Sermon Tone Analysis

We see it all the time.

An athlete scores a touchdown, sinks a basket, hits a homer, or makes a a big play an they kiss their finger and point to the sky, they touch there chest and point the the sky, or the kneel in prayer to thank God for whatever they have done.

We see it all the time.

An athlete scores a touchdown, sinks a basket, hits a homer, or makes a a big play an they kiss their finger and point to the sky, they touch there chest and point the the sky, or the kneel in prayer to thank God for whatever they have done.

We love it when athletes do this because it just seems right to Christians.

When ever an athlete is criticized for such a display we get upset…

maybe at first because it seems as if the offender is Anti-Christian…but inevitably it moves from a bias against God to an “Its my Right to celebrate this way!”

As Christians these expressions just makes sense.

However, if we are going to give God credit for touchdowns, homers, three pointers and great plays then it stands to reason that Jesus is always more important than me…

I love sports but I have to tell you God probably does not have much to do with winners of Super Bowls, Hockey Finals, Basketball games or even Nascar.

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There is nothing wrong with these outward gestures…until the gesture itself becomes the focus.

As Christians this just makes sense.

If we are going to give God credit for touchdowns, homers, three pointers and great plays then it stands to reason that He is always more important than me…

He is always more important than even my right to give Him glory.

Do we make God famous by giving God credit for touchdowns, homers, three pointers and great play?

So How do we “Make God Famous?” Do we make God famous by giving God credit for touchdowns, homers, three pointers and great play?

Do we make God famous by giving God credit for touchdowns, homers, three pointers and great play?

There is nothing wrong with these outward gestures…until the gesture itself becomes the focus.

In other words if we are not careful we can make the right to give God Glory the blessing instead of seeing the ability to be used of God to Transform the world as the blessing.

I love sports but I have to tell you God probably does not have much to do with winners of Super Bowls, Hockey Finals, Basketball games or even Nascar.

The blessings we seek are deeper and as such we should focus of those things…Life, Freedom from sin, Freedom from worldly expectations, freedom from fear of man and death.

The blessings we seek are deeper and as such we should focus of those things…Life, Freedom from sin, Freedom from worldly expectations, freedom from fear of man, freedom from death, and an Expectation of and Eternity with the Lord.

Yet this does not happen when we get out of control or almost hateful when we argue and attack a precieved slight on our “RIGHT” to these type of expressions.

If you are a good Christian God will bless you with athletic ability!

We all know this is just not so.

God does not bless us because we do certain things.

it is not a you scratch my back and I Scratch your proposition…

The idea that

The blessings we seek are deeper and as such we should focus of those things…Life, Freedom from sin, Freedom from worldly expectations, freedom from fear of man and death.

Our Testimony to others about things that matter are the greatest claims to fame that God has…these are also the easiest things to take for granted.

1 In times of trouble, may the Lord answer your cry.

This alone is reason to Make God Famous.

1 In times of trouble, may the Lord answer your cry.

May the name of the God of Jacob keep you safe from all harm.

2 May he send you help from his sanctuary

and strengthen you from Jerusalem.

3 May he remember all your gifts

and look favorably on your burnt offerings.

Interlude

4 May he grant your heart’s desires

and make all your plans succeed.

5 May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory

and raise a victory banner in the name of our God.

May the Lord answer all your prayers.

6 Now I know that the Lord rescues his anointed king.

He will answer him from his holy heaven

and rescue him by his great power.

7 Some nations boast of their chariots and horses,

but we boast in the name of the Lord our God.

8 Those nations will fall down and collapse,

but we will rise up and stand firm.

9 Give victory to our king, O Lord!

Answer our cry for help.

Tyndale House Publishers.

(2013).

Holy Bible: New Living Translation ().

Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publi

This psalm clearly promotes a bold confidence in God and His ability to bring victory in all things…specifically here in battle.

What the modern day believer should take from this is that if we will spend our time boasting about Jesus and less time trying to fight our own battles we WILL be victorious in the things that matter.

So much of what we struggle with in this day and age simply does not matter.

So instead of fighting for our right to point at God and give him thanks publicly what if we simply continued to boast about Jesus and what He has done in our life?

What if our talk was not about trying to protect what we have but pointing to what God has already done…what if our words painted a picture of a God that loves everyone, and has the power to make all things right even in the midst of this crazy thing we call life?

What if Making God Famous to the rest of the world had nothing to do with material benefit or personal wealth?

Not that anything is wrong with those things but we must use those things to continue to boast about who God is.

Making God Famous has more to do with an unshakable confidence that no matter how hard or good we have it God’s purpose for us will be accomplished…And His Purpose is always Good!

We need to make sure that we do not hear that God will simply take care of any problems we have.

It is important for us to use the gifts and abilities combined with an indestructible faith in who God is to bring about change in our world.

In spite of the psalmist and Israels tremendous confidence in God, they did not hang up their weapons and let God fight the battle.

They used those weapons and trusted God for His help.

They offered sacrifices and burnt offerings not as charms, but as symbols of their consecration to His cause.

John Wesley was about 21 years of age when he went to Oxford University.

He came from a Christian home, and he was gifted with a keen mind and good looks.

Yet in those days he was a bit snobbish and sarcastic.

One night, however, something happened that set in motion a change in Wesley's heart.

While speaking with a porter, he discovered that the poor fellow had only one coat and lived in such impoverished conditions that he didn't even have a bed.

Yet he was an unusually happy person , filled with gratitude to God.

Wesley, being immature, thoughtlessly joked about the man's misfortunes.

"And what else do you thank God for?" he said with a touch of sarcasm.

The porter smiled, and in the spirit of meekness replied with joy, "I thank Him that He has given me my life and being, a heart to love Him, and above all a constant desire to serve Him!" Deeply moved, Wesley recognized that this man knew the meaning of true thankfulness.

Many years later, in 1791, John Wesley lay on his deathbed at the age of 88.

Those who gathered around him realized how well he had learned the lesson of praising God in every circumstance.

Despite Wesley's extreme weakness, he began singing the hymn, "I'll Praise My Maker While I've Breath."

You see struggle is not eliminated and Because struggle is not eliminated from the life of His followers, confidence in God is essential.

When joined with prayer, consecration, diligence, and thankfulness God’s victory can be obtained and praise can follow.

Because struggle is not eliminated from the life of His followers, confidence in God is essential.

When joined with prayer, consecration, diligence, and thankfulness God’s victory can be obtained and praise can follow.

31 What then shall we say to these things?

If God is for us, who can be against us?

32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect?

It is God who justifies.

34 Who is to condemn?

Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;

we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.