Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
This automated analysis scores the text on the likely presence of emotional, language, and social tones. There are no right or wrong scores; this is just an indication of tones readers or listeners may pick up from the text.
A score of 0.5 or higher indicates the tone is likely present.
Emotion Tone
Anger
0.11UNLIKELY
Disgust
0.11UNLIKELY
Fear
0.09UNLIKELY
Joy
0.58LIKELY
Sadness
0.56LIKELY
Language Tone
Analytical
0.45UNLIKELY
Confident
0UNLIKELY
Tentative
0.13UNLIKELY
Social Tone
Openness
0.74LIKELY
Conscientiousness
0.59LIKELY
Extraversion
0.16UNLIKELY
Agreeableness
0.81LIKELY
Emotional Range
0.52LIKELY
Tone of specific sentences
Tones
Emotion
Language
Social Tendencies
Anger
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9
Intro
My baptism
I want to say at the outset today that my goal isn’t to try to twist your arm into being baptized.
In my experience, people who make snap decisions rarely last.
That being said; I do believe it is the decision of all decisions.
One of the most beautiful sights in the world is seeing someone stand before the church and God and be baptized.
I have three simple goals for the sermon today:
Why should we be baptized?
Why should we be baptized?
Who should be baptized?
How should baptisms be performed?
(SK)
I only have one other purpose for this sermon and I’ll give it to you up front as well: if you have been baptized, live your baptism.
Why Who How
- Acts starts off where the Gospels finish.
Jesus’ followers (120) are bunched up.
They are celebrating the Feast of Pentecost (OT Feast of Weeks).
Holy Spirit - other languages - People think they must be drinking - Peter starts preaching.
Peter goes on to tell them that what is happening is what the prophet Joel 500 years earlier: “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.”
Peter ends the quote from Joel in v.21
Peter is wanting them to realize that Jesus is the “Lord” Joel spoke about.
Then Peter continues with the most un-seeker-sensitive sermon in the history or preaching.
Four things to note here:
First- the irony.
People were accusing the disciples of hitting the sauce before breakfast.
Peter flips the script and says, “We’re not drinking.
We’re innocent.
You are the ones guilty.
You put Jesus on a cross.
But through him, you can be innocent.”
Second-as you yourselves know.
People today may debate whether or not Jesus actually committed miracles.
They couldn’t have the same debate!
There were eye-witnesses there!
Third - Peter doesn’t let them avoid their guilt.
I read an article the other day called, “The Missing Word in Our Modern Gospel.”
The missing word is; repentance.
You put him to death.
This is so important, you can’t get to God’s grace by avoiding repentance.
Repent, and you’ll find grace.
Repent, don’t try to ignore your sin struggle!
When we try to hid our sins struggles, we look like hypocrites and we end up devoured by the very thing we try to hide.
That being said, don’t be destroyed by it—bring it to God!
Your sin isn’t greater than God’s power.
Notice in one breath Peter says, “You killed him.”
And in the next he says, “God raised him.”
But God
Fourth - look at v. 23 again.
You and I have freedom to make choices, but that freedom rests within God’s plan.
People argue over the silliest of things.
Is God sovereign?
Or, am I free to make my own choices?
Both are true, God is sovereign and my choices matter.
Do I always understand that?
No! But what is clear helps me when some things aren’t clear.
Scripture is crystal clear on this; God offers salvation through his son and you have to accept that gift.
Lord and Messiah
They were cut to the heart.
Suddenly the weight of their sin was overwhelming.
This is the first step of salvation.
Have you ever been there when…?
What hope do we have?
This is so important because of what happens next.
Peter doesn’t give them a bunch of hoops to go through; he provides a pathway of grace.
This is God’s design.
When you get it, this isn’t a burden, it’s a gift.
SHOW PIC
If I had to be...
Acts 2:38-41
His message is no different today.
Why should we be baptized?
Repentance - baptism - forgiveness - Holy Spirit
Notice the what rises to the surface in this text: repentance, forgiveness of sin, and the presence of the Holy Spirit all are associated with our decision to be baptized.
Why do we baptize?
What is baptism?
Baptism is an outward demonstration of an inward reality.
It’s a faith response to God’s grace offered in Christ Jesus.
Baptism is an announcement.
Five things you announce in your baptism:
First, you’re announcing that Jesus is Lord and Savior—he was crucified, buried, and raised to life.
If he is Lord - I’m not, neither is the way of the world.
If he is Lord, my allegiance is to him above everything.
Second, you’re announcing your personal need for repentance on account of your sin.
Unless you understand that you need a savior, why would you need Jesus?
Baptism is an act of honesty.
Third, you’re announcing that Jesus is the one who can give the forgiveness you’re looking for.
Illustrate with Danny’s baptism.
Fourth, you’re announcing that you want Jesus’ work in your life and you want the Holy Spirit.
Fifth, you’re publicly announcing that you desire your primary citizenship to be in Heaven.
I’ve heard people say, “Do I really have to get baptized?”
SHOW PIC
If it meant forgiveness of my sins, the presence of God in my life, and eternity with God, I’d be baptized 3 times a day for the rest of my life.
Baptism is an outward demonstration of an inward reality.
Who do we baptize?
l
According to Peter, repentance and baptism go hand in hand.
What’s the result of baptism?
Forgiveness and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
In other words, you are freed from sin, and adopted by God the Father.
We baptize anyone who can and is wiling to make the choice to repent from sin and turn to God.
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9