Sermon Central
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Fill The Gap
Contributed by Alan Hughes on Jul 15, 2007 (message contributor)
Summary: A message on prayer based on the the phrase "Fill the Gap" and the Lord’s Prayer, Matt 7:9-13
“Fill the GAP”
Alan Hughes
July 15. 2007
Introduction:
I often find that I am missing things in my life.
1. Relationships – My son, my daughters, my grandchildren, and even my wife. They get broken either by death, neglect, or misunderstandings,
2. Finances – just not enough money to cover the bills.
3. Health
4. Just wants and needs.
Are you missing things in your lives?
What are they? Can you name some?
Missing things in our lives create GAPS. We all got them, GAPS.
Missing things = GAPS
The problem is “How do we fill the GAPS?"
Can you say: “Fill the GAP”?
Say it: “Fill the GAP”!
God has the answer:
Phil 4:6-7
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (NIV)
Prayer equals FILL!
The question is: “How do we pray”?
Look at the word, FILL.
First:
1. F = Focus on God or FOG
10 When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the LORD. 11 And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled his temple. 12 Then Solomon said, "The LORD has said that he would dwell in a dark cloud; 13 I have indeed built a magnificent temple for you, a place for you to dwell forever."
Focus on God!
When the disciples wanted to learn to pray they came to Jesus and asked Him. Look at what He said:
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.10 Thy kingdom come.(KJV)
A. His Name
B. His Holiness
C. His Kingdom
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (KJV)
Second:
2. I = Inquire of the Lord!
10b Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. (KJV)
A. His will
31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. (KJV)
14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: (KJV)
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. KJV
B. His Sovereignty
A term by which is expressed the supreme rulership of God. This is rightly held to be not an attribute of God but a prerogative based upon the perfections of the divine Being. He is under no external restraint whatsoever. He is the Supreme Dispenser of all events. All forms of existence are within the scope of His dominion.
(from The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary. Originally published by Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois. Copyright (c) 1988.)
His kingdom is His ultimate right and we can not do anything against it.
C. We are to accomplish His will.
Rom 12:1-2
12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (KJV)
Third:
3. L = Live by faith
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: (KJV)
Heb 11:1
11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. KJV
Heb 11:6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. KJV
