WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.800 And before he knew it, this guy was pinned to the ground. 00:00:03.480 --> 00:00:08.160 The bear had its paw on his chest and its other paw up ready to strike him. 00:00:08.160 --> 00:00:12.839 And in that moment, this atheist just screamed out, 00:00:12.900 --> 00:00:13.859 Oh, God, help me! 00:00:15.720 --> 00:00:19.699 And then the bear was momentarily startled, 00:00:19.960 --> 00:00:25.640 and the atheist sort of realized the inconsistency of calling out to God for help 00:00:25.640 --> 00:00:28.420 after living a life that acknowledging God doesn't exist 00:00:28.420 --> 00:00:30.560 and then calling him, he needs help. 00:00:30.700 --> 00:00:34.520 And then so he throws out an ultimatum instead to God and says, 00:00:34.520 --> 00:00:36.740 Well, in fact, I don't believe you exist, buddy. 00:00:37.000 --> 00:00:38.000 In fact, I don't care if you do. 00:00:38.160 --> 00:00:43.219 But if you do, then prove yourself that you're good and that you're powerful, 00:00:43.820 --> 00:00:46.420 as people say you are, and make this bear a Christian. 00:00:46.520 --> 00:00:48.579 He figured that that's a pretty smart move. 00:00:49.060 --> 00:00:52.700 He can then, the bear won't kill him because the bear has to, you know, 00:00:52.719 --> 00:00:55.359 turn the other cheek and look and not kill him. 00:00:55.359 --> 00:00:58.519 And he'd be able to go on living on like he always has for the rest of his life, 00:00:58.579 --> 00:00:59.259 not acknowledging God. 00:00:59.320 --> 00:01:02.719 So he figured that was a bit of a stroke of brilliance there in just that moment. 00:01:02.920 --> 00:01:06.140 And to his great surprise, in that very moment, 00:01:06.640 --> 00:01:11.519 the bear pulled back and knelt down beside him, 00:01:11.579 --> 00:01:14.159 took his paw off his chest and put his paws together 00:01:14.159 --> 00:01:16.500 and bowed his head and started to pray. 00:01:16.500 --> 00:01:22.180 And he prayed, Dear Father, for what I'm about to receive, 00:01:22.599 --> 00:01:24.319 may the Lord make me truly thankful. 00:01:26.840 --> 00:01:28.239 I don't think it's a true story. 00:01:31.760 --> 00:01:33.640 I'm pretty convinced prayers don't pray, 00:01:33.840 --> 00:01:37.780 but it's pretty much universal that people on our planet pray. 00:01:38.340 --> 00:01:40.140 It doesn't matter who the person is. 00:01:40.180 --> 00:01:41.240 You see them on the television. 00:01:41.899 --> 00:01:45.899 I've even seen declared atheists in a moment of tragedy get on the TV 00:01:45.899 --> 00:01:49.099 being interviewed about something, about some tragedy that's happened, 00:01:49.179 --> 00:01:53.119 and they've said our thoughts and our prayers are with the family. 00:01:53.319 --> 00:01:55.280 I mean, you hear that again, you hear it again and again and again. 00:01:55.439 --> 00:01:59.199 Even devout atheists have said our thoughts and our prayers. 00:01:59.239 --> 00:02:01.500 I'm not sure exactly what they mean by prayers at that point, 00:02:01.919 --> 00:02:05.539 but that is the thing, is that prayer is virtually universal activity. 00:02:05.540 --> 00:02:09.780 But what we mean by it, what the atheist means by it on that moment of the TV, 00:02:10.000 --> 00:02:11.620 is very different than what I would mean by it. 00:02:11.700 --> 00:02:15.439 Individual to individual, what we actually mean by prayer is very different. 00:02:16.140 --> 00:02:22.840 And what is significant is that the difference between our prayers 00:02:22.840 --> 00:02:29.900 is the difference between what we think about the being to whom we're praying to is, 00:02:30.240 --> 00:02:33.340 what sort of being that is, what sort of God they are, 00:02:33.340 --> 00:02:38.580 what we think about that God, and also what our relationship with that God 00:02:38.580 --> 00:02:40.000 or that supreme being is. 00:02:40.060 --> 00:02:43.740 You see, when the Buddhist spins his prayer wheel, 00:02:43.879 --> 00:02:47.420 or when the Hindu sits in mystic silence, 00:02:47.920 --> 00:02:55.659 or when the Muslim gets his prayer mat and faces Mecca five times a day and prays, 00:02:55.900 --> 00:02:59.680 they are all reflecting in their own different ways 00:02:59.680 --> 00:03:04.760 the character of the God or the gods to whom they're praying to, 00:03:04.939 --> 00:03:11.000 and also the relationship and how they think the relationship works with that God. 00:03:11.900 --> 00:03:15.760 So our prayer is shaped and defined by the being to whom we pray, 00:03:15.860 --> 00:03:17.420 and that's no different for the Christian. 00:03:18.000 --> 00:03:22.360 There are many Bible passages that shape the Christian prayer life. 00:03:22.360 --> 00:03:24.880 For instance, Jeremiah 32, 17, 00:03:25.140 --> 00:03:37.420 That verse shapes the way you pray. 00:03:38.360 --> 00:03:40.540 It's talking about God being the creator of all things, 00:03:40.740 --> 00:03:42.120 and nothing is too hard for Him. 00:03:42.220 --> 00:03:44.680 That's a shaping prayer. 00:03:45.180 --> 00:03:47.820 That's a verse that shapes our prayer, view of God. 00:03:47.819 --> 00:03:50.340 Or our relationship with God. 00:03:50.439 --> 00:03:52.780 For instance, the stunning picture of the Christian life 00:03:52.780 --> 00:03:55.620 that's laid out before us in Romans chapter 8, 00:03:56.259 --> 00:03:57.319 where it says, 00:03:58.319 --> 00:04:00.680 We once were slaves to sin and death and fear. 00:04:01.539 --> 00:04:05.159 We were hostile to God, unable to please Him at all. 00:04:05.659 --> 00:04:09.819 We are now free sons of the Father, 00:04:10.060 --> 00:04:12.120 co-heirs of His kingdom in Christ. 00:04:12.979 --> 00:04:14.639 Through being united with Jesus, 00:04:14.639 --> 00:04:16.300 who died to free us, 00:04:16.379 --> 00:04:20.579 we now have this new life in which God Himself dwells with us, 00:04:20.699 --> 00:04:22.219 in us, by His Spirit. 00:04:22.819 --> 00:04:24.779 It's because of the saving work of Jesus 00:04:24.779 --> 00:04:27.279 that we are raised up from our low position, 00:04:27.399 --> 00:04:29.639 which is the position of being cut off from access to God, 00:04:31.079 --> 00:04:32.879 and have been granted free access 00:04:32.879 --> 00:04:35.599 to the almighty, true, living God, 00:04:35.680 --> 00:04:37.319 creator and sustainer of all that is. 00:04:37.319 --> 00:04:41.219 And so what that means for the Christian 00:04:41.219 --> 00:04:45.300 is that prayer is not an appendix. 00:04:45.459 --> 00:04:48.099 It's not an addition to the Christian life. 00:04:48.219 --> 00:04:51.639 It's the heart of who we are as His children 00:04:51.639 --> 00:04:53.519 and how we relate to Him and His Father. 00:04:53.579 --> 00:04:54.939 In fact, I would go one step further. 00:04:55.000 --> 00:04:55.779 I didn't say this this morning, 00:04:55.839 --> 00:04:57.420 but I think you can think about it today. 00:04:57.420 --> 00:05:02.140 I would suggest that prayer is one of the barometers, 00:05:02.520 --> 00:05:04.360 if not the key barometer, 00:05:05.300 --> 00:05:08.819 to indicate what your spiritual state is. 00:05:10.520 --> 00:05:13.180 Prayer is the outworking of your relationship with God 00:05:13.180 --> 00:05:16.759 in the same way that if I've got no communication 00:05:16.759 --> 00:05:18.340 with my wife, Natalie, 00:05:18.600 --> 00:05:21.780 that would be an indication of the state of our relationship. 00:05:21.900 --> 00:05:22.379 Don't care whatever, 00:05:22.520 --> 00:05:23.840 don't care how much money I spend on holidays 00:05:23.840 --> 00:05:25.280 or whether I buy a clothes or anything like that. 00:05:25.279 --> 00:05:28.159 It's how do I communicate with her 00:05:28.159 --> 00:05:32.479 as a fair indication of what my relationship status is with her 00:05:32.479 --> 00:05:34.439 in the same way it is with God. 00:05:35.679 --> 00:05:36.919 And what we see as a Christian 00:05:36.919 --> 00:05:38.439 is that prayer is a privilege. 00:05:38.559 --> 00:05:41.639 To be able to go to the creator and sustainer of the universe 00:05:41.639 --> 00:05:42.819 and to call Him Father. 00:05:42.959 --> 00:05:45.939 And yet with all the privileges that prayer affords us, 00:05:46.599 --> 00:05:48.699 I think the hard truth is that many of us 00:05:48.699 --> 00:05:50.599 don't pray very much. 00:05:51.559 --> 00:05:53.399 We pray at meals, possibly. 