Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
This automated analysis scores the text on the likely presence of emotional, language, and social tones. There are no right or wrong scores; this is just an indication of tones readers or listeners may pick up from the text.
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Submission and obedience are not popular words these days.
More and more it seems that people have a “no one’s gonna tell me what to do” attitude.
As disciples of Jesus Christ, however, we are committed to submitting to Him as our Lord and obeying His commands.
When the command is easy or something I want to do, obedience is easy.
I won’t argue if I’m commanded to take the afternoon off and nap or watch a favorite movie.
The reality is that God may ask us to do things which are not easy or which go against our natural inclinations.
At times God’s directions will make no sense to us.
The question we must answer is whether we are willing to follow God’s leading no matter what.
The reading for today gives us an example of a disciple who was willing to do just that.
The disciple
Ananias
Disciple
Devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there (Acts 22:12)
The task
Go to Saul
Gave specific directions
Had prepared Saul for Ananias’ cominggo to the Gentiles
Told Ananias the reason – God has chosen Saul to
Lay hands on and pray
The challenge
Saul has been persecuting Jesus’ disciples
Saul had come to Damascus in order to arrest disciples – this would include Ananias
The response
Ananias obeyed
There are many reasons why we may obey someone, including God.
What are yours?
Fear?
Obeying because you have to?
Reward?
Obeying because you get something out of it?
Love?
Obeying because you love Christ and your fellowman?
Trusted God
Greeted Saul as a brother
The result
Saul received his sight
Saul was baptized
Became the apostle to the Gentiles
Our challenge
Jesus could have appeared to Saul again and restored his sight, could have sent an angel, but God chooses to work through us.
We may not have a vision as Ananias did, but God does have a purpose for each of us, we are called to carry out God’s mission for us, whatever it may be.
How can we know what God wants us to do?
Scripture
Holy Spirit – dreams, visions, inner conviction
Circumstances
Other people
A couple years ago my doctor told me I was pre-diabetic and needed to lose weight.
I had to be more careful of what I ate and get more exercise.
The doctor was not saying this to punish me but to help me.
These were not what I wanted to do, but I didn’t want diabetes even more.
With time and perseverance I lost the weight although keeping it off is still a challenge.
Obedience is not a one time act but a lifestyle decision.
Even more than my doctor, God’s commands are for my own welfare and for the work of His kingdom.
How much ore should I be wanting to obey?
God will guide us if we are willing to listen and obey.
We are called to follow Jesus’ example
Philippians 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!
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