Message 3- the Principle of the Yoke (A Bible Study)

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MESSAGE 1- LESSONS FROM A DAY ON THE LAKE MESSAGE 2- WHEN HARD TIMES BECOME GOOD TIMES MESSAGE 3- THE PRINCIPLE OF THE YOKE (A BIBLE STUDY) MESSAGE 4- BATTLING IN PRAYER MESSAGE 5- LIVING IN VIEW OF THE FIVE SET’S OF TWO

FREE EXTRA MESSAGE – HOW TO LEAD SOMEONE TO CHRIST

EXTRA SERMON ILLUSTRATIONS MESSAGE 1 LESSONS FROM A DAY ON THE LAKE By Eddie Lawrence

INTRODUCTION:

Illus--Philip Melancthon, the great Reformation theologian, once said to his friend Martin Luther, “This day you and I will discuss the governance of the universe.” What Luther said in response was unexpected: “This day you and I will go fishing and leave the governance of the universe to God.” Our Daily Bread, March-May, 1996, p. for May 18

TRANSITION TO TEXT: A day of fishing is wonderful every now and then isn’t it? Can you imagine having Jesus join you for a day of fishing? Today, we are going to look a passage where Jesus joins his disciples on a fishing trip. I am titling this message, LESSONS FROM A DAY ON THE LAKE. There are some wonderful truths we can glean from this incredible experience the disciples had with Jesus. Let’s read the story:

TEXT: Luke 5:1 So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, 2 and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing [their] nets. 3 Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. 4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." 5 But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net." 6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 So they signaled to [their] partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw [it], he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also [were] James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men." 11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.

TRANSITION TO MAIN POINTS: Wow, what a fishing trip, huh? Let’s draw out the lessons and apply them to our lives today. The first lesson I want to share with you is found in verse 1. It is:

I. PEOPLE WANT TO HEAR THE WORD OF GOD v1 “the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God”

--The problem is that they just need to be told --Jesus looked for a way to get the Word to them He looked for what was already available. He saw a boat! Often God will use what we already have available if we will just look around. There were some guys hanging out that God was about to use in a great way and bless in a great way and they did not have a clue. In other words, if we will just look around us, there are others God wants to include in helping us do what we need to do to get the Word out!

--New methods are fine as long as the message is the same Jesus started the first Gospel Float ministry.

II. JESUS WILL USE WHAT YOU GIVE HIM v3 3 Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat

Let’s also think about this from the owner of the boat’s perspective.

--When you put Jesus in the middle of it, he will use it. --The boat enabled more people to hear --Jesus wants to use your life in a way that more people will hear his words

III. JESUS WILL BLESS WHAT YOU GIVE TO HIM v4-6 --After Jesus used the boat, he then blessed the boat owner. --You must believe to get the blessing --Give what you have to the Lord. He will use it, then he will bless you for giving it. IV. WHEN JESUS IS IN CHARGE HE WILL DO MORE IN A MOMENT THAN YOU COULD DO IN A LIFETIME IN YOUR OWN STRENGTH v4-6

Compare the difference between using human effort and responding to the leadership of Jesus in a situation.

--all night = nothing 1 drop = 2 boatloads

When we quit trying, and start trusting, Jesus will start blessing. They left their nets.

Illus--Bruce Larson, in BELIEVE AND BELONG, tells how he helped people struggling to surrender their lives to Christ: “For many years I worked in New York City and counseled at my office any number of people who were wrestling with this yes-or-no decision. Often I would suggest they walk with me from my office down to the RCA Building on Fifth Avenue. In the entrance of that building is a gigantic statue of Atlas, a beautifully- proportioned man who, with all his muscles straining, is holding the world upon his shoulders. There he is, the most powerfully-built man in the world, and he can barely stand up under this burden. ‘Now that’s one way to live,’ I would point out to my companion, ‘trying to carry the world on your shoulders. But now come across the street with me.’ “On the other side of Fifth Avenue is Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, and there behind the high altar is a little shrine of the boy Jesus, perhaps eight or nine years old, and with no effort he is holding the world in one hand. My point was illustrated graphically.

“We have a choice. We can carry the world on our shoulders, or we can say, ‘I give up, Lord; here’s my life. I give you my world, the whole world.’” (Richard A. Hasler on NETBible)

V. IF WE ALLOW THE BLESSING TO BREAK US THEN OTHERS WILL BE BLESSED v6-7 There is a principle seen throughout the whole Bible. God does great things through brokenness. As Oswalt Chambers reminds us, May we become broken bread and poured out wine for Him.