00:05:53.399 --> 00:05:56.399 We whisper prayers before tough meetings. 00:05:56.560 --> 00:05:59.399 We say something brief as we crawl into bed. 00:06:00.120 --> 00:06:03.959 And I suspect that very few set aside times to pray alone 00:06:03.959 --> 00:06:10.899 and even fewer think that it's worthy to meet with others to pray. 00:06:11.579 --> 00:06:15.060 I would suggest that our lack of prayerlessness 00:06:15.060 --> 00:06:17.099 is one of the reasons, 00:06:17.219 --> 00:06:19.479 one of the chief reasons why our faith is weak, 00:06:19.480 --> 00:06:20.980 our hope is feeble, 00:06:21.180 --> 00:06:23.520 and our passion for Christ is small. 00:06:23.640 --> 00:06:24.640 And so what I want to do today 00:06:24.640 --> 00:06:26.819 is I want to turn our attention to Jesus 00:06:26.819 --> 00:06:31.400 to be enthused by prayer from Him. 00:06:32.020 --> 00:06:34.480 We see Jesus at the beginning of Luke 11. 00:06:35.360 --> 00:06:36.160 He is praying. 00:06:37.040 --> 00:06:38.900 And there are at least four things 00:06:38.900 --> 00:06:40.379 that Jesus teaches us here 00:06:40.379 --> 00:06:42.400 about prayer in these verses. 00:06:42.399 --> 00:06:47.000 And I want these things to shape the way we're thinking 00:06:47.000 --> 00:06:50.359 as we begin a new ministry year here at St. Paul's, 00:06:50.839 --> 00:06:54.459 that for these things to shape our prayer life at St. Paul's. 00:06:54.500 --> 00:06:57.120 So firstly, Jesus teaches us 00:06:57.120 --> 00:06:59.879 to make our praying God-centered. 00:07:00.079 --> 00:07:02.359 You see, when the disciples come to Jesus 00:07:02.359 --> 00:07:04.120 to ask Jesus to teach them how to pray, 00:07:04.219 --> 00:07:06.699 as they do in verse 1 of chapter 11, 00:07:06.799 --> 00:07:07.879 He says in verse 2, 00:07:07.879 --> 00:07:14.279 Now the Lord's Prayer is a prayer 00:07:14.279 --> 00:07:16.600 for us to model our prayer on 00:07:16.600 --> 00:07:18.420 rather than a prayer 00:07:18.420 --> 00:07:20.079 that we are to pray with repetition. 00:07:20.560 --> 00:07:21.860 I think it's somewhat ironic 00:07:21.860 --> 00:07:24.600 that Jesus, in the same context 00:07:24.600 --> 00:07:25.740 of giving us the Lord's Prayer, 00:07:25.860 --> 00:07:28.000 He says don't keep babbling on as the pagans do. 00:07:28.199 --> 00:07:29.180 That's what He does in Matthew. 00:07:29.540 --> 00:07:31.019 And yet ever since He's given us the Lord's Prayer, 00:07:31.139 --> 00:07:33.659 we've babbled it on consistently ever since then. 00:07:34.060 --> 00:07:35.040 It's not a prayer 00:07:35.040 --> 00:07:36.540 that we're meant to pray with repetition. 00:07:36.540 --> 00:07:38.420 It's meant to be a model for prayer. 00:07:38.540 --> 00:07:40.900 That's what the disciples are asking of Jesus here. 00:07:41.939 --> 00:07:44.319 And of particular note is that Jesus says, 00:07:44.560 --> 00:07:46.900 our first desire, our first request 00:07:46.900 --> 00:07:49.540 should be that God's name be hallowed or glorified, 00:07:50.180 --> 00:07:51.960 that His kingdom be advanced and come. 00:07:52.340 --> 00:07:55.240 And that's what I mean by God-centered prayer. 00:07:55.660 --> 00:07:56.939 The glory of God's name, 00:07:57.020 --> 00:07:58.400 the advancement of God's kingdom 00:07:58.400 --> 00:08:01.560 are the primary concerns of prayer. 00:08:02.780 --> 00:08:04.180 And if that's foreign to you, 00:08:04.180 --> 00:08:06.500 if you never plead for the name of God 00:08:06.500 --> 00:08:08.579 to be holy in the way that you live, 00:08:09.360 --> 00:08:12.040 for Him to be seen as holy in the way that you live, 00:08:12.139 --> 00:08:14.240 or the kingdom of God to come in such a way 00:08:14.240 --> 00:08:17.699 that you want to totally surrender to Him, 00:08:18.300 --> 00:08:19.680 then don't be content. 00:08:19.780 --> 00:08:21.620 Let me say, as you look forward into this year, 00:08:21.740 --> 00:08:24.800 do not be content to stay stuck at that level of praying. 00:08:25.560 --> 00:08:28.980 Make the glory of God the center of your prayers. 00:08:28.980 --> 00:08:30.700 That's why we exist as a church. 00:08:31.040 --> 00:08:32.340 We exist to know Jesus, treasure Jesus, 00:08:32.420 --> 00:08:33.940 represent Jesus for God's glory 00:08:33.940 --> 00:08:35.440 and the joy of all people. 00:08:37.960 --> 00:08:40.860 So pray again and again 00:08:40.860 --> 00:08:43.740 in as many different words as you can possibly think of 00:08:43.740 --> 00:08:44.879 and phrases you can come up with. 00:08:45.039 --> 00:08:47.240 Father, let your name be seen as holy in my life. 00:08:47.600 --> 00:08:48.399 Your will be done. 00:08:48.600 --> 00:08:49.759 Your kingdom come. 00:08:49.920 --> 00:08:54.060 Your rule be established over my life. 00:08:54.100 --> 00:08:55.600 In all things, that's what you're praying. 00:08:55.600 --> 00:08:58.600 So secondly, Jesus teaches us to pray with a sense of security 00:08:58.600 --> 00:09:00.399 in the Father's love. 00:09:01.399 --> 00:09:07.800 Jesus doesn't want us to feel precarious or insecure in our prayers. 00:09:08.580 --> 00:09:12.720 And He shows this mainly by teaching us to call God Father 00:09:12.720 --> 00:09:13.700 when we pray to Him. 00:09:14.220 --> 00:09:16.240 The prayer in verse 2 begins simply, 00:09:16.920 --> 00:09:17.200 Father. 00:09:18.320 --> 00:09:20.360 And then in verses 11 to 13, 00:09:20.360 --> 00:09:23.659 He unpacks for us some of the security 00:09:23.659 --> 00:09:28.039 which is implied by the word Father. 00:09:29.300 --> 00:09:31.840 This is a great promise to encourage us in our praying. 00:09:31.960 --> 00:09:32.080 It says, 00:09:32.159 --> 00:09:32.980 Which of you fathers, 00:09:33.740 --> 00:09:36.039 if your son asks for a fish, 00:09:36.180 --> 00:09:37.919 will give him a snake instead? 00:09:38.659 --> 00:09:40.200 Or if he asks for an egg, 00:09:40.240 --> 00:09:41.500 will give him a scorpion? 00:09:42.019 --> 00:09:43.779 If you then, though you are evil, 00:09:44.720 --> 00:09:48.340 there's Jesus' assessment of me as a father, 00:09:48.340 --> 00:09:50.720 if you then, though you are evil, 00:09:50.879 --> 00:09:53.580 know how to give good gifts to your children, 00:09:54.519 --> 00:09:56.300 how much more will your Father in heaven 00:09:56.300 --> 00:09:58.340 give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him? 00:09:58.399 --> 00:09:59.000 The words, 00:09:59.800 --> 00:10:01.120 how much more there, 00:10:01.200 --> 00:10:04.560 mean something utterly, utterly important for us. 00:10:05.080 --> 00:10:07.879 They mean that God is much more inclined 00:10:07.879 --> 00:10:09.500 to hear me 00:10:09.500 --> 00:10:11.440 and help me 00:10:11.440 --> 00:10:14.400 when I pray that I am willing to hear 00:10:14.400 --> 00:10:16.280 and help my girls 00:10:16.280 --> 00:10:18.139 when they ask for my help. 00:10:18.340 --> 00:10:20.300 I find that 00:10:20.300 --> 00:10:22.460 so, so astonishing. 00:10:24.340 --> 00:10:27.019 So, so astonishing. 00:10:29.200 --> 00:10:29.519 You know, 00:10:30.040 --> 00:10:31.960 if my girls are asking for help, 00:10:32.080 --> 00:10:33.300 they're in need, 00:10:34.840 --> 00:10:38.100 I will do whatever I can 00:10:38.100 --> 00:10:39.780 to assist them at that point. 00:10:39.779 --> 00:10:42.779 You know, 00:10:43.139 --> 00:10:46.039 one of them got dumped in the beach, 00:10:46.339 --> 00:10:46.659 you know, 00:10:46.779 --> 00:10:47.819 we're on holidays, 00:10:48.360 --> 00:10:48.959 came up, 00:10:49.179 --> 00:10:50.339 as you do, 00:10:50.959 --> 00:10:51.339 and I, 00:10:51.399 --> 00:10:52.879 I didn't sit there going, 00:10:53.679 --> 00:10:54.019 yeah, 00:10:55.139 --> 00:10:55.839 they'll be right. 00:10:56.379 --> 00:10:57.240 They'll work it out. 00:10:57.620 --> 00:10:59.039 I've got other things to do. 00:10:59.039 --> 00:11:00.419 And, 00:11:00.419 --> 00:11:00.439 and, 00:11:00.439 --> 00:11:00.759 and, 00:11:00.759 --> 00:11:02.419 and what it's saying here is that 00:11:02.419 --> 00:11:05.539 the God is much more inclined 00:11:05.539 --> 00:11:06.819 to hear and help me 00:11:06.819 --> 00:11:10.319 than I am to take those extra steps 00:11:10.319 --> 00:11:11.500 to help my daughter 00:11:11.500 --> 00:11:13.019 who's gasping for breath. 