Sermon Tone Analysis

Day 274

Jeremiah 2:31-4:9; Philippians 2:12-30; Psalm 115:12-18

The Lord calls us back from our backsliding: “Return, faithless people; I will cure you of backsliding” (Jeremiah 3:22).

The returning people say, “Yes, we will come to You, for You are the Lord our God … surely in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel” (Jeremiah 3:22-23).

As we return to the Lord, He gives us this calling: “Become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the Word of life” (Philippians 2:15-16).

To those who return to the Lord and seek to live as His holy people, the Lord gives His promise of blessing – “The Lord remembers us and will bless us … He will bless those who fear the Lord – small and great alike” (Psalm 115:12-13).

Day 275

Jeremiah 4:10-5:31; Philippians 3:1-4:1; Psalm 116:1-11

The Word of God is like a fire, burning up the sin of man (Jeremiah 5:14).

The purpose of this fire is not, however, destructive.

God’s purpose is to burn up the pride which “puts confidence in the flesh”, to burn away the “legalistic righteousness.”

All of that is to be “considered rubbish” (Philippians 3:4,6,8).

Once the rubbish has been burned in the fire of judgment – the judgment which was laid upon the crucified Christ for us, man is led to receive the “righteousness which is through faith in Christ” (Philippians 3:9).

Once this righteousness has been received, we are to keep walking in the way of faith: “I will call upon Him as long as I live” (Psalm 116:2).

Day 276

Jeremiah 6:1-7:29; Philippians 4:2-23; Proverbs 24:5-14

The false prophets say, “Peace, peace … when there is no peace” – “They dress the wound of God’s people as though it were not serious” (Jeremiah 6:14).

The true prophet of God comes with a very different message.

He says, “Do not say, ‘This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord!’” (Jeremiah 7:4).

A faithful exercise of prophetic ministry is very demanding.

Nevertheless, the Lord gives His servants the strength to say, with conviction and confidence, “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).

As this ministry is faithfully exercised, there is a deep satisfaction in the soul and an increased confidence in God: “Wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off” (Proverbs 24:14).

Day 277

Jeremiah 7:30-9:16; Colossians 1:1-23; Psalm 116:12-19

There is a great contrast between sin – “Do not trust your brothers.

For every brother is a deceiver … and no-one speaks the truth” (Jeremiah 9:4-5) – and salvation - “the holy and faithful brothers in Christ … the Words of truth, the gospel … has come to you” (Colossians 1:2,5-6).

God is calling us from sin to salvation, and then on to service.

Those who say, “I will lift up the cup of salvation” go on to say, “O Lord, I am Your servant” (Psalm 116:13,16).

This service is offered to the Lord in gratitude for His salvation,.

We acknowledge Him as Saviour, saying, “You have freed me from my chains”, and we say to Him, “I will sacrifice a thank-offering to You” (Psalm 116:17).

Day 278

Jeremiah 9:17-11:17; Colossians 1:24-2:5; Psalm 117:1-2

The Lord’s people are called to a ministry of preaching the Gospel and teaching the Word (Jeremiah 11:6; Colossians 1:25,28).

While this ministry is carried out by particular individuals, e.g.

Jeremiah and Paul, it is a ministry which is strengthened by the support and encouragement which comes from the Lord’s people.

It is not only to the preachers and teachers that God says, “Extol Him.”

He says, “Extol Him all you people” (Psalm 117:1).

Day 279

Jeremiah 11:18-13:27; Colossians 2:6-23; Psalm 118:1-16

The life of faith is a life of conflict.

We live among “the faithless” – God is “always on their lips, but far from their hearts” (Jeremiah 12:12).

We are called to maintain the faith in the face of “hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world’s rather than on Christ” (Colossians 2:8).

There is conflict, but there is also victory – “The Lord is with me … I will look in triumph over my enemies … ” (Psalm 118:6-8).

Day 280

Jeremiah 14:1-15:21; Colossians 3:1-4:1; Proverbs 24:15-22

Our spiritual warfare is both outward and inward.

We have enemies coming at us from without and from within.

Concerning the enemies from without, God says, “This people will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you to rescue and save you … I will save you from the hands of the wicked and redeem you from the grasp of the cruel” (Jeremiah 15:20-21).

