Sermon Tone Analysis

Prayer:

Lord God, bless Your Word wherever it is proclaimed.

Make it a Word of power and peace to convert those not yet Your own and to confirm those who have come to saving faith.

May Your Word pass from the ear to the heart, from the heart to the lip, and from the lip to the life that, as You have promised, Your Word may achieve the purpose for which You send it, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen

Church Unity

A visitor to a mental hospital was astonished to note that there were only three guards watching over a hundred dangerous inmates.

He asked his guide, “Don’t you fear that these people will overpower the guards and escape?”

“No,” was the reply.

“Lunatics never unite.”

This Passage is NOT about the World

Adiaphora (“middle matters”; from Gk. for “indifferent things”; Ger.

Mitteldinge).

FC Ep X 1 speaks of adiaphora as “ceremonies or church usages which are neither commanded nor forbidden in the Word of God but have been introduced into the church in the interest of good order and the general welfare.”

[3] 1. To settle this dispute, we unanimously believe, teach, and confess that ceremonies or ecclesiastical practices that are neither commanded nor forbidden in God’s Word, but have been established only for good order and decorum, are in and of themselves neither worship ordained by God nor a part of such worship.

“In vain do they worship me” with human precepts (Matt.

15[:9*]).

[4] 2. We believe, teach, and confess that the community of God in every place and at every time has the authority to alter such ceremonies according to its own situation, as may be most useful and edifying for the community of God.

[5] 3. Of course, all frivolity and offense must be avoided, and special consideration must be given particularly to those who are weak in faith.

[3] 1. To settle this dispute, we unanimously believe, teach, and confess that ceremonies or ecclesiastical practices that are neither commanded nor forbidden in God’s Word, but have been established only for good order and decorum, are in and of themselves neither worship ordained by God nor a part of such worship.

“In vain do they worship me” with human precepts (Matt.

15[:9*]).

[4] 2. We believe, teach, and confess that the community of God in every place and at every time has the authority to alter such ceremonies according to its own situation, as may be most useful and edifying for the community of God.

[5] 3. Of course, all frivolity and offense must be avoided, and special consideration must be given particularly to those who are weak in faith.

Love Does No Harm

10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother?

Or you, why do you despise your brother?

It’s a Thin Line Between Love and Hate

Most Church splits are personal, not theological.

In a Christian Post article, author Thom S. Rainer stated, first of all, that “a church that has split is likely to die” Next, that “the majority of church splits focus on the pastor,” and third, “church splits typically originate from power groups within the church.”

http://www.christianpost.com/news/9-thoughts-on-church-splits-135514/

God is in Charge, and I’m not Him

When we make a big deal over small things...

The Gospel is hindered

The Church is hindered

The Spirit is grieved

When we lose focus, we miss the point

Love doesn’t seek limits, it seeks an object

Limits are Excuses - Goals are Fuel

Goals are Fuel

Paul had a GOAL

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church -

Show me what you’re working with

Lutheran Community of Northwest Indiana -

Show me what you’re working with

Church of Jesus Christ in Northwest Indiana -

Show me what you’re working with

People of God, wherever you are -

Show me what you’re working with

If you’re working with the Mission of God, Jesus is the Author and Finisher of your faith.

If you’re working with the traditions of men, you will come short of the glory of God.

If Jesus is the center of your joy,

“He who raised Christ from the dead will make alive your mortal bodies through His Spirit.

If you love the praises of men more than the presence of God,

you will come short of the glory of God.

If Justification is the pillar upon which your church stands or falls,

you will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make you stand.

The Love of Jesus brought Him from the throne of glory

The Love of Jesus brought Him into a virgin’s womb

The Love of Jesus put Him on the Cross Good Friday

The Love of Jesus put Him in a borrowed tomb

The Love of Jesus made Him taste death for you and me

The Love of Jesus raised Him up on Sunday

The Love of Jesus is what we proclaim.

The Love of Jesus, not fortune or fame.

So may the love of God

and

Let the peace of God, that passes all understanding, guard your hearts and minds, through Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.