I dont know how many of you were able to go consistently up to the second floor, but the landing of the second floor was just totally used up. A lot of little feet go over that in a week. You stop and think how much we use these facilities. A lot of churches are used once a week; and were here seven days-a-week, and a lot of hours out of those seven days. Im really thankful for all of the care that is taken, all of the cleaning that goes on by the Home Fellowship Groups. The Lord has blessed us here; so we thank you for all of the work that goes into that.
Of other things that were given, just the other day some of the stuff in our meetings of things that needed to be done around here totaled well over $25,000.00 or $30,000.00. Just little touch-up things. You stop and think, were talking about 80,.000 square feet that we maintain, that we use every day. It takes a little bit of time. So, well be chipping away at this as time goes on. Not wanting to over burden ourselves, but at the same time making you aware that we have about $30,000.00 or it could be more than that because Im really kind of leaning very strongly toward remodeling this auditorium. Just change things and freshen it up in here a little bit. Weve been in this motif since 1984, I think. Somewhere back in there. 1985, whenever that was.
I dont know how many of you had the opportunity to be down in the offices. The remodeling that went on down there. If you haventif you go through its very nice and bright. We want to do the same thing in here. This is not going to be that expensive of a job, believe it or not. Were looking toward that. That is not included in the $30,000.00I dont think. It could be, but were looking at doing that. Getting up some nice fresh wallpaper in here. All nice, white, trim, and just brighten it up in here. So thats something that were looking toward. In fact, Im really leaning real strongly toward to the fact that since Im leaving town next Saturday, having it done while Im gone. Thats the first Chuck has heard about it, so he knows how busy his next few weeks will be, Im sure. So were taking a look at that.
A couple of different expenses that is before us, and part of why were trying to balance everything were doing. As you know, the guys are going to be leaving on the 11th for Africa. Just the trip back is $6,000.00. Were going to need to give toward that. In fact, well be taking an offering for that travel and also for some of the other areas we committed to.
Another ministry gift there, and were supporting this gentleman now. Theyre just thrilled at the support that is coming to them. This is an individual who will be receiving from the fellowship here $75.00 a month. A month! Not an hourthats American numbers. $75.00 a month; and on that hell pay for his childrens education, his housing and all of the livelihood, of he, and his children. What a blessing to be able to sow into these lives. This is a gentlemen that has founded about 30 churches. Were in the process of not adopting all thirty of them. Were approaching this on more of a knowledgeable basis than before. It exciting! Were going to go back and start bring these men in one week a month and train them and send them back to their locales for three weeks. Those who are faithful then will continue to be added into this. At the same time, were instructing these men, were going to be able to now have evangelism going on, to be sharing in these different regions. There is no shortage of people wanting teaching. We can open our Bible College as soon as we get back and in a short period of time have more people than we know what to do with. So its not that were looking for people; were looking for faithful men. Amen? That we can sow our lives into and commit to who are able to teach others also.
What were looking for, as soon as we go back and get our registration, then we have a couple of more high dollar things that were going to be looking at over there. Were going to be looking at a need at that time for other facilities. Were renting a place right now for Bible study. Things are expensive over there. Its about $2.00 a meeting for this auditorium thats being rented. So Im just saying that to show that we can get a lot of bang for our buck. Its something that we want you to pray about. These are areas that we are committing to. Were notwe are setting ourselves on a budget for what we want to spend over there. So those of you who have been faithful in your Missions giving, if you would just continue with that faithfulness. If you do, we really shouldnt be in a place of having to take any type of special offerings other than some of these larger expenses of moving back and forth.
How many of you are still faithfully giving toward the missions outreach? You dont have to raise your hands. I assume that most of you are. I really dont have that information, but we assume you are. We want you to know that that is money that has been used for the various outreaches. Just continue to be faithful there and all of the needs will be met. Well be taking that offering following the service. Those of you who dont have cash on you, of course, if you can commit something to us, but let us know what youre able to give in the next 30 days towards the ministry in Africa. Weve already sent 6-months of rent in advance. For some of these things the money has already gone out, so this will take care of many of these things in our daily operations. Were wanting to immediately sow into these lives. We have the expenses of bringing these people in once a week the travel, the food, etc. So, its going to be an adventure that will probably cost us about what it did last lime. For the 6-monthsit shouldnt be that much, because we did a lot of travel to Nairobi that we wouldnt need. Were hoping to go over there for a year and support all of these churches, thirty churches or more, and be able to do it on about $40,000.00 a year. So thats pretty exciting to be able to do that. So be prayerful and well keep you informed. Ive have a lot of things that Im trying to look at here.
