The Rhythm of Prayer Eph. 6:10-20; 8/19/13 Page 979
|
|
- Sarah Johns
- 5 years ago
- Views:
Transcription
1 The Rhythm f Prayer Eph. 6:10-20; 8/19/13 Page 979 American culture is prbably the hardest place in the wrld t pray. Yu wrk 50 t 60 hurs a week and then yu re used t being entertained: TV, internet (Facebk, Twitter, Pinterest), games (Temple Run), and all f this at yur finger tips n yur cell phnes at any given mment. Fr mst f us, the first thing we d in the mrning and the last thing we d at night invlves checking ur phnes. Wh s tempted t take a peak at yur phne right nw? In fact, many f yu are prbably even using yur phnes right nw t read the Bible. Have yu ever thught: I m just t busy t pray? I dn t have time t pray! Anther reasn prayer is s hard is because we prize intellect, cmpetency, and wealth. If yu have all f thse things, yu dn t need Gd. Des prayer feel useless, as if yu are wasting yur time? Yu start praying and yu get 15 secnds in when yu re verwhelmed with everything yu ve gt t d that day. Every bne in yur bdy screams, Stp praying; get t wrk! Our trust in urselves and in ur talents makes us structurally independent f Gd (Miller, A Praying Life, 16). I can relate with every single ne f these pressures as I face them daily. At the same time, cultivating the discipline f prayer is ne f the mst fundatinal means f grace that Gd uses t bring abut gspel renewal individually and crprately in the church. Will yu use this sermn as an pprtunity t hnestly reflect n yur current rhythm f prayer, r lack f prayer and ask Gd t ignite right desires and attitudes tward prayer? Let s pray. Tw weeks ag, Tanner laid ut a framewrk called, Dependent discipline. He said that we need bth dependence n Gd and a disciplined life in rder t grw in Gd s grace t maturity in Christ. We see these tw cmplementary truths clearly here in Ephesians 6:10-20, the cncluding passage f the entire letter n hw they shuld live the Christian life and walk in a manner wrthy f the calling f the gspel (Eph. 4:1). Dependence: Be strng in the Lrd and in the strength f his might (6:10). Present passive: this is an utside pwer and shuld be a habitual and cntinuus practice. Yur best days are never s gd that yu are beynd the need f Gd s grace (Bridges). One f Satan s greatest tactics is t cnvince yu that yu dn t need Gd. If he can keep yu self-sufficient, yu ll be useless fr the kingdm. But yu d need Gd. This war is a spiritual war and the frces f evil must be fught with supernatural pwer (6:12). If yu are ging t live the Christian life in the pwer f Gd, yu must kill self-sufficiency. Discipline: Put n the whle armr f Gd, that yu may be able t stand (6:11). Belt f truth, breastplate f righteusness, feet fitted with the readiness f the gspel, shield f faith, helmet f salvatin, swrd f the Spirit, praying Prayer is fundatinal fr the deplyment f the entire armr f Gd and yet Satan wants yu t believe that prayer is a waste f time. Many f us have bught int his lie. If yu are nt praying, then yu are quietly cnfident that time, mney, and talent are all yu need in life (Miller, A Praying Life, 49). I. Dependency is the Heartbeat f Prayer (6:10-17) Self sufficient peple dn t pray. If yu dn t, be strng in the Lrd, yu will nt pray at all times in the Spirit. Paul Miller says that A needy heart is a praying heart. Dependency is the heartbeat f prayer (A Praying Life, 24). Until yu can whleheartedly say and believe, Apart frm yu, Jesus, I can d nthing (Jhn 15:5) yu wn t pray as yu shuld. Gd, pen ur eyes afresh t see ur neediness befre yu. Nt nly des dependency drive yu t prayer, prayer drives yu t dependency. Time in prayer makes yu mre dependent n Gd because yu have less time t get ther things dne. Every minute spent in prayer is ne less minute yu culd ve spent ding smething else. Prayer then becmes a means f grace t drive yur heart and sul in utter dependence n Gd. Hw wuld yu rate yur dependence n Gd? 1
2 2 II. Cultivate the Rhythm f Prayer as a Discipline f Life. If yu re ging t cultivate prayer as a rhythm f grace in yur life, yu need t knw what this rhythm shuld lk like. We re ging t lk at sme specific characteristics f prayer that we can seek t cultivate, principles frm Ephesians 6:18-20 but als frm a variety f passages. I want us t start by reflecting n the Lrd s Prayer in Matthew 6:9 where Jesus said, Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallwed be yur name. 1. Pray Reverently Hw can sinful man apprach a hly Gd in the first place? If yu are ging t apprach a hly Gd in prayer, yu ve gt t have an advcate, smene wh will g in yur place. This is why Jesus tells us t pray in his name: Whatever yu ask in my name, this I will d, that the Father may be glrified in the Sn. If yu ask me anything in my name, I will d it (Jhn 14:13-14; als 16:23). We need t practice the title f Bryan Chappell s bk n prayer: Praying Backwards: Transfrm Yur Prayer Life by Beginning in Jesus Name. Prayer is nly pssible because f Jesus. Therefre, brthers, since we have cnfidence t enter the hly places by the bld f Jesus, by the new and living way that he pened fr us thrugh the curtain, that is, thrugh his flesh, and since we have a great priest ver the huse f Gd, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance f faith, with ur hearts sprinkled clean frm an evil cnscience and ur bdies washed with pure water (Heb. 10:19-22). Jesus life, death and resurrectin pave the way nt nly fr ur sins t be frgiven but s that we might enter int relatinship with Gd. Praying in Jesus name recgnizes that Gd nly hears and accepts us thrugh the wrk f Christ. Yu dn t need t g thrugh a priest r anyne else t access Gd. Jesus is yur way t Gd. Pray in his name. Yu need t get this: prayer is nt smething yu d in rder t please Gd and be accepted by Gd. Yu culdn t pray lng enugh and cnsistently enugh t make Gd accept yu. Yu need t cme t Gd, recgnizing his hliness and the prvisin in Christ and pray, Gd, be merciful t me, a sinner! (Luke 18:13) and Gd will frgive yu (1 Jhn 1:9). Until yu becme a child f Gd thrugh faith in Jesus Christ, yu can t pray, My Father in heaven. Gd s hliness drives us t ADORATION and CONFESSION. 