Expand My Land

Adrian Rogers Sermon Archive C. The Protection of Jabez’s Prayer

Mike Kolen, who played linebacker for the Miami Dolphins, told me, “When I graduated from Auburn University, Coach Shug Jordan said to me, ‘Mike, will you do some scouting for me?’ ” He said, “Sure, Coach.” Now, ladies, scouting means to find high school players that know how to play football. He said, “Sure, Coach. What kind of a man do you need?” He said, “Well, Mike, you know, there’s a guy: You knock him down, and he just stays there.” Mike said, “We don’t want him, do we, Coach?” He said, “No sir.” But he said, “Mike, there’s a guy: You knock him down, and then he gets up, and then you knock him down, and he stays there.” Mike said, “Well, I don’t think we want him either, do we, Coach?” He said, “No sir.” But he said, “Mike, there’s a kind of guy: You knock him down, he gets up; you knock him down, he gets up; you knock him down, he gets up; you knock him down, he gets up.” Mike said, “Boy, that’s the one we want, isn’t it, Coach?” He said, “No sir, we don’t want him, either.” He said, “I want you to find that guy that’s knocking everybody down; that’s the guy I want.” •

This guy who is knocking everybody down is the special one out of all these other guys.

What made him special? He got good at something and then just kept doing it!

I want to talk about another great guy tonight that was special for one reason! He loved the Lord. Out of over 500 names, he is the only one who ended up with his own 2 verses.

The Prayer of Jabez - Book by Bruce Wilkinson

talks about 500 people and then Jabez

Formula for Greatness

1 Chronicles 4:9–10 NKJV

Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.

1 Chronicles

Jabez listed with more than 500 other names

*Scan all the scriptures with all the names and then stop on Jabez

Wait a MINUTE! This guy’s more than a Name for YOU! Pay attention!

Why is Jabez pointed out!

If He a favorite of God?

1 Samuel 2:30 NKJV

Therefore the Lord God of Israel says: ‘I said indeed that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever.’ But now the Lord says: ‘Far be it from Me; for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.

3 Things to notice about Jabez

Jabez’s Desire - He wants to be GREAT for God

Jabez wanted a KING SIZE Blessing

Enlarge my territory! Make it BIG GOD!!!

He was GRATEFUL, But He wanted to do more for GOD. He wanted BIGGER Opportunities. He wanted to be stretched!

Now you said this morning not to over do it, not to overload yourself and tonight you are telling us to ask God to Stretch Us!

That’s Right! Stretch you is different than overloading yourself with activities.

Now, what again is it that Jabez is wanting to be GREAT for? If it for Himself or for God?

Jeremiah 45:5 NKJV

And do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I will bring adversity on all flesh,” says the Lord. “But I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go.” ’ ”

Matthew 20:26 NKJV

Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.

Adrian Rogers Sermon Archive I. Jabez’s Sanctified Ambition

God does not judge a man by how many servants he has, but by how many men he serves.

Paul Seeks Greatness

Philippians 3:14 NKJV

I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians

1 Corinthians 9:24 NKJV

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.

We are so talented and blessed with tremendous abilities. Are we using those for the Lord? Are you using those for the Lord? What is it you can do to be Great for God?

Who am I? Who was Jabez? He grew up under the title PAIN! Suffering and Pain is the way Jabez was introduced to the world.

Jabez’s Declaration - His Prayer - Out of everyone listed, Jabez is the only one praying.

He prayed specifically!

He prayed with Purpose - I want more blessing - Stretch me - Bigger you are, More God can fill

, ,

He prayed with Power - He asked for God’s hand to be on him

He prayed with Protection - Keep me from Evil - We fail when we stop praying

Adrian Rogers Sermon Archive C. The Protection of Jabez’s Prayer

Mike Kolen, who played linebacker for the Miami Dolphins, told me, “When I graduated from Auburn University, Coach Shug Jordan said to me, ‘Mike, will you do some scouting for me?’ ” He said, “Sure, Coach.” Now, ladies, scouting means to find high school players that know how to play football. He said, “Sure, Coach. What kind of a man do you need?” He said, “Well, Mike, you know, there’s a guy: You knock him down, and he just stays there.” Mike said, “We don’t want him, do we, Coach?” He said, “No sir.” But he said, “Mike, there’s a guy: You knock him down, and then he gets up, and then you knock him down, and he stays there.” Mike said, “Well, I don’t think we want him either, do we, Coach?” He said, “No sir.” But he said, “Mike, there’s a kind of guy: You knock him down, he gets up; you knock him down, he gets up; you knock him down, he gets up; you knock him down, he gets up.” Mike said, “Boy, that’s the one we want, isn’t it, Coach?” He said, “No sir, we don’t want him, either.” He said, “I want you to find that guy that’s knocking everybody down; that’s the guy I want.” •

Jabez’s Delight - God answered

Psalm 37:4 NKJV

Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.