Sermon Tone Analysis

Sermon: Finding Jesus

Sunday: Epiphany Sunday: Trinity United Methodist Church

 

Scripture: Matthew 2: 1-12; Matthew 8: 21-22; Matthew 22: 37

 

 

*Resolutions: “Top Ten for **2011”*

 

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Spending more time with friends and family

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Being fit in fitness

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Tame the bulge

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Quit smoking

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Enjoy life more

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Quit drinking

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Get out of debt

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Learn something new

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Help others

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Get organized

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Ten Religious Priorities

 

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Consider God as my  #1 focus

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Spend more time in prayer

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Be faithful to daily devotions

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Be a religious leader for my family

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Be a spiritual example for my children

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Be supportive of the church and its ministries

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Work towards tithing of my resources

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Attend Sunday School Class

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Be a part of a Bible Study

10.

Attend Church Weekly

 

 

The story is remarkable for many reasons.

For all of us Christians, it represents the moment the “world” came to recognize the birth of our Savior, a moment of epiphany, a revealing.

But who were these visitors and where did they come from?

Theologians might suggest that they were men of stature, possible astrologers, who came from an area around Babylon called Parthia; maybe holdovers from the exile who studied ancient manuscripts or even early Jewish texts that we would come to know as the Old Testament.

And while we don’t even know how many Magi there were – we have suggested three based upon the number of gifts – they possibly represented different country origins and therefore represented “the world” coming to pay homage to the child.

It is also possible that they may have responded to a vision; whatever, they dedicated themselves to this task and made finding the Christ child a priority.

We don’t know how long it took them to find Jesus.

It is thought they may have traveled thousands of miles by camel to get to the origin of the “star” that led them.

Would you say that their task was a priority or a resolution?

Before you answer that, Max Lucado in his book, *God came Near*, introduces us to the realities of the time after finding the child this way, “It’s Christmas night.

In a few hours the clean-up will being, lights will come down, trees will be thrown out.

Size 36 will be exchanged for size 40, eggnog will be on sale at half-price.

Soon life will be normal again.

December’s generosity will become January’s payments and the magic will begin to fade.”

And I ask, what will keep us on tract to find Jesus.

Oh you say we found him; after all wasn’t that the essence of the story we just read about the Magi finding the Christ child, “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him.”

Yes, they found him, but have you?

Are we at the end of our spiritual journey or just still at the beginning?

Something tells me that the objective find the Christ child was more than just a New Year’s resolution; rather it was a priority that shaped their lives.

Wikipedia defines a *New Year's resolution* as a commitment that an individual makes to a project or the reforming of a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous.

The name comes from the fact that these commitments normally go into effect on New Year's Day.

!! Success rate

Recent research shows that while 52% of participants in a resolution study were confident of success with their goals, only 12% actually achieved their goals.

Men achieved their goal 22% more often when they engaged in goal setting, (a system where small measurable goals are being set, such as, a pound a week, instead of saying "lose weight"), while women succeeded 10% more when they made their goals public and got support from their friends.[3]

1.

Spend More Time with Family & Friends

Recent polls conducted by General Nutrition Centers, Quicken, and others shows that more than 50% of Americans vow to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends this year.

Make plans to meet up with friends for an evening of comaraderie at a favorite Pittsburgh restaurant or take the family to one of these popular Pittsburgh places for family fun.

Work shouldn't always come first!

\\ *More: Home & Family in Pittsburgh*

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2. Fit in Fitness

The evidence is in for fitness.

Regular exercise has been associated with more health benefits than anything else known to man.

Studies show that it reduces the risk of some cancers, increases longevity, helps achieve and maintain weight loss, enhances mood, lowers blood pressure, and even improves arthritis.

In short, exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better.

Why not make this the time to start getting in shape for one of these popular Pittsburgh Area Charity Walks, Runs or Rides?

\\ *More: Getting Fit in Pittsburgh*

 

3.

Tame the Bulge

Over 66 percent of adult Americans are considered overweight or obese by recent studies, so it is not surprising to find that weight loss is one of the most popular New Year's resolutions.

Setting reasonable goals and staying focused are the two most important factors in sticking with a weight loss program, and the key to success for those millions of Americans who made a New Year's commitment to shed extra pounds.

\\ *More: Weight Loss Help in Pittsburgh*

4. Quit Smoking

If you have resolved to make this the year that you stamp out your smoking habit, over-the-counter availability of nicotine replacement therapy now provides easier access to proven quit-smoking aids.

Even if you've tried to quit before and failed, don't let it get you down.

On average, smokers try about four times before they quit for good.

Start enjoying the rest of your smoke-free life!

Even Allegheny County is trying to go smoke-free, and it's taken them a few tries as well.

Locally, there are a variety of free support services, hotlines and smoking cessation classes to help you kick the smoking habit.

\\ *More: Quit Smoking Classes & Support Groups in the Greater Pittsburgh area*

5. Enjoy Life More

Given the hectic, stressful lifestyles of millions of Americans, it is no wonder that "enjoying life more" has become a popular resolution in recent years.

It's an important step to a happier and healthier you!

Consider one of Pittsburgh's holistic healing centers for products designed to bring balance to your body, mind and soul.

Or just get out and try something new!

Take up a new hobby or try your hand at skiing.

Go to a theater performance, or head to the local spa.

Pittsburgh offers a wealth of artistic and recreational activities to meet just about anyone's wishes.

\\ *More: Things to Do in Pittsburgh*

6. Quit Drinking

While many people use the New Year as an incentive to finally stop drinking, most are not equipped to make such a drastic lifestyle change all at once.

Many heavy drinkers fail to quit cold turkey but do much better when they taper gradually, or even learn to moderate their drinking.

If you have decided that you want to stop drinking, there is a world of help and support available.

Pittsburgh Alcoholics Anonymous offers meetings throughout the greater Pittsburgh area.

There is also a Pittsburgh group for Parents of Teenage Alcohol and Drug Abusers.

There are also a number of treatment-based programs, as well as support groups for families of alcoholics.

\\ *More: Alcohol Recovery & Support in Pittsburgh*

7. Get Out of Debt

Was money a big source of stress in your life last year?

Join the millions of Americans who have resolved to spend this year getting a handle on their finances.

It's a promise that will repay itself many times over in the year ahead.