Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
This automated analysis scores the text on the likely presence of emotional, language, and social tones. There are no right or wrong scores; this is just an indication of tones readers or listeners may pick up from the text.
A score of 0.5 or higher indicates the tone is likely present.
Emotion Tone
Anger
0.13UNLIKELY
Disgust
0.11UNLIKELY
Fear
0.08UNLIKELY
Joy
0.63LIKELY
Sadness
0.56LIKELY
Language Tone
Analytical
0.71LIKELY
Confident
0.01UNLIKELY
Tentative
0UNLIKELY
Social Tone
Openness
0.79LIKELY
Conscientiousness
0.9LIKELY
Extraversion
0.15UNLIKELY
Agreeableness
0.84LIKELY
Emotional Range
0.74LIKELY
Tone of specific sentences
Tones
Emotion
Language
Social Tendencies
Anger
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9
Scripture Intro
We have many things to be thankful for: grace, life, salvation, etc. Are we thankful for willing leaders?
Those among us that willingly step into the fray, and carry the banner of the Cross of Christ?
God is looking for willing hearts — not experts or professional theologians — simply willing hearts that trust Him enough to step out into the battle, to proclaim Jesus boldly.
Praise the Lord for those people!
Would that we would see more and more rise up in this season we are living.
Sermon Intro
The book of Joshua records a time of many victories for the Israelites — they finally entered the land of Promise and began to take their inheritance, just as God promised.
At the end of the book, many years later, Joshua the leader dies.
We are told that Isreal followed the ways of the Lord until that generation passed, then they began to do evil in His eyes, following false god’s, intermarrying, etc.
Life can be quite a roller-coaster ride - here’s what I mean by this: each person has choices to make, sometimes we make good choices and other times we make very foolish choices.
Thus the roller-coaster ride.
Sometimes I feel right on track with things — other times my selfish nature gets the best of my and I say or do things I regret.
That is human nature.
We are in a battle.
The book of Joshua records a time of many victories for the Israelites — they finally entered the land of Promise and began to take their inheritance, just as God promised.
At the end of the book, many years later, Joshua the leader dies.
We are told that Isreal followed the ways of the Lord until that generation passed, then they began to do evil in His eyes, following false god’s, intermarrying, etc.
Thus began a roller-coaster ride for Israel that lasted many years.
The book of Judges records many of these up and down periods in their history.
They would sin, suffer, and eventually cry out to God.
God would send a judge to rescue them.
When that judge died, they went back into their old ways until they became desperate and cried out to God.
Roller-coaster.
A prophetess by the name of Deborah, became one of those judges.
So here’s this wicked king, Jabin - and his cruel general by the name of Sisera.
Sisera commanded 900 iron clad chariots.
Jabin took over the land and treated the poor folks horribly.
They submitted to him out of fear.
In and 5, however, three people became their rescuers: Deborah, the judge who sat under a tree rendering judgment, a soldier by the name of Barak, and Jael, a woman that was very skillful with a mallet and a tent-peg.
Barak said to Deborah...”I will not go unless you go with me.”
She responded, “Okay, if that’s how you want it, but the honor will not be yours because God will hand over the enemy to a woman.”
When the 10,000 men of Naphtali and Zebulun were in position…Deborah said to Barak, “Go…the Lord has given them into your hands.”
Barak and his army easily defeated Sisera and his 900 chariots, because God’s hand was with them.
According to the victory song in chapter 5, God caused the river Kishon to flood and sweep the enemy away.
The icing on the cake came when their commander Sisera sneaked away from the battle and sought refuge in the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber.
She gave him something to drink — he asked her to stand at the entrance to the tent while he rested.
That was a day of great victory — Deborah, Barak, and Jael’s willingness to step up was key The chapter concludes by saying that the Israelites continued to fight Jabin, until they destroyed him.
After any great victory comes great celebrations.
records a celebration song —
Deborah was a faithful servant — a prophetess, Israel’s judge, and a mother in Israel.
She had complete faith in the Lord.
Barak was a soldier…a little timid…but willing to go if Deborah would lead them.
Jael was a unlikely and unexpected contributor to the victory.
She didn’t have to do anything, but she stepped up.
The song of victory in chapter 5 tells the story in poetic imagery…it is a beautiful account of the great victory God brought to the people that day.
One thing that stood out to me immediately was the celebration of willing leaders and volunteers.
It is repeated again in verse 9
Big Idea: Willing leaders and volunteers gladly give themselves to God’s battle plan
Willing leaders gladly give themselves to God’s battle plan
Transitional: Who is the best example today of a leader willingly giving themselves?
I. Jesus Christ — the self-giving servant leader
When Deborah commissioned Barak to lead 10,000 men into battle, the people rallied.
They had hope because God gave them a promise.
If Deborah hadn’t been obedient…if Barak hadn’t submitted himself willingly, and if Jael had simply done whatever she could to save her hide…there would have been no victory that day.
People do not respect leaders that are not willing to step into the battle.
This is God’s way…He uses willing people.
Jesus set the example for us.
He laid down His life
There are many passages that affirm this truth…here is one:
He calls us to follow His example
Following Christ’s example — willing to give all in order that people might be saved
Since the beginning of the church....countless thousands have given their all --- to spread the news of Jesus.
Careers, fortunes, their own well-being and health, their very lives (martyrs)
Again…Jesus set the example and He calls us to follow Him
Transitional: When we consider the fact that God loves us perfectly — Jesus is the proof of that...
Transitional: When we consider the fact that God loves us perfectly — Jesus is the proof of that...
II.
Self-giving is the least we can do
Eph 5:1-2
II.
Self-giving is the least we can do
Self-giving is the least we can do…after all...
Self-giving is the least we can do…after all...
We belong to God
We belong to God by creation
We belong to God by redemption
Everything good comes from God
We willingly surrender
Everything good comes from God
Giving ourselves to God
Giving ourselves to one another
Giving ourselves to one another
Giving ourselves to serving God
R
Giving ourselves to serving God
A life of self-denial is liberating
Phi
We are blessed when we give ourselves to God
We are blessed when we give ourselves to God
Deborah, Barak, and Jael were used of God to lead the people to a great victory — they were blessed because they gave themselves to God and His plan
God will bless you in unfathomable ways
Conclusion
When leaders lead…God brings amazing victories
When leaders lead…God brings amazing victories
When volunteers step up…God blesses their faithfulness with victories
Willing leaders gladly give themselves to God’s battle plan
Willing leaders and volunteers gladly give themselves to God’s battle plan
I looked up that word “willingly” in the Hebrew and in context
Part of the meaning was simple — stirred up to make a voluntary decision to willingly or freely do something
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9