P-A-U-S-E Before You Act!
Calvary Baptist Church
July 10, 17, 31, August 7, 14, 2011
Proverbs 22:3
REVIEW:
In a previous sermon series, we encouraged ourselves to T-H-I-N-K before we speak. In this message, we want to extend the technique to our actions. P-A-U-S-E before you act!
T – Is it true? H – Is it helpful? I – Is it inspiring? N – Is it necessary? K – Is it kind?
OPEN:
Thelma and Louise. [NOTE: We are not endorsing this movie, or its message. The philosophy of the writer (feminist vengeance) is as messed up as the characters he portrays. But it does serve as a memorable illustration of what we are preaching.]
Thelma, married to Darryl (which the film portrays as a controlling husband) and Louise (a single waitress with a troubled past) decide to take a weekend road trip in Louise’s teal 1966 Thunderbird convertible. They stop at a bar where Thelma flirts with a man who later tries to rape her, and Louise ends up shooting and killing him. They flee the scene as things begin a downward spiral. They associate with some losers along the way who use them, abuse them and sneak away taking their money. Thelma robs a store, puts a policeman in the trunk of his cruiser, and along with Thelma shoots bullets at the gas tank of a truck whose driver has made obscene gestures at them. The truck explodes and kills the driver. When law enforcement finally corner them near the Grand Canyon, rather than spend the rest of their life in prison, Thelma and Louise drive the T-Bird over the canyon wall, committing suicide. Yes, things had been bad for Thelma, but by actions not carefully thought out, a road trip means the end of her life’s journey. We must be careful, for we can do the same thing in our life. (Wikipedia, summarized by lkw)
Proverbs 22:3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
1 Kings 20:11 And the king of Israel [NOTE: Ahab. A bad king, but a good saying] answered and said [NOTE: to Benhadad, king of Syria], Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off.
1 Kings 20:11 (ESV) And the king of Israel answered, "Tell him, ’Let not him who straps on his armor boast himself like he who takes it off.’ "
1 Kings 20:11 (MSG) The king of Israel countered, "Think about it—it’s easier to start a fight than end one."
I. P – Pray Have I taken this matter to the Lord in prayer and have I waited for His leading?
Matthew 26:39-41 39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. 40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
A. Prayer Can Stop Us (Acts 16:1-7)
• When we pray, God can stop us from doing something that seems so natural, so logical to do. (Acts 16:1-7)
ILLUS: Paul and Timothy on the 2nd Journey
Acts 16:1-7 Then came he [Paul] to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: 2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; … 5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily. 6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia [skirting the border of these regions], and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia [SW to their left], 7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia [NE to their right] : but the Spirit suffered them not.
• The natural thing for Paul and Timothy to do would be to continue stopping at each town and preaching.
• But the Holy Spirit said, “Don’t go left, don’t go right, don’t go back, and don’t preach where you are!”
• Now that is frustration.
• But God had a plan that could not be delayed.
• A man in Macedonia is praying!
• So God says, go on without delay or other ministry.
• And when Paul passes through the region of Mysia, he comes to Troas, where he receives the Macedonian call.
• If that is true of ministry, how much more is it true in our relationships!
APPLY! – You may feel that what you are about to do is logical, justified, reasonable. You need to pray. Find a place to get alone and pray.
B. Prayer Can Start Us
NOTE: Credit to my brother, Fred Thomson, for suggesting the outline for this section,
“Prayer can Stop Us, Start Us, Steer Us.” My original was, “Stop Us, Move Us.” I will not use the “Steer Us” part.
• When we pray, God can lead us to do something that seems so unreasonable, so illogical, so dangerous.
ILLUS: The church at Antioch sending away its best workers to the mission field! (Acts 13:1-3)
Acts 13:1-3 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
HANDOUT “B” BEGINS HERE, WHERE I STOPPED ON 7/10/2011.
ILLUS: Peter being led to go to Cornelius. (Acts 10:9-23)
Acts 10:9-23 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: [NOTE: The typical Jewish pattern was morning (9 a.m.) and evening (6 p.m.) prayer. Following the pattern of Daniel, Peter also prays at noon.] 10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, 11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: 12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. 14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. 15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. 16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven. 17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate, 18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. 19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. 21 Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come? 22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee. 23 Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
• To enter into a Gentile home, where hands were not washed according to ritual and where food content and preparation were not kosher was simply unheard of for a Jew.
• But in prayer, Peter learns that this is God’s will, and so he obediently goes.
• Yes, prayer can move us in ways that seem unreasonable, illogical!
APPLICATION ( Sam. 2:1; 5:19; 1 Chr. 14:13-14; Isa. 58:11; Jn. 8:12; James 1:5)
• God is willing and able to guide us.
• We must be willing to pray and wait!
• This is evidenced in the life of David.
• Note in these verses the idea that God can not only start and stop us, but he can steer us!
2 Samuel 2:1 And it came to pass after this [NOTE: As David waits to be accepted as the King of Judah], that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron.
2 Samuel 5:19 And David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.
1 Chronicles 14:13-14 And the Philistines yet again spread themselves abroad in the valley. 14 Therefore David enquired again of God; and God said unto him, Go not up after them; turn away from them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
In 1855, Joseph Scriven, wrote a poem to send to his discouraged mother. He had come to America, she remained in Ireland. When the poem was first circulated, it was done so anonymously. It took over 30 years for Scriven to receive full credit for his work.
What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.
Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.
ILLUS: Would to God that Moses had prayed a little before taking credit for getting the water from the rock! He lost the privilege of entering the promised land in an action that took less than 5 seconds. Sure, he was expressing the frustration with that murmuring multitude … but would to God that he had stopped to pray?
APPLY! – How about you? Do you have a habit of rushing into things that you later regret? What cliff are you about to run over now?
ILLUS: Gary Bill’s prayer – “Lord, don’t let me blow nothing up today!”
Isaiah 58:11 And the LORD shall guide thee continually …
John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
