Sermon Tone Analysis

Approval Addict

How do we reorder our desires toward God?

First: Identify where our hearts are already committed instead.

4 typical God substitutes:

Approval

Comfort

Power

Control

Approval Addict:

25 The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.

"If we look to human beings more than to God for our worth and value, we will be trapped by anxiety, by an overneed to please, by the inability to withdraw from exploitative relationships, by the inability to take criticism, and by a cowardice that makes us unable to confront others.

Our feelings will be easily hurt and we will tend to overcommit out of a desire for acceptance."

Keller

What is the resultant devastation that is the product of the fear of man?

Parents: Afraid to discipline their children

Parents: Afraid to discipline their children

Employees: Unable to call out corruption in their companies

Employees: Unable to call out corruption in their companies

Young people: afraid to disappoint their parents.

Look at the power exhibited by Peter when he chose to fear God rather than man.

(NKJV)

22 But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported, 23 saying, “Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!”

24 Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be.

25 So one came and told them, saying, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!” 26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.

27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council.

And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name?

And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!” 29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.

30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.

31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

What a Contrast!!

Remember the last time Peter had been confronted by the Religious leaders in the Garden and during Jesus' trial?

What a Contrast!!

He attacked a man with a sword and denied Jesus three times.

(Fear of Man)

So what changed?

The love of God changed Peter.

This is where we want to live...

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.

But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

Question:

Whose approval is functionally more important to you than God’s?