Sermon Tone Analysis

NRSV - “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

The title of today’s message is “Intentional Faith”.

The title of today’s message is “Intentional Faith”.

To be intentional is to be deliberate about what you’re doing.

To make a plan and carry out that plan to the best of your ability.

To do it on purpose.

When God created, He was intentional about what he was doing.

After every phase of creation he said it was good.

When he made man, he said it was very good and tells us, when he saw everything that he had made, he saw that indeed, it was very good.

There are no accidents with God, he sees all, he hears all and he knows all.

As we look at the world around us, does anyone ever ask yourself the question, “Where is God?” or “Why did God allow this to happen?” or even “Does God see what’s happening?”

And…the dysfunction and turmoil is not just in the world, it has infiltrated the church.

The place that is supposed to be safe, the place you’re supposed to be able to find peace and solace and mercy and love.

The place that’s supposed to accept everyone, yet, it has turned into something that is beginning to look, just like the world.

Let’s look at marriage.

Marriage is supposed to be sacred and in the vows we say, “What God has joined together, let no man put asunder” meaning let no man tear it apart, yet, the divorce rate in the church is just as high as it is in the world.

Perhaps that’s the case because in our society of,

if it feels good do it, or

you only live once or

love the one you’re with, even if the one you’re with is not your spouse, or

when the cat’s away the mice will play, or

what’s good for the goose is good for the gander.

There are so many euphemisms for cheating on your mate and after all, the Bible does say that adultery is a valid reason for divorce and so the divorce rate inside the church is over 50%, just like the world.

And this phenomenon is not just relegated to the pews, it’s in the pulpit as well.

I just finished reading a book by Betty Price talking about the letters and emails she gets from women involved in adulterous relationships with pastors and bishops.

Unfortunately, it’s not news to hear about preachers and pastors taking advantage of the sheep, sleeping with not only the women but also the men in their congregation and molesting the children.

Unfortunately many molesters and abusers are individuals who have themselves, been molested and abused, yet because of the guilt and shame associated with the travesty they’ve suffered, they’ve receive little or no help to overcome and so the cycle is never broken, instead it perpetuates itself over and over and over.

Intentional faith.

And then, while a suit coat and formal gown is not necessary to come into church, there is appropriate attire that should be worn.

Now I know there are those who will say, “The Bible says come as you are.” but it really doesn’t, but the hope and grace and good news is that Jesus came

for the lost,

the down trodden,

the down trodden,

the poor in spirit,

the outcast,

the rejected,

the dejected,

the depressed

the sick

the molester

the homosexual

the adulterer

the fornicator

the prostitute

the cheater

the backbiter

the slanderer

Jesus came for the sinner, whoever he or she may be and, He’s paid the price for whatever sin they may have committed.

There is no big sin or little sin—sin is sin; there is no half truth or little white lie, a lie is a lie and God hates liars.

So yes come in what you have, but be open to change.

There’s a saying I’ve heard, “God loves you just the way you are, but He loves you way too much to leave you there.”

God was intentional about giving you His best, why not give him your best?

The church is to be a spiritual and emotional hospital where people come for healing.

In Jesus said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.

13 Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’

For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Jesus was intentional—he knew the plan, he knew the target and he followed the plan to the best of his ability, which was perfection.

The church, is to be a school where people come to learn what it means to be like Jesus, where people come to learn how to be like Jesus and, “Baby, just pray about it.”

is not the answer.

We’re going to learn what Intentional faith is today.

Mass murder, was something that happened in post offices and work places and even on military bases and now it’s happening in our elementary schools and even in our churches.

This past week, June 17 marked the four year anniversary of the shootings inside Emanuel AME church in Charleston, SC, where nine people including the pastor were gunned down in cold blood at the end of a Bible study, while they were praying.

The world is coming into the church, it’s coming boldly and unapologetically and without mercy.

It makes you wanna holler, throw up both your hands, but faith—intentional faith says to stand in the face of the turmoil, the trouble, the trials and tribulations.

When all seems lost ask yourself this question found in

35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ?

Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all day long;

we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.”

But if you’ll continue reading, you’ll find the answer.

It says…

“For your sake we are being killed all day long;

we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.”

“37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The world is coming into the church, it’s coming boldly and unapologetically and without mercy, but faith—intentional faith says

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

So what is it you think you’re lacking?

What is it you need?

I’m here to tell that God’s got it, whatever it is, whatever you need, be it spiritual, financial, emotional, physical or mental.

Spiritual - Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Financial - You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

Emotional - He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Physical - “I will give you back your health and heal your wounds,” says the Lord.

Mental - For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Mental - For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

What kind of healing do you need?

not only tells us about healing, it tells us what our response should be…and it says “O Lord, if you heal me, I will be truly healed; if you save me, I will be truly saved.

My praises are for you alone!”

O Lord, if you heal me, I will be truly healed; if you save me, I will be truly saved.

My praises are for you alone!

Intentional faith—is about doing what you do not according to how you feel.

Faith doesn’t rely on your feelings.

We can be up one minute and down the next, we push our bodies and minds to the point of exhaustion and yet there may still be work to do.

Intentional faith doesn’t depend on your feelings.