Prayer-ison

Audio Link

http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=125111326232


About 350 years ago a shipload of travelers landed on the northeast coast of America. The first year they established a town site. The next year they elected a town government. The third year the town government planned to build a road five miles westward into the wilderness. In the fourth year the people tried to impeach their town government because they thought it was a waste of public funds to build a road five miles westward into a wilderness. Who needed to go there anyway? Here were people who had the vision to see three thousand miles across an ocean and overcome great hardships to get there. But in just a few years they were not able to see even five miles out of town. They had lost their pioneering vision. With a clear vision of what we can become in Christ, no ocean of difficulty is too great. Without it, we rarely move beyond our current boundaries.  

Ps 25:4-5 Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; 5 guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Luke 9:28-36 28 About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. 29 As he was praying , the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, 31 appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. 32 Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, "Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters — one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." (He did not know what he was saying.) 34 While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him." 36 When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves, and told no one at that time what they had seen.

Did we come here today to Worship God or did we come to simply “do” church. There is a major difference in the two.

If you showed up today to simply to get your worship timecard punched or to say “Hi!” to your friends. If you just came because you were expected to be here, then you are just doing church.

If you came today because you see a greater purpose for your life and for your church’s life then perhaps you are beginning to understand the need for vision.

Prayer and its relationship to vision.

I.          We Must Get Alone with Jesus

a.  V. 28 About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray.

An elderly woman visited her eye doctor and complained that her eyesight was steadily getting worse, and that her glasses were no longer doing any good. The doctor could not find much to encourage her about her eyes. He informed her somberly that she would probably be blind soon. To his surprise, she did not seem upset. She told him about all the wonderful things God had done in her life: how she had a great husband, loving children, and a meaningful church life. The doctor listened attentively, then stated: "Your eyesight is poor, but your VISION is perfect."

b. Mark 4:9-12 Then Jesus said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." 10 When he was alone , the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. 11 He told them, "The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables 12 so that, "'they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!'" 

c.  If we don’t pray … if we don’t read our Bibles … How can we possibly know and understand what God’s game plan might be for our church.

d. We have to find out what God is doing and join Him there.

e.  We have to earnestly pray for a revelation from God.

As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after thee
You alone are my hearts desire
And I long to worship thee …
You alone are my strength my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my hearts desire
And I long to worship thee …
You're my friend and You are my brother, Even though you are a king.
I love you more than any other,
So much more than anything…
I want You more than gold or silver,
Only You can satisfy.
You alone are the real joy Giver,
And the apple of my eye. …

II.       Prayer Changes Things

a. V. 29 As he was praying , the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning

b. Matt 21:22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer ."

c.  John 17:20-21 "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

d. It is good to know that God perceives our abilities and capabilities more fully than we do!

An Indian in Arizona was asked about his relation to God and especially as to what he felt as he prayed.  He answered:  "When I pray, it seems to me that my life is a little irrigation ditch leading into a mighty river; and when I come close to God, it seems that the water of that river is moving on down toward me and into the little ditch, flooding my life.  Then I feel the power and presence of God."

e.  Have you ever gone swimming on a hot summer day. You got to the water and stuck your toe and said how cool it felt. Did you just stand there with your toe in the water or did you back up and jump in immersing yourself fully in the refreshing water.

f.   Prayer is simply wetting our toe so that it encourages us to fully dive in to Hs living water.

III.    Prayer brings unity

a. V. 30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, 31 appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem.

b. Col 4:12-13 Epaphras, … is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. 13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.

When you start praying for God’s vision … and the person sitting next to you prays for God’s vision and the person next to him and everyone on your row … and everyone in this building is praying for God’s vision then we are all praying for exactly the same thing … we are unified in our course and direction by the will of God!

IV.    Prayer Gets Things Started

a. V. 32 Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.

Vision is the capacity to create a compelling picture of the desired state of affairs that inspires people to respond; that which is desirable, which could be, should be; that which is attainable.  A godly vision is right for the times, right for the church, and right for the people. A godly vision promotes faith rather than fear. A godly vision motivates people to action. A godly vision requires risk-taking. A godly vision glorifies God, not people. 

