Sermon Tone Analysis

Matthew 16:13-20

Introduction

Three years ago this month this body of believers gathered to establish a New Testament Church.

In the earliest days of this fellowship we determined to seek to build this church upon the foundation that Christ has set forth in His Word.

The foundation that is based on God’s Word and His gospel.

I could not agree with Charles Spurgeon more when he writes:

“Some preachers evidently do not believe that the Lord is with their gospel, because, in order to attract and save sinners, their gospel is insufficient, and they have to add to it inventions of men.

Plain gospel preaching must be supplemented, — so they think.

If the gospel must be a failure unless we attract the people by some extraneous method, it is a poor business.

If your gospel cannot bring the people to hear you, and if, when they come, your gospel will not impress and convert them, well, then, give it up.

If you are not conscious of a supernatural power and presence with the Word of the Lord, let it alone.”[1]

\\ In the text before us Jesus emphatically says that He will build His church.

As with all of God’s blessing He has given us certain means, avenues that He has ordained through which we receive and experience His blessings.

Dr. Mark Dever in his book /The Nine Marks of a Healthy Church/, sets forth the means God has ordained to grow and prosper His church.

Based on Dever’s list I have developed the follow marks.

1.

A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Theology

2.       A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of Worship

3.       A New Testament Church Will Preach the Word

4.       A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of the Gospel

5.       A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of Conversion

6.

A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of Evangelism

7.       A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of Church Membership

8.       A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of Church Discipline

9.       A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of Church Leadership

10.

A New Testament Church Has a  Biblical Understanding of Church Growth

Today we will examine the first two of these, a Biblical Theology and Biblical Worship.

\\ 1A.

A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Theology (Deuteronomy 5:6-10)

What we believe about God is very important.

“The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls his Father.”

(Spurgeon)

Eleven irrefutable facts about the God of the Bible…

1B.

The God of the Bible is an All-Knowing God - Omniscient

*Psalm 139:4* For /there is /not a word on my tongue, /But /behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.

2B.

The God of the Bible is an Ever-Present God - Omnipresent

*Proverbs 15:3* The eyes of the LORD /are /in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.

3B.

The God of the Bible is an All Powerful God - Omnipotent

*Job 42:2* "I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose /of Yours /can be withheld from You.

4B.

The God of the Bible is a Never Changing God - Immutable

*Hebrews 13:8* Jesus Christ /is /the same yesterday, today, and forever.

\\ 5B.

The God of the Bible is a Self-Existent God - Eternal

*Psalm 90:2 *Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You /are /God.

“The eternity of God has been defined, existence without beginning, without end, and without succession.”

(Dagg)

6B.

The God of the Bible is a Limitless God - Infinite

*Job 11:7-8* "Can you search out the deep things of God?  Can you find out the limits of the Almighty?

8/They are /higher than heaven -- what can you do?  Deeper than Sheol -- what can you know?

7B.

The God of the Bible is a Creating God

*God created the world*; He made something from nothing, made man in His image.

*God created a special people* in the world; He called Abraham, beginning the story of a special people.

*God is the great initiator, creator, and beginner of our faith *(Hebrews 12:2)

8B.

The God of the Bible is a Holy God

*Psalm 5:4* For You /are /not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, Nor shall evil dwell with You.

9B.

The God of the Bible is a Loving God

*1 John 4:8* He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

10B.

The God of the Bible is a Just God

*God applies righteous consequences equally to everyone*

*Job 34:12* Surely God will never do wickedly, Nor will the Almighty pervert justice.

\\ 11B.

The God of the Bible is a Sovereign God

*God does whatever He wills*

*Psalm 135:5-6* For I know that the LORD /is /great, And our Lord /is /above all gods.

6 Whatever the LORD pleases He does, In heaven and in earth, In the seas and in all deep places.

*God’s sovereignty is consistent* - it will always be in harmony with His nature and attributes.

*God’s sovereignty is absolute* – there is nothing outside of His control.

*God’s sovereignty is complete* - He has determined everything that has happened or will happen, yet has done so in such a way that man is responsible for his choices.

\\ 2A.

A New Testament Church Has a Biblical Understanding of Worship

1B.

A Philosophy for Genuine Worship

Genuine Worship Defined

Ø      Worship is all about God.

“Christian worship is the active response of a community of believers to the glory of the living God which properly attributes praise and honor to God for who He is and what He has done while contributing to the growth and development of the community.”

(James White)

“Worship is a celebration of God’s mighty deeds of salvation.”

(Robert Webber)

Ø      Worship involves both our attitudes and actions.

In short, God is both the object and subject of our worship.

Worship is all about God.

Therefore, His glory is to be the primary goal of our worship.

Genuine Worship Described

The foundation of genuine worship is the awareness and consideration of God's character and works.

Mechanics, forms, and styles have their place, but the substance of worship must be centered on God--the biblical God.  (Tom Aschol)

\\ 2B.

A Pattern for Genuine Worship (Psalm 100:1-5)

Notice how we are to worship:

Ø      We are to celebrate God's presence (100:1-2)

With our music (100:1)

"Shout" = sound the trumpets!

*Psalm 33:2* Praise the LORD with the harp; Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings.