Power in Prayer
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Hello and welcome back!
We are in a series on the book of Acts, maybe the most exciting books of the Bible. Acts is where the church begins. It starts with Jesus giving the church a mission right before ascending up to heaven.
We began our series by looking into the fact that Jesus is indeed alive, he is resurrected. We looked at how that marvelous fact impacts us and our lives. Then we investigated the mission that He gave to us, the mission to reach the world with his message of Good News. And then last week we looked at the ascension and the promised return on Jesus our Savior.
This week I want us to look at the new few verses in chapter one of Acts. Verses 12-14. I do realize that we are crawling along in this first chapter. Maybe you are wondering how long I plan on spending in the book acts, this is week 4 and we are still in chapter 1!! Well chapter 1 is the most important, it sets up the rest of the book. I want to make sure we understand what is happening here as everything else that happens is based on what happens in this chapter and in the next.
So, we see the disciples on Mount Olivet getting last instructions for spreading the Gospel, then they are instructed to return to Jerusalem and wait for the power of the Holy Spirit, which we will learn about in chapter 2. And angel appears to them and urges them along and then we pick up where we are studying today. Look with me at Acts chapter 1:12-14
Acts 1:12–14 (ESV)
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away.
13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James.
14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away.
13And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James.
14All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
These verses at first glimpse may seem insignificant to the rest of the book of Acts. I mean with tongues being spoken, people being healed and raised from the dead, thousands of people being converted to Christianity, but I don’t want us to miss the truth in these verses. That is why I have isolated them for us today.
We see the 11 returning to Jerusalem, and they returned to what they knew. They returned to the upper room where they had been staying. This may have been the same upper room that they had shared the last supper with Christ before the crucifixion. The same upper room that Jesus had appeared to them after the resurrection.
I told you that chapter two is the power chapter, the chapter where the Holy Spirit is given. I want to suggest to you that chapter 1 vs. 14 is the reason that the power is given. The source of that power is found here in verse 14.
Acts 1:14 (ESV)
14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
14All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
They joined together in constant prayer. I believe that the power of the Christian life is in prayer. Are you missing power in your life? Do you lack courage to witness to others? Are you facing problems that you are not sure how to handle and are overcome with fear? Are you dealing with family issues that dominate your life and fill you with anxiety? Do you feel powerless?
Maybe you have said to yourself, you know, I am a Christian. I am supposed to have the Holy Spirit in my life. If this is true, then where is the power? How come I cannot seem to tap into this power that the Disciples had, and that so many Christians around me seem to have? What do I need to do to get through my situation without going crazy!?
I believe that the reason that many Christians live their life with the power of God in it is because they have never figured out that the source of the power is in prayer. The first Christians understood this. Remember I said that chapter 2 is the power chapter? Thousands of people came to know Christ after the power of the Holy Spirit came upon the Disciples. Do you know what the Disciples taught those thousands? Look at Acts 2:41-42
Acts 2:41–42 (ESV)
41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
41So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
42And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
They taught them to pray. Today I would like to show you three areas that you can get involved in prayer that will change your life.
First of all you need to Spend time alone with God.
You Need to Spend Time Alone With God
Colossians 4:2 says,
Colossians 4:2 (ESV)
2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
2Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
This kind of prayer life is one that must be learned. It is not normal for us to want spend time talking to our creator. We are born with a sin nature. That sin nature is a natural barrier that separates us from the Holiness that is God. That is why having a healthy prayer life is so difficult.
It takes dedication, devotion. The NIV translates this passage like this.
Colossians 4:2 (NIV84)
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Devote yourselves, Paul writes to the Colossians. You know, I don’t have to devote myself to watching football. That comes easy. I don’t have to devote myself to eating. That comes easy. I don’t have to devote myself to any of my many hobbies, those are fun! But you know what, I have to devote time and energy to my prayer life. I have to set aside time and energy. It isn’t easy, so I have to make a special effort.
So, how do you get alone with God? Well, Jesus says in Matthew 6:5-7
Matthew 6:5–7 (ESV)
5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.
5“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
6But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
7“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.
Find a prayer closet.
You Need to Find a Prayer Closet.
Find a place with no distractions and spend time with him.
So, what do you pray about when you are alone with God? Paul says in Philippians 4:6-7,
Philippians 4:6–7 (ESV)
6 do not be anxious about anything, 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 understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
6do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
The answer is, “whatever is on your heart and mind.” Just spend time with him, that is where the power is.
Next, you need to Spend time praying with your Family.
You Need to Spend Time Praying With Your Family
This is easier for some than it is for others. Some people grew up in a home where there was a constant presence of prayer. That is awesome, that is great! Keep it up.
Others of us grew up in dysfunctional families. The idea of a family “get together” for prayer was enough to make you want to run and hide in that closet we talked about earlier! Peter wrote in his letter, 1 Peter 3:7.
1 Peter 3:7 (ESV)
7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
7Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
He is saying, Husbands, pray with your wives. That is where the power in the family comes from. I am not as good at this one as I would like to be. Goes back to the dysfunction that I mentioned earlier. But it is amazing the things I learn about my wife when I listen to her pray. I learn about the things she cares about, the things that are bothering her, the things that she finds strength in. Are you lacking power in your family, in your relationship with your spouse?
One more note on this. There comes a time when the cycles of dysfunction must stop. We need to be teaching our children that praying together as a family on a regular basis is normal and good. Don’t pass on the dysfunction, pray with your family. Pray together as a couple and as a family. That is where the power is.
Lastly, spend time praying with your Church.
You Need to Spend Time Praying With Your Church.
While we get personal power through alone time with God, and family power through prayer time with our family, the church must get its power to accomplish its missions through prayer as well.
Repeatedly in the book of Acts we see the church accomplishing great things, but only when they are praying as a church. Look at Acts 4:31
Acts 4:31 (ESV)
31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
31And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
The church with Power!
How about Acts 12:12
Acts 12:12 (ESV)
12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.
12When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.
Background? Peter was in prison, the church was praying. The prayer resulted in Peter being miraculously rescued from prison! There is power in prayer.
We have a mission as a church. We must Worship, Minister, Evangelize, Fellowship, and Disciple. That is what we are here to do. Love God, Love others, Win others to Christ, Baptize them into the fellowship, and teach them how live a power filled life. That is our mission. Those are our goals. We cannot do those things without the Power of God that can only be found in an active church Prayer life.
The Message Paraphrase says it like this,
James 5:16 (The Message)
16 Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with.
16Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with.
As we grow and the Lord blesses us with more families in this church. I hope to start a small group program. In these small groups, we will have church family meeting together, eating together, studying God’s Word together, and praying together on a regular basis. I think these kinds of gatherings are essential for our church to grow, and to be healthy, and to have access to and demonstrate the Power of God that the Holy Spirit wants to pour out on us.
That is where the power is.
Our church can accomplish great things in this community if we are a people of prayer. Me must recognize that the power to accomplish these great things comes only from God and His Holy Spirit working through us, and that power comes only through prayer.
Do you want power in your life, in your family, in your church? Then Develop a lifestyle of Prayer.
You can begin this morning. I want to offer a time of prayer this morning. I am going to ask our Deacons to come up front here. While the Worship Team plays this last closing number, I would like to invite you up to the front of the stage. Our Deacons are ready and willing to pray with you about anything you want or need prayer for. Is there a family issue? A relationship issue? A health Issue that you are concerned about? Do you have a loved one that is on your heart that needs Salvation? Come up front here and let’s pray about it. Come forward and let our church pray with you and for you.