Sermon Tone Analysis

Formal Elements / Descriptive Data

Text (focused on a complete thought-unit of Scripture providing the sermon’s authoritative basis & biblical affirmation):

Central Idea of the Text (CIT; details of text summarized in a complete, past tense sentence): Jesus taught His disciples to be always ready for His return: Failure to prepare in advance brings disastrous consequences, but those prepared are blessed with peace and joy.

Proposition (major idea of sermon summarized in a complete sentence using present active, future indicative or imperative mood; the message): By looking ahead in preparation now for the imminent return of Christ, you can enjoy peace while waiting for Him, and never fear the tragedy of His ultimate renunciation.

Statement of Purpose:

(1) Major Objective (MO; focuses on only one of six possible [doctrinal, devotional, ethical, evangelistic, consecrative, or supportive]) – Ethical

(2) Specific Objective (SO; focuses on only one; calls for specific action [“I want my hearer to . .

.”]) – live with a clear conscience that he has done everything possible to be ready when Jesus comes.

Title (Topic/Name) (2 to 4 words with key, arrow, or unifying word usually common to all major ideas; innovative, interesting, contemporary; indicative of general sermon content; not sensational or cute): Sure You Are Ready?

Structural Pattern (1 of 8 possible [enumeration, exploration, biographical, narrative, analogical, causal, problem-solution/question-answer, elimination]): Full-Orbed; Optional - Exploration (Bridegroom’s perspective, Wise/Foolish)

Informal Elements / Rhetorical Data

Initiation — Life Interest — Beginning Movement/Episode/Issue:

Life Material (LM) = “LIFE MATERIAL”: The telling/re-presenting of supportive life-material; compelling, fresh, interesting, believable; clearly related to the general conflict, mystery, question, problem, etc. being dealt with; use various sources or types; connect with listener’s experiences; strong, interesting opening sentence(s):

Introduction:

Have you ever had a dream where you are free-falling, only to wake up in bed?

Ryan Campbell wasn’t dreaming when he fell down a 60-foot cliff in the Daniel Boone National Forest in Kentucky, but he was sleeping.

Thankfully, he suffered only minor injuries.

While fully awake people can fall, the likelihood increases if you’re sleepwalking while camping near a cliff.

Being alert is more than merely being awake; it is watchful diligence.

—Jim L. Wilson

[Jim L. Wilson, “Sleepwalking off a Cliff,” in 300 Illustrations for Preachers, ed.

Elliot Ritzema (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2015).]

I. Contemporary Examples:

A. Specific Recent Reports of General Unpreparedness -

1.

A Nation Ill-Prepared; Omicron Variant of the CCP Virus

2. IFB Churches Ill-Prepared; Closures, Pastorless

3. Families Ill-Prepared; All Have Been Forced to Adapt, Not All Have Overcome, Many Have Succumb

Quote - “Crises—like sudden rainstorms—can help or hinder, enrich or engulf, depending on whether or not we have properly prepared for them.”

—William Arthur Ward

[Roy B. Zuck, The Speaker’s Quote Book: Over 4,500 Illustrations and Quotations for All Occasions (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1997), 391.]

Life Issue (LI) = “LIFE ISSUE”: Posits question; creates problem; establishes mystery; arouses curiosity, anticipation; imposes conflict; establishes suspense, ambiguity, or bind:

B. Specific Recent Stories of Close Friends & Family Who Waited Until It Was Too Late -

1.

A Catholic Grandfather Trusting His Church to Take Him to Heaven.

2. A Protestant Grandmother Trusting Her Good Works & the Social Gospel to Somehow Merit Grace for Her Sin-sick Soul.

3. A Baptist Regular Attender Having Never Publicly Confessed Christ Before the World.

Continuation — Progress — Middle Movement/Episode/Option:

LM:

II.

Old Testament Examples:

A. Was Adam Prepared for the Consequence of Sin? Fig-Leaves; Was Cain?

Expelled.

B. Were Those in Noah’s Day Prepared for the Judgment of God in the Flood?

Noah Alone Found Grace.

(Heb.

11:7)

Biblical Material/Exposition (EXP) = “EXPOSITION”: Summary of biblical material & identification of text(s) by vs. no.; exposit only from selected text; 3rd person pronouns; past tense; expresses the “then-ness” aspect:

C. Benaiah (1 Chron.

11:22-25)

1. Prepared for Success with the Right Attitude.

As we consider Benaiah’s life, we notice first of all the importance of having the right attitudes.

He came from a godly home.

