Sermon Tone Analysis

Title

It is so Hard not to Self-Advertise

Outline

A realistic self-concept is one thing, but the need to make others aware of it is another

You cannot be humble if you do not know who you are at a deep level

You are not humble if you have to press your claim to be acknowledge for who you are

Jesus knew who he was

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord,” the Galilean crowd shouted and Jesus knew it was indeed who he was.

After all, he had set up the triumphal procession with its various symbols.

But he did not say this to the Pharisees.

He simply said that he could not stop the cry.

Jesus knew “he was in the form of God,” but he also knew he “did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.”

He knew that he had chosen human form.

And because he was secure in his identity, he did not need to press the point.

Jesus could therefore let those who rejected his identity and instead chose “blasphemer” or “demonized” or “dangerously unhinged” or “rebel” win.

Jesus was secure in knowing he was doing the Father’s will no matter how mistreated he was.

Jesus therefore can teach us

He said, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them and those in authority over them are addressed as ‘Benefactors’;” Since they are insecure they need the signs and perks of power and especially the titles.

Instead, he told his disciples, “but among you it shall not be so.

Rather, let the greatest among you be as the youngest, and the leader as the servant.”

No holding on to rank and power there.

And it was not just words, for he gave his body and blood for them, his lessers, in the Last Supper.

He accepted the position of an unperson, a non-person, lower than a slave, in the crucifixion.

The challenge for us is whether we are secure enough in who we are, whom Jesus has made us, that we can follow this example with inner authenticity, or whether we are innerly insecure and so put it on as if it were Saul’s armor, or if we are so insecure that we are still arguing, inwardly or outwardly, over who is the greatest?

Amen

Readings

Procession

GOSPEL

Luke 19:28–40

28 After he had said this, he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.

29 As he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples.

30 He said, “Go into the village opposite you, and as you enter it you will find a colt tethered on which no one has ever sat.

Untie it and bring it here.

31 And if anyone should ask you, ‘Why are you untying it?’

you will answer, ‘The Master has need of it.’

” 32 So those who had been sent went off and found everything just as he had told them.

33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying this colt?”

34 They answered, “The Master has need of it.”

35 So they brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks over the colt, and helped Jesus to mount.

36 As he rode along, the people were spreading their cloaks on the road; 37 and now as he was approaching the slope of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of his disciples began to praise God aloud with joy for all the mighty deeds they had seen.

38 They proclaimed:

“Blessed is the king who comes

in the name of the Lord.

Peace in heaven

and glory in the highest.”

39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.”

40 He said in reply, “I tell you, if they keep silent, the stones will cry out!”

FIRST READING

Isaiah 50:4–7

4 The Lord GOD has given me

a well-trained tongue,

That I might know how to answer the weary

a word that will waken them.

Morning after morning

he wakens my ear to hear as disciples do;

5 The Lord GOD opened my ear;

I did not refuse,

did not turn away.

6 I gave my back to those who beat me,

my cheeks to those who tore out my beard;

My face I did not hide

from insults and spitting.

7 The Lord GOD is my help,

therefore I am not disgraced;

Therefore I have set my face like flint,

knowing that I shall not be put to shame.

RESPONSE

Psalm 22:2a

2 My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

Why so far from my call for help,

from my cries of anguish?

PSALM

Psalm 22:8–9, 17–20, 23–24

8 All who see me mock me;

they curl their lips and jeer;

they shake their heads at me:

9 “He relied on the LORD—let him deliver him;

if he loves him, let him rescue him.”

17 Dogs surround me;

a pack of evildoers closes in on me.

They have pierced my hands and my feet

18 I can count all my bones.

They stare at me and gloat;

19 they divide my garments among them;

for my clothing they cast lots.

20 But you, LORD, do not stay far off;

my strength, come quickly to help me.

23 Then I will proclaim your name to my brethren;

in the assembly I will praise you:

24 “You who fear the LORD, give praise!

All descendants of Jacob, give honor;

show reverence, all descendants of Israel!

SECOND READING

Philippians 2:6–11

6 Who, though he was in the form of God,

did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.

7 Rather, he emptied himself,

taking the form of a slave,

coming in human likeness;

and found human in appearance,