Sermon Tone Analysis

Then and Now

Then and Now

Tell story about taking a trip and returning different than when I left.

Even though I came back to where I started.

Taking a trip.

Tell story about taking a trip and returning different than when I left.

Even though I came back to where I started.

Paul in this chapter gives one of the most fully developed idea of Resurrection for those that have put their trust in Jesus.

The key to understanding the next fifteen verses tis to realize that they, like verses 20-28, are built on the foundation of and 2.

1 Corinthians 15:35-

We can quickly jump to the conclusion that the distinction between Spirit/Natural is one that denotes a dis-embodied existence with God in a heaven far away.

This is far from the theology that Paul has in mind.

For Paul, the Spiritual was always tied to a physical reality.

See the gifts in the spirit.

Although all together new.

The point comes together at the end of this chapter.

58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Paul again makes this point to the church in Philipi.

Philippians 3:17-

Paul is very invested in what we do here and now.

For Paul, there is a direct connection between what happens now and what will be.

or Paul, there is a direct connection between what happens now and what will be.

This cannot be overstated.

In some mysterious way what we do now matters for what will be then.

This is not simply conversion and salvation, although it is that.

It is more about what we do here making a difference for the day to come.

To understand HOW, we must take off from here and make our journey.

Quest for Wisdom ()

3 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made.

He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.

5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.

7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked.

And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.

We see in vs 6 the inclination of the heart of humanity.

Two things:

Saw that it was good for food.

טָבַב (ṭā·ḇǎḇ)

ii. to make one wise.

(śā·ḵǎl)

What is the problem here?

Humanity desired to be the one’s to determine what is good and desired to lean on their own understanding to do so.

What was the plan?

God defines what is good.

He imparts his own wisdom to see it come into reality.

God’s desire was for humanity to go and continue to cultivate God’s earth, bringing good to wherever they go.

What did God create?

Was the creation of the earth perfect?

No where does it say what God did was perfect.

Nor is there any reference to the making of humanity used in connection with perfection.

What word is used?

Good.

(Towb)

When God imparts the vocation of humanity, they are told to grow and SUBDUE.

The word subdue means to bring into control.

What was on the earth before the garden?

Void chaos.

What does God bring to the void chaos?

Order

He plants a garden.

Then he tells humanity to go plant more gardens.

The word Subdue is used in the way one would weed and cultivate a garden to bring about food.

God’s intent for humanity was to continue on bringing his good to chaos.

The downward spiral of humanity.

Humanity on a downward spiral.

Leading to Babal.

Which is the founding of Babylon.

Babylon along with Pharaoh all throughout the rest of scripture become the archetype for evil.

The ways in which the inward turning of humanity is personified externally into the world.

God chooses to intervene through the person of Abraham.

Culminating in the establishing of the covenant relationship with His people at Sini.

6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’

These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”

7 So Moses came and called the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him.

8 All the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do.”

7 So Moses came and called the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him.

8 All the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do.”

In Moses epic farewell speech he tells the people.

For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off.

12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’

13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’

14 But the word is very near you.

It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.

15 “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil.

16 If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you today, by loving the LORD your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it.

17 But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, 18 I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish.

You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess.

19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse.

Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, 20 loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”

There is a choice.

What will you do?

There is a choice.

What will you do?

Prophets and Re-Creation.

As we see the spiral continues downward until the Prophets recognize and call out the root of the problem.

and 36

Ezekiel 11:17-

Ezekiel 36:

What will bring people into the place where they can be the image bearing people God intended?

Something NEW.

A new heart.