A People for God
(adapted from a sermon, Prayed-For Leaders, by Francis Frangipane)
Introduction/Review
Last week- looked at how- initially/eternally- the call of God in our life is first a call into relationship.
1 Cor 1:9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Too often we associate our call/identity w/what we do.
Our value to God is more than what we do for Him.
I did not have children for what they could do for me- (never do what you can get a child do)
God created us primarily, uniquely, for relationship.
Out of that relationship comes what we DO for Him.
What we DO should never overshadow who we ARE.
Corporate Calling
Today- look at the life that we share together- church.
We are similar to other churches, but also unique.
Certain types- fish swim together/birds fly together. Something unites them, as it does us.
In Rev 2-3- seven letters written to seven churches.
Each letter is different/specific to that church-
-who it is, its strengths/weaknesses, purpose
God has a purpose for His people gathered together.
Our shared life together-exceeds what we can do alone
1 Pet 2:9-10
As a gathered people, we have-purpose in God’s heart.
Incredible Calling
As people we are called into- incredible walk w/God-
Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Rom 8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
Look with me at-
Col 3:1-4
If we want to be revealed w/Christ in heaven then we must hide ourselves in Christ in this life (v3-4).
If we want to walk in God’s supernatural power, we must die to many things in this life.
Too often we limit God by our thinking (v2).
We need to come up to God’s level of thinking rather than bring God down to our level of thinking-
Eph 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
Spiritual Hope
God is calling us to be a people who are able to look at the reality of life-no matter how corrupt-and not be-
-fearful, offended, withdraw
-instead seek the heart of God and
-pray that His kingdom will come on earth-
into that situation- as it is in heaven.
We are a people who see what COULD BE and do not give up because of what life IS or what we SEE.
We are not NAÏVE, but neither are we CYNICAL-
we believe that all things are possible w/God.
Our God has given us a prayer to pray-
Your Kingdom come, Your will be done …
We need to pray like heaven is possible on earth.
Spiritual Maturity
Our path to spiritual maturity- to realize- we are called to stand in the gap and see what will bring change.
Ezek 22:30 So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.
Our spiritual growth comes when we see what- church lacks-and grow in Christ so we-make the difference
Wherever we go in life- God is going to say- make it better- we can complain- but can we make it better.
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
God’s power- working in us to bring life into whatever situation we are facing- as an individual/church.
1 Cor 2:16 But we have the mind of Christ.
-God, how do you want to make this better?
-how do you want to bring healing and hope?
-how do you want to transform the situation?
Isa 53:3 He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief
We may need to be acquainted w/suffering of others so we can have the heart of compassion that God has.
2 Cor 1:3-4
He gives us comfort so we can comfort others.
Our walk w/God- so much more than going to heaven-
-there is a reason God keeps us here.
We need this world, its imperfections, and the suffering it brings, so we can genuinely have
the heart/compassion of Christ toward people.
Prayer and Intercession
God is prodding all of us into that place of maturity where we can stand in- gap- for what God is doing.
We all need to be given to- bible/prayer/intercession.
There are those who pray for me/church-be successful.
When people pray for me- things are added to my life.
Through prayer I can do what I could not have done.
This is true for every member of our congregation.
We must look at one another through God’s eyes and see what He sees- Joshua, David, Ruth, Esther.
We are called to stand in the gap, intercede for one another/church/nation- to pray for their success.
Conclusion
No matter how crazy the world/nation gets- we, the people of God, the Church- must not give up.
If the church gives up, then the enemy wins.
Mtt 18:19 “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.
Coming into agreement is part of intercession.
Bible does not say- whatever the world agrees- will be done- but whatever we (church) agree will be done.
(tower of Babel- world agreed- build- tower to heaven- God- confused languages- scattered them- Gen 11).
We are called as the church to stand in the gap before God- for people and the healing of our society.
There is something we cannot get any other way than through prayer and praying for one another.
We are called to highly esteem one another.
We must determine that together we are going to be the house of God- a place where people can-
-experience the life/presence/power of God
-grow in their understanding of truth
-step into their call (the DO part of our life)
Mtt 16:18-19
As the church we have an incredible call on our shared life together.
