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
0.11UNLIKELY
Disgust
0.07UNLIKELY
Fear
0.09UNLIKELY
Joy
0.57LIKELY
Sadness
0.52LIKELY
Language Tone
Analytical
0.69LIKELY
Confident
0UNLIKELY
Tentative
0.18UNLIKELY
Social Tone
Openness
0.7LIKELY
Conscientiousness
0.93LIKELY
Extraversion
0.15UNLIKELY
Agreeableness
0.73LIKELY
Emotional Range
0.82LIKELY
Tone of specific sentences
Tones
Emotion
Language
Social Tendencies
Anger
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9
MIS: “Choosing the Right Path for Ministry is more about following a Person than following a Plan.
Introduction
In 1979, a passenger jet left New Zealand airport to go on a sightseeing trip around the Antartica.
Everything appear to go well with the minor detail that the flight coordinates was off just 2º degrees.
This minor change set the aircraft 28 miles off their course, straight into the Mount Erebus.
Once the pilots realized the problem, it was too late and the aircraft crash against the Mountain, killing everyone on board.
Why was that?
A small deviation in their trajectory early on in their journey, rendered arriving to a different destination, altogether.
The same can be said of ministry.
Most of us are getting ready to set our course in ministry.
But is it imperative that we set ourselves in the right path.
The smallest deviation now, could mean tragedy to the people we will minister.
How can we be sure we are set on the right path for ministry?
Our text for today will help us answer this question.
Turn with me to Exodus 13.17-22
Historical Context
We arrive at the aftermath at one of the most famous accounts in Biblical Narrative.
God, in keeping with his covenant, rose up a leader, Moses, to deliver his people from the bondage of Egypt.
At first, Pharaoh refused to set the people of Israel free.
Consequently, God sent ten (10) plagues to humble Pharaoh’s pride and to showcase his power to all the inhabitants of Egypt.
Eventually, Pharaoh accepted to set free the people of Israel.
For the people of God, this prompted a celebration and the institution of the Passover.
It is a this moment, about to take on a journey that would change the course of their lives forever, that we find our narrative.
“In a sense, this was the first day of the rest of their lives.”
But, what does that have to do with us?
“Today we will learn three (3) lessons which will help us ensure we are stay on the right path for ministry.”
Trust in God’s Providence (vv17-18)
Right from the beginning we are told that God “did not lead them” through the most convenient route (v17).
The shortest route to the Promise Land would be east, along the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea.
Instead, God directed them south, towards the Gulf of Suez.
Think of it this way: If you wanted to go to Savanah, GA, but instead of going straight south, you go west towards Chattanooga, TN, and then circle around towards Savanah.
We are not talking of any simple detour, but of a different route altogether.
Nevertheless, God had a purpose for this very odd itinerary.
Indeed, God was not clueless about the direction they’d go, but acting providentially on their behalf.
“Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.” (v17b)
In the words of Adrian Rogers:
Adrian Rogers Sermon Archive (I.
The Discipline of Detours)
We say that a straight line is the shortest distance between two points […] but it’s not always the best distance.
...And God knew best!
Had Israel taken the most convenient road, they would have encounter an enemy they were not yet ready to face.
God wanted to Protect them.
Israel was not yet ready to face the Philistines.
God knew that facing them would be a trial they could not overcome.
We are not told the reasons why.
Perhaps because they lacked military experience.
Perhaps because this route was heavily guarded by Egyptians fortresses.
Perhaps because once they faced the Philistines, they would team up with the Egyptians in desperation.
But God knew best.
“God WAS NOT going to put his people in a place where they had no other option, but to fall into temptation.”
“Neither was He going to spare them from any trials, for look where he was leading them to: the Red Sea.”
God wanted to Grow them.
But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea.
We all know what took place at the shores of the Red Sea.
The Pharaoh’s armies caught up with the Israelites.
The people of Israel feared and cried out to God once more.
But God delivered them from the Egyptians once and for all.
God was not only protecting them from the Philistines, but he would manifest his glory and power once more before Israel!
“Israel needed to be at the Red Sea, and witness the salvation of the Lord.”
Moreover, God needed to work in the hearts of his people.
After the Red Sea God would expose Israel to:
Hunger.
Thirst.
War.
Even Moses needed to be stretched as a Leader during this journey in the wilderness.
“God was not so much preparing them to enter the Promise Land, but to be His People in the Promise Land.”
Application: Who’s Agenda are we to Follow?
Perhaps there is a lesson for us to learn here:
“The right way in ministry, is not always the most convenient way.”
There is a way how we envision our ministries.
We come up with a 5-10 years vision.
We elaborate plans to achieve our vision.
We have parameters by which we measure if we are on right track.
I am not saying we do away with our all strategic planning.
But we need to recognize that God is not bound to our 5-10 years plan!
How many agendas and plans have been frustrated by Covid?
I’ll tell who’s didn't: God’s!
“God is not submitting to our agenda, but rather submitting us to his agenda.”
He will guard you from temptations you are not ready to face.
Ex.
A successful ministry.
He will take you to trials that you need to face.
Ex.
A contentious church.
…But know this:
“God already has a path for our ministry, trust that, in his providence, he’ll take us there.”
Illustration: Paul Going to Rome.
Follow after God’s Presence (vv20-22)
We pick up our text in verses 20-22 now.
For the first time in the Exodus account, we are introduce to the pillar of cloud and fire.
During the day, this pillar would take the form of smoke and go before Israel.
During the night, it would take the form of fire.
What is more important, is that this pillar represented the presence of the Lord - “And the Lord went before them...”
Theologians would call this a theophany.
Both smoke and fire are elements closely associated with God in the Old Testament.
Some people would like to argue that this pillar was no more than a volcanic explosion in the region.
But this explanation does not fit the narrative, for in a few verses down, the pillar would move behind the people of Israel to protect them from the armies of Egypt (Ex 13.22).
Also, the pillar would stand in the midst of the people, inside the tabernacle, when the people were not moving (Ex 40.34).
The presence of God in this pillar was so powerful to Moses and the people, that Moses says they were seeing God “face to face.”
Numbers 14:14 (ESV)
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9