THE TRUE MEANING OF PRAYER
#781 & 781a THE TRUE MEANING OF PRAYER
Scripture Luke 18:1; Acts 4:31, NIV Orig. 4/16/1980
Rewr. 9/23/1987
Passage:
Luke 18
18 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
Acts 4
31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
Purpose: Beginning a series on the subject of prayer using John Bunyan’s seven-fold description of prayer.
Keywords: Prayer
Timeline/Series: Prayer
Introduction
Christians the world over are familiar with the name of John Bunyan. Almost without exception, however, we associate him only with Pilgrim’s Progress, and are totally unfamiliar with his equally heartening book on prayer, Prayer,1 where he gives us one of the significant definitions of prayer, and his seven-fold prayer concern.
“Prayer is a sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the heart or soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Holy Spirit, for such things as God has promised, or according to His word, for the good of the church, with submission in faith to the will of God.”
1. Prayer is sincere.
2. Prayer is sensible.
3. Prayer is the affectionate pouring out of the soul to God.
4. Prayer is through Christ, and in the assistance of the Holy Spirit.
5. Prayer is for such as God has promised.
6. Prayer is for the good of the church.
7. Prayer is submission to the will of God.
I. Prayer is Sincerely Pouring Out One’s Soul to God. Acts 2:46, “They . . . did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.”
Few things in our lives make a difference like deeds done either with or without sincerity. It is New Testament simplicity. Romans 12:9, “Let love be without dissimulation.” I Corinthians 10:21, “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of devils.” It was vital to the sense of the supper: I Corinthians 5:8, “Let us keep the feast with the unleavened bread of sincerity.” Leaven achieved taste, but it represented artificiality. Relation to God was to disdain such misrepresentation.
On the day before Passover, the Jews were to light a candle and ceremoniously begin a search for anything that might spoil the dough.
Even so, sincerity is an integral part of prayer. Psalm 66:17-18, “. . . If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” Jeremiah 29:12-13, “Ye shall seek me and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” When Nathaniel came to Jesus, John 1:47, “Behold an Israelite, in whom is no guile.”
Sincerity is simply being the same in a darkened corner alone where none can see, that we are before the face of all the world.
II. Prayer is Sensibly Pouring Out One’s Soul to God. Philippians 4:6, “Be careful for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication . . . , let your requests be made known unto God.”
Sensibility understands life’s pressing needs. Ecclesiastes 3:1, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.” There is a time for want of mercy. There is a time for stating confession. There is a time for a bold word of intercession. Few have not prayed for Christianity.
There is a time for a joyous declaration of thanksgiving. Daniel 9:4, “And I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession.” Genesis 32:11 (Jacob), “Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother.” Psalm 95:2, “Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving.”
781a
Romans 8:26-27, 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
III. Prayer is Affectionately Pouring Out the Soul to God. Matthew 6:21, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Colossians 3:2, “Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth.”
Things done out of love bring satisfaction: God, family, occupation, avocation. Psalm 42: 1, “As the hart panteth after the waterbrooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.”
To thus view God, in prayer, with devotion is to pray to one who loves, and who will perform to our good. Daniel 9:18b, “. . . We do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.” Romans 10:11, “Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” Isaiah 66:13, “As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you.” Jonah 4:9, “Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd?” V11, “Should not I spare Nineveh, that great city [without] discernment?”
IV. Prayer is Pouring Out the Soul to God through Christ and with Assistance of Holy Spirit.
We have established the following: Sincerity, Sensibility, and Affection.
Now the believer addresses God where He has made Himself the most vulnerable. It our sin that constitutes the communication gap. But the sinless Son has the Father’s ear. Matthew 18:20, “Where two or more are gathered in my name, there am I.” John 14:13, “Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, [to the end that] the Father may be glorified in the son.”
Daniel grasped this special efficacy. Daniel 9:17, “O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, . . . for the Lord’s sake. . . .” v19, “O Lord, hear, . . . for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.” Romans 10:1, “Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.”
To claim Christ’s name before God is to claim His blood, is to claim His righteousness, is to claim His victory over sin, is to claim His intercession in our behalf. Ephesians 1:6, “To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved.”
A newspaper article datelined Birmingham told of a little four-year-old boy taken in a stolen car. Asleep on back seat, parked in front of Women’s Hospital, the car was taken. A few hours later, the car was recovered but not the boy. Police speculated the thief abandoned. A disabled vet was searching near the site. On the porch of a deserted house he saw bundle of rags. Stopped, on crutches in semi-darkness, the bundle moved, showed fear. But the man called the lad’s father’s name, and told him he was taking him to his daddy.