One other thing that is very important, a time of rejoicing; Ill leave the rest until later, but a time of rejoicing. Really, really, excited to see the word of God work and to see Dave and Lovenia back together again. Be prayerful that God will continue to bring the fruit in each of their lives necessary to continue to honor God. Isnt it a blessing to see God work in our midst. The true love of God manifest to where we can endure trials and the hard times and not faint. So easy to quit, but if you dont faint, what happens? Salvation, praise God, the wholeness. We do rejoice with them in that particular miracle because it is that. Its a great a miracle that you can see, to see lives healed and the love of God preeminent in this day, especially, that were living in.
Lets go ahead and turn back to where we left off in Wednesdays teaching in Hebrews. We were talking of course, about the privilege of petition. The privilege of being able to come into the presence of Almighty God and request of Him his presence, his power, to be able to manifest in any given situation to his glory. That is what its all aboutthe requesting of his presence, his power, for his glory. That is what prayer is about. Prayer is not for us to be able to access God for our own personal agenda. The Scripture says, We have not because we ask not, and when we do ask, James says, the natural man has the tendency to ask how? Amiss. How many of you have gone to prayer amiss? So often we come and we really think we have a hold of this thing and we begin to tell God what he needs to do in our life or somebody elses. We really fail to be able to rest in the love of God for us. So we were trying to emphasize Wednesday, as you remember, the importance of accessing God boldly through the blood of Jesus. Not only in the access, to be able to enter into His presence, but to understand that were welcome there. That were children and that what were looking for, most importantly, and this will be the most important thing that you will ever learn about prayer. If you want a successful prayer life, it has nothing to do with methods, it has nothing to do with intensity, it doesnt have anything to do with knowledge; it has to do with intimacy. That is the most import factor of successful prayer.
It is that way in all of our own lives, isnt it? Its not a thingif youre really going to be able to receive something from somebody and communicate the need, or communicate not only the need but the desire that youre coming. As a child, you come to petition our parent. As a wife that comes to the husband, or whatever it might be. Or someone who is an employee coming to their employer. Dont you have greater success in an informal setting rather than a formal setting? You know, when the wife comes in with all of these written down reasons why this should take place; or a child comes in with a written petition and says, O father of mine, holy and blessed and whatever. Youre doing a lot better off and our laying on the floor wrestling and kid looks up and says, "Dad, I really would like to have this." "Yeah, man, you can have anything you want." Its just the times of intimacy that produce an environment and the hearts response.
Now God is not moved by emotion, and we understand that. But what Im talking about is the fact that God is moved by intimacy. One of the great passages on prayer, If you do [What?] " abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." The key is the abiding, the dwelling, the tabernacling in the presence of God. With a heart attitude that says this relationship isnt going to be strained whether I get what I desire or not, because the treasure is your presence. Thats all I want. We just sang that chorus, "I Want to be Where You Are."
Theres a lot of stuff in the media, right now, about Jane Fonda. I sure some of you have seen that. Supposedly she has become a Christian. I havent seen any quotes from her yet saying that, but there has definitely been an interest in the Lord. It would be great to see this lady find the Lord Jesus as her personal savior. In the midst of all this, of course, being people that are famous in the world system, they talked about her husband, Ted Turner, and how he was a professed believer at one time, then rejected his faith, the reports say, because of the death of his sister. Somehow that shook his faiththere wasnt any detail that I saw as to what may have caused that or what the ramifications were. Well, that wasnt a surprise to God. God knows the beginning to the end. He knows our hearts. These things happen in our lives so we can understand our own hearts. Thats why were tested of God so we can understand our hearts position in any given situation.
So, when the Scripture talks about this intimacy, the abiding means to take up permanent residence. Let me share something with you. Your prayers will be as effectual as your commitment; and God knows your heart. You see, a lot of people having deceived themselves, think theyre coming into Gods presence and theyre going to con him because theyve always been able to con other people. Youre not going to con God; he knows the beginning and the end. He knows the secrets of our hearts. Now the real issue is: Are you going to remain faithful regardless of whether you get what you want or not? Now, Father understanding that, is going to administer his grace and mercy based upon that knowledge. So often people say, "Well, Ive prayed and fasted and Ive sought God and He has failed me. You cant trust Him, so Im just going to seek another method." Why do you think God didnt answer? So it begins to come into the eternal realm.
