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
Anger
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Fear
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Language Tone
Analytical
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Social Tone
Openness
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Conscientiousness
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Extraversion
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Agreeableness
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Emotional Range
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Tone of specific sentences
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Series Review
This year’s Vacation Bible School theme is also about water: Rolling River Rampage, where will be inviting children on a white-water rafting adventure to experience the ride of a lifetime with God!
In the weeks leading up to VBS, we will look at stories of water in the Bible, and like any story in the Bible, and see what they tell us about God and what He wants to do in our lives.
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Last week I preached what is probably the most famous water story in the Bible: God parting the Red Sea, and the Israelites crossing over safely.
Some may think that the 1st story in the series - Noah’s Ark and the Flood, is the most popular water story in the Bible.
This morning you’ve heard Tom tell the story of Jesus being baptized.
Baptism is one of the most important things we do in the Church.
Back in April we had 2 baptisms, and you were not only able to see God acting through baptism, you saw that we use different modes of baptism in UMC.
This morning’s story is about something calmer.
Something more relatable.
Baptism.
Many of you have been baptized.
You might remember it if you were baptized as a believer.
You can at least relate to the experience of been under water for some reason.
When someone wants to join HUMC, one of the requirements is baptism.
It was commanded by Christ.
It was never presented as an option, but something that was essential.
But why did Jesus get baptized?
This is something that might perplex us.
Story Introduction
This morning you’ve heard Tom tell the story of Jesus being baptized.
- we baptize.
It’s a beginning of a new life for people.
It’s a serious commitment for the person being baptized or their parents.
Back in April we had 2 baptisms, and you were not only able to see God acting through baptism, you saw that we use different modes of baptism in UMC.
This morning you’ve heard Tom tell the story of Jesus being baptized.
Baptism is one of the most important things we do in the Church - we baptize.
It’s a beginning of a new life for people.
It’s a serious commitment for the person being baptized or their parents.
Back in April we had 2 baptisms, and you were not only able to see God acting through baptism, you saw that we use different modes of baptism in UMC.
Baptism is one of the most important things we do in the Church
e.g.
Presbyterian pastor, baptized in vinegar
When someone wants to join HUMC, one of the requirements is baptism.
It was commanded by Christ.
It was never presented as an option, but something that was essential.
But why did Jesus get baptized?
This is something that might perplex us.
John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin is perplexed, he’s intimidated.
Why are you coming to me?
You should be baptizing me?
When the Son of God, the Messiah, the Savior of the world comes to you, asking you to baptize them, how are you supposed to feel?
Did you know Jesus was baptized?
There have been a few times as a pastor I’ve been in the middle of a sermon, when I’ve looked out and seen a bishop or a district superintendent.
It’s a little intimidating.
Once a New Testament seminary professor was in attendance, listening to my sermon, and I was a bit distracted.
What can I say about the New Testament that would interest an expert in the field?
I could learn more from him that he can from me.
I wonder if that’s how John felt, having the Son of God ask for baptism.
Message Introduction
As a pastor I’ve sometimes people resist baptism: “Do I really need to do that?”
“It’s what’s on the inside that counts.”
“I can be a good Christian without being baptized.”
“Can I still go to heaven if I’m not baptized?”
I’m nervous about getting up in front of people, now you’re asking me to get wet in front of a crowd.”
As a pastor I’ve sometimes people resist baptism: “Do I really need to do that?”
“It’s what’s on the inside that counts.”
“I can be a good Christian without being baptized.”
“Can I still go to heaven if I’m not baptized?”
I’m nervous about getting up in front of people, now you’re asking me to get wet in front of a crowd.”
Those are very good questions, and to answer them we need to know what baptism is.
We watch it.
We might be excited by it.
Moved by it.
Or it might think it is cute when it happens to a baby.
Why do we baptize?
So I’m going to teach 2 things about baptism, to show why it’s so important, and not just an empty ritual that doesn’t really mean anything.
Why do we baptize?
So I’m going to teach 2 things about baptism, to show why it’s so important, and not just an empty ritual that doesn’t really mean anything.
So I’m going to teach 2 things about baptism, to show why it’s so important, and not just an empty ritual that doesn’t really mean anything.
Then I’m going to ask, “Why did Jesus get baptized.”
I thought Jesus was God in the flesh.
I thought Jesus lived a sinless life, he was the perfect sacrifice for our sins.
Why did Jesus get baptized.
I’m going to point out 2 reasons why Jesus was baptized.
Not just so we can learn 2 new things about Jesus, but so that we can know Jesus better.
Then I’m going to ask, “Why did Jesus get baptized.”
Know Jesus better…wouldn’t we rather know and experience God, than just study facts about him?
It can be the difference between having a parent’s name on a birth certificate and having parents who spend time with you, listen to you, take trips with you.
Raise you.
So let’s look at baptism this morning and then let’s look at the Jesus who was baptized 2000 years ago.
difference - did Jesus really need this?
e.g.
retired seminary professor not wanting to take a new members class; holy spirit - you will go to this class alongside the other people who are discerning their call to this church;
same - Jesus and the prof humbled themselves, set aside their status and lived among ordinary people;
difference - did Jesus really need this?
the problem: the deity of Christ; the perfection of Christ; baptism is a baptism of repentance
Quakers / Society of Friends = dry cleaned baptists.
To know why Jesus did it, we have to know
Can’t I be a good Christian and not be baptized?
I’m afraid of baptism.
Being in front of people, talking in front of people is hard enough.
Getting wet in front of people.
Objection: I don’t think that is necessary.
I can be a good Christian and not be baptized.
Quakers / Society of Friends = dry cleaned baptists.
So what is baptism?
One of the reasons people can be skeptical, is that they’ve been baptized and they have experienced no change.
They are no different coming out of the water then they were going into it.
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