Sermon Tone Analysis
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Introduction
Music Video: “The Red Letters” by Crowder
When I read the red letters, the ground began to shake
Prison walls started falling
And I became a free man that day
There is nothing magical about red ink on white paper.
In fact sometimes red ink can cause big trouble for kids when the teacher writes all over their homework in red ink.
The New Testament, however, reserves red ink for only Jesus’ words.
Most of His words are found in the Gospels and Revelation.
Again, the red ink isn’t special, but the words those red letters form have breathed life into the world for 2,000 years and continues to this day.
How can the words of Jesus cause the world to change forever?
How can those words still bring people to their knees in repentance and to their feet in worship?
Because Jesus Himself is the Living Word.
Big Idea: Jesus' words and actions open wide the door for us to experience an ever-deepening relationship with Him
Exposition:
We need to understand that, before Jesus’ arrived, the people of Israel had gone 4 centuries without the voice of a prophet.
Now, at last, God speaks again — to announce the Messiah’s arrival.
We need to understand that, before Jesus’ arrived, the people of Israel had gone 4 centuries without the voice of a prophet.
Now, at last, God speaks again — to announce the Messiah’s arrival.
God used several voices to bring everything into focus for those that had ears to hear and eyes to see.
The first voice: an angel
Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.
You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call Him Jesus
Jesus, meaning “The Lord is Salvation”
The Son of the Lord Most High
In him, and nowhere else, is salvation to be found.
Can we have enough of him, or say enough of him?
The second voice - Simeon
only summarize most of it...
The second voice a prophet (priest) - Simeon
After this, a very old prophetess, Anna, also acknowledge the identity of the baby Jesus (36-38) and told everyone she saw
After this, a very old prophetess, by the name of Anna, also acknowledge the identity of the baby Jesus (36-38)
The third voice — The boy Jesus
The third voice — The boy Jesus
Another voice — John the Baptist
Another voice — John the Baptist
Transitional: Jesus' words and actions open wide the door for us to experience an ever-deepening relationship with Him.
We can rest assured that Jesus passionately pursued the Father
Transitional: Jesus Himself made it clear, in His own words, that He was here to do His Father’s business.
So now let’s look at How Jesus' words and actions open wide the door for us to experience an ever-deepening relationship with Him
Passionate Pursuit Keeps You in Relationship With Jesus
Exposition:
In , Mary and Joseph had gone to Jerusalem for the annual Passover feast — this journey was a yearly custom for devout families.
This was probably the first year they had taken Jesus with them, because He was now 12, approaching what was considered manhood in their culture.
Jesus became separated from His parents and found His way to the Temple, where the old priests and rabbis where gathered.
He began to converse with them…asking many questions and listening closely to them.
They were amazed to see His knowledge and great understanding of all things.
Don’t ask me how…but Mary and Joseph left Jerusalem and began the long journey back to Nazareth and didn’t notice Jesus was missing until 3 days later!
So they looked all over for Him and then rushed back to Jerusalem and finally found Him in the Temple.
…as we witness Jesus pursuing the things of the Father, we learn that...
A. Pursuit Precedes Everything Else
We don’t know what Jesus was up to the first 12 years of His life
Joseph was a carpenter and Jesus learned the trade - we know this
Mary and Joseph both were well aware that Jesus was blessed by God for great things
But what did they do in the meantime?
They didn’t give Him to the priests to raise.
They didn’t make a big fuss over Him, it seems.
What did they do?
They loved and cared for Him the way parents should care for their children
Before Jesus said or did anything publically He knew who He was…and I am confident that He was pursuing the Father — talking to Him and listening to Him
I’m pretty sure Joseph and Mary also pursued the Father and prayed a lot — wouldn’t you?
I’m pretty sure Joseph and Mary also pursued the Father and prayed a lot — wouldn’t you?
Pursuit precedes everything else — How can you find something if you are not looking for it?
As a rule…when you seek, you will find (Jesus said this), when you knock the door will be open, when you ask it shall be given.
Jesus knew this and lived it…and tells us to do the same.
B. Pursuit Proves Passion
B. Pursuit Proves Passion
Jesus was completely engrossed in listening to the teachers and asking questions — this was part of His preparation for the public ministry He would begin in 18 years
“What else would I be doing?
This is my Father’s house”
Jesus pursued His Heavenly Father --- He pursued the path that prepared Him to fulfill His calling.
He pursued the Father in every way He could as He grew up…the relationship is what anchored Him and kept Him on track.
What you pursue reveals what you are most passionate about
Illustration: What you pursue reveals what you are most passionate about
What you pursue reveals what you are most passionate about
Illustration: The old classic song from the 1970’s, “The Cat and the Cradle” (by Harry Chapin) comes to mind.
"When you coming home, dad?" "I don't know when"
But we'll get together then
You know we'll have a good time then
You can say “My kids are my top priority” all you want, but your actions show whether or not that is true.
Truth shatters everything else, no matter how hard you try to hide it.
“God is number one in my life!” “I’ll go where you want me to go, dear Lord.”
Words are just words…what you actually do reveals your passion.
Application:
If you truly want a deeper and closer relationship with the Lord...your actions and priorities will reveal that
If you truly want a deeper and closer relationship with Him…your actions and priorities will reveal that
Seek Him daily…no matter if you feel anything or not — pursue Him because He loves you and has a plan for you — and because you love Him and want to know Him better
Going to church, in itself, does not prove anything
Going to church because you desire to follow the Lord’s plan is a good thing — we know that part of His plan is that His children gather every week....often…
What are you truly pursuing today?
I challenge you to answer that question in your own heart…
Transition: The next words we hear from Jesus occur 18 years later, when He is 30 — it was time for His public ministry to begin…but first: baptism and temptation in the wilderness
Passionate Pursuit keeps you in
Prevailing Over Temptation Leads You to a Deeper Relationship With Jesus
Exposition:
Mary treasured all these things in her heart — He grew in stature and wisdom (Luke 2)
18 years later Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John
John tried to refuse “I need to be baptized by you!”
…why was it important for Jesus to be baptized?
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