In this fourth chapter of Hebrews, verse 15 again, we have to understand who this is that were petitioning. The Scripture says, in this, verse 15, "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." Here we have this high priest who has condescended to become flesh, to dwell in our presence, to live a life of humility; and were going to get into that today, also. One of the key character traits for successful prayerpeople think, man, those who are successful are people who are diligent. Theyre able to pray 8-hours a day, and theyre able to just suck it up and fast and study the word of God and be able to speak the words of God. Therefore Im able to ask according to his will and hell hear me because Im quoting the word of God; and all these different things. I want you to understand that the key character trait for successful prayer is humility.
Intimacy, humility. In fact, keep your finger right here¾ well, you dont have to keep your finger to much because were just going over to the fifth chapter. In Hebrews, here, look at chapter 5, verse 7. It says, This great and faithful high priest that you and I serve and by whom we have access, this one who has been touched with the feeling of our infirmities, being tempted in every way such as we are, and yet without sin. Verse 7, "Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears ." Get that down in your notes. Whens the last time you prayed with strong crying and tears? Our prayer life, beloved, can not just be matter-of-fact. We just cant come with a list and say, "Bless Mommy and Daddy and all the missionaries." We have got to be touched with the feelings of the infirmities of those that were praying for. We need to be able to be moved with compassion for those that were standing in petition and supplication for. It says that Jesus, " when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that that able to save him for death, and was heard [and was heard] in that he feared [reverenced God]; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect [complete, mature], he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;" Well look at that later in the study; but one of the requisites, of course, of successful prayer life, are lives of obedience.
So Jesus is being revealed to us here and what I see when I read this chapter, verses 7 and 8we look at this one who took upon himself flesh, condescended to become one of us; the Almighty God, who humbled himself into this position of suffering, of crying, of having to supplicate. Look at the humility of one having to come and supplicate, this one who spoke and light was. How many of you know who created all things that exist? It wasnt Father. All things were created by Him and for Him the Scripture says. Jesus is the source of creation. He spoke and light was. He said let there be; and now he is humbling himself to petition God. That is why there is such heresy, and its grievous to see those who perverted the doctrine of authority in relationship to the place to where they are wanting to boss God around. If Jesus humbled himself, we need to humble ourselves. Amen? Now, there is a boldness, there is an expectation, there is an awareness of who you are, there is the divine assurance, but beloved, there is not arrogance; and there is not the approach of God from a position of legality as much as there is an approach on intimacy. Okay? God having set forth these boundaries of declared purpose that we appropriate by faith is not bound by anything other than his own wisdom, his own foreknowledge, his own mercy and his own grace. He is not bound by legalities. So, men have misappropriated, I think, the approach to God in prayer, and thinking that somehow there was obligatory response on God to prayer. There is not. Hes committed to one thing: His eternal purposes and that alone. So were going to have to come to know the heart of God.
As Jesus was praying here it says that he continually learned obedience by the things that he endured. What was one of the greatest things that He endured? " Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless not as I will, but [thy will be done.]" We learn in this great prayer that we can come and petition God for that that would be most desirable from our perspective, but at the same time we have to say, "I know I dont know everything that is going on here. I know that I dont even know whats best for me. So Father, I ask you for this, Im trusting, Im desiring this, but I have absolute confidence in your eternal purposes in your love for me, in your sovereignty, that these circumstances and the powers that oppose the kingdom of light will not thwart your eternal purposes and whats best for the kingdom; and what I want is not whats best for me, but for the kingdom of God. Not my will, thy will be done."
