Sermon Tone Analysis

Secular:

 

Biblical:

NIV Titus 3:1 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. 3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures.

We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.

4 But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared,

 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.

He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

8 This is a trustworthy saying.

And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.

These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

Personal:

 

Bridge:

 

Body:

1)      Remember your duty:

NIV Titus 3:1 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.

·         Subject to rulers and authorities… to be obedient

·         Romans 13:1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.

The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong.

Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority?

Then do what is right and he will commend you.

·         God uses all kinds of authority…

                                                              i.

Nebuchadnezzar

                                                            ii.

Pharaoh

                                                          iii.

Potiphar… and Joseph

                                                          iv.

The oppression of the church that contributed to its explosive growth!!

n      Only when a government stands in direct opposition to the Truth of the Bible do we have the God given authority to challenge their authority.

n      Matthew 22:15-22 Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words.

They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians.

"Teacher," they said, "we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.

You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are.

Tell us then, what is your opinion?

Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"

But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?

Show me the coin used for paying the tax."

They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this?

And whose inscription?"

"Caesar's," they replied.

Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

n      Caesar was temporal… earthly ruler.

n      In charge of infrastructure, armies and taxes

n      God is eternal… over all things…

n      Specifically

                                                                                                                                      i.

our faith

                                                                                                                                    ii.

our spirit

                                                                                                                                  iii.

our eternity

·         Reflect your God – do what is good!

i.

Be charitable, hospitable, caring, a loving eagerness to serve others

                                                            ii.

Be a witness to the people… Greek Plays (Christians)

                                                          iii.      to slander no one (word is blasphemo… treat with contempt, malign)

1.      1 Timothy 2:1-4 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 Saviour, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

iv.      to be peaceable and considerate

1.      Romans 12:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.

v.

show true humility toward all men.

·         Remember to live as Christ… reflect the humility and love that is characteristic of our Saviour

 

2)      Remember you were there once:

·         Have you looked at your children… younger brothers and sisters… and saw them do something foolish that we have already done…

·         Been there, done that and bought the t-shirt

3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures.

We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.

·         Paul remembers his pre-conversion state:1 Tim 1:13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.14

The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

·         The gospel and its message are foolishness to those who are pershing…

·         If we do not believe in God who is greater than us, or our world… we live that way…

·         Conversely… if we believe in a Saviour, in all Powerful… all Loving… all knowing God… we will give evidence

·         If we believe and are indwelt… we will give evidence

·         But we can not expect it from those who do not believe…

                                                              i.

We do not accept the sin…

                                                            ii.

We do not accept the evil…

                                                          iii.

We don not accept the godlessness…

                                                          iv.

But we love the sinners… the people apart from God… as a witness to our God and to his love!!

·         Arrogance not to reflect on where we came from…

                                                              i.

Romans 3:10 As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. 12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one."

13 "Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit."

"The poison of vipers is on their lips."

14 "Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness."

15 "Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 ruin and misery mark their ways, 17 and the way of peace they do not know."18

"There is no fear of God before their eyes."

·         When you live for yourself and stomp on people on the way… you are not popular

·         When you Matthew 22: 37… Jesus replied: "'*Love* *the* *Lord* your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

And 'Love your neighbour as yourself.'…

give your heart, mercy, compassion freely…  (hardly an offence to pray for someone…)

·         REMEMBER YOU WERE THERE ONCE!

                                

3)      Remember your salvation: