Sermon Tone Analysis

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Introduction

Let’s play a game!

I’ll read a quote, you tell me who/what they were talking about:

Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM said, "I think there is a world market for maybe five of these."

Personal Computers

United Artists turned down and actor to play a president in the movie, “The Best Man”.

They said, "He doesn't have that presidential look."

Ronald Reagan

A travel expert named Dr.

Dionysius Lardner said, “Anyone who travels in excess of that, would surely suffocate from the speed.”

A train going 30mph

Decca Recording Company: "We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out."

The Beatles

The point is that mankind sees impossible everyday...

But for those who are dedicated to their mission, the impossible quickly becomes possible!

Just look at Matthew 19:26

Today we are examining the 10 things that a ministry should have

YouVersion: Making Ministry Plans

We’re in Romans 15:14-33 and ending our series

Next week, we begin a new series: Abraham

Guess what that’s about?

It’s 19 weeks but we’re going to split it in 2

5 weeks to Thanksgiving - then Advent series called “Waiting”

Next year, we’ll run last 14 weeks

But today, we’re closing out Romans

Talking about Romans Road

In case you missed it, let’s recap the 4 questions:

Why do we need salvation?

Romans 6:23a (ESV)

23 For the wages of sin is death

Everyone sins, and the result of sin is death

So we are all doomed to death unless something changes...

How did God provide salvation?

Jesus dies that death for us - so payment has been made

But also, He lived a perfect life - and He gives that righteousness to us as a gift

How can we receive salvation?

By accepting the gift - we don’t earn it at all

It might seem too easy, but it is that easy

What are the results of salvation?

Our relationship with God is restored

And that death we earned doesn’t apply to use anymore

That means we can spend eternity with Him

But there’s something we need to recognize

The results of salvation don’t begin when you die

Salvation changes you here and now

If you aren’t different, you aren’t letting God work

Last week we talked about how the church should work as one body

This week, we’ll close out by talking about what ministry should look like

Let me explain something up front:

DISCLAIMER!

You will hear me say something along the lines of “your ministry” today.

All ministries I’m talking about today are God’s.

They are of Him, from Him and for Him.

When I say “your ministry”, I mean the one that God has called you to perform in for His purposes.

It is possible for something to actually be “your ministry.”

It is of you, from you and for you.

Those are not the ones I’m talking about when I say “your ministry.”

If that’s the case with you, there is an entirely different set of problems for you to deal with.

Romans 15:14 (ESV)

14 I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.

Paul has had to teach some tough lessons

1. Ministries should: Have good, knowledgeable and honest leaders

Why?

Because it gives people what?

Paul says: Satisfaction.

Greek word peitho (pih-thoh), means convinced, confident, satisfied, trusted in, persuaded

People are much more apt to follow good leaders because they give reasons to trust them

Hebrews 13:7 (ESV)

7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God.

Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

If a leader’s conduct brings a good outcome, they’re worth following!

If Paul knows they have goodness, knowledge and the ability to admonish, why write the letter?

Paul is going to tell us:

Romans 15:15–16 (ESV)

15 But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

Even good leaders need reminders sometimes...

Paul wrote boldly not to criticize, but to remind them

Even today being a Christian isn’t always about learning something new – we need reminders

Alarm clocks, grill timers, calendars, DVR reminders, scoreboards, speed limits…

How to TV shows begin nowadays?

“Previously, on Lost.”

It’s a reminder!

We need reminders for a ton of things!

Even, to keep on track with our walk with Christ

Let me show you what I mean:

I think tater-tots are the most perfect food

They’re good when they’re soft and steamy, or crispy and crunchy

They’re good alone, or with ketchup, bbq, covered in cheese, chili, whatever...

You can put them on your food, or on the side, for breakfast or dinner

With a BLT, a breakfast burrito or a steak

Now, everybody is hungry and thinking about tater-tots!

That’s the power of reminders!

If you don’t like tater-tots, I question your salvation… I’m kidding!

These are 2 different ministry positions

He’s talking to church leaders (probably elders, deacons, other teachers/leaders…)

Paul has a very special calling himself

Jesus came directly to the Jews, and God used Paul to reach out to the gentiles

His mission statement is verse 16:

“to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.”