Sermon Tone Analysis

ADVICE DAD NEVER GAVE YOU

Ralph Sorter

 

   Has the Great Deceiver been at work in your heart?

I see him sewing seeds of deception all across the land.

Satan has been busy in telling the lie that *the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.*

Why is it that we can’t be content with what we’ve got?

The lack of contentment brings trouble every way you turn.

Not being content with your job can find you switching one set of problems with another, having to start at the bottom of the ladder, less accrued vacation, and a whole new learning curve.

Sometimes it means a move away from friends, family and church, with the accompanying pain of trying to locate new ones.

Then there’s the long, luscious blades of grass tantalizing you to buy a nicer house, bigger boat, better tools…on and on the fields of green grass spread before you.

The vicious cycle of wanting more leads to a deeper pit of debt.

The momentary joy is long overshadowed by a strained budget, the necessary hours of overtime, and maintenance that is required to keep it in good condition.

But nothing is bitterer to the stomach than blades of grass that belong on your neighbor’s side of the fence – their spouse!

There’s deception galore in that pasture.

Do you hear the lies of the Deceiver in your head?  “Life would be perfect with them.

I’m entitled to something better; more happiness.

My current spouse doesn’t appreciate me nor treat me like they do.”

And so we tear a hole in the fence and wander past that “no trespassing” sign in to a whole new world of pains: a devastated spouse, a torn-apart family, discovery that they have weaknesses too, and now your reputation is one of abandoning commitment.

What is needed is to discover the truth Paul purposes about finding beautiful blades of grass on your own side of the fence: */“Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.”/*

(Phil.

4:11-12)  *Contentment shuts down the lies from the Deceiver…and saves you from many a heartache.*

!

A Message from HOPE’S

Marriage and Family Ministry

ADVICE DAD NEVER GAVE YOU

Ralph Sorter

 

   Has the Great Deceiver been at work in your heart?

I see him sewing seeds of deception all across the land.

Satan has been busy in telling the lie that *the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.*

Why is it that we can’t be content with what we’ve got?

The lack of contentment brings trouble every way you turn.

Not being content with your job can find you switching one set of problems with another, having to start at the bottom of the ladder, less accrued vacation, and a whole new learning curve.

Sometimes it means a move away from friends, family and church, with the accompanying pain of trying to locate new ones.

Then there’s the long, luscious blades of grass tantalizing you to buy a nicer house, bigger boat, better tools…on and on the fields of green grass spread before you.

The vicious cycle of wanting more leads to a deeper pit of debt.

The momentary joy is long overshadowed by a strained budget, the necessary hours of overtime, and maintenance that is required to keep it in good condition.

But nothing is bitterer to the stomach than blades of grass that belong on your neighbor’s side of the fence – their spouse!

There’s deception galore in that pasture.

Do you hear the lies of the Deceiver in your head?  “Life would be perfect with them.

I’m entitled to something better; more happiness.

My current spouse doesn’t appreciate me nor treat me like they do.”

And so we tear a hole in the fence and wander past that “no trespassing” sign in to a whole new world of pains: a devastated spouse, a torn-apart family, discovery that they have weaknesses too, and now your reputation is one of abandoning commitment.

What is needed is to discover the truth Paul purposes about finding beautiful blades of grass on your own side of the fence: */“Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.”/*

(Phil.

4:11-12)  *Contentment shuts down the lies from the Deceiver…and saves you from many a heartache.*

!  

!

A Message from HOPE’S

Marriage and Family Ministry

ADVICE DAD NEVER GAVE YOU

Ralph Sorter

 

   Has the Great Deceiver been at work in your heart?

I see him sewing seeds of deception all across the land.

Satan has been busy in telling the lie that *the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.*

Why is it that we can’t be content with what we’ve got?

The lack of contentment brings trouble every way you turn.

Not being content with your job can find you switching one set of problems with another, having to start at the bottom of the ladder, less accrued vacation, and a whole new learning curve.

Sometimes it means a move away from friends, family and church, with the accompanying pain of trying to locate new ones.

Then there’s the long, luscious blades of grass tantalizing you to buy a nicer house, bigger boat, better tools…on and on the fields of green grass spread before you.

The vicious cycle of wanting more leads to a deeper pit of debt.

The momentary joy is long overshadowed by a strained budget, the necessary hours of overtime, and maintenance that is required to keep it in good condition.

But nothing is bitterer to the stomach than blades of grass that belong on your neighbor’s side of the fence – their spouse!

There’s deception galore in that pasture.

Do you hear the lies of the Deceiver in your head?  “Life would be perfect with them.

I’m entitled to something better; more happiness.

My current spouse doesn’t appreciate me nor treat me like they do.”

And so we tear a hole in the fence and wander past that “no trespassing” sign in to a whole new world of pains: a devastated spouse, a torn-apart family, discovery that they have weaknesses too, and now your reputation is one of abandoning commitment.

What is needed is to discover the truth Paul purposes about finding beautiful blades of grass on your own side of the fence: */“Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.”/*

(Phil.

4:11-12)  *Contentment shuts down the lies from the Deceiver…and saves you from many a heartache.*

!  

!

A Message from HOPE’S

!

Marriage and Family Ministry