Sermon Tone Analysis

Scriptural Text:

Helpless Giants

On a road not far from my home are some trees that are slowly being destroyed by huge coils of ivy.

The vines wind themselves like snakes around the trunk.

At this point it is impossible to untwist these runners because they are so firmly embedded into the trees.

They are literally strangling the life out of those helpless giants.

But there was a day when the ivy was a small plant just seeking a little support in climbing.

Had the trees resisted these tiny tendrils, they would not be in the state they are today.

- Paul Van Gorder

We find ourselves helpless when we are overwhelm, look at the following definitions:

help•less \ adjective 1: lacking protection or support: defenseless 2 a: marked by an inability to act or react b: not able to be controlled or restrained related words abandoned, desolate, forlorn, forsaken, friendless; feeble, weak

As a noun,

before 12th century

1: lacking protection or support: defenseless

learned helplessness ■ noun (Psychiatry) a condition characterized by a sense of powerlessness, arising from a traumatic event or persistent failure to succeed.

Catherine Soanes and Angus Stevenson, eds., Concise Oxford English Dictionary (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004).

learned helplessness ■ noun (Psychiatry) a condition characterized by a sense of powerlessness, arising from a traumatic event or persistent failure to succeed.

Catherine Soanes and Angus Stevenson, eds., Concise Oxford English Dictionary (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004).

2 a: marked by an inability to act or react

b: not able to be controlled or restrained

b: not able to be controlled or restrained

■ noun (Psychiatry) a condition characterized by a sense of powerlessness, arising from a traumatic event or persistent failure to succeed.

Catherine Soanes and Angus Stevenson, eds., Concise Oxford English Dictionary (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004).

Catherine Soanes and Angus Stevenson, eds., Concise Oxford English Dictionary (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004).

related words abandoned, desolate, forlorn, forsaken, friendless; feeble, weak

THE HELPLESSNESS OF MAN () A. Facing Persecution () B. Facing Peril () C. Facing Despair () D. Facing Darkness ()

A. Facing Persecution ()

David (1) prays for deliverance (vv.

1–8); and (2) predicts destinies (vv.

9–13).

Prayer for deliverance from the plots of his enemies.

They were trying to trip him up and overthrow him.

Like hunters, the enemies were laying traps with lures and bait to attract him.

B. Facing Peril ()

This psalm of David was probably written during the period when Saul was persecuting him.The psalm consists of two divisions: (1) petitions (vv.

1–7); and (2) profession (vv.

8–10).

C. Facing Despair ()

It has two divisions: (1) the psalmist’s desperate condition (vv.

1–4); and (2) his determined confidence (vv.

5–7).

142:1–2.

David resolves to seek relief by laying his distress before Yahweh.

He will cry “aloud,”

D. Facing Darkness ()

In vv.

1–6 he presents his case, and in vv.

7–12 he makes his claim.

143:1–2.

David appeals for mercy.

His plea is based on God’s “faithfulness” and his “righteousness,”

In vv.

1–6 he presents his case, and in vv.

7–12 he makes his claim.

143:1–2.

David appeals for mercy.

His plea is based on God’s “faithfulness” and his “righteousness,”

The Valley of Dry Bones,

The Valley of Dry Bones,

1. Dry Bones Are Symbolic of Man’s Waywardness

2. Dry Bones Are Symbolic of Dreams Deferred

3. Dry Bones Are Symbolic of Our Alienation from God

4. Dry Bones Are Symbolic of Our Helpless Condition

5. Dry Bones Are Symbolic of Man Without God’s Word

The Whole Race of Men are in Helpless Captivity to Sin and Satan.

, entire chapter; ; .

, entire chapter; ; .

God Has Come to Help his People (, Rom.

5:6)

God helps those who help themselves” is not found in the Scriptures.

In fact, He is particularly concerned for, and inclined toward, those who are unable to help themselves.

God helps those who help themselves” is not found in the Scriptures.

In fact, He is particularly concerned for, and inclined toward, those who are unable to help themselves.

“When [Jesus] saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” ().

Salvation is made available to the helpless: “When we were still powerless [helpless], Christ died for the ungodly” ().

God helps those who cannot help themselves.

God helps the helpless because He is the God of compassion (, )

The psalmist wrote, “The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion” ().

The psalmist wrote, “The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion” ().

And God said, “With everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you” ().

It was His love and compassion for us that motivated Him to send His Son to meet needs in us that we are helpless to meet ourselves.

God is love, and Jesus embodied that love.

And God said, “With everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you” ().

It was His love and compassion for us that motivated Him to send His Son to meet needs in us that we are helpless to meet ourselves.

God is love, and Jesus embodied that love.

Compassion: to be moved inwardly; to yearn with tender, affection, pity, and empathy.

(, , , Lam. 3:22)

It is the deepest movement of emotions possible, being touched with the deepest feelings possible.

15For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

(NKJV) 15For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

(NKJV) 13As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him.

13As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him.

(NKJV) 7casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

7casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

(NKJV) 22Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not.

22Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not.

Jesus was moved over the physical needs of men: their hunger, pain, and suffering.

He was moved over their spiritual needs of men: their being lost and dead to God; their emptiness and loneliness and bewilderment; their having no purpose, meaning, or significance in life.

this is what he saw

(1)Jesus saw the crowds fainting (a) Life weighed them down[seemed hopeless and worthless] (b) Religion weighted them down [endless rituals, ceremonies, and rules] (c) Sin weighed them down (they were not taught the truth)

(NKJV) 28Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

28Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

(2) Jesus saw the crowds scattered (they were wandered about, not knowing what direction to go)

(NKJV) 10The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

10The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.