Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Illustration: ELISABETH KüBLER-ROSS

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross (July 8, 1926 – August 24, 2004) was a Swiss-American psychiatrist, a pioneer in near-death studies and the author of the groundbreaking book On Death and Dying (1969), where she first discussed her theory of the five stages of grief, also known as the "Kübler-Ross model".

The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths.

These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern.

Beautiful people do not just happen.

Denial – The first reaction is denial.

In this stage, individuals believe the diagnosis is somehow mistaken, and cling to a false, preferable reality.Anger – When the individual recognizes that denial cannot continue, they become frustrated, especially at proximate individuals.

Certain psychological responses of a person undergoing this phase would be: "Why me?

It's not fair!"; "How can this happen to me?"; "Who is to blame?"; "Why would this happen?".Bargaining – The third stage involves the hope that the individual can avoid a cause of grief.

Usually, the negotiation for an extended life is made in exchange for a reformed lifestyle.

People facing less serious trauma can bargain or seek compromise.

Examples include the terminally ill person who "negotiates with God" to attend a daughter's wedding or an attempt to bargain for more time to live in exchange for a reformed lifestyle.Depression – "I'm so sad, why bother with anything?";

"I'm going to die soon, so what's the point?";

"I miss my loved one; why go on?"

During the fourth stage, the individual despairs at the recognition of their mortality.

In this state, the individual may become silent, refuse visitors and spend much of the time mournful and sullen.

Acceptance

Illustration: Seeing In The Dark:  Finding God’s Light In The Most Unexpected Places by Nancy Ortberg

“There is light in the deepest and darkest places”

“Sometimes the Lord uses darkness to shape the soul”

“Sometimes we think that we cannot find the Lord in the darkness.

But it is in these times that we we can sit still we can see that glimmer of light that comes from the Lord.

It is in these times that the Lord is able to get our attention!”

“There is a perception that the dormancy of darkness is unfruitful & unproductive”

Illustration: Definition of Dormant:

in a state of rest or inactivity; inoperative; i.e.

The Ministry is dormant for the time being.

Biology . in a state of minimal metabolic activity with cessation of growth, as a reaction to adverse conditions or as part of an organism's normal annual Rhythm.

Transition to Reading Scripture

In our Passage today The people of God have had to adjust to being in a dark place.

The LORD sends a message through the prophet Isaiah that his people, Judah & Israel, have to adjust their perspective, their view of the situation.

Previously the people of God enjoyed years of being in the light.

The past 55 years under the reign of King Uzziah, most people within the nation of Judah had been living their best life.

Then Jotham who was King Uzziah’s son became the king.

King Jotham was a pretty good king.

Now king Ahaz, who was Jotham’s son sits on the throne.

The nation of Judah is in steep decline due to sin.

They are no longer in the period of prosperity that was initiated under King Uzziah.

But under the reign of King Uzziah the people were not faithful to God.

The rich and middle class had enjoyed prosperous times but they weren’t a blessing to those in need and who were on the margins of society.

- The LORD is seeking fruit of righteousness

- Look to the LORD

- Be firm in your faith

- The LORD brings judgement

The LORD is with us

Fear the LORD

(Read scripture)

Illustration: Dating In The Dark TV show

Dating

Three men and three women are sequestered in separate wings of the house, unable to have any conversation or contact with the opposite sex unless in the dark room.

Initially, all six contestants have a group date in which they all sit at a table in the dark room exchanging names and getting to know one another's voices and personality types.

After this date, each contestant can invite another contestant for a one-on-one date; these dates are also held in the dark room.

Throughout the show, the host, Rossi Morreale, provides the men and women with additional insights by providing personality profiles showing which contestants are their best matches and also allowing them to view items the others have brought to the house, such as items of clothing or luggage.

Other episodes include sketch artists drawing contestants' impressions of each other.

After the one-on-one dates, each contestant can choose to invite another that they wish to see.

The contestants enter the dark room for the final time and are revealed to each other one at a time.

During the reveal process the couple must remain silent.

The Reveal Process

While being shown in the light, a contestant cannot see the other contestant's reaction.

Each contestant is standing at opposite ends of the dark room with a very large two-way mirror between them.

A color camera films from the dark side of the mirror while the other is illuminated on the other side.

A separate infrared camera films the person on the dark side's reaction; the two images are combined in post-production.

This is done, in part, by using video editing software to fade the infrared image of the person being revealed to black before they are illuminated, then seamlessly showing the color image of the person being revealed as it is faded in and out.

During the reveal process the couple must remain silent.

The Balcony

The show culminates with each contestant choosing whether to meet another on the balcony of the house.

The contestant will go to the balcony and wait for his or her prospective partner to join him or her.

Joining the other on the balcony signifies that the contestants both want to pursue a relationship; exiting the house through the front door signifies that they do not want to pursue a relationship.

Cameras are set up to show both the meeting balcony and the front door.

One Episode:

Women walking off of the TV show wondering if they have any true value to anyone.

The Judgment that the women received was not rooted in any reality.

They were beautiful women and did not know it for themselves, they were looking for someone else to affirm that they were beautiful

(Transition: In our passage today, the children of God, who are known as the nation of Judah, are dating the LORD in the dark so to speak.)

Transition To Body

The people of God have had to adjust to being in a dark place.

The LORD sends a message through the prophet Isaiah that his people, Judah & Israel, have to adjust their perspective, their view of the situation.

Previously the people of God enjoyed years of being in the light.

The past 55 years under the reign of King Uzziah, most people within the nation of Judah had been living their best life.

Then Jotham who was King Uzziah’s son became the king.

King Jotham was a pretty good king.

Now king Ahaz, who was Jotham’s son sits on the throne.

The nation of Judah is in steep decline due to sin.

They are no longer in the period of prosperity that was initiated under King Uzziah.

But under the reign of King Uzziah the people were not faithful to God.

The rich and middle class had enjoyed prosperous times but they weren’t a blessing to those in need and who were on the margins of society.

Previously the people of God enjoyed years of being in the light.

The  past 55 years under the reign of king Uzziah, most people within the nation of Judah had been living their best life.

Then Jotham who was king Uzziah’s son became the king.

King Jotham was a pretty good king.

Now king Ahaz, who was jotham’s son sits on the throne.

The nation of Judah is in steep decline due to sin.

They are no longer in the period of prosperity that was initiated under king  Uzziah.

But under the reign of King Uzziah the people were not faithful to God.

The rich and middle class had enjoyed prosperous times but they weren’t a blessing to those in need And who were on the margins of society.

Body

The LORD Humbles In Order To Honor

2 Corinthians 4:4-

2 Corinthians 4:7-