Sermon Tone Analysis

class=MsoNormal>PM Reflection on AM Sermon – Luke 10:1-2, 17-20 “Real Success”                                                           11-2-08 

If we are going to teach a proper view of success what doctrine must we be sharp on?

(Sotieriology)

 

Ø      One of the reasons for the vast number of nominal Christians (those who hold to the faith in name only) in the history of the Christian Church is that churches have failed to embrace and teach a biblical understanding of conversion.

What must be we teach to be strong on our doctrine of salvation?

·         Sin - to apply to proper treatment and cure we must recognize the illness

·         Repentance – turning from old ways to (some are teaching belonging before believing)

·         Faith

·         Substitutionary Atonment – Christ paid the penalty they deserved

·         Hell

·         Deity of Christ

·         Love of God

 

Ø      In order to end with correct living, we must first begin in with the right doctrine

Ø      Right doctrine leads to right living

 

*1 Corinthians 4:2*

* *

Background:[1]

 

1-      The city of Corinth was at the heart of an important trade route in the ancient world.

2-      Corinth had a reputation for sexual immorality, religious diversity, and corruption

 

·         Aphrodite is the best known goddess of Corinth - associated with love and especially temple prostitution[2]

·         It is a gross exaggeration to say that the Corinthians’ leanings towards immorality were a result of her patronage, and wrong to imply that the sexual sins of the Corinthian Christians could be explained because of her.

Immorality, whether fornication, adultery or incest, was not confined to Corinth.[3]

 

3-      The church that Paul planted there (Acts 18) floundered under all of these influences and began to divide over various issues

4-      1 Corinthians is the longest pastoral document in the NT and gives important clues as to how difficult pastoral issues should be handled.[4]

5-      It also provides crucial answers to critical problems which one way or another still haunt the church today.[5]

Teaching:

 

1-      In *v1 *we are introduced to the term “steward” - “house manager,”

 

·         The steward supervised the property, the fields and vineyards, the finances, the food, and the other servants on behalf of his master.[6]

·          

2-      Paul begins by talking about the plurality of spiritual leadership in the church and how they are to be good mangers of the “mysteries of God.” *v1*

3-      In *v2 *Paul turns to the singular /one/.

He indicates that the requirement to be faithful applies not only to the team of workers but to each individual who serves Christ (*I Peter 4:10*).[7]

Application:[8]

 

·         Every believer must demonstrate fidelity and dedication.[9]

·         Certain qualities were sought in secular stewards.

In the Christian context it is trustworthiness that is demanded—the record of untrustworthiness in the secular world is well documented.[10]

1-      Faithfulness is possible for all believers, regardless of the size of a person’s church or surrounding influences

 

2-      If success is knowing Christ and being a good steward of what He has entrusted to us then we must see obedience as the goal for continued success

 

·         *Joshua 1:7-8* – “Do not let the book of the law depart…meditate in it…be careful to do everything in it.”

* *

3- What is success then to a manager of the grace of God?

 

Success is…

A-    Knowing God’s Word – reading and feeding on it (do a little more than the daily bread)

 

*Quote*:  Spurgeon – “A Bible which is falling apart usually belongs t someone who is not.”

* *

B-    Understanding that knowing and doing are two different things

C-    Success is serving

 

§         most difficult instrument to play is second violin – plenty of first violins

§         if we have no second violin we have no harmony

 

Transition to Lord’s Table:  God called us to be good managers of church life and this means the Lord’s Table

 

1-      One privilege of church membership is participating in Christ’s ordinances – to manage the instructions of Christ

2-      *Our continuance in these ordinances is to be a good steward of the gift*

* *

-          every time we partake we are being confronted with where our success truly lies – “Success Service”

 

3-      The Lord’s Supper is an opportunity…

 

a-      To express the unity of the church – v18-19

b-      To express the fellowship of God’s people – v20-21, 33

c-      To display the symbolic remembrance of Christ’s death for us – v24-25

d-     To proclaim Christ’s death, resurrection and return – v26

e-      For self examination – v28-29

 

“Before we partake we are to give ourselves a thorough self–examination, looking honestly at our hearts for anything that should not be there and sifting out all evil.

Our motives, our attitudes toward the Lord and His Word, toward His people, and toward the Communion service itself should all come under private scrutiny before the Lord.

The table thus becomes a special place for the purifying of the church.

That is a vital use of Communion, and Paul’s warning reinforces that ideal.”(MacArthur)[11]

Conclusion:

 

1-      As we come to the Lord’s table tonight let us base our self examination on how we have covenanted together to live

 

Read Church Covenant

Prayer of Self-Examination – Prayer by Pastor

Song

Bread - Deacon

Song

Juice - Deacon

Deacon’s fund offering

Song of Dismissal

 

 

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[1]/The Holy Bible : English Standard Version./

(Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), 1 Co.

[2]D.

A. Carson, /New Bible Commentary : 21st Century Edition/, Rev. Ed. of: The New Bible Commentary.

3rd Ed. ~/ Edited by D. Guthrie, J.A. Motyer.

1970., 4th ed.