Sermon Tone Analysis

Opening Illustration: What’s missing?

“And they lived happily ever after”- the plot, the rest of the story

“That’s one small step for man and one big splash for mankind”- rearranging words

“that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people..”- the ending

“Abraham quickly ran out to meet him.

49 Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead.”-

wrong character

“This is it, the final play of the game, they haven’t lost a game all season, there on the 2 yard line, and there behind by 4 points.

He takes the snap, sees a man in the end zone..... Hey Dad can you take me to the store, I need some more gum

All these scenes have been tampered with.

For ones that our dear to our heart, this is no small deal.

To rewrite, leave out, add in, or stop a story that is not yours is actually a serious crime as is seen in some form at the beginning of all movies- “The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal.”

The author has the master script- the plot, characters, scene, conflict, climax, and resolution.

I think it would be a helpful imagery to view the chapters that we are in with this imagery.

God is the author of His story.

Everything moves at his direction.

I think it is helpful to consider the fact that you live in God’s theater.

When you think of theater, you may think of dim lights, reclining chairs, large room, and a big screen or stage.

However, consider every event, person, mountain, cloud, star, tree, and birds song as part of God’s theater.

No one directs Him.

He directs the events with ease.

However, here is our problem with this setting.

If we believe the truth that God is a powerful and good author, it sure looks like many people have tampered with His script which causes us to have a mistrust in Him.

Another reality that we deal with is that we ourselves or dissatisfied many times with how God is running things.

I think it would be helpful as we begin to look at Isaiah 41, to consider what things you would you change in your life if you were the author?

The thought of having such a role may have some attractiveness, but I think any of us would sign up for the job.

So what do we do?

Just go along for the ride?

Enjoy the good that we can?

Though we are not the authors, we are participants who have choice.

We have interaction with the author.

God has given insight into his “script.”

Is it possible to live each day with eager anticipation to be a part of the “script” that God has written.

God wants to give you a promotion from being the story writer to that of His servant in His story.

That sounds like demotion, but its not, for we are enslaved, frustrated, and confused in the stories we are trying to write.

We are strengthened in the role of servant in what God is writing.

Keep silence before Me, O coastlands,

And let the people renew their strength!

Let them come near, then let them speak;

Let us come near together for judgment.

2 “Who raised up one from the east?

Who in righteousness called him to His feet?

Who gave the nations before him,

And made him rule over kings?

Who gave them as the dust to his sword,

As driven stubble to his bow?

3 Who pursued them, and passed safely

By the way that he had not gone with his feet?

4 Who has performed and done it,

Calling the generations from the beginning?

‘I, the LORD, am the first;

And with the last I am He.’ ”

God is always rightly moving every detail in your life unhindered by anyone else.

Who is He moving: your bosses, parents, siblings, your government.

He does this with giving full choice to man.

He does not author any evil.

He does not treat lightly the evil that is done toward His own.

Their rejection, friendship, stubbornness, their understanding are all directed by Him.

So what is the response of those who experience this directing by God while not acknowledging him as the author?

You will naturally make idols if you don’t believe God is rightly moving every detail in your life.

Hello.

I am an idol.

Don’t be afraid, it’s just me.

I notice you’re turned off by my name: “Idol.”

It’s okay.

I get that a lot.

Allow me to rename myself.

I’m your family.

Your bank account.

Your sex life.

The people who accept you.

Your career.

Your self-image.

Your ideal spouse.

Your law-keeping.

I’m whatever you want me to be.

I’m what you think about while you drive on the freeway.

I’m your anxiety when you lay your head on the pillow.

I’m where you turn when you need comfort.

I’m what your future cannot live without.

When you lose me, you’re nothing.

When you have me, you’re the center of existence.

You look up to those who have me.

You look down on those who don’t.

You’re controlled by those who offer me.

You’re furious at those who keep you from me.

When I make a suggestion to you, you’re compelled.

When you cannot gratify me, I consume you.

No—I cannot see you, or hear you, or speak back to you.

But that’s what you like about me.

No—I am never quite what you think I am.

But that’s why you keep coming back.

And no—I don’t love you.

But I’m there for you, whenever you need me.

What am I?

I think you know by now.

You tell me.

You are strengthened in life through submission to God’s sovereign working in your life

It takes courage to be hospitable

I’d say it means to give loving welcome to those outside your normal circle of friends.