Category: Prayer
Subject: Prayer
God’s Pleasure in Our Prayers
Paul wrote a test in 1 Timothy 2 that is no doubt familiar to many:
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:1-4 ).
The passage establishes several truths. First, we are to pray for others. These prayers are divided up into supplications (asking God to fill a need), intercessions (petitions made on behalf of), and giving of thanks (thanking God for the express blessings that come from any particular individual). Continue reading “God’s Pleasure in Our Prayers”
Continue Earnestly in Prayer
Paul wrote to the Colossians about prayer, asking for their prayers personally, “that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak” (Colossians 4:3-4).
However, his thoughts on prayer teach us a few important things, that are worth examining beyond Paul’s personal benefits from such intercessions. First, there is the phrase, “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it…” (4:2). The idea of continuing in prayer, and the idea of vigilance is important when making petitions to God. He loves us! The parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8 teaches us this. “And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?” We need to understand the importance and efficacy of prayer, and not to be discouraged if our petitions are not answered by Him immediately. It comes in His time.
Second, we can’t emphasis too greatly the importance of offering thanks to God. “…being vigilant in it with thanksgiving” (4:2). Christ illustrated the importance of thanksgiving in his words about the lepers He healed. “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:17-18).
God deserves vigilant prayer with thanksgiving! Heed Paul’s words!
Mining the Scriptures: 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
These two verses constitute a prayer, a petition made to God by Paul on behalf of the Thessalonians. The first verse of the prayer is an identification of God. The second verse of the prayer is the petition made.
Regarding the identification made, it is interesting that Jesus Christ is first mentioned, then the Father. Nothing else should be ascertained about this, other than the fact that the Father and the Son are so unified in their work and desires (cf. John 17) that there is no great significance in their order or appearance.
Regardless, God loves us, and by His Son He saved us, giving us consolation and hope by the extension of His grace.
Now about the petition. It was Paul’s desire that God comfort them. In other words, that the same consolation and hope would continue, and work in them. Paul desired that God would establish them (in every good word and work, cf. Ephesians 2:10). They would be persecuted and harmed from without and within. With God’s help their faith would not waver.
Sermon: The Sinner’s Prayer
The Bible indeed teaches that we must receive the gift of God’s grace to be saved. How do we receive it? Scripture reveals that it IS NOT by saying a “Sinner’s Prayer.”
Sermon Powerpoint View and Download:
<<———><><———>>
The Withered Fig Tree
In Matthew 21 we are told that Jesus came upon a fig tree while hungry, only to see that it contained no figs, only leaves. In response, Jesus said to the tree, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again” (19), leading the tree to wither away completely.
The disciples were amazed, and wondered how it happened. Well, Jesus did not directly answer them, but it is obvious. As the Creator of the universe, Jesus certainly had power over every aspect of it. The fig tree withered because He willed it. Not in vengeance toward the unfruitful tree, but to teach His disciples a lesson. Continue reading “The Withered Fig Tree”
Sermon: Jesus’ Prayer for You and Me
Stan discusses the final part of Jesus’ prayer in John 17. He prayer for disciples like you and me!
Sermon: Jesus Prays for His Disciples
In the second of three lessons covering Jesus’ prayer in John 17, the emphasis is placed upon the petitions made to the Father on behalf of Jesus’ present disciples.
Confidence in Prayer
The apostle Paul was the recipient of prayers on his behalf while imprisoned in Rome. The church in Philippi was concerned about him, and in addition to sending help were praying for him in his imprisonment. Paul wrote about it in Philippians 1:19-20). He wrote:
“For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death” (Philippians 1:19-20).
Notice the phrase, “For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer…” How could he know such a thing? He was imprisoned, and had been so for some time. He was there at the whim of the most powerful person in the world, the Caesar of the Roman Empire. It is very simple, the petitions had been made to one who is more powerful than the most powerful human on earth, God Himself.
Paul was convinced that his work was not done, that God had more for him to do. As such, he knew that God was able to easily deliver him from bondage. If God wills it, it will be done!