00:11:14.500 --> 00:11:16.059 Why does Jesus mention this? 00:11:16.779 --> 00:11:18.139 I think He wants us to feel 00:11:18.139 --> 00:11:20.599 secure in the Father's love 00:11:20.599 --> 00:11:22.399 when we come to Him in prayer. 00:11:22.919 --> 00:11:24.500 He doesn't want us to feel precarious. 00:11:24.620 --> 00:11:25.899 He doesn't want us to feel unsure 00:11:25.899 --> 00:11:26.759 of our acceptance. 00:11:26.919 --> 00:11:28.159 He doesn't want us to feel fearful 00:11:28.159 --> 00:11:29.679 that we will find Him 00:11:29.679 --> 00:11:30.799 out of sorts with us 00:11:30.799 --> 00:11:31.799 or that He will find us, 00:11:32.039 --> 00:11:32.579 that we'll find Him 00:11:32.579 --> 00:11:34.439 unconcerned about us. 00:11:35.059 --> 00:11:36.179 This sense of security 00:11:36.179 --> 00:11:37.659 is utterly crucial 00:11:37.659 --> 00:11:39.199 in the life of prayer. 00:11:39.379 --> 00:11:39.419 You, 00:11:39.579 --> 00:11:41.159 I don't think you can sustain 00:11:41.159 --> 00:11:41.980 a life of prayer 00:11:41.980 --> 00:11:43.059 if you believe God 00:11:43.059 --> 00:11:44.179 is stonewalling you 00:11:44.179 --> 00:11:45.879 or that He's angry with you 00:11:45.879 --> 00:11:47.139 or even neutral to you. 00:11:47.399 --> 00:11:48.340 And that is why 00:11:48.340 --> 00:11:50.819 a life of perseverance in prayer 00:11:50.819 --> 00:11:52.220 has its absolute 00:11:52.220 --> 00:11:52.980 foundation, 00:11:53.620 --> 00:11:54.560 security and assurance 00:11:54.560 --> 00:11:55.139 in the gospel. 00:11:55.639 --> 00:11:56.779 They're not disconnected. 00:11:58.840 --> 00:11:59.879 Prayer is sustained 00:11:59.879 --> 00:12:01.000 by the confidence 00:12:01.000 --> 00:12:02.840 that God is our Father, 00:12:03.000 --> 00:12:04.019 that He is concerned 00:12:04.019 --> 00:12:05.440 and that His disposition 00:12:05.440 --> 00:12:06.580 towards us 00:12:06.580 --> 00:12:08.360 is as Jesus says it is, 00:12:08.660 --> 00:12:09.899 He is more inclined 00:12:09.899 --> 00:12:11.220 to give you what you need 00:12:11.220 --> 00:12:12.860 than the best human father 00:12:12.860 --> 00:12:14.200 is inclined to give their children 00:12:14.200 --> 00:12:14.940 what they need. 00:12:18.279 --> 00:12:18.800 Thirdly, 00:12:18.860 --> 00:12:19.700 Jesus teaches us 00:12:19.700 --> 00:12:21.639 to prevail in prayer. 00:12:22.220 --> 00:12:23.180 without doubting 00:12:23.180 --> 00:12:24.120 the Father's love 00:12:24.120 --> 00:12:25.420 and I mean 00:12:25.420 --> 00:12:26.660 hanging in there, 00:12:26.759 --> 00:12:27.779 I mean persevering, 00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:28.560 persisting, 00:12:28.660 --> 00:12:29.360 not giving up 00:12:29.360 --> 00:12:30.300 in a life of prayer, 00:12:30.720 --> 00:12:31.500 keep on asking 00:12:31.500 --> 00:12:31.980 and seeking 00:12:31.980 --> 00:12:32.420 and knocking 00:12:32.420 --> 00:12:33.399 until the answer comes 00:12:33.399 --> 00:12:34.320 or until God says, 00:12:34.440 --> 00:12:34.720 frankly, 00:12:34.879 --> 00:12:36.259 stop praying about that issue. 00:12:37.080 --> 00:12:37.860 To me, 00:12:37.960 --> 00:12:38.660 this instruction 00:12:38.660 --> 00:12:39.759 from Jesus though 00:12:39.759 --> 00:12:41.960 to prevail in prayer, 00:12:42.700 --> 00:12:43.940 it feels 00:12:43.940 --> 00:12:45.580 a little inconsistent 00:12:45.580 --> 00:12:47.960 with His teaching 00:12:47.960 --> 00:12:49.139 to feel secure 00:12:49.139 --> 00:12:51.120 in the Father's love. 00:12:51.620 --> 00:12:51.920 I mean, 00:12:51.960 --> 00:12:53.120 if God is more caring 00:12:53.120 --> 00:12:55.900 than the best earthly father, 00:12:56.080 --> 00:12:57.060 then why would He 00:12:57.060 --> 00:12:58.540 sometimes be so slow 00:12:58.540 --> 00:13:00.360 to respond to our prayers? 00:13:00.420 --> 00:13:00.840 There seems to be 00:13:00.840 --> 00:13:02.120 a little bit of inconsistency 00:13:02.120 --> 00:13:02.720 there for me. 00:13:03.460 --> 00:13:04.200 It seems strange 00:13:04.200 --> 00:13:05.240 that Jesus would put 00:13:05.240 --> 00:13:06.440 both of these things 00:13:06.440 --> 00:13:07.720 together, 00:13:07.879 --> 00:13:08.759 side by side. 00:13:09.720 --> 00:13:11.340 In verses 5 to 8, 00:13:11.700 --> 00:13:12.600 Jesus tells the story 00:13:12.600 --> 00:13:13.439 of a man who goes 00:13:13.439 --> 00:13:14.639 to his mate's house 00:13:14.639 --> 00:13:16.120 in the middle of the night 00:13:16.120 --> 00:13:18.620 because a mate of his 00:13:18.620 --> 00:13:19.080 has turned up 00:13:19.080 --> 00:13:19.799 to his place 00:13:19.799 --> 00:13:21.679 and he hasn't had enough food 00:13:21.679 --> 00:13:22.659 and he needs to feed him 00:13:22.659 --> 00:13:23.200 in the middle of the night 00:13:23.200 --> 00:13:24.639 and he's obviously diabetic, 00:13:24.779 --> 00:13:25.679 his sugars are running low 00:13:25.679 --> 00:13:26.399 or something like that, 00:13:26.460 --> 00:13:26.980 he needs to eat now 00:13:26.980 --> 00:13:27.740 and he can't wait for breakfast. 00:13:28.259 --> 00:13:28.740 And so he goes 00:13:28.740 --> 00:13:29.360 to his mate's place 00:13:29.360 --> 00:13:29.799 and he says, 00:13:30.179 --> 00:13:31.299 give me three loaves of bread. 00:13:31.360 --> 00:13:32.139 He's obviously pretty hungry. 00:13:32.379 --> 00:13:33.519 Give me three loaves of bread. 00:13:34.120 --> 00:13:35.240 But his friend, 00:13:35.919 --> 00:13:36.159 you know, 00:13:36.200 --> 00:13:37.460 from upstairs goes, 00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:38.299 oh my goodness, 00:13:38.299 --> 00:13:38.659 you know, 00:13:38.699 --> 00:13:39.539 leans out the window. 00:13:40.139 --> 00:13:41.099 The door's locked, 00:13:41.219 --> 00:13:42.059 the cats are out, 00:13:42.120 --> 00:13:43.019 I put my teeth out, 00:13:43.120 --> 00:13:43.439 you know, 00:13:43.519 --> 00:13:44.579 and the children are asleep, 00:13:44.699 --> 00:13:44.819 you know, 00:13:44.839 --> 00:13:45.659 go down to 7-Eleven 00:13:45.659 --> 00:13:46.240 and grab some loaves 00:13:46.240 --> 00:13:46.979 of bread from down there. 00:13:48.019 --> 00:13:49.139 But his mate 00:13:49.139 --> 00:13:49.939 just keeps knocking 00:13:49.939 --> 00:13:50.759 and asking 00:13:50.759 --> 00:13:51.719 until his friend 00:13:51.719 --> 00:13:52.579 finally, 00:13:52.759 --> 00:13:53.059 you know, 00:13:53.279 --> 00:13:54.279 jams on his boxer shorts 00:13:54.279 --> 00:13:55.059 and wanders downstairs. 00:13:57.019 --> 00:13:58.259 But he doesn't get up 00:13:58.259 --> 00:13:59.199 because he wants to. 00:14:00.539 --> 00:14:01.159 It's not because 00:14:01.159 --> 00:14:02.379 he wants to help his friend, 00:14:03.059 --> 00:14:04.399 it's because his friend 00:14:04.399 --> 00:14:07.579 has been prevailing, 00:14:07.580 --> 00:14:08.540 persisting, 00:14:09.080 --> 00:14:09.680 persevering 00:14:09.680 --> 00:14:10.280 in knocking 00:14:10.280 --> 00:14:10.820 and knocking 00:14:10.820 --> 00:14:11.300 and knocking. 00:14:11.400 --> 00:14:12.280 It's like a car alarm 00:14:12.280 --> 00:14:12.920 that's gone off 00:14:12.920 --> 00:14:13.720 in the car park 00:14:13.720 --> 00:14:15.340 and won't shut up. 00:14:17.440 --> 00:14:18.440 It feels like 00:14:18.440 --> 00:14:21.320 an unattractive image 00:14:21.320 --> 00:14:21.720 of prayer, 00:14:21.800 --> 00:14:22.200 doesn't it? 00:14:24.580 --> 00:14:25.720 God only answers 00:14:25.720 --> 00:14:26.700 because we annoy him 00:14:26.700 --> 00:14:28.259 enough for him to answer. 00:14:28.879 --> 00:14:29.080 You see, 00:14:29.120 --> 00:14:29.639 when my kids 00:14:29.639 --> 00:14:30.300 badger me 00:14:30.300 --> 00:14:31.020 for an answer 00:14:31.020 --> 00:14:32.180 to a request of theirs, 00:14:32.500 --> 00:14:33.660 it's never attractive. 00:14:34.040 --> 00:14:35.200 Neither is my response either, 00:14:35.200 --> 00:14:36.640 but it's never attractive. 00:14:38.520 --> 00:14:39.660 More often than not, 00:14:39.840 --> 00:14:41.000 it's because frankly, 00:14:41.240 --> 00:14:42.480 I don't want to go out 00:14:42.480 --> 00:14:43.140 of my way 00:14:43.140 --> 00:14:44.060 to fulfill the request. 00:14:44.140 --> 00:14:45.200 It's going to cost me something, 00:14:45.440 --> 00:14:45.980 either dollars 00:14:45.980 --> 00:14:48.379 or energy or... 00:14:48.379 --> 00:14:49.040 Just like this man 00:14:49.040 --> 00:14:49.480 in this house, 00:14:49.580 --> 00:14:50.220 go away, 00:14:50.320 --> 00:14:51.240 it's the middle of the night. 