1. Sermon Category The sermon falls into the Narrative Exhortation category, characterized by using a story to draw moral or devotional application. The extensive use of O. Henry’s "The Gift of the Magi" serves as an extended analogy for sacrificial giving to Jesus, paralleling the Magi’s gifts in Matthew 2. The primary concern is that while the sermon effectively connects the narrative to the biblical text, the emphasis on the Magi's actions and their symbolism overshadows the explicit proclamation of Christ’s work for humanity. This risks shifting focus from Christ’s salvific acts to human responses, even as the sermon includes important Gospel indicatives. 2. Law and Gospel Presentation The Law's Severity The Law is present but primarily in its didactic use (Use 3) as a guide for Christian living. There is a repeated emphasis on giving one’s "best gifts" to Jesus, surrendering time and resources, and living in obedience. However, the sermon does not adequately employ the mirror use (Use 1) to convict hearers of their inability to fulfill God’s demands apart from Christ. This limits the Law's full severity, as it fails to bring hearers to the brink of despair over their sin and thus to reliance on the Gospel. The Gospel’s Clarity The Gospel is articulated in several places, especially in references to Jesus’ mission to "suffer and die for our sin." Yet, these statements are often isolated rather than consistently applied to the hearers' lives. For instance, the sermon speaks of Jesus as the perfect high priest and sinless lamb, but it does not fully explore how his atonement addresses the hearers’ inability to give "their best" or live faithfully. Use of Christ’s Offices The sermon references Christ’s threefold office (King, Priest, Savior), which provides a robust Christological foundation. However, these roles could have been more thoroughly connected to the hearers' daily struggles and need for grace. 3. Semi-Pelagian Assessment There are hints of synergistic language in the exhortations to give, sacrifice, and obey. Statements like "Are you giving Him the best of your gifts?" could be misinterpreted as suggesting that human effort plays a role in securing favor with God. While the sermon affirms Christ’s sufficiency, the emphasis on human response risks overshadowing the monergistic nature of salvation. 4. Scoring Diagnostic Textual Faithfulness: 8/10 The sermon is rooted in Matthew 2 and makes good use of the text's historical and prophetic context. However, there is a tendency to extrapolate beyond the text (e.g., the Magi’s motivations and journey), which occasionally dilutes the primary message of the passage. Law/Gospel Distinction: 6/10 The distinction is present but muddled. The Law is framed as a call to action (e.g., sacrificial giving), and the Gospel, while present, does not consistently serve as the foundation for these exhortations. A clearer juxtaposition of the hearers' inability with Christ’s sufficiency would strengthen the message. Bondage of the Will Emphasis: 5/10 The sermon assumes that hearers can respond to the imperatives without sufficiently emphasizing their dependence on divine grace. The focus on human effort risks minimizing the role of the Holy Spirit in enabling obedience. Christ-Centered Focus: 8/10 Christ’s person and work are central, especially in references to his kingship, priesthood, and sacrifice. However, the emphasis on the Magi's actions and symbolic gifts occasionally shifts focus away from Christ. Pastoral Application: 6/10 Practical application is relevant but leans heavily on moral exhortation. While well-intentioned, it risks burdening hearers without fully reassuring them of their secure position in Christ. Theological Integrity: 7/10 The sermon aligns with orthodox theology but exhibits occasional imprecision. The heavy emphasis on human action could inadvertently suggest Semi-Pelagian tendencies. Final Grade: B (40/60) 5. Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses Strengths: The sermon is rich in Christological content, connecting the narrative of the Magi to Jesus’ offices and work. It encourages practical application and challenges hearers to consider their devotion to Christ. Weaknesses: The focus on imperatives and human response overshadows the Gospel’s comfort and assurance. A stronger emphasis on the mirror use of the Law and the sufficiency of Christ’s work would enhance the message.
@RogerStephens-t9d16 күн бұрын
OH ! I WISHED PEOPLE COULD SEE THE TRUTH IN THIS MESSAGE AND THAT COMES FROM MY SOUL ! SELAH !
@wordchurchla11 күн бұрын
Amen
@cherylhaskell983016 күн бұрын
❤🎉❤
@liviaserrano785616 күн бұрын
God with us! 💕🔥💕🔥💕🔥💕
@wordchurchla11 күн бұрын
Amen!
@BlessingsKhumalo17 күн бұрын
Amen
@wordchurchla11 күн бұрын
Amen!
@sybelmoses519717 күн бұрын
HALLELUJAH, THIS MESSAGE IS THE GOSPEL TRUTH
@wordchurchla11 күн бұрын
Amen!
@sabi305221 күн бұрын
Don't Christians believe he was God? How can God thank Himself??😅
@sauromatae972821 күн бұрын
Americans are heretics anyway
@JesusBarangan-w6q25 күн бұрын
Amen❤❤❤
@wordchurchla25 күн бұрын
Amen!
@ifereimiqasernuku177929 күн бұрын
Amen.
@wordchurchla25 күн бұрын
Amen!
@Jason4PeaceАй бұрын
Birth is the opposite of death. Just like we existed from conception before birth, we will exist after death. Some in life in Christ and some in undeath apart from Him.
