Sermon Tone Analysis

The Table Of Grace

/“he now showed them the full extent of his love.”/

(Aunt Alma – stiff – formal)

 

He set the table that night with grace – wonderful grace.

This was the night before Jesus was betrayed.

How much might have been on his mind right then?

 

 

\\ !

THE BUILDING

 

Ten Little Christians, standing in a line,

One disliked the pastor, then there were nine.

Nine little Christians stayed up very late,

One slept too late on Sunday, then there were eight.

Eight little Christians on their way to Heaven,

One took the low road, then there were seven.

Seven little Christians chirping like some chicks,

One disliked the music, then there were six.

Six little Christians seemed very much alive,

but one lost his interest then there were five.

Five little Christians pulling for heaven's shore,

but one stopped to rest, then there were only four.

Four little Christians, each busy as a bee

One got her feelings hurt, then there were three.

Three little Christians knew not what to do,

One joined the sporting crowd, then there were two.

Two little Christians, our rhyme is nearly done,

differed with each other, then there was one.

One little Christian, can't do much 'tis true;

brought his friend to Bible study -- then there were two.

Two earnest Christians, each won one more,

that doubled the number, then there were four.

Four sincere Christians worked early and worked late,

Each won another, then there were eight.

Eight splendid Christians, if they doubled as before,

In just a few short weeks, we'd have 1,024

 

In this little jingle, there is a lesson true,

You either belong to The Building,

Or to the wrecking crew!

\\  

 

!

The Grace to Serve

 

JN 13:2 The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus.

[3] Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; [4] so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.

[5] After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"  7 Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."

"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."

Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."  9 "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"  10 Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean.

And you are clean, though not every one of you." [11] For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place.

"Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them.

[13] "You call me `Teacher' and `Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am.

[14] Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet.

[15] I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

[16] I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

[17] Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

A demonstration of the love of God.

He was a servant who thought no job to demean him.

Because he realized that in serving others he was in fact serving God.

Fred Somebody, Thomas Everybody, Peter Anybody, and Joe Nobody were neighbors, but they were not like you and me.

They were odd people and most difficult to understand.

The way they lived was a shame.

All four belonged to the same church, but you would not have enjoyed worshiping with them.

Everybody went fishing on Sunday or stayed home to visit with friends.

Anybody wanted to worship but was afraid Somebody wouldn't speak to him.

So guess who went to church -- uh, huh -- Nobody.

Really, Nobody was the only decent one of the four.

Nobody did the visitation.

Nobody worked on the church building.

Once they needed a Sunday school teacher.

Everybody thought Anybody would do it, and Anybody thought Somebody would do it.

And you know who did it?

That's exactly right -- Nobody!

It happened that a fifth neighbor (an unbeliever) moved into the area.

Everybody thought Somebody should try to win him for Christ.

Anybody could have made an effort.

You probably know who finally won him:  Nobody!

q      He surrendered his right to be served.

It means getting beyond position.

He has set that example for us.

Forsaking the idea that something is due me because of something that I have accomplished or some position that I occupy.

Even respect.

(Man applied to one of our Wesleyan Colleges My name is Dr. ……)

 

q      He surrendered to the likelihood of being misunderstood.

Perhaps there never was a man more misunderstood than Christ.

In his own mind he was the fulfillment of the law.

Paul wrote that the law was a “schoolmaster to bring us to Christ.”

/He was too great for his disciples.

And in view of what he plainly said, is it any wonder that all who were rich and prosperous felt a horror of strange things, a swimming of their world at his teaching?

Perhaps the priests and the rich men understood him better than his followers.

He was dragging out all the little private reservations they had made from social service into the light of a universal religious life.

He was like some terrible moral huntsman digging mankind out of the snug burrows in which they had lived hitherto.

In the white blaze of this kingdom of his there was to be no property, no privilege, no pride and precedence; no motive indeed and no reward but love.

Is it any wonder that men were dazzled and blinded and cried out against him?

Even his disciples cried out when he would not spare them the light.

Is it any wonder that the priests realized that between this man and themselves there was no choice but that he or priestcraft should perish?

Is it any wonder that the Roman soldiers, confronted and amazed  by something soaring over their comprehension and threatening all their disciplines, should take refuge in wild laughter, and crown him with thorns and robe him in purple and make a mock Caesar of him?

For to take him seriously was to enter upon a strange and alarming life, to abandon habits, to control instincts and impulses, to essay an incredible happiness...  Is it any wonder that to this day this Galilean is too much for our small hearts?/

/ /

/ ... H. G. Wells, The Outline of History [1920]/

 

\\ I Sought Him

 

    I sought Him where my logic led.

"This friend is always sure and right;

        His lantern is sufficient light --

    I need no star," I said.

I sought Him in the city square.