00:14:52.240 --> 00:14:53.379 It's not an attractive 00:14:53.379 --> 00:14:54.120 image of prayer 00:14:54.120 --> 00:14:54.800 and frankly, 00:14:54.879 --> 00:14:55.259 it's not really 00:14:55.259 --> 00:14:55.900 an attractive image 00:14:55.900 --> 00:14:56.340 of God, 00:14:56.400 --> 00:14:56.680 is it? 00:14:58.080 --> 00:14:59.020 But immediately, 00:14:59.520 --> 00:15:00.300 Jesus says, 00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:00.840 there's a lesson 00:15:00.840 --> 00:15:01.400 to learn here. 00:15:01.460 --> 00:15:01.680 He says, 00:15:01.679 --> 00:15:06.879 See, 00:15:06.979 --> 00:15:07.859 three times, 00:15:08.819 --> 00:15:09.759 there are three things here, 00:15:09.779 --> 00:15:09.959 sorry, 00:15:10.039 --> 00:15:10.659 that stress 00:15:10.659 --> 00:15:11.559 the importance 00:15:11.559 --> 00:15:12.279 of not giving up 00:15:12.279 --> 00:15:12.759 in prayer. 00:15:13.719 --> 00:15:14.120 Firstly, 00:15:14.639 --> 00:15:15.679 it's the present tense 00:15:15.679 --> 00:15:16.359 of the verbs 00:15:16.359 --> 00:15:17.639 that signifies 00:15:17.639 --> 00:15:18.899 a continuous action. 00:15:19.399 --> 00:15:19.919 Keep asking, 00:15:20.079 --> 00:15:20.459 keep seeking, 00:15:20.599 --> 00:15:21.000 keep knocking. 00:15:21.399 --> 00:15:22.359 The second is that 00:15:22.359 --> 00:15:24.319 Jesus actually commands 00:15:24.319 --> 00:15:26.379 this continuous action 00:15:26.379 --> 00:15:28.199 three times. 00:15:28.620 --> 00:15:30.000 And then he repeats 00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:30.700 the three words, 00:15:30.740 --> 00:15:31.779 again in verse 10. 00:15:32.600 --> 00:15:33.519 And the third thing 00:15:33.519 --> 00:15:34.559 that stress is prevailing 00:15:34.559 --> 00:15:36.580 is the three words 00:15:36.580 --> 00:15:37.399 used here 00:15:37.399 --> 00:15:38.820 get increasingly 00:15:38.820 --> 00:15:40.240 close to the answer 00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:41.179 and if you like, 00:15:41.259 --> 00:15:42.879 show a pressing in on God. 00:15:43.279 --> 00:15:43.600 You know, 00:15:43.679 --> 00:15:44.019 asking, 00:15:44.139 --> 00:15:44.860 it's the simplest thing, 00:15:44.899 --> 00:15:45.360 it's basically 00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:46.519 where we mostly give up. 00:15:46.860 --> 00:15:47.220 Asking, 00:15:47.320 --> 00:15:48.299 it requires no movement at all, 00:15:48.360 --> 00:15:48.919 just ask God 00:15:48.919 --> 00:15:49.600 and see what happens. 00:15:50.440 --> 00:15:50.840 Seeking 00:15:50.840 --> 00:15:52.700 turns the asking 00:15:52.700 --> 00:15:53.500 into 00:15:53.500 --> 00:15:55.299 an activity 00:15:55.299 --> 00:15:56.059 of pursuit 00:15:56.059 --> 00:15:57.940 and then the knocking 00:15:57.940 --> 00:15:59.159 on again 00:15:59.159 --> 00:15:59.600 and again 00:15:59.600 --> 00:16:00.159 and again 00:16:00.159 --> 00:16:01.100 signifies 00:16:01.100 --> 00:16:02.179 an utter earnestness, 00:16:02.399 --> 00:16:03.360 perhaps even 00:16:03.360 --> 00:16:04.339 a desperation 00:16:04.339 --> 00:16:05.779 that this prayer 00:16:05.779 --> 00:16:07.620 must be answered. 00:16:11.379 --> 00:16:12.480 Jesus clearly 00:16:12.480 --> 00:16:12.919 wants us 00:16:12.919 --> 00:16:13.399 to be like 00:16:13.399 --> 00:16:13.839 the friend 00:16:13.839 --> 00:16:14.299 who just 00:16:14.299 --> 00:16:15.399 was out there 00:16:15.399 --> 00:16:16.159 and just kept knocking, 00:16:16.719 --> 00:16:17.419 just kept knocking. 00:16:18.379 --> 00:16:18.959 He wants us 00:16:18.959 --> 00:16:19.519 to prevail 00:16:19.519 --> 00:16:20.199 in prayer, 00:16:20.919 --> 00:16:21.360 to prevail 00:16:21.360 --> 00:16:23.519 in God-centered 00:16:23.519 --> 00:16:24.419 prayer. 00:16:25.259 --> 00:16:26.399 Not prayers 00:16:26.399 --> 00:16:27.159 for your Ferrari 00:16:27.159 --> 00:16:27.839 and stuff like that, 00:16:27.840 --> 00:16:29.519 in God-centered 00:16:29.519 --> 00:16:30.280 prayer. 00:16:30.780 --> 00:16:31.940 The point of these verses 00:16:31.940 --> 00:16:33.100 is to show us 00:16:33.100 --> 00:16:34.519 that prevailing prayer, 00:16:34.639 --> 00:16:35.040 persisting, 00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:35.740 persevering in prayer 00:16:35.740 --> 00:16:37.100 is utterly important 00:16:37.100 --> 00:16:38.360 for us. 00:16:38.460 --> 00:16:38.600 You see, 00:16:39.180 --> 00:16:40.220 and what Jesus does 00:16:40.220 --> 00:16:40.940 is he stamps 00:16:40.940 --> 00:16:41.660 this truth 00:16:41.660 --> 00:16:43.000 into our memories 00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:44.560 with this terrible image 00:16:44.560 --> 00:16:45.120 of this 00:16:45.120 --> 00:16:46.399 mate 00:16:46.399 --> 00:16:47.259 gone to bed 00:16:47.259 --> 00:16:48.639 who just cannot be bothered 00:16:48.639 --> 00:16:49.660 to get up and help 00:16:49.660 --> 00:16:51.280 without being bothered 00:16:51.280 --> 00:16:52.060 enough to help. 00:16:53.639 --> 00:16:54.480 But then notice 00:16:54.480 --> 00:16:55.220 what Jesus does, 00:16:55.220 --> 00:16:56.820 is he makes this sudden turn 00:16:56.820 --> 00:16:57.879 in verse 11. 00:16:58.879 --> 00:16:59.500 And he shifts 00:16:59.500 --> 00:17:01.580 from the grumpy mate 00:17:01.580 --> 00:17:04.819 to the image 00:17:04.819 --> 00:17:06.019 of the caring father 00:17:06.019 --> 00:17:06.579 again. 00:17:07.539 --> 00:17:08.460 Jesus qualifies 00:17:08.460 --> 00:17:09.200 his point 00:17:09.200 --> 00:17:10.559 in verses 11 00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:11.160 to 13 00:17:11.160 --> 00:17:12.019 by saying 00:17:12.019 --> 00:17:12.720 that God 00:17:12.720 --> 00:17:13.680 is not 00:17:13.680 --> 00:17:15.279 like your friend 00:17:15.279 --> 00:17:16.400 in the house. 00:17:17.279 --> 00:17:18.799 God is the caring, 00:17:19.120 --> 00:17:19.400 loving, 00:17:19.579 --> 00:17:20.339 approachable father. 00:17:20.339 --> 00:17:20.959 So yes, 00:17:21.579 --> 00:17:22.399 sometimes 00:17:22.399 --> 00:17:23.899 God gives us 00:17:23.899 --> 00:17:24.500 what we need 00:17:24.500 --> 00:17:26.519 only after a long, 00:17:26.699 --> 00:17:27.679 long season 00:17:27.679 --> 00:17:29.399 of prevailing 00:17:29.399 --> 00:17:30.059 and persisting 00:17:30.059 --> 00:17:30.459 in prayer. 00:17:30.579 --> 00:17:31.139 But no, 00:17:31.379 --> 00:17:32.459 it's not because 00:17:32.459 --> 00:17:33.139 he's uncaring, 00:17:33.259 --> 00:17:33.959 it's not because 00:17:33.959 --> 00:17:34.559 he's insensitive, 00:17:34.639 --> 00:17:35.279 it's not because 00:17:35.279 --> 00:17:35.839 he's unable. 00:17:36.359 --> 00:17:37.279 What makes it 00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:38.199 difficult for us 00:17:38.199 --> 00:17:39.319 is that Jesus 00:17:39.319 --> 00:17:40.439 does not tell us 00:17:40.439 --> 00:17:40.959 directly 00:17:40.959 --> 00:17:42.859 why the answers 00:17:42.859 --> 00:17:43.539 to our prayers 00:17:43.539 --> 00:17:44.240 are postponed. 00:17:46.279 --> 00:17:47.159 That's what makes 00:17:47.159 --> 00:17:48.039 this passage so difficult. 00:17:48.139 --> 00:17:48.679 He doesn't give us 00:17:48.679 --> 00:17:49.480 an answer why. 00:17:50.339 --> 00:17:52.199 But he does 00:17:52.199 --> 00:17:52.599 tell us 00:17:52.599 --> 00:17:53.279 indirectly. 