Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
This automated analysis scores the text on the likely presence of emotional, language, and social tones. There are no right or wrong scores; this is just an indication of tones readers or listeners may pick up from the text.
A score of 0.5 or higher indicates the tone is likely present.
Emotion Tone
Anger
0.14UNLIKELY
Disgust
0.52LIKELY
Fear
0.13UNLIKELY
Joy
0.62LIKELY
Sadness
0.51LIKELY
Language Tone
Analytical
0.75LIKELY
Confident
0.47UNLIKELY
Tentative
0UNLIKELY
Social Tone
Openness
0.84LIKELY
Conscientiousness
0.68LIKELY
Extraversion
0.06UNLIKELY
Agreeableness
0.63LIKELY
Emotional Range
0.62LIKELY
Tone of specific sentences
Tones
Emotion
Language
Social Tendencies
Anger
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9
Introduction
Perplexed Faith - last week we looked at perplexing problems.
When you look around and take in what you see.
It is bewildering and perplexing to consider God’s providential working in the world around us.
We are in the company of Habakkuk and the Psalmist Asaph when we are perplexed that the wicked seem to be prospering by what we can see, and the righteous are suffering.
Habbakuk goes to his lookout tower - or his watch tower (not the magazine).
Like Asaph Habakkuk knew the answer would be seen in the sanctuary of God.
His lookout tower was his sanctuary - lets join Habakkuk there.
Habakkuk 2:4 (CSB)
4 the righteous one will live by his faith.
We walk by faith not sight - we are called to live by faith even when it is perplexed faith.
Faith is Patient Upon God
Habakkuk says he will stand at his guard post and station myself on the lookout tower, while I wait to hear from the LORD.
Habakkuk did not abandon his post while waiting for an answer, maintained his guard post.
He also determined to position himself in the lookout tower a place where he would obtain the earliest and clearest information and be in a position like a watchman to inform his brethren.
Habakkuk waited to gain the LORD’s perspective by getting alone.
Habakkuk needed an answer from the LORD and so he went up into his tower to seek his Father.
There are three important components in this verse we must not miss.
Determination - Habakkuk needed an answer and said I WILL stand at my guard post and station myself.
He set himself in place to seek the LORD and hear from the LORD.
He didnt say I should find some time, or if I have a chance after such and such.
The one who seeks the LORD is the one determined to hear from the LORD.
The LORD promises that the one who seeks Him with all their heart shall find Him.
So often our faith lacks determination
Isolation - Habakkuk got away from everything and went up into a tower.
Fleeing all the other distractions to hear clearly from the LORD.
We often times cannot hear the LORD because we have too much other noise in our ears.
If you want to hear from God there is no greater alternative to quiet time in a quiet place with a quiet heart.
That means turning off or putting away phones, tablets, TV and radio.
Expectation - Lastly we see in Habbakuk his expectation that the LORD will speak to him.
He watched expectantly to see what the LORD will say to him.
He didnt hope the LORD will speak, nor did he wish for the LORD to speak to him - he said what the LORD WILL say to me.
Only by faith can we please God and if you dont believe by faith that God is going to speak to you, then you will not hear anything from God.
How do you have faith that God will speak to you and answer you?
Do you journal with pencil and paper as you read God’s word and spend time with the LORD?
Are you on the edge of your seat wondering what He will speak to you this time?
Faith Believes God’s Word
Habakkuk declares that the LORD in fact did answer him.
He had no question that it was the LORD who had answered him.
In the answer that the LORD gave Habakkuk we can see two truths about God’s answer.
The first is that God gave clear revelation and His desire is for the revelation to be clear.
The LORD wants and desires for the vision given to Habakkuk to be clearly inscribed on tablets.
This is for two reasons - for it to be kept and shared, and also for the one whom it is shared with may easily read it.
The writing is to be permanent so that generation after generation could read it.
The writing is also to be clear and plainly written so that anybody could read it.
It was also to be public so that everybody even those passing by could get its message immediately.
Habakkuk wasnt the only one who needed this message and he was commissioned to share it.
We would not be reading this today if Habakkuk had not obeyed God’s orders.
When you behold the glory of God you will believe the word of God and that will give you the faith to accept the will of God.
Paul teaches us in the New Testament that faith comes by hearing - hearing the word of God.
The second truth is that God gave certain revelation.
The revelation was yet for the appointed time.
It was for a future time about a future time.
It testifies about the end and it will not lie - it will not be proven to be false but will come about — it is CERTAIN.
Though it delays wait for it it will certainly come and not be late.
It wont happen immediately but do not grow weary and caught off guard - it will happen.
Wait for it - the idea is to wait with an eager anticipation and look forward to it.
It is certainly coming and even though it delays it is on time and not late.
This vision is coming at the appointed time - not early and not late but at the exact time appointed for it.
The immediate application is the end of the Babylonian Captivity, the writer of Hebrews interprets it now to refer also to the Return of Jesus Christ.
God’s tell us to wait for it - will the LORD come and deliver - yes wait for Him with expectation for His revelation is CLEAR and CERTAIN.
Righteous Live By Faith
God reveals to Habakkuk that because the king of Babylon was lifted with pride, ego that he would die.
God’s summary of the king and his conceited character is that he is puffed up like a bloated toad.
Inflated with evil passions and they are without integrity - not upright.
Yahweh declares that a righteous person in stark contrast with a marked distinction will live by his faith.
A righteous one who remained loyal and faithful to God’s moral precepts and humble before the LORD would enjoy God’s abundant life.
The believing righteous needs to stick to their guns.
The literal rendering is “By his faith the just shall live” or paraphrased “the justified-by-faith-one shall live”.
This verse is actually quoted three times in the New Testament.
Paul in Romans stressing what it means to be righteous.
Righteousness is imparted through faith - we dont earn it - it is given the moment we believe.
No one is justified before God by the law - justification is through FAITH
The righteous one SHALL LIVE by faith.
Stedman: It is interesting that in Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews there is a kind of divine commentary on this verse:
1. Romans stresses what it means to be "righteous."
There we are told that the righteousness of Christ is imparted to us by the gift of God.
Righteousness is handed to us.
We don't earn it; we have it the minute we believe.
2. Then the words, "shall live," are interpreted in Chapter 5 of Galatians, the great chapter on the life in the Spirit.
What does "to live" mean?
It means to walk in love, and joy, and peace, and longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control.
3. Then the words, "by faith," are interpreted in Hebrews, the great letter on faith.
What does it mean to have faith?
It means to trust that the invisible God is working, despite present appearances.
We are called to live by faith and nothing else, not devotions, not by works, not by feelings, not by circumstances.
MacArthur: The emphasis in both Habakkuk and the NT references goes beyond the act of faith to include the continuity of faith.
Faith is not a one-time act, but a way of life.
The true believer, declared righteous by God, will persevere in faith as the pattern of his life
The contrast the LORD gives here is of people who live by faith in God and His word and those who arrogantly live by themselves without God.
The Babylonians are not the only ones puffed up with pride and self-sufficiency - it is epidemic of our time as well.
Deceived to discontentment by wine or strong drink
Devoted to greed and covetousness
Driven by ambition and lust for conquest
Woe Inducing and Faith Preventing
The Lord then proclaims to Habakkuk 5 woes concerning the sins of Babylon - these sins will be judged by God and these sins when practiced are faith preventing.
Those who live according to these sins cannot live by faith and thus are not righteous and will perish.
Endless Appetite
Woe is pronounced to him who amasses what is not his.
The Babylonians are consumed with having it all, wealth, territory and reputation.
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9