Christ: The way of prayer
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Christ the way!
Christ the way!
Christ is so much more than just the way to the Father. This series has been looking at that and hopefully will continue to grow us as we look at how Christ is the way.
He is the way to God (Jn14:6)
The way the truth and the life, no other way
He is the way to Life (Jn10:10)
life full, more abundantly
He is the way to truth (Jn14:6)
Jesus is truth, the word is Truth and it is truth that makes you free (Jn8:31-32)
He is the way to love (Jn3:16; 1Jn4:16)
For God sent love (Jesus) and God is love (Jesus)
The way to joy (Jn14:11)
The way to full joy, His joy in You!
The way to peace (Jn14:27)
Makes peace, gives peace, leaves peace!
This morning we will continue to look at Christ is the way, today the way of prayer, for there is power in prayer.
I don’t think anyone would argue if they know the bible at all that Jesus was a man of prayer, who taught others to pray and called for others to pray without losing heart. Then the Apostles did the same thing. Prayer is a vital tool in our walk with Christ that we cannot afford to leave in the tool chest and not use it on a regular basis.
This morning we will look at:
Christ is the way of prayer
The power of prayer
Christ the way of prayer
Christ the way of prayer
The way of prayer, the importance of prayer, the priority of prayer was exampled in prayer by Jesus. He also taught about prayer, intercedes in prayer and that led to the apostles doing the same by example and teaching.
Jesus was a man of prayer
He sought out quiet times, places to pray (Mk1:35, 6:46)
35 In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.
He would seek out a secluded place to pray, even up on a mountain to pray (MK6:46) - He made prayer a priority
He prayed for direction, special occasions (Lk6:12, 22:39-46)
12 It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God.
On the night before choosing the apostles He spent the night in prayer. Then on the night he was betrayed he went to the Father in prayer in the garden (Lk22:39-46)
He used prayer to acknowledge and to give thanks (Mt11:25; Jn11:41)
(Transition) Think about this, Jesus did not ask people to do what He was not personally doing. Jesus was a man of prayer, setting an example for us that we too should be people of prayer. He did not just set an example, He taught on it.
Jesus taught others to pray
How they should pray by giving an exampled prayer (Lk11:1-4; Mt6:9-13)
In Mt6:9-13 you can find Jesus instructions on an exampled prayer, but in Luke we get a little more about why.
1 It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John also 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 also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.’ ”
That prayer needed to be persistent and humble (Lk11:5-13, 18:1-8, 9-14)
In Lk11 you can read about the persistent friend used as an illustration about the need for persistent prayer.
You can read something similar to that in Lk18:1-8 too, but then down a few verses later look what more we can learn when it comes to prayer that Jesus was using an illustration to prove the need for humility in prayer too.
9 And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
(Transition) So, if we are disciples of Jesus Christ, a disciple being a follower, an ad-hearer to the teacher, we would best be taking the teaching on prayer and apply.
Jesus intercedes for us in prayer
For He is our merciful and faithful High Priest (Heb2:17-18)
17 Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.
He makes it possible for us to boldly approach the throne (Heb4:14-16)
He is our great high priest who has been tempted of all things yest did not sin, he can sympathize with us and we can draw near. Oh wait, let me give you that verse.
16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
He is our intercessor and advocate (Heb7:25; Rom8:34; 1Jn2:1)
He lives to make intersession for us.
25 Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
He sits at the right hand of God and intercedes for us (Rom8:34)
And John reminds and encourages the children of God that we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, when we sin.
(Transition) Jesus and the Spirits involvement in our prayers is where we find the power of prayer! but before we get to the power we still need to touch on the apostles example and teaching.
Apostles stressed by by example
Praying for others, and giving thanks in prayer (Eph1:15-16; Php1:4; Col1:9; 1The1:2)
15 For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers;
In Php1:4 always offering prayer with joy
Praying for knowledge, wisdom and discernment (Col1:9)
Mentioning one another in prayer (1The1:2)
(Transition) The importance of prayer for one another as example by the apostles is taught by them also.
Teaching to pray for others (Eph6:18; Col4:2; 1The5:17-18)
Colossians says to be devoted and be alert in prayer
In Thessalonians it says, without ceasing, in everything
Now look at Ephesians
18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,
Here to keep in context a couple of bonus verses not on the outline but important nonetheless.
19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
(Transition) Now sine we know the way of prayer, now may we shift to the power of prayer?
The power of prayer
The power of prayer
There are an assortment of benefits to the power of prayer in the life of the believer.
The power of forgiveness (1Jn1:7-10; Act8:22)
7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.
I think we have used that passage in 1Jn many times over, I don’t need to expand on it except to say Thank You Jesus!
Power of prayer that leads to repentance
22 “Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you.
The power of peace of mind (Php4:6-7)
Our prayer requests can bring us protection and peace, check it out:
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
The power of strengthening (Eph3:14-16)
Paul in knowledge, wisdom, understanding of the power of prayer bent his knee on behalf of others.
16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,
And if you want to keep in context you start in (v.14-19) and then here is a bonus verse for you, regarding the power of prayer
20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,
and the reason why
21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
The power of opportunity (1Cor3:5; 2Cor2:12; 1Cor16:9; Col4:3-4)
Paul, Apollos are but servants of God (1Cor3:5) who look for open doors for the gospel of Christ (2Cor2:12) and for effective service (1Cor16:9) and then also for the word.
3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; 4 that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.
The power of boldness (Act4:23-31; Eph6:19-20)
The passage in Acts is a little lengthy but look how situation led to some seriousness and boldness in prayer.
23 When they had been released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, “O Lord, it is You who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them,
25 who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said, ‘Why did the Gentiles rage, And the peoples devise futile things? 26 ‘The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the Lord and against His Christ.’
27 “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, 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur.
29 “And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, 30 while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.”
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.
I will allow you, encourage you to read the Ephesians passage but to keep in context maybe back up to (vv.18-20)
The power of wisdom (Jm1:5-8)
The power of prayer seeking godly wisdom.
5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
The power of healing (Jm5:14-16)
The power of prayer can bring healing
14 Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; 15 and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.
16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
This power is not tapped into by faith and obedience much, and we need to be a family the prayerfully considers all the scripture and commands.
The power of tranquility (Dan4:17; Rom13:1-7; 1Tim2:1-2)
Scripture teaches us that God has ultimate power and control over the nations
17 “This sentence is by the decree of the angelic watchers And the decision is a command of the holy ones, In order that the living may know That the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, And bestows it on whom He wishes And sets over it the lowliest of men.”
You can read the instructions given regarding the authorities and authority given and what we are to do in Rom13:1-7, but look at what else we are to do when it comes to prayer
1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
What we are to do, pray, what will be the prayers results, a tranquil and quiet line in all godliness and dignity.
(Transition) Isn’t that what we want, to live a peaceful, tranquil life?
(Transition) - We have looked at the way of prayer by Jesus example, teaching, the apostles example and teaching. We have looked at the power of prayer and many of the benefits, blessings of it. So now closing thought and scripture.
We need to be fervent and frequent in our prayers if we want to receive the blessings that God has for us.
May WE follow the examples given and taught so that
We do not lose heart (Lk18:1)
So, be vigilant in it with thanksgiving (Col4:2)
And do it without ceasing (1The5:17)
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;
3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned;
May we join in this prayer today?
(Encouragement slide: Be devoted in payer slide previously used in Proclaim Before here)
Help us be devoted, alert
That there may be open doors for us to speak the mystery of Christ.
Jain in prayer that the lord bring those in need of salvation and those in need of encouragement today.
(Invitation slide) (Song) (Exit)