October 27, 2014
Answered Prayer
During the final days of His earthly ministry, Christ spoke to the disciples about the power of making requests in His name - and the guarantee that God will answer such prayers.
Yesterday we learned that in order to pray in Christ's name, we must be rightly related to God through faith in Jesus. Because of the Son, we have access to the Father, the right to approach Him with confidence, and the authority to present our petitions to Him.
By using the words in Jesus' name in prayer, we're also making a commitment to seek God's will. Christ withdrew from the crowds frequently so He could commune with and obey His Father (John 5:19). In a similar way, God has a plan for each of us, which He reveals through His Word; when we know what the Bible says, we can shape our prayers according to its truth. In addition, God has also given us the Holy Spirit to guide us into understanding of Scripture (John 16:13).
Finally, our petitions are to reflect our dependence on God. In our self-reliant culture, we tend not to talk to the Lord about things we have under control or think we can handle ourselves. But we are instructed to seek His guidance in all areas (Philippians 4:6) and acknowledge our need of Him.
Our petitions don't have to be complicated, nor do our words need to be eloquent. What matters is that we have the right to pray in Jesus' name and that what we ask is in accordance with His will. Then His power will be released, and we can be assured of answered prayer.
Used with permission from In Touch Ministries, Inc.
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Upcoming Sermon Series:
We live in a world that squabbles over the beginning of the world and mankind. Some say that it was a Big Bang and some say that we were created by some sort of intelligent design. Still, others think that we have come from primoridial ooze and the like. If only there were something that would tell us of our beginnings, something that was recorded for mankind from the maker of the universe. Oh, but there is, it is called the Bible, the Word of God, and it starts with 'In the beginning...'. Over the next five weeks, Lord willing, we will be studying the first few chapters of Genesis. Join us as we look at In The Beginning...
Last Week: In the last message of Friending, we looked at Unfriending. There are things that we should never let our friends do, as well as something that we should always do to all friends.
Sunday's message is available for streaming or for download on our website, just under the calendar, or by visiting us on iTunes.
Next Week: We will start our series In The Beginning....
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October 27 - Ladies Bible Study at the church beginning at 6:30 PM.
October 28 - Men's Bible Study at the church beginning at 7 PM. We will be covering James 1.
November 2 - Deacon's Meeting at 8 AM.
November 2 - Lord's Supper & Deacon's Fund Offering following AM Worship Service
November 2 - No Carry-In Fellowship Dinner
November 16 - Thanksgiving Carry In Fellowship Dinner following the AM Worship Service.
November 25 - Thanksgiving Service at 7 PM
November 26 - No Wednesday Services
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