Sermon Tone Analysis

Rooting for the Underdog

NCAA Loyola, IL

Why do we root for the underdog?

The outsider?

How many times has the story of David vs. Goliath been used.

If you want to become hugely unpopular in NASCAR, start winning a bunch of races.

A study in a Florida university gave students the same information about Isreal and Palestine but gave them different maps.

One map showed Isreal larger and the other, Palestine.

People consistently sided with the smaller one.

Presidents

Our last two presidents have been seen as outsiders

Jesus was an outsider

At the time of Jesus, under Roman occupation, Isreal was looking for the Messiah (The Christ).

Jesus was a Jew, had healed the sick, performed miracles, knew the Torah and Talmud, and Jewish customs.

He was counter cultural, and very charismatic.

People were starting to believe he was the prophesied Messiah and he was coming to Jerusalem

Matthew 21:1-

Fast forward 5 days later.

Matthew 27:

We root for the underdog, but no one buys the jersey until they win.

Jumping on the bandwagon.

I didn’t understand.

Jumping off the bandwagon.

The mashiach will be a great political leader descended from King David ().

The mashiach is often referred to as "mashiach ben David" (mashiach, son of David).

He will be well-versed in Jewish law, and observant of its commandments ().

He will be a charismatic leader, inspiring others to follow his example.

He will be a great military leader, who will win battles for Israel.

He will be a great judge, who makes righteous decisions ().

But above all, he will be a human being, not a god, demi-god or other supernatural being.

It has been said that in every generation, a person is born with the potential to be the mashiach.

If the time is right for the messianic age within that person's lifetime, then that person will be the mashiach.

But if that person dies before he completes the mission of the mashiach, then that person is not the mashiach.

G-d is one and unique G-d is incorporeal G-d is eternal Prayer is to be directed to G-d alone and to no other The words of the prophets are true Moses' prophecies are true, and Moses was the greatest of the prophets The Written Torah (first 5 books of the Bible) and Oral Torah (teachings now contained in the Talmud and other writings) were given to Moses There will be no other Torah G-d knows the thoughts and deeds of men G-d will reward the good and punish the wicked The Messiah will come The dead will be resurrected

We root for the underdog, but we don’t buy the jersey until they win the big game.

But what about Isaiah 53?

700 Years before Christ

What do you believe?

Matthew 24: