Sermon Tone Analysis

In the sixteenth century, there was a protestant reformer in England by the name of Hugh Latimer.

He was known as a great preacher of his day and as a result he had many opportunities to speak.

Once he found that he was to preach before the King Henry VIII of England.

As he thought about his great responsibility to bring a message before the king he realized that the message that God laid on his heart was not the message that the king would want to hear.

As he began his sermon he said, “Latimer!

Latimer!

Do you remember that you are speaking before the high and mighty King Henry VIII; who has power to command you to be sent to prison, and who can have your head cut off, if it please him?

Will you not take care to say nothing that will offend royal ears?”

He then paused and continued, “Latimer!

Latimer!

Do you not remember that you are speaking before the King of kings and Lord of lords; before Him, at whose throne Henry VIII will stand; before Him, to whom one day you will have to give account yourself?

Latimer!

Latimer!

Be faithful to your Master, and declare all of God’s Word.”

Latimer faced the choice: would he preach what man wanted to hear or would he preach what Christ would have him preach.

Latimer did take his stand for truth and preached boldly.

Eventually, he was martyred by Henry’s daughter Queen Mary.

Source: Not Corrupting the Word, a sermon by J. C. Ryle

Friends, we live in a day where truth is variable and power seems to be absolute (or at least those who are in power like to think that).

As we get started this morning, I want to spend a few minutes and define how we are going to use the three main words in our sermon title today - Speaking the Truth to Power.

These definitions come from Brannon Hancock in Charitable Discourse 2.

Speaking - not just oration, but communication in general - whether oral words, writing, or body language

Power - the powers that be, earthly powers - those who have some sort of control over others - could be a government, parents, employers, etc.

Truth -

This morning turn with me to Genesis 41:

Before we dig into this text this morning, let’s paint some background about Joseph:

RECAP Joseph’s story

Chapter 37 - dream and sold by his brothers

chapter 39 - Potiphar’s Wife

chapter 40 - baker and cupbearer

RECAP STORY

After Joseph was sold by his brothers, falsely accused of rape by Potiphar’s wife, and imprisoned for several years, he finds himself being called int Pharaoh's presence

gives credit to Yahweh for being able to interpret Pharaoh’s dream

TALK ABOUT DREAMS

didn’t just say something that would please Pharaoh, he spoke the truth that God revealed through the dreams - but did it in a way that wasn’t throwing stones

Pharaoh could have reacted many ways - anger, putting Joseph to death, instead we see him take well to Joseph’s words and put him in power with him.

God can work through those in power whether they are followers of him or not.

Takeaways

Speaking truth to power is always better than speaking what pleases men’s ears (the safer option).

But we need to do so in love.

Not beating people over the head with the proverbial Bible, but lovingly, helping them to see their need for Christ through relationship and service.

When we get an invitation to speak truth to power we need to stand boldly and speak the truth.

Being invited to the table vs. bashing our way into the presence of power.

Maybe we get a forum with some level of government leader, management at the place we work, or some other power holder - when invited we get an opportunity that doesn’t always readily present itself - we need to be BOLD.

Sometimes when we speak truth to power we end up in service of some sort to the powers that be - maybe a promotion - or some sort of committee - or some sort of community task force.

As we see in the story of Joseph, God sometimes chooses to work through those who are in power.

As followers of Jesus, we need to be willing to speak truth to power (powers that be) at every opportunity.

And not just any truth, but THE Truth.

As followers of Jesus we know that Jesus is ABSOLUTE TRUTH.

As Brannon Hancock writes, “we should not automatically disdain those in power or assume the worst about them, nor should we, when granted power ourselves, let down our guard when it comes to the temptation to leave God out of the equation and rely on the power of our own ability, intelligence, creativity, or leadership.”

What prophetic words for the church today.

God can use those in power as much as anyone else and God can also use and wants to use us to speak truth to power at every opportunity, in loving and compassionate ways.

COMMUNION

RITUAL

The Communion Supper, instituted by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is a sacrament, which proclaims His life, His sufferings, His sacrificial death, and resurrection, and the hope of His coming again.

It shows forth the Lord’s death until His return.

The Supper is a means of grace in which Christ is present by the Spirit.

It is to be received in reverent appreciation and gratefulness for the work of Christ.

All those who are truly repentant, forsaking their sins, and believing in Christ for salvation are invited to participate in the death and resurrection of Christ.

We come to the table that we may be renewed in life and salvation and be made one by the Spirit.

In unity with the Church, we confess our faith: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.

And so we pray:

PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND SUPPLICATION:

Holy God,

We gather at this, your table, in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who by your Spirit was anointed to preach good news to the poor, proclaim release to the captives, set at liberty those who are oppressed.

Christ healed the sick, fed the hungry, ate with sinners, and established the new covenant for forgiveness of sins.

We live in the hope of His coming again.

On the night in which He was betrayed, He took bread, gave thanks, broke the bread, gave it to His disciples, and said: “This is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

Likewise, when the supper was over, He took the cup, gave thanks, gave it to His disciples, and said: “Drink from it, all of you.

This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Do this in remembrance of me.”

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

And so, we gather as the Body of Christ to offer ourselves to you in praise and thanksgiving.

Pour out your Holy Spirit on us and on these your gifts.

Make them by the power of your Spirit to be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be for the world the Body of Christ, redeemed by His blood.

By your Spirit make us one in Christ, one with each other, and one in the ministry of Christ to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory.

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen.

EXPLAIN ELEMENTS

The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, broken for you, preserve you blameless, unto everlasting life.

Eat this in remembrance that Christ died for you, and be thankful.

The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, shed for you, preserve you blameless unto everlasting life.

Drink this in remembrance that Christ died for you, and be thankful.

CONCLUDING PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND COMMITMENT

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, let us pray:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.

Amen.