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
0.1UNLIKELY
Disgust
0.08UNLIKELY
Fear
0.1UNLIKELY
Joy
0.6LIKELY
Sadness
0.48UNLIKELY
Language Tone
Analytical
0.74LIKELY
Confident
0UNLIKELY
Tentative
0.43UNLIKELY
Social Tone
Openness
0.53LIKELY
Conscientiousness
0.91LIKELY
Extraversion
0.17UNLIKELY
Agreeableness
0.85LIKELY
Emotional Range
0.49UNLIKELY
Tone of specific sentences
Tones
Emotion
Language
Social Tendencies
Anger
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9
Happy Fathers Day to those who are birth fathers, adoptive fathers, step fathers, and those who have just chosen to invest in children’s lives.
I am going to start today’s sermon out with a series of questions.
How many of you had a wonderful father growing up?
How many of you wanted to be like our father when you grew up?
What made your father strong in your eyes, and the model man you wished to be?
Now, the next question requires a little more though.
Have we lived up to our expectations when we compare ourselves to our fathers?
In general, though, have fathers become stronger or weaker over the years?
I’m getting at a point here, years ago, fathers were role models.
They were strong, they were fearless, they were leaders, they were fathers.
Now days, we do not see them as easily identified traits in many men and especially fathers.
We have gone from Ward Cleaver to Al Bundy, Andy Taylor to Homer Simpson, Charles Ingalls to Tim Taylor…the list can keep going.
Why is it that the image of a man, and a father has gone from a God fearing, family loving, wife respecting, strong providers to bumbling buffoons?
Maybe the world looks at dads today and think “if that’s the way they are, then we don’t need them”?
Dads, I am here to tell you “YOU ARE IMPORTANT”.
I don’t think you hear it near enough.
You work, you provide, you love, you set the example.
And your children see you.
I found interesting research that gives some understanding as to the importance of dads.
In 2011, the Barna Group released results from an interesting survey on who teens say are their role models.
37% relative (grandparent, sister, brother, aunt, uncle)
11% teacher or coach
9% friend
6% pastor or religious leader they know personally
6% entertainer
5% athlete
4% political leader
4% faith leader
Now, notice number 1 - 37% looked up to a relative.
We (as parents) have the most potential to impact our children BECAUSE they look up to us as role models.
But, I also want to look at the reason why these people are so important.
26% personality traits of that person
22% someone they want to “follow in the footsteps” of
13% role model accomplished his or her goals
11% personal help or encouragement
9% overcame adversity
7% works hard
7% is intelligent
6% performs humanitarian effort and activism
6% maintains strong faith
It is concerning to me that faith ranks at the bottom of this list.
In all reality, should we not be leading our families spiritually?
Noticeably missing though, is MONEY and FAME.
So, dads, we need to focus more on what is important - pointing our children to God.
Should our focus on a personal relationship with Christ not be part of our personality traits?
Dads, we need to step it up.
But, society tells us otherwise.
Society says for us to be “manly” we should be:
Wealthy
A Winner
Physically Strong
A “Fixer”
A “Man’s Man”
While we look at this list, it puts unrealistic expectations on us.
We may struggle and live paycheck to paycheck.
We may not always win, but instead find ourselves losing in our own minds.
We may never have physical strength, or the ability to pick up a screwdriver and fix everything that’s broken.
In essence, if WE think WE are not the epitome of a “Man’s Man”, then WE think WE have failed.
It’s time to break out of that societal mold, and look at what God calls us to be as Dads.
Be a Trainer
Train - to develop a person’s behavior by instruction and practice.
By this definition alone, dad’s we have to BE THERE to instruct our children.
The truth is, many parents are running ragged with their own busy schedules; and rather than parent proactively, many parent re-actively by running interference only after a problem arises.
Too many children today are raising themselves.
Some of this is unavoidable.
We all know that it takes more resources today and both parents may have to work.
As a result, many kids are taking on additional responsibilities…oh wait…is that a bad thing?
You see, if they have some structure and responsibilities we may actually have kids that grow up to be…responsible.
I am not talking about that, I am talking about what happens when the parents are home.
Do we invest in our children?
Do we spend quality time with them training them as we are instructed in scripture?
This doesn’t always mean chores and responsibilities.
Dads, when is the last time your children saw you read your bible?
Dads, when is the last time you prayed with your children?
Dads, when is the last time you spent quality time with your children?
We must dedicate our time with our children to what is most important.
Raising them to love the Lord with all their heart, all their mind, and all their soul.
Train them as though their eternity depends on it, because it does.
We are given a promise here - if we do our job, God will do His.
They will not forget what they have been taught.
It does not mean they will always make the best choices.
It does not mean they won’t make mistakes.
It does not mean they will not disappoint us.
It does mean, God will convict them, because they will know what God (and their parents) expect of them.
As a dad who has one child out of the house, and another rapidly approaching…I can tell you from experience - time goes by way too quickly.
Don’t blink - the time you think you will have…may just not be there when they get older.
Be a Disciplinarian
Children need discipline.
Discipline will not kill them.
Discipline just might keep them out of hell.
Vicki Courtney author of “Logged on and Tuned out” makes this comment about parenting.
“If you are a parent who makes a habit of uttering the phrase, “Ah, kids will be kids,” on a recurring basis, do me a big favor.
Close this book and pop yourself upside the head with it.
Now open it back up and continue reading.
Your child doesn't need another buddy; your child needs a parent.
And let's not be fooled.
Someday we will stand before God and be held accountable for the way we raised the children that were entrusted to us.
That doesn't mean you can't be your child's friend, but you have to get it in the right order.
Parent first, friend second.”
Dads, we should not make it a priority to be our children’s best friend.
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9