The same is true for us. If God wills it, it will be done. Let us ask with confidence without doubting. (Matthew 21:22).
The Hour Has Come
In John 17 we have recorded the prayer Jesus prayed to His Father in heaven, just before He was accosted and arrested in the Garden of Eden. Best estimates put His time of death between 12 and 15 hours later. As Jesus began His prayer to God, He said, “Father, the hour has come.” (17:1).
Consider that the events which culminated in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, securing the possibility of redemption to all sinners, had been in God’s mind since before the beginning of the universe.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:3-7). Continue reading “The Hour Has Come”
Sermon: Be Like Daniel!
Daniel was a man of purpose, purity, principle and prayer. We would do well to emulate him.
Sermon Powerpoint View and Download:
<<———><><———>>
Fall 2022 Meeting with Kyle Campbell
Our Fall Meeting, 2022 with Kyle Campbell, November 5, 2002. A series of fundamental lessons answering fundamental questions.
The theme: “Can you show”
Lesson 1: Can You Show That There is a God? (Saturday)
Lesson 2: Can You Show that the Bible is the Word of God? (Sunday 9AM)
Lesson 3: Can You Show that Jesus Rose from the Dead? (Sunday 10AM)
Lesson 4: Can You Show What the Bible Says? (Sunday 11AM)
Lesson 5: Can You Show That the Bible Can be Understood? (Monday)
Lesson 6: Can You Show How We are Saved? (Tuesday)
Lesson 7: Can You Show What Worship Is? (Wednesday 10AM)
Lesson 8: Can You Show What the Church Does? (Wednesday PM)
Lesson 9: Can You Show That Chrisitans are Moral People (Thursday)
<<———><><———>>
Sermon: Prayers for Kings
A discussion of 1 Timothy 2:1-4 emphasizing that our self-interest is well-served when we pray for others. Especially those in authority.
Sermon: Hannah’s Prayer
There are numerous important things about prayer that can be learned when we examine the prayer of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1.
Sermon Powerpoint View and Download:
Thanking God Without Ceasing
Paul’s prayer life is worthy of emulation. On numerous occasions he expressed his habit of praying for his brethren. There is one example in particular that is worthy of notice:
“For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13).
What makes you thankful? Is it the physical provisions you enjoy? – house, food, health? Is it family? For Paul, these things were relatively unimportant. As a bachelor, he fully gave himself over to the things of God. He learned, “in whatever state I am, to be content” (Philippians 4:11).
What brought him joy, satisfaction, and a feeling of thankfulness, was the faithfulness of his brethren. Not only was he thankful, he made his gratitude known to God, “without ceasing.” The relative value of the word of God working effectively in the lives of men is worth the emphasis Paul gave it.
Are you grateful for God’s word? Are you mindful of the faithfulness of your brethren? Do you make it a frequent habit to give God thanks for both?
“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men… For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior” (1 Timothy 2:1, 3).
Click below to…
Reasons for Thanksgiving
In Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians, he began by expressing thanksgiving for them. Why was he thankful?
-
Because it was fitting (3). In other words, there was a legitimate reason for his joy. Its origin was their conduct in Christ, which he lists in verses 3-4.
-
Because their faith was growing exceedingly (3). These Christians hadn’t stalled in their faith as others did and can do today (Hebrews 5:12—6:6). Through diligence and effort, they were making progress, and growing stronger spiritually.
-
Because their love for each other was abundant (3). John considered this the primary characteristic identifying the people of God (1 John 4:7-11). The Thessalonians were wonderful examples of the proper response to God’s love. “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
-
Because they were strong in faith and patience in the midst of tribulation and persecution (10). It is one thing to be strong when the going is easy. It is a true reason to rejoice when faithfulness is seen despite the devil’s attempt to destroy it. The zeal of the Thessalonians was truly praiseworthy.
So, a natural question to ask… Is our congregation one that Paul would “thank God always for”? Are we growing in faith? Abounding in Love? Remaining steadfast despite trials? It is important to be counted “worthy of this calling” (11).
Click below to…