A burning house starts with the smallest of flames.

One persons prayer can be the beginning of a great revival for our church!

CHURCH HAS TO MEAN SOMETHING MORE THAN JUST SHOWING UP! CHURCH MUST MEAN WE WANT TO CHANGE!

V.        Prayer moves us to action

a. V. 33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, "Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters — one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." (He did not know what he was saying.)

Vision is the ability to understand the history, the present condition, and the potential of the church, and to conceive a plan for action that will maximize the ministry potential.

More often than not, vision is a result of having spent much time absorbing the facts about the community, knowing the resources upon which the church can call (people, funding, facilities, equipment, etc.), and devising sound but creative strategies for moving forward.

Vision always entails progress: it is never satisfied with the status quo. 

No matter what FORM the vision takes, it must come to the point where we simply do our best and get the job done.

VI.    Prayer can be scary at times

a. V. 34 While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.

It started like so many evenings. Mom and Dad at home and Jimmy playing after dinner. Mom and Dad were absorbed with jobs and did not notice the time. Then Mom glanced at the clock. "Jimmy, it's time to go to bed. Go up now and I'll come and settle you later." Unlike usual, Jimmy went straight upstairs to his room.  An hour or so later his mother came up to check if all was well, and to her astonishment found that her son was staring quietly out of his window at the moonlit scenery. "What are you doing, Jimmy?" "I'm looking at the moon, Mommy." "Well, it's time to go to bed now." As one reluctant boy settled down, he said, "Mommy, you know one day I'm going to walk on the moon." Who could have known that the boy in whom the dream was planted that night would survive a near fatal motorbike crash which broke almost every bone in his body, and would bring to fruition this dream 32 years later when James Irwin stepped on the moon's surface.  

What if God gives us a vision that is vastly different from who we are right now?

At one time, I pastored Harris Creek Baptist Church in Brookshire, Tx. The church ran about 30 on Sunday morning and about 20 of those were dairy workers children picked up on the church van. … in the middle of dairy farms … no homes … no real community… no where to go… until vision hit … That church now has over 3000 members working to fulfill God’s vision!

VII. When the casual becomes supernatural it makes a lasting impression.

a. V. 36 When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves, and told no one at that time what they had seen.

b. Visitors to caves in central Tennessee go on tours of the caves. On one of the tours visitors are shown small fish which have lived in the dark caves for generations. As the years have passed, the fish have literally lost their eyes. They have lived in the dark so long that they finally suffered a permanent loss of the ability to see.

The refusal to believe (or the willingness to wallow in SHALLOW beliefs) will bring moral darkness.

If we choose willingly to live in such a way for a long enough period of time, we may permanently lose our ability to perceive light.

Plant a Radish, Get a Radish

 

Audio Link -

http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=11811939520

You heard about the golfer named Jones who was twenty minutes late at the first tee one Sunday morning, and the other three members of the regular four-some were almost ready to drive off without him. "I agreed with my wife," explained Jones, "that this Sunday I'd toss a coin to see whether I played golf or went to church. Heads, I played golf. Tails, I went to church. And you know fellows, I had to toss that coin forty-three times before it came up heads."

In the Broadway musical, The Fantastics, one of the fathers who is a gardener sings a song titled, Plant a Radish. The words of the song say,

Plant a radish. Get a radish. Never any doubt.

That's why I love vegetables;

You know what you're about! ….

Plant a turnip. Get a turnip.

Maybe you'll get two.

That's why I love vegetables;

You know that they'll come through!

Church Vision directly relates to Church Growth AND IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EVERY CHURCH MEMBER!

Scripture talks about a tree that quit growing and producing fruit. The outcome was that the tree was cut down and thrown into the fire. To be a healthy church we must be a church that is growing and bearing fruit.

So who is responsible for church growth?

Matt 6:33  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

1 Cor 3:1-11 Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly — mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? 4 For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not mere men? 5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe — as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. 9 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. 10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Church Vision and Church Growth are the responsibility of EVERY Church Member!

