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7-15-12 Kingdom Praying 2 Thess. 1.11-12X

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7-15-12 Kingdom Praying 2 Thess. 1.11-12X “Now there was a disciple at Damascus named KINGDOM PRAYING Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 ‘Ananias.’ And he said, ‘Here I am, Lord.’ And the Lord said to him, ‘Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man The very mention of the word “prayer” can send shivers from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying, and he has down our spines. Who among us can honestly say that seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay he spends enough time in prayer? Guilt rips into us like his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight.’” a speeding bullet, leaving us spiritually incapacitated. (Acts 9:10–12, NASB95) Ron Dunn wrote, “Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was “Prayer means that I never have to say, ‘There’s there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon nothing I can do.’ I discovered that prayer is the secret who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and weapon of the kingdom of God. It is like a missile that Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the can be fired toward any spot on earth, travel tetrarch, and Saul. While they were ministering to the undetected at the speed of thought, and hit its target Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for Me every time.” [Just Do It, p. 19] Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then, when they had fasted and prayed and The New Testament places great emphasis on our need laid their hands on them, they sent them away. ” (Acts to pray. 13:1–3, NASB95) “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with “So putting out to sea from Troas, we ran a straight an attitude of thanksgiving.” (Colossians 4:2, NASB95) course to Samothrace, and on the day following to Neapolis; and from there to Philippi, which is a leading Rest assured, this message is not designed to heap guilt city of the district of Macedonia, a Roman colony; and on you. It is designed to challenge you to enter into a we were staying in this city for some days. And on the deeper commitment to prayer than you have ever had Sabbath day we went outside the gate to a riverside, before. where we were supposing that there would be a place of prayer; and we sat down and began speaking to the Paul placed a high value upon prayer. We see it women who had assembled. ” (Acts 16:11–13, NASB95) throughout his ministry. “But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and Paul understood that the Creator God actively seeks singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were fellowship with His children. Prayer is a great privilege listening to them…. ” (Acts 16:25, NASB95) that neither Paul nor any other believer can shove to the side as if it is not essential. No, he prayed that this “ When he had said these things, he knelt down and group of believers would get their lives together prayed with them all. ” (Acts 20:36, NASB95) spiritually by learning to pray in a kingdom way. Because prayer formed the fabric of his life and God cares about us and He loves to give good gifts to ministry, Paul prayed for the churches consistently and us. Let me ask you, what kind of value have you fervently. In our text today, we find him laying out his attached to prayer? I can’t begin to relate to you the prayer for the persecuted believers in Thessalonica. In implications your prayer life can have for your spouse, light of their oppression and the future return of Christ, for your children, for your grandchildren, for this he challenged them to get their act together spiritually. church, for the souls of lost loved ones and friends, and “The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound for the spread of the gospel! judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. ” (1 Peter 4:7, NASB95) WE GET OUR ACT TOGETHER SPIRITUALLY BY DEVOTING OURSELVES TO KINGDOM PRAYING! One of the key ways we get our act together spiritually is by developing a strong, kingdom-centered prayer life. 2. THE PRACTICE OF KINGDOM PRAYING 1. THE PRIORITY OF KINGDOM PRAYING This is where we fall so short. Take just a moment and “To this end we pray for you always” (11) evaluate the requests you normally offer to God in prayer. We are quick to pray about temporal matters— Notice his emphasis on consistency in prayer for the our home, a parking spot, physical health, great grades, believers in Thessalonica who were being harassed for financial blessing, a new car, etc. their faith in Christ. He knew that one day the Lord Jesus would come and deal out retribution to those Paul did not pray superficial prayers for these believers. who rejected the gospel, and in turn, reward those who His praying was specific and quite pointed and kingdom- trusted Christ. Yet, he prayed for them on a regular centered in its focus. basis. A.) He prayed for them to be worthy! God’s ultimate will for our lives is that our walk would match our talk. We say that we are followers of Christ. “That our God will count you worthy of your calling” We should live like followers of Christ! (11) B.) He prayed for them to be fulfilled! The “calling” he mentions here refers to salvation. When the gospel is preached, the Holy Spirit draws us “And fulfill every desire for goodness” (11) to Christ. Salvation is a calling, not simply a decision on our part! Have you stopped to think that God is so gracious and loving that He wants the very best for you as a believer? What did Paul mean when he said that he was praying Let me say it again—He loves to give good gifts to His that God would count them “worthy”? Simply put, he is children! asking God to make the believers into the kind of Christians they should be. A good illustration of this “O LORD , in Your strength the king will be glad, and in would be how God felt about Abraham, Isaac, and Your salvation how greatly he will rejoice! You have Jacob. given him his heart’s desire, and You have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah. For You meet “But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a him with the blessings of good things; You set a crown heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be of fine gold on his head. ” (Psalm 21:1–3, NASB95) called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. ” (Hebrews 11:16, NASB95) “You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. ” (Psalm 145:16, NASB95) “So that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every The word “fulfill” means to bring something to its fullest good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; expression. In this case, it refers to the desire for strengthened with all power, according to His glorious goodness. These are the things that bring delight to might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and God when He sees them in your life. patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in “Delight yourself in the LORD ; and He will give you the Light. ” (Colossians 1:10–12, NASB95) desires of your heart. ” (Psalm 37:4, NASB95) Will God give you everything you desire? Yes, if you are Paul’s praying was fervent, consistent, specific, and delighting in Him and allowing Him to shape the desires kingdom-focused. He prayed for the believers to be of your heart. worthy, to be fulfilled, and to live in power. C.) He prayed for them to live in power! Parents, I urge you to bathe your children in kingdom- focused prayer! “And the work of faith with power” (11) 3. THE PURPOSE OF KINGDOM PRAYING You must remember that the context for these three kingdom prayer requests is persecution, oppression, “So that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in and constant harassment. This highlights the you, and you in Him” (12) importance of walking by faith! Nothing in your life is more important than bringing Faith must never be viewed as passive. It is an active glory to the Lord Jesus Christ! Get this: The reputation approach to living the Christian life in the power that of Jesus Christ is at stake as people observe what you the Holy Spirit provides. say and how you live. That’s a scary thought, but it is true. This is why the Bible stresses the importance of “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, obedience. from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according As we honor our Lord Jesus, He honors us by blessing to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with us, by giving us spiritual fruit, and by enhancing our power through His Spirit in the inner man…. ” ministries. A day is coming when believers will publicly (Ephesians 3:14–16, NASB95) share in His glory at His coming (1:10).
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