ILLUS--Will Rogers was known for his laughter, but he also knew how to weep. One day he was entertaining at the Milton H. Berry Institute in Los Angeles, a hospital that specialized in rehabilitating polio victims and people with broken backs and other extreme physical handicaps. Of course, Rogers had everybody laughing, even patients in really bad condition; but then he suddenly left the platform and went to the rest room. Milton Berry followed him to give him a towel; and when he opened the door, he saw Will Rogers leaning against the wall, sobbing like a child. He closed the door, and in a few minutes, Rogers appeared back on the platform, as jovial as before. If you want to learn what a person is really like, ask three questions: What makes him laugh? What makes him angry? What makes him weep? (source unknown)

The Lord wants us to become broken over those who need to hear who have not heard His Word. He will then multiply through this brokenness so that others will also be filled.

VI. ALLOW BLESSINGS TO REVEAL JESUS TO YOU v8 --you will know when Jesus is revealed to you because you will feel sinful by comparison.

When we get a truer revelation of Jesus we realize more than ever it is about him. It is about his ability to catch fish, not our great fishing skills. Peter was a fisherman by trade, but in that moment he realized he knew nothing compared to Jesus.

ILLUS-- The young seminarian was excited about preaching his first sermon in his home church. After three years in seminary, he felt adequately prepared, and when he was introduced to the congregation, he walked boldly to the pulpit, his head high, radiating self-confidence.

But he stumbled reading the Scriptures and then lost his train of thought halfway through the message. He began to panic, so he did the safest thing: He quickly ended the message, prayed, and walked dejectedly from the pulpit, his head down, his self-assurance gone.

Later, one of the godly elders whispered to the embarrassed young man, “If you had gone up to the pulpit the way you came down, you might have come down the way you went up.” The elder was right. God still resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Prokope, Vol. No. 3, July-September, 1997

--Allow the blessing to lead you to a deeper walk

VII. MAXIMUM BLESSING COMES FROM TOTAL SURRENDER v11 11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.

The disciples realized that the true life to live was found in being with Jesus. We all need to make this discovery. We do not have to literally leave our jobs because we have the promise now, that Jesus is with us all the time wherever we are. BUT if he spoke to us to leave a job, then it would be in our best interest to do so.

ILLUS—One of the slogans that the Coca Cola company has used for great success is, THINGS GO BETTER WITH COKE. Well there is another slogan that is true for all humanity, THINGS GO BETTER WITH CHRIST!

The disciples learned this on their day at the lake with Jesus. May we learn it and live by it as well.

QUOTE -- God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him. - Andrew Murray.

CONCLUSION – Today could be your “Day at the Lake” so to speak. Are you willing to give what you have to Jesus to use for His glory. Are you will to humble yourself before Him in total surrender?...... MESSAGE 2 WHEN HARD TIMES BECOME GOOD TIMES By Eddie Lawrence

INTRODUCTION— Illus- An old woodsman gives this advice about catching a porcupine: “Watch for the slapping tail as you dash in and drop a large washtub over him. The washtub will give you something to sit on while you ponder your next move.” Bits and Pieces, September, 1989

We all have had hard times and sometimes you don’t know quite what to do.

Romans 8: 6 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

SUFFERING WITH CHRIST? Are you willing to take a step to alleviate suffering? Jesus came to suffer the just for the unjust to bring us to God.

Are you willing to take a step to eradicate evil? Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil.

Paul said to the Philippians -- That I may know him...and the fellowship of his sufferings. How do we enter into the place of suffering with him?

WHAT KINDS OF SUFFERING? Romans 8: 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: “ For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”[c]

37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

PAUL GIVES US A LIST OF THE THINGS HE FACED:

Tribulation thlípsis = to crush, press, compress, squeeze, to break. Tribulation, trouble, affliction. (from The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament © 1992 by AMG International, Inc. Revised Edition, 1993)

Distress from stenós, narrow, and chóra (5561), territory, a space. Symbolically, great distress, straits (Rom 2:9; 8:35; 2 Cor 6:4; 12:10).

Stenochœría is different from thlípsis (2347), tribulation. In three of the four occurrences in the NT these two words are used together (Rom 2:9; 8:35; 2 Cor 6:4). Thlípsis refers to troubles pressing upon someone from without, such as persecution, affliction, or tribulation. Stenochœría has in view the distress which arises from within (usually caused by thlípsis), such as anguish or discomfort.

