Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
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Introduction
Hope is essential to not just survive—but to thrive.
Take hope away and life stops, growth stops, creativity stops, effort stops.
So it is understandable, that when Jesus was about to ascend to heaven, his disciples were afraid and discouraged.
In Jesus’ final words to His disciples during His earthly ministry, He gave them not only a purpose for living, but also a promise of hope that will sustain their living.
This passage from Matthew’s Gospel is preached quite regularly in many churches throughout the world.
I preach from this passage at least once a year—and I quote from it many more times than that.
But it is the last phrase in verse 20 that I want to draw your attention and contemplation.
(What I mean by contemplation is for you to allow your thoughts and emotions linger with this promise from Jesus).
“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Let me ask the obvious question: Why are these final words from Jesus Christ so important for us the remember—to hold on to?
In the context of this passage in Matthew’s Gospel, we have the remaining eleven disciples extremely anxious over the pending physical departure of Jesus (when He ascends to heaven).
If I were one of those disciples, I wouldn’t what Jesus to leave either.
Let’s face it, Jesus performed incredible miracles.
No one spoke like him.
He stood up to bullies.
Life would be easy if Jesus stayed put.
The disciples no doubt were feeling isolated, abandoned, alone, confused, powerless, concerned, unsure what the future holds.
And, that describes many of us today.
Loneliness is an every present problem that we face.
It is so obvious an issue, that even secular society recognizes its seriousness.
Psychology Today (Hara Marano): “Evidence has been growing that when our need for social relationships is not met, we fall apart mentally and even physically.”
BBC (Deborah Cohen): “Doctors have known for some time that loneliness is bad for the mind.
It leads to mental health problems like depression, stress, anxiety, and a lack of confidence.
But there's growing evidence that social isolation is connected with an increased risk of physical ill health as well.”
But, what about the most important relationship: our relationship with God.
There was a desperation with the disciples—these followers of Christ.
Even though they had a mission to fulfill—we all have a mission to fulfill—they needed the assurance that they would not have to go it alone.
As followers of Christ, we need assurance—God given assurance—that God is with us!
So Jesus makes a promise to his disciples—and to us!
“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Let’s take our foot of the accelerator and linger awhile with these thirteen words.
I sincerely believe it will be well worth it!
Behold
This word pulls in the listener to recognize that what will be said cannot be ignored or forgotten.
Although the task of making disciples is of critical importance, there is something even more important.
We are drawn to the first words in this conversation of Christ with his followers:
Jesus reminds his followers that He possesses the right, the power, and the integrity to commission and to promise.
But, Christ’s final words recorded in Matthew also leads us back to the beginning of the story:
The “behold” tells us to stop everything, to wait with anticipation, and to expect something amazing.
What God says He will do, for God is the God of promise!
He will not lie!
I Am
Jesus is not just any “I am.” Anytime I think of these two little words, I am reminded of the reality of the infinite, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, self-sufficient One.
When Moses met God on the mountainside, at the burning bush, he was commissioned by God to tell Pharoah to set the Israelites free.
He was also to speak to the leaders of the Israelites and give them certain instructions.
Moses was reluctant and afraid to do what God had said for him to do.
In those days, as is now, the name of a person was considered very important.
Moses, attempting to address any opposition to God’s plan, asked God:
The divine name Yahweh has suggested to scholars a range of likely nuances of meaning:
(1) that God is self-existent and therefore not dependent on anything else for his own existence;
(2) that God is the creator and sustainer of all that exists;
(3) that God is immutable in his being and character and thus is not in the process of becoming something different from what he is (e.g., “the same yesterday and today and forever,” Heb.
13:8); and (4) that God is eternal in his existence.
During Jesus’ earthly ministry, He used this term “I Am” to describe His purpose and HIs relationship to us.
I am the Good Shepherd.
I am the Gate.
I am the door.
I am the resurrection and the life.
I am the light of the world.
I am the bread of life.
I am the Way the Truth and the Life.
With you.
When a person responds by faith to the good news of Jesus Christ, becoming a recipient of God’s amazing grace, life, destiny, and purpose all change.
At the moment of salvation, Jesus comes into our life.
We are no longer alone!
Our security, our dependency, and our identity now reside in our relationship with Christ.
He is with us!
Now, Jesus reminded us in the Gospels that there is an enemy—and this enemy wants to take away our confidence in Jesus—who is with us.
Because Jesus is with us we have life—abundant life!
Always!
“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
In Jesus, God remains with us for now and eternity!
What more do we need to persevere in Christian living?
We must go out and obey his commission.
But the final word of the Gospel remains Christ-centered.
Even when we fail, he remains faithful.
Conclusion
Since Jesus is with me—with you—we have hope—an amazing, powerful, constant HOPE.
With this HOPE, what else can I do but praise and glorify God.
Ever Be
You will be praised
You will be praised
With angels and saints
we sing worthy are You Lord
That’s why I sing
Your praise will ever be on my lips
Ever be on my lips
Your praise will ever be on my lips
Ever be on my lips
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