So the Scripture says in verse 14, we having this high priest touched with the feeling of our infirmities, tempted like we are, yet without sin. Interesting. We realize that there is a lot of application for that one phrase, tempted like we are and yet without sin. But I think that it is interesting here, if we look at that in light of this context of the petitioning of God and the accessing of God, seeing that we have a high priest. It speaks of his innocence, his sinlessness; and I think one of his inferences here of his sinlessness is this: He was able to, in the fifth chapter that we were looking at, be tempted and not sin in that he never questioned, even though he was suffering, the goodness of God, the eternal purpose of God; and I think for you and I many times in our prayer lives to try to manipulate a certain situation, really in prayer, can be sinning. Here we are in prayer and trying to inflict our will upon God instead of coming in a true humility, as Jesus the captain of our salvation evidenced; a boldness, verse 16 says, to the throne of grace, desiring to obtain¾ and this is where we left off on Wednesday¾ mercy. Now if Im getting mercy, then I have to realize that as a supplicant, Im coming in humility. Im not getting what is my just. Im getting mercy. What I deserve is separation, damnation, judgment, whatever it is these circumstances may be bringing my way. That is what I deserve. Okay? What God wants to extend to us is mercy and grace to help in the time of need. In the time of need.
Do you remember, we were saying it is so important to come to God to seek Him early. To seek him early means what? Seek him first. Dont look to the arm of the flesh. Dont go out and say, Ill fix this thing myself. God doesnt want us to be little Mr. Fix It. Okay? Do you know the time and energy in the kingdom for God to fix all the stuff you fixed? We go out and fix it and it takes twice as much to fix it after you fixed it. Because not only have we now the wrong concept of God, weve now ministered that to others; and we have more lives to reach than just one than if you would have come before God, humbled yourself, been broken, fallen upon the rock, received the wisdom of God and applied that initially, and then there would not have been all of the other residual effects that so often happen when we get off into doing things in our own strength. Obtain help in the time of need. When the need arises. There is nothing too small to take to Father. Ill fix it myself. Youre not capable of it, because without Him, you can do nothing. Well, I can do that little thing. No! You cant do anything without him. So why do you go do it yourself instead of pray. Why do you go do it yourself instead of believe God. Why is it that you think you know what to do, instead of saying, "God, heres the situation. What should I do?" "I already know what to do." No, you dont know what to do without God. Now understand what I am saying. Im not saying that you have to get down and pray for an hour over every decision you make. These things can happen instantaneously if you have an intimate relationship. If youre always looking to Him early and seeking Him. If youre praying without ceasing. Okay? It can happen instantaneously, but youve still sought God. It is so important in our prayer lives. So many times we think that prayer is just reserved for the big tragedies of life. Its in Him that we live, and move, and have our being.
What can you do without Him? How consciously aware are you in your daily walk of being ever prayerful, praying without ceasing. When does the danger come? Beloved, it is when we think we know how to go out and come in. When we are small in own eyes, then the Scripture says what? God can use us. Okay? So this humilityprayer is a humbling, a humbling process to the flesh. That total dependency is a humbling thing. To be able to come, and in every situation, have to ask. Children need to be put in that position. Sometimes husbands and wives need to be put in that position. Adults! There are people right here in this fellowshipIve heard some of the Deacons share. Some of the horrendous stewardship of finances. There are people right here right now in this room, you shouldnt have access to a dime without asking somebody; you so abuse the blessings of God. So its a humbling thing to have to come¾ as an adult, and have to come and say, "Can I have 35 cents for a cup of coffee," or whatever. Whatever coffee costs. What? (Laughter) Three dollars??!! You shouldnt be allowed to have money if youre spending three dollars for a cup of coffee. What were looking at is that, as adults, we have this image of ourselves, and then to come to the realizationIm irresponsible. I cant handle this. Somebody needs to beat me a hundred stripes. To put yourself in that place; to come to that understanding and say, "I cant handle this. Can you help me? Ive already told my employer that my income is being wired into this account that has your signature on it and the money youre earning cannot be accessed without coming and petitioning you. to come and say I really need a dollar for this. I need a dollar for that." This person says, "You dont need that. The problem is youve not come to understand that that dollar, and that dollar, and that dollar, or this five dollars or that seven dollars comes out to one hundred dollars, and that is why you cant pay your rent. So you cant have that because you dont need that. What you need is a house to live in." Finally you come and the person says this is humiliating to have to do this. Now if you look at it in this aspectto the natural man, the flesh, its humiliating. To the spirit man its a privilege to be able to have God, in his genius, his foreknowledge, direct my life because theres not going to be any mistakes; and I have confidence. Thats what I want, to be able to glorify Him. If you can put this into the spiritual realm, the spirit man delights in that dependency. Anything that would not delight in that is the flesh. Okay? That is why we have to humble ourselves in the sight of God, and when we do what happens? He exalts us. We humble ourselves, we say, "I dont know what to do. Im an idiot. Lord give me wisdom." The Lord reveals something, we move, and everybody says, That dude is sharp. See, He exalted you. You humbled yourself, and He exalted you. Everybody thinks youre smart because you know how stupid you are and trust God. Okay?
