Untitled Sermon (3)
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 11 viewsNotes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
HPC 7: Heat 1: God in the Real World
HPC 7: Heat 1: God in the Real World
Heat 1: God in the Real World
I. Introduction
I. Introduction
A. The authors begin by giving the story of a man who received terrible news concerning his job.
A. The authors begin by giving the story of a man who received terrible news concerning his job.
B. They use this as a bridge to talk about the way our experiences change the way we think.
B. They use this as a bridge to talk about the way our experiences change the way we think.
C. Each of us have experienced heat, some to greater degrees than others.
C. Each of us have experienced heat, some to greater degrees than others.
How People Change: Heat—God in the Real World
How People Change: Heat—God in the Real World
Heat can Produce Unintended Changes
Heat can Produce Unintended Changes
“Very few people wake up one morning and decide to change their theology. Changes in a person’s belief system are seldom that self-conscious. The person you just read about had a very painful experience. In ways we don’t often recognize, these experiences are hermeneutical; that is, they become lenses we use to interpret life. Unfortunately, we are seldom aware that this is happening. The emotions we feel as we first go through difficult experiences are not static. They morph into subtle but extremely influential conclusions about God, ourselves, others, and life. Yet these major changes in what we believe have not been well thought out. We have not put ourselves through a careful theological reevaluation. Rather, our unresolved feelings become our interpretations of life. Emotions morph into conclusions, and we end up not believing the things we say we believe.”
“Very few people wake up one morning and decide to change their theology. Changes in a person’s belief system are seldom that self-conscious. The person you just read about had a very painful experience. In ways we don’t often recognize, these experiences are hermeneutical; that is, they become lenses we use to interpret life. Unfortunately, we are seldom aware that this is happening. The emotions we feel as we first go through difficult experiences are not static. They morph into subtle but extremely influential conclusions about God, ourselves, others, and life. Yet these major changes in what we believe have not been well thought out. We have not put ourselves through a careful theological reevaluation. Rather, our unresolved feelings become our interpretations of life. Emotions morph into conclusions, and we end up not believing the things we say we believe.”
“Have you ever felt alone, wondering if anybody would understand what you were going through? Have you ever hidden a struggle because you were afraid of what people would think? Have you ever thought a problem was too big to be solved? Has this ever led you to question whether God understood or cared? Think about your own faith. Has it really only been shaped by teaching, preaching, and personal Bible study? Or is there a gap between what you profess to believe and what you actually believe when the rubber meets the road? Perhaps you are close to someone who is going through a hard time and finding it difficult to hold onto her faith. If any of this sounds familiar, this chapter on the Heat of everyday life is for you.”
“Have you ever felt alone, wondering if anybody would understand what you were going through? Have you ever hidden a struggle because you were afraid of what people would think? Have you ever thought a problem was too big to be solved? Has this ever led you to question whether God understood or cared? Think about your own faith. Has it really only been shaped by teaching, preaching, and personal Bible study? Or is there a gap between what you profess to believe and what you actually believe when the rubber meets the road? Perhaps you are close to someone who is going through a hard time and finding it difficult to hold onto her faith. If any of this sounds familiar, this chapter on the Heat of everyday life is for you.”
The Heat: God’s View of Our World
The Heat: God’s View of Our World
A. The Bible doesn’t mask the issue we face in this world. Even in its narratives, it speaks of people committing heinous crimes against others (rape, murder, etc.). It speaks of terrible ills befalling innocent people (sickness, depression, theft, etc.).
A. The Bible doesn’t mask the issue we face in this world. Even in its narratives, it speaks of people committing heinous crimes against others (rape, murder, etc.). It speaks of terrible ills befalling innocent people (sickness, depression, theft, etc.).
“It is incredibly encouraging to realize that the Bible addresses the world as we know it. God makes it very clear that he understands the Heat we face every day. It isn’t always pleasant to read the honest stories of Scripture, but it is comforting.”
“It is incredibly encouraging to realize that the Bible addresses the world as we know it. God makes it very clear that he understands the Heat we face every day. It isn’t always pleasant to read the honest stories of Scripture, but it is comforting.”
: Alone in the Darkness What sticks out to you as we read this Psalm?
: Alone in the Darkness What sticks out to you as we read this Psalm?
A. The Psalms are full of laments. Indeed, that may seem odd to us, but it really shouldn’t. The Psalms compass the full range of human experience, and they particularly show the role that sorrow and pain will have in the life of God’s people.
A. The Psalms are full of laments. Indeed, that may seem odd to us, but it really shouldn’t. The Psalms compass the full range of human experience, and they particularly show the role that sorrow and pain will have in the life of God’s people.
B. What sticks out to you as you read this Psalm?
B. What sticks out to you as you read this Psalm?
C. 5 things we can learn:
C. 5 things we can learn:
1. The Bible describes a world where good and bad things happen, where we laugh hysterically and weep bitterly. 2. God understands the range of human experience from supreme joy to crushing sorrow 3. God’s promises come in a world with this range of experiences 4. God’s honesty allows me to be honest with God 5. Going to God with my despair, doubt, and fear is an act of faith. reminds me to run to God in desperate moments, not away from him.
