Sermon Tone Analysis

Vacation Illustration

Talk about vacation—shows

Rides—Attractions—Kennedi Picture

All of us enjoy to be entertained—we enjoy “attractions”

Why Did Jesus Do Miracles?

There was an attractional part of Jesus’s time on Earth

Now several different reason Jesus did miracles—show his power, his sovereignty (control), show that He was really the son of God—one reason though I believe was to get people’s attention—to attract them

John 6:1-15

Ask the question “What if Jesus never did any miracles”—I’ll tell you, he’d probably have very few folks that believed Him

Outreach

I believe that Jesus practiced and believes in outreach

(Talk About Different Events)

Outreach Definition

1out•reach \ˌau̇t-ˈrēch\ verb transitive

circa 1568

1568

1 a: to surpass in reach

b: EXCEED 〈the demand outreaches the supply〉

2: to get the better of by trickery

1: to go too far

2: to reach out

2out•reach \ˈau̇t-ˌrēch\ noun

1870

3: the extending of services or assistance beyond current or usual limits

2: the extent or limit of reach 〈the outreach of the Ohio floods—Clifton Johnson〉

We do so much of that here!

I think we are the best I’ve ever seen with the resources we have—and thats a credit to you guys!

3: the extending of services or assistance beyond current or usual limits 〈an outreach program〉 also: the extent of such services or assistance

(Talk About Different Events)

True or False-Whatever it takes to get them here is what it will take to keep them

Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves

John 6

For most the answer to that question is! True—Entertain me and I’ll show up—put a dog and pony show and I’m there

This is the culture we live in folks—we want to be catered too and we want to be entertained

And we can debate about whether or not that’s good or bad—but all I can tell you is—it is what it is—and it’s HARD for churches to exist in this world

BE WE HAVE, WE ARE, AND WE WILL

Some want—they refuse to relate to this culture citing some religious reasoning----

And please don’t misunderstand me---you can definitely take this stuff to far—and there are plenty of churches that do!

But I believe as long as when they show up, no matter why they show up, we give them Jesus—and we give them truth, where doing the work we need to be doing

I think Jesus had the same mentality—look....

Here we see Jesus interacting with some of the crowd that was apart of the great feast we read earlier and probably some really religious Jewish folks at a synagogue in Capernaum

Jesus gives them TRUTH—He’s not evaluating success based off of who stays or who continues to follow—Jesus attracted a crowd and told them the Truth about himself

John 6:43

John

How Do We Measure Success?

Jesus’ model—Create an opportunity to share the gospel—and share it

He did in many different ways and settings—with tens of thousands and with just a few

Success in outreach is not measured in how someone responds (although we so badly want them to come to Jesus)—that is not ultimately up to us!

How someone responds—is not ulitmately up to us!

There’s nothing wrong with having an approach to sharing the gospel with people that has some sort of attractional or entertainment value!

We as Humans are skeptical of everything.

There’s so much false stuff, so much fake news out there—I think all of us are a little apprehensive to believe in really anything—I think that’s healthy on some levels—But for the most part, we want things to be proven to us.

So when it comes to sharing our faith and doing outreach as a church and as individuals, I believe creating credibility with people are is important!

Because people usually need to touch it, see it, before they believe it

So we put on events and programs that are appealing to our culture ---and when they come—because how can they not?—they get Jesus—they experience Jesus, his church…

We do QUALITY stuff--when do stuff that’s not quality, when we don’t put our best foot forward for the Lord—it often has a negative result

when do stuff that’s not quality, when we don’t put our best foot forward for the Lord—it often

They may not accept it---that’s ok, they may not come back, that’s okay too (why?)—They

heard the message...

Attractive (family based/fun) programs and events develop credibility with a world that needs Jesus.

Makes them think something is different about this church—about these people—maybe they will listen to us!

Don’t you think people were blown away by what happened here on Freedom Sunday?

The fact that we have one of the real life swamp people coming to our Bible School???

We do QUALITY stuff--when do stuff that’s not quality, when we don’t put our best foot forward for the Lord (as a church

or as individuals)—it often has a negative result and hurts our credibilty

Credibility gives you a strong basis to share our Faith

That’s really what were after—in this culture, I believe we need to develop credibility and then get permission to share our faith

Now as I say that, some of are like—oh no—this is America and I can do what I want---and I would tell you, yes you are correct—however, if we want to be effective in sharing our faith—we need to have permission from the other person to do it.

The way the church does outreach has changed in my life time---(Talks about visitation, tracks, etc)

I want us to be able to recognize a person who’s open to at least hearing about our faith

Here are some signs that someone is giving you permission to share with them

They show up at church! (Why we do events and programs)

If they bring it up—especially—I grew up in Church—maybe they had a bad experience at church

When people have questions about life’s struggles (be careful here, timing is everything) and they ask you for help or advice

When you’re friends

When people ask about your faith—How can you be so happy???

Closing-Personal App

I have a hard time imagining a Christian who is not someway, somehow sharing with others what Jesus has done for them…If you’ve really grabbed a hold of this faith—man, you want to share it

What are you doing?

Give a child an opportunity to hear about Jesus—get them signed up for Bible school

Get workers to stand up—pray for them—and then ask everyone to stand

Ask questions—who’s God given you an opportunity to share with!