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
0.08UNLIKELY
Fear
0.15UNLIKELY
Joy
0.58LIKELY
Sadness
0.19UNLIKELY
Language Tone
Analytical
0.38UNLIKELY
Confident
0.08UNLIKELY
Tentative
0UNLIKELY
Social Tone
Openness
0.66LIKELY
Conscientiousness
0.9LIKELY
Extraversion
0.05UNLIKELY
Agreeableness
0.87LIKELY
Emotional Range
0.74LIKELY
Tone of specific sentences
Tones
Emotion
Language
Social Tendencies
Anger
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9
God Speaks in Different Ways
Old Testament
Angels, visions, dreams, Urim and Thummim (Objects kept in the breastpiece of the High Priest and used to discern the will of God -black/white stone?), symbolic action, gentle whisper, miraculous signs, etc.
Point made was it doesn’t matter HOW God spoke to His people, it is important THAT God spoke to them.
Now, relate that to us today.
Does it really matter HOW God speaks to us?
Or, is it more important that he DOES speak to us???
In the OT, when God spoke there was some unique meaning to that person.
Each person had a different and unique experience with God and His communication with them.
In the same manner, God speaks to each of us in a different and unique way.
No two of us may have the same unique experience with God’s communication, so there is no right or wrong way that God speaks to us.
So, how many times have we “thought” we have heard the voice of God speaking?
In all scriptural examples, each person was sure it was God speaking.
Do you think that has changed today?
Has I AM changed???
If I AM has not changed, then would he change His communication to something that was not recognizable?
Furthermore, the book states when God spoke the person knew what God said.
The message was clear and purposeful for that person, at that time in their life, and for God’s specific will.
He is not confusing in His message to us, either.
1 Corinthians 14:33 a (ESV)
33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.
Not only do we know it is God speaking, we should clearly know His voice.
Hearing the voice of God is an experience!
I like what the book used as an example “Moses would have been foolish to say, ‘This has been a wonderful experience with this burning bush.
I hope this leads me to an encounter with God!’” That experience with the burning bush WAS an experience with God.
While we see God speaking throughout the OT, the method He used was different from person to person BUT they all knew it was God, understood what He said, and it was a personal encounter with Him.
On the other hand, do we take time to truly listen to God? Or, do we ask Him to bless the mess we are about to create?
“Lord, show me a sign if this is right or wrong…but until I hear from you, I’m going to do it my way”.
I think many of us are removed far enough from God that we are not sure when we hear His voice.
And even when we do, we second guess ourselves.
How many of us truly WAIT until God gives us clear instruction?
That is how we develop an absolute trust and dependence on God.
God WILL give specific instruction IF we are willing to wait and listen for Him.
BUT He will not shout out instructions to us.
We must be patient to listen, and to hear what He is saying.
If you do not have clear instruction from God, then pray and WAIT.
God Speaks by the Holy Spirit
In the NT, we see a change in the way God speaks to believers.
God speaks to us in the Gospels through Jesus.
He dwelt among us, and He still speaks on behalf of the Father today.
We were told by Jesus that, when He left us, God would send us the Comforter.
We cannot forget, that God peaks to us personally through the Holy Spirit.
Where does the Holy Spirit reside?
We encounter God on a daily basis, through the indwelling Holy Spirit.
We have an experience with God through the Holy Spirit.
We learn, understand, are guided, have truth revealed to us, and are lead by the Holy Spirit.
But, it is up to us to listen, hear, and RESPOND to His still small voice.
In the OT, when God spoke the hearer did.
In the NT, when Jesus spoke, the hearer did.
When God speaks to us…it is up to us to DO.
God Reveals
God continues to speak to us, but do we listen to what He reveals to us?
What are some things He revealed in scripture?
He reveals something to us today, in the same way He revealed to those in scripture.
Why did God reveal Himself in scripture?
To show those He spoke to that He was almighty, holy, forgiving, the source of eternal life, creator, and it goes on and on.
God reveals Himself so our faith can be increased, which leads us to obedient action.
God also reveals His purpose to us so that we will know what He plans to do!
You see, it’s not what we intend to do for God that is important, it is what God intends to do that is critical.
It’s how we grow confident that HE is who He says He is!
He speaks so He can reveal His plans to us.
We need to know His plan!
It is His way that He reveals His ways.
He reveals His ways to draw His people close to Him into the relationship He wants to have with us.
Why?
Because His ways are not our ways, by nature.
God’s ways are not our ways, because of sin.
When we try to do God’s work OUR way, we will never see His mighty power in what we do.
That one is difficult, in my opinion.
How do we remove OURSELVES from the picture and fully rely on God’s will, way, and direction?
You see, God is not as concerned over WHAT we do, but HOW we do it - His way!
Jesus taught His disciples to do the KINGDOM work, not their own.
In learning to follow God, we have to listen to Him and not others or ourselves.
Where do we find guidance in how to do this?
God Speaks Through the Bible
God speaks to us by the Holy Spirit to reveal Himself, His purposes, and His ways.
He speaks through a variety of ways, in particular for us, by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church.
By reading the Bible, we are reading God’s Word.
The Holy Spirit takes these words and applies them to specific circumstances in our life.
We have already heard that a person cannon understand spiritual truth unless the Spirit of God (Holy Spirit) reveals it.
When the Holy Spirit reveals a spiritual truth from God’s Word, He is personally applying it to our lives.
This is done through a process:
You read God’s Word (the Bible)
The Spirit of truth takes God’s Word and reveals truth
You adjust your life to God’s truth
You obey God
God works in and through you to accomplish His purpose.
Has God ever used a particular Scripture verse to speak to you?
What is an example of the way God used His Word to speak to you?
Once God has spoken to us, then our response is critical.
We have to adjust our life to the truth by agreeing with the truth, and agreeing that the truth applies to us in the instance God brought it to our attention.
Simply agreeing in confession is not enough.
We must be obedient.
God Speaks Through Prayer
If you noticed, I gave each of you a notebook at the beginning of this study.
We should be keeping a spiritual journal of what God reveals to us throughout this study - not only this study, but in all our daily endeavors.
Prayer helps us receive from God.
It is a two-way conversation with God.
You speak to God, He speaks to you.
We have discussed before, we often speak and then don’t take time to listen.
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9