Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Last week’s discussion with our younger generation regarding millennials

Race as a Social Construct

April 2018 special issue of National Geographic focusing on race:

“Skin Deep” by Elizabeth Kolbert

Research has revealed two deep truths about people:

1.

All humans are closely related

2. All people alive today are Africans

Science today tells us that visible difference between peoples are accidents of history

There is more diversity in Africa than all other continents combined

What is race exactly?

According to science there is no genetic or scientific basis.

Instead it’s largely a made up label, used to define and separate us

The longer two groups are separated, the more distinctive tweaks they acquire

Galations 5:9

In her article “STREETS IN HIS NAME” published in the April 2018 issue of the National Geographic magazine, Wendi C. Thomas states that Rev. Dr. Martin Luther “King is often remembered for speaking of a simple goal: Black children and white children hand in hand, as if they were siblings”

This is also God’s goal for the church, the body of Jesus Christ, that we walk by faith together, as sisters and brothers in the faith.

But sometimes unfortunately we draw distinctions among ourselves within the body of Jesus Christ.

It is in the book of Galatians within the Bible that God says

Colossians 3:10-

In other words, we are all suppose to be united together within the body of Christ with Jesus Christ being the head.

Since we are offspring of the father of the faith, who is Abraham, then we share the same spiritual DNA which is suppose to be our faith in Jesus Christ.

So nobody who knows Jesus Christ as their savior is to feel like an outsider within their church family

God declared it to us this way within the book of Colossians

You see beloved, it is all about Jesus Christ!

Romans 3:19

Roman

And Jesus Christ is in all who believe in him as their personal LORD and savior

Transition

It is in the Bible within the book of Romans that God makes his intentions clear for the church regarding our insider vs. outsider status...

By the time the Apostle Paul, who was a servant of Christ Jesus, set apart for the proclamation of the Good News of God, arrives at chapter 15 of the letter to the church in Rome, he is ready to close this spiritual letter.

But as if the Holy Spirit has prompted Paul to tie up some loose ends, he proceeds to provide the reason that God has directed him to write this letter in the first place.

You see, Paul needed to bring the occasion of this holy letter into view for the reader.

He needed the church at Rome to understand the context of this letter that was written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Paul needed to remind the Roman church of a few things- especially regarding the relationship between the strong and the weak members of the church:

Review

); and sound theology more generally

Body

Paul lets the church in Rome know that his ministry is to reach the outsiders; those who are outside the faith.

Engage In Grace Filled Evangelism & Discipleship

It is all about love (so do not judge your brother and sister in Christ improperly)

But Paul needed to remind the Roman church of a few things-

especially regarding the strong and the weak (review ); and sound theology more generally

Paul writes this letter with unusual boldness & frankness in “parts” for them to recall and think about again

Why has Paul written in such a way?

Consider that Paul did not plant the church in Rome.

Yet Paul writes with the authority of a pastor.

God has given Paul grace

The gospel proclaimer receives grace from God

Illustrate: Paul could look back over his life and know his ministry work was by the grace of God

1 Corinthians 15Illustrate: Paul could look back over his life and know his ministry work was by the grace of God

- for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus

Do I have a witness?

Illustrate: So I can look back over my life and see how the LORD God has shown me grace

Can you look back over our life and see how God has shown you grace.

The Gospel proclaimer shows grace towards the unsaved and saved

Paul did not plant the church in Rome.

So he addresses them as a brother in the faith as well a servant (minister) of the Gospel

Illustrate: Imagine how the Romans felt as they read this letter

The Gospel proclaimer does not provide destructive instruction

Observe how Pauls opens this explantation

Paul is convinced (persuaded/satisfied) that the Church in Rome possesses

Marks of true and authentic evangelism & discipleship

they know right from wrong and does what is right

they have an understanding of the faith due to experience and learning

has understanding due to experience and learning

able to provide instruction to one another

they are able to provide instruction to one another

to correct behavior

to correct belief

Illustrate: When we gain some knowledge from the Bible of right and wrong, we love to correct others, who are “weak”

Illustrate: When we attempt or try to instruct our youth

We do not want to instruct in ways that are destructive.

What are some ways which our instruction can be destructive?

Paul calls them to instruct, not get into an argument!

We want to instruct in such a way that builds up!

So we have to be especially careful how we treat our brothers and sisters in Christ- especially those who are new to the faith

The Gospel proclaimer, through the Holy Spirit, serves the long-saved & newly saved in their sanctification

What does sanctified mean here?

To be made Holy & Presentable & Clean before God.

Only the Holy Spirit can accomplish this miraculous act in the life of a believer in Jesus Christ

Illustration: the priestly service of offering acceptable (Holy) sacrifices

Humbly Perform The Work Of Sharing The Good News Of Jesus Christ

Jesus gets the credit for new believers in Christ.

So we must always give credit to Jesus Christ for any soul who comes to Jesus Christ.

Jesus works through us, but it is God who changes hearts!

So we must always give credit to Jesus Christ for any soul who comes to Jesus Christ.

Jesus works through us, but it is God who changes hearts!

Give Glory To God for what Christ accomplishes through us to lead people to Christ

God Glory By our words

John 17:20-21by Pauls word- that which has been stated or said, with primary focus upon the content of the communication

by Pauls word- that which has been stated or said, with primary focus upon the content of the communication

by Pauls word- that which has been stated or said, with primary focus upon the content of the communication

Our content is Jesus Christ:

Born, crucified, dead, buried, & raised from the dead!

Illustrate: We must get our messaging right.

Reading a book on branding

And Give God Glory by our deeds

by Pauls deed- in contrast to word, to function to work, that which is done, with possible focus on the energy or effort involved.

that which displays itself in activity of any kind, deed, action.