Sermon Tone Analysis

Matthew 28:16-

Slide #1

When I was growing up we had rules in our house.

Now we never had a family meeting to explain the rules, we usually learned them by watching each other get in trouble or usually when we broke one of the rules we learned that rule really quick.

Slide #2

We did not have too many rules, but some here are a few of them:

a

Mom and dad were in charge and we did what they requested, for the most part.

We were not to fight with each other, or at least not get caught fighting with each other

We were expected to be home for dinner, and always wearing a shirt.

When we heard the whistle, Dad can you still whistle, we were expected to stop what we were doing and come home immediately.

Now if you were a visitor in our home we didn’t put you through a training program to learn our house rules, but you were expected to follow them.

We were a family and respected our home and each other.

Slide #3

The Bible repeatedly uses the family metaphor for the church, the Body of Christ.

When we accept Christ we become Children of God, brothers and sisters in Christ, and spiritual children and parents.

We are a family and in every family there are certain expectations on how we will act and interact.

Slide #4

Two weeks ago we explored the marks of a true church based upon scripture.

Slide #5

Last week we looked at what Biblical leadership looks like within the Body of Christ.

And last week we looked at what Biblical leadership looks like within the Body of Christ.

Slide #6

This week I want to finish this series with how the Body of Christ, any of you that call Living Faith home, relates with each other and the church as a home.

Slide #7-13

This is God’s Word for God’s People, Hear It and Believe

Pray

Slide #14

Thom Rainer, a renowned church consultant, has found that congregations across America are weak because many in the church have lost the biblical understanding of what it means to be part of the Body of Christ.

want to us look into how we are to be as are part of the Body of Christ by first saying that research done by Thom Rainer, a renowned church consultant, has shown that congregations across America are weak because many in the church have lost the biblical understanding of what it means to be part of the Body of Christ.

We attend a church expecting others to serve us, to feed us, and to care for us.

And believe me this does occur, but this is not why we are part of the Body.

God has placed us in churches to serve, to care for others, to pray for each other and the leaders, to learn, to teach, to give, and in some cases to die for the sake of the gospel.

So what is expected of us as part of the Body of Christ?

I first want to say that if you are part of our family we are expecting that your are somewhere on the path to accepting Christ as your Savior and King.

Listen to my sermons on 4 Chair Disciple-Making to understand this better or come and talk to me.

Slide #15

A Functioning Part of the Body

Church is not an spectator sport.

As part of the body we are expected to help the church function.

Slide #16-23

It is within this diversity that we find unity.

And it is within this unity that the church functions.

We who are part of Living Faith are all supposed to function within the church.

The idea of an inactive member of the Body of Christ is an oxymoron.

This is why we are told to know our gifts and abilities, so that we can best use them to serve the Body for God’s glory.

Slide #24

The question we need to ask is “How can I best serve the church?”

Not how can the church serve me.

Slide #25

A Unifying Part of the Body

When God calls you to begin believing in Jesus, God expects you to be part of His church.

But when you become part of His church, He wants you to be a unifying presence.

Unity is vital to the health of the Body.

This means that you and I must contribute to the unity of the church.

Slide #26-27

Slide #28

You have a responsibility as a member of this Body of Christ to be a source of unity, never a divisive force.

We are to love each other unconditionally.

We don’t love people just because they are lovable.

We don’t have to agree on everything every time, but we may need to sacrifice our own preferences to keep the unity in our church.

When we seek unity, we demonstrate love.

Slide #29

Slide #30

Unity Breakers

Gossip

One of the greatest destroyers of unity in the church is gossip and negative talk.

Few things can destroy the unity of the church like gossip.

A unified church is powerful, but gossip tears apart that unity and renders a church powerless.

So we need to avoid negative talk and gossip at all costs.

Slide #31

Unforgiveness

Unity cannot happen in the church if the Body has unforgiving hearts.

Slide #32-34

Unity is torn apart when we are unwilling to forgive each other.

This also includes those outside the church.

If we can’t forgive those outside the church we still have unforgiving hearts.

Slide #35

A Self-Sacrificing Part of the Body

As you believe in Jesus Christ and become part of His Body you must realize it is not about you and your preferences, it is about Jesus and what He wants for us.

As we become part of the Body of Christ you must realize it is not about you and your preferences, it is about Jesus and what He wants for us.

We need to take the attitude of John the Baptist

Slide #36

When we join the Body of Christ we actually give up our preferences.

We are here to meet the needs of others, to serve others, to give, and to sacrifice.

Slide #37

The word servant occurs 57 times in the New Testament.

Sometimes it refers to a person whose role is a servant in a household, but many times it refers to our role as Christians.

Slide #38

We will never find joy in being part of the Body of Christ when we are constantly seeking things our way.

But amazingly, we will find the greatest joy when we choose to be last.

True joy comes from giving up our rights and preferences and serving others.

We cannot do this alone.

Our natural way of thinking is to put ourselves first, but by the power of the Holy Spirit we can put others first.

Pray for His strength and wisdom as you strive to serve others.

Slide #39

A Supporting Part of the Body