Sermon Tone Analysis

When I think about resolving chaos...

When I think about how to resolve chaos, I am first drawn to my own experiences.

For each of them I have reached a conclusion that will fall into one of three categories.

Again, this is from my own perspective.

Humans introduce chaos (Someone else is responsible)

I can think of times when I was minding my own business, going about my own life, and BAM!

Some fool headed human stepped into my world and wrecked it.

I have a vacation planned and the Friday afternoon before we are supposed to leave, usually around 4PM, some human at a government agency decides that is the time they are going to release a contract that I have been preparing to bid for months.

And guess what, it is due in one week.

Immediately I go into chaos mode, because I realize that a human I don’t know has created chaos in my life.

God moves and chaos ensues (God is responsible)

I can think of times when I was minding my own business, going about my own life, and BAM! God decides to step into my world and make a radical shakeup.

I am enjoying time with the Pastor and his team when I get invited to a conference, and at the conference I am face-to-face with God asking me to take up the mantle of preaching.

And to jump start things, I am laid off months later in a city I don’t know with a wife and a new baby.

I am now in chaos.

I was doing the only thing I ever knew how to do, and I hated doing it because there was this ministry that I so desperately wanted to embrace.

That was sixteen years ago, almost to the month.

I speak and chaos ensues (I am responsible)

I can think of times, many of them, when I was minding my own business, going about my own life, and BAM!

A thought enters my mind.

And I act on it.

I just jump right in and start to develop it.

I cannot tell you how many ideas I have had that led to websites, trademarks, programming, nights spent dreaming stuff up.

Living in this world where I can just create, and since I can, I do.

Often this is done to the exclusion of loved ones and family.

They learn later, after they have been left by the side of the road.

That has been most of my life.

My personal statistical breakdown of moments of chaos

As I considered this, I decided to take a moment and think about my life and begin to categorize my moments of chaos and make a chart.

Did I mention I am an engineer by trade?

It is just how my mind thinks.

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Source of chaos, what I think to myself

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Source of chaos, what others think about the source of my chaos

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Worldview, God reigns

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Worldview, Devil

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Worldview, Atheist

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Source of chaos over time: First happens

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Source of chaos over time: When I talk to friends

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Source of chaos over time: When I have time to think

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Source of chaos over time: When I am ready to be HONEST

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Source of chaos over time: what others think about the source of my chaos

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By Political Party

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God’s Responsibility

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My Responsibility

First World Problems

Now, I need to pause here.

For many of you what we just did resonates, because you have first world problems.

People have SUFFERED - they are BROKEN - they KNOW CHAOS

They feel EMPTY - BARREN - VOID - they know CONFUSION - NOTHINGNESS

They have considered themselves in the context of the world and they have judged themselves too lost, unredeemable, too broken and worthless.

If that is you, then you need to seek some professional help from someone who will start with you in the void of your world and walk in love and kindness as you establish some understanding and order in your life.Here is something interesting about this, and it is what we are going to talk about.

Regardless of the source, it is on me to respond well.

Now, we are using an issue that Paul wrestled with to address chaos, bring order and fill our world so we may rest.

Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up. 2 We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods.

We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God.

We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this.

3 If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing.

4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe.

They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News.

They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

5 You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves.

We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake.

6 For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure.

This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.

2 Cor 4:1-7

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“Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up.”

Okay, stop.

What is the new way.

It used to be LAWS etched in stone that led to death.

But now it is through the Holy Spirit who gives life

OLD: Brings condemnation - NEW: Makes us RIGHT!

NEW Brings CONFIDENCE, so we can be very BOLD!

When you turn to the LORD, to the SPIRIT you are SET FREE!

When you find yourself in CHAOS, not sure where to turn, what to do to work yourself out, you embrace the NEW WAY and NEVER GIVE UP!

God never gave up on you, why do you give up on someone?

Why would you give up on yourself?

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“We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods.

We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God.

We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this.”

Paul was exceedingly cautious to approach everything in honesty, with everyone.

Especially when speaking as an Apostle.

But keep this in mind, in Genesis we are created in the image of what?

God.

Your life is an expression of who God is, His character and His priorities.