Author: E. DeWayne Swann

Don’t you Care???

Does Jesus Really Care?

Part 3

 

After teaching the lesson called “Can you sleep on a stormy night?” in my Sunday School class, that night, my friend Norma Head gave me this poem that she had written.

 

Why Trials come our way

By Norma Head

It seems when times are getting hard,

And things are looking bad,

That’s when we call on the Lord the most,

When we are very sad.

But if you stop and think a while,

We need Him most of all.

When things are good and we can smile,

But then we seldom call,

Why trials come our way?

They help to keep Him in our hearts,

When on our knees, we stay.

 

Does He care?  How much does God care???

John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

 

Most important question you have to ask yourself is “Do you believe that God loves You?”  Does He Care????

 

He was in the Ship with them. They were never alone.

 

Heb 13:5-6 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”   6 So we may boldly say: “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” NKJV

 

Even Jesus was in the middle of the Storm.

 

A book called

Intense Moments with the Savior by Ken Gire

INTRODUCTION

“Our Savior’s life was not an unbroken succession of intimate moments that changed people’s lives, or incredible moments that captured their attention, or instructive moments that challenged their thinking. There were intense moments too. Moments when he overturned the tables of moneychangers and moments when money changed hands and his enemies turned the tables on him.

As we focus on these intense moments, we see the Savior as a son who learned obedience through the things he suffered. But through this apprenticeship of suffering,

Jesus learned something else.

He learned to feel.

He learned the feeling of hunger from his forty days in the wilderness and thirst from his feverish hours on the cross. But he learned to feel a greater hunger in the wilderness than bread alone could satisfy and a greater thirst on the cross than mere water could relieve. He learned the pain of rejection and the sorrow of unrequited love.

We learn to feel in much the same way. We learn to feel when our faith is tested in some wilderness. When our best-laid plans go awry and our bravest prayers go unanswered. When we’re belittled by a crowd or betrayed by a colleague. When we’re deserted by our friends or done in by our enemies.

Whether it’s a single thorn in the flesh or a crown of them mashed on our heads, suffering teaches us to feel.”

 

We learn from the storms!!!….from the fire   from the disappointments      from the rejections   from the heartache 

 

This is why.

2 Cor 4:7-18

Cast Down but Unconquered

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed — 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you.

13 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

 

Seeing the Invisible

 

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. NKJV

 

Back to our text:

Mark 4:39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

“And then the storm raged, the wind blew, the boat filled with water, and they all drown!” is that what happened?

Mark 4:39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

 And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

Ever been in a boat and have another boat comes by, the wake of the other boats moves your boat. Long after the other boat is gone the waves keep rocking the boat you are in. Storms affected the water even after it was over but with Jesus even the remanence of the storm is calmed down to a Great Calm.

 

Again we know they were going to make it because Jesus said that the were!

35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”  when Jesus says you going to the other side, you are going to the other side.

 

 

Could you imagine what that was like. Jesus asleep (His Humanity) then Jesus got up …. And the Winds listen to Him (His deity) He arose and the winds lay down, then he gets up and the storm goes down!!!

 

Back to our text:

 

Mark 4:40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”  

 

Why are we so afraid??? Christ is with us!

 

Mark 4:41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, (What manner of man is this,) that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” NKJV

 

Why are you so fearful and have no faith?   365 times fear not.

 

And then the question of questions; What manner of man is this?

 

Ben Turner said in his message “What Manner of Man Is This”

Everybody sees Him different;

3 Hebrew boys would see Jesus as the 4th man in the fire

Ezekiel saw Him as the wheel inside a wheel

Noah saw Him as an arc of safety

Solomon saw Him as the rose of Sharon

Jacob saw Him as a golden ladder top in haven and the base on the earth.

Israel saw Him as a star out of Jacob

David saw Him as the great Shepard

Daniel saw Him as a Stone cut out of a Mountain

Abraham saw Him as the great and mighty builder

Ruth saw Him the provider of hands full on purpose

Moses saw Him as the smitten rock

Church saw Him as the foundation of the rock on which it was built

Sad sees Him as the comforter

Leper sees Him as the healer (great Physician)

Lost sees Him as the way

Hungry sees Him as the bread

Thirsty sees Him as the water

Pilgrim sees Him as the faithful guide

Accused sees Him as the faithful witness

Disciple sees Him as the teacher

Weary sees Him as the rest

Pilot or boat captain sees Him as a compass

Weak sees Him as the strength

Sheep sees Him as the Shepard

Astronomer sees Him as the bright and morning star

Bride sees Him as the fairest among 10,000

Gentiles sees Him as a light to lighten the way

Merchant man see him as the purchaser

Ship of Zion see him as the captain

Preacher sees Him as the energizer

Tired sees Him as the strength

Troubled sees Him as builder of mansion

Captive sees Him as the deliver

Unhappy see Him as joy without end

Dead see Him as the resurrection and the life

The sinner I hope they would see him as the pleading savior caring for their soul.

Everybody sees him different!!!

How do you see Him?

 

 

John 1

The Eternal Word

(Gen 1:1-2:3)

1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. NKJV

 

What does Jesus called Himself, we have, “The 7 I am’s of John”

 

1

John 6:35-36 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.