Persecution = to be pursued with intentions of harm. NT:1375 to follow, persecute, pursue, press toward. Pursuit, particularly of enemies, persecution, hostile prosecution

Famine = to be in hunger

Nakedness = to be unclothed (homeless and impverished)

Peril = danger, an atmosphere of harm and danger

Sword = war and violence.

HOW DO WE DO THIS?

Luke 4: 18 “ The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,[j] To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”[k]

Ministering to those who are suffering. Ministering to those who are suffering for Christ. Matthew 25: 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

1. Ministering to those who are suffering. -sick -those in need of healing -those in need of deliverance -People in distress (Who are these in our community, our world?)

Illus-Hundreds of years ago a wandering scholar named Muretus lived. He was very educated but also very poor. He became very sick, and he was taken to the place where the destitute were kept. The people who cared for him did not know that he was a scholar and that he understood the scholar's Latin. One day the doctors were discussing his case in Latin and they were saying that he was a poor creature of value to no one and that it was hopeless and unnecessary to expend care and money on attention to such a worthless human. Muretus looked up and answered in their own Latin, "Call no man worthless for whom Christ died."

2. Ministering to those who are suffering for Christ. -The people who led Paul down in the basket -The man who told Paul that a group of men were waiting to kill him -Those who came to Paul in prison -Those who hid the disciples in times of danger (Who are these in our community, our world?)

Stat: Over 170,000 believers each year die as martyrs because of their belief in Jesus Christ. http://christianity.about.com/od/denominations/p/christiantoday.htm

3. Ministering to those who cause suffering. -Jesus did this when he went to the cross -Ananias did this when he went to Paul -Paul did this when he ministered to the jailer -Stephen did this as he was martyred -this is blessing those who curse you -this is overcoming evil with good (Who are these in our community, our world?)

4. Ministering to those who live in an environment of suffering. -Jesus at the pool of Bethesda -Peter at the gate called beautiful when the crippled man was healed -ministering to the lepers -ministering to the hungry -ministering to the homeless -our military -in prison -the abandoned (Who are these in our community, our world?) Some Examples: THE VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING THOSE IN REFUGEE CAMPS THOSE WHO SERVE IN OUR MILITARY THOSE SUFFERING GENOCIDE THOSE IN PLACES OF FAMINE CHILDREN BEING ABUSED THOSE IN DISEASE STRICKEN AREAS

THE UNSHAKABLE LOVE Romans 8: 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

THINK ABOU T IT! The Bible is clear, there ain’t nothing the devil and all his hellish forces can do to keep Jesus from loving you. So, he will bring all hell against you to get you from loving him.

BE ENCOURGAGED!

ILLUS--American pastor and author James H. Brookes told of visiting a friend’s house and hearing the music of a bird singing. It was not the ordinary sound of chirping; instead it resembled the strains of a lovely melody. At first Brookes didn’t know where it was coming from; but when he glanced around the room, he saw a beautiful bullfinch in a birdcage. The lady of the house explained that it had been taught to sing that way at night. The teacher would repeat the notes time and again until the bird was able to mimic them. But this was possible only because it was dark and the bird’s attention would not be diverted.

How often we learn our sweetest songs when the blackness of trial closes in around us. This was David’s experience. Cast down and almost despairing of life, he said,”...in the night His song shall be with me.” Elihu spoke of God giving “songs in the night” (Job 35:10). Oh, friend, let’s not despair when the darkness of trouble descends upon us. God is with us; God will help us; God will give us a song. (Source-Our Daily Bread)

WHEN IT BECOMES GOOD! We must see the value not in the suffering itself but in the glory that it reveals. The worthiness of coming glory! Glory is found on the other side of entering into the sufferings of Christ by touching the lives of those who suffer or having to suffer yourself because of your love for Jesus. Love suffers long….but it brings glory at the end.

CONCLUSION--The Gospel message is centered on Jesus giving his life for the lives of others, namely us. Are we willing to give of ourselves so that others can know Christ too. They are worth because of what He gave. Listen to this poem. I could not find the author of the poem but it conveys the message we need to hear when we reach out to those whom we may not know:

"What's a man worth?

Does anyone know?

Is he measured by riches,

By friend or foe?

Can we tell by his virtues, his station in life?

His accent? His color?

His peace or his strife?

The length of his hair, the shape of his nose.

His smile or his handshake The cut of his clothes?

What's a man worth?

We turn to our Guide

And Christ gives His answer

'For EACH man I died.'" Dear Friends, things turn around when we turn toward others and enter into their hurt and suffering to bring them the love of Christ. MESSAGE 3 THE PRINCIPLE OF THE YOKE (A Bible Study) By Eddie Lawrence (Several years ago I read a book by a lady named Cindy Jacobs. As I remember, I borrowed some of the following from that book. It makes a great Bible study for a mid- week teaching time.)