00:17:54.559 --> 00:17:56.039 He says in verse 11 00:17:56.039 --> 00:17:57.980 that a good father 00:17:57.980 --> 00:17:58.720 will not give 00:17:58.720 --> 00:17:59.980 his son 00:17:59.980 --> 00:18:00.659 a serpent 00:18:00.659 --> 00:18:01.519 if he asks 00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:02.319 for a fish. 00:18:03.480 --> 00:18:04.480 In other words, 00:18:06.139 --> 00:18:06.859 a good father 00:18:06.859 --> 00:18:07.419 will only give 00:18:07.419 --> 00:18:07.839 his children 00:18:07.839 --> 00:18:08.579 what is good 00:18:08.579 --> 00:18:09.099 for them. 00:18:09.779 --> 00:18:10.500 And that's the 00:18:10.500 --> 00:18:12.119 only answer 00:18:12.119 --> 00:18:12.899 to the question 00:18:12.899 --> 00:18:14.919 in this text. 00:18:15.419 --> 00:18:16.599 When the father 00:18:16.599 --> 00:18:17.159 in heaven 00:18:17.159 --> 00:18:17.799 gives us 00:18:17.799 --> 00:18:19.000 a slow response, 00:18:19.079 --> 00:18:20.039 when he wills 00:18:20.039 --> 00:18:20.659 that we 00:18:20.659 --> 00:18:21.299 persevere 00:18:21.299 --> 00:18:22.019 for a season 00:18:22.019 --> 00:18:22.680 in prayer 00:18:22.680 --> 00:18:23.980 without an 00:18:23.980 --> 00:18:24.700 apparent answer 00:18:24.700 --> 00:18:25.059 whatsoever, 00:18:25.200 --> 00:18:26.059 when he wills 00:18:26.059 --> 00:18:26.440 that we keep 00:18:26.440 --> 00:18:26.759 knocking, 00:18:26.899 --> 00:18:27.079 knocking, 00:18:27.240 --> 00:18:27.460 knocking, 00:18:27.460 --> 00:18:27.599 knocking, 00:18:27.799 --> 00:18:29.019 it's because 00:18:29.019 --> 00:18:29.619 he's giving us 00:18:29.619 --> 00:18:29.980 a fish 00:18:29.980 --> 00:18:30.680 and not a snake. 00:18:31.740 --> 00:18:32.440 That's the only 00:18:32.440 --> 00:18:32.960 answer we get 00:18:32.960 --> 00:18:33.579 from the text. 00:18:35.680 --> 00:18:36.839 He is giving us 00:18:36.839 --> 00:18:37.460 what is good 00:18:37.460 --> 00:18:37.899 for us. 00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:38.819 There is something 00:18:38.819 --> 00:18:40.279 in the persevering, 00:18:40.799 --> 00:18:41.839 in the asking, 00:18:42.059 --> 00:18:42.599 in the seeking, 00:18:42.819 --> 00:18:43.399 in the knocking 00:18:43.399 --> 00:18:44.220 that we 00:18:44.220 --> 00:18:45.220 need. 00:18:45.220 --> 00:18:47.559 You see, 00:18:47.620 --> 00:18:48.200 the power of 00:18:48.200 --> 00:18:48.519 prayer 00:18:48.519 --> 00:18:50.279 never means 00:18:50.279 --> 00:18:50.640 that God 00:18:50.640 --> 00:18:51.140 stopped being 00:18:51.140 --> 00:18:51.559 God 00:18:51.559 --> 00:18:52.559 and that we 00:18:52.559 --> 00:18:53.100 start being 00:18:53.100 --> 00:18:53.360 God. 00:18:53.440 --> 00:18:53.640 That is, 00:18:53.680 --> 00:18:53.980 we start 00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:54.480 telling God 00:18:54.480 --> 00:18:54.839 what he 00:18:54.839 --> 00:18:55.400 needs to do. 00:18:56.519 --> 00:18:57.079 That's not 00:18:57.079 --> 00:18:57.640 what power of 00:18:57.640 --> 00:18:58.200 prayer is. 00:18:58.980 --> 00:18:59.440 We do not 00:18:59.440 --> 00:18:59.700 have the 00:18:59.700 --> 00:19:00.279 wisdom or the 00:19:00.279 --> 00:19:00.839 grace to run 00:19:00.839 --> 00:19:01.420 the universe. 00:19:01.600 --> 00:19:02.400 God is God. 00:19:02.559 --> 00:19:03.360 He will continue 00:19:03.360 --> 00:19:05.100 to decide how 00:19:05.100 --> 00:19:05.500 to run the 00:19:05.500 --> 00:19:06.039 universe the 00:19:06.039 --> 00:19:06.319 ultimate, 00:19:06.420 --> 00:19:06.980 the best way. 00:19:07.819 --> 00:19:08.539 The Christian 00:19:08.539 --> 00:19:09.799 lives by faith 00:19:09.799 --> 00:19:11.120 in God's 00:19:11.120 --> 00:19:11.880 goodness and 00:19:11.880 --> 00:19:12.579 his sovereignty. 00:19:12.579 --> 00:19:14.179 And the 00:19:14.179 --> 00:19:14.779 promise that 00:19:14.779 --> 00:19:15.399 will encourage 00:19:15.399 --> 00:19:16.039 us in 00:19:16.039 --> 00:19:16.439 prevailing 00:19:16.439 --> 00:19:16.980 prayer is 00:19:16.980 --> 00:19:17.500 simply verse 00:19:17.500 --> 00:19:17.859 10, 00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:19.019 everyone who 00:19:19.019 --> 00:19:20.679 asks receives, 00:19:21.099 --> 00:19:21.679 he who 00:19:21.679 --> 00:19:23.419 seeks finds, 00:19:23.720 --> 00:19:24.259 and to him 00:19:24.259 --> 00:19:24.759 who knocks, 00:19:25.079 --> 00:19:26.139 the door will 00:19:26.139 --> 00:19:27.000 be opened. 00:19:28.559 --> 00:19:29.359 He's not 00:19:29.359 --> 00:19:31.019 unresponsive to 00:19:31.019 --> 00:19:31.939 our prayer. 00:19:32.439 --> 00:19:33.079 We do not 00:19:33.079 --> 00:19:34.240 pray in vain. 00:19:34.480 --> 00:19:35.039 He is our 00:19:35.039 --> 00:19:35.379 father. 00:19:35.480 --> 00:19:35.859 When he hears 00:19:35.859 --> 00:19:36.299 his children, 00:19:36.399 --> 00:19:37.079 he responds. 00:19:37.480 --> 00:19:38.079 He's not deaf, 00:19:38.139 --> 00:19:38.659 he's not indifferent, 00:19:38.799 --> 00:19:39.480 he's not powerless, 00:19:39.480 --> 00:19:41.240 he acts and he 00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:41.779 hears. 00:19:42.579 --> 00:19:45.059 The final 00:19:45.059 --> 00:19:45.720 direction that 00:19:45.720 --> 00:19:46.460 Jesus gives us 00:19:46.460 --> 00:19:46.960 here in prayer, 00:19:47.059 --> 00:19:47.379 and it's really 00:19:47.379 --> 00:19:47.859 important for us 00:19:47.859 --> 00:19:48.720 to understand about 00:19:48.720 --> 00:19:49.460 this concept of 00:19:49.460 --> 00:19:50.119 prevailing prayer, 00:19:50.220 --> 00:19:50.839 just keep knocking 00:19:50.839 --> 00:19:51.419 and knocking and 00:19:51.419 --> 00:19:51.819 knocking and 00:19:51.819 --> 00:19:52.299 knocking until we 00:19:52.299 --> 00:19:52.939 get the answer. 00:19:54.519 --> 00:19:55.439 Because the final 00:19:55.439 --> 00:19:56.279 direction, if you 00:19:56.279 --> 00:19:56.819 like, is a 00:19:56.819 --> 00:19:58.099 circling back to 00:19:58.099 --> 00:19:58.919 the first point 00:19:58.919 --> 00:20:01.359 of God-centered 00:20:01.359 --> 00:20:02.059 prayer. 00:20:03.339 --> 00:20:03.879 And if I 00:20:03.879 --> 00:20:04.699 understand Jesus 00:20:04.699 --> 00:20:05.779 here, he means 00:20:05.779 --> 00:20:06.419 for this to be 00:20:06.419 --> 00:20:07.139 the prevailing 00:20:07.139 --> 00:20:08.119 heartbeat of our 00:20:08.119 --> 00:20:09.019 prayer life here 00:20:09.019 --> 00:20:09.699 at St. Paul's, 00:20:10.019 --> 00:20:11.240 and the heartbeat 00:20:11.240 --> 00:20:11.980 for your prayer 00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:14.220 life for 2017, 00:20:15.339 --> 00:20:16.059 Jesus teaches 00:20:16.059 --> 00:20:17.120 in verse 13 00:20:17.120 --> 00:20:18.519 that our 00:20:18.519 --> 00:20:19.860 prevailing for 00:20:19.860 --> 00:20:20.480 prayer, our 00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:21.140 prevailing prayer, 00:20:21.259 --> 00:20:21.860 our consistent 00:20:21.860 --> 00:20:23.700 persistence, our 00:20:23.700 --> 00:20:24.180 knocking and 00:20:24.180 --> 00:20:24.559 knocking and 00:20:24.559 --> 00:20:24.980 knocking and 00:20:24.980 --> 00:20:25.400 seeking and 00:20:25.400 --> 00:20:25.720 seeking and 00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:28.059 seeking, should 00:20:28.059 --> 00:20:29.900 be a prayer for 00:20:29.900 --> 00:20:31.140 the seeking of 00:20:31.140 --> 00:20:31.819 the Holy Spirit. 00:20:33.259 --> 00:20:34.099 If you then, 00:20:34.160 --> 00:20:34.559 verse 13, 00:20:34.620 --> 00:20:35.099 if you then, 00:20:35.180 --> 00:20:35.599 though you are 00:20:35.599 --> 00:20:36.539 evil, there it 00:20:36.539 --> 00:20:37.660 is again, know 00:20:37.660 --> 00:20:38.559 how to give good 00:20:38.559 --> 00:20:39.120 gifts to your 00:20:39.119 --> 00:20:39.639 children. 00:20:40.779 --> 00:20:41.859 How much more 00:20:41.859 --> 00:20:42.559 will your Father 00:20:42.559 --> 00:20:43.519 in heaven give 00:20:43.519 --> 00:20:44.739 the Holy Spirit 00:20:44.739 --> 00:20:45.659 to those who 00:20:45.659 --> 00:20:46.299 ask him? 00:20:47.059 --> 00:20:47.859 You see, that's 00:20:47.859 --> 00:20:50.299 the fish that he 00:20:50.299 --> 00:20:51.179 delights to give 00:20:51.179 --> 00:20:51.500 us. 00:20:52.039 --> 00:20:52.759 That's the fish 00:20:52.759 --> 00:20:53.419 right there. 00:20:54.079 --> 00:20:55.459 Luke tells us 00:20:55.459 --> 00:20:56.519 in chapter 3 that 00:20:56.519 --> 00:20:57.579 Jesus, that while 00:20:57.579 --> 00:20:58.479 Jesus was praying, 00:20:58.539 --> 00:20:59.279 the Holy Spirit 00:20:59.279 --> 00:21:00.299 descended on him 00:21:00.299 --> 00:21:00.919 like a dove. 00:21:01.279 --> 00:21:02.039 The outpouring of 00:21:02.039 --> 00:21:02.619 the Spirit of 00:21:02.619 --> 00:21:03.500 Pentecost in Acts 00:21:03.500 --> 00:21:04.659 chapter 2 came at 00:21:04.659 --> 00:21:05.479 the climax of a 00:21:05.479 --> 00:21:06.479 10-day prayer vigil 00:21:06.480 --> 00:21:07.480 and in Acts 00:21:07.480 --> 00:21:08.599 4.31 where the 00:21:08.599 --> 00:21:09.660 church had prayed, 00:21:10.279 --> 00:21:10.900 the place where 00:21:10.900 --> 00:21:11.660 they gathered was 00:21:11.660 --> 00:21:12.860 shaken and they 00:21:12.860 --> 00:21:13.740 were all filled 00:21:13.740 --> 00:21:14.220 with the Holy 00:21:14.220 --> 00:21:14.640 Spirit. 