Communication is the Key

1 Thes 5:17 KJV - Pray without ceasing. NLT - Never stop praying.

We’re continuing in our rebuilding. We started with what we believe.

We believe - the Bible to be the inspired Word of God, and our only infallible authority.

We believe - that the Lord Jesus Christ and the Bible should have pre-eminence in the church, home and each person's life. By doing this, there is a joyful, useful, and victorious Christian testimony.

We believe - that we are commissioned by our Saviour to..."Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." We want to witness effectively in Douglasville, and to all parts of the world.

We believe - that the Lord Jesus Christ has left a legacy of joy to all who would commit their life to Him.

We believe in being joyful here on earth and through all eternity.

Then we talked about writing the vision and the strategic plan.

MISSION Lifting up Jesus, winning souls for the Kingdom of God.

VISION Be a place where people come for enlightenment, encouragement, and empowerment to advance and enhance the Kingdom of God.

GOALS To win lost souls for Christ through evangelism. To biblically educate Christians through sound Scriptural teaching and preaching. To equip Christians spiritually, physically and financially through comprehensive coaching.

Now we’re on to the core values. Core values are defined as traits or qualities that represent our highest priorities. They are the heart of what we stand for in the world.

And our first core value is Bible Knowledge—Become familiar with the truth of Scripture through regular attendance at Worship Service, Sunday School, and Bible Study. 2 Timothy 2:15.

Regular attendance, that means every week you’re at Sunday worship, Wed. Bible study and Thu prayer if you can make it. You can’t become a disciple or learner of Christ if you’re not studying the right thing. And you’ll gain a better understanding and the right one by studying together.

Our goal is not to get you to be religious, we want to help you build a relationship with Christ.

To be religious is to do something routinely, like a checklist item. But we want you to be in relationship; in relationship, if you want it to be a strong one,

• you spend time together; everyday

• you have meaningful conversation—everyday

• you enjoy being together—everyday

• you miss each other when you’re apart

• you’re concerned about the other’s welfare

• you don’t do things to intentionally hurt one another

• you do things to build the relationship and make it stronger

• you don’t turn to others outside the relationship to fill a void that should be filled inside the relationship

• there is intimacy in relationship, and intimacy does not just mean sex. Intimacy is being familiar with someone; it’s sharing personal or private things you wouldn’t share with just anyone. Types of intimacy can include

1. Emotional intimacy: a closeness of feelings

2. Social intimacy: having friends in common

3. Intellectual intimacy: sharing ideas

4. Recreational intimacy: enjoying the same hobbies or sports

5. Spiritual intimacy: having a similar view of religious faith or the meaning of life

6. Aesthetic intimacy: sharing the same concepts of beauty

7. Sexual intimacy: enjoying sexual experience together

Intimacy is vital to a relationship and when that level of closeness is shared with someone outside a relationship such as marriage or God, it becomes detrimental to the relationship.

Relationship

• takes work,

• it takes commitment,

• it takes time,

• it takes love and

• it takes communication.

We know how to communicate with our spouses. Or at least I hope we do. But when it comes to communicating with God, how do we communicate with God? Through prayer.

Our second core value is, Prayer—Communicate with God daily. 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Never stop praying.

Because, not only do we need to Bible knowledge, we need to talk to God daily through prayer. The title of today’s message is, “Communication is the Key”.

To be in a meaningful, fruitful, significant, valuable, powerful, and successful relationship, there must be communication.

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy wrote the letter to the church at Thessalonica labeled 1 Thessalonians and addressed it to those who belong to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Quite simply, it is written to believers, or disciples of Christ.

Our text today is included in the midst of a list of instructions Paul is giving to the church at Thessalonica. The list of instructions begins in verse 12 and ends at verse 22 and there are 14 instructions Paul gives as he begins the close of this letter.

Quickly, the list says, “Dear brothers and sisters,

1. “honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work.” Why? Because, “They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work.”

2. “Live peacefully with each other.”

3. “Warn those who are lazy.” Laziness is a sin.

4. “Encourage those who are timid.” Another word for timid is shy.