Are you free? Freedom is not the power to do anything you want to do. It is the power to do what you ought to do. Many people are not free in this since because they are bound.

The literal meaning of the yoke=the wooden bar that allowed two (or more) animals, such as oxen, to be coupled together so that might work more effectively.

A yoke represents somone being under subjection to another for the purposes of the other. It means that a person’s power and resources are being used for the purposes of the person who holds the reins. Each one of us is either under the yoke of Satan or the yoke of the Savior. Either under the yoke of bondage or the yoke of blessing.

THE YOKE OF BONDAGE The Bible oftens uses the term “yoke” to refer to work or bondage. It was used of foreign oppressers and was generally associated with Divine judgement. It was also used in the Bible to refer to one person’s subjection to another. Illus- Pharaoh

Types of the Yoke of Bondage

1. Sin--Illus of man in pornography Lamentations 1: 14 "The yoke of my transgressions was bound; They were woven together by His hands, [And] thrust upon my neck. He made my strength fail; The Lord delivered me into the hands of [those] [whom] I am not able to withstand. 2. Legalism--Depending on self instead of Christ Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Acts 15: 10 "Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 3. Occultic Opressions—New age, wicca, etc. 4. Wrong Relationships--2 Corinthians 6: 14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. How To Pray for Someone Under A Yoke

1. Request an anointing to break the yoke (Is. 10:27) Isaiah 10:27 And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.

The Year of Jubilee=The acceptable year of our Lord

Luke 4: 16 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. 17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: 18 "The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to [the] poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to [the] captives And recovery of sight to [the] blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." 20 Then He closed the book, and gave [it] back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

1John 2: 18 Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but [they] [went] [out] that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. 20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. 25 And this is the promise that He has promised us--eternal life. 26 These things I have written to you concerning those who [try] [to] deceive you. 27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

2. Pray for the enemie’s work to be bound (Matt. 18:18) Luke 8: 26 Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!" 29 For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness. 30 Jesus asked him, saying, "What is your name?" And he said, "Legion," because many demons had entered him. 31 And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss. 32 Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. 33 Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine , and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned. 34 When those who fed [them] saw what had happened, they fled and told [it] in the city and in the country. 35 Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 36 They also who had seen [it] told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed. 37 Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. And He got into the boat and returned.

3. Pray for Blindness to be removed 2 Cor. 4: 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

4. Pray for their salvation; if saved, pray that they would realize who Christ is. Numbers 19:1 Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 2 "This [is] the ordinance of the law which the Lord has commanded, saying: `Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring you a red heifer without blemish, in which there [is] no defect [and] on which a yoke has never come A Picture of Christ. The blood was sprinkled and the ashes made the water of purification.

5. Pray for the power of sin to be broken

6. Praise--God becomes who we praise Him to be. Ps. 149 Illus--The Walls of Jericho Acts 16--Paul and Silas in Prison 7. Fasting--Is. 58:6 Isaiah 58: 6 "[Is] this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? Fasting loosens the hold that the flesh has on us.

Jeremiah 30: 8 `For it shall come to pass in that day,' Says the Lord of hosts, `[That] I will break his yoke from your neck, And will burst your bonds; Foreigners shall no more enslave them. 9 But they shall serve the Lord their God, And David their king, Whom I will raise up for them. THE YOKE OF BLESSING Matthew 11: 25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. 27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and [he] to whomsoever the Son will reveal [him]. 28 Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light. labor and heavy laden pictures an animal in a yoke under a strain from pulling a plow or carrying a heavy load or both. It is a picture of drudgery and fatique. It refers to the tiredness and fatigue both physically and spiritually of trying to keep the O.T. Law; trying to do it on your own. Are you tired of trying? Do you feel as if you are enslaved by a yoke? Do you feel like you are on a treadmill going nowhere and unable to get off? rest=anapauso which refers not only to rest to to rejuvenation. The rest is given by Christ, therefore it cannot be manufactured of ourselves. Ye shall find denotes what we do to receive the rest Christ gives. 1. We take his yoke upon us. 2. We learn from him. Therefore the truth is that it is his rest presence that gives us rest. As we spend time in yoke with him learning from him we are rejuvenated.

