

If you’re an extrovert - if you like being around people, if you get energy from being around people, then being alone might be terrifying!

However, if you’re an introvert, if you gain energy being by yourself, and crowds stress you out, then one seems like the perfect number.

It’s paradise.

Can I get an amen?

When you talk to some people, all they like to talk about is numbers - how many people attended this party or that event.

I know I can fall into that.

Sometimes we think that more is better.

We can even sort of feel like if it’s not more then it’s not good.

But, have you ever noticed that it’s very difficult to have conversations with more than one or two people at a time?

We had several people over for a cookout a few weeks ago.

It was fun.

We had lots of food and a variety of conversations going on.

We also had some football and other games.

But, I noticed that in a large group, it’s easy for one to get lost.

It’s easy for one to get overlooked.

It’s easy for one to get left out.

So, as we’ve been asking the question,

“Who’s your one?”,

today, we’re going to consider...

the importance of one.

Sure, bigger numbers of people might mean more - but it doesn’t always mean better.

Instead of looking at just one passage today, we’re going to reflect on the value of one in a couple of different places - mostly in the book of Acts.

Let’s begin by reflecting on...

The appeal of reaching many at once.

Jesus ascension

waiting in Jerusalem

praging

Day of Pentecost - miraculous signs and wonders.

Spirit filled sermon by Peter.

Spirit inspired response by many:

Acts 2:37–41 (ESV)

Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”

So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

Now - for almost any church leader, this would be an amazing day!

I’ve prayed and longed for days like that.

But there are also the challenges of so many coming.

how do you keep track of them

how do you train

how do you invest in them.

It certainly seems like the Spirit was moving powerfully among them.

Acts 2:42–47 (ESV)

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.

And all who believed were together and had all things in common.

And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people.

And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

It wasn’t long after this that persecution broke out against the new and quickly growing church - so the believers prayed for boldness (Acts.

4:23-31).

The persecution forced some to spread out and also cause hardships for others - but resulted in great unity among the church - so much so that they began the sell their possessions in order to contribute to the needs of each other (Acts.

4:32-37).

And yet not everyone was prepared to participate the way that God was moving among others - and so they faked it.

You see...

Non-believing individuals can be swept up in the many.

In Acts 5 - we read of Ananias and Sapphira.

It seems they were caught up in the fervor of what was happening, but didn’t truly believe.

They sold a piece of land for a certain amount and kept back some - reporting that the amount remaining was they amount they received for the land.

In essence, they lied - to the Holy Spirit and to the church.

I bring this up, not because we’re calculating tithes with tax statements - that’s between you and the Lord.

You give as the Lord leads.

But I bring it up because it seems that in the many, individuals can be caught up in...

emotionalism - producing a response based on peer pressure rather than a genuine move of the spirit -

this is one reason why we don’t often do invitations following the service - We don’t want people to respond emotionally to the gospel.

Yes, there is some emotion involved - we have to be convicted of our sin which should lead us to repentance - but some people can respond emotionally and say a “prayer” and think they are saved.

I’d rather take the time to help you understand scripture and respond with your mind, soul, and emotions.

individuals can sometimes be swept up in...

manipulation - There is a scene a bit later in the book of Acts when a man who was a very charismatic speaker and leader saw the works that the Apostles were doing - wanted to pay money so that people he touched would receive the Holy Spirit - it seemed to be a money game for him (Acts 8:9-25).

but there is something about the many that we have to keep in mind:

Not all of us are called or gifted to preach to the many...

There are many people who are especially called and gifted that way.

We’ve already seen...

Peter -

Charles Spurgeon - sometimes referred to as the “prince of preachers” was gifted in a profound way to preach to one congregation - overseeing its vast growth over decades.

Billy Graham - at one time called the pastor to the Presidents, preached to tens of millions world-wide - leading millions to respond to the gospel.

George Whitfield - God use his booming voice and powerful rhetoric to lead thousands to Christ on both sides of the Atlantic.

many others are gifted

But not all of us are gifted that way.

And that is ok.

In fact, I would even suggest

...that’s a good thing!

Even in Scripture, if you look at the Apostle Paul, he seemed to be a gifted preacher, but he was an even better teacher.

He could explain scripture in profound ways to smaller groups of people.

He was also an intentional disciple maker - he would rarely do anything alone.

Often in his travels he would have 2-3 people with him - but always it seemed at least one.

Then when you look at his letters to Philemon, Timothy, and Titus - he was well aware of the needs, strengths, and weaknesses of the one.

I believe there is value in public preaching.

God has ordained that to be one way that he calls people.

But it is certainly not the only way.

Two weeks ago I read a quote from Robert Coleman in his book Master Plan for Evangelism:

“reaching to the masses, although necessary, will never suffice in the work of preparing leaders for evangelism.

Nor can occasional prayer meetings and training classes for Christian workers do this job... Individual women and men are God’s method.

God’s plan for discipleship is not something, but someone.”

Which brings to consider...

The importance of obedience to reach the one.