Concerning the enemies from within, God says, “Put to death … whatever belongs to your earthly nature” (Colossians 3:5).

We are not to ”fret because of evil men” (Proverbs 24:19).

We are to “fear the Lord” (Proverbs 24:21).

Day 281

Jeremiah 16:1-17:27; Colossians 4:2-18; Psalm 118:17-29

“A glorious throne, exalted from the beginning, is the place of our sanctuary” (Jeremiah 17:12).

The Lord is enthroned on the praises of His people – “Jesus, we enthrone You … We lift You up with our praise.

And as we worship, build Your throne.

Come, Lord Jesus, and take Your place.”

When the Lord is enthroned on the praises of His people, there will also be prayer and proclamation – “Devote yourselves to prayer … that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ … clearly” (Colossians 4:2-4).

The blessing of the Lord is upon those who come to His House, seeking Him: “Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord.

From the House of the Lord we bless you” (Psalm 118:26).

Day 282

Jeremiah 18:1-20:18; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-2:16; Psalm 119:1-8

“The Lord is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail” (Jeremiah 20:11).

This is a tremendous Word of encouragement when the battle is at its fiercest.

In this battle, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 1:5), empowered to speak for the Lord and to live for Him.

He gives us the strength to battle for the glory of God, “not trying to please men but God … not looking for praise from men” (1 Thessalonians 1:4,6).

This is the way of blessing – the way of doing what God wants us to do – “blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord” (Psalm 119:1).

Day 283

Jeremiah 21:1-23:8; 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13; Psalm 119:9-16

“O land, land, land, hear the Word of the Lord” (Jeremiah 22:29).

When we truly hear the Word of the Lord with attentive hearts, there will be an “increase and overflow” of “love” and a strengthening of holiness (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13).

This is the teaching of Psalm 119:9 – “How can a young man keep his way pure?

By living according to Your Word.”

This is why we hear the Word of the Lord – so that we might learn to do the will of the Lord: “I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11).

Day 284

Jeremiah 23:9-25:14; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-18; Proverbs 24:23-34

How are our lives to be changed?

They can be changed by God – “I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord” (Jeremiah 24:7).

Knowing God makes a difference.

Those who do know not Him live “in passionate lust” (1 Thessalonians 4:5).

Those who do know Him “live in order to please God” (1 Thessalonians 4:1).

We must not be like “the sluggard … the man who lacks judgment” (proverbs 24:30).

We must apply our hearts to learning the lessons God is teaching us, lessons which will provoke us to greater spiritual alertness and increased spiritual blessing (Proverbs 24:32-33).

Day 285

Jeremiah 25:15-26:24; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28; Psalm 119:17-24

The word of judgment is not an easy word to speak, yet it must be spoken in every generation.

It was spoken by the Old Testament prophets (Jeremiah 25:15).

It was spoken by the New Testament apostles (1 Thessalonians 5:9).

The wrath of God is part of the message which is to be proclaimed by those who are faithful to God.

When God speaks of His wrath, He “rebukes the arrogant who are cursed” (Psalm 119:21).

There are those who “stray from God’s commands” (Psalm 119:21), but we must commit ourselves to Him – “I will obey Your Word … Your servant will meditate on Your decrees.

Your statutes are my delight; they are my counsellors” (Psalm 119:17,23-24).

Day 286

Jeremiah 27:1-29:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12; Psalm 119:25-32

There was a message of hope (Jeremiah 29:11), but, first, God’s people had to suffer seventy years of captivity in Babylon (Jeremiah 29:10).

There is a glorious hope – “He comes to be glorified in His holy people and to be marvelled at among all those who have believed” (2 Thessalonians 1:10), but, first, we must endure “persecutions and trials”, suffering for “the Kingdom of God” (2 Thessalonians 1:4-5).

There are difficult times – “My soul is weary with sorrow” (Psalm 119:28), but there is also strengthening – “Strengthen me according to Your Word” (Psalm 119:28).

In each of these passages, there is a wholesome combination of realism and faith.

Day 287

Jeremiah 29:24-31:14; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17; Psalm 119:33-40