Sermon Tone Analysis

Understanding is: God-given perception of the nature and meaning of things, resulting in sound judgment and decision-making.

The source of understanding

Understanding belongs to God

Job 12:13; Ps 136:5

See also Ps 147:5; Pr 3:19; Je 51:15; Je 15:15 God’s understanding gives rise to compassion.

Understanding is a gift from God

Pr 2:6; Is 29:24

See also 1 Ki 4:29; Job 38:36; Is 32:3–4; Da 1:17; Da 2:21; Da 2:30; Da 9:22; Ro 15:21; Is 52:15

Understanding spiritual truth

Understanding truth about God

See also Pr 2:5; Pr 9:10; Is 40:21; Is 40:28; Is 43:10; Je 9:24; Jn 10:38; Ro 1:20

Understanding God’s purposes

God has revealed many of His purposes and we still do not understand; Dt 9:6 God’s reason for choosing Israel; 1 Ch 28:19 God’s plans for the temple; Job 34:10–11 the reason for Job’s suffering; Ps 73:16–17 God’s dealings with the wicked; Is 57:1–2 God’s purpose in taking the righteous; Je 9:12–13 the reason for the exile

Understanding God’s word

Ps 119:73; Lk 24:45

See also Ne 8:8; Ne 8:12; Ps 119:27; Ps 119:125; Mt 24:15; Lk 24:27; Ac 8:30–31; Jn 12:16

Understanding Jesus Christ’s teaching

Mt 13:11; Mt 16:12; Mt 17:13; Mk 4:33; Mk 8:17; Jn 2:22

Understanding God’s salvation

See also Is 41:20; Ro 13:11; Eph 1:9; Eph 3:4; Eph 3:17–19; Col 2:2; Phm 6

Human understanding is limited

Job 36:26; Pr 3:5

See also Job 26:14; Job 36:29; Job 42:3; Pr 20:24; Ec 11:5; Is 40:13–14; Is 55:8–9; 1 Co 13:12

Gaining understanding

Through faith

See also Mt 16:8–9

Through God’s Spirit

See also 1 Ch 28:12; Job 32:8; Is 11:2; Jn 14:26; Jn 16:13–15; 1 Co 2:14; Eph 1:17

Through God’s word

See also Dt 4:6; Ps 111:10; Da 9:2; Jn 20:9

Through wise teaching

See also Job 8:8–10; Pr 1:2; Pr 4:1; Pr 15:32; Ec 12:9

Lack of understanding of spiritual truth

Not knowing God

See also Dt 32:28–29; Is 27:11; Je 4:22; Ro 10:19; Dt 32:21

Lack of understanding due to hardened hearts

Dt 29:4; Is 6:9–10

See also Job 17:4; Is 44:18; Is 48:8; Je 5:21; Eze 12:2; Mt 13:13–15; Mk 6:52; Jn 12:40; Ac 28:26–27; Eph 4:18

Not understanding God’s purposes

Ps 82:5; Ps 92:6–7; Is 5:13; Is 19:12; Mic 4:12; Lk 12:56; 1 Co 2:8

Not understanding Jesus Christ’s teaching

The results of understanding

Seeking God

See also Ps 53:2; Ro 3:11

Obedience

See also Ne 10:28; Ps 32:9; Ps 119:100; Pr 28:7

Taking the right path

See also Ps 119:104; Pr 15:21

Life

Ps 119:144; Pr 16:22

Sensible living

Job 28:28 avoidance of evil; Pr 11:12 slowness to criticise; Pr 12:11 conscientious labour; Pr 13:15 winning favour; Pr 17:27 showing restraint and an even temper; Jas 3:13 good deeds and humility

The results of a lack of understanding

Foolish behaviour

Pr 6:32 committing adultery; Pr 7:7 being easily seduced; Pr 17:18 making rash commitments; Pr 18:1–2 selfishness and self-importance; Pr 24:30–31 idleness leading to ruin; Ho 4:11 Drunkenness clouds understanding.

Death

Pr 10:21; Pr 21:16; Ho 4:14

Understand God’s Plan of Salvation

Hear God’s Word; Believe that Word; Repent from Misunderstanding; Confess Jesus as God’s Son and Savior; Be Baptized for the remission of Sin and to be added to the Lord’s body; Remain Faithful all the days of your Life.