Sermon Tone Analysis

Overall tone of the sermon

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Tone of specific sentences

Tones
Emotion
Anger
Disgust
Fear
Joy
Sadness
Language
Analytical
Confident
Tentative
Social Tendencies
Openness
Conscientiousness
Extraversion
Agreeableness
Emotional Range
Anger
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Blessed are the poor in spirit …     The Affluent Poor
 
I.
Intro –
A. The words poor in spirit are in themselves kind of hard to define.
I think most of us think of shrinking, painfully shy people who walk with their heads down and avoid people and eye contact. 
1.
But that is not what it is to be poor in spirit.
B. It might be best to illustrate it by seeing examples of what it is to be poor in spirit.
And There are a lot of places in the bible that do that.
1.
Peter for example is a fisherman, a good fisherman who makes a living for himself and family.
One day Jesus comes along when the fishing was terrible, and tells him to drop his nets on the other side of the boat, close to shore no less.
Peter does it, out of respect for the rabbi who tells him to and the nets fill up, they begin to tear, he has to call for help so his boat does not sink with all these fish.
Peter, after seeing this leaves everything behind to follow Jesus.
He has seen other rabbi’s he has listened to others teach, but this man commands the fish – I need to follow him, I need him.
i.
That is part of what it is to be poor in spirit.
2. In Genesis, the story about how a very old woman, Sarai, who later becomes Sarah, has not had any children but believes as the angel says she is going to have one.
There is no possible earthly way she is having a child, but she believes, that is an example of being poor in spirit.
II.
Body
A. But maybe the best way to illustrate being poor in spirit is with the story of the rich young ruler in Matthew 19:16-30.
1.
He’s rich.
(let’s put him in today world) Italian shoes.
Tailored suit.
His money is invested.
His plastic is golden.
He lives like he flies—first class.
2. He’s young.
He pumps away fatigue at the gym and slam-dunks old age on the court.
His belly is flat, his eyes sharp.
Energy is his trademark, and death is an eternity away.
3. He’s powerful.
If you don’t think so, just ask him.
You got questions?
He’s got answers.
You got problems?
He’s got solutions.
You got dilemmas?
He’s got opinions.
He knows where he’s going, and he’ll be there tomorrow.
He’s the new generation.
So the old had better pick up the pace or pack their bags.
4. He’s the rich … young … ruler.
B. Today he has a question.
A casual concern or a genuine fear?
We don’t know.
We do know he has come for some advice.
1.
For one so used to calling the shots, calling on this carpenter’s son for help must be awkward.
For a man of his pedigree to seek the counsel of a country man is not standard procedure.
But this is no standard question.
2. “Teacher,” he asks Jesus, “what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
i.
The wording of his question betrays his misunderstanding.
ii.
He thinks he can get eternal life as he gets everything else—by his own strength.
C. “What must I do?”
i.
What are the requirements, Jesus?
What’s the break-even point?
No need for chitchat; go straight to the bottom line.
How much do I need to invest to be certain of my return?
2. Jesus’ answer is intended to make him wince.
“If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.”
i.
A man with half a conscience would have thrown up his hands at that point.
“Keep the commandments?
Keep the commandments!
Do you know how many commandments there are?
Have you read the Law lately?
I’ve tried—honestly, I’ve tried—but I can’t.”
ii.
That is what the ruler should say, but confession is the farthest thing from his mind.
Instead of asking for help, he grabs a pencil and paper and asks for the list.
iii.
“Which ones?”
iv.
Jesus indulges him.
“Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.”
v. “Great!” thinks the rich man as he finishes the notes.
Let’s see if I pass.
vi.
“Murder?
Of course not.
Adultery?
No, not in the way I define it.
Stealing?
A little extortion, but all justifiable.
False testimony?
Hmmmm … Might have to stop talking about people.
Honor your father and mother?
Sure, I see them on holidays.
Love your neighbor as yourself, whatever that means.
vii.
“Hey,” he grins, “a piece of cake.
I’ve done all of these.
In fact, I’ve done them since I was a kid.”
He swells up, he’s got this made.
“Got any other commandments you want to run past me?”
3. How Jesus keeps from laughing—or crying—is beyond me.
The question that was intended to show the ruler how he falls short only convinces him that he stands tall.
i. He’s a child dripping water on the floor while telling his mom he hasn’t been in the rain.
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