V. Prayer is the Pouring Out of the Soul to God for Such Things as He has Promised. Psalm 37:4, “He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”
The Character of the Promiser: Hebrews 10:23, “For He is faithful that promised.” For the sake of His own word. For our sake of redeemable humanity.
The Content of the Promise: II Peter 3:13, “We, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” It states His integrity. It qualifies the human search.
The Certitude of the Promised: I John 2:25, “This is the promise that He hath promised us, even eternal life.”
VI. Prayer is the Pouring Out of the Soul to God for the Good of the Church.
Jesus prayed for the church. John 17:9f, “I pray for them; I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me.
Paul uses prayer in this sense. Philippians 1:4f, “. . . Prayer . . . for your friendship in the gospel . . . being confident . . . that . . . he will perform it.”
We must pray similarly. Romans 15:30, “. . . Strive with me in your prayers to God for me.”
We must not presume some divine accountability. God’s will is for our own good. Satan is working to disallow His will.
VII. Prayer is Pouring Out One’s Soul to God, Submitting to the Will of God.
Matthew 6:10, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done.”
I John 5:14f, “This is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us; and if we know that hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”
Links:
1Bunyan, J. (2022). Prayer. Banner of Truth, Puritan Paperback Series.
THROUGH TRIAL TO TRUTH
#079 THROUGH TRIAL TO TRUTH
Scripture James 1:1-27 NIV Orig. 2/9/1987
Passage:
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:
Greetings.
Trials and Temptations
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. 9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. 12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. 13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
Listening and Doing
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. 26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Purpose: To lead my people in an in-depth study of The Book of James.
Introduction
We have concluded that the letter was written by James, the brother of the Lord. He was a witness of the resurrection. Although he was not a follower of Jesus during the years of Jesus’ life, he became a follower in tandem with Christ’s death. He was a known leader of the church in Jerusalem, and had great influence to the churches as far away as Syria.
We conclude that the date of writing was early, 48-54 AD. There is no mention of the Jerusalem council (AD 49), the term “synagogue” is used for church (James 2:2), there is strong expectation of the Lord’s return (James 5:7-9), and the strong accent on poverty.
The book was written to Christian Jews, primarily, but the message was direct enough to be of benefit to other Jews as well. Perhaps, those who were entrenched in other parts of the Roman Empire, especially around the eastern end of the Mediterranean.
James is a significant voice, not because he is the Lord’s brother, but because of the nature of his struggle to believe, and his steady voice as a chosen leader in the church in Jerusalem.
The epistle reflects some of the economic and social struggles in the church such as treatment of oppressed, and appropriate use of wealth. Dealing with some of the behavioral problems helps us to understand how Martin Luther could come to see James as “an epistle of straw.”
James’ intent was an appeal to unity. There are different levels of social activity. All are to be treated equally. Materialism could be a problem. The wealthy were to heed the dangers. Likewise, the poor were to be careful not to let their poverty be the source of bitterness, disruption and disunity. It is an appeal to social justice. It is an institution of prayer as the means of expressing compassion. It concludes with a call for understanding for the backslider.
1-James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the 12 tribes which are scattered abroad, greetings.
Greeting: James (Jacob)
Servant—bond slave
(grace/obedience, not two masters)
Twelve tribes—Matthew 19:28
2-My brethren, count it all joy when you fill into diverse temptations;
Joy in trial—Psalms 119:67
Greeting/joy (all)—count is imperative
Temptations working to our good.
Matthew 16:24-28 suffering
Romans 5:3-5
See verse 12 (endurance)
3-Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
Strength from God through prayer.
1)Doesn’t suggest enough
2)For the Jew, from Torah
3)Contrast Hebrew/Greek/Roman
4)For Christian—through prayer
5)See James 3:13-18
6)God gave generously and without reproaching, when last reproached children
7)We must pray, and without doubt
4-But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Doubting is indecision about trusting God or ourselves. (1)Not without questions; (2)Not without uncertainty. Returns to prayer in James 5:13-18. Two-souled (dipsuchos)—Jews repeated shema Deuteronomy 6:4f. See Psalm 12:1-2—ex, JCPenney’s suit.
5-But if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Consistency of spirit is key. The two supreme tests—plenty/want, affluence/poverty. (1)Test of poverty—rejoice in richness in Christ: Mary’s Magnificat Luke 1:46f, physically poor/spiritually rich. (2)Test of affluence—question his being ______; boast in humiliation—funeral coach no trailer hitch; watching soybeans in a.m. Life conditioned for physical will vanish away. It is much easier for the lowly to boast in exaltation than for the proud to boast of humiliation.
6-But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering: for he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven by the wind and tossed.
