Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
This automated analysis scores the text on the likely presence of emotional, language, and social tones. There are no right or wrong scores; this is just an indication of tones readers or listeners may pick up from the text.
A score of 0.5 or higher indicates the tone is likely present.
Emotion Tone
Anger
0.54LIKELY
Disgust
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Fear
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Joy
0.57LIKELY
Sadness
0.56LIKELY
Language Tone
Analytical
0.59LIKELY
Confident
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Tentative
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Social Tone
Openness
0.77LIKELY
Conscientiousness
0.75LIKELY
Extraversion
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Agreeableness
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Emotional Range
0.85LIKELY
Tone of specific sentences
Tones
Emotion
Language
Social Tendencies
Anger
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Context.
Paul was in Jerusalem against the counsel of his friends.
By the leading of God.
The Jews started to beat him.
The Romans stepped in.
As the Romans were taking him away he asked to speak to the Jews.
He recounts his life.
He proves his love for the Jews and the Jewish heritage.
Then he says that God sent him to the Gentiles.
Up to this point they listened but then wanted death.
The word “gentiles” was a trigger word.
They immediately quit listening.
We have the same divisive things happening.
Trigger words or hot topics.
They called for his death.
They yelled obscenities.
They were loud and obnoxious.
They tore off their clothes.
Ridiculous behavior to show their anger.
They through dust in the air.
Yet again showing their anger and distain.
Yet accomplishing nothing.
Paul was guarded by Roman soldiers so all they could do is make threats.
So the Commander orders him to be brought to the barracks so he can be questioned.
No just questioned, but scourged or whipped.
Tortured until he confesses.
This shows the commander believed the crowd.
1. Paul’s defense.
(1) A. I am a Roman.
There are two ways to become Roman citizen.
Be born a citizen.
Purchase it at a high price.
There are some valuable rights that come with being a Roman citizen.
The right to vote on in certain circumstances.
The right to hold certain governmental offices.
The right to a legal trial.
(Before Caesar if requested.)
Paul will use this right.
The right not to be scourged.
Paul will use this right.
Paul was wise when using his rights.
Acts 16 Paul and Silas...
Beaten and put in prison.
Paul does not claim his right as a Roman citizen.
They end up leading the jailer and his family to Christ.
The officers wanted to sent them out secretly but Paul refused.
For the good of others.
Now Paul claims his Roman citizenship before he is whipped.
Why?
There is no more opportunity for the furtherance of the gospel.
Everything Paul did was not for his own good, but the for the good of the gospel.
Paul used his Roman rights cautiously.
He was not thinking about himself first.
We often think about ourselves rather than the gospel.
We need to make sure that there is no more opportunity for the furtherance of the gospel.
We need to make sure we are standing for our rights for the correct reason.
I hear the argument that if we truly love our neighbor that we will stand up for their freedom even if they don’t know they want it.
What is more important… their life on earth or their eternal life.
What good does their freedom do them now if they spend an eternity in torment?
I hear the argument that the gospel will spread quicker and the church will thrive under freedom.
Are you currently and active disciple-maker?
Are you currently sharing the gospel with your friends, families, and co-workers.
(1) B. I am a Pharisee.
Paul was calling on his Jewish heritage again.
Pleading with them to have mercy.
Begging them to hear what he said.
We need to learn something here (file it away for later).
Three things happen that show us Paul was not perfect.
First is Paul’s retort to Ananias the High Priest.
Paul rightly tells them that he has a good conscience with God.
That doesn’t set well with Ananias and he has those by Paul hit him in the mouth.
Remember Paul had been beaten by the Jews.
This was not an easy hit and his face was already sore.
Now Paul has had enough and he nails Ananias with some scorching words.
You whitewashed wall… are you going to sit there and judge me and you live contrary to the law yourself?
God will strike you.
Paul was no doubt referring to Jesus’ comment.
You and I would agree.
Now the council asks do you revile God’s high priest?
Paul immediately apologizes.
He knows it is written that you should not speak evil of those who rule over you.
Paul has lashed out in anger.
No scholar can agree on why Paul didn’t know he was the high priest but it doesn’t matter.
Second, Paul claimed to be a Pharisee.
Paul once was a Pharisee, but currently was not.
It doesn’t seem like Paul was deliberately lying, but allowed the pressure of the moment to get the best of him.
Third, he divides the council.
Paul sees that there are Pharisees and Sadducees and he knows that the Pharisees believe in the resurrection of the dead.
Better said - any form of spiritual life outside the body.
No hope of resurrection.
This is clearly not why Paul was being charged, but Paul starts an argument.
Still God uses this.
Its Paul’s ticket out.
In both of these moments Paul’s past - his Roman birth was used to save his life.
God was working His sovereign plan in Paul’s life before the moment even happened.
2. Paul’s true citizenship.
(2) A. Paul was faithful to his King.
Verse 1: “I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.
My guess is that Paul would have liked to have relived this day.
Yet, the pattern of his life was faithfulness.
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