Prayer: How Much Is Much?

Speaker: Toby Soechting

Scripture: James 5:16

INTRODUCTION:

1. We pray because God demands it (1 Thess. 5:17).
2. Our prayers show our dependence on God (Mt. 6:11).
3. Special emotional comfort is found in our prayers (1 Pet. 5:7).

DISCUSSION:  

I. DOES PRAYER HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE THE FUTURE?

1. Determinism = the belief that NOTHING occurs in life that God has not fore-ordained.
2. The Bible teaches that men are creatures with the ability to make whatever choice we desire (cf. Deut. 30:19; Josh. 24:15; Rev. 20:12-13.
3. The Bible gives ample examples of “future-changing” prayers (cf. Gen. 25:21; 2 Ki. 20:5-6; Ex. 32; Jas. 5).

II. HOW IS IT THAT OUR PRAYERS “CHANGE” THE FUTURE?

1. Some believe that because of our free will, even God does not know the future.
2. However, the Bible pictures God as one who knows the future perfectly (cf. Isa. 42:9; Jn. 13:19).
3. God knows my every prayer, including my future ones!

III. CONSIDER AGAIN.  DOES THE BIBLE TEACH THAT MY PRAYERS MAY CHANGE THE FUTURE?

1. James surely thought and taught this was the case.
2. This does not guarantee that every prayer I utter will be answered in the affirmative.

(1) The prayer must be from a righteous person.

(2) My prayer must be in faith.

(3) I should be persistent in my prayers.

(4) All things must be in Jesus’ name.

(5) My desires must be consistent with the will of God.

Conclusion:  Our future depends much upon our personal decisions and actions, but may we never forget that our prayers avail much.  Prayer can and has shaped the course of human history.  What impact will it have on your future?

Prayer: How Much Is Much?

Dare To Be Daniel

Speaker: Steven Medford

Scripture: Daniel 6

Dare To Be Daniel

Daybreak with Deity

Speaker: Steven Medford

Scripture: Mark 1:35

Daybreak With Deity

God's Delight

Speaker: Toby Soechting

Scripture: Micah 7:18-19

INTRODUCTION:

1. “Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity And passing over the transgressions of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy.” (Micah 7:18)
2. To delight is to find pleasure in something or someone.

DISCUSSION:  GOD FINDS DELIGHT IN --

I. TRUTHFUL TONGUES.

1. “God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all!" (1 Jn. 1:5; Cf. Num. 23:19).
2. “The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life" (Prov. 13:2).
3. The tongue is capable of a world of evil, but also capable of doing immeasurable good!

II. HONEST  HEARTS.

1. “A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight!” (Prov. 11:1)
2. Honesty should be more than a policy to a Christian!

III. JESUS.

1. A fact proclaimed from heaven by God Himself (cf. Mt. 3; Mt. 17).
2. Surely His greatest delight was in Jesus’ delight to do the will of God (Jn. 6.38; Lk. 22:42).

IV. THE PRAYERS OF RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE.

1. “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayers of the upright is His delight.” (Prov. 15:8)
2. God delights when we approach in a righteous condition or fashion (cf. James 5:16).

V. A PERSON LIVING THE GOOD LIFE.

1. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord; and He delights in His way.” (Psa. 37:23).
2. Consider the “way” of Cain (Jude 11).  

Conclusion:  Do you delight in God?  Does God delight in you?

God's Delight