@sallymiller7720Ай бұрын
Amen times infinity 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
@wordchurchlaАй бұрын
Amen!
@Kayla-ll3kvАй бұрын
Underatted ❤AMEN
@wordchurchlaАй бұрын
Amen!
@manjugurung5092Ай бұрын
amen
@wordchurchlaАй бұрын
Amen!
@HandlethisfiendАй бұрын
Woah, above gravity? Like, space? Far out man
@hereticalinfidelicalАй бұрын
Word Salad
@essie491Ай бұрын
Halleluyaaaaa, Praise the Lord!!!
@wordchurchlaАй бұрын
Amen
@StephonBakerIIАй бұрын
What would we call this holiday?
@josephinedevakumari597Ай бұрын
🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
@josephinedevakumari597Ай бұрын
❤❤❤❤❤❤
@jwedgesАй бұрын
Nah
@narayankhandthakuri18722 ай бұрын
❤🙏🏻 Glory to our lord jesus name Amen ❤🙏🏻
@wordchurchla2 ай бұрын
Amen
@pushman962 ай бұрын
What about P diddy sins?
@PopShot1542 ай бұрын
First time using body language
@MrFish6092 ай бұрын
What a wonderful word salad🥹
@AgapeJiuJitsu-nz4vj2 ай бұрын
Is that faith alone???
@fancyberry40462 ай бұрын
Amen .I love him more than this world.🙏🙏🙏😇
@Spaces-Places-Official2 ай бұрын
Bro you deserve way many more subs and likes bro. Keep on preaching ,you can really make a difference in a bunch of peoples lives.
@aarondavid58662 ай бұрын
who wants to be a sheep
@jamesbuxton68032 ай бұрын
Amen 🙏 in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior Amen 🙏 😅
@wordchurchla2 ай бұрын
Amen!
@keabetswesebate73172 ай бұрын
Amen
@wordchurchla2 ай бұрын
Amen
@majorresources61502 ай бұрын
❤Amen!
@wordchurchla2 ай бұрын
Amen
@Sainted1523 ай бұрын
Very true. But, the job of one's dreams; it is received from the Lord, but I also believe that the Lord has given the receiver natural talent for it, and grows the person in said talent But, this isn't just for one's own enjoyment; it is to bring glory to God. It can be whatever, anything; personally, I've found a deep passion in writing, and have come to a place where I do believe that true Lord's plan for me is to be a writer, to bring glory to his name. If you dedicate your work to God, it will be used for God's glory.
@davidwillis443 ай бұрын
I thank God for eveythimg i have. In some peoples eyes im poor. I was homeless. Now i have food and shelter. 2 big screen tvs. Recliners and s love seat. My house is small. I am broke. Yet all my bills are paid. I have air-conditioning. Food. Several streaming services. A Playstation 5 ive never played. A beautiful, lovimg, caring, loyal wife. A wife who makes be better. I may not have millions of dollars. I have 0 dollars right now. I spent it all this month. Im a 100% disabled vet. I hurt all the time. I forget many things. My past comes in flashes. Like pictures with no story. Im blessed beyond measure. Im happy with what God has given me. I do not want. If i had any wants its only to be blameless before him that he may honor me by usimg me to honor him. My body and mind is broken but through him i make it through everyday. I make it and im greatful. In a rich mans eyes im poor. If you ever been homeless like i have then youll know im rich. 0 dollars but im rich. I dont need much. I dont want the things of this world but God has blessed me with stuff anyway. He gave me what my heart desired. To be free from hate and feel loved. I am loved praise God. I am loved. My memory is horrible but i have a helpmate who loves God with all hher heart. She was a gift from the almighty. Im so blessed.
@misskittyc21993 ай бұрын
Thank you Lord ✨🙏✨♥️
@wordchurchla2 ай бұрын
Amen!
@Rebecca-zr3lu3 ай бұрын
God, thank you for healthy marriages. Thank you for pure love between two people who will stay and work on that marriage. God, also; thank you for loving those who are divorced or separated or those who have never been married. Thank you for their salvations in Jesus name. Amen 🙏
@wordchurchla3 ай бұрын
Amen
@laurasilverstone97353 ай бұрын
Amen
@wordchurchla3 ай бұрын
Amen
@Jpr-et5zt3 ай бұрын
Amen
@wordchurchla3 ай бұрын
Amen
@dukkcc23 ай бұрын
a
@EC44003 ай бұрын
Wonderful 👍🏻 Amen. 🙏
@wordchurchla3 ай бұрын
Amen!
@junglistsoul-jah49033 ай бұрын
Kevin from shameless looks great
@OnaCirerer3 ай бұрын
Jesus needs no promotion.
@PURIFYBEAUTY3 ай бұрын
Wow amazing sermon
@mattmonroe5483 ай бұрын
This guy speaking about himself. His name aint even Jesus. This guy must be Kenneth Copeland's son. What an absolute ignorant piece of garbage, if you listen. You are completely uneducated.Go read something before.This guy leads you astray.What trash