1 John 5:13-20
The Power of Prayer
Introduction
A. I have a curiosity to learn new facts. I am constantly watching the discovery Channel and TLC talking to people just trying to learn stuff.
B. Heather Dad is a Nuclear Insurance Salesman.
C. I have talk to him about exactly how Nuclear power works and how much power is there
D. It is amazing how much they can do with just one reactor
E. I remember hearing about the one part that broke at Niagara falls and ½ the east coast was without power, that is a lot of power
F. To think how much power there is there
G. However, we have access to a much stronger power
H. The power that will never create a blackout
I. A power that does not cost anything for the rest of your life
J. A power that you can use any time any place
K. The power of prayer
L. Today we are going to talk about 3 different areas we all need to pray for.
a. Personal Prayer
b. People Prayer
c. Persevering Prayer
I. Personal Prayer (13-15)
A. Explanation
1. This is the beginning of the conclusion for John’s First Epistle. Notice how he begins it. (VS 13) These things. These things are everything that John has told about it
2. This book was clearly written for Christians. Anyone who believes in the name of the Son of God
3. Blessed Assurance. That is why John is writing this
4. Here is a thought that probably does not occur that often but should. We have confidence (Vs 14) to talk to God
a) Imagine those conversations that you have to have with your boss. The ones you rehearse in your mind all day long. Because you are afraid of what might happen, IE Fired.
b) God you can approach and he will listen. Read the Psalms
5. Here is a fun thing to consider. As long as it is according to his will, he will hear us. Obviously it would not be his will for you to sin. Probably would not help anyone if He made me a millionaire. But if it is His will, He will here it!
6. God hears us. That is so nice that He hears.
7. Going to the boss anytime that we want and knowing that we will take Him seriously
8. Knowing that we can take it everything to God and God will here us.
9. Knowing that we have (no will have) what we asked Him
B. Application
1. Prayer that is what we are talking about
2. Communication with God
3. Something we can do easily
4. Someone that will listen
5. Someone that will give direction
6. Someone who does have all the answers
7. Someone who gives us unconditional love
8. Someone that will give us everything we ask for
9. This is awesome. This is wonderful How Could we want more?
C. Illustration
1. I remember when I had to turn in my Resume to the district office. I don’t know why but I put that off for a long time. I was scared. I just had to do it. And I did not want to do it. I don’t know why but I guess that I chickened out of something but I finally did and what a fun time it was.
2. Don’t do that with prayer
3. Go Pray NOW do no delay. Talk to your creator
4. Is there anything better
II. People Prayer (16-17)
A. Explanation
1. We are selfish people
2. We love to thing about only ourselves. We come from a ME culture.
a) What’s in it for me
b) What will I get out of this
3. However, that is wrong
4. We need to remember our friends
5. If we see that the commit a sin, we need to pray for them
6. WE need to ask God ask that God gives them live and forgives them of their sin
7. Here is the part that is very hard to deal with
8. I have been struggling with this one all week long
9. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that.
a) The easy part actually is to answer what sin leads to death
b) The sin that leads to death is a person who rejects Jesus or Reject God and who does not love his fellow man that is the sin that leads to death
c) The hard part is understand what is meant by I am not saying that he should pray about that
d) After scratching my head for a long time I was able to come up with this possible solution
(1) We are to ask that God will give him life
(2) Him being that believer that sin
(3) What John is actually is saying is that making a request for God to forgive him of those sins when God does not know him is impossible
(4) If there is never a relationship with God, how can God forgive them?
(5) This does not mean that we should not pray for their salvation rather we need to change our petitions to God
10. Vs 17 is another interesting little verse
11. The best way to understand this verse is to go back in 1 John to a verse that is often used in the context of salvation but can also be used in the contact of restoration. 1 John 1:9 if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
12. Sin has to be understood as a serious thing, sin is not a funny manner
13. God will forgive us however not matter what
B. Application
1. How does this apply to our lives?
2. We need to pray for a people we know, fellow believer
3. We need to stop be so self-centered. When is the last time that you wept for another person
4. When is that last time you were pleading with God to forgive your friend of sin?
5. We have to be careful here that could easily turn to trash talking your friend
6. It becomes like, Lord you need to forgive him, He is so stupid.
7. It depends on your heart motives as how you are praying.
8. But pray for your friends, that is what we need to be about. The heart of BAC should shine, everyone should be able to see our hearts in this situation
C. Illustration
1. I have a friend that I have been close to for about 15 years. It is one of those friends that you know are special. However, lately, he has not been living, as he should. I am not saying that he abandoned God. I am just saying that he is not living how he should. Because of that I have not got to hang out with him that much. What is my job? My job is to pray for him
2. My job is to ask God to help
3. My job is to plead with God to restore his heart
4. My job is to pore out my heart to God and his behalf.
5. You know what we all know people that need that same attention
6. Show the heart of BAC!
III. Preserving Prayer (18-20)
A. Explanation
1. We know. Notice how vs. 18, 19, and 20 all begin with we know. This is defiantly on purpose
2. VS 18. We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin. That is exactly what we heard in 3:9. John does not want us to forget anything
3. The hard part in this vs. comes next. The one who was born of God keep him safe. That is not that hard to understand. John when referring to Christ always uses the past tense was born as compared to the believer is born Therefore Christ keeps us safe
4. The devil my friend cannot harm you. He can tempt you. However that guy that made the devil made me do it phrase famous was wrong. The devil does not have that power
5. VS. 19. (Read it) that is not saying that the devil owns the world rather the world lies passively in his power. Satan Knows Jesus has come to drive Him out and that Jesus will claim what rightfully belongs to God
6. Vs. 20 (read it)
7. This should give you joy, peace, and patience.
8. This puts everything in proper prospective.
9. WE will have the victory we will have eternal life we will be able to be with Jesus for ever if
10. We preserve. WE have to hang in there
B. Application
1. Let us apply this to our lives today
2. There will be many times in our lives when things get difficult
3. There will be times in our lives when we just will not feel like doing the right things anymore. There are days it is a lot easier to follow in God’s righteousness.
4. Persevering that is the Key
5. Pray for preserving
C. Illustration
1. Anyone who thinks that I do not struggle with perseveres is wrong. I have has a tough time the last couple of weeks. I have felt like sometimes I was just going through the motions. I have felt better this week then the past couple of weeks. However, there still has been some struggles
2. The point is not that there has been struggle the point is that I have been persevering. God will give me a refreshing. God has never left me and never will. God is always faithful
3. We know that the outcome will be. WE know that God has the victory.
4. We need to pray for perseverance. Pray for perseverance in our lives not matter what the circumstances are.
Conclusion
A. Yes there is power in Prayer
B. The only problem is that we don’t harvest it
C. We just let it sit there
D. WE need to apply the power to our personal lives
E. We certainly need to apply the power to our People
F. WE also need to apply the power towards perseverance
G. What good is unused power?
H. I dare you to try and use the full power of prayer
I. It is impossible to use the full power of prayer, but give it shot
J. What a friend we have in Jesus.