2. Pray Relatinally Our Father : Prayer is all abut a relatinship. Prayer is simply the medium thrugh which we experience and cnnect with Gd. Prayer is nt the end gal. Knwing Gd is. Just as in any ther relatinship, yu dn t need t pretend t be smene yu aren t. Sme f yu think yu ve gt t clean yurself up in rder t pray t Gd. Prayer mirrrs the gspel: Yu dn t clean up act t becme a Christian and yu dn t clean up yur act t pray. Jesus isn t just the Savir f my sul. He s als the Savir f my prayers (Miller, 135). Gd lks at the adequacy f his Sn and delights in ur slppy, meandering prayers (Miller, 55). S where d yu start when yu cme t Gd in prayer? Start with what s real. Share yur weariness, yur wandering mind, yur jb struggles, family struggles, financial prblems, yur mess. Just tell Gd what s n yur mind. Praying relatinally is like catching up with gd friends. Last weekend, Leigh and I traveled t NC t participate in Seth and Michelle s wedding. We spent a night with cllege friends (Wes and Katie Haney) We lingered tgether n the cuch with snacks talking fr hurs. We had n particular agenda; we were simply enjying each ther. Listening, talking, reminiscing, laughing. We didn t plan the cnversatin. We bunced frm subject t subject and it had a kind f fund, meandering, and play-like quality. We weren t fcused n cmmunicatin r wrds. We simply shared ur lives with each ther. Why wuld ur prayer with Gd be any different?
3 3 A cautin abut prayer systems acrnyms: Systems can becme rte and desensitizing us t Gd as a persn. Fr example, try having an ACTS cnversatin with yur wife: Adre her fr tw minutes, then cnfess yur failure in taking ut the trash, then thank her fr cking dinner and then hand her yur list and requests fr the evening. 3. Pray Biblically Listen t these prmises f Jesus: If yu ask me anything I will d it (Jhn 14:13). ask whatever yu wish, and it will be dne fr yu (Jhn 15:7). Truly, truly, I say t yu, whatever yu ask f the Father he will give it t yu Ask, and yu will receive, that yur jy may be full (Jhn 16:23-24). Hw d these verses make yu feel? Let me address tw dangers in ur praying fund in James 4:2-3: Yu d nt have, because yu d nt ask. Yu ask and d nt receive, because yu ask wrngly, t spend it n yur passins. First danger: Yu dn t ask at all (If Gd is svereign, why pray? What gd des it d? Prayer desn t make much f a difference. I dn t need Gd!). Secnd danger: Yu ask selfishly (Gd is a virtual ATM and we ask fr mre cmfrts). A Cmplementary and Balanced Apprach: Gd is abslutely svereign and he is a prayer-hearing and answering Gd. Yu must learn hw t act n theses simultaneus truths withut elevating ne and diminishing the ther. If yur thelgy leads yu away frm prayer, smething is wrng with yur thelgy. The Bible insists that we pray and gives us examples f Gd answering prayer (g read Daniel 9-10). Because Gd is svereign and because he lngs t give gd things t his children, I can ask and he will listen and act. Prayer fills yur life with pssibility. Yu dream again. Ask bldly, surrender cmpletely: Jesus prayer n the crss: Abba, Father, all things are pssible fr yu. Remve this cup frm me. Yet nt what I will, but what yu will (Mark 14:36; see Dan. 3:17-18). Praying Yur kingdm cme, yur will be dne requires us surrendering ur will t Gd. This is actually a scary prayer. Yu re saying, King Jesus, cme rule my life. This is what Jesus is getting at in Jhn 15:7: If yu abide in me, and my wrds abide in yu, ask whatever yu wish, and it will be dne fr yu. Cnnect yur praying with Bible reading pray Gd s Wrd and yu will pray his will. 4. Pray Exhaustively S far, we ve talked abut the manner in which we shuld pray. But, what shuld we pray fr? praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplicatin making supplicatin fr all the saints (Eph. 6:18). D nt be anxius abut anything, but in everything by prayer and supplicatin with thanksgiving let yur requests be knwn t Gd (Phil. 4:6). Trust in the Lrd with all yur heart, and d nt lean n yur wn understanding. In all yur ways acknwledge him, and he will make straight yur paths (Prv. 3:5-6). It is nthing less than self idlatry t cnceive that we can carry n even the rdinary matters f the day withut his cunsel Be in the habit f ging t him in the first place befre self-will, self-pleasing, self-wisdm, human friends, cnvenience, expediency. Befre any f these have been cnsulted g t Gd at nce. Cnsider n circumstances t clear t need his directin. In all thy ways, small as well as great; in all thy cncerns, persnal r relative, tempral r eternal, let him be supreme. (Charles Bridges, A Cmmentary n Prverbs, 24 25). Are yu letting Gd reign supreme in every aspect f yur life? There shuld be nthing that is ff limits t take t Gd in prayer: cllege chice, ptential byfriend/girlfriend, car, huse, vacatin, jb, etc. We nrmally talk t everyne but Gd in these decisins. We tend t talk t Gd abut spiritual things and leave the rest up t the experts. Everything decisin, every wrd, every actin in life has spiritual significance.
