Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
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Introduction
If you were given just one which that would absolutely be granted…what would that be?
Your answer would say something interesting about you.
The story is told of a British ambassador to the United States being interviewed by a TV reporter in D.C.
She asked the ambassador what he would like for Christmas.
He skirted the question for a while, but the reported kept pressing him on the issue.
He finally answered, “I would like a jar of mint jelly for Christmas.”
A few weeks later, after the ambassador had forgotten about the interview, he was watching a TV program entitled “The Spirit of Christmas.”
A number of VIP’s on the show were asked what they wanted for Christmas.
After a few minutes watching, the ambassador began to get very uncomfortable because, the German ambassador’s Christmas wish was for a peaceful and prosperous year for everyone in the world.
The Swiss ambassador desired that the leaders of the world would be led to agree on a common goal of peaceful co-existence.
By now the British ambassador was squirming…bracing for what might come next.
“…and the British ambassador told us that he would like a jar of mint jelly.”
Maybe the Swiss and German ambassadors were just being politically shrewd…they knew they would be quoted so they gave the proper answer.
Or maybe they were sincere
Again, if you were given just one wish…you might give an “expected” answer…or you might ask for something like “winning the lottery.”
PRAYER
In 2 Chronicles chapter 1, Solomon takes his first steps as the new King of Israel
His father David had died…and now Solomon faced the awesome responsibility of leading a large nation — the people of God
We know that, later in his life, Solomon wavered and disobeyed the Lord in many ways — but he began with an obedient and humble heart, desiring God’s best for the people of Israel.
Here’s an important truth about Solomon’s first actions as King — He went straight to the house of God, to the altar of God — He began His reign seeking the Lord, making extravagant sacrifices as an act of worship.
God would bless Solomon for placing His plan and will above all else
Faith brings us to the altar of transformation, where we are compelled to seek, worship, and ask
…The only way to come to the Lord is by faith — intellect is fine…but it doesn’t replace faith, emotions like fear or pride do not replace faith.
FAITH BRINGS US TO THE ALTAR
Exposition:
The bronze altar in the tabernacle had a specific purpose.
Like all altars we read about in the Bible…it was a place to bring burnt offerings sacrifices to the Lord
Thanksgiving offerings, Praise offerings, and blood sacrifices for the sins of the people
It was a place of repentance, worship, and sacrifice
On that day, Solomon and the Assembly sought “it” out — whether that refers to the altar itself or God’s presence — the meaning is the same.
They came to meet God at that holy place
...what kind of faith brings us to the altar?
Faith in God’s Grace brings us to the altar
Solomon went to Gibeon — that’s where the tabernacle (the tent of meeting made by Moses) was / that’s where the altar was
“but David had brought the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim to the place that David had prepared for it, for he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem”
Normally, the ark of God and the altar would be in the same location — but for a time, they were in separate places
The Ark of the Covenant reminds them, and us, of God’s grace
It held the Law — the reminder of God’s covenant with the people — a covenant of grace and redemption for those who followed Him by faith.
Solomon could have gone straight to the ark in Jerusalem and offered sacrifices, but first he went to the altar
...what kind of faith brings us to the altar?
The altar is a place of faith in God’s Covenant
Transition: Faith in God’s great love and grace brings us to the altar
SACRIFICE KEEPS US AT THE ALTAR
Exposition
Can you imagine how long it took the priests to offer one thousand sacrifices on the altar?
Probably a thousand bulls
What an extravagant sacrifice…the expense, the labor, the time, the blood spilled, the passion and awe felt by all
Yet…Solomon could have offered ten thousand sacrifices and it would not be enough to honor the grace of God’s love toward them in the Covenant.
Application
Transition: When we offer ourselves to God...
WORSHIP HAPPENS AT THE ALTAR
Exposition: On this sacred first day of Solomon’s reign as king…his priority was to lead the people to an altar and together offer up an extravagant sacrifice.
On this particular day…they were not just go through the religious motions.
No they came to bow before the Lord in faith, humble worship, and surrender
Worship is the awed response to the saving acts and praiseworthy character of God
Seeking the Lord brings you to His presence
It brings you to the altar
The place of repentance and surrender of yourselves --- a place of extravagant sacrifice
Standing in God’s presence brings you to a place of humble worship
Application
In the OT, worship encompassed a variety of activities.
Bringing forward an offering to God was an act of worship (קָרַב, qārab).
Bowing down in the presence of God was an outward display of an inner attitude of reverence before the Creator (חָוָה, ḥāwâ).
The verb רוּם (rûm) could indicate that a person was “lifting up” or “exalting” God with praise.
Together, these last two terms provide a rich image of worship: People both bow before God and lift him up in praise and wonder.
The verb הָלַל (hālal) could be used to designate the act of celebrating God.
The word “hallelujah” is derived from the Hebrew phrase הַלְלוּ־יָהּ (halĕlû-yāh), meaning “praise Yahweh.”
This praise could involve זָמַר (zāmar, “singing”).
Worship could also be described as “serving” (עָבַד, ʿābad) God
The NT carries over many of the actions described as worship in the OT.
The verb προσκυνέω (proskyneō) means to bow down as an act of worship, while κάμπτω (kamptō) signifies bending the knee or bowing in reverence to God.
Other words for praising God include δοξάζω (doxazō), for the act of giving God glory, and εὐλογέω (eulogeō), for praising or blessing God.
BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER
Faith brings us to the altar of transformation, where we are compelled to seek, worship, and ask
Here’s a powerful truth that each one of us needs to experience regularly
Answers are Found at the Altar
As we surrender ourselves to God in worship…we position ourselves to hear from God
“That night God appeared to Solomon (in a dream) and said, ‘Ask for whatever you want me to give you.’”
(v.
7)
Solomon could have asked for riches, prestige, and power… but he did not
When God’s says, “ask for whatever you want me to give you”, what will your answer be?
Solomon asked for wisdom — He needed it…he knew he was not cable of leading this great nation
What do you need from God today?
Are you willing to come to the altar — offering yourself as the sacrifice?
Jesus’s death, burial, and resurrection — His sacrifice gives us the ability to come before God just as we are
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