Sermon Tone Analysis

Matt

[AV]

Matthew 18:

Big Idea:

1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

When the people of God come together there is nothing that they cannot do!

MINISTRY:

Purpose:

We have come to a moment of great sadness as we pay tribute to the memory of M. W.. I knew M. through knowing E.. What a privilege is mine to have been asked to take this Service, and to pay my own tribute to M..

A man of character, a big man with a big heart.

I have been impressed by his support of E. in her activities at H. C. Church, and also at H. C. E. Centre, where with us she has worked as a volunteer serving the local community.

There will be a gap left by the passing of M., for he was greatly loved and will be missed by many.

To encourage the deacon and deaconess to come together in the spirit of unity to help the pastor build the kingdom of God on earth.

It is good at times like this, in moments of great sorrow, to turn for comfort and strength to the Word of God.

Prayer:

The Scripture chosen by E. that we read earlier, speaks of there being a time for everything.

This is something we can find hard to accept.

We gladly accept the nice, happy parts, but when it speaks of there being a time to mourn, and even a time to die, we find that hard to accept.

But with the wisdom that the Lord has, which is far above ours, it becomes real and acceptable.

‘To everything there is a season’.

At a time like this we need to remember that in God’s order there is a time to weep, and it helps us to bear the sorrow we feel when we allow the tears to flow, as we face the fact that there is also ‘a time to die‘.

We must also remember that ‘weeping may be for a night, but joy comes in the morning‘.

Lord, the world that we live in wants to pound us down into the dust from whence we came.

We are controlled by clocks,

traffic lights, endless lines, unrealistic expectations and request for participation in all manner of civic events.

We read in the Scriptures of the God who loved so much that He gave His only Son to die for us.

Can there be greater love than that?

God cares for you and me!

It is at a time like this that we can feel vulnerable, and need reassurance, a time when we hurt because we miss a loved one

Our energies are drained and our nerves become frayed.

The trials and demands continue without end, and they often seem urgent, even chaotic.

Help us to separate trial from opportunity, replace demand with sacrifice.

Help us to replace urgency with submission to Your will, understanding instead of antagonism.

Jesus, slow our lives down so that we can learn to enjoy some of the simple things in life.

Give us the gift of patience.

You will remember that Jesus said “I lay down my life”.

He knew that there was ‘a time to die‘.

For Him to die.

Here is One, the Son of God who is interested in each one, interested enough to die for us, and who now calls us to follow Him.

It is in the closeness of His presence that we find encouragement and strength at a time like this?

Help us to understand rather than demand; experience relaxation rather than frustration.

Here we are, come to pay tribute to the memory of M. W., a relative and a friend.

No wonder there is sorrow at such a time as this.

We cannot deny that there will be an ache in many hearts because of this loss.

Lord Jesus speak through my vocal cords and think with my mind.

Dip me down in the well of understanding that I may speak a word that I both edifying and pleasing in thy sight.

I ask you to anoint the ears of those who are here today that they may receive with gladness the Word of God which is able to save our souls.

This is my prayer in Jesus name let the church say Amen!

This then is the time to draw near to the Lord, the time when we hurt because we miss our loved one.

It is at this time that we need to allow the Lord to care for us.

Right here in this gathering, as you lift your heart to the Lord, you too can find the Peace of God coming into your heart.

We need to come to Him to find His rest; to hear the comfort of His voice speaking to our hearts.

Definition of agreement

The Lord said, “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

What a wonderful promise from the One who loves with an eternal love, the One who cared enough for His each one to lay down His life for them.

How good to personally know such a God as this, at a time when we need someone to help us in our time of sorrow.

It means to come into or be in harmony regarding a matter of opinion

Earthly friends, with all the best intentions, can tell us that they care, but that does not meet the full need.

It does help, but it does not remove the ache from the heart.

This is when we need our Heavenly Friend, the Lord Jesus Christ.

He is able to bring comfort where there is grief.

He can bring peace where there is distress.

He can bring joy even in the valley of tears.

Does your heart ache?

Then turn to the Lord Jesus.

He wants to help you right now.

The Word of God tells us to ’cast all our cares on Him, for He cares for us’.

We see how much He cares, by His act of laying down His life for us, we who were lost and under condemnation.

It is good to know that ‘God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him’, and bring us eternal life, through His death and our acceptance of His provision.

1.

We can deduce that at least two people can agree to agree or agree to disagree.

Whichever way we want to look at it, it means there is a common ground for moving forward either to the Glory of God or for our selfish reasons.

Right now, let us open our hearts to the Lord, and find safety in our distress.

Give your aching heart to Jesus.

Say to Him, ‘Lord, I need You to care for me’.

He will hear you, and will help you.

2. It can also be said that there must be an agreement to go ahead or not to go ahead with a request from God, with a project on hand and so on.

May you each one know the Lord Jesus Christ, and the peace and comfort only He can bring.

Why at least two

Strength

And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

A bundle of sticks cannot be broken.

If the strands in the broom do not agree you cannot sweep with it.

An ant does not have strength to kill except when they are in numbers.

Encouragement

If one falls down, his friend can help him up.

But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

Success

two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:

Defense

… And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him

Faith added to faith

When at least two people agree, it means we are joining or faith together.

Overcomes our limitations

Friendship

Agreement brings about friendship because two or more people of common views or background must be involved.

The first prerequisite in the process of agreement is to have at least a friend in other words; you must have at least a favored companion to begin the process of agreement.

That is why asked the question “Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?

Satan has always deceived believers and nonbelievers into a self-centered narcissism that has brought destruction and waste.

When you follow the enemy's tracks, his goal is always to divide and conquer.

In Eden, Satan brought death, dealing division to Adam and Eve and plunging the human race into the fall.