2

John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

3

John 10:7-10 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.  8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.  9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

4

John 10:14-16 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.  15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.

5

John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

6

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

7

John 11:25-26 Jesus talking to Mary and Martha on the way to Lazarus’ grave:

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.  26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

 

back to “Intense Moments with the Savior”

“But learning to feel carries with it both a blessing and a curse: a blessing, because those feelings are what lead us out of ourselves; a curse, because once out we can never again go back and enjoy the simple pleasures of a self-absorbed life. For suffering sensitizes us not only to the world around us, which is needy, but to the world within us, which is needier still, and ultimately to the world beyond us, which we long for in so many ways. Yet in so few ways do we ever fully realize it.

Until we suffer”

 

Tony Evans said for some that came out of a storm last week they can see one coming this week.

 

Ben Turner said you are either in a storm, coming out of a storm, or about to go into a storm.

 

How are you going to handle it?

 

When He was on the Cross…

Matthew 27:38-54 (NKJV)

38 Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left. 39 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”

41 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said,

42 “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him.

43 He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” 44 Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing.

45 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

47 Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, “This Man is calling for Elijah!”

48 Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink.

49 The rest said, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him.”

50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.

51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, 52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;

53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 54 So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

He will put you in what ever you need to go thru to get to a point to say “Truly this is the Son of God”

 

Intense Moments with the Savior

“Then we realize that this is not our home, that our home is with him who suffered and died and left this earth to prepare a place for us. Once we understand that and who it is that keeps a candle burning for us in the window, then the road ahead, however long, however difficult, is infinitely easier to travel.”

 

Now the question is, do you care?

Pray

Amen!!

Don’t you Care???

Does Jesus Really Care? Part 2

 

How to Sleep on a Stormy Night

 

Matt 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

Matt 7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

Matt 7:26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

Matt 7:27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Matt 7:28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:

Matt 7:29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

 

What is your spiritual life built on????

 

What kind of foundation are you built on, and can you sleep on a stormy night?

 

Mark 4:38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

 

Ever feel like Gods asleep and not there?  He’s not asleep

Ps 121

God the Help of Those Who Seek Him Not, God helps those that help themselves.

 

A Song of Ascents.

121:1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills —

From whence comes my help?

2 My help comes from the LORD,

Who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not allow your foot to be moved;

He who keeps you will not slumber.

4 Behold, He who keeps Israel

Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD is your keeper;

The LORD is your shade at your right hand.

6 The sun shall not strike you by day,

Nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD shall preserve you from all evil;

He shall preserve your soul.

8 The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in

From this time forth, and even forevermore.

NKJV

 

Mark 4:38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

 

 Then the question:

 “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

 

Don’t you Care???

You ever felt that way? Ever wonder if you were all alone and God didn’t care? I have, that all alone feeling… when your ears fill up with tears.

Does He care?

John 11 The story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead we see how much Christ cared in verse 35 “Jesus wept.” 36 Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!”

 

Jesus in his humanity crying. John 11:35 he wept because He hurt when the ones He loves hurt. He loves you just the same. Then again we see Jesus in His deity Raising the dead

 

He cries when we hurt

 

Does He care?

Acts 6:1 Seven Chosen to Serve

Acts 6:2-7

2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.

7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

NKJV

 

Stephen Accused of Blasphemy

Acts 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.

 

Acts 7:1 Stephen’s Address: The Call of Abraham

Acts 7:9 The Patriarchs in Egypt

Acts 7:17 God Delivers Israel by Moses

Acts 7:37 Israel Rebels Against God

Acts 7:44 God’s True Tabernacle

Acts 7:51 Israel Resists the Holy Spirit

Acts 7:51 “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, 53 who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.”

 

Acts 7:54-60

Stephen the Martyr

54 When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”

57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

NKJV

Stephen being stoned Jesus stood up. He stands for you too!

 

When you are in trials he stands and takes notice.

He stands at Gods right hand interceding for you.

 Does He care? Who nailed Him there?

 3 Hebrews boys were being burned he got in the fire. …

 Daniel 3:22-25 (NKJV)

22 Therefore, because the king’s command was urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego.

23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.”

25 “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”

Sometimes we have to get the old stuff tying us down burned off.

The fire freed them of there binding. And He was with them thru it all.

When we are in the fire He is there with us.!

 

Does He care?

 

Look at all that Job went through. Job 1:13-22

Job Loses His Property and Children

13 Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house; 14 and a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, 15 when the Sabeans raided them and took them away — indeed they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

16 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

17 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

18 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 19 and suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

20 Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,

And naked shall I return there.

The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away;

Blessed be the name of the LORD.”

22 In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.

NKJV

 

Don’t miss what Job learned through it all!

 

Job’s Repentance and Restoration

 

Job 42:1Then Job answered the LORD and said:

2 “I know that You can do everything,

And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.

3 You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’

Therefore, I have uttered what I did not understand,

Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.

4 Listen, please, and let me speak;

You said, ‘I will question you, and you shall answer Me.’

5 “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear,

But now my eye sees You.

6 Therefore I abhor myself,

And repent in dust and ashes.”

NKJV

 

It comes with a price but you learn God more thru the trials

 

“God is too good to be unkind, to wise to be mistaken,

And when you can’t trace His hand, trust His heart.”

