Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
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Our theme for 2022 is “Begin Again”
This series is called, “Believe Again”
You may have already believed the gospel, but it is time to believe again.
Let’s review what we have covered - the video’s are available on our website and on YouTube.
We began with “Believe in Jesus”
Then we talked about believing in spiritual reality.
We talked about how an encounter with Jesus leads to transformation, living in both realities.
We talked about life - remember the great circle of life - God’s life in us and flowing through us?
We talked about light and how light displaces darkness and exposes what is hidden.
We talked about truth and freedom.
- that knowing the truth about God and about yourself sets you free from guilt and condemnation.
We talked about how Jesus shows us the Father as a Good Shepherd who loves us and who has a plan to redeem us.
We talked about God’s power and how true power is found in obeying God.
And abiding in God is consistently dwelling on love, hope and joy.
And we do all this for the glory of God.
Yes, the goal of everything, including our lives is to let God bee see for the great God that He is!
What is left except to be sure that we tell the story!
John wrote his gospel after most of a generation of Apostles had passed away.
He wrote it as a witness, not only to the things that happened, but to declare their authenticity, the impact and the transformative nature of these events.
After almost a century of believing in Jesus, John wants people to believe again.
Today, we are His witnesses to the reality of the gospel, the story of Jesus and it’s power for transformation.
How do you keep you faith fresh, active and alive?
By bearing witness to the reality of Jesus, day after day.
How far back do you have to think to find a testimony of something that God has done in your life?
An answered prayer.
A miracle, big or small.
Something that you learned or heard from God.
Perhaps a scripture that became alive as you saw in in a new way.
Or a word that God spoke to you either through the Holy Spirit or through the Spirit in another person?
How have you been stretched, changed or restored?
Are you entirely the same person you were a week ago, a month ago or a year ago?
The whole purpose of the gospel, the story of Jesus, is to transform people’s lives.
That’s why our tagline is “Encounter God’s Transforming Love.”
Is that happening for you?
Who have you told about it?
We are here to bear witness...
Bear witness to your encounter.
Describe what you have seen.
One of the things that we talk about is having an encounter with Jesus - what is an encounter?
Is it like an alien encounter?
- No but its supernatural!
Does it have to be dramatic or emotional?
- No, but it can be!
It just means that you experienced the reality of who Jesus is - Jesus is God.
… well, you wouldn’t believe it....
Just start by describing what happened.
Here we have the account of three disciples after the resurrection, just telling it like it happened.
John was one of those - “the disciple Jesus loved.”
He’s writing to an audience decades later who is saying things like:
Jesus wasn’t real - he was just a ghost.
Or Jesus was real, but he didn’t really die, it was an illusion.
Jesus’ followers stole his body and made up the story of the resurrection.
John wanted to tell his side of the story -to set the record straight.
Mary was the first one at the tomb - and Jesus’ body was already gone and the stone was rolled away.
Mary’s assessment was that his body was stolen.
If this was some kind of conspiracy, why would she go to the tomb?
Why would she not know where he was?
Why would Peter and John run to see for themselves?
John is the second eyewitness.
He saw empty grave cloths, but he didn’t go in?
Why would he not go in if he was in on it?
His hesitation conveys emotion, bewilderment not knowing what to do.
It’s responses like that which make a story authentic.
We think we need to explain everything, sometimes people need to hear that we don’t know what to think - just be real!
So then Peter arrives an notices that the face cloth is folded.
This was no accident.
Folding a cloth shows careful intention.
Robbers don’t tidy up after they rob a place.
People who are sneaking around don’t take time to fold a napkin.
This was a little clue left behind by Jesus to let them know it was him.
Do you know what a “God-wink” is?
It’s when something happens and you say to yourself, “only God could have done this!”
Like a flower suddenly blooming on a sad day.
A song playing on the radio that has special meaning when you are missing someone.
Your favorite item shows up at the store - and its on sale!
Sometimes God winks at us, just to let us know He’s there.
You just have to see it.
Recount what you have heard.
Mary didn’t recognize Jesus until she heard his voice.
Maybe it was because her eyes were filled with tears.
Maybe it’s because in middle-eastern culture women are supposed to look directly at men - especially strange men.
It wasn’t until Jesus said her name that she recognized him.
Some people have difficulty hearing God’s voice.
I believe that it is the birthright of every believer to hear God’s voice.
But we don’t all hear the same.
Some people hear God speak in words - lots of words!
Some people hear only a single word or phrase.
Some people hear music - God speaks to them in songs.
Some people have mental pictures or open visions.
Some people get feelings, impressions or dreams.
Let’s do a listening exercise, what is God saying....
Bearing witness is not just telling what God has done, but saying what God is saying.
When you hear someone say what God is saying and it resonates with what you are hearing, it is encouraging!
I may be the preacher, but I don’t want to be the one doing all of the talking - we need to encourage each other.
If you hear God saying something ask...
God, is this for me or for someone else?
Is this something I should say to them, or just pray for them?
Is this for more than just me, are you speaking to the church?
If you have a word for the church, bring it to one of the leaders and let them help you release it at the right time and in the right way.
But maybe you can’t express it in words?
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