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
0.17UNLIKELY
Disgust
0.08UNLIKELY
Fear
0.11UNLIKELY
Joy
0.65LIKELY
Sadness
0.48UNLIKELY
Language Tone
Analytical
0.8LIKELY
Confident
0.15UNLIKELY
Tentative
0UNLIKELY
Social Tone
Openness
0.7LIKELY
Conscientiousness
0.9LIKELY
Extraversion
0.06UNLIKELY
Agreeableness
0.61LIKELY
Emotional Range
0.85LIKELY
Tone of specific sentences
Tones
Emotion
Language
Social Tendencies
Anger
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9
Text - Acts 20.26-27
Background
Paul was led by the Spirit to address the elders of Ephesus
he called for them - Acts 20.17-21
he recalled his work among them
he recalled how long he stayed with them - Acts 20.31 “31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.”
he recalled how he proclaimed the gospel to them
Paul’s view of the whole counsel of God
counsel - Grk. BOULE, plan, purpose, will,
purpose - Acts 20.27
will - Acts 20.27
note - will and plan/counsel
the Grk word for “will” is THELEMA, inclination, attitude
BOULE denotes action plan, or course of action according to one’s will or volition
everything begins in the “will”
the will produces an action plan - the “purpose”
the purpose is followed by “actions/works”
Paul refers to God’s purpose in creation, and how God has planned everything to be accomplished in Christ and for His glory.
this he laid out in his epistle to the same group of believers - Ephesians 1.4-14
God’s actions
He chose us - Eph 1.4
He predestined us - Eph 1.5
He made known to us HIs mystery - Eph 1.9
He will gather together in one all things - Eph 1.10
God’s purpose
that we should be holy and without blame - v. 4
our adoption as sons through Jesus Christ - v. 5
the praise of the glory of His grace - v. 6
God’s purpose directed His actions
God’s will directed his actions
God works all things according to the purpose (plan) of His will!
Main Subject
The primary goal of gospel preaching is to make God’s plan known to man.
Our part is simply to recognize, and submit our lives to, God’s plan.
Key Questions
How can we know God’s plan?
How do we see God’s plan in history?
How should man respond to God’s plan?
Sermon Points
God’s plan was no secret - the Scripture declares it!
Paul’s statement indicates -
the counsel of God was not a secret thing
he was only proclaiming it without hesitation
The Jews knew it was in the Scripture
What they cannot accept - and refused to recognize - was that the Scripture pointed them to Christ!
Note - since the plan of God was rejected among the Jews, it needed clarification.
Like -
why Jesus?
why must we believe in Jesus?
God’s plan was in the Scripture - weaved into the story of His people.
As human history progressed, God placed his plan key events, revealing a portion of His plan in it.
As soon as man fell into sin and disobedience, God began to weave his plan in the story of His people
In the Fall - God promised a seed
In calling Abraham - God promised blessing through his Seed
In delivering Israel from bondage, God introduced the Passover lamb
In the wilderness God promised them a Prophet
in the prophets God announced the coming of His Son
God also used events and things to “foreshadow” His plan
the sacrificial animals
the tabernale and later temple as God’s dwelling place
certain men - Moses, Joshua, Joseph,
God also embedded His plan in the Psalms of David
the Son who is heir to the throne
the Son who will conquer the nations
the sufferings of the messiah
The ANGELS knew God was up to SOMETHING when He sent angels to deliver His word to His prophets!
God’s plan culminates in Jesus Christ - He is the Master Plan unveiled!
The Law - the covenant with Israel - pointed to Christ
God’s purpose was in Christ
God’s plan must be recognized and received by faith!
BECAUSE God’s plan will not fail!
BECAUSE God does everything for His own glory
BECAUSE God’s plan also includes our welfare.
BECAUSE God’s plan is everything -
it it the only thing that matters in life
it is the only thing that will continue when everything else is over!
Conclusion
God’s plan is not only finished and established from the beginning - IT ALSO WILL NOT FAIL!
Nothing and no one can derail God’s plan!
LET US RECOGNIZE GOD’S PLAN -
BY NOT MAKING ANOTHER PLAN OF OUR OWN
when you make your own plans -
you are moved by your own will, not God’s will
you refuse to recognize God’s established plan
BY SUBMITTING TO HIS PLAN COMPLETELY
“Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven...”
SONG -
Thou Art Worthy O Lord”
It is No Secret what God can Do
How great thou art
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9