Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Are you living a life of success or just going through the motions?

Purpose of the sermon: To explore the biblical principles of success and how they can be applied to our daily lives.

In this sermon, we will delve into the meanings of the acronym "S.U.C.C.E.S.S" which stands for Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, Until now you have asked nothing in My name, Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you, Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will do it, Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near, Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

By understanding these principles, we can learn how to live a fulfilling and successful life in the eyes of God.

One modern-day example of people striving for success in a secular manner is through the pursuit of wealth and material possessions.

Many individuals work long hours and make sacrifices in their personal lives in order to acquire financial stability and acquire material possessions such as cars, houses, and designer clothing.

They believe that having these things will bring them happiness and fulfillment, and they strive to achieve them through their careers, investments, and business ventures.

Stealing or embezzling money to acquire more wealth

Cheating or exploiting others to gain financial advantage

Being dishonest or deceitful in business or financial dealings

Using one's wealth to exploit or oppress others

Being miserly or hoarding wealth at the expense of others

Ignoring one's responsibilities or relationships in pursuit of wealth

Being materialistic and valuing money and possessions above all else

Neglecting one's spiritual well-being in pursuit of wealth

Disregarding the needs of others and only thinking of oneself.

Another example is through the pursuit of fame and recognition.

People may strive to become famous actors, musicians, or social media influencers, believing that the adulation and attention they receive will bring them success and validation.

They may go to great lengths to be noticed including:

Constantly seeking attention or validation from others

Using others to gain fame or recognition

Lying or exaggerating one's accomplishments or experiences in order to gain fame

Neglecting one's responsibilities or relationships in pursuit of fame

Engaging in unethical or illegal behavior in order to gain fame

Using social media or other forms of self-promotion to constantly seek validation or attention

Belittling or undermining others to make oneself look better

Refusing to give credit or recognition to others who contributed to one's success.

A third example is through the pursuit of power and control.

People may strive to climb the corporate ladder, become politicians, or gain influence in their communities in order to have control over others and make decisions that affect the lives of many.

They believe that having power and control brings them success and prestige.

Manipulating or deceiving others in order to gain power or control over them

Using threats or intimidation to force others to comply with one's demands

Using one's position of power or authority to exploit or take advantage of others

Refusing to listen to or consider the perspectives or needs of others when making decisions

Using physical or emotional violence to assert control over others

Using lies and deceit to gain power or control over others

Using one's resources or wealth to influence or control the actions of others

Abusing one's power to silence or marginalize those who disagree with them.

Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33)

How can we put God's kingdom first in our lives and align ourselves with His will?

In Matthew 6:33, Jesus tells us to "seek first his kingdom and his righteousness."

This means that we should prioritize God's kingdom and His ways above all else.

By putting God's kingdom first in our lives, we are putting Him at the center of all we do and aligning ourselves with His will.

When we prioritize God's kingdom and righteousness, we are putting Him first in our lives and putting our trust in Him.

This allows us to live a life that is in alignment with His will and purpose.

It also allows us to experience peace and fulfillment that the world cannot offer.

One practical way to put God's kingdom first in our lives is by reading and studying the Bible regularly.

This will help us to understand God's ways and what it means to live a life that is in alignment with His will.

Additionally, we can put God's kingdom first by praying regularly and seeking His guidance in our daily lives.

We can also look for opportunities to serve others in the name of Jesus, which will help to reflect the kingdom of God on earth.

Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness.

Satan offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor if he would bow down and worship him.

But Jesus replied, "Away from me, Satan!

For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only' " (Matthew 4:10).

This shows that Jesus sought first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, by putting God above all else and refusing Satan's temptations.

He followed the principle of Matthew 6:33, which is to put God first in our lives before anything else.

Ultimately, we can put God's kingdom first in our lives by making Him the foundation of all we do and by aligning our hearts and minds with His will.

Until now you have asked nothing in My name (John 16:24)

What are the benefits of praying in Jesus' name?

In John 16:24, Jesus says "Until now you have asked nothing in my name."

This is a reminder that when we pray, we should do so in Jesus' name.

When we pray in Jesus' name, we are acknowledging that we can only approach God through Jesus and that He is the mediator between God and man.

Praying in Jesus' name is important because it is a way for us to connect with God and to receive the power and authority that comes through Jesus.

It is also a way for us to align our will with God's will and to receive the guidance and wisdom that we need to navigate life.

To pray in Jesus' name, we can begin our prayers by saying "In Jesus' name, I pray."

This acknowledges Jesus as our mediator and acknowledges that we can only approach God through Him.

We can also use the many prayers that Jesus taught us, such as "The Lord's Prayer" and other prayers that Jesus taught us.

Additionally, we can seek to understand the power of the name of Jesus, and how it can help us overcome any obstacles or challenges that we face.

When the disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith.

Jesus replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you" (Luke 17:6).

Here, Jesus was teaching the disciples that if they had faith and believed in God, they could ask for anything in His name and it will be done for them.

This is an example of John 16:24 in practice, as the disciples were asking in Jesus' name and Jesus was confirming that their request would be granted.

When we pray in Jesus' name, we are acknowledging our reliance on Him and the power of His name.

It's an act of faith, trust and obedience to God, that helps us to receive guidance, wisdom and strength from God to navigate our daily lives.

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7)

How can we trust in God's care and cast our worries and cares on Him?

In 1 Peter 5:7, we are told to "cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."

This verse reminds us that we can give our worries and cares to God, knowing that He cares for us and will take care of us.

When we cast our anxieties on God, we are putting our trust in Him and recognizing that He is in control.

This allows us to release our worries and to experience peace and rest in Him.

It also helps us to focus on the present moment and to not let our anxieties consume us.

To cast our anxieties on God, we can pray and give them to Him.

We can also take time to meditate on His word and remind ourselves of His promises.

Additionally, we can practice mindfulness and focus on the present moment, rather than getting caught up in worries about the future.

We can also find support in our community, talking to a trusted friend, family member or a counselor, that can help us process our worries and to find a way to put them in God's hands.

When Paul and Silas were imprisoned in Philippi.

They were beaten and thrown into the inner prison, but instead of being anxious or worried, they prayed and sang hymns to God (Acts 16:25).

They cast all their anxieties on God, trusting that He would take care of them and their situation.

This is an example of 1 Peter 5:7 in practice, as they were casting their anxieties on God and not carrying them on their own.

And as a result, an earthquake occurred and their chains were unfastened, and the jailer and his household were converted to Christianity (Acts 16:26-34).

When we cast our anxieties on God, we are recognizing that He is in control and that He cares for us.

It is a way for us to release our worries and to experience peace and rest in Him.

It's an act of faith and trust in God, that helps us to navigate the challenges of life with a calm and peaceful heart.

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will do it (Psalms 37:5)

How can we trust God to guide and direct our paths by committing our ways to Him?

In Psalm 37:5, we are told to "commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will do it."

This verse reminds us that when we commit our ways to the Lord, we are putting our trust in Him and allowing Him to guide and direct our paths.

When we commit our ways to the Lord, we are recognizing that He is sovereign and that He is the one who ultimately directs our paths.

This allows us to experience His peace and to have confidence that He is working everything out for our good.