Sermon Tone Analysis

Title:                                        *Is It Easy to Hit a Big Target?*

Type: Topical (The Glory of God)

Text: 1 Cor 10:31; 2 Cor 3:18; Hebrews 12:1

Idea:  If you want to hit the big things for God you need to do the little things first.

Purpose:  To explain that by doing the little things (choices) first enables you to hit the big target-The Glory of God.

I.

What does it mean to do everything for the Glory of God?

 

Belief in God involves knowledge that leads to action.

* Living right with God is about believing the right things about God.

The key word in that sentence is the verb ‘believing’, and belief in God involves knowledge that leads to actions.

Knowledge without actions or actions devoid of knowledge is like owning a car and never taking it out of your garage.

* Last Sunday Pastor Kevin preached a well thought out sermon about the reasons the Bible tells us why we do communion.

Can you remember?

It is an act of remembrance, rejoicing, repentance and reconciliation.

* I  loved some of the stories Kevin provided to help us connect with the text.

* Dr in 1800’s who realized a simple hand washing prevents spread of harmful bacteria.

* The missionary who crossed a river in Third World country demonstrating to local tribe that the water was not infested with evil spirits.

* That act of reconciliation is displayed first through simple touch

 

 

To remember, rejoice, repent and reconcile are all verbs describing an action.

What action are required of you to make a step of faith?

* Likewise, when Scripture tells us that we are to live for the Glory of God, it is an action that springs out of knowledge.

* The Word of God is very much an active participant in the choices you make every day-it desires to both motivate and activate the power of choice so that it can honor God!

It is a command.

* *

*The topic, ‘Glory of God’ is manifested, reflected, appears, relates to the believer and humanity throughout Scripture.

Rick Warren says that we must recognize, praise, honor, declare, reflect and live for the glory of God.

*

* *

*(here are some Scriptures to support that)*

* *

*GLORIFYING GOD.* Commanded, 1 Chr.

16:28; Psa.

22:23; Isa.

42:12.

Due to him, 1 Chr.

16:29; for his holiness, Psa.

99:9; Rev. 15:4; mercy and truth, Psa.

115:1; Rom.

15:9; faithfulness and truth, Isa.

25:1; wondrous works, Matt.

15:31; Acts 4:21; judgments, Isa.

25:3; Ezek.

28:22; Rev. 14:7; deliverances, Psa.

50:15; grace to others, Acts 11:18; 2 Cor.

9:13; Gal.

1:24.

Accomplished by: Relying on his promises, Rom.

4:20; praising him, Psa.

50:23; doing all to glorify him, 1 Cor.

10:31; dying for him, John 21:19; suffering for Christ, 1 Pet.

4:14,16; glorifying Christ, Acts 19:17; 2 Thess.

1:12; bringing forth fruits of righteousness, John 15:8; Phil.

1:11; patience in affliction, Isa.

24:15; faithfulness, 1 Pet.

4:11.

Required in body and spirit, 1 Cor.

6:20.

Shall be universal, Psa.

86:9; Rev. 5:13.

Saints: Should resolve on, Psa.

69:30; 118:28; unite in, Psa.

34:3; Rom.

15:6; persevere in, Psa.

86:12.

All the blessings of God are designed to lead to, Isa.

60:21; 61:3.

The holy example of the saints may lead others to, Matt.

5:16; 1 Pet.

2:12.

All, by nature, fail in, Rom.

3:23.

The wicked averse to, Dan.

5:23; Rom.

1:21.

Punishment for not, Dan.

5:23,30; Mal.

2:2; Acts 12:23; Rom.

1:21.

Heavenly armies engaged in, Rev. 4:11.

* *

*Exemplified:* By David, Psa.

57:5; the multitude, Matt.

9:8; 15:31; the virgin Mary, Luke 1:46; the angels, Luke 2:14; the shepherds, Luke 2:20; by Jesus, John 17:4; the man sick of the palsy, Luke 5:25; the woman with infirmity, Luke 13:13; the leper whom Jesus healed, Luke 17:15; the blind man, Luke 18:43; the centurion, Luke 23:47; the church at Jerusalem, Acts 11:18; the Gentiles at Antioch, Acts 13:48; Abraham, Rom.

4:20; Paul, Rom.

11:36.

[1]

First Corinthians summarizes this with a simple command:

 

1Co 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

How do I do everything for the glory of God?

 

 

 

*II.

**First, you must aim for the glory of God*[2]*.*

* The first example is Rick Warrens concentric circles: (on powerpoint) Are designed to get you from the outside of non committed to the inside of serving a ministry.

* The book of Hebrews chapter of faith shows us that God sets the target, he determines the boundaries and rewards those who go for it.

How do I know if I am not aimed at God’s glory?

If you are saddled with fear, anxiety, worry, anger, envy or resentment you can rest assured that you are not aimed at God’s glory.

Applicative Illustration of above idea:

Going to your child’s school play and nervously anticipating his or her ‘performance’ and praying that they do not fail.

When this happens to me, I know Im not aimed at God’s glory but my own fears.

So, what does it take to aim at God’s Glory?

A)        *God sets the target:*

 

Heb 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him q  must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

What is the target?

Relying on his promises (such as God’s promise not to allow you to be tempted beyond what your capable of handling).

B)        *God determines the boundaries:*

 

Heb 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run g  with perseverance h  the race marked out for us

 

This passage says ‘marked out for us’ meaning that we do not set our own course.

Illustration:  Imagine racing in the Tour de France and the officials just say ‘Go’?

There are no markers or no finish line.

Likewise, God sets His law as our boundary markers.

Have you set personal markers to coincide with God’s markers?

In other words, what movie or music is unacceptable?

What events have you decided not to attend because it dishonors God?

What if a friend kept you from serving Jesus Christ, would you draw the line on this and honour God?

Also, we may not use steroids for this run, but we can cheat by doing things for the wrong glory-our own.

We can find our selves motivated by our passions and desires for a name, or for a material gain, or for a sensual lust.

C)        *God rewards those who aim for it:*

* *

Heb 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, i  the author j  and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, k  scorning its shame, l  and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.