1. The Bible describes a world where good and bad things happen, where we laugh hysterically and weep bitterly. 2. God understands the range of human experience from supreme joy to crushing sorrow 3. God’s promises come in a world with this range of experiences 4. God’s honesty allows me to be honest with God 5. Going to God with my despair, doubt, and fear is an act of faith. reminds me to run to God in desperate moments, not away from him.
2. God understands the range of human experience from supreme joy to crushing sorrow
2. God understands the range of human experience from supreme joy to crushing sorrow
3. God’s promises come in a world with this range of experiences
3. God’s promises come in a world with this range of experiences
4. God’s honesty allows me to be honest with God
4. God’s honesty allows me to be honest with God
5. Going to God with my despair, doubt, and fear is an act of faith. reminds me to run to God in desperate moments, not away from him.
5. Going to God with my despair, doubt, and fear is an act of faith. reminds me to run to God in desperate moments, not away from him.
Hello Darkness My Old Friend: The Depressing Song
Hello Darkness My Old Friend: The Depressing Song
A. Notice that this Psalm was designed to be sung!
A. Notice that this Psalm was designed to be sung!
B. In fact, it was to be sung in relation to the temple, for the Sons of Korah were doorkeepers.
B. In fact, it was to be sung in relation to the temple, for the Sons of Korah were doorkeepers.
C. The important point here is that such thoughts are a part of God’s people, and they are welcome in God’s presence, and they may be shared publicly.
C. The important point here is that such thoughts are a part of God’s people, and they are welcome in God’s presence, and they may be shared publicly.
“No psalm more powerfully communicates, ‘Come to me as you are, with all your doubt and fear, pain and discouragement. Hold before me your shattered hopes and dreams, and find redemption and rest when it seems there is none to be found. Don’t hesitate because your heart is weak and your mind confused. Don’t hesitate because you have questioned my goodness and love. Come as you are, for my sacrifice is for you, just as you are.’”
“No psalm more powerfully communicates, ‘Come to me as you are, with all your doubt and fear, pain and discouragement. Hold before me your shattered hopes and dreams, and find redemption and rest when it seems there is none to be found. Don’t hesitate because your heart is weak and your mind confused. Don’t hesitate because you have questioned my goodness and love. Come as you are, for my sacrifice is for you, just as you are.’”
Experiencing the Heat Alone
Experiencing the Heat Alone
One of the authors talks about his experience in a small group. They were sharing prayer requests, and he wondered “Why were we all so skilled at editing ourselves out of our prayer requests? Why were we so good at sharing the difficult circumstances we faced, yet so afraid of talking about our struggles in the middle of them? . . . I looked around the room. These were people I thought I knew well. I did know what many of them were facing, yet I knew little of the wars going on inside them.”
One of the authors talks about his experience in a small group. They were sharing prayer requests, and he wondered “Why were we all so skilled at editing ourselves out of our prayer requests? Why were we so good at sharing the difficult circumstances we faced, yet so afraid of talking about our struggles in the middle of them? . . . I looked around the room. These were people I thought I knew well. I did know what many of them were facing, yet I knew little of the wars going on inside them.”
and Heat
and Heat
VII. and Heat
VII. and Heat
A. James, like Paul and Peter, assume trials will be the norm of the Christian’s life.
A. James, like Paul and Peter, assume trials will be the norm of the Christian’s life.
B. also indicates that trials are to be viewed positively, used by God for maturity and ultimate blessing.
B. also indicates that trials are to be viewed positively, used by God for maturity and ultimate blessing.
1. The heat of the sun may at times be seen as oppressive (Phoenix), it is nevertheless, the means of life. IN the same way, our trials can threaten to overwhelm us.
1. The heat of the sun may at times be seen as oppressive (Phoenix), it is nevertheless, the means of life. IN the same way, our trials can threaten to overwhelm us.
2. But if handled and viewed correctly, they can be the source of growth and maturity.
2. But if handled and viewed correctly, they can be the source of growth and maturity.
C. –8 indicates that we need God’s wisdom in our trials, and so we don’t “gut it out,” we cry out“ for wisdom.
C. –8 indicates that we need God’s wisdom in our trials, and so we don’t “gut it out,” we cry out“ for wisdom.
D. James 9–12 remind us that trial can come in different forms—whether difficulty or blessing. Our riches can be as much of a trial as our poverty.
D. James 9–12 remind us that trial can come in different forms—whether difficulty or blessing. Our riches can be as much of a trial as our poverty.
E. James 13–15 remind us that trials can lead to temptations. In regard to our image, it is the heat that meets the corrupted root that causes thorns (sin)
E. James 13–15 remind us that trials can lead to temptations. In regard to our image, it is the heat that meets the corrupted root that causes thorns (sin)
1. “ Here is the humbling truth: Trials do not cause us to be what we have not been; rather, they reveal what we have been all along. The harvest the trial produces is the result of the roots already in our hearts.”
1. “ Here is the humbling truth: Trials do not cause us to be what we have not been; rather, they reveal what we have been all along. The harvest the trial produces is the result of the roots already in our hearts.”
F. James 16–18 reveal that God is the giver of good things, not evil, and so we should respond to temptations rightly, remembering God’s goodness.
F. James 16–18 reveal that God is the giver of good things, not evil, and so we should respond to temptations rightly, remembering God’s goodness.