Charles H. Spurgeon

“Don’t you Care?”

Does Jesus Really Care?

Part 1

 

I wrote most of this sermon on 8/11/14 the day Robin Williams died. (I know depression) I also know what it is like to ask God don’t you care?

 

I also know what it is to walk with God.

WE NEVER WALK ALONE

 

Elvis Presley Lyrics

When you walk through a storm hold your head up high

“You’ll Never Walk Alone”

And don’t be afraid of the dark.
At the end of a storm is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark.
Walk on through the wind,
Walk on through the rain,
Tho’ your dreams be tossed and blown.
Walk on, walk on with hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk alone,
You’ll never, ever walk alone.

Walk on, walk on with hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk alone,
You’ll never, ever walk alone.

God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.

C. S. Lewis

 

And now our text:

Mark 4:35-41

 Wind and Wave Obey Jesus

(Matt 8:23-27; Luke 8:22-25)

 

35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”  36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

 

39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”   41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, (What manner of man is this,) that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

NKJV

 

 Jesus has been teaching parables all day and he is tired.

 

35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 

 

Jesus said let us pass over… when Jesus says you going to the other side, you are going to the other side.

 

Mark 4:36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him.

 

It is a lot easier to do God’s will God’s way, or we could do as Jonah did and have to have a fish ride back to where you need to be.

 

It’s a lot easer if we do it his way!

And we also see sometimes He (Jesus) leaves the multitude and deals with the few or with the individual.

When you are sitting in a church with a couple thousand people sometimes, He singles 1 person out of the crowd and it seems that He is only talking to that one person.

When I first started attending the Church that I now teach a small group for. I had just recently left my home Church of 40 years and felt as if I was all alone. I thought that God was done with me and I would never be used again. About the second or third time in the Church the youth pastor preached and said something along the line of “there is someone here that thinks God has discarded you to never be used again, and I’m here to tell you God is going to uses you like you never imagined.” With that said I began to weep, I felt there was no one in that building at that moment except me and the young pastor.

 

And other little boats were also with Him.

There is always someone watching, the good and the bad. And whatever we a going through others get caught up in our storms “And other little boats were also with Him.”    It never, not ever just affects us.

 

Charles Stanley: How to handle your adversities “nothing speaks louder to an unsaved world than a Christian that suffers successfully ”

People are watching!

 Whenever you think things are going just fine all of the sudden BOOM! A storm pops up.

Back to the text;

Mark 4:37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.

 

Strong concordance says great storm is; NT:2978 ailaps (lah’-ee-laps); of uncertain derivation; a whirlwind (squall): KJV – storm, tempest.

NT:3173megas (meg’-as); [including the prolonged forms, feminine megale, plural megaloi, etc.; compare also NT:3176, NT:3187]; big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application):

KJV – (+fear) exceedingly, great (-est), high, large, loud, mighty, (be) sore (afraid), strong, to years.

exceedingly, great, high, large, loud, mighty (squall): – storm, tempest.

 

Life is going well then, the storms arise.

 

Don’t forget these were season fishermen and knew how to read the weather, they have fished on these waters their whole life. They were not expecting bad weather at all. The saying like; “red at night sailors delight” and “red in the morning sailors take warning.” Never came into play. There were no signs of bad weather or they might have warned Jesus. But don’t forget it was Jesus that said “Let us cross over to the other side.” Whatever you are going thru know that God is with you in the mist of the storm.

 

They weren’t warned at all about the arising storm. Their phones didn’t sound an alarm from the National Weather Service that bad weather was approaching. And then as the waves were getting worse and the rain was coming down the ship is filling with water and the circumstance cause them to forget who they are with.

 

Sometimes in the midst of our storms we seem to forget that Jesus is ALWAYS with us.

 

I don’t blame them I have been on the water and saw a storm coming across the lake. You could see the wall of water coming and, in those times, you do panic. That day I didn’t panic, I had a good friend with me and he knew more about bass boats than I did so I strapped my rods down and took the passengers seat and said “Tim get us out of here!” and he did just that.

 

Is your ship starting to take on water, you feel like you’re sinking and the world around you crumbling down? Remember turn to the one that has the control over everything, turn to Christ.

 

 

Back to our text: Big, Big Storm here BUT.

“But” means their story is not over and neither is your story over, He is not done!

 

Mark 4:38 But He was in the stern, (back) asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

 

 

NT:4403 prumna (proom’-nah); feminine of prumnus (hindmost); the stern of a ship: KJV – hinder part, stern.

 

Jesus in his humanity sleeping.

He laid down (His humanity)

Laid His head on a pillow, likely a sand bag used as a ballast

They forgot who is on the boat with them. We seem to forget way too often!

 

Next week; Can you sleep on a stormy night????

Praying in the Right Spirit!

Some years ago, I had a weekly prayer time at my home Church. Every Thursday, we meet in the sanctuary, talked for a few minutes, shared prayer request and I would have a printout of the Church prayer list. I would share a minute or two of devotionals, with a verse or two on prayer. Then we would get started.

We had the lights dimmed and soft music playing over the sound system. We would have a time to cleans ourselves before God. Then we would go where we were comfortable and kneel at the altar, sit in a pew or, as I would do at times, go to my Sunday School classroom and pray there for a while.

