Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
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Some athletes have bizarre pre-game rituals that get them ready for a game.
During the 1998 World Cup, the French team believed that their winning streak was tied to one player kissing another’s shaved head before each game.
Other teams avoid wearing certain colors or eating certain foods.
My grandpa and I have always had a joke that certain hats give us an edge when we go hunting.
Another thing I do is lay out all of my clothing and pack my gym bag at night because I know that if I don’t do it the night before, then I’ll use that as an excuse to stay home.
Whatever it might be, we can sometimes be funny about how we approach certain things.
But there are also things that we approach without giving it a second thought.
Well, what I want us to talk about today is how we approach the Bible, or how we ACT when we read it.
You see, there are certain situations that you behave differently for.
For instance, if I’m speaking at a funeral, I’m not going to turn into the tickle monster and chase people around like I do with Ella when we’re at home.
In the same way, we want to be sure that we are approaching the Bible with the right attitude, because it is even more serious than a funeral; it is the Word of God.
So, if you are like me, and you have found yourself approaching the Bible like it’s just another thing to check off the list, then this is for you today.
What I want us to know is that, “When I approach the Bible I need to A.C.T. right.
Or, Acknowledge, Call, and Take.”
Acknowledge That It Is God’s Word
As we look here in verse 2 and 5, we find that God has given His word to the Apostles.
Paul is one of them and in return, he, being moved by the Holy Spirit, wrote this letter to the Christians in Ephesus as he says in verse 3.
This is what we call the Inspiration of Scripture and it’s also described in 2 Peter 1:21
So, what Paul is saying it that not only is his gospel the Word of God, but that this letter to the Ephesians is God’s Word.
But that’s not all, in 2 Timothy 3:16 we read,
This means that God has lovingly given us and preserved for us Genesis through Revelation that we might know Him and grow in His grace more and more.
So, what this means for us is that when we approach the Bible, we are holding something worth reading.
It’s not like we’re reading a news article that might be false, or a Facebook post that might be biased.
We are reading the very words of the God who created the whole universe.
This should cause us to value it dearly and to take it seriously.
Call Out For The Spirit’s Help
In verse 3 Paul tells us that he has written what God has shown him and in verse 4 we find that he has done that so that when we read these things we might be able to understand these great things that God has shown Paul.
But here’s the thing, we are like the Ethiopian Eunuch who, when asked if he understood the things he read said, “How can I unless someone guides me?”
What we learn here is that we cannot understand the Scriptures on our own.
We must have help, this is why Paul prays this in Ephesians 1:16-19
Paul is praying that the Holy Spirit might come alongside of us to give us understanding of these truths.
So, when you go home and open your Bible.
Remind yourself that this is the most serious book in all the world and that we cannot understand it without the help of the Author Himself.
So pray to Him and ask that He would help you to understand what you are reading.
Now, there are other blessings that God has given us as well.
In Ephesians 4:11-14
So, as you pray and ask for help, read the Bible carefully and prayerfully and if you struggle with what you’re reading; feeling free to give me a call or text anytime.
Take What You’ve Learned and Embrace It!
Paul says in verse three, “that you may perceive my insight.”
Why do we want to understand the gospel?
Because it is the message that changes lives and relationships.
Just like we saw a few weeks ago, the gospel changes everything!
And in verse 6, we see the same thing again.
That it is by this message that Jew and Gentile are brought together, that we actually have a place to belong all because of what Jesus did to us.
This truth revolutionized Rome, it tore down division between those who were once blinded by idols or legalism and united them together and brothers and sisters.
It is this message that changed them and Paul wants us to dive into the word of God because if we understand it’s power, we will walk away changed.
As we close, I want to give you a few reasons that you should read the Bible everyday, some of which I have heard from John Piper.
You should read your Bible every day because God uses them to:
The Scriptures teach us of the glory of God.
The Scriptures sanctify us in our Christian walk.
The Scriptures give us grace and peace.
The Scriptures give us joy.
The Scriptures anchor us in truth.
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