REVIEW
FLIP CHART: SOM’S KEY VERSE, GOAL, MOTTO
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness ….” (Mt. 6:33a).
The law sends us to Christ for justification; Christ sends us back to the law for sanctification.
FLIP CHART: Show new “Perfect Righteousness” chart explaining steps to coming to Christ (As a worm, mourning, meek, spiritual hunger/thirst with the result of legal righteousness). Explain: moral righteousness, immediate moral change at conversion, gradual change through life’s challenges and speeding up moral change via CCRC (Concentration, Choice, Reflection and Confession/Thanksgiving). Key verse, “By one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy” (Heb. 10:14).
FLIP CHART: John Stott’s outline of SOM.
TEACHING GOAL: How can we leverage, give more power to our prayers.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:7-12)
OUTLINE FOR TODAY:
KEY QUESTIONS ABOUT PRAYER
PRAYER – QUESTIONS, ANSWERS & CONCEPTS
PRAYER – QUESTIONS, ANSWERS & CONCEPTS
I. Why Should We Pray? (Jesus Prayed, Relationship, Partnership)
II. Why Doesn’t God Answer Every Prayer? (Holy, Won’t Abdicate)
III. Why Does God Delay in Answering prayer?
1. Conflict, Opposition from Satanic Forces
2. He Loves to Hear Our Voice, Fellowship with Us
3. Humble us, The Answer is not Due to Our Merit
4. We’re not Ready to Receive the Mercy We Seek
5. We Must Become More Unified with Object of Our Prayer
6. Must Work in Others First, Many Pieces to the Puzzle.
7. Answer Will Be More Prized, Sweeter When It Comes.
IV. Perseverance in Prayer
1. The Parable of “The Friend at Midnight”
(Shameless Boldness, Perseverance)
2. The A.S.K. Promise of Mt. 7:7-8
(Encouragement, Intensity, Fervency)
V. Fatherhood of God and Prayer
1. Character of God – The Foundation for Prayer
2. God’s Fatherhood – Our Encouragement to Pray
3. Our Father – The Giver of Good Gifts
4. Our Clinching Argument When We Pray
VI. How to Pray with More Leverage. By referring:
1. God’s Fatherhood
2. God’s Mercy
3. God’s Promises
4. God’s Glory
5. The Death of God’s Beloved Son
6. The Salvation of the Lost
7. Things that God Wants Done in This World
8. That He Has Chosen Us as His Co-Workers
GIVING OUR PRAYERS LEVERAGE
INTRODUCTION
ILL: A feather of two grams removed an adequate distance on a lever from a one kilogram rock, can balance that rock.
If we can give the Triune God, Creator of the Universe, good reasons to answer our prayers, we gain tremendous leverage with Him and our prayers become much more effective. So we want to talk about how to give leverage to our prayers.
Elihu, when answering Job said, “You who swelter in your clothes when the land lies hushed under the south wind, can you join him in spreading out the skies, hard as a mirror of cast bronze? Tell us what we should say to Him. We can not draw up our case because of our darkness. (Job. 37:17-19)
We are a great distance from God as to our strength and from the perspective of our finiteness to his infiniteness. But in spite of this great distance, if we use the right levers, we will move the hand of God!
Or, for another metaphor, we are told to knock and keep on knocking. Doors are meant to be opened. We are not told to knock on a wall. To be more effective we should use some good “door knockers.” There are at least 8 supreme door knockers attached to the door Jesus is encouraging us to knock.
TABLE QUESTION: Why should God answer my prayers? Or complete the sentence: Father, I plead with you to answer my prayer because …… (Make this a table activity)
QUESTION: What are four levers/knockers that Moses used to when reasoning with God to grant his request?
11 But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God. “O LORD,” he said, “why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? 12 Why should the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth’? Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people. 13 Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.'” 14 Then the LORD relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened. (Exodus 32:11-14)
I. WE LEVERAGE OUR PRAYER BY REFERRING TO GOD’S FATHERHOOD
“. . . . your people . . . your people . . .”
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – – children born not of natural descent, not of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. (John 1:12).
“He predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will” (Eph. 1:5).
II. WE LEVERAGE OUR PRAYER BY REFERRING TO GOD’S MERCY
11 But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God. “O LORD,” he said, “why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? 12 Why should the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth’? Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people. 13 Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.'” 14 Then the LORD relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened. (Exodus 32:11-14)
“As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.” (Ps. 103:13)
ILL: Prodigal Son: The father was watching for him, the father ran to him, the father embraced him, the father welcomed him as a son, the father celebrated his coming.
For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath. (Deut. 4:31)
But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God. (Neh. 9:31)
The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him (Dan. 9:9)
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy. (Eph. 2:4)
LOVE
Love bade me welcome: yet my soul drew back.
Guiltie of dust and sinne.
But quick-ey’d Love, observing me grow slack
From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning,
If I lacked anything.
A guest, I answer’d, worthy to be here:
Love said, you shall be he.
I the unkinde, ungratefull? Ah my deare,
I cannot look on thee.
Love took my hand, and smiling did reply,
Who made the eyes but I?
Truth Lord, but I have marr’d them: let my shame
Go where it doth deserve.
And know you not, says Love, who bore the blame?
My deare, then I will serve.
You must sit down, says Love, and taste my meat:
So I did sit and eat.