THE TWO YOKES JESUS’ YOKE SATAN’S YOKE 1. COMES BY INVITATION 1. COMES BY INTRUSION 2. GIVES REST 2. CAUSES FATIQUE AND STRAIN 3. DESIRES TO TEACH 3. CREATES DOUBT AND IGNORANCE 4. GENTLE AND HUMBLE 4. HARSH AND PROUD

Ezekiel 34: 26 "I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing; and I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing. 27 "Then the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase. They shall be safe in their land; and they shall know that I [am] the Lord, when I have broken the bands of their yoke and delivered them from the hand of those who enslaved them. 28 "And they shall no longer be a prey for the nations, nor shall beasts of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and no one shall make [them] afraid. 29 "I will raise up for them a garden of renown, and they shall no longer be consumed with hunger in the land, nor bear the shame of the Gentiles anymore. 30 "Thus they shall know that I, the Lord their God, [am] with them, and they, the house of Israel, [are] My people," says the Lord God.' " MESSAGE 4 BATTLING IN PRAYER By Eddie Lawrence

INTRODUCTION – Let me share a story with you:

ILLUS- Dr. Helen Roseveare, missionary to Zaire, told the following story. "A mother at our mission station died after giving birth to a premature baby. We tried to improvise an incubator to keep the infant alive, but the only hot water bottle we had was beyond repair. So we asked the children to pray for the baby and for her sister. One of the girls responded, 'Dear God, please send a hot water bottle today. Tomorrow will be too late because by then the baby will be dead. And dear Lord, send a doll for the sister so she won't feel so lonely.'

That afternoon a large package arrived from England. The children watched eagerly as we opened it. Much to their surprise, under some clothing was a hot water bottle! Immediately the girl who had prayed so earnestly started to dig deeper, exclaiming, 'If God sent that, I'm sure He also sent a doll!' And she was right! The heavenly Father knew in advance of that child's sincere requests, and 5 months earlier He had led a ladies' group to include both of those specific articles."

TRANSITION TO TEXT: Dear People, I declare to you today that GOD ANSWERS PRAYER!

Through our prayers we bring the power and blessing of God down upon our lives and the lives of those for whom we pray. It is one or our great weapons in the battle for souls and to bring God’s kingdom into the realm of Earth. In this message we will see that what we call the Lord’s Prayer gives us some great instruction of how to battle in prayer. We see some great battles that we all have to fight when we investigate the Lord’s Prayer.

TEXT: Matthew 6: 7“And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 9“In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.

10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

1. THE BATTLE TO BRING HEAVEN TO EARTH (This is in the Imperative Mode which means-- The will of God is being done in Heaven and we have the authority to enforce it and decree it in the earth.)

“THY” not “MY” kingdom come. “THY” not “My” will be done.

This is the great temptation in life, to live for our own kingdom and you can do it in the church. Its time to quit the ladder climbing in the church and start serving one another.

You have not been crowned king of the age. Take the crown off and fall on your face before God. He could suck the oxygen out of the atmosphere right now and we would drop to our knees gasping for breath. The air we breathe is a gift from his hand. He is the KING. It is HIS Kingdom, not ours. But we have the privilege of being used to usher in HIS Kingdom. One way we do that is by learning and using our authority in prayer.

Through praying in authority and faith we partner with God to establish HIS Kingdom and HIS will on the earth. THE NEXT PART OF THE LORD’S PRAY CHANGES TO OUR NEEDS:

11 Give us this day our daily bread. Imperative mode When we are living for the glory of God we can fully and confidently know that He will provide all we need to live here in the earth.

2. THE BATTLE FOR DAILY BREAD JESUS FIRST TEMPTATION WAS AT THIS POINT—He was tempted to turn stones into bread.

We too, have a battle in our day. Economic conditions are tough. There is often more bills than there is month. There is more outgo than there is income. Jobs are lost, budgets are strained. WE NEED TO REALIZE THAT GOD HAS THE ULTIMATE STIMULUS PACKAGE. We can find it through prayer.

Think about it: We have a supply supernaturally beyond the supply we see in the natural. Through prayer you can see things shift in your life economically. At Jesus word, his disciples filled their boat with fish after they had fished all night catching nothing. This is the power of connecting with God.

Illus— We must realize that the key to our provision is through prayer. Father can use the anyone to bring His answers to our prayers. Listen to this story….While crossing the Atlantic on an oceanliner, F.B. Meyer was asked to address the first class passengers. At the captain's request he spoke on "Answered Prayer." An agnostic who was present at the service was asked by his friends, "What did you think of Dr. Meyer's sermon?" He answered, "I didn't believe a word of it." That afternoon Meyer went to speak to the steerage passengers. Many of the listeners at his morning address went along, including the agnostic, who claimed he just wanted to hear "what the babbler had to say."

