Investigative sermon noise
Subject: Noise Key Text: Ps 37:7
Theme: An investigation of the Problem Sermonic Process: Investigative
of Noise
The Problem of Noise
Intro: **Expert**
As Christian we miss out on the best God has to offer because we as a society are too noisy.
Prop: There is a need to develop a healthy spiritual and psychological response to noise.
T.S.: A critical examination of the noise that we experience daily and with supporting Scriptural guidance we will develop a healthy spiritual and psychological response to noise through which we can draw closer to God.
I) What is the problem?
1) Definition: Webster Handy College Dictionary – a sound of any kind esp. when loud or disagreeable
2) Noise is:
a) Interference - static
b) Causes : distraction caused by the world and caused by ourselves **Words**
c) Effects: Distances us from God – benefits lost
II) How prevalent is the problem?
1) In scripture:
a) Job 3:23-26 Why is life given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in? For sighing comes to me instead of food; my groans pour out like water. What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil."
b) Amos 5:22-23 Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps.
2) In everyday life:
a) General everyday life – the mall, CD’s in Katamavik, Argo Game (Distraction) **Church
b) Own Home or Dorm Room / Car -
III) What are some proposed methods of dealing with noise?
1) Learning To Find a “Deserted” Place in ourselves
a) Jesus Prayer – Coptic traditions
b) Pray about distractions **Fireworks**
2) Learning To Find Quietness
c) Desert Fathers ascetic/monastic traditions - Nouwen – The Way of the Heart **Schedule**
d) Dedicated quiet prayer time – Postema (Space for God)
IV) What portion of Scripture helps in our understanding of noise?
1) Be still - Ps 37:7
a) Rest in the Lord – calm your spirit
b) Wait patiently – No need to struggle
c) Do not fret – Wasted time, energy and “noise” – So what you have eternity
2) Be quiet - 1Thes 4:11
a) ambition to have no ambition – though Thessalonians not real workers (artisans)
b) mind your business / work with your own hand – quite in own life / idleness
3) Be solitary - The get away Mark 6:31-32 because of Mark 3:20
a) Refuel - and get some rest
b) Refresh - in a boat to a solitary place
Concl.) How do we deal with “noise” **Wedding**
1) Be still in spirit – Jesus Prayer
2) Be quiet – speak from silence **Furnace **
3) Separate ourselves from the source
Then we can draw close to GOD.
Ps 37:7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
1Thes 4:11-12 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
Mark 6:31-32 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.
Mark 3:20 Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat.
Eccl 9:17
17 The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools.
Amos 5:12-14
12 For I know how many are your offenses and how great your sins. You oppress the righteous and take bribes and you deprive the poor of justice in the courts.
13 Therefore the prudent man keeps quiet in such times, for the times are evil.
14 Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is.
Mark 9:34
34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.
1 Tim 2:1-4
1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--
2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior,
4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
1 Pet 3:3-4
3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.
4 Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.
Ps 46:10
10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
Isa 14:11
11 All your pomp has been brought down to the grave, along with the noise of your harps; maggots are spread out beneath you and worms cover you.
Isa 29:6
6 the LORD Almighty will come with thunder and earthquake and great noise, with windstorm and tempest and flames of a devouring fire.
Jer 46:17
17 There they will exclaim, 'Pharaoh king of Egypt is only a loud noise; he has missed his opportunity.'
Jer 50:22
22 The noise of battle is in the land, the noise of great destruction!
Amos 5:22-23
22 Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them.
23 Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps.
“Over the last few decades we have been inundated by a torrent of words. Wherever we go we are surrounded by words: words softly whispered, loudly proclaimed, or angrily screamed; words spoken, recited, or sung; words on records, in books, on walls, or in the sky; words in many sounds, many colours, or many forms; words to be heard, read, seen, or glanced at; words which flicker off and on, move slowly, dance, jump, or wiggle. Words, words, words!” (Nouwen)