After our prayer time apart, we would then group back up and say a closing praise prayer. Those praise prayer times were always my favorite.

Some weeks there would be as many as 20 to 30 people show up for prayer. Some week it was just me. Either way, seeking God’s face corporately was a regular routine for my Thursday night for many years. I enjoyed those time and truly miss them.

One such night, we had a man named Adrian show up for the prayer time for the first time. He and his wife had joined our congregation a few weeks before. We went through the process of sharing the prayer request, and then the time for our prayer of petition came, calling out to God for the request made by our Church family and the request made that night.

I went to my Sunday Schoolroom that night and was feeling rather good about myself, and my prayer went something like this; “Father God, thank you for putting the burden in my heart to do these prayer nights, thank you for helping me to be the Christian, you want me to be.” And then I went on to tell God something like, how lucky he was to have me do all that I did for Him and the Church. I told Him that I don’t know who in the Church that would do all that I do. Again, I let him know just how great I was serving Him and the great team that we made together.

And then, if you read much of my writings you will see that I really love conjunctions, it means the story is not over and is about to take a change, and it was. And then, as I came back up into the Church sanctuary, I eased down the side aisle there were a few people in the pews praying, and the rest were in the front at the altar. I have places that like to pray, one of my favorite spots in that Church is in front of the piano box, next to what we called the “amen corner”. As I eased up to my spot, I sat in the back short pew in the “amen corner”. And God showed up in a big way!

As I was setting there, the reason for the music playing was, so you wouldn’t be distracted by the others praying, the same for the dimmed lights. But, as I sat there, I could hear Adrian praying, I wasn’t trying to hear him, I just could overhear him in the Throne Room of Grace. He was crying out to God humbly and sincerely for the people on the prayer list. As he called each name, you could hear the empathy in his voice. He was truly seeking God to intervene for each and every name on that page. As he was wiping his tears I could feel the very presence of Mighty God, and in my spirit, He broke me that night and, it changed forever the way I pray.

God put in my heart these verses from Luke’s gospel;

Luke 18:9-14 (NKJV)
⁹ Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: ¹⁰ “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men–extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. ¹² I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ ¹³ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ ¹⁴ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

I was the Pharisee in that story, I was telling God how great I was, and He let me know that the Glory always goes to God and God alone. I then knelt down in my spot and cried out to God to forgive me, and I thanked him for Adrian being there. He was praying for people that he didn’t even know, but he stilled prayed. He was taken the burden for people that he never met and probably never did meet, but he hurt for them, and felt their need. Furthermore, he didn’t know I could hear him; he wasn’t praying loud or for attention. He was really praying softly; I just hear extremely well. He was just seeking God’s face to intervene, and I believe God did.

As I knelt there that night, a broken man weeping and begging for God to remove the heart of a Pharisee and give me the heart of a saved sinner that was hell bound and redeemed by His very grace and love. I asked my heavenly Father to let me see Calvary’s cross again and to remind me why I was there. And He did, God reminded me that night that the reason we had those prayer meetings, was not for me but for all of those that were on the list. To intercede for others that were not there or not able to be there. To ask for healing for those that need it, for financial help, for people to come back to the Love of God, and most importantly for souls to be saved, and lives to be changed for good for all eternity.

As I have stated in my book “Something to Ponder” my relationship with God grew closer and closer over the years. I went from being afraid to pray and enter Mighty God’s presence, to saying and accepting God as my Father, my Abba Father. The one that adopted me into his family, when I accepted Jesus’ forgiveness. So, I now can boldly and humbly, at the same time, come into that Throne Room of Grace and say Abba, Father.

Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary, defines ABBA [AB ah] as (father) – an Aramaic word which corresponds to our “Daddy” or “Papa.” It is found three times in the New Testament: in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed, “Abba, Father” (Mark 14:36);

Mark 14:36 (NKJV)
And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”

the apostle Paul linked the Christian’s cry of “Abba, Father” with the “Spirit of adoption” (Rom 8:15);

Romans 8:14-17 (NKJV)
¹⁴ For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. ¹⁵ For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” ¹⁶ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷ and if children, then heirs–heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

and, again, Paul writes,

Galatians 4:4-7 (NKJV)
⁴ But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. ⁶ And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” ⁷ Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

“Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’“.

What a blessed privilege it is to be given the right to call the great Creator, “Our Father”! or our Daddy God!!!

Pray from the heart, Pray in the Spirit, Pray without ceasing and as Tony Evans said recently, “Pray when you feel like it. But also Pray when you don’t.”

Just PRAY

Pray = [prā] address a solemn request or expression of thanks to God the object of worship:

 

 

 

PRAYER Part 4

How Does God Answer Prayers?

YES.

NO.

Wait, or I have something better.

  

YES!

 

When Peter was in prison and a “prayer was being made earnestly to God for him by the church.”