Before starting for the service, the agnostic put two oranges in his pocket. On his way he passed an elderly woman sitting in her deck chair fast asleep. Her hands were open. In the spirit of fun, the agnostic put the two oranges in her outstretched palms. After the meeting, he saw the old lady happily eating one of the pieces of fruit. "You seem to be enjoying that orange," he remarked with a smile. "Yes, sir," she replied, "My Father is very good to me." "Your father? Surely your father can't be still alive!" "Praise God," she replied, "He is very much alive." "What do you mean?" pressed the agnostic. She explained, "I'll tell you, sir. I have been seasick for days. I was asking God somehow to send me an orange. I suppose I fell asleep while I was praying. When I awoke, I found He had not only sent me one orange but two!" The agnostic was speechless. Later he was converted to Christ. Yes, praying in God's will brings an answer. (sermonillustrations)

3. THE BATTLE OF UNFORGIVENESS 12 And forgive us our debts, Imperative The Heart of God is to forgive.

As we forgive our debtors Present Indicative

Illus—Did you hear the story of the little boy who prayed in Sunday School “forgive us our trashbaskets as we forgive those who trashbasket against us.”

UNFORGIVENESS IS A BIG BARRIER TO THE OPERATION OF THE KING’S BENEFITS IN YOUR LIFE. Word study--Debtor=3781{ of-i-let’-ace} from 3784; TDNT - 5:565, 746; n m AV - debtor 5, sinner 1, which owed 1; 7 GK - 4050 { ojfeilevth" } 1) one who owes another, a debtor 1a) one held by some obligation, bound by some duty 1b) one who has not yet made amends to whom he has injured: 1b1) one who owes God penalty or whom God can demand punishment as something due, i.e. a sinner

HATRED IN THE HEART SHUTS DOWN THE OPERATION OF THE KINGDOM IN YOUR LIFE.

Illus—Imagine a caravan loaded with what you need, ready to be delivered to you. All you have to do is make the call. You make the call, but the line is blocked and the caravan drivers can’t receive your call. You would want to do everything possible to remove whatever is blocking the line, right? God’s Word tells us that “Unforgiveness” will block the line. We unblock the line by forgiving and removing grudges.

4. THE BATTLE OF LIFE’S CIRCUMSTANCES 13 And do not lead us into temptation, Subjunctive Mode

But deliver us from the evil one. Imperative Mode—The Lord tells us to ask him to do this!

Word study--“from evil”= 4190  { pon-ay-ros’} from a derivative of 4192; TDNT - 6:546, 912; adj AV - evil 51, wicked 10, wicked one 6, evil things 2, misc 7; 76 GK - 4505 { ponhrov" } 1) full of labours, annoyances, hardships 1a) pressed and harassed by labours 1b) bringing toils, annoyances, perils; of a time full of peril to Christian faith and steadfastness; causing pain and trouble 2) bad, of a bad nature or condition 2a) in a physical sense: diseased or blind 2b) in an ethical sense: evil wicked, bad

The word is used in the nominative case in Mt. 6:13. This usually denotes a title in the Greek. Hence Christ is saying, deliver us from “The Evil”, and is probably referring to Satan

5. THE BATTLE FOR THE GLORY For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Note the connectedness Kingdom to power to glory

THINK ABOU IT!-When we get a kingdom perspective we start experiencing kingdom power. Father releases HIS power when we start making it about HIS Kingdom. Because when it is about HIS kingdom, then it will resound to HIS glory.

Paul wrote: “Whatsoever you do in word and deed, do all to the glory of God.” The word “forever” means into the unbroken age. That is where we are headed. Into the age that will never end. Into the age where there will be no brokenness.

From the beginning, the Satan has wanted the glory, the attention, the worship of God’s other creatures. Through our prayers we can shift the attention of people’s lives to the ONE worthy of their adoration and worship.

CONCLUSION: It is imperative for us to realize the awesome privilege and power of prayer that belongs to us. In the Lord’s prayer we are invited to stand in a place of dominion and power and authority to usher in the power and glory of God into the Earth. God help us to PRAY! MESSAGE 5 LIVING IN VIEW OF THE FIVE SETS OF TWO’S

by Eddie Lawrence

INTRODUCTION—(Joke) When Forest Gump died, he stood in front of Saint Peter at the Pearly Gates. Saint Peter said, “Welcome, Forest. We’ve heard a lot about you.” He continued, “Unfortunately, it’s getting pretty crowded up here and we find that we now have to give people an entrance examination before we let them in.” Related Image

“Okay,” said Forest. “I hope it’s not too hard. I’ve already been through a test. My momma used to say, ‘Life is like a final exam. It’s hard.’ ”

“Yes, Forest, I know. But this test is only three questions. Here they are.”

