GROW
(The Habits of Prayer and Quiet Time)
Whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
– Philippians 3:7-11
Prayer
OKAY – so we are this series called… “Becoming the church that HE intended.”
AND LISTEN – as we continue down the home stretch of this series we are unpacking the powerful and essential truth that the church Jesus intended is made of people… men and women, young and old…
THAT – are living their lives on MISSION.
PEOPLE – who like Jesus, have both built and are centering their lives around 3 things…
Seeking the lost, making disciples and showing compassion
AND – the way we summarize the path to living our lives on mission centers around 4 words...
BELONG - GROW - SERVE - ENGAGE
A life lived on mission begins with BELONG
- belonging to Christ
- belonging t His church
And a life lived in mission deepens with GROW
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. – 1 Peter 2:3
Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. – Philippians 2:12,13
NOW – last Sunday we began looking a spiritual growth habits that will help us GROW UP in our salvation.
Habit – a continual often unconscious inclination to do a certain activity, acquired through frequent repetition. An established disposition of character.
Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next. – 1 Timothy 4:7,8
So far have we have looked at...
1) The Habit Of Regular Church Attendance
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people are in the habit of doing, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. – Hebrews 10:25
2) The Habit Of Doing Life Together
We are in this struggle together… - Philippians 1:30
In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. – Ephesians 2:22
3) The Habit Of Spending Time In God’s Word
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. – 2 Timothy 2:15
Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth. – John 17:17
This morning we are going to look at two more spiritual growth habits..
I. The Habit Of Talking To God (prayer)
What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way our Lord is near us whenever we pray to him. - Dt 4:7
Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come fearlessly into God’s presence, assured of his glad welcome. – Ephesians 3:12
What Is Prayer
• Prayer is coming into the presence of God…it’s entering the throne room of the KING of kings and LORD of lords…
• Prayer is taking our concerns to the one who cares for us
• Prayer is communicating with the creator of the world…
• Prayer is bringing our hurts and our sorrows to the father of compassion and the God of all comfort…
• Prayer is reaching out to our never tired, confused, afraid or taken by surprise Redeemer…
• Prayer is crying out to the rock that is higher than we are
• Prayer is bringing our questions to the one who has the answers
• Prayer is the trigger that unleashes the supernatural power of God…Prayer is coming near to God…
What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way our Lord is near us whenever we pray to him. - Dt 4:7
What Can Prayer Do? Anything God can do.
The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. – James 5:16-18
• Moses prayed and God turned back his wrath.
• Jonah prayed and the great fish spit him out.
• Joshua prayed and God parted the Jordan.
• Solomon prayer and God gave him wisdom.
• David prayed and his enemies were defeated.
• Esther prayed and her people were saved from annihilation.
• Nehemiah prayed and the walls of Jerusalem were built.
• Believers prayed, the building shook and the church was born.
• The church prayed and the Gospel spread throughout the world despite persecution.
The A.C.T.S. Of Prayer
Have you ever threw a bunch of clothes in the washer and when it hit the spin cycle you thought the end of the world was coming? What was the problem with the washer?
The load was not properly balanced.
If we are not careful our prayer life can get unbalanced and be like an unbalanced washer.
The following is a pattern for prayer that has been used for many years by many Christians.
All you have to do is remember this one four letter word - acts.
A – Adoration (entering Holy space)
NOW – this is exactly how Jesus told us that we are to begin our prayers…
This then, is how you should pray, “Our Father in the heavens, hallowed be your name.” – Matthew 6:9
Note – He did not say ‘what’ but ‘how’
NOW - the word heaven is plural in the original Greek…
Something I did not discover until I did a series on the Lord’s prayer many years ago.
And though almost all translations miss this… is very significant.
LIKE – I am convinced that Holy Spirit was very intentional about it… YOU SEE – the Jews believed in 3 heavens…
1st heaven - the atmosphere the very air we breathe,
2nd heaven – where the stars are,
3rd heaven – the dwelling place of God.
(In 2 Corinthians 12 Paul talks about going to the 3rd heaven)
Heavens = God is not only in His holy dwelling in heaven but He is as close as the very air that we breathe.
AND LISTEN – adoration sets the tone for the entire prayer, by reminding us of who God is… by reminding us of whose presence we have just entered.
IT’S BASICALLY – declaring back to God who He is and what He is like…
AND – the reason this is so important is NOT to stroke His ego…
BUT TO LIFT UP OUR – eyes, heads, heart and mind to His glory and power.