5. “Take tender care of those who are weak.” The strong are to bear the infirmities of the weak.

6. “Be patient with everyone.”

7. “See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.”

8. “Always be joyful.” And we established to be joyful is not about being happy. Happiness is determined by your situation and joy comes from within, it’s not determined by what’s going on around you. The joy of the Lord is our strength.

9. Today’s focus — “Never stop praying.” We’ll come back to this one.

10. “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” Even in the bad times, be thankful, because you are in relationship with God and He’s right there with you, whatever you’re going through. “And we know that all things work together for good, for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” Are you called?

11. “Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.” Holy Spirit is there to lead and guide you, let Him do what He came to do. There may also times when the goodness of the Lord bubbles up and erupts in your spirit and it becomes an outward expression, in other words, someone will shout, dance, scream, cry, wave their hand, speak in tongues, whatever their expression, leave them alone, don’t grab them, don’t try to give them water, try to silence, or fan them; just let the Holy Spirit have his way.

12. “Do not scoff at prophecies,test everything that is said.” Try the spirit by the Spirit and see if it be of God.

13. “Hold on to what is good.”

14. “Stay away from every kind of evil.”

This list is a reminder of what to do and how believers; how disciples are to behave.

Now let’s talk about the key. Communication is the key; we communicate through prayer.

There are many who are intimidated when it comes to prayer. And they have many excuses as to why they don’t pray.

• Don’t know how to start

• Don’t know what to say

• Afraid they’ll say the wrong thing

• Afraid they won’t sound like others they’ve heard

• Don’t feel they are worthy to talk to God

• Don’t feel like God will listen to them

• Mad at God because something that did or didn’t happen the way they felt it should have

And the list goes on. But the simple truth is, when you pray, God does hear you and God does answer you.

Now, the answer may not be what you think it should be. But who do you think knows better, you who can’t see five minutes into the future or the One who planned your life from the beginning of time?

Depending which translation of the Bible you look at, the context in which the word pray or prayer is used, or the words ask, supplication, or petition in reference to talking to God, you’ll find a reference to prayer anywhere from 300-700 times.

Whether it’s 300 or 700 times, prayer is important. Paul says to pray without ceasing or never stop praying.

There are models, outlines, and acronyms for prayer. Of course, when we’re learning to pray it’s best to begin with what Jesus gave us found in Matt. 6:9 -13 “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”

This is called the Lord’s Prayer. It has also been called the model prayer, meaning you can pray modeling your prayer after this one, but you may use different words.

The model begins with acknowledging the Creator and giving him the honor and respect, he is due. Calling Him Father expresses a relationship not just a title. Asking that his will be done, is recognizing, and asking that above anything we may desire, our desire should be what He desires.

“Give us this day, our daily bread.” It’s knowing that while He knows what we need, we are to ask anyway.

“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Forgiveness is vital, until you acknowledge and repent of your sin, the Father will not hear your prayer, then you need to forgive others for sin or sins they may have committed against you.

It’s important to note the word “us”, prayer is not just about you, it’s also about praying for others, it’s called intercessory prayer and we do it as a group on Thursday mornings at 8:00 a.m. Check the website for a complete schedule of our services.

Now back to our scheduled programming.

We need to ask forgiveness for ourselves and forgive others. You have to learn to let things go, you can’t harbor anger and strife and animosity and hatred and think that God is going to honor your prayer.

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” God does not tempt us, 1 Cor 10:13 NLT — “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”

God gives you a way out so you can get away from what may be tempting you. Hang up the phone, walk away, take a break from social media, stay out of private chats and DM’s, stop going to the club, stop hanging with single friends if you’re married.

There’s a song that says, yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin, each victory will help you, some other win; fight manfully onward, dark passions subdue; look ever to Jesus, He will carry you through.

Then the chorus says, “Ask the Savior to help you, comfort, strengthen and keep you; He is willing to aid you, He will carry you through.”

The second verse says, “Shun evil companions, bad language disdain; God’s name hold in reverence, nor take it in vain; be thoughtful and earnest, kindhearted and true; look ever to Jesus, He will carry you through.”