1) Which two days of the week begin with the letter ‘T’?” (This is from Arca Max)

2) How many seconds are in a year?

3) What is God’s first name?

“Well, sir,” said Forest, “The first one is easy. Which two days of the week begin with the letter ‘T’? Today and Tomorrow.”

Saint Peter looked surprised and said, “Well, that wasn’t the answer I was looking for, but you have a point. I give you credit for that answer.”

“The next question,” said Forest, “How many seconds are in a year? Twelve.”

“Twelve?” said Saint Peter, surprised and confused.

“Yes, sir. January 2nd, February 2nd, March 2nd …”

Saint Peter interrupted him. “I see what you mean. I’ll have to give you credit for that one, too.”

“And the last question,” said Forest, “What is God’s first name? It’s Andy.”

“Andy?” said Saint Peter, in shock. “How did you come up with ‘Andy’?”

“I learned it in church. We used to sing about it.” Forest broke into song, “Andy walks with me, Andy talks with me, Andy tells me I am His own.”

Saint Peter opened the gate to heaven and said, “Run, Forest, Run!”

TRANSITION TO TEXT: Well we all know that when we die this is not the way it will unfold. The question that settles it all is “Have you confessed Jesus Christ as Lord of your life and believed in your heart that God raised him from the dead?” But we do need to remember this morning that we will all die! We will all enter into eternity. I hope no one here today will enter into a Christless eternity? Let me read a section of Scripture to you from Revelation 20. Please listen carefully:

Revelation 20: 4And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

TRANSITION TO MAIN POINTS: This is a sobering passage of Scripture. It speaks to judgment, resurrection, and life after death. Did you notice the phrases first resurrection and second death? These are intriguing. Using the passage as a launching pad, I want to challenge you this morning to— LIVE YOUR LIFE IN VIEW OF THE FIVE SETS OF TWO’S The first set of two’s is: 1. The Two Births

John 3: 3Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7“Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ -1. Physical Birth -2. Spiritual Birth

The second set of two’s is: 2. The Two Deaths

-1. Physical Death The separation of your spirit from your body. James wrote that death occurs when your spirit is separated from your body. Also the writer of Hebrews tells us:

Hebrews 9: 27And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, 28so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

-2. Eternal Death Eternal separation of your soul and resurrected body from God.

Revelation 20: 14Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

The third set of two’s: 3. The Two Resurrections John 5: 28“Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29“and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. -1. Resurrection of life -2. Resurrection of condemnation

The fourth set of two’s: 4. The Two Judgments

2 Corinthians 5: 8We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. 9Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 11Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.

-1. The Judgment Seat of Christ for believers -2. The Great White Throne Judgment for non-believers

Revelation 20: 11Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

The fifth set of two’s: 5. The Two Realms of Eternity

-1. Heaven Revelation 21: 22But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. 24And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. 25Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). 26And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it. 27But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Revelation 22: 1And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. 4They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. 5There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.

-2. Hell Matthew 25: 41“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42‘for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43‘I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ 44“Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ 45“Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46“And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

CONCLUSION – Now let me add one to the list in closing. There are the two decisions. -Will you say “No” to Christ? -Will you say “Yes” to Christ? EXTRA FREE SERMON OUTLINE (This is an outline available at: www.SermonSeedbed.com. I thought you might enjoy have it here in editable form.)

HOW TO LEAD SOMEOME TO CHRIST By Eddie Lawrence

How it comes about?

* Burdens--There are times when God burdens us to share the Gospel with a particular person. In such cases we should pray and seek the opportunity.

* Promptings--There are times when you may be prompted on the spot to share the Gospel with a person. It may be a total stranger.

* Inquirers--There may be times when someone approaches you with questions about the Christian life.

* Desire--There seems to be times when we are motivated to witness. We make opportunities.

The Approach *You should be gentle--You will never force anyone into the kingdom. You may force someone into saying they are in the kingdom. * You should be sincere--you are not witnessing to get another notch in your Bible. You are witnessing to see lives changed from darkness to light. *You should be persuasive--This is not being pushy. This means that you do not give people an out. They must choose for or against Christ. *You should be compassionate--You were once also lost.

