Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Do you believe that as a child of God , you are destined for greatness???

The Bible Says:

THE REASONS FOR J. C. PENNEY’S SUCCESS

On one occasion J. C. Penney was asked the reason for His success.

He said, “Adversity, and Jesus Christ.”

Source: McHenry's Quips, Quotes & Other Notes, Raymond McHenry

THE SECRET OF AMERICA’S GREATNESS

French writer Alexis de Tocqueville, after visiting America in 1831, said “I sought for the greatness of the United States in her commodious harbors, her ample rivers, her fertile fields, and boundless forests—and it was not there.

I sought for it in her rich mines, her vast world commerce, her public school system, and in her institutions of higher learning— and it was not there.

I looked for it in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution—and it was not there.

Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power.

America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great!”

Source: America’s God and Country, William J. Federer

SERVING THE KING

William Carey, who is called the “Father of Modern Missions,” served the Lord in India for many years.

He gradually became very concerned about the attitude of his son, Felix.

The young man had promised to become a missionary, but he reneged on his vows when he was appointed ambassador to Burma by the Queen of England.

Carey wrote to his friend, asking prayer for his son with these words: Pray for Felix.

He has degenerated into an ambassador of the British government when he should be serving the King of Kings.

Source: Our Daily BreadSubmitted by the homiletics class of West Coast Baptist College

Each one that I mentioned be it a person or place is destined or bound for greatness because they have acknowledge that it was all because of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Do you agree that we can determine our destiny now by just simply trusting Jesus?

That our lives are radically changed because there is power in the name of Jesus?

Remember that song - There is power in the name of Jesus . . . to break every chains.....

This morning we are continuing with theme for this month - The Power to Change Lives and the title of my message today is Destined for Greatness

Let us Pray!!!

So in order for us to go from bottom of the stairs to the top of the stairs, is we make a step.

In order for us to determine that we are bound for greatness is we have to make a decision, the right decision, that will bring us to our destiny.

If we want to know our destiny, spiritually, In order for that to happen, we must first agree together that only God knows our future, what our lives will be.

It’s not one of those little offices or places that you see ion some corner of the road that says “ I read your future, in the palm of your hand” Or it’s not written in some magazine that says “this is your horoscope for today”.

Nope, not those kind of things.

Only God knows.

Now if God knows, if He’s the only one who can determine that, then we should surrender our lives to Him and live for Him alone!

Why?

Because it’s gonna be a waste of time if we try to do it on our own.

We can do everything we want to secure our future.

we can plan ahead of time to be sure of the outcome of our future, we can buy all the life insurances you want and still end up not knowing your future…

M

ONLY GOD KNOWS!!

Then if only God knows, that means it’s only by His power that our lives can be changed.

Right?

Amen?

So, a changed life NOW results in a determined destiny.

So, the change if done on our own, is superficial.

Let me explain.

Reformation versus transformation.

So when I was attending the seminary, some of the students when asked why they attended or chose to go that seminary says, “oh my parents wanted me to attend here because of my attitude, they wanted me to change”.

His mom just wants him to be reformed.

Reformed or reform means - bring about a change in (someone)

I heard a story from one of my friends back home in the Philippines that most drug addicts ending up in rehabilitation facilities, after months of detox, then given 3 to 6 months of staying clean, most of the time, goes back to square one, doing the old habit again, why because they are just being guided through a series of life coaching that would only reform them, not really to transform them.

Transformation happens from within and a change is visible outside.

Best illustration always about transformation is that of a caterpillar becoming a beautiful butterfly.

And you have to remember, there is pain going through a process of transformation.

It’s not easy.

For a person to become a Christian and recognize the saving power of Jesus, it means there is a complete surrender, meaning, we surrender who we are....prideful, boastful, lustful, fool - we think we know everything!! (hehe)

As David Fairchild stated in his blog..

Gospel transformation both creates and causes obedience from the heart.

The gospel works from the inside-out.

Moral reformation creates insecurity and hypocritical criticism of others in part because we’re attempting to win God’s favor through performance.

Moral reformation works from the outside-in.

There are 3 things I want to share this morning that will make us better understand why we are destined for greatness.

Recognize, Evidence, Constant Submission

Recognize - that Jesus is the only who can save you

Evidence - that you are a follower of Jesus Christ

Constant - Submission to the power of Jesus

Recognize

Recognize Jesus as the only one who can save you...

Acts 16:

In this particular passage there are valid points when studying it, but I want us to focus on the jailer....

what happened that night

[paraphrase the verse…]

What happened that night . . .

Paul and Silas ....singing

Massive earthquake . . .

doors immediately opened

Chains of every prisoners fell off - EVERY

Jailer...

Woke up

Saw the doors

about to kill himself with his own sword because he assumed all the prisoners escaped

fell down trembling and asked “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

[Elaborate.... praying and singing hymns to God..you know that people get saved through spiritual songs, through prayer…right…even while sleeping too]

All his household were immediately baptized.

The jailer knew Paul and Silas, if you read the prior verses, by the time this happened, Paul and Silas were already known for being a follower of Jesus and now the jailer saw and experienced the power of Jesus through the life of Paul and Silas and the minute he saw what happened in the dungeon he knew and recognized that power and the minute he asked what he should do to get saved, his family, his entire household, his very own life changed and his destiny was secured.

To RECOGNIZE means to KNOW and to know means to BELIEVE

Belief, Believe.

Conviction based on testimony that something is true or that someone is reliable.

As used in the Bible, to believe in God involves the element of trust, not mere acknowledgment of his existence.

And that’s exactly what happened with the jailer, he recognized and he knows, that’s why he believed.

He did not just acknowledge Jesus’ existence but he trusted Him.

Second point

Evidence

Yes our lives were changed by the power of the cross, our destiny is secured because we placed our trust in Him, but between now and His return, an EVIDENCE should be clearly seen in our lives.

Illustration:

A CHILD’S DESCRIPTION OF A CHRISTIAN

During Sunday school, the teacher asked her class of first-graders if anyone could describe a Christian.

A little boy quickly raised his hand and stated, “Christians are nice people who never complain, argue, or talk back.”

He then added, “My Daddy is a good Christian, but my Mommy isn’t.”

Definition: