Sermon Tone Analysis

Movements:

Introductory thoughts:

Where Was God?

During World War II, following word that an only son had been killed in action, a priest was called to the home of grief-stricken parents.

The father, pacing the floor, weeping, in anger demanded, “Where was God when my son was being killed?”

Silence prevailed.

Then the ministering priest replied, “I guess where He was when His Son was being killed.”

The calm, profound answer impacted the father, for it brought God out of remoteness into the circle of real life.

Connecting the prior portion of scripture - Because God is faithful in his allowances and provisions for temptation, you are able to bear and flee from any idol that you encounter as a believer (especially, the ones that we will discuss).

(1) The blood of Jesus, the body of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit of God form a foundation for our understanding - John 6:53 - 56, 60 - 63, 3:5 - 6

The Holy Spirit of God brings eternal life to those who believe on Jesus Christ.

To believe on Jesus Christ means you have believed that his blood and body that were sufficient to bring us together forever.

The Holy Spirit of God indwells every individual believer who has spiritually eaten (believed upon) the flesh and blood of Christ.

See the following references in Corinthians - ,

(2) There are three really important truths we want to affirm:

(i) That the Spirit of God is in us and has brought us life.

We are therefore reconciled to God.

(1) That the Spirit of God is in us and has brought us life.

We are thereby reconciled to God.

(ii) That we have partaken of the sacrifice of Christ, meaning that his death has become our death and his resurrection life our life.

; .

(2) That we have partaken of the sacrifice of Christ, meaning that his death has become our death and his resurrection life our life.

; .

(iii) Lastly, we have been brought into relationship with each other through the sacrifice of Christ.

(largely an emphasis by fellowship but also throughout this entire section).

(iii) Lastly, we participate together (as a local assembly) showing the union we have been brought into with one another.

Read

In this case it is especially important to observe that this meal is not the present focus of Paul’s concern; rather the focus here is on the sacred pagan meals soon to be addressed (vv.

19–21).

- Fee, G. D. (2014).

Fee, G. D. (2014).

The main issue in this chapter is idolatry.

What is idolatry?

Man-made images or representations worshiped as deities; any natural or manufactured objects worshiped as deity; anything receiving worship other than the one true God.

Idolatry is the spiritual worship of an idol.

- DeVries, C. E. (1988)

Easton, M. G. (1893).

In Easton’s Bible dictionary.

New York: Harper & Brothers.

Image-worship or divine honour paid to any created object.

- Easton, M. G. (1893)

The New Testament Writers were very clear in the condemnation of idolatry:

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

3 For the time past of our life may suffice us kto have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

The Holy Bible: King James Version.

(2009).

(Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ).

Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

A syncretistic approach to the Christian life

Syncretism: The attempt to combine different or opposite doctrines and practices, esp. in reference to philosophical and religious systems.

- Cross, F. L., & Livingstone, E. A. (Eds.).

(2005).

Cross, F. L., & Livingstone, E. A. (Eds.).

(2005).

In The Oxford dictionary of the Christian Church (3rd ed.

rev., p. 1579).

Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press.

This is another way of saying that there are some who do not have or are not living out their lives as a church or individually in an exclusive manner towards Jesus Christ.

They are sending a confusing messages to Jewish people, Gentile people, & possibly the church of God.

You can’t tell, if they are committed to demonic spirits or to Jesus Christ.

Idolatry is huge in the Bible, dominant in our personal lives, and irrelevant in our mistaken estimations.

— Os Guinness

Idleman, Kyle; Idleman, Kyle.

Gods at War: Defeating the Idols that Battle for Your Heart (Kindle Locations 78-80).

Zondervan.

Kindle Edition.

Contextualization/Application:

* For some, their security in Christ has caused them to have antinomian leanings - not truly considering the confusion they are sending to Jews (the religious), Gentiles (non-religious), and the church of God (strong and weak conscienced)

* For others, pleasure is so alluring that they are incapable of overcoming it on their own.

* For others, they are embarrassed and unwilling to bring these idolatrous beliefs before other believers

Dedication

Now and again, baseball broadcasters will mention the fabulous career of Christy Mathewson, the amazing pitcher for the New York Giants at the turn of the century.

He won thirty-seven games in 1908.

This remarkable man was admired on and off the field.

Of all the stories attributed to Mathewson, the one I appreciate most concerns a highly contested game when Christy was a runner on third base.

The manager called for a squeeze play.

Mathewson implemented the sign to the best of his ability.

Dust enveloped home plate.

The umpire could not be certain what happened.

We are told that an unprecedented conference was held between umpires.

It was agreed that Christy should make the decision.

The fierce competitor walked around home plate adjusting his trousers, dusting off his uniform; finally, removing his cap, he announced: “He got me”.

Later, in the dressing room, his teammates asked him why he divulged the secret; whereupon the great athlete, with considerable pride, said: “I am an elder in the Presbyterian Church.”

Proposition:

The fellowship into which God has brought us through body and blood of Christ is a union that is to be exclusive in allegiance.

There is to be no question in the life of the church or of the individual believer as to where your allegiance lies.

No confusing messages should be assessed from the church’s life or from your life.

Because God is faithful, he has provided a way of escape!

Escape idolatry!

Don’t give in to idolatry!

Run from idolatry!

Declare your allegiance to Jesus! Live out your allegiance to Jesus!

Idolatry isn’t just one of many sins; rather it’s the one great sin that all others come from.

So if you start scratching at whatever struggle you’re dealing with, eventually you’ll find that underneath it is a false god.

Until that god is dethroned, and the Lord God takes his rightful place, you will not have victory.

- Idleman, Kyle

Idleman, Kyle; Idleman, Kyle.

Gods at War: Defeating the Idols that Battle for Your Heart (Kindle Locations 194-197).

Zondervan.

Kindle Edition.

(I) There is a clearly stated command (v.

14)

i.

He speaks on the basis of God’s faithfulness to provide a way of escape

The

ii.