When a Church Prays

Have you ever longed to break through the barriers and limitations in life in order to experience a life transformed by God? I know I have. According to Scripture, the earliest followers of Jesus asked Him to teach them to pray. Prayer is the tool we have that can help us break through every barrier, every limitation in our life. Probably one of our greatest weaknesses as a church is our weakness in prayer, our reluctance to pray. I know for me, prayer is one of the elements I neglect and struggle with in my daily life, something I don’t spend enough time being part of. Would you say that this is true in your life?

Prayer is (and needs to be) a priority in our lives. Prayer is one of the significant ministries of the church. This morning we will look at what happens when a church prays and hopefully we will be encouraged and empowered to be a church that prays.

Acts 4:23-31- When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit,‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’ for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

1) Prayer is a Response to God’s Grace (Acts 4:23-28).
When Peter and John were released from prison, they joined the other Christians in Jerusalem. When they were set free, they didn’t hold a conference, try to find a way to keep from getting arrested again, or plan a retaliation- No, they prayed. Prayer is the natural response of the Believer to God’s Grace.

2) Prayer Is A Request (Acts 4:29).
Notice that the early Church’s request centers on obedience to God and to the task of witnessing for God. They didn’t pray, “keep us free, safe, and don’t let us get caught again.” Instead they prayed- The Bobble- “Lord, help us keep the main thing, the main thing. Help us stay on task and get on with the Job of proclaiming the Gospel”. We need to constantly be praying for boldness in proclaiming the Gospel. Because, the good news of Jesus is the only way our city is going to experience hope, joy, peace, purpose and change!

3) Prayer Is A Resource (Acts 4:30).
The early church prayed with expectancy. They expected God to do something amazing. They knew that there was an adequate and powerful resource, and they claimed it. They claimed the power of God in Jesus- this same power is available to all Believers. All of God’s resources are available to us through prayer.

4) Prayer Produces Results (Acts 4:31).
The early church had prayed in v.29 for boldness in speaking the Word of God. In v.31 we are told that they spoke the Word of God with Boldness.

Conclusion- What Results from Prayer?
A) We Experience the Presence of God.
B) We Experience the Power of God.
C) We Receive Boldness for Ministry.

Closing- When a church prays, that church can Experience boldness in ministry. A major ministry of the church is prayer. As we’ve seen through Scripture today, when a church prays…it has power.

When A Church Worships

Have you ever wondered why we do what we do as a church? What does this church really consist of? This month we will be looking at what the Bible says church could and should be about. We will examine how if we as ordinary people simply follow God’s blueprint and put into practice what the Bible teaches, will experience an environment and community that fulfills people’s needs, as well as God’s desire for His church.

This morning we will look at how the very first church in Acts wasn’t caught up in the things that are prevalent in “church” today. There were no fancy programs or paraphernalia; instead we see them busy doing what Jesus called and commissioned them to do. Today we will look why the church worships.

Acts 2:42-47- "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."

1) There’s a Designated Time for Worship (Acts 2:46-47).
Worship is all about Jesus. The first church dedicated a time to praise and worship Jesus. We start with a time of praise & worship at the beginning of our weekly service. Praise and Worship are parts of our service, not killing time before the preaching.
*We all need to designate time for worship daily!

2) There is a Purpose for Worship (John 20:19-20).
Notice that the disciples were glad to see Jesus. We, too, want to see Jesus when we worship. There is a time when we need to move aside all of the other things in life that crowd out Jesus. We worship at the beginning of our service to prepare our hearts to respond to all God has done in our lives, in thanksgiving, and expectation of the message He has prepared to speak to us.

3) Jesus is the Center of Worship (Matthew 18:20).
Jesus’ presence as our focus is what sets worship apart from any other gathering.

4) The Product of Worship (John 20:21-22).
A) We Receive Comfort & Peace from Jesus.
B) We Receive a Commission to Serve Jesus.
C) We Receive the Spirit of Power from Jesus.

The Holy Spirit gives us the power to receive the forgiveness of our sins through Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection; and empowers us to be the witnesses for Jesus, to share with others the forgiveness we’ve personally experienced and accepted.

Closing- Worship is the stating point of a Church’s Ministry (that’s why we begin and end our service with Worship). When a church worships Jesus, wonderful things happen: people find forgiveness, friends, community, support, purpose & encouragement. When a church worships, lives are transformed, destinies are changed, needs are met and Jesus is glorified.

Things You Never Expected To See In Church

I never expected to see a guy get hit in the head with an offering plate. Luckily it was actually an offering bag (thanks Baptists') and the guy who got hit was actually me. Total accident, and the lady that scrambled my eggs was so sorry. As I reflected on the hilarious event (tuning out the pastors sermon completely), I wondered if God wanted me to give more? I've heard that sometimes God has to knock you around to get your attention, but this was ridiculous! I think I did get the picture though, so next Sunday I'll be putting in 2 checks! Thanks for the reminder God...no further lesson is required!

Check out this Tim Hawkins Christmas Carol

Encountering the Mysteries of God (Part 12)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts. Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.

Paul seems to want to focus on three big ideas in these concluding verses:
1) We can be strong because we are empowered by God's strength (v.10).
2) We can stand against the enemy because we stand under God's power (v.11-23).
3) Grace comes to all who love Jesus (v.24).

Everything we do in this life is done by the power of God. Our coming to Him is by His effectual call when we are regenerated by the Holy Spirit, our acceptance is by His irresistible Grace, and our perseverance is continued by the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul makes this clear as he points everything back to the all sufficient, sovereign will and power of God.

