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
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Disgust
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Fear
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Joy
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Sadness
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Analytical
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Social Tone
Openness
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Conscientiousness
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Extraversion
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Agreeableness
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Emotional Range
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Anger
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Intro
Pete Maravich
In college he averaged 44 p.p.g., before the advent of the three-point line.
Hard life-turned to Christ.
Playing pick-up game at church with James Dobson.
No one knew that he was born with a rare heart defect.
Suddenly, he collapsed and died in Dr. Dobson’s arms.
He was 40 years old.
His last words were, “I feel really great.”
He looked great and felt great but there was something terribly wrong.
That seems to be the case at the small church in Sardis.
From all appearances, everything was fine.
Remember, we’re looking at Jesus’ letters to churches.
This is 5 of 7.
Sardis (show map)
The town was incredibly wealthy.
First town in history to mint silver and gold coins
Wealthy.
No persecution.
That’s not a good thing.
Why?
When there is persecution you can’t do all the extra stuff - all you have the ability to do is; love God, worship in simple ways, and love your neighbors.
You’re forced to rely on God for everything.
The church always grows in persecution.
Citizen registry.
You don’t want your name taken out of the book.
1500 ft cliff on three sides.
It sure looked like they were safe.
Large necropolis
Town History, twice sacked.
Better wake up.
Citizen
Large necropolis.
They had a thing about death.
What will Jesus say to them?
I want to give a word of warning.
Jesus is harsh in this text.
He is speaking to a specific church in a specific place and time.
So why would we study it?
Sports illustration.
What’s Jesus holding?
Seven Spirits or seven-fold Spirit = Holy Spirit
Seven stars = angels assigned to the churches.
Jesus is holding everything the church at Sardis needs to be healthy and hopeful.
He is holding diving help.
Make no mistake about it.
Jesus is speaking to a very troubled church.
Looks can be deceiving.
Jesus gives the prognosis
Looks can be deceiving.
Jesus gives the prognosis
They have a reputation of being alive but the reality is, they are dead.
I thought about calling this the “church of the living dead,” or “zombie church,” or “when Jesus closes the church doors.”
They look healthy on the outside but something is deathly wrong.
Activity doesn’t equate to good health.
Another program, another outreach, another widget, another service; doesn’t necessarily mean we’re doing the right thing.
Sometimes business is an easy way to avoid the difficult things we should be doing.
I have a friend that works at a church that has a program for everything.
If we want to see a church revitalize; we need to grow in our love of God and love of our neighbors.
Love God - Love your neighbors
Sardis was dead and what wasn’t dead was dying.
What are some of the warning signs a church is dead or dying?
Three tell-tale symptoms:
First, when a church is more impressed by the struggles of the neighborhood than they are by the majesty of Jesus; it’s gone terminal.
I know how this story ends - there is no reason for fear.
Pessimism is sin and has no business in the church.
Second, when the Word of God becomes anything other than the Word of God; grab the defibrillator.
When we stop being hopeful, when we want to re-write the rules, when we stop trusting this book, we’ll fall for anything and we’ll stand for nothing.
Scripture has to be the centerpiece of the church.
Third, when the people stop talking to those in their spheres of influence; listen for the death-rattle.
Why would we stop sharing the gospel with…?
The answer is simple, we just don’t think it will really do what it claims it will do.
Can I meddle for a second?
Do any of those… We can’t begin to heal until we recognize the problem.
Transition: Jesus moves from prognosis to treatment plan.
LOUD!
Treatment plan for a terminal church:
Wake up - stop the coasting!
Live with purpose.
Time is something to be stewarded.
Every Christian is called.
We believe in the priesthood of all believers!
See .
Strengthen what survives.
The verb means “to stand it on its feet.”
The church as a whole was dead but a little life is hanging on.
They don’t have much time.
THEY MUST BE WILLING TO ADRESS THE ISSUES.
“For I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God.” Jesus is saying; what your doing isn’t fit to be in the presence of God.
People that should be living in the life of grace, are frauds.
They’re spiritual zombies.
Three-fold command: Remember-Hold it fast-Repent.
Go back to the basics - keep the main things the main things.
It’s going to require a change.
They had been taught, they used to share the gospel.
Now they’re just comfortable.
Love the hurting
Grow in Christ
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