Out of the Box
God's Plan for His Church • Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 4 viewsOut of the box praying brings the Gospel out of the box
Notes
Transcript
Pre-Sermon — reading
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.
Introduction
Jack-in-the-box kids’ reaction video
One of the most popular toys ever is the Jack-in-the-box. Parent’s enjoy it as much, or more, than the kids.
What if Jack NEVER popped out of the box? How boring. It would basically be a music box that requires you to turn the handle to hear the music…and it plays the same short song over and over. Can you imagine the inventor a toy like that trying to sell get someone to sell it for them?
Here’s a sad truth — a common phenomenon in the church. Our prayers often never get out of the box. We say powerless, thoughtless, robotic prayers that might last 30 seconds.
In 1 Timothy 2 and other places, Paul instructed the church to pray for real…not fake or dead prayers. He instructed them to pray living, purposeful, sincere, and zealous prayers…Out of the box prayers that pack a punch and see results.
Out of the box praying brings the Gospel out of the box
Transition: What do I mean by praying that is “out of the box?”
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
Out of the Box Prayer Destroys Barriers to God’s Plan
Out of the Box Prayer Destroys Barriers to God’s Plan
Prayer for all people
Prayer for all people
All people means all people
Kings means government leaders
People in authority — government, work, school, people of high influence locally, nationally, and internationally
targeted prayers....
Prayer that is in sync with God’s heart
Prayer that is in sync with God’s heart
Pleases God our Savior --- He is the one we need to please
Prayers that please Him are out of the box — anointed - connected - passionate
Petitions
Prayers
Intercession
Thanksgiving
Application
Simple Prayer: from the heart, spontaneous, real
Petition — supplication: specific, bold, purposeful prayer
Intercession — Spirit-led, faith-motivated, intense and determined
Thanksgiving
Targeted prayers...
Prayer that opens doors to share Jesus
Prayer that opens doors to share Jesus
Prayers for all these area have a purpose…destroy strongholds, opens doors, changes our attitudes, helps us to find favor where we wouldn’t expect to find favor
Kings means government leaders
People in authority — government, work, school, people of high influence locally, nationally, and internationally
Peaceful and quiet lives ---
So we may garner a measure of respect and openness from the lost community around us
We may have more opportunities to share Jesus with people that are not out to get us or fight against us
I would rather have a straight path to share Jesus than one filled with land mines and obstacles
Transition: We are blessed — we can boldly bring out of the box…sincere from the heart prayers to Lord because Jesus is our mediator
Out of the Box Prayer is Possible Because of Jesus
Out of the Box Prayer is Possible Because of Jesus
For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.
One God
One God
Shema —
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
God’s universal reign — only one God — He is the God of all people
Mediator
Mediator
One God and mediator between God and mankind…the man Jesus Christ
A person who negotiates reconciliation between two parties in conflict.
The need for a mediator testifies to the sinfulness of humanity, while the provision of a mediator demonstrates the kindness of God.
The man Christ Jesus Paul refers to Jesus as a “man” here to stress His full identification with humanity.
Because He was fully human, Christ was able to mediate on behalf of humanity and offer Himself as a ransom for humanity.
Jesus’ role in this passage recalls Paul’s description of Jesus as a second Adam (e.g., Rom 5:12–21; 1 Cor 15:45–49).
Ransom
Ransom
Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
Challenge
In these troubling times…people need to hear the unadulterated truth about the love of God and the hope Jesus brings
There is a battle for the souls of mankind…including our children
Paul warned Timothy about those leaders that were misleading the church…this was the motivation to pray all the more intensely — to get the prayers out of the box and into our spirits…mediated to the Father through the Power of the Holy Spirit and our Savior!
Our out of the box prayers must encompass all people: those close to us and those in authority and places of influence
This is how we overcome the enemy
Prayer, petition, intercession, thanksgiving --- without ceasing