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
0.12UNLIKELY
Disgust
0.09UNLIKELY
Fear
0.08UNLIKELY
Joy
0.59LIKELY
Sadness
0.57LIKELY
Language Tone
Analytical
0.82LIKELY
Confident
0UNLIKELY
Tentative
0.6LIKELY
Social Tone
Openness
0.88LIKELY
Conscientiousness
0.7LIKELY
Extraversion
0.31UNLIKELY
Agreeableness
0.4UNLIKELY
Emotional Range
0.48UNLIKELY
Tone of specific sentences
Tones
Emotion
Language
Social Tendencies
Anger
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9
Introduction
The third of the Ten Commandments reads:
The popular understanding of this verse boils down to the idea that Christians should not say “oh, my God.”
I don’t think that is what God intended when He gave the command to Moses.
Notice, God did not say “you shall not USE the name of the Lord in vain.”
He said “you shall not TAKE the name of the Lord in vain.”
Small difference difference in wording but big difference in meaning.
What does it mean to take someone’s name.
Being traditional, it’s what happens when a woman gets married, she takes her husbands name.
Using a name is very different.
Anyone here can use my name, but no one is welcome to take my name, unless you want to marry one of my sons...
In ancient Israel, as God was establishing the nation, the people of Israel were to be the children of God, they took His name…literally, Israel means prince of God.
In our context, as Christians, we have taken the name of Christ.
The commandment still stands.
We should not take His name in vain, or in an empty meaningless way.
Transition
You probably thinking we are talking about the Beatitudes, and you are right, we are.
But this commandment and this Beatitude are related.
Illumination
Peacemakers Are Harmony Helpers
“Peace” means harmonious relationship
A Peacemaker is someone who tries to bring about harmonious relationships between opposing parties.
They try to take parties that are discordant and help them become harmonious.
Key Relationships That Need to be in Harmony
Our Relationship with God
Our natural state is out of harmony with God.
God has done everything necessary to restore that harmony.
We have to take the final step for ourselves.
And we get to help other people take that final step for themselves.
Our Relationship with Self
This one can be a bit complicated given the complexities and variety of our internal dialogue, but we need to be in harmony with ourselves: our attitudes and actions need to align with our ideals.
If we are not in harmony, we will struggle to help others find harmony.
Our Relationship with Others
This is probably the most natural place to apply this topic.
Christians with really bad interpersonal skills who perpetually cause damage in relationships and have lots of drama should be the exception and not the norm.
The fact that is as much the norm for believers as it is for unbelievers just underscores the need for Jesus to say this.
Our Relationships for Others
This is an area that requires delicacy, you have to know the boundaries that you can broach and those you cannot.
Not everyone wants your help.
And some people don’t want anyone’s help.
Harmony Helpers Reflect Well
Peacemakers are called sons of God
Called a Son by God who bids us
Considered a Son by Men who recognize us
Conclusion
There is an interesting underlying assumption in this beatitude.
If we reflect God when we are at, or about, peace, that says something about God.
Contrary to popular belief, He created us to be in harmonious relationship with us.
Will He judge sinners and sin?
Yes.
Is that His goal?
No. His goal is harmonious relationship.
But, it is we who must change our pitch back to His, not the other way around.
Application
Reflect God by being harmonious
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9