Acts 12:5-17 (HCSB)
⁵ So Peter was kept in prison, but prayer was being made earnestly to God for him by the church.
⁶ On the night before Herod was to bring him out ⌊for execution⌋, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while the sentries in front of the door guarded the prison.⁷ Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell. Striking Peter on the side, he woke him up and said, “Quick, get up!” Then the chains fell off his wrists. ⁸ “Get dressed,” the angel told him, “and put on your sandals.” And he did so. “Wrap your cloak around you,” he told him, “and follow me.” ⁹ So he went out and followed, and he did not know that what took place through the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.¹⁰ After they passed the first and second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened to them by itself. They went outside and passed one street, and immediately the angel left him.
¹¹ Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel and rescued me from Herod’s grasp and from all that the Jewish people expected.” ¹² When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many had assembled and were praying. ¹³ He knocked at the door in the gateway, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer.¹⁴ She recognized Peter’s voice, and because of her joy, she did not open the gate but ran in and announced that Peter was standing at the gateway.
¹⁵ “You’re crazy!” they told her. But she kept insisting that it was true. Then they said, “It’s his angel!” ¹⁶ Peter, however, kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astounded.
¹⁷ Motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he explained to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. “Report these things to James and the brothers,” he said. Then he departed and went to a different place.

 

NO!

Isn’t “No” an Answer?

Amy Carmichael

 

Just a tiny little child Three years old,

And a mother with a heart All of gold.

Often did that mother say, Jesus hears us when we pray,

For He’s never far away And He always answers.

 

Now, that tiny little child Had brown eyes,

And she wanted blue instead Like blue skies.

For her mother’s eyes were blue Like forget-me-nots. She knew

All her mother said was true, Jesus always answered.

 

So, she prayed for two blue eyes, Said “Good night,”

Went to sleep in deep content And delight.

Woke up early, climbed a chair By a mirror. Where, O where

Could the blue eyes be? Not there; Jesus hadn’t answered.

 

Hadn’t answered her at all; Never more

Could she pray; her eyes were brown As before.

Did a little soft wind blow? Came a whisper soft and low,

“Jesus answered. He said, No;  Isn’t No an answer?”

 

The above poem, written by Amy Carmichael, was based on an incident that actually did occur in her life when she was three. It turned out to be in the providence of God for her to have brown eyes.

She became a missionary to India in the late 1890s. At first her ministry was primarily evangelistic. But along the way she became aware that some parents in India sold their daughters to the temple, where they were used for immoral purposes.

God led one such child to her, and through a series of events and a sense of the Lord’s leading, Amy took the child in. Then more stories of other girls (and later, boys) surfaced and more opportunities to rescue and provide homes for these children arose.

Amy had to struggle with this, because the Lord had seemed to be blessing her evangelistic work. Was it right to turn from that ministry to give herself to housing and raising children? She concluded that that was indeed God’s will for her life.

The ministry grew exponentially and eventually became a whole compound, with housing for children of all ages, the workers who took care of them, and even their own hospital.

As Amy went “undercover” to find details of these children, she would stain her arms with coffee and wear Indian dress so that she could pass as an Indian woman and move freely in Indian society where she never could have as an Irish missionary.

This she could not have done with blue eyes — her eyes would have given her away immediately. Neither she nor her mother could have ever known, all those years ago, the Lord’s purpose for her brown eyes, but the lesson of faith stayed with her all her life.

 

Sometimes I have to thank God for what we call “Unanswered Prayers”

 Wait, or I have something better.

When Jesus was in the garden, He Himself had to wait, As One preacher said, Jesus isn’t just there to pray at the Mount of Olives . . . He is there to wait. He knows what’s coming, He has been waiting for it, and He is ready to fulfill His promise. Over and over through the Gospels Jesus says my hour or time has not come. And then He said the time has come for the Son Of Man to be glorified.

John 17:1 (HCSB)

Jesus Praying for Himself

¹ Jesus spoke these things, looked up to heaven, and said: Father, (every time Jesus prays, He says Father) the hour has come. Glorify (glory, honor, magnify)
Your Son so that the Son may glorify You, …

Even Jesus had to wait, and accept what he physically didn’t want, pain, for us!

We have to trust The God that knows tomorrow, He knows what is best for us.

Sometimes there’s a spiritual battle, likes we have never seen and the answer is delayed but right on time. As when Daniel “prayed for all of Israel because they have broken God’s law and turned away, and refusing to obey You. The promised curse written in the law of Moses, the servant of God, has been poured out on us because we have sinned against Him.” Daniel 9:11

And an angel shows up;

Daniel 10:12-14 (HCSB)
…¹² “Don’t be afraid, Daniel,” he said to me, “for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your prayers were heard. I have come because of your prayers.¹³ But the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for 21 days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me after I had been left there with the kings of Persia. ¹⁴ Now I have come to help you understand what will happen to your people in the last days, for the vision refers to those days.” …

It took a while but God gave him a prophetic answer, and God says;

Jeremiah 33:3 (NKJV)
³ ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’

“Answer you, and show” you will get an answer and He will SHOW you things, great and mighty things, not GIVE you things.

As long as God can get the Glory, He will Show and at times give us exactly what we need, and sometimes things we didn’t know we needed.

 

And sometimes there is an answer before we asked;

There is a story of a missionary family in the early 1900’s in Africa they had 2 small children. The second being born after they arrived on the mission field. The youngest was sickly and needed much care.

