Unity Through Prayer

Years ago, when Lisa and I joined a church that had just started, I invited some friends to church. They came, and one of them said “now that’s my kind of sermon, 13 minutes long”. Well, it wasn’t the short sermon that hooked him, because they never returned.

Today may be the shortest sermon you have ever heard! It is more like a devotional or meditation, than a sermon.

Part of the reason for the brevity of message is to allow us time for our meeting today. We have some exciting stuff to cover as we wrap up 2023.

But don’t you worry, next week will more than make up for the short message!

Today’s message will be from 1st Thessalonians 5:16-18.

Before we get started, I’m going to ask brother Jimmy to pray over today’s word, and that someone receives it!

I’d like to share a few interesting facts about 1st Thessalonians:

• Probably the earlies preserved letter of Paul.

• Also probably the first book of NT to have been written.

• At the time the letter was written, the church @ Thessalonica was only 2-3 years old.

• Here’s challenge #1 today- do some research and let me know if you find discrepancies in those facts.

• This letter was different in mood and tone than some of the others:

o Romans is very theological

o 1st Corinthians very pastoral in advice

o Galatians was essentially calling them out as heretics.

• Paul tries to get back to Thessalonica, but isn’t able to do so, and decides to send Timothy.

• Timothy returns with a favorable report that the church is doing well and growing.

• Paul has a grateful heart of the good report.

• I couldn’t help but compare CPC to the church in Thessalonica, and my gratitude to everyone who is such a vital role in CPC.

• One final note about the letter overall: Every chapter in 1st Thessalonians refers to Christ Second Coming.

• Before we get to today’s verses, I’d like to offer challenge #2. Read all of chapter 5 of 1st Thessalonians.

• In doing so, you might see that salvation is three-fold.

o We were saved (justified) when we first trusted Christ

o We are being saved (becoming sanctified) as the Holy Spirit continues to work in us

o And we will yet be saved (glorification of Christ) as we share in the Lord’s final triumph. And what a day, glorious day that will be.

Read v-16-18

Paul is saying a dedicated prayer life is empowered and reinforced with a thankful and joyous spirit.

I believe that giving thanks in everything is a learned spiritual practice.

Have you ever had such a heavy heart that you can’t think how or what to pray?

Yes, the Holy Spirit intercedes with groanings that cannot be uttered.

But I also suggest you give this a try when the words just do not come.

Thank you Lord. Thank you Father. X3

I also believe this: The more you pray, the more reason you find to rejoice!

V16 Rejoice always. Only when times are good?

• James 1:2 tells us consider it pure joy when trials and tribulations come.

V17 Pray without ceasing. (What is obviously does not mean)

Do you ever have a moment when you just don’t feel like praying?

This is what Paul is talking about. When we develop an established prayer life, it just becomes natural to pray in all situations and circumstances.

• In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

• Although this letter is to the Thessalonians, this is applicable to us today.

A couple final thoughts:

Do you ever hear someone pray and think “I could NEVER pray like that”, so you just don’t pray at all?

Be honest with me. Sometimes I hear Crystal, or KarolAnn or Jimmy pray, and I just say to myself “shut your mouth”.

But that is not what God wants of us. It is not required that our prayer be for public consumption.

But we are told throughout the bible, the importance of prayer.

Here’s another thing.

In every instance I can find in the bible, prayer precedes action, not the other way around.

And our prayer is to bring glory to Him!

Call worship team up.

Adoration

Confession

Thanksgiving

Supplication “the act of asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly”

Church, we need to get serious about our individual prayer life and our prayer life as a church.

About 4 months ago- Prayer Warrior Army

2 months ago- The power of Prayer (go see Prescott)

Couple weeks ago- Nehemiah’s prayer

I’m thoroughly convinced that our next level of church growth is though prayer.

Pray with me as we close out today's message.