And when you do all that there is a reward. Verse three says

“To him that o’er cometh, God giveth a crown; thru faith we will conquer, tho’ often cast down; He who is our Savior, our strength will renew; look ever to Jesus, He will carry you through.”

You just, “Ask the Savior to help you, comfort, strengthen and keep you; He is willing to aid you, He will carry you through.”

There’s help, all you have to do is ask, pray to the Father and he will help you. We can ask God to deliver us from evil or some translations say “the evil one”, but guess what James 4:7 tells us, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee.

• Don’t give in to the tricks of the enemy.

• Don’t give in to doubt.

• Don’t give in to fear.

• Don’t give in to anger.

• Don’t give in to disappointment.

• Don’t give in to guilt.

• Don’t give in to sorrow.

• Don’t give in to grief.

• Don’t give in to pain.

• Don’t give in to hurt.

DON’T GIVE IN! Whatever you may be going through, whatever is in front of you, whatever may be coming to block your way, look up. Look to the hills from whence cometh your help, know that your help comes from the Lord. Know that he will never leave you nor forsake you, no matter how dark it may seem, you have a light. You are the light of the world, so let your light shine.

Stop hiding in the shadows, hoping you won’t get noticed. It’s OK to shine for Jesus. It’s OK to be seen when you’re being a disciple of Christ. It’s OK to be recognized as a believer. It’s OK to model your life in such a way that makes others say I want what she has, I want what he has.

Then you can say to them let me tell you about a man I know, who knows all about you and still loves you. His name is Jesus, and did you know he died for us. Did you know you have eternal life waiting for you all you have to do is accept it?

When you’re in a relationship with God, when you pray without ceasing, when you never stop praying, you develop a Holy Ghost boldness to tell your story without shame because it’s a story of victory, it’s a story of overcoming, it’s a story of winning.

And the last portion of the model prayer that Jesus gave us says, “For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, amen”

God’s Kingdom will never cease to exist, He is all powerful, and His glory is everlasting. God was, is and will always be. He had no beginning, and he has no end.

That’s the model prayer. Now let’s look at an acronym for prayers. It’s called ACTS. A-C-T-S.

A is for adoration. Prayer should always begin with an acknowledgement of praise and worship for the Creator, for the Father. Heavenly Father, I adore you, I love you Lord, You are the creator of heaven and earth and everything in them. The sun, moon and stars stay where they are because you made it so. The waters stay in place because you ordained it to be, and I am here because you predestined it before the world began.

C is for confession. Confess your sins to God so he will respond to your prayer. “Lord please forgive me for...” and you can name specific sins or you can ask for forgiveness for sins in general. “Please forgive me for my sins of omission and commission. Lord, for not doing what I should have done and doing things I shouldn’t have done. Please Lord, pardon my sin, hear and answer my prayer.

T is for thanksgiving. Before you ask God for more, thank him for what he’s already given you, thank him for what He’s already done.

You ever have anybody in your life that seems like they’re always asking for more, but never say thank you for what you’ve already done? Don’t be that person.

Thank God for the many blessings you’ve received. You can’t think of anything? Let me help you out.

Lord, God, I thank you for waking me up this morning, with a reasonable portion of health, with the activities of my limbs, clothed in my right mind.

I thank you that I woke up in my bed, in my home, with my loved ones and they were all safe. I thank you that last night, wasn’t my last night here on earth.

I thank you for my mother, my father, my husband, my wife, my children, and my pets.

God, I thank you that you give your angels charge over me, I thank you that you keep me safe from all hurt, harm and danger.

I thank you for the car accident I didn’t have as I traveled on the road. I thank you that the tire that came off the truck, didn’t hit me.

I thank you that I was home before the driver came down the wrong side of the highway.

Lord, I thank you for my job, I thank you for my life, thank you that I’m able to pay my bills.

I thank you for loving me enough to send Your Son to die for my sins. Jesus, I thank you for coming, for showing me how to live a sinless life and for knowing I’d fall short and need your help. Thank Jesus for taking on my sin, for giving your life on that old rugged cross, so that I would have the opportunity for eternal life.