00:21:15.460 --> 00:21:16.519 I would suggest 00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:17.059 that prevailing 00:21:17.059 --> 00:21:17.799 prayer is the 00:21:17.799 --> 00:21:18.700 pathway to the 00:21:18.700 --> 00:21:19.480 outpouring of the 00:21:19.480 --> 00:21:20.700 Holy Spirit and 00:21:20.700 --> 00:21:22.059 this is a constant 00:21:22.059 --> 00:21:22.759 need for the 00:21:22.759 --> 00:21:23.180 church. 00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:24.039 It's a constant 00:21:24.039 --> 00:21:24.680 need for us here 00:21:24.680 --> 00:21:25.539 at St. Paul's 00:21:25.539 --> 00:21:28.279 for ongoing 00:21:28.279 --> 00:21:30.160 and continual 00:21:30.160 --> 00:21:30.759 renewal. 00:21:31.599 --> 00:21:32.640 Even under the 00:21:32.640 --> 00:21:33.279 leadership of the 00:21:33.279 --> 00:21:33.980 apostles in the 00:21:33.980 --> 00:21:34.559 New Testament, 00:21:34.759 --> 00:21:36.259 it is evident that 00:21:36.259 --> 00:21:37.299 there is still 00:21:37.299 --> 00:21:37.960 and there was 00:21:37.960 --> 00:21:39.000 still a need 00:21:39.000 --> 00:21:40.460 for continual 00:21:40.460 --> 00:21:41.379 renewal in the 00:21:41.379 --> 00:21:42.059 early church. 00:21:43.379 --> 00:21:45.059 Just as Israel's 00:21:45.059 --> 00:21:47.059 election as God's 00:21:47.059 --> 00:21:47.640 people was 00:21:47.640 --> 00:21:48.779 demonstrated at 00:21:48.779 --> 00:21:49.539 Mount Sinai, 00:21:50.619 --> 00:21:51.660 so the church is 00:21:51.660 --> 00:21:52.619 constituted by the 00:21:52.619 --> 00:21:53.200 descending and 00:21:53.200 --> 00:21:53.579 filling of the 00:21:53.579 --> 00:21:54.220 Holy Spirit in 00:21:54.220 --> 00:21:54.740 Acts 2, 00:21:55.339 --> 00:21:56.519 but just as Israel 00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:57.440 was continually 00:21:57.440 --> 00:21:58.379 called right 00:21:58.379 --> 00:21:58.680 throughout the 00:21:58.680 --> 00:21:59.980 Old Testament to 00:21:59.980 --> 00:22:02.240 Sinai-like 00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:03.660 covenant renewals 00:22:03.660 --> 00:22:04.359 with God, 00:22:05.059 --> 00:22:05.740 likewise the 00:22:05.740 --> 00:22:06.079 church, 00:22:06.200 --> 00:22:06.980 even when it 00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:07.779 doesn't seem to 00:22:07.779 --> 00:22:08.400 be in any form 00:22:08.400 --> 00:22:09.319 of major decline, 00:22:10.220 --> 00:22:11.099 receives fresh 00:22:11.099 --> 00:22:11.640 feelings of the 00:22:11.640 --> 00:22:12.180 Holy Spirit. 00:22:12.579 --> 00:22:13.039 If you look at 00:22:13.039 --> 00:22:13.680 the book of Acts, 00:22:14.019 --> 00:22:14.880 there are many 00:22:14.880 --> 00:22:17.720 pentecosts in 00:22:17.720 --> 00:22:18.519 Acts 4, 00:22:18.660 --> 00:22:19.180 31, 00:22:19.519 --> 00:22:20.620 755, 00:22:20.779 --> 00:22:21.440 817, 00:22:21.720 --> 00:22:22.480 1044, 00:22:22.819 --> 00:22:24.140 and 139. 00:22:24.940 --> 00:22:25.279 That is, 00:22:25.319 --> 00:22:25.599 there's a 00:22:25.599 --> 00:22:26.500 continual need to 00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:27.019 renew, 00:22:27.400 --> 00:22:28.579 continual need for 00:22:28.579 --> 00:22:29.519 fullness of the 00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:30.579 Holy Spirit for the 00:22:30.579 --> 00:22:30.980 church. 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:33.000 I had a conference 00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:33.059 church, 00:22:33.259 --> 00:22:34.400 a few years ago, 00:22:34.920 --> 00:22:35.680 I heard American 00:22:35.680 --> 00:22:36.599 Pastor Tim Keller 00:22:36.599 --> 00:22:37.460 conduct a seminar 00:22:37.460 --> 00:22:38.880 on the history of 00:22:38.880 --> 00:22:39.500 revival, 00:22:39.700 --> 00:22:40.599 which is basically 00:22:40.599 --> 00:22:42.079 what I mean and 00:22:42.079 --> 00:22:42.759 what he means when 00:22:42.759 --> 00:22:43.180 we're talking about 00:22:43.180 --> 00:22:43.839 spiritual renewal. 00:22:45.160 --> 00:22:46.160 And he gave you a 00:22:46.160 --> 00:22:47.099 glimpse of what the 00:22:47.099 --> 00:22:49.500 outpouring of God's 00:22:49.500 --> 00:22:51.519 spirit looks like in 00:22:51.519 --> 00:22:52.240 the local church. 00:22:52.279 --> 00:22:52.839 And let me tell you, 00:22:52.880 --> 00:22:53.680 it was compelling for 00:22:53.680 --> 00:22:54.200 someone like me, 00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:55.039 it just set my heart on 00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:55.839 fire when I listened to 00:22:55.839 --> 00:22:56.440 him say this. 00:22:57.039 --> 00:22:57.400 He said, 00:22:57.460 --> 00:22:58.200 spiritual renewal, 00:22:59.080 --> 00:23:00.039 he's also written 00:23:00.039 --> 00:23:00.480 about it, 00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:01.080 which is what I'm 00:23:01.080 --> 00:23:01.580 quoting here. 00:23:01.680 --> 00:23:01.799 He said, 00:23:01.860 --> 00:23:02.720 spiritual renewal is a 00:23:02.720 --> 00:23:03.860 work of God in which 00:23:03.860 --> 00:23:05.580 the church is beautified 00:23:05.580 --> 00:23:06.920 and empowered because 00:23:06.920 --> 00:23:08.220 the normal operations of 00:23:08.220 --> 00:23:09.100 the Holy Spirit are 00:23:09.100 --> 00:23:09.960 intensified. 00:23:10.779 --> 00:23:11.620 When there is an 00:23:11.620 --> 00:23:12.279 outpouring of the 00:23:12.279 --> 00:23:13.340 Spirit on and within 00:23:13.340 --> 00:23:14.039 the congregation, 00:23:14.220 --> 00:23:14.980 the presence of God 00:23:14.980 --> 00:23:16.319 among his people 00:23:16.319 --> 00:23:17.740 becomes evident and 00:23:17.740 --> 00:23:18.240 palpable. 00:23:19.319 --> 00:23:20.160 When spiritual renewal 00:23:20.160 --> 00:23:21.620 happens, sleepy or 00:23:21.620 --> 00:23:22.680 stagnant Christians 00:23:22.680 --> 00:23:23.400 wake up. 00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:25.400 There is a new and a 00:23:25.400 --> 00:23:26.340 deeper conviction of 00:23:26.340 --> 00:23:27.779 sin and repentance 00:23:27.779 --> 00:23:28.819 not just for the 00:23:28.819 --> 00:23:29.859 major behavioural 00:23:29.859 --> 00:23:30.859 sins but for 00:23:30.859 --> 00:23:31.960 attitudes, deep 00:23:31.960 --> 00:23:32.799 attitudes in the 00:23:32.799 --> 00:23:33.160 heart. 00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:35.059 But with that, 00:23:35.299 --> 00:23:36.519 they experience, 00:23:36.859 --> 00:23:37.619 the same people 00:23:37.619 --> 00:23:38.700 experience the far 00:23:38.700 --> 00:23:39.319 more powerful 00:23:39.319 --> 00:23:40.559 assurance of the 00:23:40.559 --> 00:23:41.599 nearness of God 00:23:41.599 --> 00:23:42.379 and his love for 00:23:42.379 --> 00:23:42.639 them. 00:23:43.000 --> 00:23:43.539 And with the end 00:23:43.539 --> 00:23:44.119 result, the 00:23:44.119 --> 00:23:44.839 Christians become 00:23:44.839 --> 00:23:45.980 both humble and 00:23:45.980 --> 00:23:47.220 bold at exactly the 00:23:47.220 --> 00:23:47.859 same time. 00:23:48.680 --> 00:23:49.839 The more deeply one 00:23:49.839 --> 00:23:50.759 feels his or her 00:23:50.759 --> 00:23:51.920 debt of sin, the 00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:53.460 more intensely he or 00:23:53.460 --> 00:23:54.519 she feels the 00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:55.839 wonder of the 00:23:55.839 --> 00:23:57.460 payment on their 00:23:57.460 --> 00:23:58.039 behalf. 00:23:59.160 --> 00:23:59.779 He goes on and 00:23:59.779 --> 00:23:59.920 says, 00:24:00.019 --> 00:24:00.740 nominal Christians 00:24:00.740 --> 00:24:01.440 or Christians by 00:24:01.440 --> 00:24:02.680 name only begin to 00:24:02.680 --> 00:24:03.279 realise they don't 00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:03.960 actually have a living 00:24:03.960 --> 00:24:04.799 relationship with 00:24:04.799 --> 00:24:07.620 Jesus, with Christ by 00:24:07.620 --> 00:24:09.039 grace and they get 00:24:09.039 --> 00:24:09.620 converted. 