Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
This automated analysis scores the text on the likely presence of emotional, language, and social tones. There are no right or wrong scores; this is just an indication of tones readers or listeners may pick up from the text.
A score of 0.5 or higher indicates the tone is likely present.
Emotion Tone
Anger
0.1UNLIKELY
Disgust
0.11UNLIKELY
Fear
0.1UNLIKELY
Joy
0.65LIKELY
Sadness
0.47UNLIKELY
Language Tone
Analytical
0.56LIKELY
Confident
0UNLIKELY
Tentative
0.39UNLIKELY
Social Tone
Openness
0.93LIKELY
Conscientiousness
0.79LIKELY
Extraversion
0.1UNLIKELY
Agreeableness
0.66LIKELY
Emotional Range
0.75LIKELY
Tone of specific sentences
Tones
Emotion
Language
Social Tendencies
Anger
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9
Prayer
Unashamed of the Gospel:
The Path to New Reformation
Today is special because it is the Sunday which celebrates the Protestant Reformation.
Historically it has been celebrated on October 31st.
It commemorates a day in history when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the Church door at Wittenberg.
The Protestant Reformation was an event which took place in church history.
If we desire to see a reformation in our day, we will need an unashamed witness of the gospel that by faith clings to the power and righteousness of God for salvation.
“Marking the anniversary of the Reformation isn’t about reveling in past glories or pining for an idyllic golden age.
We celebrate Reformation Day because, when the church was deep in darkness, God shone the light of the his gospel afresh.
Luther made a discovery that changed the world then, and continues to transform lives and cultures today.
What the German monk uncovered in his Bible is as explosive and wonderful now as it ever was.” —Michael Reeves
Now the Roman Catholic Church of the time, was “the church”
There were no other “churches” around.
No other places that a person could go.
The Scriptures were only read in Latin, a language that the common man couldn’t understand.
To be in opposition to the RCC, would be in opposition to the government, church, and the world.
“I defy the Pope and all his laws . . .
if God spare my life many years, I will cause a boy that drives the plough, to know more of Holy Scripture than the Pope.”
—William Tyndale
To take on the RCC would be virtually a death sentence.
At one point, Luther was called to appear before a counsel where many thought he would be killed.
This is what he said...
Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Holy Scriptures or by evident reason—for I believe neither pope nor councils alone, as it is clear that they have erred repeatedly and contradicted themselves—
I consider myself convicted by the testimony of the Holy Scriptures, which is my basis; my conscience is captive to the Word of God.
Thus I cannot and will not recant, because acting against one’s conscience is neither safe nor sound.
[Here I stand; I can do no other.]
God help me.
Amen.
Now we can and should look at a man like Luther and draw much encouragement for how to live today.
But I want to look at a text today that completely changed Luther forever.
In the book of Romans, Paul begins by reminding the believers why he is writing to them.
He is eager to preach to them this “good news”
In one succinct statement, Paul gives his main point of the book of Romans.
Which is what we find in verse 16-17.
Romans 1:16 (ESV)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel,
Unashamed of the Gospel
“Unhindered Boldness”
Paul is assuming that others have been and will be ashamed of the gospel he is preaching.
To be ashamed here means to be pained by others thoughts on a matter.
That feeling children get when their parents does something that embarrasses them.
At this point we should ask the question,
Why would Paul say that others are ashamed of the gospel?
Isn’t this the message of Jesus?
Why would people be ashamed of this message of Jesus?
The Cross of Christ is Offensive
“Stumbling Block”
Now the reality of the cross would have been much worse in the minds of Paul’s readers.
It would have been the equivalent to images of an electric chair in our own culture.
An instrument of death.
People would have associated the cross with the most despised and horrifying images in their minds.
Crosses were reserved for criminals and the worst of the worst in the society.
It would have been a laughing stock for Paul to say that the Christian hope is of a crucified Savior.
And now Paul is bringing this message to the “Prestigious City of Rome”
The splendid city of Rome with all it’s sophistication.
It would have been a temptation for Paul to try and paint the cross of Jesus in pretty colors.
But Paul knew what we should all know, the CROSS is OFFENSIVE.
The cross was regarded as foolishness to the Greeks and a stumbling block to the Jews.
The fleshly temptation would be to be ashamed of this message.
But we have our own battles to face today.
Let me give you ONE.
Moralistic Therapeutic Deism
1. "A god exists who created and ordered the world and watches over human life on earth."
2. "God wants people to be good, nice, and fair to each other, as taught in the Bible and by most world religions."
3. "The central goal of life is to be happy and to feel good about ones self."
4. "God does not need to be particularly involved in one's life except when God is needed to resolve a problem."
5. "Good people go to heaven when they die."
Now there are many problems in thoughts like these.
A person can think they are a Christian, and be drastically deceived.
They believe in “God” generally speaking.
They believe that this “God” loves them generally.
They believe this “God” wants them to be happy and feel good about themselves.
But when we start holding to the biblical gospel, people around us will not like it.
Even in our own culture, it is NOT cool to be a Christian.
If someone is found to be a Christian, typically they are mocked or dismissed.
So Paul is NOT offering here a shame free life.
He is saying that because he is unashamed of the gospel, inevitably he will be shamed by others…
Romans 1:16 (ESV)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel,
The Cross of Christ is Counter-Cultural
“Against the Grain”
Now the city of Rome had a little different barrier than our own.
Our culture says,
“You can believe whatever you want, just don’t say what you believe matters at all.”
“You can believe whatever just don’t let it affect anyone else.”
But their culture was dominated with one particular message.
The message of the Roman culture was,
“Caesar is King!”
“Caesar rules the world!”
The cultural message of their day demanded that all people pay ultimate allegiance to Caesar.
People in that day did not have a choice of who to worship.
They were demanded to worship Caesar.
But the Christian message comes along and says,
“Jesus is King!”
“Jesus is LORD over all!”
“Though it looks like Caesar is ruling things, we believe Jesus is on the throne!”
Now what was a Christian supposed to do?
Were they supposed to just worship silently in their own homes.
“Don’t cause an disputes now…” No.
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9