Sermon Tone Analysis

The Power of “I Will”

Story of a Politician’s broken promise here...

I have a bi-partisan list of presidential broken promises..

Woodrow Wilson won re-election in 1916 with the slogan "He kept us out of war," only to enter World War I a year later.

Lyndon B. Johnson promised in 1964, "We are not about to send American boys 9- or 10-thousand miles away from home to do what Asian boys ought to be doing for themselves."

During his presidency, the U.S. entered the Vietnam War and Johnson did not seek reelection.

Richard Nixon in 1968 claimed to "have a secret plan to end the war" and promised to find a way to "peace with honor" in Vietnam, but American troops were not withdrawn until 1973 — a little more than a year before Nixon resigned.

Gerald Ford was the only president to never be elected, so he never made any campaign promises to keep or break.

He gets a pass.

Jimmy Carter campaigned on solving the energy crisis, but his speeches about conservation and attempts to add solar panels to the roof of the White House weren't good enough.

He was unable to get support for a gas tax, and the energy problem only worsened during his presidency, according to The Atlantic.

Ronald Reagan promised to make a constitutional amendment allowing school prayer during his campaign, and although he proposed the amendment in 1982, it never went anywhere.

George H. W. Bush famously promised in 1988: "Read my lips: No new taxes," only to sign a bill raising taxes during his first and only term.

Bill Clinton campaigned on a renovation of the health care system before he took office in 1993.

Although he attempted health care reform — "Hillarycare" — it ended in failure.

George W. Bush promised to "change the tone" in D.C., privatize social security and reduce government spending — none of which he succeeded with.

Politicians, when campaigning for office will make promises of many things that they will do when they get elected.

But they often fail, people nowadays just don’t believe their politicians anymore.

A lot of times, their promise of “I Will” means nothing.

The Promise of “I Will” means nothing if not backed up by the Power of the WILL.

It takes will power to make the promise of “I Will” really meaningful.

It takes the will power to make the promise of “I Will” really meaningful.

If someone promised “I Will” do some wonderful thing,

I Will hire you

I will support you

I will give you..

We have to look at two things before we take the promise seriously:

we have to look at two things before we take the “I Will”

We have to look at the interest of the person making the promise.

Is there a personal interest involved ?

Does the person saying “I will” get something out of it?

This is the reason why people don’t necessarily believe politicians, what they really care about is getting elected.

2. The character of the person making the promise.

If you know that the person has proven himself or herself to be reliable, or has a proven track record of keeping his or he promise then you know that he will most likely deliver.

People who let you down..

This is why it is important to know the “I Will” statements of Jesus.

Our next sermon series.

When Jesus says “I Will”, you know that he is not making a promise for His own self-interest but for yours.

We know that When Jesus says “I Will”, He really means it, it is His nature or character to fulfill His promise - He is the greatest promise-keeper!

The Seven “I Wills” of Jesus.

The “I Will” of Salvation

2. The “I Will” of Cleansing

From Luke 5:

3. The “I Will” of Confession

4. The “I Will” of Election

5.

The “I Will” of Comfort.

6.

The “I Will” of Resurrection

7. The “I Will” of Prayer.

It is important to know and to embrace the “I Will” Statements of Jesus because I believe this:

Every “I Will” statement of Jesus is enough to address every doubt you have in the present and any misgivings about your future.

They are totally for your interest!

The “I Will” Promises of Jesus is backed up by His Grace!

Let’s go back to the definition of Grace:

How do you define grace?

I am sure you have heard this so many times from this pulpit..

GRACE is Unmerited Favor.

But there is an aspect of the grace of God that many people overlook!

Grace is actually a transaction, it is transactional.

It is actually a covenant that we entered into with God - that is Why we are called God’s covenant people under the new covenant.

But here is the wonderful thing - and this may sound new and controversial..

Grace is a transaction that is totally one-sided in its benefits.

Grace only benefits you.

“No, you are wrong Pastor Ramon, God gets something, He gets the glory!”

Yes God indeed gets the glory for every soul that is saved.

Yes, we were created to glorify Him.

But does God really need us so that He can get the glory?

If God did not create man, would He not get glorified?

Jesus said in : Father glorify me in Your presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

Jesus said in : “Father, glorify Your Name.

Then they heard God’s voice, I will glorify it and will glorify it again!”

Grace is a contract with lop-sided benefits!

Benefits in our favor!

Before you sign any contract, if you are wise, you have to look for the fine print.

You have to read through the disclosures,, I work for Bank of America that handles the technology behind Merrill Lynch Retirement Plans, we have a whole system built just to provide the clients disclosures of fees that we charge participants.. legally the company is obligated to disclose all of this!

Before you sign any contract, if you are wise, you have to look for the fine print

With God, you do not have to worry about the fine print or of any disclosure, there are no strings attached!

The contract for your salvation is totally sealed and done and it is all for your benefit!

Now, When Jesus offers you the abundant life, there are no fine prints to look for, he has no interests to hide.

When you give of your tithes and offering to the Lord, He is not interested in the value of your money, He is interested in the spiritual dividends that you accrue in your heavenly account!

And He is not obligated to give us a full disclosure of what following Him will cost you.

Remember this:

God is not obligated to Anyone!

But He discloses truth about the cost of discipleship.

Jesus did not promise a bed of roses for anyone..

He said in that if anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself, take up His cross daily and follow Me.

Whoever desires to save his life will lose it.

Whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

The cost of following Jesus is all worth it when compared to the abundance of life in Him.

This message this morning is to introduce to you the significance of the promises of God.

Say this with Me: “God is the greatest promise-keeper!

He will keep His promise to Me! I depend not on man” “But on Him” and “He will not fail me!”

But wait… it gets better!

But even more significant for you today is the fact that Jesus made personal promises, promises that He made His own, that you in turn can make personal and receive in your life.

Next week we will look into the “I Will” promises of Jesus.

The first of which is from

This “I will” statement, will give you full assurance of salvation, because you will see it is not dependent on your performance, or keeping up with anyone, it is dependent on the guarantee of Jesus’ character and words: “If you come to Me, I will not cast you out”.

Jesus has accepted you this morning.

And He is saying to you: “I will follow through”.