00:24:10.299 --> 00:24:11.079 And he said it 00:24:11.079 --> 00:24:12.420 electrifies people. 00:24:13.079 --> 00:24:13.880 Long-term members are 00:24:13.880 --> 00:24:14.620 getting up and talking 00:24:14.620 --> 00:24:15.360 about being converted 00:24:15.360 --> 00:24:16.279 or speaking of Christ 00:24:16.279 --> 00:24:17.420 in radiant terms and 00:24:17.420 --> 00:24:18.700 expressing repentance 00:24:18.700 --> 00:24:19.960 in brand new ways. 00:24:20.620 --> 00:24:21.440 The early stage of 00:24:21.440 --> 00:24:23.059 renewal shake up other 00:24:23.059 --> 00:24:24.180 nominals and sleepers 00:24:24.180 --> 00:24:24.720 into renewal. 00:24:25.160 --> 00:24:25.779 And corporately, 00:24:25.880 --> 00:24:26.500 there's a sense of 00:24:26.500 --> 00:24:27.299 more passion and 00:24:27.299 --> 00:24:28.660 more freedom and the 00:24:28.660 --> 00:24:29.500 presence of God in 00:24:29.500 --> 00:24:30.539 corporate worship is 00:24:30.539 --> 00:24:31.420 just palpable. 00:24:32.200 --> 00:24:33.420 As a result of this 00:24:33.420 --> 00:24:34.440 outpouring of the 00:24:34.440 --> 00:24:35.579 Spirit, new people are 00:24:35.579 --> 00:24:36.240 brought into the church 00:24:36.240 --> 00:24:36.920 and the church begins 00:24:36.920 --> 00:24:37.319 to grow. 00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:38.880 On the one hand, the 00:24:38.880 --> 00:24:41.660 renewed believers create 00:24:41.660 --> 00:24:42.720 a far more attractive 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:44.079 community of sharing and 00:24:44.079 --> 00:24:45.880 caring and often great 00:24:45.880 --> 00:24:46.259 worship. 00:24:47.000 --> 00:24:48.200 This is the beautified 00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:49.400 community of the King. 00:24:50.019 --> 00:24:51.140 This can attract people 00:24:51.140 --> 00:24:51.859 from the outside. 00:24:52.140 --> 00:24:52.640 On the other hand, 00:24:52.720 --> 00:24:53.859 Christians who begin to 00:24:53.859 --> 00:24:54.959 experience God's beauty 00:24:54.959 --> 00:24:56.740 and His power and love 00:24:56.740 --> 00:24:57.959 put their relationship 00:24:57.959 --> 00:24:58.899 with Christ and His 00:24:58.899 --> 00:25:00.679 church as first in 00:25:00.679 --> 00:25:01.359 their lives. 00:25:02.119 --> 00:25:03.279 They become radiant and 00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:04.099 attractive witnesses, 00:25:04.339 --> 00:25:05.039 more willing and 00:25:05.039 --> 00:25:05.919 confident to talk to 00:25:05.919 --> 00:25:06.659 others about their 00:25:06.659 --> 00:25:08.119 faith, more winsome and 00:25:08.119 --> 00:25:09.519 less judgmental when they 00:25:09.519 --> 00:25:11.139 do so, and more confident 00:25:11.139 --> 00:25:12.379 in their own church and 00:25:12.379 --> 00:25:13.459 thus more willing to 00:25:13.459 --> 00:25:14.500 invite people to visit 00:25:14.500 --> 00:25:15.319 their own church. 00:25:15.699 --> 00:25:17.399 And as a result, there 00:25:17.399 --> 00:25:18.459 are numerous conversions, 00:25:18.659 --> 00:25:19.719 significant, even at 00:25:19.719 --> 00:25:21.279 times astounding, church 00:25:21.279 --> 00:25:22.240 growth occurs. 00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:23.480 And so there is an 00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:24.579 impact on the community 00:25:24.579 --> 00:25:25.559 surrounding the church 00:25:25.559 --> 00:25:26.259 and even the broader 00:25:26.259 --> 00:25:26.759 culture. 00:25:27.299 --> 00:25:28.019 Spiritual renewal 00:25:28.019 --> 00:25:29.359 produces people who 00:25:29.359 --> 00:25:30.299 become involved in 00:25:30.299 --> 00:25:31.680 works of social concern 00:25:31.680 --> 00:25:33.680 and social justice. 00:25:34.759 --> 00:25:36.079 The reason for this is 00:25:36.079 --> 00:25:37.779 that real holiness 00:25:37.779 --> 00:25:39.920 changes the private and 00:25:39.920 --> 00:25:41.000 the public lives of 00:25:41.000 --> 00:25:41.440 Christians. 00:25:42.140 --> 00:25:43.740 True religion is not 00:25:43.740 --> 00:25:44.700 merely a matter, a 00:25:44.700 --> 00:25:45.779 private matter, providing 00:25:45.779 --> 00:25:46.759 internal peace and 00:25:46.759 --> 00:25:47.200 fulfillment. 00:25:47.620 --> 00:25:48.680 Rather, it transforms 00:25:48.680 --> 00:25:49.740 our behavior and our 00:25:49.740 --> 00:25:50.339 relationships. 00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:54.359 man, that just, 00:25:55.099 --> 00:25:56.519 bring it on. 00:25:57.799 --> 00:25:59.400 You know, that's what 00:25:59.400 --> 00:25:59.940 spiritual renewal, 00:26:00.059 --> 00:26:01.059 pray for that for 00:26:01.059 --> 00:26:01.880 St. Paul's. 00:26:02.940 --> 00:26:04.259 Pray for that across 00:26:04.259 --> 00:26:04.960 the church. 00:26:06.400 --> 00:26:07.120 That just sets my 00:26:07.120 --> 00:26:07.680 heart on fire. 00:26:07.799 --> 00:26:08.319 You see, when 00:26:08.319 --> 00:26:09.480 Callie is talking about 00:26:09.480 --> 00:26:11.380 spiritual renewal, as 00:26:11.380 --> 00:26:12.120 I believe the Bible 00:26:12.120 --> 00:26:14.019 does, he means a deep 00:26:14.019 --> 00:26:15.359 renewal of the gospel 00:26:15.359 --> 00:26:17.359 in our hearts, which is 00:26:17.359 --> 00:26:18.160 the work of the Holy 00:26:18.160 --> 00:26:19.039 Spirit through the word 00:26:19.039 --> 00:26:19.480 of God. 00:26:19.480 --> 00:26:21.839 It's not some random 00:26:21.839 --> 00:26:22.480 thing that happens 00:26:22.480 --> 00:26:23.240 without the word of 00:26:23.240 --> 00:26:23.500 God. 00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:26.140 It is something where 00:26:26.140 --> 00:26:27.880 the Spirit of God does 00:26:27.880 --> 00:26:28.839 a deep work in our 00:26:28.839 --> 00:26:30.299 hearts through his word 00:26:30.299 --> 00:26:31.700 and brings us alive. 00:26:34.039 --> 00:26:35.259 Let me just stand over 00:26:35.259 --> 00:26:36.000 here just for a moment 00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:39.019 and put my community 00:26:39.019 --> 00:26:40.299 group hat on and say, 00:26:40.420 --> 00:26:41.299 get in a community 00:26:41.299 --> 00:26:42.860 group in 2007-8. 00:26:43.620 --> 00:26:44.539 This sort of stuff 00:26:44.539 --> 00:26:45.539 happens in community. 00:26:46.259 --> 00:26:47.120 Get into a community 00:26:47.120 --> 00:26:48.700 group for your joy, for 00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:49.420 your maturity, for 00:26:49.420 --> 00:26:50.039 your growth, and for 00:26:50.039 --> 00:26:50.920 your transformation as 00:26:50.920 --> 00:26:51.319 a Christian. 00:26:51.720 --> 00:26:52.400 And if your community 00:26:52.400 --> 00:26:53.779 group is not praying for 00:26:53.779 --> 00:26:54.500 this kind of renewal, 00:26:54.860 --> 00:26:55.880 then work for this kind 00:26:55.880 --> 00:26:56.500 of renewal in your 00:26:56.500 --> 00:26:57.080 community group. 00:26:57.559 --> 00:26:58.539 Okay, that's my plug. 00:27:01.600 --> 00:27:02.319 This is the sort of 00:27:02.319 --> 00:27:02.759 stuff I want to see 00:27:02.759 --> 00:27:03.460 happen here at St. 00:27:03.500 --> 00:27:04.059 Paul's this year. 00:27:04.380 --> 00:27:06.000 Will you pray for it? 00:27:06.480 --> 00:27:07.740 Pray for this kind of 00:27:07.740 --> 00:27:09.120 renewal in your heart 00:27:09.120 --> 00:27:10.880 for you and for us 00:27:10.880 --> 00:27:12.000 corporately in this 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:12.640 coming week. 00:27:12.759 --> 00:27:13.580 This is prayer week. 00:27:13.720 --> 00:27:14.680 Make it a focus this 00:27:14.680 --> 00:27:15.340 coming week. 00:27:15.339 --> 00:27:17.459 There is so much to 00:27:17.459 --> 00:27:18.480 say about spiritual 00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:19.619 renewal of a church, 00:27:19.759 --> 00:27:21.000 but we will, let me 00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:22.179 just focus on what is 00:27:22.179 --> 00:27:23.779 biblically and 00:27:23.779 --> 00:27:25.179 historically the one 00:27:25.179 --> 00:27:26.599 non-negotiable 00:27:26.599 --> 00:27:28.939 universal ingredient in 00:27:28.939 --> 00:27:29.579 times of spiritual 00:27:29.579 --> 00:27:29.939 renewal. 00:27:31.119 --> 00:27:32.959 Corporate, prevailing, 00:27:33.619 --> 00:27:36.500 intensive, kingdom-centered 00:27:36.500 --> 00:27:37.159 prayer. 