“CPR for a Healthy Walk" Part 6
I. Cleave to and continually cultivate relationship with Christ
A. Humbly Connect to Christ
B. Gratefully consecrate (present) your members to His service.
C. Continually renew our thinking or perception
D. Sincerely draw near to God
E. Live in the power of the Holy Spirit
Introduction
If we would practice these things on a consistent basis, we would discover that the things of earth really would grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. But for a number of reasons, we find it difficult to maintain such a focus over an extended period.
We experience seasons of fervor for God but find it difficult to maintain that fervor over time. We feel like we should be able to keep it up on our own. There must be something wrong with us to so easily gravitate toward mediocrity. The Scripture is clear that living such a devoted, victorious life IS possible. It presents each of the elements we talked about thus far as the normal way of life of every genuine believer. The Scripture is equally clear that God intended that we live together in community. Ministry of the body to one another enables a fervent walk over the long haul. We need to learn and practice the elements under Cultivating relationship with God but we also need to develop the kind of healing community that supports one another in our walk with God. A brief study of the passages that regulate our relationship with one another will demonstrate the importance of community. A genuine stirring of our passion for eternal things must include a resurrection of our passion for meaningful community with eternal like souls.
Just as there were five elements to cultivating relationship with Christ, there are at least five elements related to our pursuit of community with one another. God designed us to live in community with like-souled people. God is trinity and has existed in community for eternity. As creatures created in His image, we too were designed to live in community.
From the beginning it was not good that man should be isolated and live alone. For Adam there was no one corresponding to him on the earth and God himself declared it is NOT good. So God fashioned the woman and thus was established the very first community. God commanded them to be fruitful and fill the earth. God made us to function best in community. It can be the most painful part of life but also the most blessed aspect of life on this earth.
Eccles 4:9-12 Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.
Solomon points out the value of companionship applied to many areas of life.
Productivity, help in struggle, warmth, protection. God created us to live in community. God created us to love and be loved. It is the pursuit, development and maintenance of meaningful community that empowers the church. Jesus said the distinguishing mark of His followers would be a loving community. I have attempted to categorize a multitude of instructions given regarding meaningful community into five basic headings.
I. Cleave to and cultivate relationship with Christ
II. Pursue, develop and maintain meaningful connection to the body of Christ.
A. Fervently pray for one another
A brief glance at the early church reveals a devotion to prayer that blasted the early church into worldwide impact. Paul instructed the Colossians to “be devoted to prayer.” Paul modeled a life of intercessory prayer. God saw fit to record the basic content of Paul’s prayer life. Paul referred often to the constant nature of his prayers for those he served. Paul understood the essential place prayer occupied in his own ministry. He asked for prayer. He thanked others for praying.
We had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us, you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many. 2 Cor 1:9-11
Many passages talk about prayer. I want to focus on three powerful passages that propel prayer to the forefront.
1. Intercessory prayer is essential
With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints Eph 6:18
Having informed us of a major battle against spiritual forces...
Having reminded us that our war is NOT against flesh and blood...
Having defined the defensive armor and the offensive sword against the enemy…
Paul continually exhorts us to pray for one another.
The urgency of prayer is unmistakable!
ALL prayer and petition
Pray at ALL times in the spirit
Be on the alert with ALL perseverance and petitions
Pray for ALL the saints.
If the battle against Satan is won through prayer, what happens when we do not pray? Can we expect to keep a spiritual focus in the heat of our battle with the world, the flesh and the devil without the decisive weapon designed and directed by God? The early church understood the essential nature of intercessory prayer. Paul asked that God grant him boldness to preach the word and open doors of opportunity. The early church prayed for boldness in the face of persecution and imprisonment and the whole room where they were praying shook and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit resulting in a bold witness in spite of a bad circumstance.
Prayer fuels our efforts both to live and proclaim the truth in Jesus name. Prayer is not only essential but intercessory prayer is effective.
2. Intercessory prayer is effective
a. Prayer for those sinning
If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death. 1 Joh 5:16-17
John introduces a possible scenario for the Christian. This is a third class condition meaning, “it may or may not be likely” that we “perceive” at a given point in time a Christian brother “missing the mark”. The “sees” is a point time verb. The “committing a sin” or “missing the mark” literally continually sinning a sin is a present, continuous tense verb. The word used here is one commonly used to indicate one who misses an established mark.
