Sermon Tone Analysis

2 Peter 1:

*Have a leader read 1 Corinthians 2:1-13?*

REVIEW:

So this Fall is upon us.

We’re beginning our first semester of school together and there is about a million different directions we could go in terms of “teaching and preaching.”

There’s all kinds of good ideas for what to study through and teach on, but I think for this season of life that we’re in....it’s best for us to study through some very basic topics.

These topics are The Bible, God, The Church, and Jesus.

For the month of August we’re on the topic of the Bible and we’re gonna break it down by 4 Sundays.

I want you guys to be able to walk away each Sunday with very simple phrases.

So like...

Last Sunday, I taught on the authority of the Bible.

That’s a big phrase and it means a lot.

But really, I’m hoping you are able to walk away from teaching time saying to yourself, “I can trust the Bible/or stand on the Bible, because it’s authoritative.”

You can do that because of the history behind it.

(Just recall one thing from the sermon).

Remember the picture I showed you.

Show picture again

I’m hoping you can walk away Sunday night knowing that because the Bible is so accurate and experienced… “you can trust it.”

Tonight...

Is very similar to last Sunday.

Tonight, I want you to be able to walk away saying to yourself, “I can know the Bible,” and that’s because of how “clear” it is.

Tonight, we’re discussing the “Clarity of Scripture.”

I’m using big words to describe things, but here’s the reality…mayonnaise is a big word…and you know what that is.

Therefore, you can learn some big words that I toss out as we discuss and talk about topics of the Bible.

Story: I hate not being in “the know.”

When Erin and I are watching a tv show and miss something by “not paying attention.”

It never fails…I will always stop Erin and ask her about what’s going on or a reference made.

Beginning of Sermon

So the Clarity of Scripture is like this…

Some definitions...

Clarity - clearness to understanding or perception.

Our time.

If we were to sit down and record what we did every hour it would reveal to us what’s clearly worth our time.

#Important

Athletes: Hours upon hours in practice.

Time in the gym either lifting weights or somehow getting better at their sport.

Picture up of the boat underneath the water/emphasizing Google Earth and seeing old shipwrecks.

Google Earth: USS Arizona USS Utah (You might be able to see it)

Cool picture right?

How many of us have ever been given the chance to swim in the Caribbean or somewhere tropical where the water is crystal clear and beautiful?

I have.

Erin and I got to go on a cruise with her family one time and we got to do some snorkeling.

It was a blast.

However, one of the coolest things that happened to me during this “dive,” was when we swam over a part of a sunken boat.

Floating at the top of the water and looking down, it looked as though I could stand on the boat....in reality though, when I put my goggles and snorkel on and put my face under the surface, the boat was actually 10 to 15 feet below us and buried in the sand.

Our money.

If we recorded where every dollar went, it would reveal to us what’s clearly worth our money.

#Important

I remember it being so deep that I had to pop my ears when I swam down to it.

That kind of perception was so cool but it also made me think.

How often do I see things like this and never dive below the surface?

Scripture says...

“The Bible is crystal clear in it’s beauty, but it’s also deep in its meaning.”

Money is our means of purchase.

If we could look at your bank account, what would show up?

SONIC would be one on ours.

Our relationships.

If we recorded who we hung out with throughout the year, it would reveal to us who’s clearly worth it to us.

#Important

Time and money may roll into this one, but those we hang out with represent clearly who’s important to us.

“We are able to swim along the surface and admire the clarity and beauty of it, but also, given the right instruments and tools…we can navigate and personally know the depths of it.”

So with this kind of clarity..

What are the tools/instruments needed?

Good question.

You need a Bible.

A good translation.

(Explain)

You need an open mind.

You need to rely on God to show you exactly what His Word means.

What exactly do I mean by rely on God to show us exactly?

That’s a good question too.

Remember what the leader read at the beginning?

The Holy Spirit abiding in us through faith in Jesus.

().

Luke 24:

Luke 24:

Last week I read rap lyrics to you from a guy named KB in his song “weight & glory.”

Tonight’s song is by Lecrae and the song is titled “Believe.”

Song: Believe

Chorus - “What would it take to make you believe?

More fire from the sky?

Another part in the sea?

The honest truth is you ain’t got the power to see, let me take you on this journey, it all started with me.” - Lecrae, CC2, Believe.

Further breakdown of the tools.

Start with the Bible.

Honesty - open mind.

Testimony - trust and belief the Holy Spirit will lead and guide you into all things.

The Bible, very clearly, discusses all three of these points.

(Lecrae rhetorically asking) “God’s already sent fire from the sky and parted a sea…what more needs to be clear for you?”

The answer to the question is that God is able, in those biblical references inside the song, God saved on both occasions.

But here…the Bible discusses clarity, honesty, and a testimony.

Let’s listen.

Some things we know...

Some things we don’t...

We CAN know what Scripture means.

READ...

Context

John writing…which one?

(son of Zebedee, what’s that mean?) Same John who wrote Revelation and 1, 2, and 3 John.

John the Baptist beheaded.

John the Apostle…was not?