You all are learning some things about me this morning. When you understand that you dont know, and your only hope of victory is humility and trusting God, and you petition Him, and you seek his will in every incident; beloved, I want to tell you something: God will exalt you. The exaltation is not for your gloryit is so men can see Him answering prayer and God himself will be glorified. Amen? Let me show it to you.
Turn over for just a second, if you would. This is a neat passage of scripture in II Kings 19. In II Kings 19, verse 19, there is this neat passage. Let me ask you something. How many times have you prayed and you can say that this truly is the motive of your prayer? In II Kings, 19, we take a look at verse 1. Were talking about Hezekiah. The king, the Scripture says, " rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the Lord." What is fasting and sackcloth and ashes indicating to us? What is this? Its a humility, its a humbling of ourselves. When they would rent their clothes, when they would put on sackcloth under their fineries instead of all the silk and cotton. They would have this burlap that would be against their skin. They would throw the dust in their hair and the fasting. This is indicating humility. Beloved, that is how we have to go into the House of the Lord. There is a boldness.
Understand humility. When Im talking about humility, Im not talking about kowtowing. Im not talking about this false humility of Im no good. Thats a given. What were talking about is a humility of understanding the relationship. A child that approaches the parent in humility understands the relationship. They understand who Father is and who is in authority and what their role is. Because of that, they can come boldly and be who they are: a loved child. A child who has to do nothing to receive the attention, the care, the provision of the Father. Its an intimate relationship. Its not an earning. Its not a relationship that has to do with formality.
Somebody made a comment the other day of the formality aspect of it. Were sitting out there and Imthey made the comment, thats kind of funny to watch. At the game the other day they saw Hailey, she came over and jumps on my shoulders. Shes messing all my hair up and playing and doing all these kinds of things. Some said its kind of funny to see that. Its hard to imagine somebody else doing that. Thats true. So dont even think about it! (Laughter!) But as the babies are there and you are able to spend the time, and you have the relationships that are being built. The child know who they are. They know who you are. They are comfortable to approach you. That is what you want in your relationship with Father. You say, We can mess up Gods hair? Yeah! Thats the relationship we have with Father. I cant even think about messing up Gods hair. The Scripture says were going to fall at his feet as dead. No question. The awesomeness of his presence and power. When there is the awareness of his sovereignty, when there is the awareness of his awesome majesty, and then there is the awareness that we are loved of him unconditionally, and when there is the recognition of his majesty, then you can mess his hair up. But the moment there is a false concept of who you are and what rights you have, the relationship changes. Because the moment that child would, in some way, think that she has the right to do that, or begin to make demands upon me and its not something that is freely given, there is going to be conflict. That is when discipline takes place. It has nothing to do with the act, it has to do with the attitude. That explains how we can access God and others come in the same way and experience rejection, experience judgement, experience unanswered prayer; and another one obtains the benefits of a loving Father. How humble are you? Do you think you have a right? Do you think that somehow God is going to answer to you? Do you think youre in charge? You see, the moment that child thinks they are in charge there is going to be conflict. So these are the things that we have to understand.
When Hezekiah came, he rent his clothes, he humbled himself. Im not going to get caught up in the whole ordeal hereand as theyre seeking God, the Scripture tells us down in the 19th verseand this is what I asked if you were conscience of this being your attitude in prayer. "Now therefore, O Lord our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the Lord God, even thou only." You see, when that becomes the motiveGod, answer the prayer so that people will see your glory in this answer. If they could understand that youre God. Weve been boasting in you. Its been our declaration, now, Lord, show yourself mighty that others would know and understand the majesty of your presence. The reality.
