Sermon Tone Analysis

Moving from the Cradle to the Cranium

INTRO #1 :I have to admit Elf is a favorite Christmas movie.

But Will Ferrell may be known for another famous movie scene in which Ferrell sits down to a meal of KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut with his family in their million dollar home, surrounded by multiple vehicles in the drive way.

In the famous scene he “says grace” to “baby Jesus.” 8 lb tiny baby Jesus… with your golden sash.”

As Ferrell prays he is interrupted by his father-in-law, reminding him “he was a man.” to which Ferrell replies “I like the baby Jesus best, when you pray you can pray to whatever Jesus you want.”

You could certainly say that this is a disrespectful and rude notion to pray to the infant Jesus, but I believe if we seek to learn from even those with differing opinion, we are better equipped to engage those who oppose Christ, and perhaps win them over.

This “idea” that you can “pray to whatever Jesus you want,” suggests a subjective view of reality that has no sense of accountability to God, or anyone for that matter.

In this “WAY OF THINKING,” that will be challenged today, the individual is ultimate and no one else can question the motivation of our an individual’s actions.

Intro #2 Success in life most often begins with a change in mindset.

Philippians 2:1-11