Thank you Jesus for your gift, thank you that it’s free, because I couldn’t afford the price. Jesus my sin cost you everything and I could never repay, so all I have to give you Lord, is me and I thank you for receiving me Lord, even in my dirty, messed up, tangled up, tattered up, tied up, mixed up state.

Thank you that you met me where I was, that you loved me just as I was, but you loved me too much to leave me there.

Thank that when I’m with you Lord, I’m learning and growing every second, every minute, every hour, every day, every week, every month, every year. Lord, I know it’s a process and I thank you for staying with me through the process, even when I slip, fall, fumble and fail. You’re right there to pick me up dust me off and set me back on the path that leads to you.

Just in case you can’t think of anything to thank God for, that can get you started.

And now that you’ve acknowledged the authority and supremacy of God, now that you’ve confessed your sins, now that you’ve given thanks for what God has already done...

S is for supplication. Now you can ask God for what you want, knowing that when you delight thyself in the Lord, He will give you the desires of your heart.

When you’re in a relationship with God, he will change your heart to desire the things He desires for you, for your family, for your friends, for your community, for your city, your county, your state, your country, the world.

When you’re in a relationship with God, you’re communicating with him daily, when you never stop praying you’ll begin to have a pull or a pressing in your spirit for the welfare of others. You’ll begin to place a demand on the Spirit of God that dwells within you for the good and needs of others.

When you understand that communication is the key and that it comes in the form of prayer, you’ll understand that not only is prayer you talking to God, but more importantly, it’s God talking to you. There is a listening side of prayer.

God speaks through many mediums. Of course

• he speaks through the Bible

• he speaks to you in prayer

• he speaks in meditation

• he speaks through the pastor

• he speaks in a small still voice

• he speaks loudly

• he speaks through nature, the wind, a storm, a flower, a meadow, a stream, a raging river, a lazy river, a vast ocean, a mountain, the birds, a newborn baby.

God created everything and if we watch, if we listen, if we pay attention, we can see and hear God speaking in any and everything around us.

• When we pray without ceasing, we will know his voice and a stranger we will not follow.

• When we pray without ceasing, we will know the character of God and we will act and react accordingly.

• When we pray without ceasing, we will ask God what jobs we should apply for and when multiple offers come, which one we should take.

• When we pray without ceasing, we will ask God if and who our mate should be. And when he gives us one, we’ll pray with and for them daily.

• When we pray without ceasing, we will hear God when he says, don’t turn down that street.

• When we pray without ceasing, we’ll wake up in the middle of the night or the early hours of the morning and begin to pray for someone God places on our heart.

• When we pray without ceasing, we’ll be led by The Spirit and not a spirit.

• When we pray without ceasing, we’ll have a heart for the unsaved to be saved.

• When we pray without ceasing, our desires will change, our hearts will change, our lives will change.

When we pray without ceasing, nothing will ever be the same again.

We pray to God, in the name of Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

How do I come to that?

John 16:23 - Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.

Rom 2:26-27 - And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.

Communication is the key and prayer is the way we communicate with God.

Are you ready to communicate with God? Are you ready to become a believer and a disciple? Are you ready for this letter to be for you. It begins with a prayer of salvation.

Lord God, I confess I’m a sinner, I believe Jesus is your son and that he died for my sins, rose again and now sits at your right-hand interceding for me. Jesus, I give you my heart, please come into my life. In your name I pray, amen.

If you prayed that prayer for the first time, welcome to the family and the Kingdom of God, now find a Bible believing, Bible teaching church in your area where you can continue to learn, study, grow in faith, and work for the Lord. Faith without works is dead faith.

If you are in the Douglasville, GA area and do not have a church home, come see us at 3500 Hwy 5, Ste 101, we’re right next door to Chase Staffing.

Check out our website at www.lovechristianctr.org for how to contact us, to submit your prayer requests, a schedule of services and how to join us live on zoom if you’re not in this area or are and can’t make it here.

Communication is the key, and we communicate with God through prayer. Never stop praying.