G 12/26/99 SM

The Heathen are Coming Series # 003

PRAY & SEEK GOD’S FACE — 2 Chr 7:14

Prayer is not prayer unless you are seeking the Lord. The Spirit tells us in {2Ch20:3} that Jehoshaphat “Set himself to seek the Lord;” How did he go about to seek the Lord? “by prayer and supplication, with all seriousness, fervor, and constancy,” {OLG}. Many pray without ever seeking the Lord’s face, BUT GOD DOES NOT HEAR THAT KIND OF PRAYING! No matter how elegant, beautiful, humble the words may seem, God does not hear them that do not seek Him! “But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find [him], if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul,” (Deu 4:29).

I. SEEK THE LORD’S FACE DILIGENTLY & FERVENTLY!

1. A prayer that is Effectual & Fervent: Jam 5:16

A. It is a prayer that has effect upon us, and that we are deeply moved by: 2 Chr 20:1-4

a. He set as his priority—to seek the Lord.

b. He set as the priority of his kingdom—to seek the Lord.

c. All the people set themselves to seek the Lord.

2. Seek the Lord because God says to: Psa 27:7

A. David’s ferventness is seen by his prayer: Psa 27:9

3. Seek the Lord and Live! Amos 5:4-8

II. SEEK THE LORD’S FACE BECAUSE OF SIN.

1. Daniel Sought God’s Face for Israel: Dan 9:2-11

A. Job prayed for His children, and we ought to pray for ours.

2. God turns His back on the Backsliders: Hos 5:14-6:2

3. Pride often keep us from seeking Lord: Hos 7:10-16

A. In our Pride we will look to everyone, and everywhere but God to for our deliverance.

B. When we become like a deceitful, one which cannot be depended on, one that has no use in combat, one that will never hit the mark, etc.

4. It is time to wake up and Live for God: Rom 13:11-13

III. SEEK GOD’S FACE IN PRAISE!

1. Seek God to Praise & extol Him: 1 Chr 16:7-12

2. Seek the Lord wherever the Word of God is taught: Zec 8:20-22

A. We are to continue in fellowship with one another, the word, etc.: Acts 2:42

B. The Disciples gather together on the first day of the week: Acts 20:7

C. We are to provoke to love and good works &: Heb 10:24-25

a. We are to exhort one another that we all might be the people of God we ought to be: Heb 3:13

3. Praise God with our moderation: Php 4:5

4. Praise God by Looking for the Coming of the Lord: Jam 5:8

A. Do not get discouraged as we wait on the Lord: 2 Pet 3:9

B. Look up for your redemption draweth nigh.

“And that, knowing the time, that now [it is] high time to awake out of sleep: for now [is] our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to [fulfil] the lusts [thereof],” (Rom 13:11-14). It is not time to be sleeping, but to be living for the Lord!

2 Chr 7:14