Sermon Tone Analysis

GPS: Praying

Thesis: Without prayer, the church will never succeed at her mission to make disciples.

Goal: Inspire and instruct people to pray for the church

Text: Topical

Introduction

Title Slide

!! A.   FCCH Response Cards

!! B.   GPS Series

!!! 1.    We’re in the second week of a three week mini-series.

!!! 2.    At FCCH, we believe that God calls us to partner with Him in ministry.

!!!! a)     When you give, the CM buys curriculum and children learn God’s word.

!!!! b)     When you pray, God sends comfort to the people in our church who are sick, grieving or dying.

!!!! c)      When you serve, strangers are greeted as guests in God’s house.

They experience His transforming love and become part of the family.

!!! 3.

Last week, John Corey joined me to talk about why it is important to give to the church and how he has built giving principles into his life.

!!! 4.    This week, I’d like to talk to you about prayer.

!! C.   I understand that there are a lot of demands for your attention

!!! 1.    Government study

Studied the number of ads children (2 to 11) were exposed to in 2004 - basically there were over 25,600 ads in 2004 geared for children – if they watched nothing but ads, nonstop, it would take 7.5 days – advertisers want your attention.

!!! 2.    The Outdoor Advertising Association of America

They promote the use of digital billboards that change every 6 six seconds in the hopes that they will grab your attention for 1 second – they are looking to sell you their product in 1 second.

!! D.   Amidst the cacophony of pleas for your attention is the church – asking you for prayer

Too many Americans see the church like the sad face of some child on the other side of a TV screen, asking you to pay attention to our need – we become the equivalent of a PSA.

Transition: I’m here today to talk about why I think people should pray for the church and how you can do it.

!

I.      Why Should People Pray for the Church?

!! A.   Mark 10:24-27

Preface the story

Slide 2

This amazed them.

But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God.

In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” The disciples were astounded.

“Then who in the world can be saved?”

they asked.

Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible but not with God.

Everything is possible with God.” (NLT)

!! B.   Answer

Our task is impossible without God – only God can transform the human heart so that someone can find life and be saved from eternal death.

!! C.   Example

Parents of teenagers know this.

We can make a teen go to church, sit through family devotions and even coerce~/bribe~/threaten them on a retreat but you can’t inject your son with love for God or your daughter with a passion to serve Christ.

You can plant these seeds of faith in them through the ministries of the church, the influence of your life and the exposure to the bible’s teachings but there is this mysterious transaction that takes place in a seed where it becomes a plant that breaks the ground and bears fruit.

You can put all the right ingredients in but you can’t make a Christian out of your child.

It’s the same with the church – nothing we do is possible on our own – only through God it is possible.

Transition: All right, so I know I should pray but how do I do it?

\\ !

II.

How Should I Pray for the Church?

Slide 3

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.

Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

(Ephesians 6:18 NLT)

!! A.   Four Characteristics

!!! 1.

In the Spirit

!!!! a)     When you pray what the bible tells you to pray – you’re cooperating with God and His Spirit – this is the most powerful praying because we know it is 100% in the will of God and it leads us into places that we would not go on our own

!!!! b)     When something about the church unexpectedly comes to mind – a leader at the church, a ministry or event or a need that you’re aware of – it comes crowding into your mind – sometimes even waking you up

!!!! c)      Praying in the Spirit is handing off an important request to God’s Spirit (who lives inside everyone who has surrendered to Christ), trusting that He will deliver straight to Heaven where God dwells

!!!!! (1)   For some it is tongues – a spiritual gift they have received from God that they use in private times of prayer or in small groups

!!!!! (2)   For most of us, it is the conscious dialogue of prayer where we know that there is a power and effectiveness that comes from God’s Spirit empowering my prayer

!!! 2.    All the Time and Everywhere

!!!! a)     Ten Good Times to Pray

!!!!! (1)   During your daily time with God

!!!!! (2)   While you are commuting – please keep your eyes open

!!!!! (3)   As a part of grace before you eat

!!!!! (4)   At the start of every ministry meeting you oversee

!!!!! (5)   With your children when you put them to bed at night

!!!!! (6)   During your small group time

!!!!! (7)   In the middle of the night when God wakes you up

!!!!! (8)   At lunch time (whether as a homemaker, student or employee) – invite others to join you

!!!!! (9)   During your ministry time (CCG, Sunday School, JAM night, Teen Ministry) – namely anytime you gather with people for a ministry

!!!!! (10)    While doing an unpleasant chore (like washing the floor)

\\ !!!! b)     On Every Occasion – means by yourself & with people

Brings up the question: what’s the big deal about praying with people?

God hears me when I pray, right?

Why bother praying with others?

!!!!! (1)   The first church regularly gathered together to pray

!!!!! (2)   It’s one of the best ways to learn how to pray

!!!!! (3)   It enlarges what you would have prayed

!!!!! (4)   God works through a unified church in powerful ways: Peter’s escape from jail

!!! 3.    Alert & Persistent:

!!!! a)     What does Paul mean?

like the way I drive in Boston, alert to the dangers, knowing that if I don’t give up but keep asking for help, I’ll eventually get there

when you let your guard down in praying for the church, it’s like taking your eyes off of the road to fidget with the radio

!!!! b)     Why alert & persistent?

Looking at context: we live and minister in the midst of great conflict and strife: the first church faced it:

!!!!! (1)   Spiritual forces of Evil

Satan tried to sidetrack Jesus Christ Himself in the temptation in the wilderness

!!!!! (2)   World

The first apostles faced outright opposition to their work

!!!!! (3)   Our Own Nature

Temptations (greed, sexual compromise, arguments & strife) & doubts that undermine our faith

Transition: we can’t talk about prayer without practicing it

Application: - pull out the Bookmark insert

!!! 1.    Review the Bookmark

!!! 2.    Pray for a few minutes – encourage small groups

!!! 3.    FCCH Response Card – check off the A: Pray through the bookmark by Sept. 9 – return of 2 services & school year ministries

\\ !!! 4.    What Should People Pray for the Church?

!!! 5.    Pray that we’ll spread the message of Christ clearly, fearlessly and fruitfully

!!!! a)     Clearly

Slide 4

And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.

Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.