Sermon Tone Analysis

Declaration of Dependence

/If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.

Let him step to the music which he hears however measured or far away./

/WALDEN/

 

1.

Our ability to help people is related to our relationship with God.

There may be ways that we can be helpful in the lives of others but real help and transformation comes from God alone.

2.

Our relationship with God means more to Him than anything that we can do for Him.

He has established the desire to know us and for us to know Him as the #1 priority to be demonstrated in our lives.

q      Jesus is our pattern.

Only one - even the apostles were not on a par with him.

There is deliverance in no other name and if that is the only name that you have then that alone is enough.

q      For the purpose of making a copy.

Farther away from the original you get the greater the difference.

No copies of copies please.

THE DISCIPLE

 

He that hath a gospel,

To loose upon mankind,

Though he serve it utterly---

Body, soul and mind---

Though he go to Calvary

Daily for it's gain---

It is his disciple

Shall make his labor vain.

He that hath a Gospel,

For all earth to own---

Though he etch it on the steel,

Or carve it on the stone---

Not to be misdoubted

Through the after-days---

It is His Disciple

Shall read it many ways.

It is His Disciple

(Ere those bones are dust)

Who shall change the Charter

Who split the trust---

Amplify distinctions,

 Rationalise the Claim,

Preaching that the Master

Would have done the same.

It is His Disciple

Who shall tell us how

Much the Master would have scrapped

Had he lived till now---

What he would have modified

Of what he said before---

It is His Disciple

Shall do this and more ......

He that hath a Gospel

Whereby heaven is won

(Carpenter or Cameleer,

Or Maya's dreaming son),

Many swords shall pierce Him,

Mingling blood with gall;

But His Own Disciple

Shall wound Him worst of all!

 

               Thoreau

 

3.

The spirit with which we serve makes all the difference in the world with regard to then outcome.

/Philippians 2:14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe – Do everything without complaining and arguing .

./ . .

4.       If we are to honor God’s priorities then there will be times when we will disappoint people.

There will be times when we will have to turn our backs on the legitimate needs of others and ultimately that will be misunderstood.

5.

It is our own ego that often flatters us to respond to people’s needs and leads us to wear ourselves out in the process.

6.

I believe that God has called us to a relationship with him that would define life here in this world as something to be sought after – not to be shunned.

Christians who personally experience the fullness of God’s presence awaken a hunger in others to know Him as well.

HOW TO HANDLE STRESS:

 

Use your Mastercard to pay off your Visa

 

Make a list of things that you've already done.

Drive to work in reverse.

Bill your doctor for your time spent in the waiting room.

Stare at your boss through the tines of a fork and pretend he's in jail.

Make up a language and ask for directions in downtown Miami or L.A.

 

Fill out your tax form in roman numerals.

A QUOTE FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP QUIVER -  He who is most slow in making a promise is the most faithful in its performance.

Rousseau

 

Have you noticed how many people fail to keep the commitments they make?

It happens with business associates, clients, customers, suppliers, subcontractors, and even with friends engaged in purely social things.

Too many people are late for appointments, don't follow through on promises made, and are unconcerned with deadlines.

What's going on with these people?

Are you a victim of this kind of behavior or possibly guilty of doing it yourself?

Understanding some of the things that drive these unproductive and relationship-destroying actions is a step toward making and keeping solid commitments.

The first three reasons listed below are legitimate; the others are  the result of a lack of competency, personality short suits and character flaws which make keeping commitments more difficult.

OPPOSING PRIORITIES  When you ask someone to do something and they commit to doing it, make sure the agreement includes a common understanding of the urgency and immediacy of the task involved.

Each person has his own set of priorities as to what is most important or urgent.

Unfortunately, these differences are not often discussed and clarified and

they should be.

Here is an example: “It is important to me that you complete the painting by 4:00 PM next Thursday.

Will you be able to meet that deadline?”

VAGUENESS  Some people use indirect communication, usually driven by some level of fear.

They fail to directly say what they want and don’t take steps to ensure that there is a common meeting of the minds.

They couch their request so that they do not appear to be demanding.

The direct approach: “Will you give me a ride home?”

The indirect approach: “My car broke down and I’m wondering how can I get home today after work?”

The indirect approach is manipulative.

It is far better to say what you want and run the risk of a “no.”

MISUNDERSTANDING  Sometimes the meanings of words are not crisp.

“ASAP” means different things to different people.

To a schedule-driven type A, it may mean within the next five minutes.

To an easy-going creative type, it can mean sometime today.

Eliminate this problem by being clear on what you mean and, if there is any doubt, ask the other person to paraphrase your request.

Now, with the above three points, we've covered the main positive, reasonable, and acceptable reasons for not honoring commitments.

The seven that follow are not acceptable, but all too common.