4 4 At the same time, I want t make a distinctin between what C. Jhn Miller calls Maintenance Prayer and Frntline Prayer. Maintenance prayer is fcused primarily n physical needs, all needs that ne day will pass away when Jesus returns (jbs, hmes, sickness, death). Frntline prayer invlves eternal matters: cnfessin f sin, the flurishing f the church and reaching f the lst, a yearning t knw Gd and see his glry. Learn t pray this way by imitating the prayers f Scripture (Paul, the Psalms), reading prayers f dead saints (Valley f Visin), and by praying with thers. We need t make sure that we aren t just praying maintenance prayer we need balance. A Few Practical Suggestins (make prayer cards/lists: name, shrt phrases, Scripture; use technlgy with care): Pray fr Yurself (cnfessin, repentance, daily tasks, big dreams). Pray fr Others (Family, C-wrkers and Classmates, Neighbrs, Friends) Christians Nn-Christians (Mvement Cards) Pray fr Yur Church Leadership Church s Visin and Gals (2013 Visin) Cmmunity Grup Missinaries/Church Planters (Operatin Wrld) Pray fr Cultural Issues Orphan Care (Daybreak, Fster Care, Adptin) Elected Officials When I pray specifically fr peple, it als fuels my engagement with them when I see them. 5. Pray Cntinually and Persistently. When shuld I pray? What shuld this rhythm lk like? Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplicatin. T that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplicatin fr all the saints (Eph. 6:18; als Cl.4:2); be cnstant in prayer (Rm. 12:12); pray withut ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17-18). This is hw Paul described mst f his prayers, First, I thank my Gd fr all f yu that withut ceasing I mentin yu always in my prayers (Rm. 1:9-10). Cntinually: Charles Spurgen said, I always feel it well t put a few wrds f prayer between everything I d. Describe a day f cntinual prayer (mrning, kid s awake, mrning wrk, lunch appt., afternn wrk, Stp and Shp, Gas Statin, return hme. The very act f pausing in a busy day t pray weakens pride and fsters dependency n Gd. Weariness is ften the result f pride and self-sufficiency (C. J. Mahaney). Persistently: this is the way little children act. They ask repeatedly. Over and ver and ver again. They wear us ut. Gd wants yu t cme persistently, needy and dependent upn him. In Luke 18, Jesus tells the parable f the persistent widw s that they ught always t pray and nt lse heart (18:1). 6. Pray Systematically. Dn t let cntinual prayer be an excuse fr nt develping a rhythm f strategic, fcused prayer. Hw great wuld yur relatinship be with yur spuse if yu nly talked in snippets t each ther thrugh the day and never had fcused times f cnversatin? But when yu pray, g int yur rm and shut the dr and pray t yur Father wh is in secret. And yur Father wh sees in secret will reward yu (Matt. 6:6). Nthing fuels cntinual prayer better than systematic and cnsistent prayer. This is a matter f priritizing yur life. If prayer is really a means f grace in prducing gdliness in me and
5 5 impacting the kingdm, and if I really can t d anything a part frm Christ, then I ve gt t priritize prayer. Fr sme f yu, t cultivate this rhythm is ging t invlve an adjustment f yur schedule. Get t bed. Get up early (eliminates distractins: s, texts, TV, kids). Keep ging. This is easier than yu think. Can yu make a 6:13am flight? Yes, because f what s at stake (mney, missing an imprtant ccasin). If I tld yu that if yu wke up 30 days in a rw an hur early and that ne f thse days yu wuld get an idea that made yu $5,000, wuld yu get up early? Wuld yu get up early if it helped yur marriage last frever? Wuld yu get up early if I prmised yu d grw in yur faith? We sacrifice fr and priritize things that have a large enugh reward. Set an alarm, get ut f the bedrm, turn all the lights n, drink a cup f cffee, get cmfrtable. Will yu cmmit t pray five minutes a day fr 21 days (3 weeks)? Cultivate nt nly individual prayer, but cllective prayer (Acts 2:42; 4:23-31). Dn t use persnal prayer t keep Christian cmmunity distant. Yu can t islate prayer frm the cmmunity f believers because many times Gd uses ther t answer prayers in yur life. Yu shuld ask thers the same questins yu ask Gd. Pray with yur wife, yur kids, n Sunday Mrnings at Church, in Cmmunity Grups, in Discipling Relatinships, at First Friday Prayer Gathering Dependency is the Heartbeat f Prayer: Dependency is the heartbeat f prayer. Pray reverently in Jesus name. Pray relatinally with authenticity. Pray biblically by asking bldly, and surrendering cmpletely. Pray exhaustively by letting Gd reign supreme in all things. Praying cntinually and persistently thrughut yur day. Pray systematically, individually each day and regularly with thers. Dream with me: what might Gd d thrugh Redemptin Hill Church and Greater Bstn if we cllectively cultivated prayer as a mre cnsistent rhythm in ur lives and starting asking Gd bldly fr his will t be dne as we cmpletely surrendered ur lives t it. America is ne f the hardest places in the wrld t pray and I knw yu re t busy t pray, but there s n greater time and place than tday in Bstn fr Gd s peple t priritize prayer and yu are t busy nt t pray. Will yu be a part f a mvement f Gd? What tday can yu ask Gd bldly fr?
Baptism for Children at Summit Drive Church
Baptism fr Children at Summit Drive Church Baptism fr Children at Summit Drive Church Therefre g and make disciples f all natins, baptizing them in the name f the Father and f the Sn and f the Hly Spirit,
More informationSEASIDEYOUTH. Volunteer Leaders Training Manual
! SEASIDEYOUTH Vlunteer Leaders Training Manual SeasideYuth Cre Bible Passages On ne f thse days, as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers f the law were sitting there, wh had cme frm every village f
More informationGenesis 1:1, 26-27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; I Corinthians 8:6; II Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2
BELIEFS Our hpe is t simply be Christians in Christ s church being SHAPED BY SCRIPTURE. Overview: We are called t 1. understand Gd s relatinship t Christ Jesus. 2. be in a relatinship with Gd thrugh Jesus.
