Sermon Tone Analysis

For years while I was growing up, America was described as a Christian Nation.

We are responsible for most missionary work all over the world.

American missionaries have built hospitals, orphanages, schools and more all over the world.

In the years after WW II, soldiers came back from war with a compassion for the people in Europe and the Pacific theater and with thousands giving their lives to Christ in the Billy Graham crusades, they began to go back to the countries where they once served as soldiers only this time, they were sharing the Gospel.

This brings me to this question.

Is America still a Christian Nation?

There may be a church on every corner but that doesn’t mean we are a Christian nation.

I think it’s hard to find true Christianity in todays’ culture.

There are a lot fo churches, but Christians have become a minority in our culture… or at least it feels like it.

This reality is reflected every day in our culture.

Belief in God is mocked and laughed at.

Christian morality is seen as outdated

Education and knowledge is seen as the answer to our problems

Money, power and social popularity are the success symbols people want

Scientific theories are taught like they are fact

It can be difficult to live a Christian life in such a hostile culture

Because of this, it’s easy to become discouraged, depressed and even doubtful.

Let me ask this… instead of being overcome by this anti God culture (both obvious and subtle),

How can you survive as a Christian?

You come to church and worship and hear the Word and then go to work where

your friends are not talking about God is a positive sense

where people are hostile to you because you take a stand on a moral issue.

where even your family may not like you being a “Christian.”

What can you do to survive?

(Get answers from the crowd)

QT, Read Bible, Pray a lot, hang out only with Christians, stay away from your old friends, only watch Christian shows and only read Christian stuff and by all means, ONLY listen to Christian music.

Come to church...

Wait.

Are we making a mistake?

When we think about survival, we are making the same mistake we have made for years.

We are thinking about survival and not changing our world.

God wants us to Change the World.

Instead of wrapping a security blanket around us, we need to be saying,

How can we as Christians make a difference?

IOW, how can we as Christians bring Jesus Christ, Jesus Immanuel, to our hostile culture in a way that will make a difference?

We have to go on offense!

The First Century church was not the good old days.

They faced unbelievable opposition.

If you lived then as a Christian, they would hunt you down and put in prison or killed.

Thousands of early believers were captured and put to death for their faith in Christ.

They were a distinct minority, but they were on the offense.

Where did Paul write this from?

When Paul first visited Philippi (Acts 16) he was arrested and put in jail.

He escaped because God provided a miracle… an earthquake.

Now Paul is in Rome and in jail again.

I don’t know about you, but this would affect my outlook and attitude.

But it didn’t seem to slow Paul down.

Paul is convinced that his being in prison helped the spread of the Gospel.

Paul is telling everyone about Jesus

Paul believes that his imprisonment was an encouragement for others.

Paul was always ready to speak boldly for the Lord

Paul lived a life in a manner worthy of the Gospel.

His purpose was to share the Gospel.

Paul is giving a lesson in Minority Tactics.

He exhorts us to be fearless in telling others about Jesus regardless of our culture and the consequences of sharing.

Instead of a survival kit, Paul gives us a Battle Plan.

Let’s List off Pauls instructions

Love each other as Christians (2)

Work together as Christians (2)

Don’t be selfish (3)

Be Humble, not trying to make a name for yourself (3)

Be genuinely interested in others and wha they are doing (4)

Be like Jesus.

(5-11)

Obey God with reverence (12)

Realize that God is working in you (13)

Don’t complain or argue (14)

live clean, moral lives (16)

Live by the Word of God.

(16)

We have to change our thinking!

We need to have a dramatic change in our thinking.

Just think of the impact we can have at (work, school, playgrounds, in families) if we take these instructions Paul line out here seriously for facing a hostile environment.

Instead of people seeing a bunch of irrelevant and fearful and bickering individuals, the world would see a cohesive team of Christ followers, confident, loving, unselfish, and with one purpose… to tell others about Jesus.

People need to see a unified team dedicated to telling the world about Jesus.

What you have inside you cannot be defeated.

It is what everyone needs and event many don’t know it they want what you have.

It might seem bad out there, but if you have read the last chapters of the Bible - we win.

How do we measure up?

Take the list we just went over and circle the ones you need the most right now.

Altar time…

Come to the Altar and ask God to give you the strength to make a difference and to ask his forgivness for not making a difference.

Take these Scriptures I am listing out and read them this week and write out how they apply in your life.

Opposition isn’t new.

Know God’s message and avoid foolish discussions.

Don’t argue.

Many will not understand the Gospel.

Jesus is the message.

You will not fit into the Worlds value system.

Be Confident, you have God’s power in you!

Live like Christians… love is the key.

Be equipped for Battle.

Avoid arguments.

Don’t Worry, seek God first.

Focus on your goal.

Ask God to help you not to worry.

Don’t judge non Christians let God do that.

Dont’ be fooled by all kinds of philosophies.

Be prepared to share your faith.

Love and pray for those who try to push you down.

Money is not #1.

Love is the key to everything.