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
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Fear
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Analytical
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Social Tone
Openness
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Conscientiousness
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Extraversion
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Agreeableness
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Emotional Range
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Anger
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Introduction
Chik-fil-a in Alabama - an hour wait in line.
Didn’t hear, “My pleasure” when I finally got my food.
Wasn’t really a Chik-fil-a.
Must have been a McD’s in disguise.
That Chik-fil-a has a lot of changing and growing to do if it’s going to meet the standard of Chik-fil-a.
You have a lot of changing to do as well if you are going to live up to the standard that God has for you.
God did not save you for you to stay the same.
He is sanctifying you - a Spirit led work in which God uses His Word, His church, and circumstances to change you.
Spirit-led, but you have to cooperate with that work.
Beginning 2022, now a good time to ask, “Are you changing?”
Over the past year, have you seen growth in your relationship with the Lord?
Or, has nothing really changed?
Growth does not equal just growth in knowledge.
Growth is growing in knowledge AND Christ-like character.
Matters for you - If you are not growing, you are rebelling.
Matters for our church - what could God do among His people if we were all committed to our spiritual growth?
An assessment this morning: three ways to know you’re growing in Christ/changing into the person He wants you to be.
Story:
Joseph 2nd in command after years in prison.
In all of his trials, Joseph has kept his eyes on God.
Even though he’s in power his heart longs for home.
After so many years in Egypt, he looks like an Egyptian, but he’s not.
He missed his father.
Joseph’s family - feeling affects of the famine.
Jacob: “Why you standing around looking at each other?
We’re gonna die!
Go to Egypt.
I hear there’s food there...” God’s plan coming together.
Long journey to Egypt.
300 miles...
Ten brothers go - Benjamin stays home - Joseph’s younger brother by Rachel.
Took Joseph’s place in Jacob’s heart.
He lost Joseph, he wasn’t going to lose Benjamin.
(vs.
4) - Jacob suspicious of his sons - maybe it was their fault Joseph was dead?
Joseph in charge of grain distribution - the brothers bow before Joseph.
Gen. 37 - dream coming true.
They have no clue who Joseph is - he looks and speaks Egyptian.
Joseph doesn’t reveal his identity - treats them like strangers and speaks harshly to them.
Is Joseph seeking revenge?
Why is he so harsh?
Reality: testing his brothers.
They contemplated killing him, threw him in a pit, and sold him into slavery.
Joseph wants to be reunited with his family, but can he trust his family?
Had his brothers changed?
A series of tests to see if they had changed - in a sense doing the same thing to his brothers as they had done to him - tables are turned.
Joseph’s accusation: “You’re spies...”
They explain themselves: “No, we’re 12 brothers.
One is dead, and the youngest is at home.”He sees ten brothers - one’s missing - Benjamin.
Panic in Joseph’s heart: where’s Benjamin?
Had they killed Benjamin?
Had they sold Benjamin into slavery?
“You’re not leaving until Benjamin is here.”
Gives them three days in prison to decide who was going to return home for Benjamin.
If no one goes, was Benjamin even alive?
After three days, Joseph’s deal: One of you stays.
Take grain and come back with your youngest brother.
vs. 21-22: “We’re being punished!”
They know it… they know what they’ve done.
Reuben speaks up (vs.
22).
Joseph overhears - he’s moved to tears.
He longs for his family…
Joseph binds Simeon before them, fills their containers, returns their silver, gives them provisions, and sends them away.
Certainly the brothers would return for Simeon.
They leave with food, the money they had brought, but without their brother Simeon.
Left him bound as a prisoner.
They stop to rest for the night and one of the brother’s finds silver in his sack!
Response: “What has God done to us?” vs. 28… (The right thing… return to Egypt with the silver… “There’s been a mistake...” BUT… they can’t.
They’ll be accused of being thieves.)
First time in the story that the brothers talk about God.
They haven’t walked in a relationship with God, but now God has their attention.
He was bringing these brothers face to face with their sin.
What would they do?
Would they return the silver, and would they come clean with Jacob?
Return to Jacob.
Simeon’s missing… Jacob’s mind racing… “The man in charge wants us to bring back Benjamin to prove we’re not spies.”
They emptied their sacks - and silver in each of their bags.
They’re afraid!
vs. 36 - “This is your fault!
You are making me childless.”
Reuben vows two of his sons if they don’t bring Benjamin back.
Jacob: “Benjamin will not go.”Tragic!
Notice Jacob’s words: “Benjamin alone is left.”
Jacob not willing to trust his sons, and not willing to risk sending Benjamin to get Simeon.
Jacob hasn’t changed.
He’s still playing favorites.
Joseph’s brothers haven’t changed either.
They walk away and abandon Simeon much like they had walked away and abandoned Joseph years earlier and still unwilling to confess.
They move on with life trying to forget Egypt.
Imagine they don’t talk about Simeon around the dinner table.
They try to forget him.
After their conversation with their father, no further attempt to go rescue Simeon.
They don’t think of Egypt again until they’re without food again.
Joseph’s question: “Have my brother’s changed?”
End of the story, they have not.
Neither has his dad.
These are the same brothers that don’t seek God and take matters into their own hands.The family is still dysfunctional.
They acknowledge God but don’t follow God well.
Joseph is the only one in the family who models integrity and faithfulness to the Lord.
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