Sermon Tone Analysis

Epiphany 5

1 Corinthians 9:16-23

February 5, 2006

*“Whatever It Takes”* \\ after K. Duncan

Introduction: Pastors are used to being the targets of jokes.

It goes with the territory.

\\             A parishioner had undergone a serious operation and was still under the influence of the sedative when his pastor came, so the pastor just said a prayer and left.

The next day he returned and asked the patient if he had been aware of his visit.

"I vaguely remember your visit yesterday.

I remember opening my eyes and thinking 'I can't be in Heaven because MY PASTOR’S HERE!" \\             The expectations that people have of pastors are sometimes reasonable and sometimes unreasonable.

This is noted in a letter submitted to Dear Abbey.

It read like this: Dear Abby: One of the toughest tasks a church faces is choosing a good minister.

A member of an official board undergoing this painful process finally lost patience.

He'd just witnessed the pastoral relations committee reject applicant after applicant for some minor fault . . .

real or imagined.

It was time for a bit of soul searching on the part of the committee.

So he stood up and read this letter purported to be from an applicant.

\\             GENTLEMEN: Understanding your pulpit is vacant, I should like to apply for the position.

I have many qualifications.

I've been a preacher with much success and also have had some successes as a writer.

Some say I'm a good organizer.

I've been a leader most places I've been.

I'm over 50 years of age and have never preached in one place for more than three years.

In some places, I have left town after my work caused riots and disturbances.

I must admit I have been in jail three or four times, but not because of any real wrongdoing.

My health is not too good, though I still accomplish a great deal.

The churches I have preached in have been small, though located in several large cities. \\             I've not gotten along well with religious leaders in the towns where I have preached.

In fact, some have threatened me, and even attacked me physically.

I am not too good at keeping records.

I have been known to forget whom I have baptized.

However, if you can use me, I promise to do my best for you."

\\             The board member turned to the committee and said, "Well, what do you think?

Shall we call him?'

The good church folks were appalled!

Consider a sickly, trouble making, absent-minded ex-jailbird?

Was the board member crazy?

Who signed the application?

Who had such colossal nerve?

The board member eyed them all keenly before he replied, "It's signed, The Apostle Paul." \\             There is more than a little truth to that parody.

St. Paul couldn't seem to please anybody.

It was a common practice in Jesus' day for prominent philosophers and teachers to charge a fee for teaching and public speaking, but when Paul was in Corinth, he refused to do so.

It's not that he thought he didn't deserve it.

He is very clear on the fact that preachers and teachers of the Gospel deserve to get paid for their work.

But Paul was grateful to God for all that God had done in his life, and he considered his salvation payment enough.

Out of his great gratitude, he would willingly spread the Gospel for free.

Evidently, some of the Corinthians criticized Paul, as if he weren't a real teacher if he didn't charge for his teachings.

\\             Paul couldn't win.

If he charged for his services, he offended some people, if he didn't charge, he offended others.

Sill, Paul felt he was one of the most fortunate people in the world.

Why? because he had the privilege of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Paul used His privilege to change the world through the Word of God in Christ Jesus.

What were the characteristics of Paul's life that caused him to have such an impact on the world?

First of all, St. Paul took the great commission very seriously.

What is the Great Commission?

You know what it is, “Got therefore go and make disciples in all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and then teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you; and be sure of this--that I am with you always, even to the end of the world."

(TLB) \\             St.

Paul took these words of the Master very seriously.

He writes, "Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible."

That was what St. Paul's life was about: so that by all possible means he might save some people.

St. Paul was on a mission.

People on a mission change the world.

\\             At the end of World War II, Robert Woodruff, president of the Coca-Cola company from 1923 to 1955, had a mission.

"In my generation," he declared, "it is my desire that everyone in the world have a taste of Coca-Cola."

With vision and dedication rarely matched in corporate American culture, Woodruff and his colleagues spanned the globe with their soft drink.

\\             Why is it all right for people to feel that passionate about a soft drink but not about taking Christ to the world?

Are there no places of darkness left where Christ's light needs to shine?

Are there no families in crisis that need Christ's love and understanding?

Are there no people lost in the hopelessness of life that don’t need to be told where true hope is found?

We know the answers and so did St.

Paul  \\             St.

Paul felt a passion.

He was on a mission.

You and I are in this room today two thousand years later because St. Paul was not deterred.

He took the great commission very seriously.

\\             He did this by all means at his disposal.

St. Paul was willing to do whatever it takes to share the message of the Gospel.

Listen to what he says, "To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.

To those under the law I became like one under the law . . .

so as to win those under the law.

To those not having the law I became like one not having the law, even though I am under the law of Christ. . .

so as to win those not having the law."

St. Paul was willing to do whatever it took to win people to Christ and Christ's church.

\\             A motivational speaker once said there are two kinds of people in this world: those who say "whatever" and those who say, "Whatever it takes."

And he's right!

Some people live their lives with the motto of a petulant teenager on their lips, "Whatever."

Have you ever asked a young person to do something that you think is important and have them shrug their shoulders and respond, "Whatever?"

Some people are like that with regard to their faith.

In fact, let's turn this into a responsive reading.

I'm going to make some statements.

After each statement I want you to answer “Whatever” with a loud sigh and a shrug of your shoulders.

O.K., Jesus said love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.

“What ever!” Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourselves.”WHATEVER."

Jesus said there is more rejoicing over one sinner who is found than the 99 that stayed within the fold.

"WHATEVER."

God wants all men to be saved through the hearing of the gospel.

"WHATEVER."

Go to all people and baptize and teach them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, “Whatever.”

I hope that you felt a bit uncomfortable as you said, “Whatever.”

\\             Now, let's change our response from whatever to "Whatever it takes."

O.K., let's try it.