Sermon Tone Analysis

Philippians

The OT book of Ezra tells of the Israelites who returned from the exile in Babylon. is the decree of King Cyrus sending them back to their homeland.

gives us the names of the returning men and the number of their descendants with them.

- tells how the people were in their respective communities, then it says, “the people gathered as one in Jerusalem.”

We are talking about people who had been held against their will for 70 years.

Elderly adults not having seen Jerusalem and the glory days of the temple since they were young kids and young adults, and others, having been born in exile, never saw the glory days of God’s house at all. - tells us the purpose of their gathering in Jerusalem, “all who returned to Jerusalem from the captivity, began to rebuild,” the Temple.

“Gathered as One” - A phrase describing the spiritual aspect and mental picture of Together.

TOGETHER

The People of God Accomplishing the Purpose of God TOGETHER.

We have gathered together with one another in the service.

Are we gathered as One?

We just sang songs about God together.

Did we sing them as One? Prayers have been prayed already by several.

Were they prayed as One? Tithes and offerings were given just now.

Did we give as One?

Let’s stand together as One in honor of the One who gave His Holy Word.

As we read it look for the words and allusions of TOGETHER.

As you listen to me read it, imagine sitting in Lydia’s living room hearing it for the first time.

Imagine yourself as the young slave girl now living as a free young adult how would it sound?

Or the Philippian jailer living for God instead of his job and his possessions, how would it sound?

Or Lydia’s the successful business owner with a high society family, how would it sound to them?

Philippians

“Gathered As One”

“Partnership in the Gospel”

What you find in Ezra is the OT equivalent of revitalization of a NT 21st Century church.

“Gathered as One” - A phrase describing the spiritual aspect and mental picture of Together.

What you find in Ezra is the OT equivalent of revitalization of a NT 21st Century church.

What you find in Ezra is the OT equivalent of revitalization of a NT 21st Century church.

The People of God Accomplishing the Purpose of God TOGETHER.

Come on get engaged in the sermon with me this morning.

Turn your worship guide (bulletin) over or just grab a sheet of paper if you can.

Now I want you to draw 2 objects.

First, Draw a house.

(Pause) Second, Draw a church.

The church looked almost identical in shape, size and drawing as the house.

The only difference being the steeple on top and a cross visible in each window.

What that revealed to me is that person wanted the home and the church to be no different from each other, not architecturally speaking.

This person wanted both to be the same emotionally, relationally and spiritually.

But what does it say when the drawing contains no door or windows?

A Church without Doors and Windows

I borrowed this introspective activity in psychology from Joanna who had me and the kids do it after she had learned it that day during their teacher in-service.

After hearing Joanna’s explanation of how a person draws their house, I did some soul searching.

See I drew my house with a nice pitched roof, possibly with a chimney, I believe even 3 dimensional, but I drew no doors and windows.

Here’s the connection to Philippians.

The apostle Paul is someone of whom I am highly envious, and here’s why.

Windows, doors, and sidewalks are all ways that others enter or see into the house, so they relate to openness, willingness to interact with others, and ideas about the environment.

One commentary’s introduction to Philippians says that preaching through the book ought to allow the preacher to share with his people how it is with him in the Christian journey.

One commentary’s introduction to Philippians says that preaching through the book ought to allow the preacher to share with his people how it is with him in the Christian journey because that is what we find Paul doing as we read through it.

It’s hard for me as a pastor/preacher to relate to Paul because he is so honest, exposed and vulnerable with the Philippian church.

I am an extremely loyal person, but I guess it takes a lot for me to let you in the house so to speak.

If Paul were to draw a house while sitting in prison, I imagine it would have been filled with many windows and doors.

Paul reveals so much about himself through this letter: his struggles and sufferings, his need to strive hard to practice the biblical truths he preaches, but most importantly his great joy that came from his purpose, through his partners and we hear in his prayers.

Paul’s Purpose

C. S. Lewis said it this way, "It is a Christian duty for everyone to be as joyful as they can be!"

It is not hard to see Paul understands this Christian duty as he expresses joy 14+ times throughout the letter.

Paul teaches that a joyous attitude during stress-inducing ordeals is the result of maintaining focus on purpose.

It is evidence of spiritual maturity because happiness is easy during happy times, but joy in suffering, joy in difficulties is the mature fruit produced by the Holy Spirit working during years of Christian growth

Paul teaches that a joyous attitude during stress-inducing ordeals is the evidence of spiritual maturity because happiness is easy during happy times, but joy in suffering, joy in difficulties is the mature fruit produced by the Holy Spirit working during years of Christian growth

Satan kept trying to work through the people criticizing Paul, through the people he later says were working so hard to bring down his ministry.

Satan kept trying to work through the people keeping him in prison, but Paul took a different approach.

He was optimistic about his opportunities.

The Marine officer, when he saw that he and his men were surrounded by the enemy, said, “Men, we are surrounded by the enemy; don’t let a one of them get away.”931

v.7 - Paul was not going to let a one of the jailers chained to him, nor those in Caesar’s house get away without hearing the gospel

During the Battle of Britain, someone said to a man on the street in London, “Things look pretty dark, don’t they?”

The man replied, “But the King says there’s ‘ope, Sir!”934

v.1-2 - Paul’s joy came from his King.

“Of Jesus Christ” and “In Christ” - It’s all about Jesus.

It’s all about Jesus.

It’s all about Jesus.

Paul knew he deserved the judgment satan wanted to keep placing upon him, but Jesus had taken it.

What about you?

Paul knew that

Paul knew he deserved every bit of wrath God places upon sinners, but Jesus had taken it.

What about you?

Paul knew that he did not deserve any of the grace God had already given to him, but Jesus secured it with His death on the cross.

What about you?

Paul knew that his past was horrendous as the persecutor of the church and not worthy of forgiveness, but in Christ he was forgiven.

What about you?

Satan kept trying to work through the people criticizing Paul, through the people he later says were working so hard to bring down his ministry.

Satan kept trying to work through the people keeping him in prison, but Paul took a different approach.

He was optimistic about his opportunities.

How about you?

The Marine officer, when he saw that he and his men were surrounded by the enemy, said, “Men, we are surrounded by the enemy; don’t let a one of them get away.”931

v.7 - Paul was not going to let a one of the jailers chained to him, nor those in Caesar’s house get away without hearing the gospel.

He had a captive audience with his enemies and he was going to share the gospel and let God worry about turning them into friends.

Paul knew that God had him right where he wanted him.

What about you?

Paul knew that his only purpose in life was to be filled with Joy and from that joy he was to tell everyone he possibly could about Jesus.

How about you?

I want you to take courage in what it did, that those people satan tries to work through in your job or your church will never have power over you when you stay focused on your purpose.

The gossip, the complaining, the negativity, the depressing atmosphere can be overcome through your joy in Christ.

Don’t give satan the power over you through them.

Your past does not have to define you!!

Your purpose can if you are in Christ!!

When Jesus saves you, you have peace together with God.

Your present does not have to define you!!

Your purpose can if you are in Christ!! What do you think it will take for you to experience real joy?

better job

better kids

better economy