Sermon Tone Analysis

In 2019 our congregation will celebrate its 150th anniversary.

The purposes of a church anniversary are as follows

to provide an opportunity for members past and present to reunite and to celebrate the history of the church.

to review the history of the church and to note what has changed over the years and what has stayed the same.

to honor and glorify God for how he has blessed the congregation.

to pray to God for his help to continue to shower the congregation with his blessings.

to recommit to the purpose of the congregation as you move forward.

Today I would like us to reflect on the main thing that has remained the same and has to remain the same in light of what Moses says in our text.

Moses lived at a time of great transition for God’s church — the nation of Israel.

God had used Moses to bring about some of the greatest changes they would ever experience.

They went from being a slave nation living on a reservation in Egypt to a nomadic people who would wander in the wilderness for 40 years.

Soon they would transition from a nomadic people to an invading army.

In time they wold establish their own boundaries with a central government ruled by a king and would take their place among the established nations of the Middle East.

Changes would come from living in villages, to living in tents, to living in walled cities.

They would change from being slaves to a free people.

Their worship would change from local assemblies to a central place of worship (the tent of meeting which was portable) to a magnificent temple that was an architectural marvel.

They would also change from a government based on oral traditions to one with written down and codified laws and regulations.

As I think about the changes that they encountered, I think about how our own nation changed from its establishment to what it is today.

Our congregation has also experienced many changes over the years.

I’m sure that as Salem celebrates its 150th anniversary those changes will be reviewed and talked about.

Changes in buildings, personnel, worship style, and even (perhaps the most dramatic) the language that was used to glorify God and to hear his word.

Our lives also change.

Look at photos of yourself over the years and see how you have grown in strength and vitality during your youth and then how you have aged gracefully over the years.

Consider the changes that have happened in your family during those major transitions of marriages, births, school, work, deaths.

As our church’s vision statement says, “We live in an ever changing world.”

But in that vision statement is also a reminder of the one thing that must remain constant for an individual, a church, and which remained a constant for the nation of Israel.

God’ Word (hymn verses later)

1. God's Word is our great heritage

And shall be ours forever;

To spread its light from age to age

Shall be our chief endeavor.

Through life it guides our way,

In death it is our stay.

Lord, grant, while worlds endure,

We keep its teachings pure.

Throughout all generations.

Let’s review Moses’ words and see how he emphasized this to a group of people who underwent tremendous changes in their lives.

For the first time the laws were being written down.

Not only the Ten Commandments but also the Book of the Law.

This was to be a long lasting ordinance, “Do not add and do not subtract.”

Follow them in the land you are entering.

Observe them carefully.

Moses even illustrates what could happen to them if they refused to obey the Lord and followed other gods.

You saw with your own eyes what the Lord did at Baal Peor.

(research and tell)

This command to obey would be repeated numerous times.

(see some examples)

This warning would be repeated numerous times.

(see some examples)

The motivation for this is God’s love.

Although many of the ceremonial laws given at that time would be changed because of Jesus fulfilling them, the teaching about a person’s relationship with God would never change.

(Summarize)

Although many of the ceremonial laws given at that time would be changed because of Jesus fulfilling them, the teaching about a person’s relationship with God would never change.

(Summarize)

God rescues us from our sins and the punishment we deserve for our sins.

We confess our sins to him and receive forgiveness.

As forgiven children of God, we recommit ourselves to him and to His Word.

God has also given us his unchanging word.

It includes timeless truths that we are believe and obey throughout our lives.

It is instructive to read the history of a congregation and its platform for teaching (especially in a conservative one like ours) and see that even though many things have changed over the past 149 years, this church continues to teach God’s word in its truth and purity so that we do not forget the Lord or God.

What would happen if we stray away?

The same thing that happened to Israel.

Those who refuse to be in the Word themselves and to provide for the Christian education of their children will find themselves alienated from the source of true faith and works.

It is a SAD commentary on a Christian congregation when the majority of its members refuse to worship God in their own church or to grow in the grace and knowledge of their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ regardless of the excuses and finger pointing they use to justify their unrepentant sin.

What happens if we remain faithful?

The Lord blesses his faithful followers.

This is often pictured as God blessing or cursing his people through nature.

I have heard several times in the past week of excessive rain that God is sending a message.

The real message is that of spiritual blessings for those who trust in him and commit themselves to his Word.

As our congregation moves forward, we can expect some changes because we do indeed live in an ever changing world.

We can thank God that we belong to a church and a synod that loves and respects the word of God and we pray that this will never change.

Hear the word of God, obey it, and expect His blessings.

Amen

Conclusion.

Teach them to the next generation.