He had been born and reared in Kabzeel, a small village on the border between Judah and Edom (Joshua 15:21).

Life was hard in this arid, semi-desert area, and Bedouin from the desert were constantly trying to overrun their village and drive off their flocks and herds.

A man had to learn early in life how to defend his wife and children, and safeguard his livestock.

Benaiah’s father was a priest (27:5), and his grandfather was a great and godly man.

Together they set Benaiah an example of righteousness and dedication to duty that made a lasting impression on him.

We can imagine the talk around the dinner table being both political and religious, and the thoughts implanted in young Benaiah’s mind gave him a clear perspective on life.

Israel was experiencing times of adversity under the poor leadership of King Saul, and some big decisions faced Benaiah as he reached manhood.

There came a day when, placing commitment to what was right ahead of expediency, he left his home and joined forces with David, most likely in the cave of Adullam.

The key to Benaiah’s decision lay in the training he had received in his home.

It led to the development of internalized norms and standards that resulted in independent thought and action.

And these attitudes characterized all he did.

As we reflect upon the importance of a godly home, we have occasion to remind ourselves that only in such an environment can proper beliefs, values, and goals be cultivated.

And the inculcation of these values in our children requires of us involvement, modeling, and instruction in their lives.

As we read about what Benaiah did, and then reflect back upon the home from which he came, we realize how much of his success can be attributed to the attitudes and example set him by his father and grandfather.

It is in the home that character is formed; and depending on the kind of character developed, it can lead ultimately to success without compromise or regret.

[Cyril J. Barber, 1 Chronicles: The Faithfulness of God to His Word Illustrated in the Lives of the People of Judah, Focus on the Bible Commentary (Scotland: Christian Focus Publications, 2004), 117–118.]

2. By Being Proactive “These things DID Beniah . .

.”

As we take a closer look at the verses before us, we come across a second principle of success: the importance of being proactive.

It should not surprise us that, as Benaiah attained manhood, he became known for his own “mighty deeds.”

He did not become great all at once.

There was a methodical growth that eventually was seen in significant acts of bravery.

And these paved the way for the three notable feats that are described for us in the text.

Each act illustrates the importance of taking the initiative, the ability to press home an advantage, and the know-how that accompanies calculated risks so that what we do eventually results in success.

The first remarkable act occurred when Benaiah struck down “two lionlike men” of Moab . . . the point brought before us is that Benaiah did not suddenly become a mighty man of valor.

He had developed his skills over many years.

He defeated these “Ariels” of Moab because he had disciplined himself and could draw on his skills when occasion required.

He also had developed the strength needed for the task, and possessed the insight, courage and resourcefulness necessary for success.

And for his bravery he won deserved fame.

A second illustration of Benaiah’s ability occurred one wintry day.

A lion, probably driven out of the hills by hunger, had approached a village.

The snow lying on the ground had blurred visual distinctions, and the lion had fallen into a pit or well.

It would have been easy for Benaiah to walk by and ignore the danger this trapped animal posed for the women and children of the village.

Furthermore, no one was standing on the sidelines to cheer him on.

Disregarding any danger to himself, Benaiah jumped into the pit and single-handedly took on this hungry, frightened and angry “king of beasts.”

It was not an easy task.

Lions strike fear into the heart of the bravest people.

. . .

The third incident illustrating Benaiah’s ability to size up a situation and take appropriate action has to do with an Egyptian.

This man was of impressive stature, seven and a half feet tall; and his spear, nearly twice the thickness of a 4″ × 4″, was probably about ten feet long.

Benaiah was armed only with a rod.

Once again he acted decisively.

Possibly avoiding the Egyptian’s lunge, he wrested the spear from his hand and then killed him with his own weapon.

Of great importance to us as we consider Benaiah’s accomplishments is the fact that he did not fear failure.

The training he had received in his home had developed a positive trust in God, his skills had been honed with practice, and he had developed the ability to size up a situation and take prompt action.

. . .

[Benaiah was a man] of conviction, active in doing what needed to be done, and refusing to be neutralized to the point of inefficiency by the magnitude of the tasks [he] undertook or the strength of the opposition. . .

Benaiah achieved success without compromise or regret.

[Barber, 118–121.]

3.

By Handling Disappointment with Maturity.

The third point brought before us in the text concerns the importance of handling disappointments properly.

As we have found, David’s mighty men were divided into two separate groups of three each.

“The [First] Three” constituted his “Joint Chiefs of Staff;” the second triad appears to have held special positions in the army.

“The Thirty” were commanders of various divisions within David’s army.