Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction:

A Proud Turtle-Unknown Author

“A turtle once wanted to spend the winter in Florida, but he knew he could never walk that far.

He convinced a couple of geese to help him, each taking one end of a piece of rope, while he clamped his vise-like jaws in the center.

The flight went fine until someone on the ground looked up in admiration and asked, “Who in the world thought of that?”

Unable to resist the chance to take credit, the turtle opened his mouth to shout, “I did.”

You will probably do more damage to your spiritual life than anyone else around you.

Yet, in your pride you will try to blame someone else for your faults and take credit for the successes.”

Main Point: “We exalt Jesus Christ, not ourselves.”

(Prayer)

Who Were The Pharisees?

“A Jewish religious party.”

What did they believe?

They placed considerable emphasis upon the religious upholding of the law, specifically traditional forms.

What Was Their Attitude Toward Jesus Christ?

Most opposed Jesus Christ and His ministry.

Why, because Jesus broke their traditions and challenged their interpretations of the law.

You Might Be A Pharisee If...

1.)

You trust in yourself and look down on others.

(Example: Ben Franklin)

2.) Brag about all the “good” you do.

No amount of “good” will make you right with God.

Article from CBS News:

“During an edition of the news program 60 Minutes, Dan Rather interviewed Jack Welch, the outspoken former CEO of General Electric.

At the end of the interview, Rather asked Welch, “What’s the toughest question you have ever been asked?”

Welch replied, “Do you think you’ll go to Heaven?”

When asked how he had answered that question, Welch said, “It’s a long answer, but I said that if caring about people, if giving it your all, if being a great friend counts—despite the fact that I’ve been divorced a couple of times, and no one’s proud of that.

I haven’t done everything right all the time.

I think I got a shot.

I’m in no hurry to get there and to find out any time soon.”

The truth is no one is good enough to get to Heaven except for Christ.

We must trust Him and Him alone to forgive our sin and save our soul.

3.) Discount the words of Jesus Christ.

4.) You desire friendship with the world more than with Jesus Christ.

(Example: Ditching old friends for new friends.)

How to Avoid a Pharisee Like Mindset:

1.) Have a Christ-like mindset.

2.) Draw near to God.

3.) Remember the mercy and grace of God.

4.) Check your motives.

5.) Don’t have a critical spirit.

6.) Humble yourself to the Lord.

Conclusion:

Don’t Be A Pharisee Spoof

When you become a Pharisee, you start to trust in yourself.

When you trust in yourself, you start to look down on others.

When you start to look down on others, you start to become critical.

When you start to become critical, you get angry when someone shares the truth.

When you get angry, you get blinded to the truth.

When you get blinded to the truth, you miss out on the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ.

Don’t miss out on the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ, become a humble servant to Christ.