Sermon Tone Analysis

The Valley

Other titles I considered.

The Reality of the Valley

The Valley of Definition

The Voices in the Valley

* There is a coming day where the Bible promises us a glorious thing to consider.

* Going on a trip the kids will ask, Are we there yet?

-Andy has now mastered that.

-It’s a consistent cry from the back seat.

-In their own way, demanding a response to the never ending trip.

* Heaven will be a glorious place, but we are not there yet.

- (KJV 1900)

9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

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* I see mountains and I see valleys, we are not there yet.

-There’s a few more roads to travel.

-A few more trials to endure.

-A few more prayers to pray.

* There’s a voice in the valley that says to stop.

To build here.

To give up here.

-Our tenacious response while in the valley will determine our destiny.

-I refuse to seek comfort in the valley, that’s not my home.

There’s a lot of times that the valley is where we get positioned for a greater purpose.

-In every valley, you’ll find a lily.

* In the Valley of Ajalon, the sun and moon stood still and a great victory was given because Aaron and Hur held up the hands of Moses and Joshua fought the enemies until they were consumed.

* In the Valley of Jezreel, Gideon saw God give him a victory with a handful, a chosen few.

* The Valley of Elah, David stepped beyond the voices of doubt, criticism and withstood the voice of defeat and won a mighty battle.

* The valley of Sorek where Delilah lived.

Sampson’s life was defined by that valley.

* These valleys defined these men & women in scripture.

Your valley will define you as well.

* A direction is set in that valley where we make a decision of what we will do.

-It might seem inconsequential, be careful who you listen to.

-The last person you need to take advice from is someone that’s built their house in sin & indecision on living for the Lord.

Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.

* We all walk through our valleys.

-It is a fact, that every mountain is surrounded by valleys.

-In a two-dimensional world one mountain has two valleys.

-However, in our multidimensional world, the valley surrounds the mountain.

* Another thing is Mountains are not one straight plane up.

-The top of the mountain is made up of very little space.

-The air is thin, the wind is cold, you can’t live on a mountain top.

* Here’s the problem in the valley, you will find an echo chamber for all the voices.

-You will hear the voice of the wind.

-You’ll hear the cries from everyone else in the valley.

-You’ll hear the painful woes of someone wounded on their way up to the mountain top.

-You’ll hear the faint cry of a dying sheep as they’ve thought there was no other way out.

-The valley will try to force your head down, your eyes closed and your prayer to stop.

You will feel the voice of the cold.

* Your unshakeable faith will begin to shake.

Your internal resolve you made a long time ago will become … like before you made up your mind last time.

And you will find the need to … the opportunity… the decision….

the valley of either breaking with your previous resolve or recommitting to what God told you a long time ago.��You will hear the voice of gravity… pulling on you, discouraging you, quit climbing, quit trying, you're doing pretty good,

You will encounter the voice of fatigue.

Through it all… listen for the voice of the shepherd.

9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Can you dig a ditch in your valley?

Can you Stand up and Face the Giant?

Can you ignore the Siren Song of Delilah?

You will be aware the weighty of the voice of gravity.

You will encounter the lamenting voice of fatigue.

Your defining Moments are found in your valleys.

Heaven and Hell are watching to see what you will do in your valley, for it will define you.

For every Victory, there is a valley.

For there too be four walking in the fire, tribulation, and temptation must come.

For there to be a Daniel in and out of the Lion's den, there comes testing.

For there to be a David, you must have a Goliath resisting.

For there to be a valley full of water, you first had to have someone who had a need that made them dig.

I’m Climbing Up the Rough Side of the Mountain!

Chorus:

I'm comin' up on the rough side of the mountain,

I must hold to God, His powerful hand.

I'm comin' up on the rough side of the mountain,

I'm doin' my best to make it in.

Chorus:

I'm comin' up on the rough side of the mountain,

I must hold to God, His powerful hand.

I'm comin' up on the rough side of the mountain,

I'm doin' my best to make it in.

Verse 2:

I'm comin' up Lord, although my burdens

sometime they press me down,

but if I can only keep this faith

I'll have strength just to run this race;

I'm lookin' for my starry crown.

Chorus

Verse 3:

This old race will be soon be over,

there'll be no more race for me to run.

And I will stand before God's throne,

all my heartaches will be gone,

I'll hear my Savior say, "welcome home".