I.          We Are All to be Servants

a. 1 Cor 3:1-5 Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly — mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? 4 For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not mere men? 5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe — as the Lord has assigned to each his task

b. Matt 23:11-12 The greatest among you will be your servant . 12 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

c. Rom 1:1-5 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

A lot of members are like wheelbarrows -- not good unless pushed.                                    

Some are like canoes -- need to be paddled.                                   

Some are like kites -- if a string isn't kept on them, they fly away.
Some are like kittens -- more contented when petted.
Some are like balloons -- full of wind and ready to blow up.
Some are like footballs -- you can't tell which way they'll bounce next.
Some are like trailers -- they have to be pulled.
Some are like neon lights -- they keep going on and off.
Many, thank goodness, are like the North Star -- there when you need them, dependable and ever loyal."  

d. Phil 1:27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel

e.  Serve with a servants heart!

II.       Only God Makes it Grow

a. 6-7 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

b. "Church growth comes not as a result of a concept, but rather as a result of the application."

c. If we want our church to grow, then we must be obedient to God’s Word.

d. 2 Chron 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

e. God will bring growth to our church but it will only come when we are obedient to Him.

f.   God makes covenants with His people … If you do this … I will do this … .

g. It is an action and a response.

h.Apollos was obedient … Paul was obedient … and God’s response was to make it grow.

i.   Do we, as a church want to grow?

j.   Are we willing to be obedient?

III.    Each Member has a Purpose

a. 8 The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.

b. From time to time we hear statistics about how people first came into church membership. These figures trace back to the Institute for American Church Growth, which asked 10,000 people about their pilgrimage. What led them in? Answers were: Special need, 2 percent; Walk-in, 3 percent; Pastor, 6 percent; Visitation, 1 percent; Sunday school, 5 percent; Evangelistic crusade, 5 percent; Program, 3 percent; Friend/relative, 79 percent.

c. While some are wishing for the church to somehow grow, others are preparing themselves to be instruments of God in church growth as "fishers of men"

d. Remember the disciples?

e. Mark 1:17-18 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."  18 At once they left their nets and followed him.

f.   Reasons for attending church fall into two categories -- good and bad.

In the bad column are these: Attending is socially acceptable. God is angry if I don't. Going merits His favor. I feel better. Such  motivations dishonor God, and some are the devil's lies.

   In the good column are these reasons: God's Word commands it. I need Christian fellowship. Others need my encouragement. I can hear the Word. I can meet God.

g. A story might help to explain. One day the telephone rang in the rector's office of the Washington church attended by the President. An eager voice said, "Tell me, do you expect the President to be there Sunday?" "That I cannot promise," the rector said patiently. "But we do expect God, and we fancy it will be incentive enough for a reasonably large attendance.

h.Heb 10:23-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

i.   Every Member a Minister!

IV.    We Work Together to Accomplish One Goal

a. 9-10 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. 10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds.

b. 1 Peter 2:2-3 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

c. Charles Spurgeon was one of the most popular preachers of the last century.  He preached to over 5,000 people each Sunday in the London Tabernacle Church.  When asked how he built such a large congregation he replied, "You asked me how I got this congregation?  I never got it at all!  my congregation got my congregation.  I had 80 when I first preached.  In a short time I had 200.  Everyone in the congregation was urging a neighbor to come to the service.  Soon we had 400 and then 800.  This is how our people got our congregation."

d. The secret to church growth really hasn't changed since Spurgeon's time.  The best way to build up the church is for every member to be actively involved in inviting the people they know.

e. Secret … shhh … don’t tell anyone … this is personal evangelism!

f.   When friend invites friend, and neighbor brings neighbor, souls are going to be saved and the church will grow.

V.        We Build on the Foundation that is Jesus Christ.

a. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

b. Eph 4:15-16 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

c. If you get into your car and put the key into the ignition and when you turn the key all you get is a clicking sound then you know that something has gotten between your engine and the source of power. … You take off the battery cables and you clean the terminals. You put them back on and suddenly your car will start.

d. Jesus is our power source.

e. Sin and neglect corrode our battery cables…

f.   When we clean the terminals by confession and repentance then the power can flow so that great things can happen!