Sermon Tone Analysis

“Living for Jesus”

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Introduction: “Living for Jesus a life that is true, Striving to please Him in all that I do, Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free–This is the pathway of blessing for me.”

Thomas Obediah Chisholm’s beloved hymn challenges us to right living.

Introduction: “Living for Jesus a life that is true, Striving to please Him in all that I do, Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free–This is the pathway of blessing for me.”

Thomas Obediah Chisholm’s beloved hymn challenges us to right living.

Discussion of the first chapter of Colossians.

Paul is writing to a congregation of believers that he may have never met, but knows some very important things about them.

He has become aware of the infiltration of false teachers who are trying to corrupt their understanding of their life in Christ and the doctrine they have been taught (2:6-8).

His connection with the church is that of Epaphras who may be the Epaproditus that we met in our journey through Philippians.

This letter contains one of the most profound statements about the person and nature of Christ.

(1:15-20).

I think verses 10-12 is the key verse that expresses Paul’s hope for this congregation: “Live a life worthy of the Lord…Please Him in every way…bearing fruit in every good work…growing in the knowledge of God…strengthen by His power…for endurance and patience…joyfully giving thanks to the Father…glorious inheritance” to look forward to!

So, let us glean from this letter of Paul some lessons about “living for Jesus.”

Discussion of the first chapter of Colossians.

I. Living for Jesus can be Difficult

I. Living for Jesus can be Difficult

1. Do you remember the Gospel account of the anointing of Jesus by Mary in the home of Simon the leper?

Remember that she lavishly poured very expensive perfume on Jesus’ body in worship and honor and love for him?

Remember how all the disciples began to scold her for what she was doing?

Sometimes even doing our best for Jesus can bring negative reactions from others...even those in the church.

1. Do you remember our message from a couple of weeks ago about the anointing of Jesus by Mary in the home of Simon the leper?

Remember that she lavishly poured very expensive perfume on Jesus’ body in worship and honor and love for him?

Remember how all the disciples began to scold her for what she was doing?

Sometimes even doing our best for Jesus can bring negative reactions from others...even those in the church.

2. The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, his son in the faith, “All who desire to live godly will be persecuted.”

It was true of the most godly of persons, even Jesus, and it will be true of His followers as well.

Have you ever notice that living for Jesus often goes against the grain in this sin-affected world that we live in.

2. The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, his son in the faith, “All who desire to live godly will be persecuted.”

It was true of the most godly of persons, Jesus and it will be true of his followers as well.

Living for Jesus often goes against the grain in this sin-affected world that we live in.

3. We need to remember that we cannot be secret disciples or distant followers of Jesus.

There are those who are afraid to let others know about their commitment to Christ...they want to keep their faith up close to their chest like their cards.

Or, they want to follow Jesus but keep their distance playing it safe in case there is trouble that they need to avoid.

But we need to remember that we don’t simply worship Jesus...we also must obey Him.

We are called to not only claim Jesus as our Savior (and surely He is) but He must also be our Lord (that means He’s the boss!).

3. We need to remember that we cannot be secret disciples or distant followers of Jesus.

There are those who are afraid to let others know about their commitment to Christ...they want to keep their faith up close to their chest like their cards.

Or, they want to follow Jesus but keep their distance playing it safe in case there is trouble that they need to avoid.

But we need to remember that we don’t simply worship Jesus...we also must obey Him.

We are called to not only claim Jesus as our Savior (and surely He is) but He must also be our Lord (that means He’s the boss!).

4. One day when Jesus was going down the street, a woman cried after Him, ‘Blessed be she who bore Thee, and the breast where Thy head lay!”

But Jesus turned around at once, and rebuked the sentimental speech.

“Nay,” He exclaimed, “say rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God, and do it.”

An obedient response to His Word is what honors Him.

John wrote in his first epistle, “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” (2:6).

Living for Jesus means emulating His lifestyle and attitude.

But we must also exercise caution here…common sense must also come into play.

