Parkland First Baptist Church
Sunday, July 5, 2020
Ephesians 2.8-9CSB
Ecclesiastes 7–9ESV
Psalm 46ESV
2 Timothy 3ESV
Ecclesiastes 10–12ESV
2 Timothy 4ESV
1 Kings 12ESV
2 Chronicles 10–11ESV
Titus 1ESV
1 Kings 13–14ESV
2 Chronicles 12ESV
Psalm 47ESV
Titus 2ESV
1 Kings 15ESV
2 Chronicles 13–14ESV
Titus 3ESV
- Open The Eyes Of My Heart
- What a Friend We Have in Jesus
- IntroductionBegin new series on prayer.We’ve recently finished the series on Holy Spirit who enables us to pray to the Father in the name of Jesus.As we read and focus on Scripture, we hear from God and discover more about Him as well meditate on it.The Spirit illuminates us into what we are reading about God and we see who He really is, His characteristics, His glory and we can’t help but respond praiseThat is prayer - talking to, responding to GodOn definition of prayer is communion with God, usually comprising petition, adoration, praise, confession, and thanksgiving. The ultimate object of prayer in both OT and NT is not merely the good of the petitioner but the honor of God’s name.Prayer is intimacy with God that leads to the fulfillment of His purposes. Alvin ReidPrayer is difficult for most of us because we don’t fully understand what prayer is all about.D.A. Carson says, “Christian learn to pray by listening to those around them,”Who, then, have you listened to pray?What did you learn - prayer is a “grocery list” of desires.It is very easy for us to operate on Christian autopilot, relying on the reserves of previous learning and last week’s worship, and not abiding in Christ in a constant, moment-by-moment reliance.Beyond this, it is easy to ignore the opportunities for community prayer, thinking I do not need it, or viewing it as a gathering of folks who have nothing else more productive to do with their time.Then we can easily get into a rut where we just allow requests to serve as our foundation for prayer rather than engaging God in a conversation.So for the next few weeks we are going to look at prayer and hopefully become better pray-ers.Four Purposes of PrayerPrayer is an act of DedicationExpressOur devotion to GodOur dependence upon GodBiggest problem with prayer is that we don't feel dependence upon God.Prayerlessness is our declaration of independence from God.I can do it allWhat does it cost to show our dependence?HonestyWe must admit "I need help""God, I admit I have a need and need your helpJohn 15:5-7, “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me. If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you.”Remain = depend on/in GodBranch/Vine= Christian/GodPrayer is the support systemPrayer is an act of CommunicationMost problems in life are communication problemsWifeKidsJobCan't understand God unless you communicate with HimCuban Missile Crisis = established Hotline between Prez and Premier of USSRCan't communicate unless you know a person - relationship with themJohn 15:15, “do not call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from my Father.”Called friendsReason we can ask is because we're friendsWe fail to recognize we can talk to GodWhat would you do if you had an interview with the President?Dress upMake a list of questionsCall your friendsWe have a greater invitation than that - We are invited to talk with GodWe have a hard time believing God is interested in usIn our car paymentsIn our house paymentsIn our kid's clothesIn our jobIn our back problemsWhen you discover how much God loves you, prayer won't be a problemPrayer is an act of SupplicationSupplication= requests -Phil. 4:6-7, “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”John 16:24, “Until now you have asked for nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.”Some things he will only do if you askNT Christians had powerWhy don't we?We don't ask - they did!Over 20 times in NT it says ask, seek, knock, keep on askingMan died went to heaven, saw great warehouses, asked what was in them, looked and saw a tag on each, read it and it said "Never asked for."C.H. Spurgeon, "God never shuts His storehouse until you shut your mouth."What are you lacking, but never asked for?What should you ask for? What you want.Psalm 145:15-16, “All eyes look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.”Psalm 37:4, “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires.”As we begin to focus on God our desires will begin to line up with God’s desires and we just need to ask to receive.High School kid becomes a Christian. Learning new words about God, Omniscient. Has an algebra test, prays for an 87, took test, got it back and made and 86, prayed and shared disappointment, next day teacher said she made a mistake, took his and 4 others back, returned and had an 87God cares about you.Why ask? Joy made complete - happyWhen ask God gets blessed - show His love and resources, you get blessed by receiving the answer, world gets blessed by seeing God workingPrayer is an act of CooperationGod has chosen to use us to cooperate with and complete His plan that Jesus beganThrough prayer to get it doneGod chose to limit Himself to He will accomplish on earth to the faith of His children through prayerHave faith that He will doJohn 14:11-14, “Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Otherwise, believe because of the works themselves. Truly I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”V. 12 Have you been doing things Jesus has?Hard to believe that we will do greater things than JesusHow is this possible?Through prayer and as we learned last week through the empowerment of the Holy SpiritPrayer is not limited to time or spaceWhen Jesus was here, He voluntarily limited Himself as a human where he was.Prayer is not limited by time, be answered later, Jesus prayers answered todayPrayer not limited by space - can pray for others in other places and be answeredOnly thing to do is pray - great! - See the impossible become possible6 times Jesus said "if you ask, I will do"Your part is askMy part is to doNow What?Who are the heroes in heaven?Grahams, Spurgeons,It’s the little unknowns who prayed for the superstarsNo little people in God's Eyes - Prayer is most importantD. L. Moody, "Every great movement of God can be traced to a single kneeling praying figure."I want our church to be a praying church. Why?A praying church is a holy church, committed church - sensitive to God and othersA praying church is an enthusiastic excited church - see miracles and we need miracles in our churchA praying church is a happy church - answers to prayer - joy made full - you will tell othersPrayWhat are you lacking? AskExperiment - Think of one specific thing to ask God forNeed, write it down and we are going to believe God will do it.We'll pray and when it's answered let me know. Don't miss out on this exciting opportunityLord, teach me to pray. Thank you for calling me your friend. I want a friendship with you, lead me. I want to see miracles. (Ask for your request) Help me to believe you'll answer it. Pray for our church to grow, to grow spiritually, for others and their requests. Father I'm excited about what's going to happen. Amen.
Parkland First Baptist Church
253-531-0121
22 members • 1 follower