Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Introduction

Attention

An ancient Greek myth tells of a goddess who came to earth unseen but whose presence was always known by the blessings she left behind in her pathway.

Trees burned by forest fires sprouted new leaves, and violets sprang up in her footprints.

As she passed a stagnant pool its water became fresh, and parched fields turned green as she walked through them.

Hills and valleys blossomed with new life and beauty wherever she went.

An ancient Greek myth tells of a goddess who came to earth unseen but whose presence was always known by the blessings she left behind in her pathway.

Trees burned by forest fires sprouted new leaves, and violets sprang up in her footprints.

As she passed a stagnant pool its water became fresh, and parched fields turned green as she walked through them.

Hills and valleys blossomed with new life and beauty wherever she went.

Another Greek story tells of a princess sent as a present to a king.

She was as beautiful as Aphrodite and her breath was as sweet as perfume.

But she carried with her the contagion of death and decay.

From infancy she poisoned the very atmosphere around her. Her breath would kill a swarm of insects; she would pick a flower and it would wither.

A bird flying too close would fall dead at her feet.

Both of these women had influence on their surroundings.

The first created a beautiful atmosphere.

Her presence was uplifting and added growth and beauty to everything around.

The princess, on the other hand, though beautiful to look at was contaminated with poison which so infiltrated her body that everything around her died from the poison of her presence.

You and I have an influence on the world around us.

Perhaps when you walk down the halls of your home, the walls aren’t being re-painted in beautiful colors, but your influence affects the people you are around every day.

Need Element

The question we are dealing with this morning in our series is whether Christianity is relevant today?

And I believe our relevance to today’s culture is related to our influence in today’s world.

The question we are dealing with this morning in our series, Faith Under Fire, is whether Christianity is relevant today?

And I believe our relevance to today’s culture is connected with our influence in today’s world.

Relevance, as defined by Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, is “something that is practical and especially socially applicable.”

In other words, it is about being practical to a community’s culture.

Rick Warren, author of Purpose-Driven Life, says, “There will always be people who need to be loved or who feel guilty, resentful, or lonely.

People will always need purpose, meaning, and a cause to live for.”

So to answer the question of whether Christianity is relevant today, we must first deal with the issue of whether we as believers are having an influence, and indeed if we are even attempting to have an influence.

Bridging Statements

Are we, the church, meeting the needs of our community and culture?

Textual Idea

Take your Bible and join me in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 5.

Sermon Idea

Bridging Statements

Interrogative

Transition

In , Jesus taught his disciples that they should have a specific impact on their world (MIT).

Likewise, believers today should influence their world (MIM).

The question is how?

How can we as believers have a sizable impact and influence on the world around us? (Interrogative) How can we live in such a way that people might see that Christianity is relevant, that it is making a difference in our lives, and that it can make a difference in their lives?

By answering 5 questions, we can learn how to make an impact on our world (Transition).

These 5 questions build a framework for the believer’s understanding of their role in today’s culture.

Having found your place, if you are physically able, would you stand for the reading of God’s Word!?

Division 1: Who is to be the source of God’s influence (vv.

13-14)?

Who is to be the source of God’s influence (v.

13/14)?

Jesus begins a new teaching to his disciples with a very emphatic phrase.

He uses it on two occasions here in both verse 13 and verse 14.

In so doing, Jesus defines for us the source of God’s influence in the world.

Now we would all agree and understand that ultimately God is the original source…but when it comes to the personal interaction that today’s church, today’s Christian, today’s follower of Christ has on today’s world…the source that is defined by Jesus is simple, “You are!”

Explanation

Illustration

Argumentation

Illustration

Application