Sermon Tone Analysis

Salvation, Day of

The story is told of a time when Satan held a strategy session for subverting those who were close to salvation.

“What shall we do?” asked Satan.

A daring demon stood and shouted, “I have it!

I know what we can do!

We can tell men that there is no life after death, that they die like animals.”

Satan’s face fell as he answered, “It will never work.

Man is not ignorant; even atheists admit of times when they sense a tomorrow after death.”

Another demon spoke, “Here’s the solution!

Let’s say there is no God or if there ever was, he is dead—because even if he started the universe, he has left it now.”

Satan replied in dismay, “That won’t work either; most of them know there is a God, even though they don’t seek him.”

Other ideas were presented, but none brought hope to Satan and his underlings.

Finally, as they were about to give up, one demon leaped in glee, “I have it!

A sure solution!”

The other demons crowded around to hear the plan.

“Go tell them that God is real and the Bible is God’s Word.”

A gasp came from the audience as the demon continued, “And tell them that Jesus is God’s Son and frees men from sin.”

The other demons were horror-stricken, thinking that their associate had gone bananas, until, with a smile, he added, “Then tell them that this is not the best time to choose Christ.

Help them make excuses for delaying their decision.

Tell them there is no hurry!”

The demons danced in delight, realizing a workable plan had been discovered.1165

Michael P. Green.

(2000).

1500 illustrations for biblical preaching (pp.

312–313).

Baker Books.

God’s work of grace apparently moves downward through our physical body.

The last part of us to experience full salvation seems to be our right foot! Actually, the way we act behind the wheel of a car is often more indicative of our walk with God than the way we act praying in a pew or smiling over a well-marked Bible.

So, if we occasionally must speed, maybe it would help to sing loudly:

At 45 m.p.h.—“God

Will Take Care of You”

At 55 m.p.h.—“Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”

At 65 m.p.h.—“Nearer,

My God, to Thee”

At 75 m.p.h.—“Nearer,

Still Nearer!”

At 85 m.p.h.—“This World Is Not My Home”

At 95 m.p.h.—“Lord, I’m Coming Home”

Over 100 m.p.h.—“Precious Memories

Michael P. Green.

(2000).

1500 illustrations for biblical preaching (p.

321).

Baker Books.

An article entitled “The Startling Beliefs of our Future Ministers,” included the results of a survey taken among several major denominational seminaries.

These questions were asked and answered as follows:

“Do you believe in a physical resurrection?”

Fifty-four percent said, “No.”

“Do you believe in the virgin birth of Christ?” Fifty-six percent answered, “No.”

“Do you believe in a literal heaven and hell?” Seventy-one percent said, “No.”

“Do you believe in the deity of Christ?” Eighty-nine percent said, “No.”

“Do you believe that man is separated from God by birth (the doctrine of depravity)?” Ninety-eight percent responded either “No” or they weren’t concerned about this.

“Do you believe in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ?” Ninety-nine percent said, “No.”

—Redbook, August 1961

Swindoll, C. R. (2016).

The Tale of the Tardy Oxcart and 1501 Other Stories (p.

480).

Thomas Nelson.

One-half of our problems come from wanting our own way.

The other half come from getting it!1213

Michael P. Green.

(2000).

1500 illustrations for biblical preaching (p.

329).

Baker Books.

True liberty is not found without confession of our sins and the experience of divine forgiveness.

—Paul Tournier, The Strong and the Weak

Swindoll, C. R. (2016).

The Tale of the Tardy Oxcart and 1501 Other Stories (p.

483).

Thomas Nelson.

I’m Drowning

Lord, I’m drowning

In a sea of perplexity.

Waves of confusion

Crash over me.

I’m too weak

To shout for help.

Either quiet the waves

Or lift me above them—

It’s too late

To learn to swim.

—Ruth Harms Calkin, Tell Me Again Lord, I Forget

Swindoll, C. R. (2016).

The Tale of the Tardy Oxcart and 1501 Other Stories (p.

484).

Thomas Nelson.

Sin

Sin is like a woodpecker.

Each particular attack makes noise but doesn’t seem to do much damage.

But, like a woodpecker, if you let it chip away at your life long enough, it will leave many an ugly hole that never fills in.1233

If you have to do wrong to stay on the team, you are on the wrong team.1234

He that falls into sin is man.

He that grieves at sin is a saint.

He that boasts of sin is a devil.

He that forgives our sin is God.1235

A flippant youth asked a preacher, “You say that unsaved people carry a weight of sin.

I feel nothing.

How heavy is sin?

Is it ten pounds?

Eighty pounds?”

The preacher replied by asking the youth, “If you laid a four-hundred-pound weight on a corpse, would it feel the load?”

The youth replied, “It would feel nothing, because it is dead.”

The preacher concluded, “That spirit, too, is indeed dead which feels no load of sin or is indifferent to its burden and flippant about its presence.”

The youth was silenced.1236

Michael P. Green.

(2000).

1500 illustrations for biblical preaching (pp.

334–335).

Baker Books.