Sermon Tone Analysis

Smooth Criminal

Oct. 24th 1988 Michael Jackson released the song smooth criminal.

We all probably remember the song for it’s video and iconic forward lean.

But the lyrics today are what I want to focus on.

In the song he describes someone who has just walked onto what is a crime scene.

He describes the scene as if he was there when this smooth criminal broke into the apartment and harmed the victim Annie.

Take a listen...

Lyrics

As he came into the window

It was the sound of a crescendo

He came into her apartment

He left the bloodstains on the carpet

She ran underneath the table

He could see she was unable

So she ran into the bedroom

She was struck down, it was her doom

Annie, are you ok?

So, Annie are you ok

This is a tragic tale and many Texans would say “that’s why I keep me a gun!”

But what I need for you to understand is that we too as the good creation of humanity created in the image of God are susceptible to becoming victims of a smooth criminal.

This smooth criminal has the sole purpose of causing chaos, disrupting order, and talking bad about you to God!

This smooth criminal is omniscient but he does pay attention to what you show him.

This smooth criminal is known by us as the devil, Satan, and the adversary.

And the problem that we all in this room face as human beings is the fact that we at some point will have had become victims of his!

Optional Illustration

J.D. McMahon swindled investors out of their money when he told them he was building a skyscraper.

In the blueprints, he replaced all the “feet” with “inches.”

J.D. then managed to escape justice because in his defense, he claimed that he never actually said the building would be 480 feet (it was only 480 inches).

To this day, the “world’s littlest skyscraper” stands in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Sin- to act contrary to the will and law of God

Last week we learned that we were created in the image/likeness of God for a purpose.

That purpose was to have dominion over creation in this same image/likeness of God.

And this same image that God called good did not last long.

Soon humanity would tarnish that image.

And in order to understand the Gospel (good news) message we must understand why we NEEDED good news!

Sin...

Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996).

Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 772).

New York: United Bible Societies.

gen 3 1-7

gen 3 22-

How did this happen?

Sin is not a complicated process.

And in the letter written by James he teaches God’s people about “the attitude of Christians in response to adversity and living with true wisdom “from above,”” The epistle more than likely penned by the brother of Jesus, is the book that just oozes with practical information.

He does not mind telling it like it is!

And you can’t help but say to yourself while reading… DUH!!

the attitude of Christians in response to adversity and living with true wisdom “from above,”

Trial & Temptation

Trial- Outside of the heart

Temptation- Within the heart

Tempt — to put to the test in order to ascertain the nature of something, including imperfections, faults, or other qualities.

From PNTC:

Financial difficulty can tempt us to question God’s providence in our lives.

The death of a loved one can tempt us to question God’s love for us.

The suffering of the righteous poor and the ease of the wicked rich can tempt us to question God’s justice, or even his existence

Focus on V13 and whether or not there is a lie present.

The audience must understand that it is not saying that God does not test/tempt AT ALL.

God most definately tested Abraham with Isaac, He tested Job, and He tested Israel leaving the other nations.

But God’s testing is never to cause us to sin or destroy our faith!

The tests of God are to strengthen faith, not produce sin.

There is a revealing of who you truly are that comes to the surface when evil desires are involved.

The desire spoken about here are not your normal desires.

I desire/lust for/have cravings for bacon

There is nothing wrong with desiring food.

But desiring food well after you are full can lead to sin.

I desire for the Cowboys to win a Super Bowl this year

There is nothing wrong with desiring a man or a woman to be your spouse.

Desiring another’s spouse is an evil desire.

I desire to Lincoln Continental

NONE of these desires are sinful!

BUT what James is talking about here is the desires that WE have that are PROHIBITED by God.

James describes how dangerous those desires can be.

Drawn away- to DRAG away, to cause a change of belief so as to correspond more with the beliefs of the person or factor causing the change

Enticed- (passive) to lure or entice someone to sin in a skilled/clever manner

Example: Bait and fishing… the bait is enticing, once the fish bites it is aggressively dragged away!

Satan does not know what is in her heart.

He has to inquire...

Eve shows her hand

conception takes two parties...

You and the adversary working together.

He’s not just a smooth criminal when we engage our evil desires.

He’s a smooth criminal with an accomplice!

Thus we are guilty!

We deserve death.

There is no sin in temptation.

Don’t feel like you are sinning because of being tempted.

When it comes to sin and the Smooth Criminal there is usually an accomplice involved.

james 1 16-17

James wants his next points to be very clear V16

God does not give bad gifts.

His goal is not to cause you to fail.

God wants us to mature in our faith!

God is Father of lights!

He is the great creator of good things

Does not change

God is not going to change from being the creator of all good things to a tyrant!

Remember V18

God made a choice

To save

To save from the smooth criminal