It had to be wrapped in blankets most of the time to ensure that it stayed warm enough. The mother was heard to say, over and over, “I wish we had a hot water bottle.” Her thinking was that with a hot water bottle, she could place it next to the child and provide it some heat. After a few weeks, a package arrived from England.

In that package were several items that were sent to the family anonymously to help them in their new location. Among the items, there was a hot water bottle. The mother thanked God, but couldn’t recall having prayed for it.

As the last of the items were taken out of the box, the oldest child came to her mother and said, “Where’s my new baby doll?” Her mother responded, “There isn’t a doll in here.” The little girl asked them to look again, and when they did, under all the packing material was a little, new baby doll.

The mother asked the girl how she knew there was a doll in there. She said, “Well, when I asked God to send a hot water bottle for the baby, I asked Him to send me a dolly.”

This story becomes even more remarkable when we stop to consider that this package had to travel to Africa first by ship, then by pack animals until it reached the family. It began its journey some 6 months before the baby had been born and before the little girl had ever begun to pray for those things!

What a God we serve!

And again, and it is well worth repeating,

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV)
¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Pray without ceasing, Pray all the time.

In everything give thanks, Praise Him!

This is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. This is the WILL of God!!

PRAYER Part 3

• Prayer of Praise.

 

1. Adoration (Thanking Him for who He is)

 

This psalm is a solemn meditation on, and admiration of, the glory and greatness of God, of which we are all concerned to think highly and honorably. It begins and ends with the same acknowledgment of the transcendent excellency of God’s name. It is proposed for proof v. 1 that God’s name is excellent in all the earth, and then it is repeated as proved (with a “quod erat demonstrandum”-which was to be demonstrated) in the last verse. For the proof of God’s glory, the psalmist gives instances of his goodness to man; for God’s goodness is his glory.
Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible.

 

Psalm 8:1-9 (HCSB)
¹ Yahweh, our Lord, how magnificent is Your name throughout the earth! You have covered the heavens with Your majesty.
² Because of Your adversaries, You have established a stronghold from the mouths of children and nursing infants to silence the enemy and the avenger.
³ When I observe Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You set in place, ⁴ what is man that You remember him, the son of man that You look after him?
⁵ You made him little less than God and crowned him with glory and honor.
⁶ You made him lord over the works of Your hands; You put everything under his feet: ⁷ all the sheep and oxen, as well as the animals in the wild,
⁸ the birds of the sky, and the fish of the sea that pass through the currents of the seas.
⁹ Yahweh, our Lord, how magnificent is Your name throughout the earth!

 

Thanking God, Yahweh, for Who He Is, that is Adoration!!!

 

 Thanksgiving (Thanking Him for what He has done)

 

This psalm has something of David in it, but much more of Christ. It begins with such expressions of devotion as may be applied to Christ; but concludes with such confidence of a resurrection (and so timely a one as to prevent corruption) as must be applied to Christ, to him only, and cannot be understood of David, as both St. Peter and St. Paul have observed.

 

Acts 2:24-25 (NKJV)
²⁴ whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.
²⁵ For David says concerning Him: ‘I foresaw the LORD always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.

 

Acts 13:36 (NKJV)
³⁶ “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption;
Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible.

 

 Psalm 16:1-11 (NKJV)
¹ Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust.
² O my soul, you have said to the LORD, “You are my Lord, My goodness is nothing apart from You.”
³ As for the saints who are on the earth, “They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.”
⁴ Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god; Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, Nor take up their names on my lips.
⁵ O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot.
⁶ The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance.
⁷ I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.
⁸ I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
⁹ Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope.
¹⁰ For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
¹¹ You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

 

Thanking Him for what He has done, and there nothing more important than being able to be with God when we die.

 

2 Corinthians 5:6-8 (NKJV)
⁶ So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. ⁷ For we walk by faith, not by sight. ⁸ We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

 

Pray a prayer of Praise, Thanking Him for who He is, and thanking Him for wat He has done and will do. Those are some of the sweetest prayer times you can have.

 

Hebrews 13:15 (NKJV)
¹⁵ Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

 

When you are down, Praise Him

When things aren’t going like you like, Praise Him

When tears are pouring down your face, Praise Him

When things are going great then, Praise Him

When the world seems like it’s falling apart, Praise Him

In all things Praise Him

 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV)
¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

 

And when you do, you are inviting Holy God to come and Sit and spend some beautiful time with Him!

 

Psalm 22:3 (NKJV)
³ But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel.

 

Enthroned means to sit down with, He comes and sits with you when you are Praising Him. That’s really good company to be in. As Lazarus was one setting at the table with Jesus, after being raised from the grave. John 11, and 12 are some of my most favorite passages in the Bible.

 

John 12:1-2 (NKJV)
¹ Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead.
² There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.

 

Setting at the Table with Jesus, it doesn’t get any better than that.

 

Ezra 3:11 (NKJV)
¹¹ And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD: “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever toward Israel.” Then all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.

 

Psalm 7:17 (NKJV)
¹⁷ I will praise the LORD according to His righteousness, And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.

 

Psalm 9:1 (NKJV)
¹ I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.

 

Psalm 35:18 (NKJV)
¹⁸ I will give You thanks in the great assembly; I will praise You among many people.

