Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Last lesson in our January month theme of Pressing on to the Goal

Today our lesson is Pressing On in Gratitude

We often talk about the joys of the here after

We can also talk about the joys of the here

Three Areas

Focusing on the Present

Pressing onward with a Thankful Heart

Be Unwavering with Gratitude

1. Focusing of the Present

There is nothing written in scripture telling Christians they will have a trouble free life.

We can rely on the Lord to help us with our current burdens and trouble rather than worrying about what is yet to come.

This is the time for prayer and communication with God - not Dr. Phil or Oprah

2. Pressing Onward with a Thankful Heart

Recognize God’s blessing (Germany, Dekow)

Finding time to thank God or reflect on the blessings He has given us is key to pressing on with a thankful heart

3. Be Unwavering with Gratitude

Acts 4:5–12 (ESV)

On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family.

And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?”

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well.

This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Unwavering in the face of authority: Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family

Unwavering naming Jesus

wanted them to be certain: Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead

Conclusion

Remember that you are blessed with an eternal home if you are born again.

The future also holds promise and hope and not just pain and sorrow.