Sermon Tone Analysis

This morning we celebrate an event that has not changed in 2000 years.

We have no new information since the last time we heard the story.

If we’ve all heard the story already, how do we listen to a sermon without a “been there, done that” attitude?

My hope is that while the story has not changed, today the story may change us.

We have been conditioned by crafted talking points, maintaining the party line, and unified messaging, so that we may sometimes have difficulty separating fact from fiction.

I saw a report recently that public opinion in Russia regarding Putin is on the rise.

Because the people are consistently hearing that they are in Ukraine to rescue the citizens from a tyrant (not unlike what our own country did in Iraq with Saddam Hussein).

In an age of spin, how do we separate truth from fake news?

One test is the extent to which people will go to defend the proposition.

When I was only 4 years old, Richard Nixon became President of our country.

Dirty politics is nothing new!

Office break-ins and illegal recordings became a scandal named for the building that was breeched.

It was the first -gate scandal, Watergate.

One of the most famous characters in that scandal was a presidential aide named Charles Colson.

Between the break-in and entering prison following a guilty plea, Colson accepted the gift of salvation in Jesus Christ.

Colson wrote,

I know the resurrection is a fact, and Watergate proved it to me.

How?

Because 12 men testified they had seen Jesus raised from the dead, then they proclaimed that truth for 40 years, never once denying it.

Every one was beaten, tortured, stoned and put in prison.

They would not have endured that if it weren't true.

Watergate embroiled 12 of the most powerful men in the world-and they couldn't keep a lie for three weeks.

You're telling me 12 apostles could keep a lie for 40 years?

Absolutely impossible.

Personal testimonials have varying influence on others.

Every one of us has been urged to try a product recommended by a friend or neighbor.

But very few, if any of them would defend a lie about that idea or product to their death.

Transition: The death and resurrection of Christ wasn’t only a claim made by Jesus’ followers; it was an event that changed the dissenters.

The Resurrection Transformed Paul

I recently concluded reading through Acts in my personal Bible reading.

In that reading I was reminded of the significant life change that happened in one man who shifted from denying the resurrection to embracing it.

From Corrupt to Called (Acts 8:3, 13:2-3)

1.

Before Saul believed that Jesus was resurrected from the dead he was described as ravaging and imprisoning men and women simply for their faith.

2. After the resurrected Jesus appeared to Saul, Paul’s life took on a whole new direction.

3. Don’t allow the Saul/Paul change to confuse you.

The name change is relevant to the people to whom he was sent.

I have a college classmate who is a missionary in Honduras.

Tim (Timothy) is from Minnesota, but when he is in Central America he is called Timoteo.

4. The spelling/pronunciation of his name is not the point of the story.

This man went through a complete metamorphosis!

Just as a ground-bound caterpillar turns into an airborne butterfly, Saul was transformed from an angry, violent man who persecuted Christians to a man who traveled throughout the region imploring people to believe that the resurrected Savior is worthy of their devotion.

From Precarious to Protected (Acts 9:23; 9:15)

I can’t help but to see the similarities between the way the Jewish leaders treated Jesus and the way they are treating Paul.

They get the sentence first then try to create a case.

But just as in Jesus’ situation, the religious leaders could not interfere with God’s plan.

From Damned to Determined (Acts 13:27; 30)

1.

Unfortunately, many people misunderstand religious writings and jump to wrong conclusions and applications.

Our own national history is littered by people who misread the Bible and used it to justify the dehumanizing slavery of fellow image-bearers.

2. Similarly, many in Jesus’ day (including Saul) misread the prophets and were actually condemned, even if they refused to admit it.

3.

This misunderstanding of the prophets is what Paul addresses in Romans 3:28.

4. When Paul came to understand that human good deeds is not the basis of salvation, he became determined to spread a new message.

Transition: The resurrection of Jesus transformed Paul into an ambassador for Christ.

When He became a witness, his demeanor changed from hostility and anger because…

Resurrection Power brings Hope (Acts 27)

From Prisoner to Promise (v.1, v.34b)

1.

Even though He was not yet condemned, he was accused and in custody.

Paul considered himself to already be dead to his own purposes and bought by and fully belonging to God for God’s purpose.

What hope does one have when condemned to die?

I understand there is a phrase called out whenever deathrow inmates are relocated—dead man walking.

I understand this is meant to be a call for increased awareness, because a man condemned to die has nothing to lose by attempting something outrageous.

2. Paul’s custody did not prevent him from proclaiming hope to those around him.

Acts 27:34b (ESV:2016)

...for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.”

3. Paul could make the bold promise in v.34 because the resurrected Christ had called him to a purpose.

4. Believers are immortal in the will of God, until their work is done.

Out of the will of God there is danger, but in the will of God there is a divine protection that gives us peace in our hearts, no matter how trying life may be.[i]

From Empty to Satisfied (v.33-34)

1.

As Paul and the others travel on the ship, the entire crew is scared that they will not survive.

They had jettisoned all of their supplies in an attempt to survive and the only cargo left on the ship is the grain that belongs to the King.

They are empty and running on fumes.

2. Paul has had his values transformed by the resurrection.

He realizes that people are more important than property.

Because a messenger of the resurrected Christ appeared to Paul in vv.23-25 and promised there would be no loss of life, Paul encourages the men to change their current condition.

3.

After a good meal, the grain was jettisoned which was no loss, because the boat itself gets destroyed in v.41.

From Storm to Safety (v.15, v.44)

1.

An experienced captain who had presumably made this trek before hauling grain from Egypt to Rome, finds himself, the crew, and the passengers blown by a Fall storm significantly off course.

Map of Crete

2. vv.14-32 can be summed up in these familiar words.

[singing] The weather started getting rough, the tiny shipped was tossed, if not for the courage of a fearful crew the cargo would be lost, the ship would be lost.

3.

For those who want a more literal telling, it is summarized in v. 15.

4. VV.43-44 describes how some swam, some floated, but all survived safely.

Transition: How does Paul’s adventure in Acts 27 relate to us?

Easter Hope Transforms Us!

From Crisis to Hope (Ps 33:18)

Down by 3, 75 yards from the goalline and 13 seconds on the clock. 2 plays later overtime and an eventual win.

Down by 15 in the National Championship 2 weeks ago.

Since I know University loyalties are strong in these parts I won’t divide us any more by mentioning the name of the school, but if you are a fan, you know who I am talking about.

No matter what crisis we face in this life, the death-conquering resurrection gives us reason to hope.

From Despair to Faith (2 Cor 5:7)

1.

We see price tags, we pray for friends with Covid, and we are tempted to despair.

Many around us have reason for despair.

A Virus, Political strife, Economy and Supply Chain struggles, and relationship that are hanging on by a thread.

War and Gangs showing their tyranny forcing thousands to become refugees.

These very real experiences leave people around us gasping for something positive.

2. The reality of an empty tomb on a Sunday morning means we have reason to exchange despair for faith.

From Faith to Life (Romans 1:17)

When we have faith that Jesus did what the Bible says He did, and we have faith that God will do what He promises, we live with faith, hope and love.

When our future, eternal life is secure, our current earthly life is better!

I am not promising that this pilgrimage will be a bed of roses, but, on the authority of God’s Word, I can attest that the peace of God that surpasses all logic will guard your heart and mind when you allow belief in the resurrection to replace the despair of humanity.

Song of Response #406 “My Hope is in the Lord”