Sermon Tone Analysis

Intro

Group Intro

- Goal

We are to eagerly hunger for spiritual nutrition in greater degrees

We are here to become spiritually mature

Regardless of your background or where you are in your relationship with Jesus, you are called to grow

- What we do

Scripture

Prayer

Community

Lesson Intro

Chapters 13-27

Chapters 13-27

This takes the sovereign reign of the King revealed in the throne room in ch 6 who rules over Israel (7-12) and works out his sovereign total control over the other nations in 13-27

Overwhelmingly describes God judging and punishing nations for their evil behavior, sinful desires, and lack of faith

But last lesson (19) had shown God’s ultimate plan was not just total destruction, but for the spread of the gospel to all nations, even, shockingly, the arch-enemies of Egypt and Assyria

Ch 24-27 are the capstone of this section

ch 24 was a picture of God’s judgment of city of man

27 is the final summary - worth reading at home, but I want to focus on some of aspects of 25-26

27 is the final summary - worth reading at home, but I want to focus on some of aspects of 25-26

25-26 work out salvation for God’s people living in the midst of this world

Reads almost like a psalm

Note the zooming out to society as a whole and zooming in to focus on the individual

Note the intertwining and contrasts between judgment and salvation

Intro Questions

What is the true mark of a Christian?

What do we think of when we think of a “needy person”?

Why does the big picture of God’s plan (resurrection, heaven) matter?

Read

City of man vs City of God (25:1 -26:6)

City of man vs City of God (25:1 -26:6)

What themes do you see?

Praise - v.1-5

Introduces and summarizes the whole passage with a psalm of praise

Praise itself

A personal claim of faith

A focus on God’s glory

An adoration of the God’s plans and his dedication to seeing them to completion

Reason for praise -

God’s sure plans - v1

These are plans that have existed from before creation in eternity past -plans formed of old

God has made good on His word - You have done wonderful things

He will finish His designs - Faithful and sure (lit faithful faithful)

Connecting back - destruction of the city of the wicked

3 The earth shall be utterly empty and utterly plundered; for the LORD has spoken this word... 5 for they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant... 9 No more do they drink wine with singing; strong drink is bitter to those who drink it.

-

The earth shall be utterly empty and utterly plundered; for the LORD has spoken this word.

5 for they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant.

for the LORD has spoken this word.

4 The earth mourns and withers;

the world languishes and withers;

the highest people of the earth languish.

5 The earth lies defiled

under its inhabitants;

for they have transgressed the laws,

violated the statutes,

broken the everlasting covenant.

6 Therefore a curse devours the earth,

God’s Word of destruction of rebellious sinful mankind will come true

and its inhabitants suffer for their guilt;

therefore the inhabitants of the earth are scorched,

and few men are left.

7 The wine mourns,

the vine languishes,

all the merry-hearted sigh.

8 The mirth of the tambourines is stilled,

Why would this be worthy of praise?

the noise of the jubilant has ceased,

the mirth of the lyre is stilled.

9 No more do they drink wine with singing;

strong drink is bitter to those who drink it.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.

(2016).

().

Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.24:3,

Connecting forward

God will save and protect the city of his people

He will do this side by side his destruction

The rest of the passage follows these two threads - City of man vs the city of God

The different treatment

Destruction of the city of the strong -v 2-3

This city is no more, a pile of rocks, never to be rebuilt

Even though this city is fortified and a valuable palace

Even though by human standards this was an invincible city, God will totally destroy

Like ch 10 where the invincible Assyrians are pawns in God’s plans and will be destroyed in God’s perfect timing

Protection of the city of the weak - v 4-5

In contrast to his destruction of the strong city, God will protect the weak

Image is that He is the invincible stronghold of the needy

But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

The different destiny's

The glorification awaiting those God protects - vs 6-9

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.

(2016).

().

Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Where - Mountain

This is Zion/the new Jerusalem/the restored and enhanced Eden

It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills -

2 It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills -

that the mountain of the house of the LORD

shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills -

and shall be lifted up above the hills -

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.

What - God’s provision

These arent slaves serving a tyrant