SO – we say things like…
• God you are… awesome, great, powerful, holy
• God you are… an ever present help in times of trouble
• God you are… my rock, my helper, my deliverer, my redeemer
• God… nothing is too big, impossible or too hard for you
• God you’re mercy is new every morning and your grace is enough
• God you – part seas, slay giants, bring walls crumbling down, and provide a way where there is no way.
NOW –when it came to praising and adoring God… King David was a beast. We can learn so much from Him about adoration.
HERE – is just one example.
I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies. – Psalm 18:1-3
SO – I would encourage you as you read the bible make a list of God’s qualities and character traits, and pray them back to Him during your adoration.
• Yahweh Rohi – God is my shepherd (Psalm 23:1)
You lead me and feed me and protect me!
• Yahweh Jireh – God is my provider (Genesis 22:14)
You see what I need before I even ask!
• Yahweh Shalom – God is my peace (Judges 6:24)
You give me peace in spite of circumstances
• Yahweh Nissi – God is my banner (Exodus 17:15)
You are my victory in conflict and confrontation
• Yahweh Rophe – God is my healer (Exodus 15:26)
You can heal my body, my emotions, my relationships
• Yahweh Shammah – God is present with me
(Ezekiel 48:35)
You are here! I am never alone!
• Yahweh Mekaddishkem – God is my sanctification
(Leviticus 20:8)
You make me holy and like Jesus!
OKAY… let’s practice the A in Acts…
C – Confession (coming clean with God)
Forgive us our trespasses… - Matthew 6:12
Search me, O God, and know my heart: test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. - Ps 139:23
Benefits of confession
1 – God forgives ours sins
The one who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy. – Proverbs 28:13
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9
2 – God removes our guilt
When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.
– Psalm 32:3-5
3 – God will hear our prayers
Listen! The Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call. It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore. – Isaiah 59:1,2
OKAY… let’s practice the C in Acts…
Circle up and confess your sins out loud to God
Just kidding
And we will do that individually
T - Thanksgiving (expressing gratitude)
Enter into His gates with Thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful unto Him, and bless His name... - Ps 100:4
Make and keep a list of all the things that you are thankful for.
You know – count you blessing
When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God has done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
OKAY… let’s practice the T in Acts…
Just go around the circle and pray…
Father I thank you for…
S – Supplication (asking God to help and intercede)
In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. - Phil 4:6
And there is order to this as well, if we want to stay balanced in prayers
Pray 1st – for the Kingdom
Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
– Matthew 6:12
This is where you pray for God will to be done in…
Your church, your ministry, your job, your family, your life, our country, your community, the world
By the way that is what it means to ‘pray in Jesus name.’
Pray 2nd for others…
Family,
Christian friends,
Friends you’d like to see become Christians,
Spiritual Leaders,
Government leaders
Sometimes it is hard to know what to pray for others.
Paul in his letters
Paul basically prayed for three things for people
1. that they would know
2. that they would live
3. that they would have
That they would KNOW…
• God better - Ephesians 1:17
• Their hope and spiritual riches – Ephesians 1:18
• Their power – Ephesians 1:19-21
• The depth of God’s love for them - Ephesians 3:17-19
• Right from wrong - 2 Corinthians 13:7; Philippians 1:9,10
That They Would LIVE…
• A life that pleases God and is fruitful – Colossians 1:9-10
• Abounding more and more in love - Philippians 1:9
• Actively sharing their faith – Philemon 6
They Would Have…
• Great endurance and patience – Colossians 1:11
• Joy and peace – Romans 15:13
• Inner strength – Ephesians 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 2 Thessalonians 2:16,17
3 – pray for yourself
• For your daily needs…. give us this day our daily bread – Matthew 6:11
(Lord give me – wisdom, strength, mercy, energy for this day)
• That you would forgive others just as God has forgiven you
• You would become more like Jesus
OKAY… let’s practice the S in Acts…
SO – will you embrace the habit of talking to God by practicing the A.C.T.S of prayer?
II. The Habit Of Having A Quiet Time
(NOTE - much of this was gleaned from Rick Warrens 201 class)
Definition – a quiet time is a daily time set aside to be alone with God to get know Him better through Bible study and prayer.
The habit of having a daily quiet time
Definition – a quiet time is a daily time set aside to be alone with God to get know Him better through Bible study and prayer.
A. The Importance Of A Quiet Time
UNDERSTAND - your time alone with God should be a top priority in your schedule for at least 5 reasons.
1) We were created to have a relationship with God
And from Genesis to Revelation we see God's passionate desire to have that relationship.
(Talk about the painting God and Adam... how God is racing towards Adam with great passion to remove the distance between them and Adam is just sitting there kind of indifferent not sure if he wants to even lift his finger towards God)
When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. – Genesis 3:8
I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar; I will also consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve Me as priests. 45 I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God.46 And they will know that I am Yahweh their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, so that I might dwell among them. I am Yahweh their God.