 

Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)
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 understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

Hebrews 13:15-16 (NKJV)
¹⁵ Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
¹⁶ But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

 

So, that will bring us to next week’s lesson on PRAYER Part 4

How Does God Answer Prayers? YES. NO. or 

Wait, or I have something better.

PRAYER Part 2

• Prayer of petition; Asking for something.

 

 

We see, Jesus Prayed for Himself

Its ok to pray for yourself, I hear people all the time saying thing like, “I know it’s a selfish to pray for myself,” and my response is, it depends on what you are praying.

 

John 17:1-26 (HCSB)

¹ Jesus spoke these things, looked up to heaven, and said: Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son so that the Son may glorify You,
² for You gave Him authority over all flesh; so He may give eternal life to all You have given Him.
³ This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and the One You have sent—Jesus Christ.
⁴ I have glorified You on the earth by completing the work You gave Me to do.
⁵ Now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with that glory I had with You before the world existed.

 

And then we need to pray for the ones closest to us;

 

Jesus Prayed for The Disciples

⁶ I have revealed Your name to the men You gave Me from the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.
⁷ Now they know that all things You have given to Me are from You,
⁸ because the words that You gave Me, I have given them. They have received them and have known for certain that I came from You. They have believed that You sent Me.
⁹ I pray for them. I am not praying for the world but for those You have given Me, because they are Yours.
¹⁰ Everything I have is Yours, and everything You have is Mine, and I have been glorified in them.
¹¹ I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, protect them by Your name that You have given Me, so that they may be one as We are one.
¹² While I was with them, I was protecting them by Your name that You have given Me. I guarded them and not one of them is lost, except the son of destruction, (or KJV son of perdition = ruin or loss SOP the bread ) so that the Scripture may be fulfilled.

 

¹³ Now I am coming to You, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have My joy completed in them.
¹⁴ I have given them Your word. The world hated them because they are not of the world, as I am not of the world.
¹⁵ I am not praying that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one.
¹⁶ They are not of the world, as I am not of the world.
¹⁷ Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.
¹⁸ As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
¹⁹ I sanctify Myself for them, so they also may be sanctified by the truth.

 

And then I say pray as Christ did for new believers!!!

Jesus Prayed for all Believers, All of US!!!

 

²⁰ I pray not only for these, but also for those who believe in Me through their message.
²¹ May they all be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You. May they also be one in Us, so the world may believe You sent Me.
²² I have given them the glory You have given Me. May they be one as We are one.
²³ I am in them and You are in Me. May they be made completely one, so the world may know You have sent Me and have loved them as You have loved Me.
²⁴ Father, I desire those You have given Me to be with Me where I am. Then they will see My glory, which You have given Me because You loved Me before the world’s foundation.
²⁵ Righteous Father! The world has not known You. However, I have known You, and these have known that You sent Me.
²⁶ I made Your name known to them and will make it known, so the love You have loved Me with may be in them and I may be in them.

 

True Prayer

The true spirit of prayer is no other than God’s own Spirit dwelling in the hearts of the saints. And as this Spirit comes from God, so does it naturally tend to God in holy breathings and panting. It naturally leads to God, to converse with him by prayer. – Jonathan Edwards

PRAYER Part 1

Three Prayers, I believe every prayer falls into one of these categories

• Prayer of penance and acceptance; (Salvation) Repent turn 180 degrees. Confession (acknowledge you have sinned) = verb feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one’s wrongdoing or sin.
• Prayer of petition; Asking for something.
• Prayer of Praise.

1. Adoration (Thanking Him for who He is)
2. Thanksgiving (Thanking Him for what He has done)

 

• Prayer of penance and acceptance; (Salvation)

 

The Sinner’s Prayer is a Christian name relating to any prayer of repentance, prayed by individuals who believe convicted of the presence of sin in their lives and have the desire to establish or renew a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

The Sinner’s Prayer in Scripture

The Sinner’s Prayer is a prayer that is said when someone seeks to repent of their sin, accept God’s forgiveness and state their belief in the life, death, and saving resurrection of Jesus Christ. The sinner’s prayer is sometimes also known as the “salvation prayer” or “Consecration Prayer.” In scripture, there is reference to a process of repentance, faith, and salvation in the book of Romans.

The “Romans” Road to the Gospel of Jesus Christ

The Problem of Sin

Romans 3:10

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Romans 3:23

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…”

The Wages of Sin

Romans 5:12

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Romans 6:23a

“For the wages of sin is death…”

The Love of God

Romans 5:8

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us,

in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

The Free Gift of Salvation

Romans 6:23b

“But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Accepting the Free Gift

Romans 10:9 & 13

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart

that God has raised Him from the dead,

you will be saved.

For whoever calls on the name of the LORD

shall be saved.

Millions, if not billions, have established a saving relationship with Jesus Christ through church services, friends, and family guiding them in a salvation prayer. However, it is not solely the words in a prayer that save us eternally. We are “justified by faith” in Jesus and saved by our genuine belief in Him. J.D Greerer describes it well – “It’s not the prayer that saves; it’s the repentance and faith behind the prayer that lays hold of salvation. My concern is that over-emphasizing the prayer has often (though unintentionally) obscured the primary instruments for laying hold of salvation: repentance and faith.”

