Sermon Tone Analysis

Devotional

The Daily Text:

Acts 26:

CONSIDER THIS

The gospel is neither rational nor reasonable.

Yet it is true.

The idea that the Creator God of all the cosmos would become a human being and allow himself to be murdered by the people he created . . .

and rise from the dead . . .  is neither rational nor reasonable.

Yet it is true.

Why must we try to dress the truth in the garments of perceived plausibility?

It is implausible, but it is true.

Why do we insist that truth must pass the test of reasonability and plausibility instead of allowing truth to define those things?

I think it is because we want our truth to be within our control, manipulation and management.

We want truth to be scientifically verifiable to the point that it requires nothing resembling faith.

Paul said, “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” .

Have you come to this realization yet?

THE PRAYER

COME HOLY SPIRIT!

THE QUESTION

So how about you?

Do you tend to try and press the gospel into your own mold of what seems reasonable and plausible?

If so, why?

Or are you growing in your comfort level with “the foolishness of the cross?”

Introduction

Read

Background of Samuel

So anything that I offer right now in a few minutes is overly general and simplified but I do want to give some background as it pertains to and our work in that text.

There are a lot of complications to the story in that there are probably 3 primary sources.

We can tell because as you read through the book there are changing views on even the idea of a king.

The structure of Samuel is around 4 main characters and the changing of Kingship throughout 3 individuals.

The prophet Samuel is a pivotal piece of the story as he takes on this role in the failures of Eli’s sons.

The story at the beginning of Samuel picks up largely where the book of Judges leaves off.

Everything is a mess even in the priestly line.

Israel wants a king and they make it clear time and time again.

Eventually they get their king, Yahweh honors their wishes and gives them Saul.

He is with Saul and blesses this kingship until Saul turns away from God. God in turn abandons Saul, so to speak.

So now Yahweh through the prophet Samuel turns to the new king.

In the descent of Samuel, there is the ascent of David the anointed one.

Until finally David’s kingship overtakes that of Saul’s.

Even Saul’s children are in David’s corner.

Parts of the Saul fall from grace is harsh at times and we dont have all the details, and then other parts Saul is a hot mess.

Then we have David’s continue rise and eventually his rule under the curse from the Bathsheba episode.

Even in his failures God sticks it out with David and promises to stick with his household.

Then Solomon, the son of David and Bathsheba.

What is interesting is even in David’s curse Solomon is spared while the other sons go nuts.

Solomon’s reign is a topic of 1 Kings...

The structure of Samuel is around 4 main characters and the changing of Kingship throughout 3 individuals.

The prophet Samuel is a pivotal piece of the story (and his corrupt family including Eli his father).

The story at the beginning of Samuel picks up largely where the book of Judges leaves off.

Main theme: Election:

The book of Samuel works to legitimize several of Israel’s core institutions by asserting that God elected or chose them.

For example, it recounts the priest Eli’s lack of perception (), the wickedness of his sons (2:12-17, 22-25), and the prediction of an anonymous prophet (2:27-36).

These passages work together to legitimize Solomon’s later rejection of the family of Eli and his choice of the family of Zadok (, ) to serve as Jerusalem’s priests.

The behavior of the ark indicates that God has chosen Jerusalem as the site of the chief sanctuary, not Shiloh ().

Moreover, God chose David and his line as the true kings, not Saul and his descendants (6:21, 7:8).

God’s hidden involvement in the succession to David’s throne indicates that God specially elected the royal line of Judah.

The story of David’s successful altar on the threshing floor outside Jerusalem Temple (24:18-25).

These divine acts of election attest that, although Israel may undergo radical changes and reversals, God’s selection of them as a people holds firm (1 Samuel 7:23-24; ).

(The Historical Books by Richard Nelson, p. 128.

My book. )

(The Historical Books by Richard Nelson, p. 128.

My book. )

This includes.....

election of priestly line

election of kingship

election of Jerusalem

establishment of the temple

If I say election again, some of you might accuse me of being a calvinists.

The sovereignty of God is on full display here.

Background of immediate context:

Things are a mess and then the death of Saul and Jonathan take place....the loss of Jonathan is hard and the death of Saul should have brought about relief for our hero, David, but the followers of Saul are trying to kill David too.

However, by the time we make it to David is at the height of his political and war campaign defeating any enemies that are attacking him.

What did you find?

What did you find?

1. Look for themes

2. Can you break it apart into thematic sections?

3. Repetition, comparison, other literary devices?

4. What questions do you have about the passage?

5. Journal a couple of paragraphs....anyone want to share?

Structure: Who Builds the House?

I chose this passage because of easier breaks in the narratives but very clear literary implications in these breaks....Do you see the breaks?

Let me build you a house, God (7:1-3)

God Rebukes David (7:4-17)

God Rebukes David (7:14-17)

God: From the beginning... (7:4-11b)

God: …and Until the End of time (7:11c-17)

Humbled David (7:18-29)

Prayer of Honesty (7:18-27)

Benediction (7:28-29)

Draw chart on board.

Major Divisions:

See attached chart for descriptive layout.

I found that there is a major division in this segment following verse 3 and verse 17.

The opening section acts as an introduction of sort as David shows some motive to want to build God a dwelling place.

The next section presents God’s response to David and then the final major section is David’s humbled response.

These divisions are fairly obvious breaks and the simplicity plays to the conversation that is happening between God and David.

The next breaks within these divisions are not as clear cut but there does seem to be a flow to the argument from God and the response of David.

Literary Structures

A. Contrast

Contrast of what David wants to give/do and the reality of what God has done and will do.