– Exodus 29:44-46
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. – John 1:14
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. – Revelation 21:3
2) Jesus died to make that relationship possible
Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, - Hebrews 10:19,20
SERIOUSLY - how tragic to ignore the very thing that Jesus made possible.
3) Time alone with God was Jesus’ source of strength
Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. – Mk 1:35
Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. – Psalm 96:6
Every person who did great things for God had this habit
(Moses, David, Abraham, David, Daniel, Paul...etc)
4) You cannot be a healthy growing Christian without it
"It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" - Matthew 4:4
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 1 Peter 2:3
B. The Purpose Of A Quiet Time
1) To Give Devotion To God
Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due His name; worship Yahweh in the splendor of His holiness. – Psalm 29:2
God deserves our devotion
You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” - Revelation 4:11
God desires our devotion
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. – John 4:23
AND LISTEN - if you ever leave this room on a Sunday thinking,
“Wow, I did not get anything out of church today,”
SORRY – but it’s not about you.
The purpose of worship is God!
2) To Gain Delight In God
BOTTOM LINE – if develop this habit of a QT
You will be happier… and your mood swings will improve.
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. – Psalm 37:4
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. – Psalm 16:11
3) To Get Direction From God
Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. – Psalm 25:3,4
AND MGCC – getting direction from God will help you to do, 2 very important things each day…
Consider your ways
Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established. – Proverbs 4:26
Okay Lord, what is out of wack in my life?
Commit your day
Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. – Psalm 37:5
3) To Grow More Like God
OKAY – here’s the deal you are going to become like the one, who you spend the most time with…
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. – Acts 4:13
His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. 4 By these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires. - 2 Peter 1:3,4
Peter is saying that when we know Him more we…
• Access His divine power that helps to live the life He desires,
• A life that is more like Him (we share in His divine nature) and we are able to overcome are evil desires…
C. How to have a quiet time
1) Select a specific time
The best time is when you are at your best.
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. – Mark 1:35
2) Choose a specific place
Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. – Lk 22:39
3) Gather the stuff you will need
Bible, Notebook, ear buds (music), devotional book, coffee, ball cap…etc
Begin with the right attitude
• Be relaxed…
Be still and know that I am God. – Psalm 46:10
• Be real…
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. – Matthew 6:5
Do try to impress God
• Be eager
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. – Ps 119:18
• Be humble and submissive
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. – James 1:22
Follow a Simple Plan… ‘Relax’
R – Relax (slow down and breathe)
Inhale – “be still and know” Exhale – “That YOU are God”
Inhale – “Abba” Exhale – “I belong to YOU”
E – Enter… come into His presence through prayer
• Adoration – entering holy space
• Confession – coming clean with God
• Thanksgiving – expressing gratitude to God
(be sure to conclude ‘Enter,’ by thanking God for His word and asking Him to open up your heart and mind to hear for Him)
L – Listen… read His Word
A – Ask… what is God saying to you? (‘e.s.c.a.p.e.’)
• Is there an Error to avoid?
• Is there a Sin to confess?
• Is there a Command to obey?
• Is there an Attitude that needs changing?
• Is there a Promise to claim and hold on to?
• Is there an Example to follow?
X – eXit… Supplication, ask God to help and intercede
(For - the Kingdom, then others, then yourself)
D. How To Overcome Problems With Your Quiet Time
1) The problem of discipline
• Schedule it
• Ask someone to hold you accountable
• Be prepared for excuses
• Go to bed on time
• Get up immediately
2) The problem of distractions
• Get out of bed (maybe before the entire house wakes up)
• Get thoroughly awake
• Read and pray aloud
• Let emails, texts, social media or anything else WAIT
• Be sure to be in your specific spot (in front of the TV, at your desk… not going to work)
3) The problem of dryness
You know those times when you feel like you are not getting anything out of your QT…
Never judge your QT by your feelings
(feelings lie all of the time)
4) Possible causes of spiritual dryness
• Your physical condition
• Disobedience to God
(LIKE – you have not been acting on the insights that God has given you… so why would He give you new ones)
• Rushing your QT
(trying to do what I call drive by devotions)
• Not sharing insights with others
(if you do not give out what God is giving you, you will back up… like the dead sea)
What if you miss a day – don’t go on a guilt trip, don’t become legalistic, don’t give up
Remember – it takes 3 weeks to become familiar with a new habit and another 3 weeks before it becomes comfortable. (Galatians 6:9)
Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next. – 1 Timothy 4:7,8