Trial and Temptation
1)Trial endured
2)Temptation resisted
Only one Greek word—peirasmos. Remember the Beatitudes—Matthew 5:2-12 (Revelation 2:10) (II Timothy 4:8). “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord . . . will award to me on that day—and not only to me. . . .” (1)Given in response to trial; (2)Received by the one who victoriously endures (stands the test); (3)Such endurance is the mark of love.
7-For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord.
8-A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.
9-Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:
10-But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
11-For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
12-Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
13-Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted by evil, neither tempteth he any man;
14-But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Is this a contradiction? God can not be tempted/neither tempteth He. Hebrews 11:17 “Abraham, when put to the test”—same word. I Corinthians 10:9 “Neither let us tempt Christ as some of them tempted”—same word. (1)James prior to this refers to “trial” from without. (2)Here however, doubtless, he speaks of trial of uncontrolled passions and evil. (3)Though does not proceed from God are all-the-while under His grace, and He can manifest Himself within. (4)God permits, tests, that we might gain confidence in faith. Tempting to evil comes from the source of all wickedness.
Enticed—bait—deleazo
Drawn away—lured--exelkomenos
15-Then, when lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
The link between sin and death:
Contemplation
Consent
Consummation
16-Do not err, my beloved brethren.
17-Every good gift, and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, in whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
18-Of his own will begat he us the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
All Good v 16/18—God sends inducement to good, not enticement to evil. There is contrast between good and supposed evil.
V17b A comparison between God and the variables of light and shadow, and waxing and waning of sun and moon. The Milky Way contains 1 million suns brighter than our sun. One galaxy among millions.
Lessons:
1)Every believer prepared for trial.
2)Affluent Christians controlling, not controlled.
3)Avoid blaming God for social fall.
4)All good from God who doesn’t change.
19-Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
20-For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
21-Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls
22-But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23-For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24-For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25-But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
26-If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
27-Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
Doing the Word, James 1:19-27
1)The point—to receive the word (v21). Therefore “quick” to hear tachometer, “slow” to speak, “slow” to anger (Moses). How much is available to us! Multiplicity of video tapes in 5 years. Don’t learn anything while talking. Proverbs 29:20, Psalm 46:10.
2)Is a sermon a thing unto itself, or is [it an] end to lead to action? Do we read Bible to check ___ or to learn to do?
PRINCIPLES OF DIVINE GUIDANCE
#865 (w 781d) PRINCIPLES OF DIVINE GUIDANCE
Scripture I John 5:15, NIV Orig. Date 5-21-1980
Rewr. Dates 1-6-1991
Passage: 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
Purpose: Share a Sunday night with my people to encourage them in understanding some of the ways by which God leads His children.
Keywords: Will of God Guidance Series: Prayer
Cross reference: #781d
Introduction
Charles Hadden Spurgeon was a man of rare gift in relation to following the guidance of God in his life. Not only was he the outstanding evangelist preacher of his day, several other notable ministries were performed through the church he served.
After touring a series of Baptist churches, preaching in most of them, he collected funds from many of these churches to use in an orphanage run by his own church. On the way back to London, he perceived the Lord had spoken to him about these very funds. Instead of using them in London, he was to give them to his friend, George Muller who ran an orphanage in Bristol. He said that he resisted these instructions, but finally, relented and did what he thought he was to do.
When he delivered the funds to Muller, his friend explained to him a pressing need of the very amount now in his possession. Even though he was surrendering needed capital, Spurgeon1 rejoiced with his friend over this met need. Arrived back in London, he found an envelope on his desk containing a sum greater than he had given away that was to be used in his own work. Spurgeon felt that God had honored his obedience. Had he not been faithful in what he had been called upon to do, these larger funds would not have come to him at all.
How do we develop the attributes in our own lives that enable us to know what God expects of us?
I. First, a Word about Seeking Guidance. I John 5:15, “And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us.”
The appropriate beginning place is prayer, E.W. Kenyon: “Prayer is simply talking it over with Him, getting His views, His will, His plan, and our carrying out these plans, with His grace, ability, and wisdom.”
Prayer is not intended to be a one-sided conversation. Call someone on the telephone, the receiver is lifted, yet no one talks. Attempt to talk with someone who has lost their voice box. Dad struggled with that time when the doctor wanted to remove voice box.
God is not interested in being a voiceless co-respondent. He intends to hear us. It is His will for us to hear Him.
We are to pursue the will of God through the following means. The will of God is made known in the Word of God. Deuteronomy 7:11, “Thou shalt keep the commandments which I command thee this day.” They were given
***THE REMAINDER OF THIS SERMON HAS BEEN LOST***
1Spurgeon, C.H. (1889) The Lamb in Glory, from Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, Volume 35.