Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Illustration: The Day General Andrew Jackson came to church

In his excellent biography of Andrew Jackson, Marquis James tells of a Sunday morning in 1818 when the General traveled from his home, the Hermitage, into downtown Nashville to attend a Methodist conference.

The famous circuit-riding preacher, Peter Cartwright, was to speak that day.

The pastor of the church had invited Cartwright with misgivings, for the evangelist was unpredictable.

He had been known to knock a sinner down and literally drag him to the throne of grace.

But interest had been high, and it seemed that everyone in Nashville had come to church that Sunday to see the eccentric Cartwright.

His text was: “What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?”

Cartwright had just read his text and had paused to let the words sink in when General Jackson entered the church and slowly walked down the aisle.

Every seat was taken, and he stood for a moment, leaning against a pillar.

Peter Cartwright felt a tug at the tail of is coat.

“General Jackson has come in!” the Nashville pastor whispered excitedly.

“General Jackson has come in.”

The whisper was audible to most of the church.

Peter Cartwright’s jaw tightened, and he gave the minister a look of scorn.

“Who is General Jackson?” shouted Cartwright.

“If he doesn’t repent and get his soul converted,” he continued, saying in effect, “God will damn his soul to hell as quick as an unconverted pagan.”

After the sermon, Rev. Cartwright was advised to leave town immediately, for Jackson was known for his fiery temper and his deadly duels.

Instead, the evangelist accepted an invitation to preach at a church right next the Hermitage.

Jackson invited him to dinner.

Andrew Jackson (March 15, 1767 – June 8, 1845) was an American soldier and statesman who served as the seventh president of the United States from 1829 to 1837.

Before being elected to the presidency, Jackson gained fame as a general in the United States Army and served in both houses of the U.S. Congress.

As president, Jackson sought to advance the rights of the "common man" against a "corrupt aristocracy" and to preserve the Union.

President Jackson life was changed when heard to preaching of the gospel which is a message that calls each and every one of us to repentance!

Beloved, peoples’s lives ought be changed for the better because of exposure to God’s WORD and God’s people.

Families ought be changed

Marriages ought be changed

Relationships ought be changed

Communities ought be changed

Transition To Body- Repent Or Perish?

Bearing Fruit In 2020 If...

Context Of Today’s Passage

Repent- change one’s mind; feel remorse, be converted

Luke 13:

Tell The Story- Present The Parable

Tell The Story- Present The Parable

metanoeo- change mind

to change one’s way of life as the result of a complete change of thought and attitude with regard to sin and righteousness—‘to repent, to change one’s way, repentance.’

Tell The Story- Present The Parable

What was the value of figs in ancient Israel & Jerusalem during Jesus’ time on earth?

Figs are mentioned nearly sixty times in Scripture, is one of the most important Bible plants and was cultivated throughout Palestine, particularly in the mountainous regions.

The wild fig was also commonly found as a shrub, but was generally barren.

Its flowers contained insects that probably fertilized the cultivated fig.

vineyard, cultivated grape field

vinedresser, one who cares for the vineyard

What does Repentance look like at Baptist Church Of All Nations in 2020

We Should Be A Repentant People Because God

What was the value of figs in ancient Israel & Jerusalem during Jesus’ time on earth?

What was the value of figs in ancient Israel & Jerusalem during Jesus’ time on earth.

Figs are mentioned nearly sixty times in Scripture, is one of the most important Bible plants and was cultivated throughout Palestine, particularly in the mountainous regions.

The wild fig was also commonly found as a shrub, but was generally barren.

Its flowers contained insects that probably fertilized the cultivated fig.

God Intentionally Planted You Here

vineyard, cultivated grape field

change one’s mind

vinedresser, one who cares for the vineyard

dung, fertilizer, manure (Lk 13:8+)

3163 κόπρος (kopros), ου (ou), ἡ (hē): n.fem.; ≡ Str 2874—dung, manure (Lk 13:8 v.r.

NA26)

Body- We Should Be A Repentant People Because God

feel remorse, be converted

fecal matter used as agricultural fertilizer—‘manure, dung.’

σκάψω περὶ αὐτὴν καὶ βάλω κόπρια ‘I will dig around it and put on manure’ Lk 13:8.

In some languages a distinction is made in terminology between fresh dung and manure which has been piled up in order to mature properly as fertilizer.

It would no doubt be this latter meaning which would be involved in Lk 13:8.

God Intentionally Planted You Here

(In His Kingdom)

Get off the bench in 2020

Lead souls to Jesus Christ in 2020

Be more faithful in attending Bible Study

Get involved a ministry that God has gifted you to serve

If that ministry does not exist yet, if God has placed that ministry on your heart, and there is a need for us to serve in that area here at the Baptist Church of All Nations, then come see me and let’s talk about creating your ministry.

God Expectantly Seeks Changed Hearts

(From Your Life)

God Patiently Waits For You To Grow

(To Make The Next Move To Repent)

Note: the man does not blame the vinedresser

But the servant intercedes on behalf of the fruitless fig

God Graciously Lets You Occupy Ground

(even digging around you & putting on manure/feces to fertilize you)

vinedresser, one who cares for the vineyard

dung, fertilizer, manure (Lk 13:8+)

3163 κόπρος (kopros), ου (ou), ἡ (hē): n.fem.; ≡ Str 2874—dung, manure (Lk 13:8 v.r.

NA26)

God (As Just Judge) Won’t Wait Indefinitely

fecal matter used as agricultural fertilizer—‘manure, dung.’

σκάψω περὶ αὐτὴν καὶ βάλω κόπρια ‘I will dig around it and put on manure’ Lk 13:8.

In some languages a distinction is made in terminology between fresh dung and manure which has been piled up in order to mature properly as fertilizer.

It would no doubt be this latter meaning which would be involved in Lk 13:8.

i.e. maybe in 2020 the soil around you needs to be dug up and some piled up manure placed there i.e. let some stuff die and stink up the place in order to

in order to get your attention and get you growing and moving forward in faith and with a changed heart

get your attention

get you growing

get you moving forward in faith

get you a changed heart

Note: imagery of a plant that just takes up resources and is not fruitful, what would you do with such a fig?

God (As Just Judge) Won’t Wait Indefinitely

God Will Ultimately Hold You Accountable.

Numbers 23:19

Jesus will be coming back to judge the living and the dead