Sermon Tone Analysis

Against the Ropes

Church Attendance #’s on the decline

We’ve been seeing it for a number of years … not just a pandemic issue

Even our most committed folks, attend less frequently than before

Events

Sports

Single Parents

Online Options - famous preachers/churches … podcasts

Lack of guilt

And while the last one may be a good thing … guilt is a terrible motivator … guilt isn’t a good reason to show up … but there are lots of good reasons

In my conversations with pastor friends … we are all feeling this reality … varying levels of concern … and I’d be lying if I told you that I didn’t feel this

But I can also tell you that I don’t just believe in the sovereignty of God when He is doing what I want, when I want it … He has placed me, and us together at this place on this morning in His plan … at this moment in history

First Chronicles 12 lists the mighty men and warriors who came to fight with and help King David.

In verse 32 Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command.

Maybe this verse simply means that these men understood the times in such a way they knew David was a better choice than Saul.

Perhaps it means that these men had a deep understanding of fighting, human nature, and even politics.

We can either be those who do and seek to understand the times we live in, and what we should do in light of it … or ignore them and watch time and opportunity pass us by … we can be like the men in Jesus' parable given talents - resources who invest, multiply, seek to glorify God with them … or we can be like the one who buried it …

Just as the men from Issachar put their lot in with David’s success, I can tell you that I am putting my lot in with the local church for this time in history.

I don’t know if there’s ever been a time in history when God’s Church has been so desperately needed, the church has the very answers to the questions our culture is asking.

We are the one place that possesses Love, Joy, Peace, and Hope … at a time in the world when those are in short supply.

The Church’s Amazing Beginning

One of the reasons I have such great hope for the Church is that Jesus established it and promised that it would prevail no matter the times or circumstances it faces.

When Peter rightly identified Jesus as the Messiah, 17 “And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah!

For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

(Matthew 16:17–18).

In this passage in Matthew, where Jesus established the Church, the Greek word translated as “church” is ekklesia, which is a local assembly or gathering.

It’s interesting to note that the word church in the Bible never refers to a building—it’s always a gathering of people.

So this building we are in is not the church.

You and I are the ekklesia—we are the local gathering in the name of Jesus.

The Greek word for “Peter” is Petros.

The Greek word for “rock” is petra.

So Jesus was using Peter’s name as a play on words.

Hey Rock, I’m building my church on the Rock.

Jesus is the foundation of everything the Church does.

The Church is built on the platform and foundation of Christ.

And Peter is the first stone used in the building.

Peter declared, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (verse 16).

What a distinction!

-Because we have made that same declaration, we know that we are also part of Jesus’s Church.

Jesus’ Tremendous Trust

What tremendous power and responsibility Jesus gave the church!

In verse 19, I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Now we know that only God can forgive sins and only God can save people.

So this isn’t the power to go down a line and say, “You’re saved.

Saved.

You’re not saved.

Nope.

Yep.

Definitely no.”

So what does it mean that we as the local church have the power to bind and loose things on earth and in heaven?

Dad and the farm truck … why?

Because it is always important to know what something is for … what is the church for?

Why does it exist?

My dad wanted me to know that the truck wasn’t for looking pretty, or drag racing … it wasn’t for taking long vacations to foreign destinations … it was for work, firewood in particular … and lots of it … it had a purpose to serve … it was bought with the intention of being used

Jesus comes to earth, lives a perfect sinless life, dies on a cross, is buried and resurrected… and then goes back to heaven … and what does He leave behind … what is His plan … it is the church

That’s what I think this passage is saying.

The power to bring freedom and to break chains is found in the Gospel.

The Gospel doesn’t need us.

But Jesus values you so much.

Jesus wants to be in relationship with you so deeply, and He wants you to be a part of His work so He says, “Here’s the Gospel.

Here are the keys.

Where are you going to take it?”

The church has the authority to bring the full power and truth of heaven with it to a hurting and sinful world . . .

or we can park it in the garage and admire it’s paint job

As long as the Lord allows me to have influence in this church—the part of the ekklesia that I’m in—the gathering that contains me

We will dent our truck, bang its wheel wells, dirty, smelly, used … might get buried in the mud, need an occasional bath

As far as I have influence, we’re going to take that truck and use it … We’re going to see what the freeing power of Jesus can really do in our community and in our world.

It may get a little messy.

It might get a chip in the windshield.

It might get a ding in the side, but this church is meant to be used, to haul whatever needs hauling.

We have been given the keys to the kingdom, so we are going to take it forward by His power, under the protection of His grace, and through the leading of His Spirit so that what is loosed here on earth by His power may be loosed in heaven for all of eternity.

And the gates of hell will not stand against us!

The Church is Better Together

I have heard a lot of people say they hate organized religion.

I understand why.

Throughout history, the church of Jesus has frequently forgotten our mission and purpose.

Too often the church has allowed itself to be about structure and a hierarchy when actually it was about the people we are called to reach.

But the best thing about an organization is that it organizes.

When we organize, we can get some things done.

God has called us to gather together to find ways to live, share, and spread the truth and power of the Gospel.

We have a common mission and call.

We can’t complete it without each other.

In Romans 12:4–6, Paul said,

4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;

You can get some things done all by yourself, but it’s like a thumb without a hand or other fingers.

In the end, a thumb by itself isn’t good for much beyond sticking it in one of your ears as a plug or for sucking on.

But in conjunction with fingers, there is no end to the things your thumb can grasp, open, move, pull, or shape!

It’s the same way with the body of Christ.

Our different gifts working in conjunction with one another open up ministry and Gospel opportunities we could never imagine on our own!

You can’t be all you’re created to be without us.

We can’t be all we’re created to be without you.

And while the statistical data says that church numbers are down … we are called to change and shape our world together with the power of the Gospel.

It’s the power that God gave us when we come together.

That’s why God tells us in Hebrews 10:25,

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

I’m not asking you to add another thing to your already busy life; I’m suggesting that we all make the life of the church a part of each of those moments that are already happening … transform them into kingdom life .... if God is a priority in our lives it makes everything we do into the only work that really matters.

One essential expression and work of that priority is for us to keep meeting together!

We Need the Church