In verses 10-20, Paul gives us the practical or "what now" ways that we prepare for the spiritual battle that each of us faces in this life. The certainty of this battle is clear, and Paul makes the point that everyone (whether in Christ or not) will fight in this battle. The question is, "do we want to fight on our own or do we want the King to fight for us?" Those who put their faith and trust in Jesus, who have been called by the Father, have the certain victory. Those who reject the saving Grace that Jesus brings, choose to fight an enemy they can't possible beat. The reality for believers is that we fight this battle in and through the power of God. He gives us the strength to do these things, and the responsibility of doing them with the intent of growing us deeper and closer to Himself in relationship. The natural outcome of the work He does in us is worship, to glorify Himself. The heart of God is for us to know Him deeper, to trust Him fully with every part of our lives, thus showing that He is ultimate for us; that we constantly desire Him and His Glory. Our glory does not enter into the equation, it's all about Him.

The question that this brings up in my heart is, "what or who do I worship?" "Is it Jesus? Is it someone or something other than God?" Answering this question will be key in our spiritual development. We must realize that God wants to know us deeper, He wants to love and provide for us. Why don't we want to know Him more? Do situations and circumstances dictate our relationship with God? These are the questions I have been asking for the past few months, and honestly some of the answer have been disappointing and sad. I'm learning what I hold as ultimate in my life, and often (I'm sad to say) it's not God. Coming to this realization and revelation breaks my heart, but perhaps that's what God is doing to bring about my regeneration and sanctification. I pray as Paul did, that I might draw closer to Jesus in everything I do, and that the Gospel will be evident in my life, for the Glorification of God and the reconciling of others to Him!

Encountering the Mysteries of God (Part 11)

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.

The issue here in Ephesians 6:1-9, is submission. Paul has just laid out the orders for husbands and wives; and now turns to children to parents; slaves to masters; masters to slaves; and how parents should deal with their children.

God doesn’t judge on the basis of if you are a slave, child, parent, master, etc. He judges and rewards every faithful person equally. The issue is to be Biblical in everything we do, as if whatever it is (honoring our parents, or raising our kids), is done to and for God Himself and His Glorification. That’s what Paul wants us to get here– that everything we do should be done because we get to serve God, represent Him, and that ultimately our actions will bring Glory to God. I like to think of it by way of challenge: Look at everything God has put me over (family, parents, church, job) as if it were His not mine (because all of it is His, we are just stewards) and look for ways to glorify God in everything I do.

Paul is speaking in regards to the 4th commandment. God uses the 4th Commandment to show us how we fall short of God’s plan and how we cannot always do what is required of us from Scripture. If we examine our lives we must all admit that we have broken the 4th Commandment more times and in more ways than we can imagine. That’s why we need Jesus! Jesus is our Savior! Jesus has come to give us the long life that we can’t earn for ourselves. Notice that Jesus kept the 4th Commandment perfectly for us. Not only did Jesus honor his earthly parents perfectly. Even more, Jesus honored His heavenly Father perfectly.

Jesus obeyed His Father and went to the cross to suffer and die for all our sins – including our failure to keep the 4th Commandment. If you struggle with guilt because of times you did not honor your parents; if you are burdened with guilt because you have not been the perfect mother or father, you can come to Jesus and know that you are forgiven and holy before God.

This same Jesus who forgives you and covers you with His own perfection, this same Jesus will give you a new heart that longs to keep the 4th Commandment. In fact, that’s what Paul means when he tells children to obey their parents “in the Lord.” Paul knows that we can’t obey the 4th Commandment no matter how hard we try. Only Jesus who forgives us and loves us can help us to begin to obey this Commandment. So, confess your sins to God and know that He forgives you. Jesus will help you to honor your parents.

As God’s mercy and love moves us to obey the 4th Commandment, we will have peace in our homes and, in turn, we will be a blessing to our communities. But even more, we can look forward to a long, eternal life with our True Father in heaven who serves us now through the authorities He has placed over us.

Encountering the Mysteries of God (Part 10)

"Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

The apostle Paul takes nine verses to speak about the husbands duty as protector, provider, and pastor for the wife; and only three verses to talk about the wife's responsibility to her husband. Husbands are to love their wives in a self-sacrificing way. To give ourselves up for our wives. The reality is that I (we as husbands and men) need to come to this kind of understanding if I want my marriage to not only work, but be spectacular!

I need to put my wife's needs above my own and I need to love her. It's important that I meditate on what it means to lay my life down for my wife. It all begins with my understanding of the love and self-sacrifice that God has made by sending Jesus to be my substitute. When I'm able to wrap my mind and heart around the ultimate sacrifice that was made for my salvation, for God's plan of reconciliation to affect me, then and only then will I know how to love my wife. When I experience what the cross meant to the Father and to the Son, then giving up my life for the one I love most on this planet isn't actually that impossible. I know that because I'm in a constant state of Sanctification, though not perfect yet, God has equipped me to sacrifice what is most important to my flesh for my wife. I know I will not always do this perfectly, but thanks to the work of the Holy Spirit, I'm actually getting better (by God's grace and my wife's willingness to push through the difficult things).

If (and that's the big word), if I can love my wife and sacrifice my fleshly wants for material things, physical/sexual desires, and emotional needs, then I have taken the first step in leading her as pastor, protector and provider. Paul's point is that Biblical Submission becomes less of "I have to do this" and more of "I get to do this." Paul seems to lay this out as cause and effect. Submission to the husbands lead will flow out of the wife's love for Jesus, Scripture, and her husband.

My encouragement this week is to take some time and meditate on what it means to love and sacrifice myself for my wife. Ask God to reveal what this kind of love looks like in the life of the Christians husband. How do I love my wife?