Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
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*Intro* – A very rich lawyer was showing his new Lexus to his friends.
As he opened the door, a truck hit it and tore it off!
When a cop arrived he was screaming hysterically that his car would never be the same.
The cop said, “I can’t believe how materialistic you lawyers are.
You’re so focused on things you don’t notice anything else.”
The lawyer replied, “How can you say such a thing?”
The cop replied, “That truck tore off more than your door!
Did you notice that your left arm is missing from the elbow down?”
The lawyer looked down and screamed, “Oh no! My Rolex!
Where is my Rolex?!”
Some of us are like that spiritually.
Our arm is gone, and all we’re thinking about is the Rolex.
That is Jesus’ concern in the 3rd soil of Luke 8.
He knows many following Him are only in it for the temporary thrill of a new experience – a great preacher who also heals – pretty good entertainment in a world before TV and movies and video games.
But as He looks at the faces He sees mostly lost people who do not realize they are in jeopardy.
Looking for their watch when their arm is gone.
Jesus’ concern in v. 8 is “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
So far we’ve look at 2 soils representing hearts – the outright rejecter (Wayside) and the experientialist (Rocky) who grabs the gospel as the latest trend, but is gone with the wind when tough times arise.
Today we look at the last two hearts.
*III.
Thorny Soil – (The Materialist)*
V. 7, “And some (of the seed) fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it.”
This ground looks good, but lurking beneath the surface are fast growing Palestinian thorns.
They look beautiful in red, blue and yellow hues, sometimes reaching 6 feet in height.
But they grow faster and stronger than the good plants and soon choke them out.
Jesus interprets in v. 14, “And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.”
This is the materialist.
His response is not emotional, but intellectual.
He concurs with the message, but as with the experientialist, his will does not follow.
He values Christ too little.
More immediate concerns soon choke the word out.
Getting an education, rearing a family, making a living, advancing at work, getting to little league games and PTA meetings.
Then it is spoiling the grandchildren, then enjoying a well-earned retirement.
Christ is crowded out.
One of these days – but the day never comes.
They are focused on the Rolex, caring nothing for their lost arm.
The immediate chokes out the eternal.
Like the frog in the pan of water oblivious to the rising temperature until he literally boils to death – they are hopelessly lost and don’t even know it.
Jesus identifies 3 thorns – 3 characteristics of the materialistic mindset.
*A.
Cares (Worries)*
Also translated “anxiety” or “worry.”
This person never thinks beyond “now.”
How do I make a living?
How can I advance my career?
How do I make sure people accept me?
How do I prepare for retirement?
Are these important?
Yes! Are they top priority?
No! They’ve moved one notch too high on the scale – fatally above Christ!
To concentrate everything on the first 80 years of our existence is one eternity too short!
Peter addresses this issue in I Pet 5:7, “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
That’s right, but you can’t cast your anxieties on Him if you don’t know Him.
Peter got this from Jesus in Mt 6 where He targets our anxiety about food and clothing – pretty basic stuff!
But Jesus final word is Mt 6:33, “33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Is Jesus saying forget about this life?
No.
Elsewhere the Bible instructs if one doesn’t work, he shouldn’t eat.
But Jesus is saying there is a priority and I will not be second best.
Don’t let daily concerns crowd Him out!
He promises care for those who care for Him!
Jesus cares about your job, your family, your career, your retirement.
He does.
But they are second level priority.
Better to die of starvation than to put the cares of this life above Christ.
He will not settle for second place.
He will not take a place behind our career, our family, our ambitions.
He is worth more than that.
Maybe you’ve seen the great statue of Atlas in NYC in front of the Rockefeller Center.
There he is, beautifully proportioned, muscles straining to hold the world on his shoulders, barely standing under his burden.
That’s one way to live – burdened by cares.
Directly across 5th Avenue stands St. Patrick’s cathedral.
Inside is a stained glass window that among other things depicts Jesus in His youth easily holding the whole world in His hands.
That’s our choice – to bear the cares of the world on our own, or to give our life, our world and our eternal destiny to Him.
Those who hear choose Him.
*B.
Riches (Wealth)*
How many people have missed the kingdom of God because they were too busy pursuing the wealth of this world.
That’s like spending years digging up nuggets of pyrite, fool’s gold, because it looks pretty, when a real gold mine lies just across the river.
How foolish.
But no more so than making worldly wealth the focus of one’s existence.
Solomon wrote in Prov 30: 8) “ . . .
give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, 9) lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the LORD?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.”
Many blow eternity over riches.
It’s a wonderful thing if God gives us wealth.
It is equally wonderful if we have barely enough.
What makes either an anchor to our soul is when we focus on it.
Focus on getting money bc I don’ t have it is just as foolish as pursuing more tho I have plenty!
Either way I am worshiping at the shrine of one of the most deadly idols known to man – the god of money.
Mark 10:17 “17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good?
No one is good except God alone.
19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’
” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.”
(I’m good enough!).
21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”
Could there be a sadder story?
Why didn’t Jesus say, “Sell half and give to the poor?”
Why all?
Bc Jesus doesn’t do double occupancy with idols!
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