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
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Disgust
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Fear
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Language Tone
Analytical
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Confident
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Tentative
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Social Tone
Openness
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Conscientiousness
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Extraversion
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Agreeableness
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Emotional Range
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Announcements:
If you have a Bible with you, open it to .
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So Paul writes a letter to a church in the city of Philippi.
Paul writes several important letters.
We see many of them in the New Testament.
Many of them are addressing problems, challenging the church… offering correction.
Philippians is very much a letter of encouragement — to a church that is doing fairly well.
So Paul reminds them and encourages them in the Gospel (good news) of Jesus!
So if you’re able, please stand with me for the reading of God’s Word.
The first word in this section is “THEREFORE” which is important.
Because essentially, Paul is saying, “as a result of everything I just said…THEREFORE.”
And last week, the main message was, “THE WAY UP IS THE WAY DOWN.”
The way of Jesus is the way of humility.
People who are in Jesus will be a humble people.
So it makes sense that Paul begins this section the way as he does… “THEREFORE, as a result of living in humility… as a result of considering others interests…”
And he goes into this portion of the letter.
And what does he tell the church?
A church that is doing well, but is having some internal disagreements and grumblings… what does Paul write to this church?
phil
Humility results in a posture that is contrary to that is GRUMBLING and DISPUTING
So this portion of the letter is part exhortation, part reminder, and part of it simply reads as a a transfer of information amongst friends.
He tells them how Epaphroditus and Timothy are doing in their ministry...
So the big takeaway today that Paul is communicating to the Philippian church is this: BE A LIGHT IN DARKNESS.
Because you’re in Christ, you are humble.
And because you’re humble you will look different than other people… You will be a light in darkness…
You’ll live sacrificially…
phil 2:
Language of sacrifice… Paul really cares about the church and that is what is looks like to resemble Jesus.
ephesians 5:
Jesus was a light in darkness… As Christians, a people who resemble Christ… we will do the same.
We must remember that we are to be in the world but not of it… We are to be a light in darkness and cultivate an identity that is built on Christ!
Organizational Sentence: We see this light in darkness happen through (1) Paul’s exhortation and (2) Through his MINISTRY REFLECTIONS
Paul’s Exhortation: “You shine as lights in the world.”
(vs.
12-18)
philippians
Our work and God’s work
Which is it Paul?
phil 2:
What is Paul saying?
On one hand it appears that Paul is telling them to fix themselves?
Is that what’s he’s saying?
“WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING...” Well, no… but he’s telling them to take their faith seriously.
ESV SB says,:
They cannot be content with past glories but need to demonstrate their faith day by day as they nurture their relationship with God.
This isn’t the kind of fear that questions God’s goodness… “will God actually do what he said he would do???” No.
It’s a reverent fear that says, “I must take this seriously, this is of utmost importance.”
Part of being a light in the word = taking our relationship with God as being the most significant reality of our existence…and that may sound dramatic, but it’s true!
That’s what Paul wants us to have in mind.
And we know it’s an encouragement… because look at how he says it:
“MY BELOVED”
He addresses his friends in love… this is encouragement… this is a friendly reminder… this is the way we should do it!
He’s not being angry or mean.
Paul isn’t freaking out on them… he’s urging them to remember the beauty of Jesus!
He’s speaking to them as their friend.
What is telling them to do?
phil
Faithlife SB says:
Expressions of discontentment and arguing lead to a spirit of division within a community of believers.
Paul commands the Philippians to abandon such things so as to promote unity.
Unity is so important to Paul.
And this comes as a result of humility!
Yes, Paul is challenging them, but he’s doing so in the context of friendship, humility, and encouragement.
He says, “this will lead to you being blameless… this will lead to life...”
1 cor
Paul is essentially saying, “you want to be a light in darkness??? STOP GRUMBLING… QUIT DISPUTING...”
phil 2:16-18
This is where you really see Paul’s heart and it leads well into the next portion of scripture...
We see Paul’s humility and desire to serve and bless the Philippian church!
And he encourages the church to do the same!
In the midst of trouble, in the midst of interpersonal turmoil… Paul says, “be glad and rejoice with me...”
Paul’s Ministry Reflections (vs.
19-30)
phil 2”19-30
I love what this reflection does.
Paul challenges the church and teaches them, but it’s done within the context of relationship and love… he calls them “beloved...”
And then here we see how he talks about two ministry partners, Timothy and Epaphroditus.
phil 2:19=20
“I have no one like Timothy!!!”
Meaning: “Paul cares for and is grateful for Timothy!” It’s relational language.
But another thing I think is so significant is the reason why Timothy is significant… is it because he’s smart?
Is Timothy significant because he’s powerful?
Is Timothy significant because he’s better than others?
Look at what Paul says
Phil 2:
Timothy is significant because he is concerned about you! Timothy is significant because he considers your interests and isn’t selfish!
In this, Timothy is significant because he has Jesus and is like Jesus!
See here’s the deal:::
Ministry has to do with people.
Ministry is aimed at God’s glory, but it’s directly related to helping and serving and loving people!
We get in trouble when we forget that ministry is aimed at people, at image bearers of God!
We get in trouble when we forget that ministry is about people, ministry is about God’s image bearers!
Human beings mattered so much to God that he took their penalties and sins upon himself!
So Paul is reminding the church through all of this… THE WAY UP IS THE WAY DOWN… The way of Christ is the way of humility.
He’s also reminding them to BE A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS!
And one of the primary ways we can do that is to consider others… to keep other’s in mind… to hold other’s as significant...
Regarding Epaphroditus, Paul says
Epaphroditus is so concerned with the Church’s welfare that he is willing to risk his life!
This is the way of Jesus.
This is the way of true life.
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