More informationElementary. Week 1. December 2/3, Bottom Line Because God gave, I can give! Staging:
Elementary Week 1 December 2/3, 2017 Bttm Line Because Gd gave, I can give! Staging: Wd backdrp Tree Standee Cardbard fireplace Christmas trees Buffal Plaid wrapped gifts Game: The Generus Neighbr Supplies
More informationChoose Joy Because Happiness Isn t Enough
Chse Jy Because Happiness Isn t Enugh Day 18: Lk at Yur Busyness Many f us live lives cnstantly n the g with every hur f ur day planned ut. Often, with little pprtunity fr a change in plans r directin.
More information1. Even though Paul had to privately and publically correct Peter, they were still united.
ï» back t title page SERIES: THE GREATNESS OF GRACE TITLE: THE GRACE OF THE SUMMONS TEXT: GALATIANS 2:15-18 INTRO: Here, Paul intrduces the subject f Justificatin, a subject he will deal with mre thrughly
More informationBUILDING AN EFFECTIVE PRAYER LIFE Prt 4
This mrning I want t finish ff the series n prayer BUILDING AN EFFECTIVE PRAYER LIFE Last week we cvered the fllwing 1. Yur attitude twards prayer determines its effectiveness 2. Make prayers f faith.
More informationLet me begin very transparently with you and pose an interesting dilemma.
St. Michael s Church CHARLESTON, SC SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2107 ROMANS 10:5-15 MATTHEW 10: 27-33 PREACHER: THE REV. AL ZADIG, JR. HELP US LORD TO BE SO CONNECTED TO YOU THAT WE MIGHT BECOME THE SERVANTS OF
More informationParticipant Reading Week Three PRAYER
Participant Reading Week Three PRAYER There is a place f quiet rest near t the heart f Gd. Oh Jesus, blessed redeemer, sent frm the heart f Gd. Hld thse wh cme befre thee near t the heart f Gd. Cleland
More informationEXALT JESUS. Sermon in a sentence: More than anything else, or anyone else, we need to exalt Jesus!
EXALT JESUS 1 EXALT JESUS July 6, 2014 Sermn in a sentence: Mre than anything else, r anyne else, we need t exalt Jesus! Scriptures: (NKJV) Jhn 3:14; Jhn 12:27-33; (Num 21:4-9); Phil 2:5-11; 2 Cr. 5:14-19;
More informationPassage We are continuing our series on the parables of Jesus this morning with a parable from Luke 14: The Parable of the Great Banquet.
Tdd Misfeldt Luke 14:15-24 - The Parable f the Great Banquet 1 Passage We are cntinuing ur series n the parables f Jesus this mrning with a parable frm Luke 14:15-24 - The Parable f the Great Banquet.
More informationIn this case, where there is no vision, the FOOD will perish! Elder Rick Pina
www.tdayswrd.rg Unlcking the Pwer f Persnal Visin (Part II) Elder Ricard (Rick) M. Pina Sr. Faith Outreach Christian Life Center Bible Study, January 10 th, 2007 Intrductin: This lessn is the secnd part
More informationMissional Living Series Week 1: The Resurrection
Missinal Living Series Week 1: The Resurrectin The Hpe: The Call t the Missin Fr the week f April 12 Hme Grup Leader Instructins: In preparatin fr leading grup discussins and the use f the prvided material,
More informationThe final verse from our study in the Gospel of John this morning was John 10:10 in which Jesus said,
Ze: Experiencing The Fullness f Gd In Every Area f Life INTRODUCTION: The final verse frm ur study in the Gspel f Jhn this mrning was Jhn 10:10 in which Jesus said, "The thief des nt cme except t steal,
More informationRelying On The Holy Spirit
Relying On The Hly Spirit Experience the jy-filled walk with Gd under the aninting f the Hly Spirit. Have yu ever seen a child stare in wide-eyed wnder as she listens t a new stry? That's the way many
More informationTAKING LEADERSHIP TO THE NEXT LEVEL
5/10/14 Ps Brian Heath TAKING LEADERSHIP TO THE NEXT LEVEL We need a specific type f church t really make a difference in ur wrld. NEHEMIAH 2:11-20: S I came t Jerusalem and was there three days. Then
More informationVideo: Called: Discover Your Vocation
Sessin 1- What is a Vcatin? (18min) 6 th Grade Bys Cathlic Visin f Lve Study Guide Vide: Called: Discver Yur Vcatin The questins we yearn t answer are: "Wh am I?" and "Why am I here?" T find the answers,
More informationWith Christ in the School of Prayer Andrew Murray [revised by Harold J. Chadwick copyright by bridge-logos publishers]
Sunday Mrning Prayer Class January 11, 2015 With Christ in the Schl f Prayer Andrew Murray [revised by Harld J. Chadwick cpyright by bridge-lgs publishers] LESSON 1 THE ONLY TEACHER One day Jesus was praying
More informationIf we willingly submit to the discipline of our heavenly Father, in the end we will share in His holiness.
Heavenly Discipline Hebrews 12:3-11 Hebrews 12:3-11 Intrductin The riginal readers f this sermn wuld have been very familiar with the Hebrew Scriptures ur Old Testament. The passage we will study tday
More informationWorship in Communion 1 Corinthians 11:18-34
Blake Jennings Grace Bible Church Suthwd Wrship in Cmmunin 1 Crinthians 11:18-34 Cmmunin is abut s much mre than just bread and wine (r juice as the case may be!) It's a gift frm Gd the Father t help us
More informationGenesis 1D (2011) The sixth day began with animals and ended with man. Notice a difference in how man is created?
Genesis 1D (2011) Gen. 1:26 Then Gd said, Let Us make man in Our image, accrding t Our likeness; and let them rule ver the fish f the sea and ver the birds f the sky and ver the cattle and ver all the
More informationSOURCE CODE: UNTANGLE THE WEB
FOR LEADERS ONLY GRADES 4-5 MAY 2018 SOURCE CODE: UNTANGLE THE WEB GOD VIEW: GOD VIEW: THE CONNECTION BETWEEN HONESTY AND GOD S CHARACTER, AS SHOWN THROUGH GOD S BIG STORY HONESTY IS A REFLECTION OF THE
More informationThe Mailbox Club presents...
