Becoming_a_Person_of_Prayer_3

Becoming a Person of Prayer 3—Luke 6:12-13

Intro…

• Daily we have to be prepared to make decisions—pray.
• But what do we do for the decisions that aren’t everyday decisions?—Pray.
• ETS: Jesus prayed before He had to make important decisions.
• ESS: We also need to pray before we make the big decisions in life.

I. Life doesn’t stop for the big decisions—12a.

• “In these days…”
• Jesus had call the disciples—5:1-11
• Jesus dealt w/people—5:33-6:11
• Despite the big decisions He had to make, life went on.
• I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought…
• I’ve got so many things to do, but I just don’t have time to prepare for it—pray about it.
• Here in these verses the Lord’s example teaches us something…
• Think about & meditate over these truths that you may practice & teach others to practice them…

II. Praying about big decisions—12-13.

• The place of Jesus’ prayer—12a.
• “he went out to the mountain to pray”
• He made an intentional decision.—Prayer takes discipline.
• God works a lot on mountains in & thru His people…
• Abraham sacrifices Isaac—Gen. 22:2
• God called Moses on Mount Horeb—Ex. 3:1
• 10 Commandments given on—Ex. 19-20
• Elijah called down fire…
• Transfiguration—Mark 9:2
• Jesus met the disciples on a mountain—Matt. 28
• So Jesus went to a mountain to pray.
• The length of Jesus’ prayer—12b
• “and all night he continued in prayer to God”
• Talk about sacrifice!!
• This was a big decision—choosing the 12 who would be the leaders of the church.
• The result of Jesus’ prayer—13.
• Leadership to make the right decision—Who to call as apostles/sent ones.

Application…

• Big decisions require big sacrifice…
• Do you think Jesus could have used sleep?
• This is the principle that runs disciples away.—It’s tough.
• Anything worth having requires sacrifice.
• Big decisions + sacrificial prayer = obedience to God’s will.
• Not perfect results (Judas was a devil, not a disciple.
• God is able to work things our for His will, but…
• How many pastors would you not have called, student pastors, deacons  not ordained
• Go to the mountains to spend time with the Lord!