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:40.379 A pleading for God, for 00:27:40.379 --> 00:27:41.099 the fullness of the 00:27:41.099 --> 00:27:41.359 Spirit. 00:27:41.359 --> 00:27:43.959 Kingdom-centered prayer 00:27:43.959 --> 00:27:45.199 is focused on God's 00:27:45.199 --> 00:27:45.959 presence and His 00:27:45.959 --> 00:27:46.259 kingdom. 00:27:46.399 --> 00:27:46.839 It's the sort of 00:27:46.839 --> 00:27:47.679 prayer that is 00:27:47.679 --> 00:27:48.500 modeled for us in the 00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:49.099 Lord's prayer. 00:27:49.439 --> 00:27:50.339 It is a prayer for 00:27:50.339 --> 00:27:52.819 grace to confess our 00:27:52.819 --> 00:27:54.959 sins, to humble 00:27:54.959 --> 00:27:58.479 ourselves, prayer for 00:27:58.479 --> 00:28:00.079 compassion and zeal for 00:28:00.079 --> 00:28:00.919 the flourishing of the 00:28:00.919 --> 00:28:03.199 church and for a 00:28:03.199 --> 00:28:04.899 yearning to know God, 00:28:05.339 --> 00:28:07.199 to see His face, to see 00:28:07.199 --> 00:28:08.119 His glory. 00:28:08.119 --> 00:28:12.539 Such prayer need not, 00:28:12.779 --> 00:28:14.479 in fact, I would say, 00:28:14.679 --> 00:28:17.539 usually does not begin as 00:28:17.539 --> 00:28:18.419 an organized church 00:28:18.419 --> 00:28:18.819 program. 00:28:18.979 --> 00:28:19.639 All right, first way to 00:28:19.639 --> 00:28:20.479 begin is let's organize a 00:28:20.479 --> 00:28:21.279 church prayer program. 00:28:21.799 --> 00:28:22.339 Let's have some prayer 00:28:22.339 --> 00:28:22.659 meetings. 00:28:23.059 --> 00:28:24.159 That's not normally how 00:28:24.159 --> 00:28:24.739 it starts. 00:28:26.339 --> 00:28:27.459 It often begins with 00:28:27.459 --> 00:28:29.199 people like you, people 00:28:29.199 --> 00:28:32.399 like me, who spend time in 00:28:32.399 --> 00:28:33.959 prayerful self-examination. 00:28:34.719 --> 00:28:35.579 That's where it begins. 00:28:35.659 --> 00:28:37.059 So this is prayer week, and 00:28:37.059 --> 00:28:37.859 if you do nothing else 00:28:37.859 --> 00:28:39.139 this week, spend this 00:28:39.139 --> 00:28:40.879 prayer this week in 00:28:40.879 --> 00:28:43.119 prayerful self-examination 00:28:43.119 --> 00:28:45.179 with confidence. 00:28:45.379 --> 00:28:47.279 And on one hand, total 00:28:47.279 --> 00:28:48.460 confidence in the gospel 00:28:48.460 --> 00:28:49.639 and what you have in 00:28:49.639 --> 00:28:50.159 Jesus. 00:28:52.720 --> 00:28:56.460 Be hard on yourself at the 00:28:56.460 --> 00:28:58.559 same time and search out, 00:28:58.799 --> 00:28:59.980 examine your heart for 00:28:59.980 --> 00:29:02.319 idols that that displace 00:29:02.319 --> 00:29:03.519 Jesus as the supreme 00:29:03.519 --> 00:29:04.759 treasure and Lord of your 00:29:04.759 --> 00:29:05.179 life. 00:29:05.180 --> 00:29:09.279 kingdom-centered prayer is 00:29:09.279 --> 00:29:09.820 prevailing. 00:29:10.900 --> 00:29:12.600 By this, I simply mean that 00:29:12.600 --> 00:29:14.539 prayer should be constant, 00:29:14.700 --> 00:29:15.500 not sporadic. 00:29:15.580 --> 00:29:16.420 It shouldn't be brief. 00:29:16.980 --> 00:29:18.380 Not because, as we've already 00:29:18.380 --> 00:29:19.539 seen, that God wants us to 00:29:19.539 --> 00:29:21.480 grovel or that he doesn't 00:29:21.480 --> 00:29:23.620 care, but sporadic, brief 00:29:23.620 --> 00:29:25.940 prayer shows a lack of 00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:27.019 dependence on God. 00:29:27.140 --> 00:29:29.180 It's a healthy self-sufficiency, 00:29:30.060 --> 00:29:31.279 an unhealthy self-sufficiency. 00:29:31.279 --> 00:29:33.859 We must pray without ceasing, 00:29:34.000 --> 00:29:35.639 we must pray long, we must 00:29:35.639 --> 00:29:37.379 pray hard for spiritual 00:29:37.379 --> 00:29:38.500 renewal. 00:29:39.200 --> 00:29:41.920 And when we do, we will find 00:29:41.920 --> 00:29:44.059 that the very process itself 00:29:44.059 --> 00:29:45.359 is bringing about the very 00:29:45.359 --> 00:29:46.799 thing that we're asking for, 00:29:47.759 --> 00:29:49.519 to have our hard hearts 00:29:49.519 --> 00:29:52.279 melted, to tear down barriers, 00:29:52.279 --> 00:29:54.460 barriers, and to have the 00:29:54.460 --> 00:29:55.579 glory of God break through 00:29:55.579 --> 00:29:56.859 that we might see his face. 00:30:02.460 --> 00:30:03.960 So as we kick off a new year 00:30:03.960 --> 00:30:06.299 of ministry, we are doing 00:30:06.299 --> 00:30:07.440 what we have done for a 00:30:07.440 --> 00:30:08.519 number of years, beginning 00:30:08.519 --> 00:30:09.819 the ministry year in a week 00:30:09.819 --> 00:30:10.160 of prayer. 00:30:11.480 --> 00:30:13.079 And we do this, I think, 00:30:13.160 --> 00:30:13.960 for a number of reasons. 00:30:14.099 --> 00:30:15.339 One is we make a statement 00:30:15.339 --> 00:30:16.099 as a church. 00:30:17.660 --> 00:30:18.960 It's a statement to God, 00:30:19.680 --> 00:30:20.879 it's a statement to the world, 00:30:20.880 --> 00:30:21.820 it's a statement to our own 00:30:21.820 --> 00:30:23.060 consciences, that we exist 00:30:23.060 --> 00:30:24.180 as a church to do things 00:30:24.180 --> 00:30:25.180 that we cannot do without 00:30:25.180 --> 00:30:26.540 the supernatural grace of God. 00:30:28.500 --> 00:30:29.700 I believe that God has given 00:30:29.700 --> 00:30:31.040 us a vision for the future 00:30:31.040 --> 00:30:31.840 for us as a church. 00:30:31.940 --> 00:30:32.800 We launched it back in 00:30:32.800 --> 00:30:33.740 November last year. 00:30:35.960 --> 00:30:37.200 But he's given us a vision 00:30:37.200 --> 00:30:39.840 which is just so hard 00:30:39.840 --> 00:30:41.540 and so difficult 00:30:41.540 --> 00:30:45.500 that we ought to consistently 00:30:45.500 --> 00:30:46.980 be going back to him to ask 00:30:46.980 --> 00:30:49.040 him for the ability to 00:30:49.040 --> 00:30:49.940 fulfill the vision he's given 00:30:49.940 --> 00:30:51.519 us because we cannot do it 00:30:51.519 --> 00:30:52.259 ourselves. 00:30:53.480 --> 00:30:54.220 Everything good, 00:30:54.440 --> 00:30:55.120 everything worthwhile, 00:30:55.340 --> 00:30:56.019 everything eternal, 00:30:56.279 --> 00:30:57.440 and God glorifying that we 00:30:57.440 --> 00:30:58.240 want to do as a church, 00:30:58.299 --> 00:30:59.220 we cannot do without the 00:30:59.220 --> 00:31:00.299 supernatural grace of God. 00:31:00.799 --> 00:31:02.200 And so as we begin this year 00:31:02.200 --> 00:31:03.720 together, I would urge you to 00:31:03.720 --> 00:31:04.980 take time to pray for 00:31:04.980 --> 00:31:06.400 yourselves, that you would 00:31:06.400 --> 00:31:08.279 enter into a brand new season 00:31:08.279 --> 00:31:09.400 of self-examination. 00:31:10.580 --> 00:31:11.900 If you're not used to praying, 00:31:11.980 --> 00:31:12.840 maybe the first prayer is, 00:31:12.940 --> 00:31:13.720 Lord, help me to pray. 00:31:15.000 --> 00:31:15.920 Teach me to pray. 00:31:15.920 --> 00:31:21.279 Ask that you may be with full 00:31:21.279 --> 00:31:23.180 assurance in Christ, 00:31:23.660 --> 00:31:27.300 nonetheless hard on yourself. 00:31:28.880 --> 00:31:30.060 Self-examination. 00:31:30.300 --> 00:31:32.560 Lord, expose the idols of my 00:31:32.560 --> 00:31:32.960 heart. 00:31:35.460 --> 00:31:36.880 Ask that God would show you 00:31:36.880 --> 00:31:37.920 ways in which you don't 00:31:37.920 --> 00:31:39.160 represent Christ as you should 00:31:39.160 --> 00:31:40.200 in your relationships, in your 00:31:40.200 --> 00:31:41.480 work life, in your family life, 00:31:41.640 --> 00:31:42.519 in your habits, in your 00:31:42.519 --> 00:31:43.600 attitudes, in your 00:31:43.600 --> 00:31:44.660 relationships here, even with 00:31:44.660 --> 00:31:45.060 church. 00:31:46.000 --> 00:31:47.160 Take time to pray for 00:31:47.160 --> 00:31:47.620 yourself. 00:31:48.460 --> 00:31:49.720 That God will make things you 00:31:49.720 --> 00:31:51.620 know about the gospel, things 00:31:51.620 --> 00:31:53.680 that you've heard over and 00:31:53.680 --> 00:31:58.580 over and over again, make 00:31:58.580 --> 00:32:00.240 their way to your heart so that 00:32:00.240 --> 00:32:01.960 it explodes your affections for 00:32:01.960 --> 00:32:02.360 Christ. 00:32:03.580 --> 00:32:03.920 Amen.