The Mailbx Club presents... BEST FRIENDS 1 Lessn 1 best friends Jesus said, "I have called yu friends... " Jhn 15: 15 Dear Friend, D yu knw that yu have a special friend wh lves yu with all His heart,
More informationIdentity Issues God s Glory and Our Joy Ephesians 1:9
Identity Issues Gd s Glry and Our Jy Ephesians 1:9 We ve been talking identity and hw we frm it The age-ld questin f Wh am I? This questin is imprtant because wh we believe urselves t be will shape and
More informationThe BATTLE PLAN for PRAYER
The BATTLE PLAN fr PRAYER 8 WHAT ARE GOD S ANSWERS TO PRAYER? I sught the Lrd, and He answered me. (Ps. 34: 4) When I needed the Lrd, I lked fr Him; I called ut t Him, and He heard me and respnded. He
More informationLove - Fulfillment of the Commandments
Lve Lifted Me Recvery Ministries http://www.lveliftedmerecvery.cm Lve - Fulfillment f the Cmmandments Jesus said, "If yu lve Me, keep My cmmandments" (Jhn 14:15). I remember as a new Christian wndering,
More informationSermon / Preaching Research Ephesians (Filled/Beloved) 8/16/15 at Holy Cross
Sermn / Preaching Research Ephesians 5.1-21 (Filled/Belved) 8/16/15 at Hly Crss Life Grup Leader Guide Instructins Leading a grup can be intimidating but here s sme help. Included in this packet are three
More informationLEADERSHIP LIFESTYLE LESSON 2: PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL LIFE AND WORSHIP
Essentials fr Spiritual Leadership Study Guide LEADERSHIP LIFESTYLE LESSON 2: PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL LIFE AND WORSHIP INTRODUCTION This lessn is part f a Discipleship Essentials mdule titled. The lessns examine
More informationMiddle/High School Sunday School Lessons by. rfour.org
Middle/High Schl Sunday Schl Lessns by rfur.rg Year 2: Sessin 3 Jnah and Jesus Class 9: Luke 4:1-15 Jesus In The Wilderness CONCEPTS that will be cvered in the lessn Discuss why smething is tempting Highlight
More informationFoundations Dreams/Visions/Listening to God
I. Dreams and Visins Fundatins Dreams/Visins/Listening t Gd Identity - I am a friend f Gd. Numbers 12:6 If there is a prphet amng yu, I the Lrd make myself knwn t him in a visin; I speak with him in a
More informationClarifying Worship. Psalm 145
Blake Jennings Grace Bible Church Suthwd Clarifying Wrship Psalm 145 We will wrship Gd fr all eternity because it is His highest pririty fr ur lives. But d we really understand wrship? Discver the true
More informationThe Great Commission. April 26-27, Jesus gave us a special job: to show others how to follow him. Acts 1:1-11; Matthew 28:16-20
rd 3 5 April 26-27, 2014 Acts 1:1-11; Matthew 28:16-20 Cnnect Time (15 minutes): Five minutes after the service begins, split kids int grups and begin their activity. th The Great Cmmissin Jesus gave us
More informationEaster Many of us remember this account from the reciting a confession of faith common to many churches
Easter 2012 The Lrd is Risen! On the week f Passver each year, the Christian church celebrates the ccasin f Christ s passin, death and three days later His resurrectin We take a Sunday t acknwledge the
More informationEaster Welcome to the most joyful day of our Christian calendar, the day we remember our Lord s triumph over the grave
Easter 2016 Welcme t the mst jyful day f ur Christian calendar, the day we remember ur Lrd s triumph ver the grave Christians mark this day in many ways and many traditins Sme families hld egg hunts Others
More informationWhat was your take-away from Wednesday night s lesson- a new idea or concept, or a meaningful thought for you regarding prejudice?
LIFEWORK fr Lessn 9 The Ryal Law f Lve (James 2:8-13) There s a scene in the mvie A Few Gd Men where Lt. Daniel Kaffee, a military defense attrney played by Tm Cruise, is questining Cl. Nathan Jessep,
More informationGenesis 22A (2011) The testing will expose Abraham s true heart
Genesis 22A (2011) The Bible calls Abraham the father f faith Abraham is the man Paul uses as his example when he taught the way t salvatin was always by faith in Gd s prmises Abraham has seen Gd appear
More informationWhat is the purpose of an anchor? How is Jesus the Anchor of our Souls?
THEREFORE DON T FALL AWAY CHAPTER 6 FACILITATOR S NOTE Fllwing frm the authr s rebuke f the audience at the end f the previus chapter, this chapter discusses the fundatin f the faith and encurages us t
More informationDo you know Jesus Personally?
D yu knw Jesus Persnally? This sectin lks at why it is imprtant t knw the Lrd Jesus Christ persnally. When yu lk at the multitude r peple wh knw OF Jesus whm He des NOT knw intimately, it is amazing that
More informationSERIES: War is Over, The MESSAGE: Now I Live SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig SCRIPTURE: Romans 5-6
SERIES: War is Over, The MESSAGE: Nw I Live SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig SCRIPTURE: Rmans 5-6 MESSAGE SUMMARY Our wrship team has managed t put the mst salient truths f the Christian experience int this single
More informationBeing Led by the Spirit (Part 2)
Being Led by the Spirit (Part 2) This is Part 2, yu need t hear last week 1 st service particulars Use ne f the same texts we used last week t bring ut a few mre practicalities Being led by the Spirit
More informationGenesis 22B (2011) Did God really expect him to take such an unthinkable step? How will it feel to watch his son die?
Genesis 22B (2011) As Abraham stands at the tp f Mt. Mriah preparing t sacrifice his nly sn, he must have been warring with his wn fears and dubts Did Gd really expect him t take such an unthinkable step?
