WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.040 Last week, Debbie took us in the passage of the Garden of Gethsemane on prayer, 00:00:05.780 --> 00:00:11.240 and Jesus was a little cross at his disciples for sleeping while he prayed. 00:00:12.259 --> 00:00:16.839 If you're at the working bee yesterday and you happen to sleep while I preach on prayer, 00:00:17.260 --> 00:00:18.600 I'm prepared to forgive that. 00:00:20.039 --> 00:00:21.480 It was a pretty big day. 00:00:21.600 --> 00:00:25.620 Don't forgive me, however, if I happen to sleep while I preach. 00:00:25.859 --> 00:00:27.660 I'm feeling pretty smashed today. 00:00:27.660 --> 00:00:30.059 It was a huge day. 00:00:30.600 --> 00:00:31.600 It was very hot. 00:00:31.719 --> 00:00:32.719 A lot was achieved. 00:00:32.899 --> 00:00:37.620 And I just want to add my thanks to that of Lindy's for everyone who participated. 00:00:38.480 --> 00:00:39.439 It was great. 00:00:39.539 --> 00:00:46.840 It was a real encouragement for me to see people from every congregation doing a whole range of things across the church. 00:00:46.920 --> 00:00:48.280 And it was wonderful to see all that. 00:00:48.500 --> 00:00:53.900 There was people cleaning, which was fantastic to see that happening. 00:00:53.899 --> 00:01:00.939 And it's wonderful to be able to go out there this morning and not have a building site as much as what it was. 00:01:01.359 --> 00:01:03.799 Painting preparation, as Lindy said. 00:01:03.879 --> 00:01:08.819 There was people doing a whole range of things yesterday, and I just appreciate all that. 00:01:08.920 --> 00:01:14.739 And Lindy herself, who put in a big day but also provided everyone with a fantastic morning tea. 00:01:14.739 --> 00:01:21.299 When I first came to this church, someone said about working bees, they're worth going to for the morning tea itself. 00:01:22.060 --> 00:01:23.819 And that hasn't changed. 00:01:24.419 --> 00:01:27.899 And so thank you, Lindy, for that and for everyone else who's involved. 00:01:28.500 --> 00:01:29.239 Let me pray. 00:01:29.239 --> 00:01:40.519 Gracious Father, I pray that you would help us to pray, that you would teach us more about your priorities in prayer. 00:01:41.199 --> 00:01:46.500 And I pray, Father, that this year would be a year of prayer for us as a church. 00:01:46.719 --> 00:01:50.819 And so, Lord, for that to happen, we need to be humbled. 00:01:51.459 --> 00:01:53.039 And so, Father, humble us. 00:01:53.659 --> 00:01:56.399 Help us to see our weakness and our dependency upon you. 00:01:56.799 --> 00:01:58.140 And we ask it for your glory. 00:01:58.140 --> 00:01:58.979 Amen. 00:01:59.239 --> 00:02:06.739 It is the will of the Lord Jesus that St. Paul's be a church of prayer. 00:02:07.619 --> 00:02:16.620 He wills that you and I be given to daily prevailing prayer for the filling of the Holy Spirit, 00:02:17.199 --> 00:02:22.019 for the progress of the gospel, for personal needs, and for the glory of God's name. 00:02:22.799 --> 00:02:26.039 A couple of weeks ago, when I preached on the Lord's Prayer, 00:02:26.039 --> 00:02:34.459 I reminded us of the incredible privilege of prayer to be able to go to the creator and sustainer of this world, 00:02:34.539 --> 00:02:37.739 who's got control of everything in your life and everything in this world, 00:02:37.740 --> 00:02:40.780 and to be able to call him Father. 00:02:42.040 --> 00:02:45.100 To be able to go to the God of this universe and call him Father. 