Sermons on unity is key:

Prayer Keys: Obedience Series

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Sep 15, 2011

If we want to learn to pray, we must learn to obey. If we want to pray well, we must obey well. If we want to become prayer warriors, we must become obedient children.

Discuss this sermon at http://prayerkeys.blog.com/obedience “[We] receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him,” 1 John 3:22. Not just once again, but twice again I was reminded last Sunday that God’s timing is remarkable. When he is ready to ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:22

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer Keys - Sincerity Series

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Dec 15, 2011

Prayer keys are not ways of manipulating God. Rather, they are like a boat hook. If I am in a row boat and cast a hook to shore, does pulling move the shore to me or does it move me to the shore? Prayer keys do not pull God to our will. They pull us to Go

“These people come near to me with their mouth & honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.” Isaiah 29:13 Before saying anything else to introduce sincerity as a prayer key, I want to repeat something about ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 29:9-13

Denomination: Baptist

Key To Bible Books

Contributed by Denis O'callaghan Ph.d. ,th.d., D.d., D. Phil. on Dec 15, 2011

Key to Understanding Bible Contents

Every book of the Bible has a key to understanding its contents The New Testament is the most vital book in the world. The Old Testament leaves us with us with without the light that you need. And if read alone we would find the the Old Testament is a book of UNEXPLAINED CEREMONIES, UNACHIEVED ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Prayer Keys - Submission Series

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Jan 9, 2012

Jesus often prayed privately. When he said, “Not my will, but thy will be done.” He did not get what he wanted, but he got what he needed. He had the strength to face what was to come. The time to choose submission is now. If we wait, we may not desire to

“Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39 Our list of prayer keys uses Matthew 26:39 as the text for submission. I generally use the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:39

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer Keys - Faith Series

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Jan 9, 2012

If God reveals to you that he is going to do something, you should believe it and not doubt it. If God reveals to us that he will do a marvelous thing when we step out in faith, we should step out in faith. If we don’t step out in faith, we will miss the

Prayer Keys - Faith “‘Have faith in God,’ Jesus answered. ‘Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, “Go, throw yourself into the sea,” and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:22-24

Denomination: Baptist

Keys To Abundant Living Series

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Jan 17, 2012

Their are some keys to living the way God intended. We can learn from God’s Word how we are to have Abundant living while we are serving the Lord here on this earth.

Keys to abundant living 2 Timothy 1:7 1John 4:4 Introduction- Last week we looked at the Lord’s Prayer We looked at the importance of prayer. We also saw the benefit of prayer and having a relationship with the Lord so intimate that you would be comfortable talking to Him about anything. I asked ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7

Denomination: Nazarene

Prayer Keys - Forgivenss

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Jul 14, 2011

Forgiveness enhances our prayers. Forgiveness enhances our faith. Forgiveness enhances our battle with doubt. Forgiveness enhances our fruitfulness. Forgiveness is powerful.

Prayer Keys - Forgiveness “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:25 In the last few days there was an item on the news about residents in a local neighborhood finding a bobcat in ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:25

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer Keys - Boldness Series

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Jul 25, 2011

BOLDNESS, not arrogance, is blessed. God gives bold access to the throne of grace and welcomes bold prayers from humble Christians.

Prayer Keys - Boldness Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence [boldness], so that we may receive mercy & find grace to help us in our time of need. Heb. 4:16 This is another verse where I prefer the King James Bible language that says, “boldness.” Boldness is a biblical ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:16

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer Keys - Not Doubting Series

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Jul 30, 2011

Time for a true confession. Mine won’t compete with celebrity scandals on TV or show up on papers at the checkout line. I confess that I struggle with doubt. I struggle with the thought that it is possible to not doubt. Doubting seems so natural.

Prayer Keys - Not Doubting “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.” James ...read more

Scripture: James 1:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer Keys - Holiness Series

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Aug 6, 2011

A holy life is characterized by being separated from the world to God. A holy life is characterized by godly sorrow for sin. “I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer.” A holy life is characterized by effective prayer.

Discuss this sermon at http://prayerkeys.blog.com/holiness/ “I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer,” 1 Timothy 2:8. A priest was building a trellis for a climbing rose beside the church. He did not think the rickety things at the local garden center were worthy of being used ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:8

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer Keys - Be Specific Series

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Oct 13, 2011

BE SPECIFIC when praying. Specific prayers emphasize our need and God’s power. Specific prayers may even clarify our calling.

Prayer Keys - Be Specific “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. Lk 18:41 Praying specifically is a key to effective prayer. The blind man’s first request is for Jesus to have mercy on him. Jesus asks him specifically, “What do ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:41

Denomination: Baptist

The Keys To Heaven And Hell Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 17, 2011

Is it only Peter who got the "keys" to the Kingdom of Heaven? And what does it mean to "loose and bind" as Jesus told them they could do?

OPEN: A husband and wife arrived at an automobile dealership to pick up their car but they were told that the keys had been accidentally locked in it. They went to the service department and found a mechanic working feverishly to unlock the driver’s side door. As the wife watched from the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Prayer Keys - Fasting Series

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Oct 22, 2011

Legalistic fasting is not a prayer key. It is just going hungry. Spiritual awareness that prompts us to pray may also prompt us to fast. May God make us more spiritually aware. May his spirit prompt us to pray, even to the point of forgetting to eat.

Prayer Keys - Fasting by Mark Stepherson “But when you fast, put oil on you head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:17-18 Did you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:17-18

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer Keys - Persistence Series

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Oct 27, 2011

Please forgive me for stating the obvious, but persistent prayer is hard work. It drains us. It is hard, but it is eventually worth the effort.

Prayer Keys - Persistence “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” Luke 18:1 Have you seen that cartoon with the pelican having a frog for dinner? His dinner is not agreeing with him. In fact, his dinner is violently ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer Keys - Privacy Series

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Nov 3, 2011

This is the first time Jesus taught his first disciples about prayer. His first lesson was, “Spend time alone with the Father in prayer.” If we don’t follow his first lesson, we are not following the example or the command of Christ.

"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Matthew 6:6 A little boy was saying his bedtime prayers when his mother passed by his room and stopped to listen. “Bless Mommy and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:6

Denomination: Baptist