Sermon Tone Analysis

Intro: LifeGroups/Re:Group

Poorly Explain (Dan, Daniel)

Over-Explain

- Entrusted Re:Cap

Mk. 9:35b“If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”

- Leadership seminars/Steakhouse

- Paul: Slinging comparisons, Paul doubles down on servanthood

1 Corinthians 4:1-5 (NASB 2020)

1This is the way any person is to regard us: as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

2In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.

3But to me it is an insignificant matter that I would be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself.

4For I am not aware of anything against myself; however I am not vindicated by this, but the one who examines me is the Lord.

5Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of human hearts; and then praise will come to each person from God.

- Key to understand our assignment is to understand our mandate.

- Pray.

Servants of Christ

- 3 different uses of “servant”

- Under-rower

- Ships from 800 BC: battering ram/unison/sync/cadence

Servants of Christ Trust the Captain

-Trust his prowess & skills since he can’t see

- Application: Listen for His rhythm like Abraham, Moses

- NOT co-pilot: relegating Jesus to Under-rower is dangerous

- Paul embraces criticisms: that’s not my assignment.

Our Security Is What We Do In Obscurity.

- Paul not claiming highest position (apostleship IS important)

- Not celebrity status, but Christ’s pre-eminence

- Rowers against will, but trying to steer could be fatal.

Our motives will be brought to light.

1 Corinthians 4:5

5Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of human hearts; and then praise will come to each person from God.

- Not trying to be elected to office; confident in his role

- GRATEFUL

2. Stewards of the Gospel

-Caretakers of mysteries of GOD—God unveiled

- ENTRUSTED:

4 “but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not intending to please people, but to please God, who examines our hearts.”

- 1 Timothy 1:11 (NASB 2020)

11“according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.”

- Titus 1:3 (ESV)

3“and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior.”

o Understand Your Assignment

- Understood the Assignment

Galatians 2:7-9 (NLT)

7Instead, they saw that God had given me the responsibility of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as he had given Peter the responsibility of preaching to the Jews.

8For the same God who worked through Peter as the apostle to the Jews also worked through me as the apostle to the Gentiles.

9In fact, James, Peter, and John, who were known as pillars of the church, recognized the gift God had given me, and they accepted Barnabas and me as their co-workers.

They encouraged us to keep preaching to the Gentiles, while they continued their work with the Jews.

- Each have our assignment

- Paul’s laser-focus, Peter, James, John focus

- Assignment: "Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God…”

1 “This is the way any person is to regard us: as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.”

- Dan Westbrook, servant of Jesus, called to pastor

- Debbie…Chris…

- Still have assignments, identity as servants

STAND

· Keep eyes on Captain

· STEWARDS: Attract or repel

· PRAY

PASTOR