Sermon Tone Analysis

April 11, 2010 Sunday morning and evening

First Baptist Church, Comanche, OK

Series: "My316.com"

/ Praying for Others

Text: Ps 66:18 [Isaiah 59:1-2]; 2 Cor 7:10 [Ps 139:23-24; John 16:7-11]; James 5:16; 1 John 1:9

Thesis: Prayer is the most powerful and most effective ministry, because when we intercede on behalf of others, we're literally asking almighty GOD to intervene and to intersect the life of the one for whom we are praying.

Memory verse: 1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.

"Effective Praying"

Introduction: What makes prayer effective, and what hinders prayer?

James 5:16

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed.

The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

Eph 3:20-21

20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.

Amen.

PS 66:16-20

16 Come and hear, all who fear God, and I will tell of what He has done for my soul.

17 I cried to Him with my mouth, and He was extolled with my tongue.

18 If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear; 19 But certainly God has heard; He has given heed to the voice of my prayer.

20 Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer nor His lovingkindness from me.

1. Convicting [2 Cor 7:10; Ps 139:23-24; John 16:7-11]

A. RECOGNIZING

B. REPENTING

2. Confessing [James 5:13-16; 1 John 1:6-10]

A. ACKNOWLEDGING

B. AGREEING

3. Cleansing [Eph 5:26; Heb 9:22; James 1:21-22; 1 John 1:7-9]

A. FORGIVING

B. FORSAKING

Conclusion: Prayer is the most powerful and most effective ministry, because when we intercede on behalf of others, we're literally asking almighty GOD to intervene and to intersect the life of the one for whom we are praying.

" Love

" Loathe

" LORD'S

" Lost

" Light

PRAYER

(Asking, Communicating, Meditating)

THE MYSTERY OF PRAYER

What is prayer?

BIBLE READING: Genesis 18:16-33

KEY BIBLE VERSE: The two other men went on toward Sodom, but the LORD remained with Abraham for a while.

Abraham approached him and said, "Will you destroy both innocent and guilty alike?

Suppose you find fifty innocent people there within the city-will you still destroy it, and not spare it for their sakes?"

(Genesis 18:22-24)

Prayer is an opportunity to bring our will into line with God's plan.

Did Abraham change God's mind?

Of course not.

The more likely answer is that God changed Abraham's mind.

Abraham knew that God is just and that he punishes sin, but he may have wondered about God's mercy.

Abraham seemed to be probing God's mind to see how merciful he really was.

He left his conversation with God convinced that God was both kind and fair.

Our prayers won't change God's mind, but they may change ours just as Abraham's prayer changed his.

Prayer helps us better understand the mind of God.

Prayer is an opportunity to demonstrate our trust in God.

Why did God let Abraham question his justice and intercede for a wicked city?

Abraham knew that God must punish sin, but he also knew from experience that God is merciful to sinners.

God knew there were not ten righteous people in the city, but he was merciful enough to allow Abraham to intercede.

He was also merciful enough to help Lot, Abraham's nephew, get out of Sodom before it was destroyed.

God does not take pleasure in destroying the wicked, but he must punish sin.

He is both just and merciful.

We should be thankful that God's mercy extends to us.

BIBLE READING: Psalm 4:1-8

KEY BIBLE VERSE: You can be sure of this: The LORD has set apart the godly for himself.

The LORD will answer when I call to him.

(Psalm 4:3)

Prayer is speaking with God.

The godly are those who are faithful and devoted to God.

David knew that God would hear him when he called and would answer him.

We too can be confident that God listens to our prayers and answers when we call on him.

Sometimes we think that God will not hear us because we have fallen short of his high standards for holy living.

But if we have trusted Christ for salvation, God has forgiven us, and he will listen to us.

When you feel as though your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling, remember that as a believer, you have been set apart by God-and he loves you.

He hears and answers, although his answers may not be what you expect.

Look at your problems in the light of God's power instead of looking at God in the shadow of your problems.

BIBLE READING: Hebrews 4:14-16

KEY BIBLE VERSE: So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.

There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it.

(Hebrews 4:16)

Prayer is an awesome privilege.

Prayer is our approach to God, and we are to come boldly.

Some Christians approach God meekly with heads hung low, afraid to ask him to meet their needs.

Others pray flippantly, giving little thought to what they say.

Come with reverence because he is your King.

But also come with bold assurance because he is your Friend and Counselor.

MOTIVES FOR PRAYER

Why should we pray?

BIBLE READING: Genesis 25:19-34

KEY BIBLE VERSE: Isaac pleaded with the LORD to give Rebekah a child because she was childless.

So the LORD answered Isaac's prayer, and his wife became pregnant with twins.

(Genesis 25:21)

Prayer reflects our dependence on God.

As Isaac pleaded with God for children, so the Bible encourages us to ask-and even plead-for our most personal and important requests.

God wants to grant our requests, but he wants us to ask him.

Even then, as Isaac learned, God may decide to withhold his answer for a while in order to (1) deepen our insight into what we really need, (2) broaden our appreciation for his answers, or (3) allow us to mature so we can use his gifts more wisely.

BIBLE READING: Exodus 17:1-7

KEY BIBLE VERSE: Tormented by thirst, they continued to complain, "Why did you ever take us out of Egypt?

Why did you bring us here?