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.
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Man can build a booming church, but only God can build a biblical church.
Contrary to popular belief, a dichotomy often exists between the two.
A man-built church, seeks to accomplish man’s goals,
using man’s means, and
strives,
whether consciously or not,
for man’s glory.
A God-built church, has
the Spirit of God as its energy,
the Word of God as its most precious jewel, and
the glory of God as its supreme goal.
We see the effects of the man-built ministry all around us.
Many churches have become nothing more than
entertainment centers,
giving slick performances to growing numbers of mesmerized,
but unproductive churchgoers.
Such devices may bring people into the church, but they do not transform them once they arrive.
Sad to say, many today are seeking to “redefine” church as though this is an option.
By looking to the world for its signals, much of the modern day church is suffering from an identity crisis of monumental proportions.
Some see the effective church as being consumer driven.
They say we should survey our “target market,” discover what they want, and then give it to them.
Others see the church as culture driven.
A slight variation of the previously mentioned model, this approach seeks to bring the world’s forms of entertainment into the church in order to stimulate outreach and growth.
Still others envision the church as being driven by felt needs.
In other words, address the apparent, surface needs of people.
Tell them how to find
self-esteem,
psychological significance, and
personal success.
Don’t bore them with long discourses on the Bible.
And, whatever you do, never mention the “s” word (sin) or the “h” word (hell).
After all, who wants to hear what is negative?
And others, with good intentions, want to be purpose driven.
Draft your church’s vision statement,
determine your objectives,
define your long-term strategies,
target a consumer group,
develop a marketing plan, and
you are in business.
Such radical shifts in the direction of the church are,
I believe, the result of an identity crisis that is shaking the very foundation of the church.
Rather than seeking to become as much like heaven as we can be, we are, instead, striving to become like the world.
Rather than pursuing spirituality and substance, many churches have become enamored with style and size.
What sets the church apart is that she is not doing the business of man but of Christ.
Therefore, she is to be focused on a different bottom line that can only be reached through different means.
Lawson, S. J. (1999).
Sermon: The God-Driven Church .
Southern Baptist Journal of Theology Volume 3, 3(3), 67.
By His Word, God Himself must
equip,
enable,
energize, and
empower the church
if she is to be what He desires her to be.
Ultimately, God must be the driving force of the church,
bringing His glorious presence and
all-sufficient power to bear upon the life of His people
if she is to be what He desires her to be.
Her success belongs, as Solomon says, not in more horses or better chariots, but with the Lord Himself ().
The God-driven church is one built by God Himself and, thus, is
not a corporation,
but a congregation,
not a business,
but a body,
not a factory,
but a family.
In such a church, God is working primarily,
not through hyped events,
programs,
entertainment, or
even strategically designed plans per se,
but through His Word and by His Spirit in
the converted,
changed lives of His people.
Let us never forget,
God anoints people,
not plans.
He indwells believers,
not buildings.
He fills preachers,
not performances.
Not that plans, buildings, or some performances are intrinsically wrong, because they are not.
But when they become the church’s chief pursuit and confidence,
they are spiritual culde-sacs leading nowhere,
a cheap substitute for the real presence and supernatural power of God among His people.
So, what does a God-centered church look like?
What are the hallmarks of a God-glorifying church?
What are the characteristics of a God-built church?
We need to look no further than the opening chapter of First Thessalonians
in which Paul gives an overview of
the commendable qualities of this vibrant congregation.
Making no mention of their
Lawson, S. J. (1999).
Sermon: The God-Driven Church .
Southern Baptist Journal of Theology Volume 3, 3(3), 67–68.
numerical size,
ministry style, or
long-term strategies,
the apostle instead focuses upon their
internal substance and
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