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.
A score of 0.5 or higher indicates the tone is likely present.
Emotion Tone
Anger
0.12UNLIKELY
Disgust
0.08UNLIKELY
Fear
0.11UNLIKELY
Joy
0.62LIKELY
Sadness
0.54LIKELY
Language Tone
Analytical
0.66LIKELY
Confident
0UNLIKELY
Tentative
0.22UNLIKELY
Social Tone
Openness
0.75LIKELY
Conscientiousness
0.87LIKELY
Extraversion
0.25UNLIKELY
Agreeableness
0.65LIKELY
Emotional Range
0.77LIKELY
Tone of specific sentences
Tones
Emotion
Language
Social Tendencies
Anger
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9
Intro
We’d all like to think we’re nothing like Judas the betrayer, who traded Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.
An honest look at our hearts reveals, however, that we all have things we trade for Christ every day.
Whether it’s comfort, power, control, or some other idol, we all make our exchanges.
As we approach Easter, this series invites us to repent and treasure Christ above every idol and temptation.
PRAYER
Message
What four things are we often tempted to serve instead of Christ?
Wealth
Big Idea of the Point: Judas was willing to trade Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.
Juxtaposition of Woman / Judas
Deal or No Deal
Jesus did not live up to his expectations…???
Prosperity gospel… blessed from following Jesus
Selling out for such a small prize…
Application Point: Jesus is worth more than anything else to the believer.
Beware of what you are tempted to trade him for.
Judas, seeing that Jesus was going to the cross, took the money back to the priests and killed himself (Matthew 27:3–5).
His story ended tragically.
Judas was gone before he could see the resurrection of Christ and understand the path to forgiveness and restoration through Jesus.
Unlike Judas, we live after the cross and resurrection, and that means we don’t have to be crushed by our sin and shame.
Reflecting on the things that we are tempted to trade for Jesus in our own lives can help us deepen our understanding of our Judas like tendencies.
Our story doesn’t end in a field; it ends in glory with our risen Savior.
Comfort
Big Idea of the Point: Glory is on the horizon, but first we take up the cross.
Following Jesus does not mean comfort
what do you need to be uncomfortable about with Jesus
Think of work boots vs slippers
Dietrich Bonhoeffer = “The cross is laid on every Christian.
The first Christ-suffering which every man must experience is the call to abandon the attachments of this world.
… As we embark upon discipleship, we surrender ourselves to Christ in union with his death—we give over our lives to death.
Thus it begins; the cross is not the terrible end to an otherwise god-fearing and happy life, but it meets us at the beginning of our communion with Christ.
When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.
… Only the man who is dead to his own will can follow Christ.
In fact every command of Jesus is a call to die, with all our affections and lusts.
But we do not want to die, and therefore Jesus Christ and his call are necessarily our death and our life” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship [New York: Touchstone, 1995], 89–90).
Toxic or Transformative… beware the self sacrificial life of the fool
Application Point: Following Jesus will at times be uncomfortable.
Jesus Himself told us that we should expect this.
However our end in Him is with Him forever in His glory.
Power
Big Idea of the Point: Jesus’s kingdom is not one of public or political power but of sacrifice.
Power struggle in this passage
Pulpit / Politics Power… social networking
Power used for the powerless… Jesus
Application Point: Believers are called not to wield their God given power for the assistance of the powerless and the glory of Christ.
Control
Big Idea of the Point: God’s will is more important than the way we want things to go.
Control is usually the over arching issue...
Human desire for control… not controlled… “let go and let God”
asking for change to submission
Global Pandemic… Control?… personal liberties
As we look ahead to the resurrection, we are humbled by gratitude that Jesus did choose to obey unto death.
It is a death that paved the way to life.
We recognize our humanity and its tendency to manipulate, purchase, or impose power to control our own destinies.
And yet, we would have no future without relinquishing our whole being to the God who saves us and transforms us from the inside out.
We can’t grow until we allow the Spirit to rearrange our priorities, our desires, and our need for control.
Are we willing to trade Jesus, to minimize his saving work, to keep our grip on our perception of control?
It seems like the smart move is to pray as Jesus did: “Not as I will, but as you will” (v.
39).
Application Point: We cannot control everything.
Peace comes in embracing God’s ultimate control of our individual lives as we honor him through obedience.
Close
We’d all like to think we’re nothing like Judas the betrayer, who traded Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.
An honest look at our hearts reveals, however, that we all have things we trade for Christ every day.
Whether it’s comfort, power, control, or some other idol, we all make our exchanges.
As we approach Easter, this series invites us to repent and treasure Christ above every idol and temptation.
PRAYER
Group Questions
Does other people’s generosity make you uncomfortable?
Why or why not?
Are you a risk-taker or a “play it safe” kind of person?
How does that affect your faith?
Have you ever felt disappointed with God?
In what way did he not live up to your expectations?
Do you think God should reward the obedient and punish the disobedient?
What sort of rewards would be appropriate?
Is wealth something that tempts you?
If not wealth, what other things are a temptation to trade in exchange for Jesus?
What is the best thing you have ever bought to make your life more comfortable?
Was it worth it the cost?
Why is it easier to focus on what God has done for us, rather than following it up by taking up our cross and following him?
If happiness or comfort were your ultimate goals, what would you pursue?
How does God’s purpose change your goals and motivations?
Is there a place in your life where you feel God’s urging to embrace discomfort?
How can you do that?
Why is power so alluring?
Why can it be dangerous?
Do you currently have a position of power in any of your circles(church, work, social circles, community)?
How can you use it to serve others well?
Think about your country’s political power.
Do you think it reflects the way of Jesus?
Why or why not?
Do you like to be in control?
Or are you a “go with the flow” typeof person?
Give an example to explain.
How did living during a pandemic challenge your perception of control?
Are love and control able to coexist in relationships?
Are there any areas of your life in which you are reluctant to submit to God’s will?
Why?
How can you ask God to help you be willing to trust him with these things?
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9