The Church That God Blesses

Foundation Scriptures: Luke 11:

Introduction

What is the Church

a. Not a building

b. Not a denomination

2. The Church is the people - The Church is the one, universal, many-membered, corporate Body of Christ.

3. What should the Church do?

I. First and foremost - the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ should be a ‘house of prayer’

7 these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”” (Isaiah 56:7, ESV)

17 And he (Jesus) was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.”” (Mark 11:17, ESV)

II. Where do we start?

1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;” (1 Timothy 2:1–8, ESV)

III. What does that look like?

A. Ask God to teach you to pray

1 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” 2 And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread, 4 and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.”” (Luke 11:1–4, ESV)

B. What does that look like?

5 And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, 6 for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. 9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”” (Luke 11:5–13, ESV)

C. How long do we pray?

1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’ ” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”” (Luke 18:1–8, ESV)

faith is pistis - here it means faithfulness.

When the Son of Man comes, will he find faithfulness on earth?

In this context Jesus is not asking will people be believing in Him; rather, He is assking whether He will find His people living faithful to His call to be a praying people - a house of prayer!

IV. How did the disciples pray?

1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.” (Acts 3:1, ESV)

2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” (Colossians 4:2, ESV)

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6, ESV)

V. Wesley on prayer

A. Wesley prayed 2 hours a day

1. Wesley required his preachers to pray 2 hours a day.

2. If you are too busy to pray then you are too busy!

B. Wesley quotes:

“God does nothing but in answer to prayer.”

“Whenever God wants to do something, He firsts sets His people to praying.”

VI. Call to action

20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ ”” (Revelation 3:20–22, ESV)