Sermon Tone Analysis

*Message:* 207th Anniversary               *Newport** Baptist Church*

*Scr:* Eph 3:14-21                                *Date*: 2006-10-29

*Intro:*  You Know You're Getting Old When...

You have a party and the neighbors don't even realize it.

Your back goes out more than you do.

You quit trying to hold your stomach in, no matter who walks into the room.

You sing along with elevator music.

You enjoy hearing about other people's operations.

You consider coffee one of the most important things in life.

You no longer think of speed limits as a challenge.

People call at 9 pm.

And ask, "Did I wake you?"

You answer a question with "Because I said so!"

You can't remember the last time you laid on the floor to watch television.

Your ears are hairier than your head.

You got cable to watch the weather channel.

*/10 years before to 10 years after the founding of the church/*

8 years before – Mozart died

Rosetta stone was discovered in Egypt, Napoleon begins his journey to power!

New york passed a law against slavery, Tignish PEI was founded J and George Washington died

1800 – world population reached 1 billion, US library of congress founded

next decade – Britain and Ireland become Great Britain

founded before the steam engine, the bicycle, the camera, records, the zipper!

(the dryer!)

*Explanation – *People had a vision!

207 years – who’s been here the longest?

Story of faithfulness – God to his church – his church to God.

Wonder what good it does?

Ill Guy who decided he’d had enough church – old farmer – I still eat 3 meals a day ;)

 

what matters today?

Celebrate what has happened, but where do we go from here?

Anniversary is a time to Renew our vision

*(sort of like renewing wedding vows – invite people to renew their commitment – As for me and my house…Joshua)*

Prov 29:18 – without vision, the people perish – KJV

When there is no prophetic vision, the people cast off restraint (NET)

Message – If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves

* *

*TS - *Some people have been asking about changes to the church – why we do this or that differently now.

Answer – God has called us to change, to show compassion, to care about those around us, not ONLY the Christians, but all people… especially the lost!

-          Why did we move the church building back from the road some years ago.

-          Why did this church plant other churches

-          Why do we have a youth ministry?

-          why do we remember those faithful people who have gone before?

Because God has called us to know him and to tell others about his love.

He did NOT give us a tradition, he gave us a task, a purpose.

He told us to love him and love others, and Jesus Christ told us to go and make disciples, to baptize them and teach them to obey what Jesus said…

 

Paul said that he would be all things to all people in order that some might be saved… his example is a model for us.

Paul’s prayer in Ephesians is that they would be able to *understand* all that God has done, and here in Ephesians 3 he prays that they would be *able to do* what God would have them to do.

*1)      **Paul’s motivation for prayer(v 14)*

a)      For This Reason… (sort of like therefore J )

i)        Blessings! – chapter 1

(1)   He chose us, predestined us, gave us grace, forgiveness, wisdom and understanding, made known his will, put all things under Christ, works out everything in line with his will, sealed us with the HS, guaranteed our inheritance.

(2)   207 years!

Church planting, baptisms, ministry of all kinds – children, youth, women, men, leadership, opportunities!

Jamboree, turkey suppers, association, convention!

ii)      Salvation!

– chapter 2

(1)   Lives a mess

(2)   Saved us personally

(3)   Saved us for a purpose!

b)      Family (15) (nkjv – Father of our Lord Jesus Christ)

i)        God is the original, best, father!

ii)      Church as the family of God?

(1)   Fathers… I have 3, and now I am one… not perfect!

(2)   God is still our Father - Knows we need a family!

*2)      **Paul’s Request (prayer!)*

a)      For power – v16

i)        God’s riches

(1)   Mercy

(a)    Concern for someone – in spite of a moral offence

(b)   Kindness or concern for someone in serious need

(c)    Concern for those who deserve pity

(d)   How far will we go to do this?

God will go all the way

(2)   Grace – unmerited favour

(a)    Chosen by grace

(b)   Justified by grace

(c)    Pray at the throne of grace

ii)      Power through his Spirit in your inner being

b)      Christ’s presence – v17a

i)        In our hearts – is that a comfortable place to be?  Dutch word!

(1)   Longest journey – 12 inches

ii)      Through faith!

(1)   Trust in God

(2)   ACTIVE obedience – Abraham, Jeremiah, apostles – Peter & Paul!

(3)   Grows through works!

James!

c)      Understanding – v17b-19a

i)        Power to grasp – ability!

(1)   Wide

(2)   Long

(3)   High

(4)   Deep

ii)      207 years – do you understand Christ’s love?

d)     Filling – v19b

*3)      **Paul’s Purpose*

a)      Ill – Moses, Jesus and God golfing J

b)      God’s power – v20a

c)      Our limitations – v20b

d)     Transformation – v20c

e)      God’s Glory revealed in Christ – v21