Look over at Ezra for just a moment. In the book of Ezra, chapter 8, there is an interesting passage that goes right along with this Kings passage. God is miraculously delivering the people, and Ezra is obviously, as you read this, boasting in the goodness of God and in Gods decree to restore the people. Boasting on the Word of God. Speaking what God has spoken. The very thing you and I are supposed to do in our prayer lives and in our testimony. In the midst of this, then, in verse 21 of chapter 8, we see these words: "Then I proclaimed a fast there " Were talking about fasting again, arent we? We might talk about that a little more as we go on. How many of you incorporate fasting into your prayer lives? Not as something that would be a merit to the answered prayer. The fasting is the humility part of this thing. Youre humbling yourself. Youre realizing that your flesh too often dictates your prayer life, so youre bringing the flesh into subjection. Youre saying, listen, youre not going to get what you want. Im going to quiet you down and were going to go and seek the Lord. To be able to come and be sensitive in the spirit realm and be able to access God in humility and dependency so we can know his eternal purposes.
"Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, [get that phrase] and for our little ones, and for all our substance." So they are going to pray about their stuff. So there we understand that God is concerned about our stuff, but he is more concerned with our service in the kingdom and his being glorified and honored in these things that He has provided for us. Show us the right way for us. How many of you realize that you dont know the right way? We dont know what to pray for, the Scripture says, as we ought; but the Holy Spirit prays through us with groanings which cannot then be uttered. He prays, the Scripture says, according to the will of God. How many of you realize why it is so important to be able to pray in tongues? Why do we pray in tongues? Is it a spiritual merit badge? A lot of Pentecostal people think that. Is a supercharger to our prayer life so when can then bowl God over and force him through the Holy Spirits power to keep his promises? Or is the Holy Spirit praying through us supernatural capacity to humble ourselves so that what we ask for is the will of God? He prays through us according to the will of God. We subordinate our minds and allow the Spirit to pray through us and say, "Lord, by your Spirit pray because I dont know the right way; and I want your will, not mine, to be done. Show us the right way for us." As you being to pray and the Spirit prays through us with that being the attitude, Ezra says here that that being the motive of why they were seeking Him, wanting to know the right way.
Then there was another motive. Look at this. Give us this wisdom. Show us the right way. Verse 22, "For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against then enemy in the way " So we should never allow people to help us. If God is going to be the source, then let him be the source; and men are never to help us. That is not the case. Now, I know in my life Ive been guilty many times of probably leaning to far that way. Especially in the past, when I was operating a lot more on that basis of reliance upon myself, my faith, pride¾ all of these things that limited God in what he could do. He was still blessing us and the Lord was ministering in our midst; and miss in many ways, misapplying the humility of Abraham, to say it would not be said that any man made Abraham rich. So those are some things that Father was able to reveal to us those many years ago. How that couldnt be because that in and of itself beloved was what we have been sharing here in the teaching we just finished. It was just this me and Jesus approach. We dont need the body. We dont need other gifts. As you begin to realize that the body ministry and the reliance we have upon one another. No only that in the areas where the Scriptures says there are going to be times when we need those to lift our hands up when they are hanging down. The Bible says that we are to have care one for another. The Bible says that men will give into our bosom. All of these different aspects. So you have to be careful when youre looking at some of these principles.
Ezra, in saying that he was ashamed to require of the king, wasnt saying that there is never a time to receive an escort by the kings men, or to receive input, compensation. What is being said here is that somehow, in the midst of this Ezra was big time promoting the providence of God. It was very obvious that to receive something that could be lawful input, at this time wasnt acceptable because it would have been seen by allthe one doing the giving etc. that they were the source. Now look at this. The reason we were ashamed to require this is " because we had spoken unto the king saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him. So we fasted and besought our god for this: and he was entreated of us." Do you want to know why God heard them? Because they made him holy. They made him big in the eyes of everyone who was watching. Were not talking presumption here. Were talking about a course that is already set by God; and now were talking about the manner in which that was going to be carried out. God chose, at this particular time, to do it supernaturally. Just like, many times, he would choose and we see the supernatural provision and the multiplying of the loaves and the fishes. We see the supernatural provisions of God throughout the Scriptures at times when he chooses to glorify himself. How sensitive are we to these incidents? Or, are we so quick to rely upon the natural provision. Let me say it this wayits supernatural, but the natural channel rather than the supernatural channel. There are times in our lives when God wants to use the supernatural channel. It just absolutely takes every question out of what the source was.
