Sermon Tone Analysis

How was the early church observed by the watching world?

Tertullian (Apolog.

xxxix.)

observes:

“It is our care for the helpless, our practice of loving kindness, that brands us in the eyes of many of our opponents.

‘Only look,' they say, ‘look how they love one another!' (they themselves being given to mutual hatred).

‘Look how they are prepared to die for one another!'251

(they themselves being readier to kill each other).”

Thus had this saying became a fact: “Hereby shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

Lucian (A.D. 120-200), a prominent unbelieving writer observed Christians

“It is incredible to see the fervor with which the people of that religion help each other in their wants.

They spare nothing.Their first Legislator [Jesus] has put it into their heads that they are brethren”

Aristides of Athens (2nd century AD) on the conduct of Christians

“....they love one another, and from widows they do not turn away their esteem; and they deliver the orphan from him who treats him harshly.

And he, who has, gives to him who has not, without boasting.

And when they see a stranger, they take him in to their homes and rejoice over him as a very brother; for they do not call them brethren after the flesh, but brethren after the spirit and in God.”

This is not a membership to the Y

We used to be members of the Y… I loved it, it was a great place to play racquetball, swim, do some cardio, but as long as I sent my check they really didn’t care if I showed up, if I lost any weight or if I connected with the community… You see, at “the Y” my membership was a means for them to complete their mission.

Here I am the mission.... 1 Tim 2:3-4 states that God desires all men to be saved… Salvation is the mission of the church.

Paul goes on to give instruction to Timothy as to the testimony of the church in order to be a faithful witness of our Lord.

Speaking of witness...

I Need Help

I need your help, I actually started running (again) a few weeks ago… Running used to be something I really enjoyed.

In the 90’s I remember running half marathons and even a triathlon with Brad Bynum...

I still remember that triathlon… I was on the last mile.... sucking wind at the side of the road, I had actually convinced myself that I was OK with stopping… I could still say I ran a triathlon (just not that I had finished one), but Brad came back for me… and ran that last mile with me, encouraging me spurring me on… After all was said and done I had actually ran mile 13 faster than mile 1, but I would have never been able to do it without Brad.

A few years ago I would run 7 miles a day and 15 miles on Mondays, but after several different situations I stopped running, I actually stopped enjoying running and I’m now fat and out of shape....

So I need your help…

I’m asking you to ask me how I’m doing....

I need you if I’m going to be successful.

I need to make some serious changes in my eating and my activity.

I want to be clear, I may not always enjoy your input, but I need it.

Please don’t leave me alone in this… It’s important to me, it’s important to Wendy, it’s important to my kids and to the future generations of Ellises… How many of you will commit to helping me?

application:

I reality we are all running… we are running the Christian race and some are doing great, but others are more like I was on the last mile of that triathlon… Others are more like I am now… I know what to do, but its been so long since I’ve done it that it almost seems impossible.

Be all need a Brad in our life, someone who will not let you give up and will challenge you to do more when you feel like doing less...

We all need help!

How many of us will commit to helping one another?

Who will you spur on to love and good deeds?

We are all running the Christian race and more than a few need some encouragement.

Don’t give up!!! Let someone know that you need help… that you need them!

A couple of weeks ago we talked about communion, the idea is that we are actually members of each other… We are not separate entities hurling through life next to each other, we are deeply connected through God’s Holy Spirit that dwells in each of us as baptized disciples of Christ.

Each member is necessary for the Church to function properly.

Over the past 100 years or so the Christian church has shifted from the idea of doing to the idea of experiencing.

I’m no longer an owner, but rather a consumer… As Christ’s body we must fight against this temptation....

The church is a co-op!

My best church experiences have been in my worst church services....

Humility is Key

Live a Life that is Worthy