Sermon Tone Analysis

Judgement is coming

The hour is now here

Judgment is authorized

And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.

Only God can judge me… do you welcome it?

I’m not as bad as… JESUS is the standard.

How do you compare?

God understands that… GOD UNDERSTANDS the danger and seriousness of sin, thus the cross

Child of God:

Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted - Thomas Kelley 1804

Ye who think of sin but lightly

Nor suppose the evil great

Here may view its nature rightly,

Here its guilt may estimate.

Mark the Sacrifice appointed,

See who bears the awful load;

'Tis the WORD, the LORD'S ANOINTED,

Son of Man and Son of God.

Lost Sinner: you don’t even yet have a claim to Christ; no hope outside seeking the mercy of God

An hour is coming!

Do you think this fiction?

Some type of ghost story concocted to frighten children into behaving?

You fear foreign armies, and thus elect men to use a military

You fear economic collapse and elect men to steady markets

You fear being alone and thus attach yourself to anyone who will let you and maintain 24hour contact with social media and smart phones, and fill gaps with games and

Who will protect you from the wrath of God? From God Himself?

The vote of the Devil is against you.

Your own conscience is against you because you are a sinner and you know it!

This wrath is all-consuming.

It is inescapable.

It is inevitable - the hour is coming, after which there will be no mercy.

Lord Have Mercy.

Christ Have Mercy.

Some of us won’t stay

John 6:

Everyone who leaves starts out following

We don’t always know who is following just for the food.

The single reason that there has been so much disagreement and confusion over this parable is that we so desperately don’t want to admit we may have been wrong about our loved ones being saved; that people who make a profession walk away and never return were not truly converted.

Care must be exercised because this has been abused, nevertheless: The #1 reason given in the Bible that people walk away from churches of Christ is that they were never made children of God in the first place.

Everyone who leaves is rejecting Christ

No one was offended at the lunch menu; just the authentic doctrines of Christ Jesus.

Anything and everything about this church is up for grabs in regards to decorations, schedules, who does what, musical selections, what food is at the meals.

What is NOT negotiable is Jesus.

Scripture.

God breathed, Holy Scripture; with all its sharp edges and hard sayings.

If you cannot abide them, you have issue with God, not His people.

Everyone who left in , and most people who leave churches today, unless they quickly join themselves to another body where the gospel is clearly proclaimed, are rejecting Christ Himself.

Everyone who leaves share the same fate

luke 15:

WAS DEAD, and is alive again!

We are not immune

Most of Jesus’s parables were about the rejection of national Israel, God’s chosen people

The very reason that Paul asked the question is that it was so clear that the ethnic/national distinction had been abolished in Jesus.

What claim, what lineage, what accomplishment have we that would insulate us?

None.

Only Christ.

If we take Paul at his word, which is to say if we take the Bible at its word, which is to say if we take God at His word… most ethnic Jews are lost.

So are most professing Christians.

So are most Baptists.

What about Missionary Baptists?

What is the acceptable loss rate?

We are not immune.

Do you have a sure hope in Christ?

I say again: Lord have mercy.

Christ have mercy.

What can we do, then?

2pet 1:10-15

Hilary of Arles (5th ce)

Peter is telling us that we should not be content with our baptism but should go on and grow in our faith.

Bede the venerable (7th ce)

Jesus said: “Many are called but few are chosen.”

The calling of all those who come to faith is certain, but those who consistently add good works to the sacraments of faith which they have received are the ones who make their calling and election certain in the eyes of those who observe them.

The opposite is also true, for those who go back to their crimes after they have been called and who die in their sins make it clear to everyone that they are damned.

Assurance in Christian living

Evidence of Christian living

5 methods of making our election sure

Be here Sundays and Wednesdays, and any other day

attend Sundays

attend Wednesdays and Sunday nights

attend Sun PM

attend youth functions

Join, submit to, and connect with the church

Give to the church

Pray

Surrender you calendar and your social media to the cause of Christ - neither attend events nor make public statements that detract from the glory of God

If you ever wonder why your pastor preaches and teaches the way he does, it is this: I want to know that you are saved.

I want you to know that you are saved.

I want you to know that your loved ones are saved.

I want the world around us to know Jesus through us and be saved.