Sermon Tone Analysis

Mail Box #85

 

Got Any New Tools Lately?

An Assignment

Presented to

Dr. Peter R.H. Ralph

Canadian Theological Seminary

 

 

In Partial Fulfilment

Of the Requirements for the Course

PR 701 Expository Preaching

 

 

 

 

 

By

Wayne Regehr

March 14, 2007

\\ Table of Contents

 

Introduction. 1

Exegetical Analysis.

2

Observation and Questions.

2

Word Studies. 4

Concept Linkages.

5

Sentence Diagrams.

5

Exegetical Big Idea.

5

Homiletical Analysis.

6

Initial Thoughts on Target Audience (TA) 6

Initial Thoughts on Homiletical Emphasis.

6

Developing the Homiletical Big Idea.

6

Homiletical Big Idea.

6

Sermon Outline.

8

Title: Got any new tools lately?. 8

Introduction.

8

Detailed Outline.

8

Conclusion. 10

Appendix A: Sentence Diagrams.

11

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Introduction

This paper presents the work involved in preparing to preach a sermon taken from Ephesians 1.15-23.

The structure of the paper is in three sections: The exegetical portion where I work to understand what the passage means; the homiletical portion where I work to understand how this passage best applies to the target audience of the sermon; and finally, the message outline from which I will preach.

In addition, in this introduction, the English text of the passage is presented as well as my initial thoughts on the passage prior to beginning sermon preparation.

Ephesians 1.15-23

 

15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.

17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.[1]

!!! Initial Thoughts on the passage

Paul is praying for the believers at Ephesus so that they will know God better, to have hope, and understand the power we have as believers.

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Exegetical Analysis

!! Observation and Questions

!!! Scripture: 15-16

15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.

!!! Observations

Paul has heard of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul has heard of their love for all the saints.

Paul has not stopped giving thanks for the Ephesians.

Paul remembers the Ephesians in his prayers.

Paul tells the Ephesians how he has been praying for them.

!!! Questions

What is the reason?

Look back to preceding verses.

Is love for the saints confirmation of their faith?

Why not love of God?

What does Paul mean by all the saints that the Ephesians love?

Is giving thanks and remembering you in my prayers different?

How often does Paul pray for them?

How did Paul hear about them?

!!! Scripture: 17

17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

!!! Observations

Paul’s requests are of God.

Paul keeps asking.

Paul asks on the Ephesians behalf.

Paul asks for the spirit of wisdom and revelation.

Paul asks for the spirit of wisdom and revelation so that the Ephesians will know God better.

!!! Questions

Is Paul speaking appropriately of the God of our Lord Jesus Christ when he says “the God of our Lord Jesus Christ”?

Does that accurately reflect the relationship between Father and Son?

Is the spirit of wisdom and revelation the same as the Holy Spirit?

!!! Scripture: 18-19a

18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

!!! Observations

Paul prays for the eyes of the heart.

Paul says that enlightened eyes of the heart provide knowledge of the hope to which you were called.

!!! Questions

What is meant by the eyes of the heart?

Where does this term come from?

See also 1 Clement.

What is the hope to which he has called you? ἐλπὶς τῆς κλήσεως Also see Eph 4.4

Which calling is Paul referring to?

What is meant by the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints?

What is meant by his incomparably great power for us who believe?

Why does Paul pray for the long term issues instead of short term issues?

!!! Scripture: 19b-21

That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

!!! Observations

The NIV uses a simile between the power available for the believer and the power of resurrection.

It was God’s power exerted in Christ.

The mighty strength raised Christ from the dead.

The mighty strength seated Christ at his right in the heavenly realms.

!!! Questions

Why is the power reference a simile in the NIV?

Is the section “far above all rule and authority, …” a standard piece?

If so, where does it come from?

!!! Scripture: 22-23