We give glory to God when men give into our bosom. We give glory to God when a surgeon or a doctor makes a move that is out of the ordinary and things that are done that we know that are not natural, but here is still the human element. God is glorified, but there is still the human element. God chose to use a human vessel. That is his discretion; but there are times beloved, when in our petitioning and in our seeking God early we need to ask ourselves what is at stake here as it pertains to the glory of God. How will God be most glorified? Now, we dont set the course. What I am saying is, in our prayer we are sensitive to hear what course are you going to use here? What do you want to do, Father, that will bring you the most glory? Im ready to go both ways. It doesnt make any difference. Its not my will; thy will be done. So there is this access into Father and this rest that is so important for us. To come and to obtain mercy and find grace to help in the time of need. Lets end with this for this morning.
Turn over to chapter 10 of Hebrews for just a second. Were still looking at the ministry of the High Priest, the once for all sacrifice, the desire of God to put the Law into our hearts and minds, on a heart of flesh and not on tables of stone. The great promise to us in verse 17, "And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." The work being finished, verse 18 says, "Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin." Because of that finished work, he says, Verse 19, "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, [No works. Grace, mercy, and faith.] which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart..." A pure heart; the motives being the glory of God. Listen, beloved, a true heartknowing that when you say, "Not my will, thy will be done," that youve already made that commitment. I have no personal agenda. Here is the petition of my heart. Here is the humility and subordination of my spirit. My confidence is the Judge of all the Earth does right. As we come to God in petition, making the request based upon the knowledge of the Word of God, abide in me and my words abide in you, you can ask what you will and it will be done. Youve got to come knowing what God wants to do from his general revelation. We dont know what his specific application, but we know in the general revelation what the will of God is. Save your breath in praying for: Lord, is it your will, Lord, that I marry this unsaved person. Save your breath, okay? Lord, you know, there just seems to be such wisdom in the application of this "time out" approach. Save your breath. God has spoken to all of these things. Lord, do you want me to leave this unsaved spouse? They are pleased to dwell, but here is this person that really loves you over here and it appears as though they are really interested in me; and we could just live in peace and harmony and be married. We could serve you as twohold your breath! Dont waste your breath in praying about that! Yeah, but this guy is not saved. No. He has already spoken. So we realize, beloved, that when we come we already basically know what the answer is going to be, dont we? From the general revelation, we know what God is going to say before we come to him. Were looking for the wisdom of application. Were looking for some revelation in our own hearts as to how am I going to respond in this situation? If Im having trouble with this, then what is wrong with me?
We come in prayer not for God to change, but for us to change. Either our understanding, or the need of an increase of illumination, or we come in prayer to divest ourselves of our own will; but we never come in prayer to think were going to change God. So it is very important for us to understand the drawing near with a true heart and full assurance of faith. You can only have full assurance when you know youre praying the will of God.
I John 5, verse 14, says this: "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him." So when we understand that confidence that comes from asking according to his willtrue assurancefull assurance of faith. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. I have full assurance that what Im asking is the will of God; and what I need is a true heart that will humble myself and let God apply it in his sovereign wisdom. How are you going to do this? What timeframe are you going to use? What methods are you going to use? Are you going to do it instantly? Are you going to do it through the supernatural channel? Are you going to do it progressively? Are you going to do it though a natural channel? Are you going to do it instantaneously in that it is all inclusive; or is it going to be bit-by-bit? What are you going to do? Help me to understand. You may not know going in, but you do know and you have confidence that he heard you; and if He hears you, you will have the petitions that you desired of Him. So having do all, we do what? Stand. We rest in that assurance. We talk about how great God is. We talk about the fact that we believe that the Lord is already at work. I dont see anything but God is working. Praise God! How could you say that? Because he has promised and I have full assurance. My true heart of humility can speak without having seen anything yet, I declare and agree with God that I am healed. Theyre delivered. The souls are going to be saved. Im believing. You see, beloved, you can never go wrong praying for someone to get saved, because God is not willing that any should perish. So we pray, Lord, save them. How do we know if God wants to. We dont know that, but the general revelation says what? He is not willing that any should perish. So I can pray for everybody. I can pray for Ted Turner. Wouldnt it be great for that guy who is one of the greatest haters of Christianity as far as his ability of a personality to verbalize his actual hatred for Christians? Wouldnt it be neat to see him bow his knee? See the guy get born again? That would be great. A guy who supposedly knew the Lord in his earlier years. What a tremendous time. This guy has blasphemed the name of the Lord. He has persecuted Christians. Pray for him! The guy needs to be saved. Amen? Sure hes a jerk. Pray for him anyway. Being a jerk doesnt disqualify you from getting saved. You all want some evidence? Its so important to understand how we can pray with confidence when we understand the general purposes of God. Lets come boldly. "Draw near with a true heart in full assurance." Have "our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water," holding fast the profession of our faith without wavering. You see, thats the profession I was talking about. The word "profession" here, or "confession," means to say what God is saying. So we dont understand it all, but were going to say what God says. I can do it because I have a clean conscience. I know that my motives know are pure. I'm living a life of sanctification. Bodies washed with pure water. Im in right standing with God. His ears are open to the cry of the righteous. So when we come in right standing we come with an already established intimacy. We come in humility and we ask according to his will. It is done.