More informationLeader s Prep Guide. Session Overview The Session Overview is a glance at some of the big picture details of each session.
Leader s Prep Guide The Leader s Prep Guide is a ne- page glimpse f the stuff yu need t knw t begin preparing t teach the Large Grup Sessin. Sessin Overview The Sessin Overview is a glance at sme f the
More informationDOOR TO DOOR. A Door to Door Visiting Manual
DOOR TO DOOR A Dr t Dr Visiting Manual Ntes fr Participant's Hi! This shrt curse is designed t assist yu in ding dr t dr visiting r drkncking. T d the curse yu will need a cpy f these participant's ntes
More informationThe Breathing Prayer. When Catholics don t go to Mass. Breathe in God s Love Breathe out. When did Catholics stop coming to Mass every Sunday?
When Cathlics dn t g t Mass The Breathing Prayer Breathe in Gd s Lve Breathe ut When did Cathlics stp cming t Mass every Sunday? 1965: 55% at Mass every Sunday Tday: 24% at Mass every Sunday Surce: CARA
More informationColossians: Christ in YOU. Col. 1: Recite the prayer (1:9-12) Did you pray it over another believer this week?
Clssians: Christ in YOU. Cl. 1:13-14 Recite the prayer (1:9-12) Did yu pray it ver anther believer this week? Happy Valentine s Weekend! Hw did yu celebrate Valentine s Day? We nw enter int a 3-week series
More informationFaith Community Fellowship / Mount Vernon, WA / December 25, 2016
Faith Cmmunity Fellwship / Munt Vernn, WA / December 25, 2016 Luke 2:1-20 / Mary s Treasure Well we have finally reached that day which we have been anticipating fr just ver mnth nw Advent is ver and Christmas
More informationI See You! Psalm 139. Theological Level three truths about God
I See Yu! Psalm 139 Intr 1. Psalm 139 is ne f the greatest chapters in the entire Bible. 2. Michael W Smith des a dramatic reading f it at a cncert. 3. We are appraching it n tw levels thelgical (what
More information14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table.
1 Luke 22:14-30 (New Internatinal Versin) 14 When the hur came, Jesus and his apstles reclined at the table. 15 And he said t them, I have eagerly desired t eat this Passver with yu befre I suffer. 16
More informationA Race Well Run! Hebrews 12:1-3
A Race Well Run! Hebrews 12:1-3 Hw t Run and Finish Well? Hebrews 12:1-3 1 Therefre, since we are surrunded by such a great clud f witnesses, let us thrw ff everything that hinders and the sin that s easily
More informationGenesis 3D (2011) We saw last week that God never curses woman. And those punishments are severe
Genesis 3D (2011) Gd has respnded t the sin f the Garden by punishing Satan and then giving wman grace even in the midst f her suffering the cnsequences f sin The cming fallen wrld, this cuple f their
More informationNothing causes us to so nearly resemble God as the forgiveness of injuries. CHRYSOSTOM
Rck Slid: Laying the fundatin fr spiritual grwth LESSON 8 Frgiveness Nthing causes us t s nearly resemble Gd as the frgiveness f injuries. CHRYSOSTOM Discussin: PRAY FIRST: O Father, I thank thee that
More informationLesson 3: When God calls and means you
Fcused n seekers United in fellwship Cmmitted t discipleship Active in Training Tgether in Service Mdule 3 / Lessn 3: When Gd calls yu and means yu Lessn 3: When Gd calls and means yu Intrductin In lessn
More informationBUILDING AN EFFECTIVE PRAYER LIFE Prt 3
This mrning I want t cntinue with the subject matter BUILDING AN EFFECTIVE PRAYER LIFE In the last 2 weeks we cvered the fllwing 1. Yur attitude twards prayer determines its effectiveness 2. Make prayers
More informationINTRODUCTION. 1 John 3:2-3 NKJV 2
1 Title: Living in the Light f Christ s Return (Part 3) Our Behaviur in Anticipatin f Christ s Return Scripture: 1 Thessalnians 5:-24 Speaker: Senir Pastr Prince Guneratnam INTRODUCTION T be living in
More informationRomans and Racial Reconciliation
Rmans and Racial Recnciliatin Paul s letter t the Rmans summns Christians t ethnic, cultural, tribal recnciliatin with ne anther by reminding us that all f us must cme t Gd n the same terms, thrugh Jesus
More informationEvery Spiritual Blessing Ephesians 1:1-14
Blake Jennings Grace Bible Church - Suthwd Every Spiritual Blessing Ephesians 1:1-14 When life gets hard, chse gratitude. Thank Gd fr the infinite wealth f spiritual blessings He's given yu. Yu were chsen
More informationWhat If Your Mother s Day Isn t a Hallmark Movie? The Book of Ruth. Dr. Steve Horn. May 14, 2017
What If Yur Mther s Day Isn t a Hallmark Mvie? The Bk f Ruth Dr. Steve Hrn May 14, 2017 Text Intrductin: The bk f Judges and 1 Samuel is separated by Ruth, which gives an accunt f a bright spt fr Israel
More informationThe Heart of VBS: Evangelism
The Heart f VBS: Evangelism Purpse Statement This 45 minute cnference plan is designed t help cnferees renew a cmmitment t building bridges t the spiritual rphans in their cmmunity thrugh ging back t the
More informationPROACTIVE CATHOLIC SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
Institute fr Cathlic Educatin PROACTIVE CATHOLIC SCHOOL LEADERSHIP THE ONTARIO LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK AND PERSONAL LEADERSHIP RESOURCES C P C O N E W V I C E - P R I N C I PA L S E M I N A R M I C H A E
More informationHebrews 12A (2014) The writer has conclude his tour through the Hall of Faith
Hebrews 12A (2014) The writer has cnclude his tur thrugh the Hall f Faith We ve examined the lives f many Old Testament saints learning frm their examples what faith lived ut lks like The writer began
More informationUnit: Loyalty- our duty to God, the Promise Keeper
Unit: Lyalty- ur duty t Gd, the Prmise Keeper Definitin: keeping prmises f devtin, duty, r attachment t smebdy r smething Fcal Biblical Truth: Gd mdeled lyalty by the way He std by the characters in the
