Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction:

Review

I.

You ought to know better

-I read this text from three different translation so that we can get a accurate understanding of the “greek” word for “know”

(v.5) “For this you know with certainty” In this phrase the two words for greek words for “know” are used: The translators are trying to make sense of both of these words being used back to back: “For this you know, Know!!!” is how it reads in greek.

“for this you shonuff know!!”(ebonics) lets take a look at this two words in their definitions:

a. Ginosko---Objective knowledge that is learned experientially---this is how wisdom & knowledge are gained.

vis a vis medical school or law school.

Trade school

b.

Oida---Instinctual knowledge---the inward consciounes in the mind---knowledge not immediately derived from what is external---Knowledge to protect your children, Knowledge to Run from Danger---Knowledge that there is something beyond the visible world----Example----Romans 1:18-20

Example of the usage of these words in scripture:

(v.55) Jesus was talking with the pharisees and tells them.

“You have not come “to know” him” (experientially in an increasingly revelatory way); but “I know Him” Jesus tells them “I know Him” instinctively down deep in my spirit.

Jesus says I did not have to be taught about him.

I didn’t have to experience him.

I know him because there has never been a time that I was not intimately connected to him.

Analogy:

1. Gigi picked out Rian at the Hospital

2. Rian in her crib(it was natural for me to shield her from pain)

Both of these are examples of Instinctual knowledge.

(v.5) “For this you know with certainty” Paul is saying that whatever I am about to say next you already know.

You know it instinctively and you know it because you have been taught it.

(v.5) “For this you now with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater” Paul then mentions the three again.

My contention is that he mentions these because the tongue, and the body are the primary issues that he is focus on with the believers at Ephesus.

Now I want to take a look and see if Paul had been equally clear with other churches about the end results of these kind of lifestyles:

help

(v.9)

Paul in this list starts by asking a rhetorical question using some measure of sarcasm “In case you haven’t heard, judging by your behavior I am going to assume no one told you, “but Do you not now that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?? Then Paul goes on to list 10 items all of which were manifested in the lives of the new believers in Corinth.

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(v.19)

Again Paul gives another list to the church of Galatia.

It has 15 items in them.

(v.19) “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident” This is statement is very similar to the statement from Eph 5:5 Paul says “fleshly deeds are obvious” Ray Charles can see them.

But just in case you are having trouble recognizing them let me name them.

(v.21) “of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you,” Now Paul gives us some more data.

He tells these believers that this is not new information.

a. forewarn—to tell someone that some future happening is dangerous and may lead to serious consequences.

(v.21) Paul says I forewarned you about two things

a.

What the deeds of the flesh are

b.

What the deeds of the flesh lead too

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(v.8,15)

I brought this list in strategically because I wanted to see if a different writer could corroborate Paul’s writings related to this list.

This is John’s writings.

In his list he names: Cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, immoral(pornos) persons, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars.

What common thing do these two writers have in common?

-Both of these men have been taught by Jesus directly.

This tells us that they are teaching what they have been taught by their Master Jesus.

-It is important that we realize that this list would have been part of the foundational teachings of all the Apostles.

Separation from the world, then naming specifically those sins that are indicative wordly living letting the believers know that those that engage in these things gives evidence of never coming to a saving relationship with Christ.

-I would like to make two observations about the listings.

Observation #1

a. idolater-one who worships and serves Idols.

-(v.5) Paul names three sins: Fornications, Impurity(all uncleanness) and Greed.

Then he calls those who do these things Idolater.

This tells me that “Idolatry is the Category for which these sins line up under......Application: Those that feed their desires through unbridled sexual activity(worshiping self), Those that tease their passion(worshipping self), Those that covet gain(worshipping an object).

-The unforgivable sin describe in Matthew 12 is rejection of the Holy Spirit who pointing the world to the Son(Jesus Christ).

The Reason people reject the Spirit is because of Idolatry.

Which comes in three forms: Love of Self before Christ, Love of others before Christ, and Love of the Things before Christ.

How does one determine if they are an idolater?

-When you can longer see the obvious.

That is you are on your way to Hell but Jesus was paid your debt so that you will not have to experience eternal separation from God all you need to do is accept his sacrifice and be willing to let go of your idols.

-When your lifestyle means so much to you that you would willing reject such an awesome offer it is because your idols have blinded you

As a Christian we are former idolater, What should we be doing in our journey towards Christlikeness?

-As Christian get rid of all your obvious idols(the ones sitting on your kitchen table), and then destroy the hidden ones that the Lord reveals to you on a daily basis.

Don’t play with them, don’t put them into the closet, destroy them.

Sex is good, but sex is not God.

It will not ultimately fulfill.

Like anything else that becomes an idol, it will always take more than it gives while diverting the human heart away from the only One who is able to give supreme joy....David Platt

Idols are powerful, but two realities cause our hearts to become dissatisfied with idols.

The first is that we are created in the image of God and created for God; nothing else will give us eternal purpose or everlasting joy.

When we choose to set up a dead, powerless idol and worship at its feet, then we are attended to by a dead, powerless idol that pleases temporarily and superficially.

Money disappears.

Fame fades away.

Children grow up and leave.

Our friends fail us.

Control is elusive.

God alone – in all of His beauty and grace – can promise us joy forever.

The second reality that causes our hearts to grow dissatisfied with idols is the grace of God.

God is too good to allow His children to worship something or someone that will not satisfy.

He is so good that He either wrenches our idols from our hands or makes us miserable as long as we clench and grasp....David Wickert

Observation #2

We have all committed one of the sins that Paul listed in 1 Corinthians 6:9, Galatians 5:19-21, and Eph 5:5 if one of these sins put us in Hell then what hope do we have?

-The list in Galatians helps us out a little bit:

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-I am going to give you one greek word that should make you “Shout” it ought to make you get out your seat and Praise it is found in (v.21)

21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

a. prassontes- practice.

-Unbeliever- There is unity between spirit and flesh; therefore sin is their lifestyle

-Believer-There is strife(beef) between spirit and flesh; therefore sin is not our lifestyle.

We get hit but we get up and hit back.

We fall down, but we get up before the count of 10, we get bloodied by sin, we get hurt, but we keep fighting all the way till the end until we are saved from the very presence of sin.

The text does not apply to those who have gotten victory over idols and no longer struggle with them, or those who are still in a 15 round slugfest with their sins.

This text applies to those who have made these things are their lifestyle.

(v.5) “his you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” Paul is clear in this text let’s read this from the Good News which is paraphrase:

(v.5)