Sermon Tone Analysis

Scripture Reading

Opening Prayer

Introduction

“In an article entitled “The Pursuit of Happiness,” posted at the Huffington Post July 4, 2007, Daniel Brook summed up what most of us learned in school: “The eighteenth-century British political philosopher John Locke wrote that governments are instituted to secure people's rights to ‘life, liberty, and property.’”

“

“And in 1776, Thomas Jefferson begged to differ.

When he penned the Declaration of Independence, ratified on the Fourth of July, he edited out Locke's right to ‘property’ and substituted his own more broad-minded, distinctly American concept: the right to ‘the pursuit of happiness.’”

- https://historynewsnetwork.org/article/46460

American Dream

Philosophy of Happiness

For many, pursuing happiness is equal with pursuing position or status

We are really, ultimately still trying to answer the disciples question that was asked all the way back in 18:1

Review

Matthew 18:1

If you’ve been with us, you know what happened after that...

Review Ch. 18-20

Exposition

Application

The point of this parable is not that all kingdom citizens receive that same reward but...

I.

The Sovereign God rewards people based on His grace

Grace is … God’s unmerited favor to do or have what you could not on your own.

All is grace, life is grace, food is grace

Eternal life is overwhelming grace

II.

God’s generosity is different from that of anyone else

III.

God’s gifts are not given because anyone earned them but because of His choice

IV.

Don’t be envious of blessings given to others

Prayer of Thanksgiving