And Jabez called on the God
1 Chronicles 4
Text Verse: 1 Chronicles 4:10
(1 Chronicles 4:10) "And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested."
Introduction:
This is a chapter you might skip over in reading through the Bible. But there is a gem among these generations. The gem is a life-changing prayer. A prayer that deserves our study.
Notice:
1. A Prayer For Pushing Out the Borders
(1 Chronicles 4:10) "And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested."
A. Oh that thou wouldest bless me.
1. Some may plod on undisturbed . . . but not Jabez
2. Some content in spiritual ruts . . . but not Jabez
3. Some willing just to go through motions . . . but not Jabez
B. Jabez longs for all the blessings God will give him.
C. Jabez longs to increase his outreach: push out his borders
D. It is time for believers to pray like Jabez
1. Time is running out on us
2. "The situation is serious and the saints aren’t (Havner)
E. If God is to push out our borders, we must do our part:
1. Enlarging our borders demands vision
2. Enlarging our borders demands faith
3. Enlarging our borders demands work
2. A Prayer For The Power of God
A. "That thine hand might be with me"
B. Jabez wants God’s power in enlarging his borders
C. God’s power comes through prayer
D. Much prayer, much power, little prayer, little power
E. Prayer makes increased outreach possible
1. Let church board meetings be meetings for prayer
2. Let church staff meetings be meetings for prayer
3. Let fellowship meetings move on to times of prayer
4. Let the whole church be called to meetings of prayer
F. God will then enlarge our outreach with His gospel
3. A Prayer For Purity Of Life
A. "That thou wouldest keep me from evil"
1. Jabez sees the danger of falling into sin
2. All our gains can become losses if we do not stay pure
B. "That it may not grieve me"
1. Sin always brings grief
2. We cannot sin and win
a. Sin will take you further than you want to go
b. Sin will keep you longer than you want to stay
c. Sin will cost you more that you want to pay
Conclusion
A. God Granted Jabez His Request: His Borders were Enlarged; His Life Clean
B. Our Lord Longs to Do the Same for Us
C. Are We Willing to Pray and Believe Like Jabez?
** It was brought to my attention that this outline was contained in a book Preach For A Year #2 by Roger Cambell. I recieved this outline from a friend and preached it at my church thinking that it was his original outline. Sorry if this may have caused some confusion or questions.
