Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction:

No one treated Lincoln with more contempt than did Edwin Stanton, who denounced Lincoln’s policies and called him a “low cunning clown.”

Stanton had nicknamed him “the original gorilla” and said that explorer Paul Du Chaillu was a fool to wander about in Africa trying to capture a gorilla, when he could have found one so easily in Springfield, Illinois.

Lincoln said nothing in reply.

In fact, he made Stanton his war minister because Stanton was the best man for the job.

He treated him with every courtesy.

The years wore on.

The night came when an assassin’s bullet struck down Lincoln in a theatre.

In a room off to the side where Lincoln’s body was taken, stood Stanton that night.

As he looked down on the silent, rugged face of the President, Stanton said through his tears, “There lies the greatest ruler of men the world has ever seen.”

The patience of love had conquered in the end.

Green, M. P. (Ed.).

(1989).

Illustrations for Biblical Preaching: Over 1500 sermon illustrations arranged by topic and indexed exhaustively (Revised edition of: The expositor’s illustration file).

Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

In our passages this morning, the word longsuffering, is from the Greek word μακροθυμία.

This word is translated “longsuffering” 12 times in the King James and “patience” twice.

25.167 μακροθυμία, ας f: a state of emotional calm in the face of provocation or misfortune and without complaint or irritation—‘patience.’ μιμηταὶ δὲ τῶν διὰ πίστεως καὶ μακροθυμίας κληρονομούντων τὰς ἐπαγγελίας ‘but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherited the promises’ He 6:12; ὑπόδειγμα λάβετε, ἀδελφοί, τῆς κακοπαθείας καὶ τῆς μακροθυμίας τοὺς προφήτας ‘fellow believers, take the prophets as an example of suffering and patience’ or ‘… patience in the face of suffering’ Jas 5:10.

In a number of languages ‘patience’ is expressed idiomatically, for example, ‘to remain seated in one’s heart’ or ‘to keep one’s heart from jumping’ or ‘to have a waiting heart.’

25.167 μακροθυμία, ας f: a state of emotional calm in the face of provocation or misfortune and without complaint or irritation—‘patience.’ μιμηταὶ δὲ τῶν διὰ πίστεως καὶ μακροθυμίας κληρονομούντων τὰς ἐπαγγελίας ‘but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherited the promises’ He 6:12; ὑπόδειγμα λάβετε, ἀδελφοί, τῆς κακοπαθείας καὶ τῆς μακροθυμίας τοὺς προφήτας ‘fellow believers, take the prophets as an example of suffering and patience’ or ‘… patience in the face of suffering’ Jas 5:10.

In a number of languages ‘patience’ is expressed idiomatically, for example, ‘to remain seated in one’s heart’ or ‘to keep one’s heart from jumping’ or ‘to have a waiting heart.’

As we continue our study on being ‘doers of the word”, we must remember what we have learned so far from .

We have learned that simply making a list of what not to do will not help us to find a lasting change in our behavior.

We have found that the only lasting change will come when we trust in Jesus as personal Savior.

Only then will be be made into new creatures.

Only then will we receive the Holy Spirit.

We have learned that every believer has a war within himself.

There are two fighting factions, the Spirit and the Flesh.

The very existence of such a fight is not evidence of one’s weakness, but proof of one’s salvation.

Without the indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit, there would be no fight between the Spirit and the flesh.

We have learned that the Spirit and the Flesh are opposite.

If you walk after the one, you will not be following the other.

We have discovered that a walk is a series of steps going in the same direction.

So we are talking then, about a life in which we habitually choose to follow the desires of the Spirit and then by natural course, leave the lusts of the flesh unfulfilled, and growing weaker.

is a famous list of seven fruits of the Spirit.

If we identify these desires and submit to them, we will be well on our way to walking after the Spirit.

So far we have discovered that Love, Joy and Peace are not just a state of mind, or a random occurence, but are the results of choices we make.

We choose to exercise love, embrace a state of joy, or pursue peace.

Long suffering is also a choice.

“Longsuffering is that quality of selfrestraint in the face of provocation which does not hastily retaliate or promptly punish; it is the opposite of anger, and is associated with mercy, and is used of God, Ex. 34:6 (Sept.);

Rom.

2:4; 1 Pet.

3:20.

Patience is the quality that does not surrender to circumstances or succumb under trial; it is the opposite of despondency and is associated with hope, 1 Thess.

1:3; it is not used of God.”*

Longsuffering is Part of God’s Nature

This is what wooed us to Himself, calling us to repent and believe

2 pet 3 9

This is what has kept us from being destroyed in our sins.

ex

Believers must Pursue Cool-Headedness as a Lifestyle

prov

Leaders Must Embrace Cool-headedness

2 tim

eph

Church Members Must Choose Cool-headedness

rpm 15 1