Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
This automated analysis scores the text on the likely presence of emotional, language, and social tones. There are no right or wrong scores; this is just an indication of tones readers or listeners may pick up from the text.
A score of 0.5 or higher indicates the tone is likely present.
Emotion Tone
Anger
0.53LIKELY
Disgust
0.11UNLIKELY
Fear
0.13UNLIKELY
Joy
0.58LIKELY
Sadness
0.56LIKELY
Language Tone
Analytical
0.49UNLIKELY
Confident
0UNLIKELY
Tentative
0.66LIKELY
Social Tone
Openness
0.53LIKELY
Conscientiousness
0.62LIKELY
Extraversion
0.14UNLIKELY
Agreeableness
0.85LIKELY
Emotional Range
0.66LIKELY
Tone of specific sentences
Tones
Emotion
Language
Social Tendencies
Anger
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9
Two brothers listened as Pastor preached.
"Jesus says to turn the other cheek.
When someone hurts us, don't get even."
Later, young Jimmy came sobbing to Mom. "I kicked John, & he kicked me back" Mom was concerned.
"Jimmy, I'm sorry you're hurt.
But don't kick John."
Jimmy sobbed, "But Pastor said he isn't supposed to kick me back."
That may be true.
But it isn't license to strike 1st.
Let's look at Matthew 5:38-48.
38"You've heard it said 'Eye for eye, & tooth for tooth' in in OT passages like Ex 21:23-24; Lv 24:19-20, & Dt 19:19, 21.
Lex Talionis.
Tit-for-tat.
It's in in the Code of Hammurabi, circa 2260 B.C. It's the oldest law in the world.
This law isn't a problem.
But people don't see it like God wants.
He gave to put limits on our revenge.
No feuds.
No vendettas.
No killing someone for an insult.
Only tit-for-tat.
No more.
Think about it.
God is love.
So, when others wrong us He's always wanted us to forgive them.
The problem? Hard hearts.
That's why God permitted divorce.
Just so, God permitted revenge.
But no more than tit-for-tat.
Revenge & retaliation are never what God wants.
What does He want?
39aI tell you, don't resist an evil person.
When they hurt us, don't resist.
Don't defend ourselves.
Jesus didn't.
At His trial, people struck, spit on, & scourged Him.
Jesus could've unmade them.
He didn't.
Jesus didn't resist that kangaroo court or its physical abuse.
Nor did He resist being crucified.
Does He want that from us? 39bIf someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him also.
To strike a right check, right-handed people will back-hand it.
Jesus is talking about insult, not injury.
But He doesn't limit it.
So, even we're injured, accept it.
Don't take revenge.
Then what?
Trust God to bring justice & reward us for obedience.
He will.
God promises to take care of His own.
40And if someone wants to sue you & take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.
We don't really get it.
In Jesus' day, you could sue someone for the shirt off their back.
Even their cloak.
They could keep the shirt.
But not the cloak.
Dt 24:12-13 says return it by sunset.
Why?
At night, the poor needed it to keep warm.
So, even if s/he wins your cloak (not just your shirt), s/he has to returned it every night!
The law says your right to a cloak is inalienable.
Jesus is saying if they sue you & win your shirt, give them your cloak, too.
Even if they can't legally keep it!
In our sue-happy culture, does Jesus mean we can't defend ourselves legally?
That'd be harsh!
(Remember the lawsuit against McDonald's for a hot coffee burn?)
I doubt Jesus means no legal protection from silly claims.
But remember.
He's speaking to disciples.
If disciples suffer for the sake of His Name, we're to accept it gracefully.
Retaliate with love.
Not tit-for-tat.
41If someone forces you to go 1 mile, go with him 2 miles.
Romans could force you carry their load for a mile.
Remember Simon of Cyrene?
Romans forced him to carry Jesus' cross.
If they asked, you had to carry it.
No matter who you are.
No matter what you're doing.
Almost everyone had had to.
They all hated it.
Jesus is saying, 'Retaliate with love, not tit-for-tat.'
What if your persecutor is a chronic borrower?
Jesus says, 42Give to the one who asks you.
Don't turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Notice we give to borrowers.
Not lend.
Does Jesus mean we're supposed to enable "frequent fliers?"
I don't think so.
Don't give $ to panhandlers who will just spend it on beer or wine.
Why? God's love.
God wants them free from addiction.
So, don't enable them.
Then what does Jesus mean?
Let God's agape love guide us.
Choose their highest good.
Don't lend $ someone needs for food.
Gift it to them if we know they'll spend it on food.
Even better, buy them the food.
And when we know it's a hardship to repay, don't lend money.
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9