Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
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*God Hears Prayers*
*Text*: 2 Kings 20:1-11
*Big Idea*: God responds to your prayers.
*Purpose*: To reassure people that prayer is meaningful and powerful.
*Introduction*:
Question: Does Prayer really make a difference?
-in the morning when your kids leave – do you pray for them?
-when you are sick, are you worried if you neglect to pray
There are two extreme views of prayer:
1st view – that we can make God do our will through prayer
-if we say the right words, pray the right way
-then God will do our will
-God is in control, we pray His will be done
2nd view – that prayer is a nice practice, good idea
-but doesn’t really make a difference
-and I find this view to be more pervasive
Many of us might cringe to hear that view
-we might even realize that this is not true
-but our practice is consistent with this view
Examples: We pray for our grandchildren
-but we are not too worried if we forget to pray for them for a while
-because God is in control
We ask God to bless our food
-but you couldn’t really explain what difference it makes for God to bless the meal
Do we believe that prayer makes a difference?
Or maybe, better question: Does prayer really make a differenc
Logically, we can talk ourselves out of praying:
-God is in control of everything
-God has a plan for the future
-God has promised to make His will happen
-Therefore, whether I pray or not, God’s will is guaranteed
-because God’s plan is going to happen no matter what I do
-right?
So often – we develop a good theory, that doesn’t actually work
-when it is practiced
I understand the theory
-but the stories of the Bible tell us differently
-If you ever wondered whether God hears prayer
-look at the story of Hezekiah (2 Kings 20)
-who received a gift from a prayer
-and it was a gift that he didn’t even request in prayer
*Sermon Body*:
Movement 1: ~*God delivers His word.
Story of Isaiah telling Hezekiah of his imminent death
Isaiah brings a word from the Lord
-that Hezekiah, who is ill, is going to die
Question: What is the point of such a message
-Why didn’t God just let him die
-after all, God didn’t owe Hezekiah that message
-furthermore – there was no way this was an encouraging message
-that it was going to get worse
Isaiah gives a clue as to why God brought this message
-get your house in order
-the first meaning – get things lined up for succession of the king
-which son will take the throne – because it is no longer yours
But that message could have many meanings
-people at time of death feel emboldened to say things they would not normally say – which can be a blessing
-it could even be a call to repentance
-to know you face death makes you think seriously about your walk with God
Whatever God’s reason for bringing His word
-He brought it to illicit a response from Hezekiah
-to cause Hezekiah to turn to Him
That’s why God brings His word
-He wants His people to turn to Him in prayer
~*God's word beckons a response from His people.
God wants you to walk with Him
-to be in a relationship with Him
-talking, obeying, seeing His plans unfold, aware of His presence
-He wants your life to revolve around Him
Bible speaks of Enoch – walked with God – and that was right
God calls Abraham – walk with me
-He wants a response
His activity in your life today, is still intended to illicit a response of faith
-an acknowledgement
-thanks,
-like a child who will get a response, God will too
-through grace, through punishment
-He calls people to Himself
-Greatest way to respond - prayer
Turning to Him, talking with Him
-corporate worship, service, singing - all good
-draw our minds to Him
-but prayer we speak to Him
Movement 2: ~*God responds to prayer.
Story of Hezekiah's prayer and God's response
-adding 15 years to his life
-Isaiah went back to tell Hezekiah
-notice – this is not what Hezekiah asked for
-the point was not that Hezekiah was skilled in prayer
-but that He turned to God in prayer – talked to God
As a result of Hezekiah’s prayer
-God changed His immediate plans
-and granted Hezekiah a blessing – 15 more years of life
Prayer is effective
-God hear Hezekiah and responded
~*God can respond to our prayers without changing His will.
Some will ask – did God change His will
-if He did – is He really all-powerful and all-knowing
-God's will - to save His people.
-what changed by Hezekiah's life being lengthened?
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