Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
This automated analysis scores the text on the likely presence of emotional, language, and social tones. There are no right or wrong scores; this is just an indication of tones readers or listeners may pick up from the text.
A score of 0.5 or higher indicates the tone is likely present.
Emotion Tone
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Tone of specific sentences
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The Thriving Church
Acts 1:1 - 6:7 - Part 1: the growth of the church in Jerusalem
Acts 6:7 - 9:31 - Part 2: the growth and spread of the church into Judea, Samaria, Galilee and beyond
Acts 9:32 - 12:24 - Part 3: the end of Peter’s recorded ministry with the spread of the gospel to the Roman Centurion, Cornelius
“was being built up”
the church was being constructed - an ongoing process which never stops
“being built together”
an ongoing process which includes winning the lost, teaching, discipline, suffering
“together” = an organism not an organization
being “built up” happens as new believers become a part of the church and are taught (Mt 28:20)
started when we were saved and continues through our sojourn on earth
“walking in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the HS”
as this building up occurs believers walk in fear and in the comfort of the HS
growth into maturity is always marked by fear and comfort
there is much “church growth” today that does not manifest itself in these two ways and if it doesn’t it is not true church growth!
“walking in the fear of the Lord”
the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Pr 1:7; 9:10)
the fear the Lord is present at salvation and must be cultivated throughout our lives
those who practice evil practice divination, abominable customs, deceit, ungodliness, oppression, extortion
those who practice good practice: fear, righteousness
God practices steadfast love, justice and righteousness in the earth
Albert Martin in his book “The Forgotten Fear” lists 8 things we can do to cultivate the fear of God:
must be saved
feed on scripture
think often of God’s forgiveness
dwell on the majestic greatness of God
cultivate a sense of God’s presence
my experience: in-dwelt by the Triune God
remember your obligations to God
associate closely with those who fear God (Ps 1)
pray for it
if you would experience the comfort of the HS you must walk in righteousness and holiness
the presence of the HS: the comfort of the HS the result of our not grieving him with our sins
we experience greater comfort as we practice the fear of God!
“it multiplied”
as the church was being built up it was growing
true church growth is not the result of beautiful buildings or wonderful programs or excellent ministries
church growth is about:
glorifying God: giving him the honour, reverence, worship that is due him
being built up: through faithful preaching and teaching of the whole counsel of God
this is not happening in many churches
this is not being cultivated in personal walks of many believers
believers who are growing produce churches that are growing
The Growing Church
how does a church grow?
programs, ministries, flashy entertainment, glitsy programming, high tech?
these human methods are easy and give quick results
churches like this: big front and back doors!
God’s plan is much more simple but more challenging
the results though are long lasting and life changing
The Healing of Aeneas
Acts 9:32-35
“Peter went here and there among them all”
a high level picture of Peter’s preaching and teaching ministry in the fledgling church
Peter was going to the gatherings of believers to “build them up” (v.31)
he was strengthening and encouraging them
“he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda”
“the saints” - christians
holy or holy one: a person of God; a person dedicated to God
a NT description of believers
saints are not those who do miracles, live more virtuous lives than anyone else, and approved by the Pope
Peter was visiting saints with the purpose of strengthening and encouraging them
remember what Jesus commanded Peter when he reinstated him
feed = give them food
food vs. milk
tend = to shepherd (Ps 23)
pastor/shepherd are one and the same (Eph 4:11 - included in list of Jesus’ gifts to the church)
Ps 23
“a man”
contrast with “a disciple” in regard to Dorcas
most likely an unbeliever
had been confined to his bed for 8 yrs and most likely would have remained there apart from his miraculous healing
“they saw him (Aeneas)”
when they saw him it was because he was out and about and telling everyone what had happened to him
he was telling them, “I was paralyzed for 8 years, I was bedridden but Jesus Christ healed me”
we know this because Luke tells us in v.35, “all the residents saw him … and they turned to the Lord”
although it is possible it is doubtful that every single inhabitant of Lydda and Sharon became believers
examples of this type of language:
seeing a paralyzed man walking is not enough to save a person
the gospel must be presented and the HS must open their spiritual eyes and ears
until the HS does this sovereign, irresistible work of grace, opening spiritual eyes and ears, gospel truth remains unintelligible
Summary:
the miracle of a paralyzed man walking gave the unbelievers a compelling reason to listen to Peter’s preaching
it is through the hearing of the gospel that people are saved
what is it that causes unbelievers to listen to the gospel today?
love demonstrated in acts of kindness
first and foremost among believers
secondly to unbelievers
faithfulness to Christ and all that he has commanded in spite of persecution
never under estimate the power of suffering for righteousness’ sake!
The Raising of Tabitha
Acts 9:36-43
Tabitha = Aramaic name
Dorcas = Greek name
means gazelle, a small, swift, graceful antelope
Dorcas reflected this in her good works and acts of charity
no husband is mentioned so it is likely she was a widow
she was a disciple = a believer, a Christ follower
she had died and Peter raised her from the the dead
“full of good works”
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