Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction:

MEN AND MARRIAGE

Topics: Attitudes; Commitment; Contentment; Family; Husbands; Love; Marriage; Singleness; Wives

References: Genesis 2:24; Proverbs 12:4; 18:22; Malachi 2:16; Mark 10:9

It’s better to marry than to stay single, men said.

That was the finding of a study done in 2006 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

About 66 percent of men agreed with the statement, “It is better to get married than go through life single,” compared with only 51 percent of women.

In addition 76 percent of men and 72 percent of women agreed that “it is more important for a man to spend a lot of time with his family than be successful at his career.”

The study involved more than 12,000 men and women, ages fifteen to forty-four, and comprised the government’s first comprehensive glimpse into the male psyche.

Relationship expert Neil Chethik said the data mirrors his own research, in which 90 percent of married men say they would marry the same woman if given a chance to do it again.

—Sharon Jayson, “Marriage Means More to Men,” USA Today (June 1, 2006)

As we look at the passage today, we are going to be getting a glimpse into the “psyche” of these New Testament believers.

Thanks to those who have accomplished what this passage is teaching.

What is the passage saying?

The setting ()

There is an unparalleled unity that characterizes this body of believers.

Defining/Distinguishing this unity is key.

- "one heart" - intellect, emotion, will

The conflict

- "one soul" - psuche/psyche - soul, life

The expression is to imply both friendship and unity of purpose.

It is an internal bond that has practical outworking.

THIS IS THERE DEEP, INTERNAL IDENTITY.

Fernando, A. (1998).

Acts (p.

179).

Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

The conflict ()

The climax ()

The resolution ()

The new setting ()

Why is the passage saying this?

The reason the passage is saying this to to show forth the supreme way in which God is working through his people to accomplish his purpose of restoring all things back to God in unity.

,

He is doing this by making those who are true followers to BE one in IDENTITY and to live OUT this oneness.

“One in heart and mind” (kardia kai psyche mia) describes a comprehensive unity.

As John Wesley put it, “Their loves, their hopes, their passions joined.”

Fernando, A. (1998).

Acts (p.

179).

Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

Fernando, A. (1998).

Acts (p.

179).

Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

This is accomplished through belief and ongoing sanctification.

(*) The LORD accomplishes this by a radical, internal transformation - the psyche

What is the point for the hearers today?

This kind of transformation that makes this kind of people is what we desperately need.

We need a unity this is so transformational that we stake our value/worth in that which is eternal.

Lost Identity

In his sermon, “We All Need Roots,” William P. Tuck tells of a man who stepped onto the platform at an American Legion Convention.

As he looked over the large crowd, he asked, “Can anybody tell me who I am?”

He had lost his memory, with no record of his past or his identity.

His desperate appeal was: “Does anybody know who I am?”

William P. Tuck

That’s what we understand by this word “psyche” - that they had a new identity.

They have a new inner self that is the true self.

Schmidt: “Identity is a sense of SELF and a sense of value.”

“Identity process is where and how you get that identity”

“A contrived identity is simply a lie to God and ourselves.”

“Everybody must find and have and maintain an identity - a sense of self and a sense of value.

It’s hard wired into us!

(This is more subconscious than conscious)”

Illustration: Story is told of world champion boxer Joe Louis in 1930’s & 1940’s, he and a fellow GI were driving when they were involved in a minor collision with a large truck....driver of the truck go out and began yelling and swearing at Louis, who just sat smiling...” Louis knew who he was, and he was secure in his identity.

The trucker’s opinion of him really did not matter.

So it is that the “psyche” we have in Christ is far greater than any performance-based identity or self-worth that is based on what we do.

Quote: CS Lewis in the Weight of Glory said, “We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at sea.

We are far too easily pleased.”

What is the application?

How do we get it?

What this is NOT:

It is not something you can simply buy into…(like the stock market, the YMCA, Triple “A”…etc)

Illustration: When we were kids, we had a little club that we called the “Goonies”; our mascot was a gremlin, and we made little membership card…This is NOT a little kids club...

It is not something you prayed your way into, as if you came to the door, said a few magical words and gained entrance.

What’s so difficult about this?

For the unbeliever, there should be a desirable quality here.

For it is only in this transformation, that Christ can make, where you can find your eternal thirst quenched.

This is quite difficult in a world that is constantly teaching you to find your worth and identity in so many things.

The classic argument of our culture is individualism.

Individualism is defined as the habit of being independent or self-reliant.

(2) How can this be accomplished

Illustration: Last night Khabib defeated Conor McGregor in MMA fight that was long anticipated.

What caught headlines though was the near riot that ensued after the fight was over.

Khabib went after one of McGregor’s trainers.

In such a sport where there is typically one name on the headlines and where individual awards are relished, if that accolade were enough, why try to silence all of the critics?

The problem is that this cultural narrative is simply contradicted by the experience of real life.

Most people do not seek to live individualistic.

Many rely on the thoughts of others to form their identity.

We simply care too much about our frail ego to let anyone attack it.

They find their value and worth based on what others say about them.

This is what has been called a “Traditional” Identity.

Consider the weight of the influence of the opinions of others in social arenas:

(a) Social media likes

(b) Bullying

(c) Politics

(d) Email response(s)

(e) Careers

Another way to think about this is the “Modern” Identity structure which tells you to “find yourself in yourself”.

The modern slogan for this is “You do you.”

Really this is just a “traditional identity” based on what you try that makes you a greater standout in the eyes of others.

No matter where you turn, you cannot deny the fact that you were created for community and acceptance, and ultimately community is accomplished in the deepest, spiritual level of your being and not by the fads that you pick up or the identity that others say you are.

This kind of unity and identity is only found when you turn to Jesus as your Lord.

How is this kind of radical acceptance made possible?