The Sinner’s Prayer: Examples

A Simple Sinner’s Prayer

Dear God in heaven, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I acknowledge to You that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins and the life that I have lived; I need your forgiveness.

I believe that your only begotten Son Jesus Christ shed His precious blood on the cross at Calvary and died for my sins, and I am now willing to turn from my sin.

You said in the bible that if we confess the Lord our God and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we shall be saved.

Right now, I confess Jesus as my Lord. With my heart, I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. This very moment I accept Jesus Christ as my own personal Savior and according to His Word, right now I am saved. Amen.

Prayer of Salvation

Dear Lord, I admit that I am a sinner and have done many things that don’t please you. I have lived my life for myself only. I am sorry, and I repent. I ask you to forgive me.

I believe that you died on the cross for me, to save me. You did what I could not do for myself. I come to you now and ask you to take control of my life; I give it to you. From this day forward, help me to live every day for you and in a way that pleases you.

I love you, Lord, and I thank you that I will spend all eternity with you. Amen.

Sinner’s Prayer for Children

Jesus – I know that you made me and want me to obey you with all my heart. I know I have disobeyed and wanted to be my own boss. I have thought and done things against your directions. For this I am sorry. I know that you gave up his life to save me from these sins and make me your child again. I accept your promises and ask you to please save me now and forever. Amen.

Or

All you have to do is Pray and say something like this but in your own words. “God, thank you for sending Jesus to take my place and forgiving me of my wrong doings, so please I accept that forgiveness and help me to live a better life, so He won’t have so much more to pay for, and come and live in my heart, so I can be with you in Heaven someday, Amen””.

Sinner’s Prayer from Scripture

“Have mercy on me, O God,
according to Your unfailing love;
according to Your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
Against You, You only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in Your sight,
so that You are proved right when You speak
and justified when You judge.
Surely I have been a sinner from birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me…
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me and I will be whiter than snow…
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from Your presence
or take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.
Then will I teach transgressors Your ways,
and sinners will turn back to You.”

– (Psalm 51, King David)

The Sinner’s Prayer (by Dr. Ray Pritchard)

Lord Jesus, for too long I’ve kept you out of my life. I know that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself. No longer will I close the door when I hear you knocking. By faith, I gratefully receive your gift of salvation. I am ready to trust you as my Lord and Savior. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming to earth. I believe you are the Son of God who died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead on the third day. Thank you for bearing my sins and giving me the gift of eternal life. I believe your words are true. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus, and be my Savior. Amen.

Tell Me the Story of Jesus

Part 4

Verse 4. Tell how He’s gone back to heaven,
Up to the right hand of God:
How He is there interceding
While on this earth we must trod.
Tell of the sweet Holy Spirit
He has poured out from above;
Tell how He’s coming in glory
For all the saints of His love.

1. BEHOLD THE KING! Some 2,000 years later!

 

Jude 1:14-15 (NKJV)

14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints,

15 to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”

 

Revelation 1:7 (NKJV)

7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

 

Revelation 1:18 (NKJV)

18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

 

THE KING IS COMING…AGAIN!

Revelation 3:11 (NKJV)

11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.

Revelation 16:15 (NKJV)

15 “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.”

Revelation 22:7 (NKJV)

7 “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

HE IS COMING WON’T YOU COME TO MEET HIM?

Conclusion: You may remember Him as the great teacher, the gentle shepherd or the miracle worker. Let’s not forget what God taught about Him when He said: BEHOLD!

Tell me the story of Jesus. Write on my heart every word;
Tell me the story most precious, Sweetest that ever was heard.

Tell Me the Story of Jesus

Part 3

Verse 3. Tell of the cross where they nailed Him,
Writhing in anguish and pain;
Tell of the grave where they laid Him,
Tell how He liveth again.
Love in that story so tender,
Clearer than ever I see;
Stay, let me weep while you whisper,
“Love paid the ransom for me.”

 

IV. BEHOLD THE MAN!

33 1/2 years old!

John 19:4-6 (NKJV)

4 Pilate then went out again, and said to them, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you, that you may know that I find no fault in Him.”

5 Then Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, “Behold the Man!”

6 Therefore, when the chief priests and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “You take Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him.”

 

Isaiah 53:5-6 (NKJV)

5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

 

Isaiah 53:10 (NKJV)

10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand.

 

To have been-

The cup that His lips touched
The Bread which He broke
The cloth that He held as He served
The wine He poured as He spoke

To have been the road He walked upon
Or His print in the sand
To have been the door opening the tomb
BUT I WAS THE NAIL IN HIS HAND!

 

V. BEHOLD THE SAVIOUR!

Three Days Later

Luke 24:36-49

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

(John 20:19-23; Acts 1:3-5; 1 Cor 15:5)

36 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.”  37 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. 38 And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts?  39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”

40 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.   41 But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?”  42 So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb.   43 And He took it and ate in their presence.

The Scriptures Opened

44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.”  45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.

46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  48 And you are witnesses of these things.  49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”  NKJV

 

John 1:1-2 (NKJV)

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 He was in the beginning with God.

THE ETERNAL WORD BECAME THE LIVING WORD; WHEN HE WENT BACK TO HEAVEN, HE LEFT US HIS WRITTEN WORD!

John 1:3-4 (NKJV)

3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.