“Ask” God is a future tense. He shall ask God.
The promise is that God will in a future time give life. The word "give" refers to something offered freely to another, to give someone something.
In this case, God gives the one sinning “life”. The word life is a common world for life, vitality, physical or spiritual life, health, ability, and movement.
Sin always leads to death, disruption, and detachment. When we pray for one another, God gives life, order, connection, and ability.
There is one exception to this promise. We are urged not to pray for the one committing a sin leading to death. We must not be sidetracked trying to identify the specific sin leading to death. John directs our attention to praying sinning people back to life. Interpreting “the sin unto death” could be as simple as a reference to one who has committed a capital crime. When someone has committed a capital crime, we ought to allow the penalty of the laws of the land to be carried out. We ought not to expect that God would grant life when His law says he should die although by grace God may indeed give life for death. I.e. King David, adulterous woman, Paul.
There is any number of legitimate responses when we become aware of another brother “missing the mark”. The Holy Spirit knows the best response to apply to any given circumstance. This is just one that perhaps should be the first response – PRAY!
We ask. God gives life for death.
Generally, our first response is to tell someone else. Often our initial response is to expose or confront immediately. Our focus must be restoration to abundant life. Awareness of transgression should always trigger intercession. All of us continually miss the mark. Rather than react in frustration, tell others, or withdraw fellowship or any number of other forms of rejection, we should engage in life giving intercession.
When the nation of Israel miserably missed the mark by rejecting God’s rule and asking to be ruled by an earthly king, Samuel responded in this way,
"Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way. "Only fear the LORD and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you. 1 Samuel 12:23-24
b. Prayer for those without strength -- James 5:14-20
James reveals an early church way of life that resulted in prayers of strengthening in times of weakness.
Who calls for prayer?
Is anyone among you without strength?
The word used here is the Greek word for “strength” (stheneo) with a negative in front of it (a stheneo) meaning without strength or not strong. James provides a remedy for any in the congregation feeling “without strength”. The New Testament uses this word in a broad range of application.
It refers to:
• Spiritual weakness or weak in faith.
• Emotional or mental (soul) weakness.
• Physical weakness due to disease or illness
• Demonic oppression.
So often, because of a narrow translation of this word in most translations, we miss a powerful key to gaining and maintaining a strong spiritual focus. All of us struggle from time to time with weakness in one or more of these areas. We more readily agree to the process regarding physical illness because it seems safer. I believe we continue to experience weakness because we proudly refuse to admit our need for the ministry of the body in the other areas of our life. So, what is a person “without strength to do?”
What do we do?
Let him (the one without strength) call for the elders of the church,
James instructs the believer experiencing weakness in his or her life to take the initiative to “call” for elders. Elders could refer to those in an official capacity or those who have demonstrated spiritual maturity. The word used “to call” here is to call to someone to engage in close relationship.
What do the elders do?
and let them (the elders) pray over him,
anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord;
What will God do?
and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is weary,
and the Lord will raise him up,
and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.
Summary of process
Therefore, confess your sins to one another,
and pray for one another,
so that you may be healed.
The principle of effective Prayer
The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain;
and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.
And he prayed again,
and the sky poured rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
The Power of effective prayer
My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth, and one turns him back (through prayer),
let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death,
and will cover a multitude of sins.
The very prayers of Paul resulted in a strengthening of the church. Paul prayed for strengthening, enlightening, hope, boldness, courage, perseverance, steadfastness, long-suffering. I present to you again that the early church experienced accelerated growth and phenomenal impact in their world because they happily devoted themselves to prayer.
Why couldn’t the disciples persevere in prayer at the garden? Jesus clearly identified the problem. It was not related to the willingness of their spirit but the weakness of their flesh. After Pentecost, they passionately devoted themselves to eternal things, especially prayer. When we walk in the flesh prayer is a burden. When we walk by the power of the Spirit, prayer becomes a passion.
Conclusion
The first element in pursuing, developing and maintaining meaningful connection with the body of Christ is a commitment to pray for one another. Key verse: Eph 6:18
• Pray at all times for all the saints for all things.
• Pray for deliverance.
• Pray for those sinning.
• Pray for those struggling.
Application
Respond to the encouragement to call for prayer for an area of weakness
Repent of prayerlessness for others
Resolve to persevere in prayer
Sign up for the “Connecting Seminar” on Sunday nights starting April 25th.
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