Sermon Tone Analysis

Presented by OrLando Yarborough III

Purpose of This Presentation:

· To set our intentions in a way that will helps us to endure and progress

Your Presenter: OrLando Yarborough III

Opening passage: Hebrews 12:1–2 (NKJV):

When I was in college, in my faith walk, I had to decide whether to live for OrLando or to live for Jesus.

When I was in grad school, trying to pursue my interest and develop in my purpose, I had to decide whether to work build a name for myself or to lift up the name of Jesus.

In some ways, the decision was a no-brainer:

When deciding whether to live for Jesus or for OrLando, I believed Christ’ words that His disciple Matthew recorded:

Matthew 6:32–33 (NKJV): 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek.

For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

When deciding whether to lift of the name of Jesus or work build a name for myself, I believed Christ’ words as recorded by His disciple John:

John 12:32–33 (NKJV): 32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”

33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die.

In His death (and resurrection) Christ would reach far more people than I intended to help if I were to build a platform solely for myself.

Moreover, I knew and still know the day will come:

Philippians 2:10–11 (NKJV): 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

What I recognize today is that even when the decision to follow Christ and live for God is a “no brainer”—when I’ve accepted Jesus as my Savior and Lord—the execution of such over time requires a continual commitment.

I have found the lyrics to be true:

“I've had some good days

I've had some hills to climb

I've had some weary days

And some sleepless nights

“Sometimes the clouds hang low

I can hardly see the road

I ask a question Lord

Why so much pain?”

The reality is:

Life is made of good days as well as challenging times.

The darker it gets in life and society the brighter the light of God’s word, the more challenging it can be to face up to the realities we see around us each day.

Jesus was telling the truth when He said to John and His other disciples:

John 16:33 (NKJV): 33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.

In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Q: How do we make the most of our journey of faith, keep our head above water, walk on top of our circumstances, be encouraged in our walk with Jesus Christ?

Q:Why keep our commitment to God in Jesus Christ when the immediacy of what’s around us can have life be unstable—sometimes we’re up, sometimes we’re down?

Opening Passage: Hebrews 12:1–2 (NKJV): The Race Of Faith

Topic: For the Joy of it

(pray)

If anyone could talk about changing circumstances it would be Jesus the Christ.

One day the crowd is shouting, “Hosanna”, to praise Him.

The next day/One day the crowd is shouting, “Crucify Him”, to condemn Him.

The man with which Jesus broke bread at His last supper meal would be the same man to betray Him.

The man who spoke to Jesus regarding Christ’ impending/upcoming suffering, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” (Matthew 6:22), would be the same man to deny Jesus three times.

Yet, Jesus knowing all of this, when Jesus’ hour had come for Him to fulfill the will of His Father God for innocent Jesus to die upon the cross for the sins of the world, Jesus paused to acknowledge the cross-roads.

In a most intimate time of anguish Jesus the Son took a moment with God the Father:

In the Garden of Gethsemane, disciple Matthew recounts this moment

Matthew 26:38–39 (NKJV):

Luke says it this way:

Luke 22:41–44 (NKJV):

As it is known, Jesus was crucified.

He laid down His life for us all.

Q: What did it take for Jesus to stick with God’s plan all of the way through?

Our opening text may give us a clue.

Hebrews 12:1–2 (NKJV)

The author of Hebrews writes to believers as a team captain might write to their team of athletes.

The message is: before us/ahead of us is a race of faith; let’s us run our race with endurance.

And like a good leader, the team captain identifies a model after which we can patterns our behavior.

Jesus.

This is interesting because one chapter before, the author of Hebrews identified by name other examples we might consider: saying…

Hebrews 11:32–38

Even with all of these other examples, there is something about Jesus the author describes that would be of benefit you and me today.

v2

Hebrews 12:2

Who is this person, Jesus—our model, our example?

Of what is He an example?

Our team captain says Jesus “authored” our faith.

Jesus pioneered our faith.

Jesus started our faith and we now follow.

The Apostle Paul said, “Follow me as follow Christ” or

1 Corinthians 11:1 (NKJV): 11 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

The reason Jesus as “author”/“pioneer” is significant is because Jesus is not asking us to do something He hasn’t already done.

You and I can go anywhere with God because Jesus has already been.

Not only did Jesus start our faith.

Jesus finished it, too!

Be vigilant of anybody who ask you to go on a journey who doesn’t also know the ending.

Jesus was teaching multitudes who followed Him—teaching them on the cost of discipleship.

Jesus said:

Luke 14:28 (NKJV): 28 “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—”

Jesus’ teaching clarifies for me that we have to know the finish work to be able to cost the cost of finishing and so adequately commit to following Him.

Jesus didn’t just start out in faith, He finished, too.

Jesus didn’t just author our faith; He’s the finisher, too.

Q: And how do we know He finished?

Look at the text:

Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV): 2 “….has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Paul taught us

Romans 8:34 (NKJV): 34 Who is he who condemns?

It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

Q: But I ask for Jesus what I ask for us: what did it take for Jesus to keep His commitment all of the way through?

What does it take for us to keep our commitment all of the way through to the end?

In the text, the team captain said about Jesus:

Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV): 2 looking unto Jesus…who for the joy that was set before Him…

“…set before Him…”

According to a first-century Jewish historian (Josephus, Antiquities 8:302) prizes often were set before athletes to provide motivation.

In today’s athletics its the trophy, a champion set ring, prize money, bragging rights.

In academics, and entrepreneurship, and career, its the degree, it’s the graduation ceremony, the promotion, the fame, the fortune, the recognition, the successful product and business, the IPO, the big house, the expensive car, the job security, the retirement fund.

In relationships, it’s the commitment, the marriage, the wedding, the friendship, the family, the portrait.

(The problem today, is that if we are not careful, we will put out in front of ourselves goals/prizes that are not worth the pursuit…and we get along in our journey, out in the middle and are tempted to quit because we realize what we are pursing is not worth the cost of the journey.

The “show is not worth the cost of admission.”)

But for Jesus the prize ahead of Him was the joy set before Him.