Sermon Central
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Open Ears Series
Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Mar 8, 2015 (message contributor)
Summary: I would propose to you that God has open ears and is longing to have His children call Him day or night.
Title: Open Ears
Foundational Keys to Opening the Gates of Heaven
Introduction: In a book entitled, The Circle Maker, we read, "The Bible is a promise book and a prayer book. And while reading is reactive, prayer is proactive. Reading is the way you get through the Bible; prayer is the way you get the Bible through you. As you pray, the Holy Spirit will quicken certain promises to your spirit." In the Bible we have one of those promises, made by Jesus Christ, "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!"
Proposition: I would propose to you that God has open ears and is longing to have His children call Him day or night. When your children call to let you know what they are up to, most parents get excited. When your children have a real need, parents' want to know about it, and they wish their children would had called them before things have gotten difficult. It is like that with God.
Interrogative Sentence: Just what does it take for us to understand that God, our Father wants us to call upon Him in all circumstances, trials, and needs of this life? One of the keys to opening the gates of heaven is understanding the imperative of prayer - God wants to answer our prayers. "Christians, by the millions, the world over, can and do testify to the fact that God both hears and answers prayer." (Evans, W., & Coder, S. M. (1974). The great doctrines of the Bible (Enl. ed., p. 174). Chicago: Moody Press) You, and I can give personal testimony of specific prayers that have been answered.
However, there is a danger that can attack the heart of prayer. It is that religious aura - it takes us over easier than you think. It's that spiritual thing you are say - but there is no real heart-felt, Holy Spirit revelation that God wants to hear our prayers, He will answer it in a way that brings true peace and joy.
Years ago, a young man with the heart to be an evangelist and preacher of God's Word, attended his organization's yearly convention. He excitingly shared his vision and handed out material for all to read just what His vision was, he requested prayer, of which the leadership said they would pray. Years later, when the truth was revealed, the leadership had disregarded the young man's material - they could not give an accounting when they prayed or what they prayed for. The leadership had no interest, only saying that spiritual cliché, "Will Pray."
Did God let the young man down? By know means - clinging to the truths in this message. The faithful preacher saw the Lord raise up ministries who prayed for him and opened up doors of opportunities, which are still blessing him and others for many years now. Just what are those Biblical truths that quickened his heart to keep him, keeping on with His Lord?
Transitional Sentence: Psalm 65:2 says, "...You who hear prayers..." God in His Word often speaks to us in short phrases, "God is Love" (1 John 4:16) Here, the psalmist is encouraging us to pray because of God's readiness to hear. (Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 1, p. 366). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.) It is His natural attribute to hear prayer. Calvin rightly observed, “God can no more [disrobe] Himself of His attribute of hearing prayer than of being." (Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.). (1909). Psalms (Vol. 2, p. 29). London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company) In other words, as God is, it is character to hear prayer.
It is like the couple who has the heart desire to please and protect their lover and partner in life. They want to be informed what their spouse wants, needs, and expectations are. It gives them great joy to know that their partner in life will express their longings to them. There are woman who have discovered the joy of protecting, providing daily needs and comfort to their God given mate. A man who has such a woman knows that he has received favor from God. (Proverbs 18:22)
