Sermon Tone Analysis

Day 152

2 Samuel 1:1-2:7; John 20:10-31; Proverbs 13:20-14:4

David was “anointed … king over the house of Judah” (2 Samuel 2:4).

Jesus was given a higher honour: “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28).

“A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children” (Proverbs 13:22).

The greatest inheritance we can leave to the rising generations is the spiritual inheritance of faith in Jesus Christ – “that they may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His Name” (John 20:31).

Day 153

2 Samuel 2:8-3:21; John 21:1-25; Psalm 69:1-12

God gave His own gracious promise concerning the reign of David: “For the Lord promised David, By My servant David I will rescue my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies” (2 Samuel 3:18).

Jesus indicated to His disciples, notably Peter, what He was going to do through them: “the net … was full of large fish” (John 21:11).

Note also Jesus’ purpose for His disciples – “I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19).

Those who long for much blessing to come, in our day, upon the Church of Christ, say, with the Psalmist, “Zeal for Your House consumes me” (Psalm 69:9).

Day 154

2 Samuel 3:22-5:5; Acts 1:1-22; Psalms 69:13-28

David ascended to the throne of Israel – “they anointed David king over Israel” (2 Samuel 5:3).

“He reigned for forty years” (2 Samuel 5:4).

Jesus ascended “into heaven” (Acts 1:11), to the right hand of God, the Father Almighty.

There, He reigns forever and ever.

As we look to this mighty Saviour, we find “sure salvation” (Psalm 69:13).

Day 155

2 Samuel 5:6-6:23; Acts 1:23-2:21; Psalms 69:29-36

The world cannot understand the working of the Holy Spirit – “when Michal, daughter of Saul, saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart” (2 Samuel 6:16).

She didn’t understand what David was doing – “I will celebrate before the Lord” (2 Samuel 6:21).

“Some … made fun of them and said, ‘They have had too much wine’” (Acts 2:13).

They didn’t understand what God was doing – “I will pour out My Spirit on all people …” (Acts 2:17).

Whatever the world may think, God’s people must always say, “I will praise God’s Name in song and glorify Him in thanksgiving” (Psalm 69:30).

Day 156

2 Samuel 7:1-8:18; Acts 2:22-47; Proverbs 14:5-14

“The Lord gave David victory wherever he went” (2 Samuel 8:14).

The victory, given to Jesus, was a greater victory than any victory given by God to David.

Concerning David, Scripture says, “David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day” (Acts 2:29).

Concerning Jesus, Scripture says, “God raised Him from the dead …” (Acts 2:24).

How important it is that we have faith in Christ if we are to be raised, with Him, to eternal life: “The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish” (Proverbs 14:11).

Day 157

2 Samuel 9:1-10:19; Acts 3:1-26; Psalm 70:1-5

The kindness of God is shown in different ways.

We read of “God’s kindness” being shown to Mephibosheth – “he always ate at the king’s house” (2 Samuel 9:3,7).

Nevertheless, we are also told, at the end of the chapter, that “he was crippled in both feet” (2 Samuel 9:13).

We read also of a man who did not receive worldly goods – “Silver or gold I do not have”, but he did receive healing – “In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”

We see him, “walking and jumping and praising God” (Acts 3:6,9).

We should not demand that the kindness of God must always be shown in the same way.

We do, however, have every encouragement to join with the Psalmist in praying, “I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God.

You are my help and my deliverer; Lord, do not delay” (Psalm 70:5).

Day 158

2 Samuel 11:1-12:31; Acts 4:1-22; Psalm 71:1-8

“David pleaded with God for the child”, born of his adultery with Bathsheba, but “the child died” (2 Samuel 12:18).

David prayed that “the Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live” (2 Samuel 12:22).

The child died, but the love of God did not cease (2 Samuel 2:24).

In Acts 4, the apostles are “called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed” (Acts 4:9).

They do not speak only of the healing.

They speak also of salvation (Acts 4:10-12).

The Name of Jesus Christ is the Name of our salvation.

The Name of Jesus is the Name which declares that the love of God never ceases.

Whatever our outward circumstances may be, God’s salvation remains constant.

In His salvation, we rejoice.

As we read of God’s salvation, we may come to Him and pray, with the Psalmist: “Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress” (Psalm 71:3).

Day 159

2 Samuel 13:1-39; Acts 4:23-5:11; Psalm 71:9-18

There are things happening which bring great distress to the Lord’s people.

“When King David heard all this, he was furious … Ammon … had disgraced his sister Tamar” (2 Samuel 13:21-22).

“Why do the nations rage … against the Lord and against His Anointed One” (Acts 4:25-26).

“My enemies speak against me” (Psalm 71:10).

How is all this to affect us?

– “As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise You more and more.

My mouth will tell of Your righteous deeds, of Your saving acts all day long — though I do not know how to relate them all” (Psalm 71:14-15).

Day 160

2 Samuel 14:1-15:12; Acts 5:12-42; Proverbs 14:15-24

There’s a difference between human popularity – “Absalom’s following kept on increasing” (2 Samuel 15:12) – and divine approval – “more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number” (Acts 5:14).

A man can gain popularity because the people are gullible – “A simple man believes anything”.

A wise man seeks divine approval – “a prudent man gives thought to his steps” (Proverbs 14:15).

Day 161

2 Samuel 15:13-16:14; Acts 6:1-7:19; Psalm 71:19-24

The Bible contains many stories.

The readings in 2 Samuel and Acts tell us about events that took place a long time ago.

Stephen’s message, in Acts, stresses that all of the stories are part one Story – the Story of God in action.

Take away God, and what do you have left?

– You have a human story, but you don’t have God’s Story which needs to be told by each generation to the next generation.

God’s Story is the greatest story ever told.

It’s the Story of “the God of glory.”

God gives His promise.

God fulfils His promise (Acts 7:2-3,17).

We look at the “great things” God has done, and we say, “Who, O God, is like You?” (Psalm 71:19).

Day 162

2 Samuel 16:15-18:18; Acts 7:20-43; Psalm 72:1-20

How are we to die?

This is an important question.

There’s a difference between dying in shame and dying in glory.

The death of Absalom (2 Samuel 18) is a shameful death.

The death of Stephen (Acts 7) is a glorious triumph.

Stephen’s death is preceded by a mighty proclamation of God’s Word.

Stephen affirms God’s faithfulness to His people down through the generations.

We might sum up Stephen’s great message in the words of Psalm 72:18-19 – “Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvellous deeds.

Praise be to His glorious Name for ever; May the whole earth be filled with His glory.”

Stephen’s message is full of thanksgiving for the past.

His death proclaims hope for the future.

Day 163

2 Samuel 18:19-19:43; Acts 7:44-8:3; Psalm 73:1-14

King David was held in extremely high regard in his day: “My lord the king is like an angel” (2 Samuel 19:27).

We must remember that he was no more than a man who was seeking to “provide a dwelling-place for the God of Jacob” (Acts 7:56).

Think of all that God has done for Israel.