Ravi Zacharias recently reported about a preacher in India who wanted to demonstrate Jesus walking on the water…he was devoured alive by three crocodiles!

4. One day when Jesus was going down the street, a woman cried after Him, ‘Blessed be she who bore Thee, and the breast where Thy head lay!”

But Jesus turned around at once, and rebuked the sentimental speech.

“Nay,” He exclaimed, “say rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God, and do it.”

5.

There is a wide and easy road to be sure and it is the most popular...but Jesus said that the way to life is a straight way and a narrow gate that a few are willing to commit to!

Yes, following Jesus may at times be difficult but it is still by far the best way to travel in this life!

6.

This is a life to celebrate for while we journey there may truly be some rough spots but He is there to give us the victory.

There will be some tears along this journey, but through and beyond the tears are joys abundant.

There will be problems along this way, and there will be guidance through those problems.

Like the chorus we used to sing, "God any rivers you think are uncrossable, God any mountains you can't tunnel through?

God specializes in things thought impossible--He does the things others cannot do!"

5.

There is a wide and easy road to be sure and it is the most popular...but Jesus said that the way to life is a straight way and a narrow gate that a few are willing to commit to!

Yes, the following of Jesus may at times be difficult but it is still by far the best way to travel in this life!

Illus.

A wise preacher once responded to a bitter woman’s resentful cry with words that capture the essence of Christianity as a “present-tense” religion.

Angry at God over what had happened to her, she defiantly protested, “I wish I had never been made.”

To which the preacher replied, “You have not been made, my dear, you are still being made.”

II.

Living for Jesus can also be Fun

II.

Living for Jesus can be Fun

1. Preacher and friend of mine, Jerry Gibson, who was for a time the campus minister at the University of Illinois use to say that being a Christian meant to have fun, fun, fun!!!

1. Preacher and friend of mine, Jerry Gibson, who was for a time the campus minister at the University of Illinois use to say that being a Christian meant to have fun, fun, fun!!!

2. Christianity suffered a bad rap that took years to unload during the days of the Puritans.

Though they were to be commended for their high moral character...they were more often than not known for what they did not do rather than what they did.

The Puritan mind-set was cluttered with a laundry list of things a Christian should not do.

The result was that Christians were caricatured as people with long-faces, never having any fun...not even good clean, wholesome fun!

Illus.

A Scotsman said, “I am happier now when I’m not happy, that I used to be when I was happy.”

He knew the joy that God had promised.

Colonel Sanders, who made world-famous his “finger-licken-good” fried chicken requested that at his death Pat Boone should be asked to sing: “He touched me, and oh the joy that floods my soul.”

2. Christianity suffered a bad rap that took years to unload during the days of the Puritans.

Though they were to be commended for their high moral character...they were more often than not known for what they did not do rather than what they did.

The Puritan mind-set was cluttered with a laundry list of things a Christian should not do.

The result was that Christians were caricatured as people with long-faces, never having any fun...not even good clean, wholesome fun!

3.

In reality, being a Christian is the happiest life in the world!

It truly is an experience of fun, fun, fun!

Notice again Paul’s remark in , “strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks...”

3.

In reality, being a Christian is the happiest life in the world!

It truly is an experience of fun, fun, fun!

Notice again Paul’s remark in , “strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks...”

3.

In reality, being a Christian is the happiest life in the world!

It truly is an experience of fun, fun, fun!

Notice again Paul’s remark in , “strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks...”

4. True there are those who are Christians that lack the joy and the radiance that their connection to Christ ought to exhibit.

There are those who betray their Master not with a kiss but with a lack-luster faith...and the result is that Christ is given a bad name among men.

4. True there are those who are Christians that lack the joy and the radiance that their connection to Christ ought to exhibit.

There are those who betray their Master not with a kiss but with a lack-luster faith...and the result is that Christ is given a bad name among men.

5. James Stewart’s challenge is: “Don’t be put off by these gloomy caricatures of Christianity!