More informationKirk Miller 1 December 4 th, 2011 Lake Drive Baptist Church Sunday morning service
Kirk Miller 1 December 4 th, 2011 Lake Drive Baptist Church Sunday mrning service Please turn t Philippians 1:27-30 Intrductin: Jesus lves me this I knw, fr the Bible tells me s. Fr Gd s lved the wrld,
More informationPhilippians 1:21 - For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Philippians 1:18-30 Philippians 1:18 - What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense r in truth, Christ is prclaimed, and in that I rejice. Yes, and I will rejice, Paul is rejicing fr tw reasns:
More informationAdoption Know God as Father Series The Father s Aspiration From Sonship to Heirs
Adptin Knw Gd as Father Series The Father s Aspiratin Frm Snship t Heirs Intrductin: Currently we are lking at the dctrine f adptin knwing Gd as Father. Our Church Fathers summarized the dctrine f adptin
More informationThe Power of Our Thoughts and Words 1st 5th
The Pwer f Our Thughts and Wrds 1st 5th 10-16-2016 This Week s Theme: Understanding that ur thughts and wrds create ur reality fr us! Our thughts are like seeds, and we want t grw gd seeds/thughts. Teacher
More informationIdentity Issues Foolishness and Wisdom Ephesians 1:8
Identity Issues Flishness and Wisdm Ephesians 1:8 The syntax and grammar here are difficult. The text may be saying 1 f 3 things: That Gd lavished his grace n us in His wisdm and understanding (that is
More informationSmall group questions
Small grup questins Exdus 33:12-34:14 - Our cmpassinate and gracius Gd Leaders if the questins make n sense r yu dn t knw the answer please cntact the preacher! 1. As yu were grwing up, what did yu think
More informationEphesians 1D. For the last two weeks I addressed Paul s comments on God choosing us. And I knew it was (pre)destined to be controversial
Ephesians 1D Fr the last tw weeks I addressed Paul s cmments n Gd chsing us And I knew it was (pre)destined t be cntrversial But the fcus n that wrd als caused us t step away frm the big picture f Paul
More informationLIFE GROUP LEADER. diverse form / unified function
LIFE GROUP LEADER diverse frm / unified functin PURPOSE The missin fr each Life Grup is t be a safe and welcming envirnment where peple can develp meaningful friendships with each ther; the primary gal
More informationIt is for freedom that Christ has set us free. i
1 2016-07-03 West Valley Presbyterian Church Tdd Misfeldt Scripture: Galatians 5:1 and Acts 16:23 28. Tmrrw, n Mnday, July 4 th, we will celebrate the funding f ur natin, the United States f America, the
More informationWeek 6: Sword of the Spirit
Memry Verse: N Memry Verse Lessns fr the week: Mnday: N Lessn Back t Schl Night Tuesday: Swrd f the Spirit Wednesday: Temptatin f Jesus Matthew Thursday: N Lessn Reward Field Trip Week 6: Swrd f the Spirit
More informationi. We live in a day where, the ends justify the means. This is what is known as pragmatism. Many churches are walking down this slippery slope.
ï» back t title page SERIES: THE GREATNESS OF GRACE TITLE: THE EVIDENCE OF SINCERITY TEXT: GALATIANS 6:1-5 Uncmmn Stries and Illus #76 - A new lawyer came t twn. New twn. New ffice. N clients. Once day
More informationThat s one of the most difficult things to deal with as a Christian.
Intrductin Have Yu Cnsidered My Servant? Jb 1-2 Gd s deepest cmfrts are nt attached t answers. That s ne f the mst difficult things t deal with as a Christian. But Gd desn t leave us hanging, at least
More informationLESSON 4B Saving Faith and Perfect Faith
LESSON 4B Saving Faith and Perfect Faith Smetimes Running Frward is Staying Put When climbing t the tp f Mt Everest yu must stp at varius altitudes t acclimate t the altitude r yu wn t make it t the tp.
More informationWe Are Children of God
8 We Are Children f Gd All Pre-Class Arrange tables and chairs. Pray fr tnight s class. Have music playing. Take attendance. 7:00-7:20 REVIEW Chse an activity r activities frm the fllwing ideas: Review
More informationTeaching Children the Whole Counsel of God
Teaching Children the Whle Cunsel f Gd Acts 20:27 fr I did nt shrink frm declaring t yu the whle cunsel f Gd. Jill Nelsn D.A. Carsn What he [Paul] must mean is that he taught the burden f the whle f Gd
More informationReal Treasures of Heaven
252 Grups Octber 2017, Week 5 Small Grup, K-1 Real Treasures f Heaven Bible Stry: Real Treasures f Heaven (Treasures in heaven) Matthew 6:19-24 Bttm Line: Live like yu knw what really matters. Memry Verse:
More informationJesus will appear many times in the Revelation
! Revelatin 1:1-7 Intr (rise fr reading prayer) As prmised, tnight we begin ur study f the great bk f Revelatin We ll begin with Jhn s intrductin f the Revelatin t his readers But first, a quick verview
More informationGod s Master Plan Part One Election in Eternity Past
Gd s Master Plan Part One Electin in Eternity Past Last week if yu remember, we intrduced this bk - - and ne cmmentatr called it the GRAND CANYON OF SCRIPTURE And we imagined we were standing n the brink
More information1Corinthians 12C. As we believe, we are equipped by the Spirit. And He unites the body of Christ. There are a variety of ministries
1Crinthians 12C Thrugh the first ten verses f chapter 12, Paul has begun patiently teaching the church abut the nature and purpse f spiritual gifts We ve learned that spiritual gifts are a cnsequence f
More informationFamily Worship Guide Week 41
READ PRAY Family Wrship Guide Week 41 This week we cntinue ur study f First Timthy. Timthy was a yung pastr in the church at Ephesus. Paul wrte this letter t Timthy t tell him hw he shuld lead the church.
