FINDING PURPOSE
Part 2 – It All Begins with Prayer
† SCRIPTURE READING
Isaiah 56:1 – 7
In Isaiah chapter 56, God gives us a glimpse of His plan for all the people, not just the Israelites. Even those who were excluded from worship or not considered citizens in Israel, God’s blessings are for them as well. But listen to what He says in verse 7 when He is describing where they were to worship.
“All who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it
And who hold fast to my covenant-
7 these I will bring to my holy mountain
And give them joy in my house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and sacrifices
Will be accepted on my altar;
For my house will be called
a house of prayer for all nations."
PRAYER
Last week we began our series on finding purpose. We talked about the week of renewal and how that has affected us and our church. We also outlined the direction of the next few weeks for us where we’ll examining where we are, where God wants us, what steps we need to take to get there, as well as what tools God has made available for us to do this.
This week were focusing on prayer. Our journey, our first step begins with prayer.
“My house will be called a house of prayer for ALL nations.”
Jesus reminded us of this scripture when cleaning out the temple in the New Testament.
† Matthew 21:12, 13
“12Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13“It is written,” he said to them, “ ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’[e] but you are making it a ‘den of robbers.’[f]”
So what was the problem here? Well, this was the second time that Jesus had cleared the temple. The first time was in John 2:13-17. They set up booths in the court of the Gentiles, and they were taking advantage of the foreigners coming to worship. The commercialism in God’s house ended up frustrating people’s attempts to worship, thus they were standing between God and the people. This really angered Jesus. Anything that comes between us worshipping God should be stopped!
Jesus was once again rebuking with scripture to the ones who knew scripture. Using the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.
The merchants took the focus of worshipping God in truth and spirit because they caused the Gentiles who came to worship to be upset about being ripped off. This was their example of God now.
We are to be living examples of God’s word. When someone does not know God, they get their impression of who God is by how we live.
That’s why it is so important to walk the walk, especially if we are talking the talk.
So God wants His house to be called a house of prayer for all nations!
There are other ways to come between people trying to worship God in His house. There are ways that we can come between people trying to come here to worship God. And if it upset Jesus then, you know it upsets Him now.
Now, today we don’t have sacrifices because the sacrifices in the Old Testament were just foreshadowing for the people so they would understand what it was Jesus was doing when He died for us on the cross. But we are to be a living sacrifice for the Lord. We are to crucify our flesh daily so that the spirit of God can dwell in us.
This is why new people come to worship, to find the way. They come here to sacrifice in another sense. They come here o worship God.
But sometimes we come between them and their worship. This causes people to dislike certain denominations, or types of services, or church all together.
This is why it is important to live what we as Christians preach. Not just outside the church, but most of all INSIDE the church. Because this is where the new people first come to worship, and we better be walking the talk.
† Jeremiah 7:1 – 11
“This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD :
2 "Stand at the gate of the LORD’s house and there proclaim this message:
" ’Hear the word of the LORD , all you people of Judah who come through these gates to worship the LORD . 3 This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says:
Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place. 4 Do not trust in deceptive words and say, "This is the temple of the LORD , the temple of the LORD , the temple of the LORD !"
5 If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, 6 if you do not oppress the alien, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, 7 then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your forefathers for ever and ever. 8 But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless.
9 " ’Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, [a] burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known,
10 and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, "We are safe"-safe to do all these detestable things?
11 Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the LORD .”
Have we entered this temple which bears the name of God with a right heart today?
What God is saying here is simple. This house is a house of prayer and connection to God. If we have changed our ways (convert) and our actions (repent) then we are permitted to stay here in this house.
But, if we steal, murder, commit adultery, perjury or worship other God’s, then think we can come here and stand before God thinking it’s OK to do these detestable things, then God will take care of that situation, because we represent Him. Most of all IN HIS HOUSE!
And if we live this way and come into this House, we are in essence doing exactly what those merchants did, we are causing confusion, and coming between people who are really here to worship God in truth and spirit, and new comers looking for a place to worship God.
This is why Jesus cleaned house that day. So that there would be no one who would come between God and His people when it came time to worship.
Do we think we can hide what is in our hearts from God?
The scripture says that you can not live worldly then think everything is OK because you stepped into the temple. Thinking you’re safe now from all your doings because you’ve stepped into His temple.
This house which bears His name is for all to come and worship, confessing and repenting so that God can have a relationship with you.
But there are those who enter the temple with sin hidden within them, unwilling to confess and repent, thinking that they are OK simply because they are here.
So we look at this scripture and ask, is this house a house of prayer?
It’s supposed to be.
The Lord says that this house is a house of prayer for all nations.
Jew and Gentile.
Are we approaching God in His temple on His terms? We need to.
If you’re living the way you want to and coming into God’s house thinking your OK with God, the scripture says the opposite.
My house will be a house of prayer. Why does God say this?
Because everything we are and are to become begins with prayer.
Our praise to Him, our thanks to Him, our seeking of Him, our growth in Him, our relationship with Him, everything begins with prayer!