Father, we thank you for the Word of God. We just ask that you would continue to give us understanding of these principles, and that there would be a confidence that rises in us of the work that is already finished, according to Hebrews. Its a done deal. The access is provided. The victory has been won and we have now just to appropriate a fuller understanding of these circumstances. But what we do know by your word is that you want them saved. We ask for their souls. Father, we ask you to save our loved ones. Father, we ask you to save our grandmother and our mothers, our fathers, our brothers, our sisters. Father, were asking you for their souls in the name of Jesus. We ask that you would give us the ability to live before them this life of faith. We ask like Ezra wed be able to say, Lord, let them see your presence in our life that you might be glorified. Help them understand that we dont live the way the rest of the family lives. We live trusting God. Youre are source. Without you we can do nothing. Then they see us content in the will of God. Prosperous, maybe. Not prosperous, maybe; but they see us content in the will of God. Healthy or broken, they see us content in the will of God. Fighting some of the same domestic problems they fought, but not handling them the same way. Trusting God, not fainting, to the glory of God; and seeing unions healed and families made whole. Because we are a peculiar people that are to show forth the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. Prayer brings the intimacy to light that others can see the goodness of our God. Father, make it real in Jesus name. Amen. Lets stand before the Lord.
As Gary plays for us, lets just take a moment and draw upon the presence of the Lord, and thank him for that bold access. If there is humility in you, you will rush to the presence of God. It will be like a vacuum. You see, when you refrain from God its because of the pride. Its because of broken relationship. Adam had to hide from the presence of God. When youre in humility and when youre in right relationship theres a vacuum. As soon as Gods presence is available you just immediately are drawn to it. Thats why we always pray. We always access the presence of God. Were never comfortable without that presence. We know it in a heartbeat. As soon as that presence and that intimacy has been broken, were immediately uncomfortable. Somethings wrong! I dont have the peace, I dont have the assurance. But when we have divested ourselves of self, when we have taken up the cross, then we can come boldly and say, "Father, not my will. I dont know how to go out or come in. Im not here to tell you what to do, Im here to ask you to show us the right way as Ezra prayed. Im here to find help, Lord, in the time of need. I need you. I cant do anything without you." If you ask anything according to his will, He will do it. Lets sing this together and rejoice in his promise.
"I will come and bow down at your feet Lord Jesus"
Lets just bless Him again. Hallelujah! Just worship Him this morning. Thank him for his presence in your life. Hallelujah! Just ask yourself, "Have I sought him early?" Just begin to cry out to him now. Whatever you have need of at this moment in your life. Seek him early and say, "Father, I come to you and I ask you Father to show forth your power in this. Father, I ask you, right now, to give me understanding. I ask you, Father, for healing in my body. I ask you, Father, to help me, now, to fall on this rock and be broken Lord. My haughtiness, this is something that needs to be dealt with in my life, that I might be able to hear your voice." What things soever you desire when you pray, believe that you receive them and you shall have them. I guarantee if youre praying for humility, youre praying according to the will of God. If youre praying for the grace to take up the cross, youre praying the will of God. If youre praying for the ability to serve and to care for your brothers and sisters. Youre praying the will of God. Believe that you receive it and you shall have it.
Father, we thank you for the eternal promises and every promises of God in Christ Jesus is yea and amen to the glory of God by us. Use us, let our lives be epistles read of men. Let us be examples of the believer in word, and deed, and all manner of our living. Let them see a people dependent upon their God and a God delighting in delivering his people. For that we say, "Thank you, Father," in Jesus name. Amen. Amen.
Before you go, turn to one another and say, "Pray in confidence." Go in peace. May Gods love go with you.
Back to Top |
Audio | Purchase Audio | Bible Teachings |
Print