Sermon Tone Analysis

Everyone wants to change the world these days.

Mow the World Story: Years ago a young adult came with a big dream.

He wanted to start an international . . .

mowing ministry.

He wanted to build a network of people with mowers to connect widows with weeds.

:-)

I listened then said, “Great!

I have a name and address of a widow with weeds and you can get started with one yard.”

He paused, looked at me and said, “No, I want this to be really big.”

I said, “Good, why don’t you start with one yard.”

He shook his head at me, and he walked away sad.

I just didn’t get it.

Story follow: Jesus said the mustard seed is the smallest seed yet it produces the largest garden plant.

Is there a better way to change the world than an app and bloated dreams?

Bible story: two young adults who changed the world

John and Joshua were cousins who grew up in Galilee, North of Jerusalem.

John a preacher’s son.

Joshua a builder’s son.

As boys, teens both studied the story of Israel.

Young adults now they knew they were a big part of completing Israel’s story.

-

What was going on here?

People thought John was Elijah raised from the dead?

The Messiah? Prophet?

What was going on here?

People thought John was Elijah raised from the dead?

The Messiah? Prophet?

What was going on here?

People thought John was Elijah raised from the dead?

The Messiah? Prophet?

What was going on here?

People thought John was Elijah raised from the dead?

The Messiah? Prophet?

This was more than mistaken identity--in fact they were on to something.

Even Jesus compared John to Elijah.

Here Jesus quotes and calls John “the Elijah to come” yet John the Baptist denies he’s Elijah and instead takes up the mantle of the Isaiah prophet’s words and says he is one thing in this story of Israel: “A voice crying out in the wilderness -- make straight paths for the Lord.”

Jesus quotes and calls John “the Elijah to come” yet John the Baptist denies he’s Elijah and instead takes up the mantle of the Isaiah prophet’s words and says he is one thing in this story of Israel: “A voice crying out in the wilderness -- make straight paths for the Lord.”

John and his cousin Joshua -- Jesus -- didn’t always agree on everything.

In fact later in the story John still didn’t fully understand who Jesus was and asked if they should expect another.

Jesus’s reply unites with the Isaiah vision: go tell John . . .

I wonder if John and Joshua competed as cousins.

My cousins and brothers always competed in games of conquest, still do to some extent.

wonder if John and Joshua competed as cousins.

My cousins and brothers always competed in games of conquest, still do to some extent.

Let’s hear John starting from .

John knew his role was one thing.

What?

John knew his role was one thing.

What?

Listen to what John says about Jesus in .

John 3:

[Read ]

Doesn’t sound like competition to me.

John uses a phrase in v. 29-30 . . .

“this is my joy,” an emphatic expression of joy.

He told the curious Jewish teachers that he was not the Messiah, not Elijah, not a prophet, but he had only one job: bearing witness to his erstwhile cousin he was coming to learn is the Messiah, the one to finish Israel’s long story.

And he used a phrase that upends the way of the world, the kingdom of this world that says “I must become greater, others must become less . .

.”

It was John’s joy to say of his cousin,

“He must become greater.

I must become less.”

The Gospel

He must become greater.

I must become less.

In these two sentences is a summary of the gospel lived out in John’s life.

When I was a young adult, I heard these words of John for the first time, and they have become a life mantra, challenge, struggle, joy . . .

Let these words sink into your soul, spoken by John about Jesus, these two cousins and young adults, just like you who wanted to change the world.

In these two sentences . . . the secret of world changing.

“He must become greater.

I must become less.”

What does it mean to take the next step and live a life where “He must become greater.

I must become less.”

What does it look like?

It looks like a man named Julio Diaz.

Story of Julio Diaz

Young adult and social worker Julio Diaz stepped off the subway to a nearly empty platform in NYC one night.

As the train left, a boy about 12 was standing near Diaz.

They were the only two on the dark platform now.

The boy pulled a knife and threatened Diaz and demanded his money.

Diaz slowly reached for his wallet, gave it to the boy, and the boy fled.

Before he got out of earshot, Diaz yelled, “Hey, you forgot something!”

Diaz shed his coat and handed toward the boy.

The boy, a distance away, turned and looked puzzled, then started to walk back.

“Here, take my coat.”

“You’re crazy man.”

“Well, you just risked your life and your freedom for a few bucks in my wallet . . .

so you must really need the money.

I mean, all I really wanted to do tonight was go for dinner.

If you want to join me, you are more than welcome.”

The boy hesitated then agreed and they walked to a local diner.

Soon the waitress came by and asked Diaz if he’d have the usual.

They chatted a few minutes before putting in the order.

The manager came by to talk, then the dishwasher.

Watching all this, the boy asked, “Hey dude, do you own this place or something?”

[Take one step to either side as dialogue switches]

“No, why?”

“Because you know everybody.”

“I eat here a lot.”

“But you’re even nice to the dishwasher.”

“Well, haven’t you been taught to be nice to everybody?”

“Yeah, but I’ve never seen anyone really act that way.”

The social worker in Diaz kicked in and he saw an opening.

He asked the boy, “What do you really want in life?”