Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Meaning of Keeping someone at arm’s length

To avoid being very close to or friendly with someone or something

May have good reason

Toxic friends

Former partners

Toxic relatives

In the case of your relationship with God it’s

Maintaining a standard for God that does not interfere with the glory of self

Dangers of Keeping God at Arm’s Length

1. Spiritual Vacuum

When you keep God at arm’s length then you create an spiritual vacuum.

Nature abhors a vacuum - What is a vacuum

Any absence of a regular or expected person or thing WILL SOON BE FILLED by someone or something similar.

2. Diminished Biblical-view and an ever increasing Worldview

Secular Worldview

Mankind is the ultimate norm by which truth and values are to be determined.

Biblical Worldview

Your understanding of who you are, how you are to live, and how you determine good from bad come from the teachings of the Bible.

What percent of Christians today hold a Biblical Worldview?

17% of Christians who consider their belief important and attend church regularly have a Biblical Word view

83% 61 - mixture of new age reality, 51 - not absolute truth, not one can know the meaning a purpose of life, 33 - government should control everything to make sure everyone gets their ‘fair share”, 29 - meaning and purpose come from working hard and living your best self.

Christians need to be more discerning

No longer normal to be a Christian in our culture

Christians are often living more as an extension of the secular world today than as a distinct light to it

Every thing has become very self-centered.

You be you instead of what God has created you to be.

You got this instead of God is in control

Live you best life instead of live to give glory to God

Live your truth instead of obey THE Truth

Christian get mad when you point out false doctrine.

You’re suppose to love one another

No guilt in habitually continuing in sin.

Lives look no different than a non-believer

Unhealthy and unbiblical level of mixing political views with theological views and Christian identity.

Regardless of what label you choose to give yourself.

Sexual immorality: shacking, gender fluidity identity under the guise of being loving

Jesus did not dine with sinners to show agreement with, or endorsement for their sin.

He was providing a loving way for them to leave their sin for a much greater life in Him.

Choose between Bible and science with science being the more educated choice

In my own life in manifest itself as forgetting God’s promises, prayerlessness, unforgiveness, bitterness, or failing to know how I’m suppose to respond in an tough or unexpected moment

We live is a culture where

Feelings are the ultimate guide

Happiness is the ultimate goal

Judging is the ultimate sin

God is the ultimate guest

and “Should” is an offensive word

How then to I NOT keep God at arm’s length

LOVE GOD

Note that Jesus said that Loving God is the greatest commandment.

ANY OTHER COMMAND MUST BE OBEYED WITHIN THAT CONTEXT

What is means to love others - depends on what it means to first Love God

To love God is not up for guesses.

He has revealed how we should love Him in His Word

Make a Deliberate, Conscience Decision to Study His Word

Exercise Self-Deprivation