Phases of approach-- 1. Initial contact and conversation 2. Transitional phase--The point where you turn from what you are talking about to the spiritual arena. Think of this as a bridge. You are to build a bridge from where the conversation is to where you want it to be. 3. The Question The question is the point at which you directly confront the individual with the subject of spiritual things. Some examples are:

*Do you ever do much thinking about spiritual things? *What do you think about God? *If you were to die tonight, would you go to heaven? Why? *Do you know for certain that you have eternal life and that you will go to heaven when you die? * Have you ever thought about where a man goes after he dies? *Are you prepared to die? *How do you think a man can prepare to die?

4. The Request *May I take just a few minutes and share with you how you can be sure to go to heaven when you die? *May I take a few moments and share with you some spiritual truth that has changed my life? *You know, there was a time in my life when I was filled with uncertainty about these things we’re discussing but then something happened that has changed my life, may I share it with you?

5. The Roman Road

A. Man has a sin problem Romans 3:23 B. Sin Carries a penalty Romans 6:23 C. God has provided a way to pay your penalty Romans 5:8 Romans 4:25 D. You must personally respond to God’s provision Romans 10:9-10

6. The Invitation *Are you ready right now to give your life to Jesus Christ? *I want to pray for you. (As you are praying stop and ask the person if they are willing to give their life to Christ to reach out and take your hand. If they do, then lead them in a simple prayer of faith and trust that contains the truths of the Gospel.)

7. Follow up *If they prayed to receive Christ share with them the importance of baptism and Church membership, Daily Bible reading, prayer, and witnessing. *If they did not pray to receive Christ, assure them of your love and continued prayer. Leave the door open for future contact. You have planted seed that may come to harvest later. EXTRA SERMON ILLUSTRATIONS

A GREAT QUOTE OF A TRADITIONAL SAYING

“If you live in a graveyard too long you stop crying when someone dies.”

LEARNING TO REST IN CHRIST

In the Philippines I heard a local pastor use the following parable to illustrate Christ's offer of rest (Matt. ll:28) and the response of people who won't trust Him completely: The driver of a carabao wagon was on his way to market when he overtook an old man carrying a heavy load. Taking compassion on him, the driver invited the old man to ride in the wagon. Gratefully the old man accepted. After a few minutes, the driver turned to see how the man was doing. To his surprise, he found him still straining under the heavy weight, for he had not taken the burden off his shoulders. – Larry Chell.

LOOKING FOR THE GOOD IN SOMETHING

I read about a schoolboy who brought home his report card. It was heavy with poor grades. "What have you to say about this?" asked his father. "One thing for sure," the boy replied, "Dad, you can be proud. You know I haven't been cheating!" Morning Glory, August 12, 1993.

DON’T GIVE UP!

 Johnny Fulton was run over by a car at the age of three. He suffered crushed hips, broken ribs, a fractured skull, and compound fractures in his legs. It did not look as if he would live. But he would not give up. In fact, he later ran the half-mile in less than two minutes.  Walt Davis was totally paralyzed by polio when he was nine years old, but he did not give up. He became the Olympic high jump champion in 1952.  Shelly Mann was paralyzed by polio when she was five years old, but she would not give up. She eventually claimed eight different swimming records for the U.S. and won a gold medal at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia.  In 1938, Karoly Takacs, a member of Hungary’s world-champion pistol shooting team and sergeant in the army, lost his right hand when a grenade he was holding exploded. But Takacs did not give. up. He learned to shoot left-handed and won gold medals in the 1948 and 1952 Olympics.  Lou Gehrig was such a clumsy ball player that the boys in his neighborhood would not let him play on their team. But he was committed. He did not give up. Eventually, his name was entered into baseball’s Hall of Fame.  Woodrow Wilson could not read until he was ten years old. But he was a committed person. He became the twenty-eighth President of the United States.  At the age of seven, he had to go to work to help support his family. At nine, his mother died. At twenty-two, he lost his job as a store clerk. At twenty-three, he went into debt and became a partner in a small store. At twenty-six, his partner died leaving him a huge debt. By the age of thirty-five, he had been defeated twice when running for a seat in Congress. At the age of thirty-seven, he won the election. At thirty-nine, he lost his reelection bid. At forty-one, his four-year-old son died. At forty-two, he was rejected for a land officer role. At forty- five, he ran for the Senate and lost. At forty-seven, he was defeated for the nomination for Vice President. At forty-nine, he ran for Senate again and lost again. At the age of fifty-one, he was elected President of the United States. During his second term of office, he was assassinated. But his name lives on among the greats in U.S. history —Abraham Lincoln.

Heaven Bound Living, Knofel Stanton, Standard, 1989, pp. 43-44