Sermon Tone Analysis

Effective Prayers

Throughout scripture there are many times when we see prayers shared that are so powerful and effective.

There are some that stick in our hearts and speak to us continuously.

When considering to come to Faith Pentecostal I was seeking God and asking the Lord to provide direction, a passion, a vision for our family and the new church He planned to open the door to.

Our desire is to be used of God and to allow the leading of the Holy Spirit to be our guide in our lives.

I don’t have all the answers but I know the one who does.

I am not standing here this evening saying that because I am here we will have no struggles, or all is well.

I am here tonight wanting to have a conversation with you my new church on the things that I feel God prodding my heart towards and prayerfully hoping you feel the same.

Our assembly has so much potential, talent and longing to be used of God.

We have an aging congregation who want to see the Lord moving but need some manpower in order to continue the work, keep up the church and move out in the community.

As we were praying I remember a prayer in the Old Testament that sparked a whole movement for a while.

The Prayer of Jabez.

Today and yesterday was a day where I was quietly conversing with the Lord.

Talking to Him about our new town, our new church and dreaming about what I would love to see happen, asking Him to enlarge my territory, meet new people, help those I have met and point people through how I live and talk to Christ.

I see God expending our territory and if I tell you now where I feel God directing you may laugh and think I may have lost my mind.

But I know I serve a God who is able to go beyond what I dream.

I believe He wants us to dream Big dreams because He is a big God.

The Bible says this:

What I get from this is Dream big don’t worry about the details He is able to work it out.

Do not limit God! Be obedient to His leading and He will open the doors so we can walk through them.

In the last number of weeks we have seen God at work and it is exciting to see the start of things happening.

And believe that this is just the beginning and when He begins look out!

296 applicants and 2 hires - one of them my husband next door to a church I feel God leading me to pastor and on the way out here to preach the call he gets notification that he has the job.

No where to live - taken care of before the vote was settled.

House up for sale for 5 years - offer comes in before we hit south coast highway and sold before we made it to GFW.

First day of school rocky for Michaela - the best insurance the assurance of a praying church covering my girls in prayer.

Day 2 friends who invited her to eat lunch and things have been getting better each day.

Day 1 for Danika a new friend and swim team

You guys have not only received our ministry but you have also ministered to us.

Welcoming us with opened arms, bringing food, willing to help us unpack, then showing deep level of concern for our girls as they transition.

I look at this church as my family.

I want to love you and receive love.

I want to work together corporately to reach our town and show them the love we have here is a love they can have no strings attached and in turn meet a God that will transform their lives.

Prayer needs presented - which I look at it as God’s opportunities to overcome the challenges to minister

Challenges in the schools - which are chances to minister where there is no light present.

School has breakfast program 3 days a week - why can’t we take an opportunity to bless it with two additional?

Food bank - 275 hampers and in need of volunteers - food drive each week with bulletin inserts on the needs and food drives

Youth needed in the church - youth programs

Youth finding darkness in the school - youth led alpha program

Desperation in the community - prayer chain that can be called on to assure them there is hope

New converts class - new converts

No room - new church

You see when you see it written down you see it looks pretty simple because it is pretty simple.

I went to CF a home missions church that had a lot of darkness in the community and was told do not hold back because of money and I did not and there were more doors that opened because of that release.

Tonight, we are praying circles around our community and believing God to open the doors.

Jabez said surely I was born for more than this and I identify with him.

I have a gnawing hunger and a restless burden of want to do more and more for God.

I do not want the church to be content inside the four walls, only tending to themselves.

We have not been called for that.

We have been called to reach out.

What is God calling you to do?

What are your dreams?

God is the fulfiller of dreams.

I believe that because I have seen it over and over again in my life and it is not limited to there.

These deep dreams perfectly wed His purposes on the planet with the passion of our souls.

In your heart today are the seeds of great imaginings of a future you hope for, long for, and dream of either consciously or subconsciously?

God planted them there.

They are the secret of your fulfillment.

God summarized Jabez’s like into four facts:

Jabez was more honorable than his brothers

He received his name because his mother gave birth to him in pain

He asked God to give him his dream of an enlarged territory

God answered YES!

We are not told how God answered but we are told granted His request.

Jabez request:

Bless me

Enlarge my territory

Let your hand be with me

Keep me from harm

What is the dream God has etched in your soul?

Salvation for loved ones?

Building a great church?

Working in a ministry area?

Usher?

Greeter?

Worship leader?

50+?

Cemetery committee?

Missions team?

Working with children or teens?

Winning your family for Christ?

If God can expand the territory of Jabez he can surely do it for us!