Prevailing Prayer
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20 Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.”
22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Sermon Series: Faith According to Jesus
Outline of Today’s Sermon:
Title: Prevailing Prayer.
Part I: The Withered Fig Tree
A. Lesson of Fruitlessness (Israel and the Christian)
B. Prelude to An Object Lesson of Faith
Part II: The Lesson on Faith - Requirements of Prevailing Prayer
A. First Requirement: Have Faith in God
B. Second Requirement: Face Obstacles Head On
C. Third Requirement: Do Not Doubt
Part III: The Assurance of Prevailing Prayer
A. The Scope of Prevailing Prayer.
B. The Recipients of Answered Prayer.
C. The Ticket to Answered Prayer.
Conclusion
Part I: The Withered Fig Tree
Background
Symbolizing Israel (verses) — but can represent the dangers of fruitlessness.
Warning against fruitlessness.
Preface this sermon with: (let congregation read)
God’s will for us is that we live A fruitful life in God and for God. So that He will be glorified in your life.
Not material — that is beneath what God wants for you.
If you pray only for material wealth, if earthly riches are the end desires and motivation of your prayers — that is way beneath the standard of blessing that the Lord has for you!
— The things that are seen are temporary and the things that are not seen are eternal! Opportunities to bless God’s work..
things that don’t make a lot of sense.. That is why we have missionaries — that is why we moved to this place.
Wisdom of God in this story --- prelude — the Lord Jesus is about to use this as another object lesson of faith in prevailing prayer.
Part II: The Lesson on Faith
First requirement of Prevailing Prayer: Have Faith in God.
The Faith of Christ
Greater things you will do:
12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.
What happened? Why is this not a reality today? Examples of false faith healers, televangelists.
Many Christians lack power today, not because God denies them that power..
Reasons Why Christians Lack Power Today:
a. their minds are filled with the material interests of life.
b. their hearts are devoid of the things of God.
c. they are not filled with the Holy Spirit
The outcome: They lack faith.
3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
Faith itself is a gift from God. (will talk more later..)
Second Requirement of Prevailing Prayer: Face Obstacles Head On.
The New King James Version Chapter 11
For
23 a Pronouncement assuredly, I say to you,
b Condition (g) whoever says to this mountain,
c Command ‘Be removed
d Command and be cast into the sea
What is this mountain.. they may be standing on the Mount of Olives --- from there they can see the Dead Sea..
Mountains represent obstacles in life --- problems that you face
From Isaiah 40 “every valley will be lifted up and every mountain and hill made low”.
(talk)
Third Requirement of Prevailing Prayer: Do not doubt.
The New King James Version Chapter 11
and does not doubt in his heart,
f Suggestion but believes that those things he says will be done,
g Implication he will have whatever he says.
do not doubt in his heart - you all came here with a measure of faith...
UNUSED faith
20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
Unbelief does not mean no faith --- it means little faith. How many times have Jesus told His disciples “O you of little faith?”
Jesus never accused the disciples of not having any faith, but, rather, He encouraged them to use the faith that they did have in order that it would grow!
They had faith, however, it was like a seed unplanted. They had a measure of faith, but they were not using it! UNUSED Faith
"he will have whatever he says” - we have to be careful with the dangers of “confession theology” that disappointed many.. the power of the positive confession — not talking about that..
“claim material wealth” it is not about selfish comfort --
WE CLAIM THE PROMISES OF GOD BY FAITH!
Like I preface, God’s desire is that you bear much fruit --- it is about the coming Kingdom of God.
Part III. The Assurance of Prevailing Prayer.
24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Therefore - What it is there for.. now having understood the requirements of prevailing prayer.
Beautiful promise --- just believe.. but we have to be careful and break this down.
a. The Scope of Prevailing Prayer.
Whatever --- does that mean that we can ask God for anything? What can we ask God? — interpret scripture with scripture..
14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
Our prayers should be in accordance to the will of God. (talk)
Remember the preface in the beginning of this sermon.. (repeat)
God’s will for us is that we live a fruitful life in God and for God. So that He will be glorified in your life.
We saw the scope of prevailing prayer.. who then are..
b. The recipients of answered prayer.
Who are the you??? There is a profound truth, those chosen by the Lord — and then being appointed by Him --- appointed to do what??
16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
You see the relationship between bearing fruit — lasting fruit — and answered prayer or prevailing prayer..
c. The ticket to answered prayer.
Praying in the Name of Jesus… this involves a relationship to the Father..
bearing fruit… glorifying God..
It starts with being chosen by God and being appointed by Him..
44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.
Giving your life to the Lord requires repentance..