(George Herbert, 1593-1633 – Welsh poet, orator, priest)
III. WE LEVERAGE OUR PRAYER BY REFERRING TO GOD’S PROMISES
11 But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God. “O LORD,” he said, “why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? 12 Why should the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth’? Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people. 13 Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.'” 14 Then the LORD relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened. (Exodus 32:11-14)
When we stand on God’s promises we can say, “Didn’t you say? Didn’t you promise? These are prayers that defends God’s character.
The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them. (Ps. 145:18-19)
Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. (Jeremiah 33:3)
And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. (Matthew 21:22)
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. (Mt. 7:7)
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? (Mt. 7:11)
Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. (Mt. 18:19)
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. (John 15:7)
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he hears us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. (I John 5:14-15)
It is reported that Martin Luther said, “I rubbed God’s ear with His promises.”
IV. WE LEVERAGE OUR PRAYER BY REFERRING TO GOD’S GLORY
11 But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God. “O LORD,” he said, “why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? 12 Why should the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth’? Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people. 13 Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.'” 14 Then the LORD relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened. (Exodus 32:11-14)
“Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your son may glorify you.” (John 17:1b)
The first question in the Westminister Catechism:
Question 1
What is the chief and highest end of man?
Answer 1
Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him forever.
“Prayer is our giving God the opportunity to manifest His power, majesty, love and Providence.” (John MacArthur)
“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, that that the son may bring glory to the Father.” (John 14:13)
“Prayer is our give God the opportunity to manifest His power, majesty, love and providence.” (J. MacArthur)
V. WE LEVERAGE OUR PRAYER BY REFERRING TO DEATH OF THE BELOVED SON OF GOD
“And the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:22)
“And I will do whatever you ask in my name …. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. . . . My father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” (John 14:13, 15:16, 16:23)
SING: Have Kristin lead in singing the following hymn:
Arise, my soul, arise;
Shake off thy guilty fears;
The bleeding Sacrifice
In my behalf appears.
Before the throne my Surety stands; (2x)
My name is written on His hands.
He ever lives above,
For me to intercede;
His all redeeming love,
His precious blood to plead;
His blood atoned for all our race (2x)
And sprinkles now the throne of grace.
Five bleeding wounds He bears,
Received on Calvary;
They pour effectual prayers,
They strongly plead for me.
“Forgive him O forgive!” they cry, (2x)
“Nor let that ransomed sinner die.”
The Father hears Him pray,
His dear anointed One;
He cannot turn away
The presence of His Son:
His Spirit answers to the blood, (2x)
And tells me I am born of God.
With God I’m reconciled,
His pard’ning voice I hear;
He owns me for His child,
I can no longer fear:
With confidence I now draw nigh (2x)
And “Father, Abba, Father!” cry.
VI. WE LEVERAGE OUR PRAYER BY REFERRING TO GOD’S DESIRE FOR THE SALVATION OF THE LOST
QUESTION: What are some verses that emphasize God’s desire that the lost hear the Gospel?
“. . . that the world may believe that you have sent me. . . . to let the world know that you have sent me . . .” . . . God our Savior who wants all men to be saved and to come the knowledge of the truth.” . . . . “Not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (John 17:21, 23; I Tim. 2:4; II Peter 3:9)
“If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling! I would state my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments” (Job 23:3-4).
VII. WE LEVERAGE OUR PRAYER BY REFERRING TO THINGS THAT THE TRIUNE GOD WILLS
Prayer is about getting God’s will done on earth, not our will done in heaven.
“Prayer is intelligently working with God to further His purposes on earth.” (Willard 249)
QUESTION: What are some things that we know God wills to accomplish in the world?
“Prayer is intelligently working with God to further his purposes on earth” (Dallas Willard)
“Prayer is about getting God’s will done on earth, not our will done in heaven.” (The Web)
For example God wills that all believers exhibit the fruit of the Spirit in their lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. When we pray for these graces to grow in the life of a Christian, we are praying for things that God wills.
When we pray for God’s name to be honored, for His kingdom to come, for His will to be done on earth, we are praying for things that God wills.
When we prayer for wisdom (James 1:15), new workers for the field (Mt. 9:38), boldness in proclamation of the Gospel (Eph. 6:18-19), greater faith (Eph. 3:17), strength to persevere (I Thes. 1:11) etc. we are praying for things that God wills to happen.
VIII. WE LEVERAGE OUR PRAYER BY REFERRING TO THE FACT THAT WE ARE HIS CO-WORKERS
And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way …. Christ is the head of the church …And He is the head of the body, the church (Eph. 1:22-23; 5:23; Col. 1:18).
We are called “God’s fellow workers” in I Cor. 3:9 and in II Cor. 5:18 we are given the “ministry of reconciliation” and “God makes His appeal through us” when we implore people to be reconciled to God (II Cor. 5:19).
“Then Moses said to him, ‘If your Presence goes not go with us, do not send us up from here.” (Ex. 33:15)
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Mt. 28:18-20)
SO WHAT???
1. Prayer is a reasoned dialogue with God, talking with God why He must intervene in our lives, in this world.
2. We have ample support in the Bible for arguing our case with God when we pray.
3. When we pray we must use the levers, door knockers in order to see the door opened. We must not be passive in prayer but humbly beseech God to act in response to our prayers based on his Fatherhood, mercy, promises, glory, death of Christ, so that the world will believe, so that His will be done, because we are His co-workers and need his intervention in our lives.
CHALLENGE: Let’s start leveraging our prayers! Let’s start using at least these 8 “door knockers” when we pray!