Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction:

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Big Idea: Increased understanding of the wisdom of God influences the walk of the believer.

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Sermon

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text; text; text

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Sermon #781

Speaker

Rev. David Thomas

Venue

FHCC;

Date

November 4, 2018;

Introduction:

I use quite a few sports illustrations, so I would like to start today’s message with a word picture that may be more relevant to those of you who nurture young children.

What is the difference between a toddler and a young walker?

In my mind’s eye I imagine a toddler to be someone usually 11-14 months who is able to pull himself or herself up to stand on 2 feet and has discovered that being upright is more efficient than crawling on knees.

The toddler is usually slow and unsteady as he takes a few steps at a time.

On the other hand, the young walker is a couple months older and has mastered balance and gained confidence so that he or she is able to put one foot in front of the other and take off without much thought.

It is the young walker for which baby gates were invented.

While both the toddler and the walker depend upon the same skills and follow the same mechanics, the walker has a confidence and a competency that have often been described as fearless.

Just as a parent is excited to see those first steps, and encourages the young child to take more and more steps, in today’s text the apostle prays that young Christians would move toward maturity and demonstrate confidence and mastery in their walk.

The Apostle Prays for 2 Needs (vv.9-10a)

The Apostle Prays for 2 Needs (vv.9-10a)

Increased knowledge and understanding of WISDOM (v.9b)

1. Knowledge implies fullness or breadth (I know little about a LOT of things).

2. Understanding implies depth (I know a LOT about few things).

St. Anselm of Canterbury was an 11th century philosopher-theologian who coined the phrase “Faith seeking understanding.”

He clarified this by saying “I do not seek to understand in order that I may believe, but I believe in order to understand.

For this also I believe-that unless I believer I shall not understand.”

St. Anselm of Canterbury was an 11th century philosopher-theologian who coined the phrase “Faith seeking understanding.”

He clarified this by saying “I do not seek to understand in order that I may believe, but I believe in order to understand.

For this also I believe-that unless I believer I shall not understand.”

3. Paul prays that the faith of the Colossians (that I described last week as a thermostat rather than a thermometer) would be rewarded by broader knowledge and deeper understanding.

4. Notice that the knowledge described is knowledge of God’s will in spiritual wisdom.

This is not just factual knowledge, it is applied knowledge.

5. Some do not move toward maturity (increased knowledge & full understanding) because instead of 20 years of growth, they choose to repeat 1 year of growth 20 times.

God calls us to press deeper toward maturity.

A WALK that pleases the Lord (v.10)

1.

Today many are on pathways that they hope will lead to success.

Success is usually determined by comfort, accumulation or influence.

Bob Buford wrote a couple of books that have been well received by men in mid-life crisis.

His first book was titled Half Time: moving from success to significance.

He then went on to write Beyond Half Time and Finishing Well.

These books have been so popular because after pursuing success for 20 or 30 years, men found themselves longing for something else.

Bob Buford wrote a couple of books that have been well received by men in mid-life crisis.

His first book was titled Half Time: moving from success to significance.

He then went on to write Beyond Half Time and Finishing Well.

These books have been so popular because after pursuing success for 20 or 30 years, men found themselves longing for something else.

2. The second part of v.10 describes the life that is worth living.

“Worth” is determined by the Lord’s pleasure.

a.

The folly of man-pleasing is detailed in ; ; and ).

b. Paul made it his ambition to please the Lord ()

3. “worthy” is used 4 times by Paul (; ; here; ) and once in 3 John (v.6) to describe the relationship between our lifestyle and the Gospel.

Transition: The WALK mentioned in v. 9 is further described in the following verses.

Transition: The WALK mentioned in v. 9 is further described in the following verses.

A Worthy Walk shines in 4 directions (vv.10-12a)

A Pleasing Walk bears fruit (v.10b)

1.

Last week we saw that the Word of God bears fruit and increases, in this half of Paul’s prayer he exhorts the people of God to this purpose.

We saw that these 2 commands were first given to Adam in .

2. Fruit bearing communicates the idea of usefulness (barren trees don’t produce) and maturity (juvenile plants are incapable of reproduction).

3.

As Adam and Eve were made in the image of God and to fill the earth with human image-bearers, so believers are to submit to Christ Lordship and fill the earth with other Christ-followers.

4. In Jesus told a parable about a fig tree.

The point of the parable is that if a farmer plants a tree, he expects figs.

When we are called to a worthy life, we are expected to bear fruit.

A Pleasing Walk increases in relationship (v.10c)

1. Knowledge can be displayed in Trivia.

In the late 80s common board game was Trivial Pursuit.

This famous game then launched Christian versions like the Bible Trivia, Bible Challenge and the TV gameshow The American Bible Challenge hosted by Jeff Foxworthy which earned a Daytime Emmy nomination and lasted 3 seasons.

In the late 80s common board game was Trivial Pursuit.

This famous game then launched Christian versions like the Bible Trivia, Bible Challenge and the TV gameshow The American Bible Challenge hosted by Jeff Foxworthy which earned a Daytime Emmy nomination and lasted 3 seasons.

2. But there is a world of difference between knowing facts about the Bible, and knowing God.

It is this intimate, relational knowledge that is the goal of v.10.

3. Knowledge of God’s will has ethical implications because it requires that our daily conduct and thinking must be brought in line with God’s intent.

A Pleasing Walk applies power appropriately (v.11)

1.

The Greco-Roman world frequently sought power for the purpose of protection from evil and a resource to gain goods.

The book of Acts records many times that the power of God was demonstrated in signs and wonders.

Illustration: In the 1980s I was introduced to a group of Evangelists who used feats of strength to wow and audience, then present the Gospel.

Their feats would include things like breaking flaming cinder blocks, crushing ice blocks with their heads, or breaking apart a pair of handcuffs.

They would bend a steel bar in their teeth, blow up a hot-water bottle until it burst, or tear a phone book in half.

In the public relations materials of the Power Team, they would equate God’s power with these demonstrations.

Illustration: In the 1980s I was introduced to a group of Evangelists who used feats of strength to wow and audience, then present the Gospel.

Their feats would include things like breaking flaming cinder blocks, crushing ice blocks with their heads, or breaking apart a pair of handcuffs.

They would bend a steel bar in their teeth, blow up a hot-water bottle until it burst, or tear a phone book in half.

In the public relations materials of the Power Team, they would equate God’s power with these demonstrations.

2. This verse gives a different reason to acquire power – to endure and display joyful patience.

In this way we see power connected to the sermon series we just finished—it take a strong person (or someone with God’s enablement) to endure through suffering.

The strength in v. 11 is not for offensive or impressive purposes, but stabilizing effect.

If you are following along in the NIV you may be a little confused right now.

The words translated with joy, joyously or joyful can either modify patience or thanksgiving.

Where the KJV, NASB & ESV chose to translate “patience in joy”, the NIV team chose to connect “joyful” to thanksgiving and puts it in v.12.

If you are following along in the NIV you may be a little confused right now.

The words translated with joy, joyously or joyful can either modify patience or thanksgiving.

Where the KJV, NASB & ESV chose to translate “patience in joy”, the NIV team chose to connect “joyful” to thanksgiving and puts it in v.12.

A Pleasing Walk reflects gratitude (v.12a)

1.

A huge difference between other religions and grace-based Christianity is the difference between “in order to” and “because of”.

2. Most religions are focused on behaviors that must be performed in order to attain.