† So when do we pray?
In the book of Acts, everything began and ended with prayer.
You know, every sermon I give begins and ends with prayer. It always has. That’s because I know and acknowledge that nothing I do is possible without God. I can only receive understanding and the ability to communicate that understanding because of God. It is only through the Holy Spirit that any of what I say makes sense.
Most people pray when it’s convenient. Some of us pray when we have time to pray, as long as nothing else interferes.
Sometimes we pray when we are feeling guilty. So we try to pray because we are driven by our guilt to do so. We try to pray real hard so we can free ourselves from our guilt.
A lot of the time we pray when there is trouble brewing. I hate to say this, but sometimes prayer is a last resort instead of a first thought. I personally am getting better at turning to God first when trouble comes, but it is our human nature to run through a gambit of our own resources to try and FIX the problem ourselves.
Sometimes I think these problems are lessons. These lessons give us opportunity to submit our lives and crucify our flesh’s desire to control our lives and allow our spiritual self to take over and communicate with God.
Thus, building our relationship and dependence on God and His ability rather than removing God from the equation of our lives and becoming self reliant.
You know, being self reliant doesn’t mean you can successfully solve your problems or run your life. It simply means that you only rely on yourself.
But God didn’t create us that way. In fact, we were created to rely on Him. And we were created to use our gifts TOGETHER as ONE body in Christ.
† So when did they pray?
For Salvation or Deliverance - Philippians 1:18 – 20
To Save the Sick – James 5:14 – 16
To Heal our Land – 2 Chronicles 7:13 – 15
For the Holy Spirit – Acts 4:30 – 32
In Conversation with God – John 14:10 – 14
For each other – James 5:15 – 17
† How should we pray?
Here is an excerpt from the book “Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire.” By Jim Cymbala;
“God is attracted to weakness. He can’t resist those who humbly and honestly admit how desperately they need Him. Our weakness, in fact, makes room for His power.”
Less of me Lord, and more of you!
In humility and honesty, praying in spirit and truth!
Because it’s all about the spiritual aspect of our being, our relationship with God is spiritual, our strength and ability comes through the Holy Spirit, therefore it only makes sense that we also worship Him and talk to Him in a spiritual way.
When he disciples asked Jesus how to pray, this was to be used as a template for us, not for repetitive prayer, rather an outline for understanding of how we should pray to God.
This is how it breaks down;
Begin by Acknowledging (or praising) His majesty;
“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name”
Continue by Praying for His will in this world;
“Until your kingdom comes, may your will be here on earth as it is in heaven.”
We pray to be filled with words from the mouth God (how? The Bible);
“Give us today our daily bread”
For Forgiveness through our obedience;
“Forgive us for doing wrong, just as we forgive others.”
Lead us down your path Lord;
“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
Then Jesus said this;
“14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Think bout that next time someone sins against you.
So we ask once again;
† So when should we pray?
In everything be prayerful!
When all seems lost, PRAY!
† Jonah 2:7
“1 From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. 2 He said:
"In my distress I called to the LORD ,
and he answered me.
From the depths of the grave [a] I called for help,
and you listened to my cry.
3 You hurled me into the deep,
into the very heart of the seas,
and the currents swirled about me;
all your waves and breakers
swept over me.
4 I said, ’I have been banished
from your sight;
yet I will look again
toward your holy temple.’
5 The engulfing waters threatened me, [b]
the deep surrounded me;
seaweed was wrapped around my head.
6 To the roots of the mountains I sank down;
the earth beneath barred me in forever.
But you brought my life up from the pit,
O LORD my God.
7 "When my life was ebbing away,
I remembered you, LORD ,
and my prayer rose to you,
to your holy temple. “
Do you think all seemed lost to Jonah?
Yet, he still turned to God. Yes, it was a last resort, but perhaps he learned from that experience, “Man, next time I’m calling on God right away!”
Have you ever felt like Jonah? He was in the belly of a fish in the depths of the waters, and yet, his prayers rose to the Temple of the Lord and God heard his cries!
Not only did God hear, He responded and saved Jonah!
Other examples of prayers are found in;
Luke 18:1 - The Parable of the Persistent Widow
“1Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.”
Colossians 4:2
“2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
Matthew 21:21 – 23 - The Fig Tree Withers
“21Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. 22If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
† Everything we are, and are to become begins with PRAYER!
PRAYER
God, awesome and mighty Father.
We pray for your will in this house, and in our lives.
God, let us do all things by prayer.
Let everything we do in this house of yours be centered on you in prayer.
I pray that all is began and closed with prayer to you Lord.
Help us make prayer a priority in our lives and in this church.
Through this, grow us and give us understanding in the direction you wish us to go.
Lord, forgive us for our sins, and help us to forgive those we feel have sinned against us.
Clean our hearts clean our minds, lead us to be a penitent people confessing our sins to you Lord and repenting of them so we can have forgiveness.
In Christ name we pray.
