OPEN: A 5-yr-old said grace at family dinner one night. "Dear God, thank you for these pancakes."
When he finished his prayer, his parents looked curiously at him and asked him why he thanked God for pancakes when they were having chicken.
He smiled and said, "I thought I’d see if He was paying attention tonight."
APPLY: There are many prayers recorded in Scripture. From Moses to David to Jehoshaphat to Daniel - we’re exposed to powerful, earth shaking prayers, and prayers that show us that God DOES pay attention.
But here, in Acts 13, we have a unique situation. We have several leaders fasting and praying and worshipping God, and they have unquestionably gotten God’s attention. But, look closely at Acts 13:1-3. What did these men pray? (Give them time to look, expect some confusion). It doesn’t tell us what they said, does it? All we’re told is - that in response to their prayer - the Holy Spirit told them to set aside Barnabas & Paul to set out on an adventure – an adventure that would change the face of the world forever.
We don’t know what they prayed, but they got God’s attention. (… pause) I want to pray like that.
I. But we’re not told what they prayed.
The only thing we’re told about their prayer was: they fasted when they prayed. Usually people fasted for one of several reasons:
People fasted when they were grieving over the death of a loved one
People fasted when they were repenting of their sin or the sin of their nation.
People fasted when they sought protection from forces they couldn’t contend with.
BUT MOST OFTEN people fasted when they were seeking insight.
Now, Antioch was a relatively new congregation, but it had experienced enormous growth. When the leaders at Jerusalem heard of this situation, they sent Barnabas and Paul to the church to teach these new converts about Christianity. For a whole year, Paul & Barnabas taught a great number of people. AND… they were so successful that they made a name for the church in area. Acts 11:26 tells us believers were called Christians 1st at Antioch.
SO – Antioch is a growing church with powerful teachers & all kinds of potential. What could they be fasting and praying about?
ILLUS: Years ago, when I was preaching at my 1st church, I got an uncomfortable feeling that something was wrong in the church – I just didn’t know what it was.
The church was growing
There had been at least 12 baptisms that year
Attendance was higher than ever
(pause…) AND yet, I felt uncomfortable – as if there was SOMETHING I was missing
So, I went on an extended fast. AND right in the middle of that fast, I believe God made plain what was wrong. Something that needed to be addressed in that congregation.
I believe that the leaders at Antioch felt uncomfortable about something. Granted – they were a dynamic church. They had marvelous leaders and great potential. BUT I think they were beginning to suspect there was something more… something bigger that they could accomplish. But they just didn’t know what it was.
II. That’s how I feel here at Logansport
We’ve experienced enormous growth. In 2001 we had 20 baptisms and this year (so far) we’ve seen 12 buried with Christ. Our attendance over the past few weeks has been between the high 130’s and the mid 140’s.
We have been privileged to take part in the establishment of a Hispanic church in Buffalo, and Rafael is now working on creating Bible Studies here in Logansport in preparation of beginning a congregation here.
We have a dynamic youth outreach. Brad’s ministry has been reaching to not only our church kids, but also to other youth who are often overlooked. They’ve been involved in a Sunday Night Radio program, development of concerts and there are even greater possibilities on the horizon.
In addition, there have been all kinds of extra activity going on inside our church. The "cookie" ministry, the pictorial directory (an in-house book that will not only list people’s faces, but also their birthdays, interests and other information).
A week from Wednesday, we will holding a special 9/11 worship service to minister to our community and to raise money for our local Police, Fire, Sheriff and EMT departments.
And we’ve begun to focus on a new Sanctuary (here I referred to a concept painting of the new building).
But, just like the leaders at Antioch – I’m beginning to think that there might be something bigger on the horizon for us.
I believe that part of the reason we’re not told what Antioch’s leaders prayed is because they had no idea what God had in mind. They just KNEW there was something else they weren’t involved with yet, something else that God wanted them to do. BUT when these Leaders prayed and fasted, when they opened themselves up to being used by God anyway He desired, God responded in a BIG WAY.
Did you realize, that when they allowed God’s Spirit to lead & they set apart Barnabas & Paul to be missionaries:
* The world literally was turned upside down
* Antioch became the jumping off point for world wide revival
* Nearly a dozen new congregations were established throughout Asia
* Paul began a ministry of writing that resulted in the composition of 1/2 of our New Testament
* And Antioch was established as one of the central hubs of Christianity in the ancient world.
… all because, these men humbled themselves before God to seek His will
III. Like I said, I believe God has more in mind for us than we know how to pray.
So I think we should pray like Antioch did. Not telling Him what we want… but asking Him to use us. Lead us. Help us to be more than we can even imagine.
Ephesians 3:20 tells us our God "is able to do IMMEASURABLY MORE THAN ALL WE ASK OR IMAGINE, according to his power that is at work within us."
ILLUS: Carl Bates once wrote: “There came a time in my life when I earnestly prayed: “God, I want your power!” Time wore on and the power did not come.
One day the burden was more than I could bear. I asked “God, why haven’t you answered that prayer?” God seemed to whisper back this simple reply: “With plans no bigger than yours, you don’t need my power.”
I agree with Carl Bates… EXCEPT I don’t think we can plan big enough to be and do everything God has in store for us. So, I want to pray the prayer of Antioch. I want to pray a prayer that gets God’s attention & leads us to even greater goals than we can envision ourselves. SO, I’ve committed myself to spending this week (beginning tonight) to fasting and praying for this church and our mission.
AND, I’m going to challenge you to pray throughout this week for the same thing. AND, if you feel led by God – to fast at least some time during this week (one meal/ one day/ whatever).
Now realize (if you fast) fasts were never required by God in the Old Testament or the New. But when people fasted as in a way that pleased Him, He paid attention.
The type of fast God desires is one that humbles us in His presence. One where you take the money you’d have spent on food and give it to missions or to the poor (Isaiah 58:6 - 7).
Let’s pray and fast – requesting that God leads us to where He wants us to go.
CLOSE: The story is told of a strong, broad-shouldered young man that who had just started working at the construction site. He was obviously one of the strongest men there and he knew it. And he wanted to make sure everyone else knew it too. So, he began to brag that he could out lift anybody on the site. In his pride, he especially made fun of one of the older workmen.
After a few minutes, the older worker had had enough. "Why don’t you put your money where your mouth is," he said. "I will bet a week’s wages that I can haul something in a wheelbarrow -over to that building over there - that you won’t be able to wheel back."
The braggart just laughed - "You’re on, old man," he said "Let’s see what you got."
The old man reached out and grabbed the wheelbarrow by the handles. Then, nodding to the young man, he said, "All right, get in."
It MIGHT be prideful for us to think we know where God want us to go as a church. SO, the prayer I want us to pray this week, is a prayer asking God to put us in the wheelbarrow and then, for Him to wheel us where He wants to go.
SERMONS IN THIS SERIES
The Power Of Praise – Revelation 4:1-11
How To Pray Like A Righteous Man – James 5:1-20
The Power Of Persistent Prayer – Daniel 10:1-14
The Power Of Persuasive Prayer – Exodus 32:1-20
The Prayer Of Antioch – Acts 13:1-3