More informationA Study of Acts Chapter 2
A Study f Acts Chapter 2 I. WHY STUDY ACTS? A. We study Acts because it has implicatins fr the present-day church 1. We need a scripturally centered apprach n what Gd's intents and purpses are fr the Church.
More informationDoctrine of the Cross December 2014
Dctrine f the Crss December 2014 1. The Crss as place f Sacrifice Why des the Crss matter t yu? Recap Gd gives (Gen. 1-2) Man rejects (Gen. 3) Curse, death, wrath (Gen 3) That s hw we are brn bjects f
More informationJohn 8: Jesus and the adulteress - Author: Evert Jan Hempenius
Jhn 8:2-11 - Jesus and the adulteress - Authr: Evert Jan Hempenius 2015 www.christianstudylibrary.rg Fr any questins abut this Scripture passage r the ntes, please cntact us thrugh the Cntact Us tab n
More informationDiocese of Youngstown 75 th Anniversary Learnin g: St. Columba Grades 3-6
Dicese f Yungstwn 75 th Anniversary Learnin g: St. Clumba Grades 3-6 Objective: T explre hw t live ut ur Gspel call by learning abut the life f St. Clumba. I. Engage the life experience In yur wn wrds:
More informationGod so what? Ezekiel 36v22-28
Gd s what? Ezekiel 36v22-28 Gd evening. Glad yu culd be here. Fr the benefit f thse wh were nt here this mrning, let me quickly recapitulate. We saw frm Ezekiel first visin in Chapter 1 several things
More informationCONCORDIA UNIVERSITY LESSON PLAN (Long Form)
Student Teacher: Nicle Hemmann Grade Level: 3 Date: Dec. 17, 2015 State Standard: CPH 3.3.4 - Explre and use a variety f types f writing, such as narrative, expsitry, and persuasive texts Subject: Literacy
More information[theology foundations]
The Events f the End Times 1. The Tribulatin and the Rapture f the Church The Fact f the Tribulatin because thse will be days f distress unequaled frm the beginning, when Gd created the wrld, until nw
More informationWho Were the Wise Men - Matthew 2:1-12
Wh Were the Wise Men - Matthew 2:1-12 One Christmas, mm decided that she was n lnger ging t remind her children t write their thank-yu ntes fr the gifts they receive. As a result, their grandmther never
More informationSERIES: What's Next? MESSAGE: What's Next? SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig SCRIPTURE: Revelation 1
SERIES: What's Next? MESSAGE: What's Next? SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig SCRIPTURE: Revelatin 1 MESSAGE SUMMARY Peple have always been fascinated with the future and what's next. As we study prphecy, we can't
More informationI Talk With God! Unitots 8/30/2015
I Talk With Gd! Unitts 8/30/2015 This Week s Theme: Explring hw talking t Gd and listening t Gd in prayer helps us feel safe and guided. Teacher Insights: Our emphasis n this Sunday will be t prvide the
More informationChapter 14: God in three persons: The Trinity
Chapter 14: Gd in three persns: The Trinity Hw can Gd be three persns, yet ne Gd? Frm Systematic Thelgy by Wayne Grudem Explanatin and Scriptural Basis Gd eternally exists as three persns, Father, Sn,
More informationThe Church at Brook Hills Dr. Jim Shaddix April 21, Corinthians 2:1-5
Small Grup Guide The Church at Brk Hills Dr. Jim Shaddix April 21, 2013 1 Crinthians 2:1-5 Use this resurce as a tl t help Christ-fllwers mve frward in their spiritual grwth. T d this well requires that
More informationSaturday, May 29, 2010 Great Lakes Grace Bible Conference How to Pray: The Pauline
1 Saturday, May 29, 2010 Great Lakes Grace Bible Cnference Hw t Pray: The Pauline Prayer Paradigm Purpse: Demnstrate hw we shuld pray tday (nt hw we shuld nt pray). Explain the purpse and effect f prayer
More informationFoundations Creation, the Gospel & New Identity
I. Typical Creatin Questins Fundatins Creatin, the Gspel & New Identity Identity - I am a new creatin. I am redeemed. I belng t Gd. Where did Gd cme frm? Hw did peple live s lng (and what abut the dinsaurs)?
More informationLake Families Bible Memory 2018
Equipping Families with the Wrd f Gd At Lake Bible Church, we believe that parents are the primary evangelists and disciplers f their children (Deut. 6:4-9; Pss. 78; Prv. 1-6; Eph. 6:4). This resurce has
More informationLECTURE 19: EXISTENTIALISM
LECTURE 19: EXISTENTIALISM Existentialism is primarily interested in the fllwing: The questin f existence What is it t exist? (what is it t live?) Questins abut human existence Wh am I? What am I? Hw shuld
More informationThe Reason for Easter
Blake Jennings Grace Bible Church Suthwd The Reasn fr Easter Galatians 4:4-7 The reasn fr Easter - the reasn Jesus died and rse frm the dead - is s that we culd belng t the family f Gd. He redeemed us
More informationIn the Gospels, Jesus tells of the end of the age, will be the final Judgement.
Speaker: Title: Prince Guneratnam The Judgment Seat f Christ INTRODUCTION The Judgement Seat f Christ will be the next event nce the Rapture takes place. Only believers will be at this Judgement t receive
More informationWeek 1 June 3/4, 2017
Elementary Week 1 June 3/4, 2017 Bttm Line Keep Ging Even When it Gets Hard! Staging: Purple Generic CF Kids Backdrp 24x36 Bttm Line Signs Fun Lighting Giant Fam Bard Maze (Optinal) Game Materials Needed
More information