00:02:45.099 --> 00:02:51.699 And yet, with all the privileges that prayer affords us, I think that the hard truth is that for many of us, 00:02:52.019 --> 00:02:54.419 we don't pray very much. 00:02:54.879 --> 00:03:00.759 You know, we pray at mealtime and we whisper a prayer, you know, before a tough meeting. 00:03:00.759 --> 00:03:07.359 We say something brief as we crawl into bed before we close our eyes and sleep. 00:03:08.259 --> 00:03:11.919 I suspect that very few of us set aside a time to pray, 00:03:12.759 --> 00:03:19.479 and few of us still think it's worth to meet with others to pray. 00:03:19.479 --> 00:03:25.079 I would suggest that's one of the reasons why often, not just for us as a church, 00:03:25.179 --> 00:03:29.639 but for us in the Western world, our faith is weak, our hope is feeble, 00:03:29.679 --> 00:03:31.500 and our passion for Christ is small. 00:03:33.179 --> 00:03:39.299 Intentional, regular, disciplined, earnest, Christ-centered, God-glorifying, joyful prayer 00:03:39.299 --> 00:03:43.899 is not just a privilege, but it is in fact the duty of the Christian. 00:03:43.900 --> 00:03:50.900 It's a duty in the way that it's the duty of a scuba diver to put his tanks and his mask on 00:03:50.900 --> 00:03:52.360 before he goes diving. 00:03:52.719 --> 00:03:57.439 It's the duty of a pilot to listen to air traffic control. 00:03:58.580 --> 00:04:02.480 Prayer for the Christian is a duty in the same way it's a duty for a soldier in combat 00:04:02.480 --> 00:04:07.400 to clean and to make sure that his weapon is loaded. 00:04:08.180 --> 00:04:11.719 It's a duty in the way that hungry people need to eat food. 00:04:11.719 --> 00:04:14.099 It's a duty in the way that thirsty people need to drink. 00:04:14.500 --> 00:04:19.779 It's a duty of, in the same way that I as a diabetic need to inject my insulin. 00:04:20.480 --> 00:04:21.800 It's that kind of duty. 00:04:22.319 --> 00:04:23.740 It's a necessity duty. 00:04:25.439 --> 00:04:27.339 It's a lifeblood duty. 00:04:29.279 --> 00:04:32.540 And as we spend the first five weeks of this year on prayer, 00:04:32.620 --> 00:04:36.800 my hope is that it will contribute to us seeing that, 00:04:36.800 --> 00:04:40.699 not just the privilege of prayer, but the duty of prayer, 00:04:41.020 --> 00:04:44.819 and also for our prayer as a church to become more and more effective 00:04:44.819 --> 00:04:47.040 as we move into 2015. 00:04:47.340 --> 00:04:50.280 And so what I want to do today is I want to turn our attention to Jesus. 00:04:50.980 --> 00:04:54.960 We have him praying at the beginning of Luke 11. 00:04:55.080 --> 00:04:56.960 So get your Bibles, turn to Luke 11. 00:04:57.759 --> 00:04:59.199 It's our text for us this morning. 00:04:59.199 --> 00:05:03.939 And there are at least four things that Jesus teaches us here about prayer 00:05:03.939 --> 00:05:07.699 and that I want us to turn our attention to. 00:05:07.779 --> 00:05:09.519 The first two I'm going to look at very briefly. 00:05:09.639 --> 00:05:12.339 The last two I'm going to slow down a bit. 00:05:12.759 --> 00:05:16.180 The first two look at briefly because we saw them a couple of weeks ago 00:05:16.180 --> 00:05:18.019 when I preached on the Lord's Prayer. 00:05:18.599 --> 00:05:21.579 And I want to slow it down a little bit on the last two, 00:05:21.719 --> 00:05:25.539 especially because I think these last two things 00:05:25.539 --> 00:05:28.439 ought to be the heartbeat of our prayer in 2015. 00:05:29.399 --> 00:05:32.180 In fact, not just 2015, but in fact every year. 00:05:33.300 --> 00:05:36.560 Firstly, Jesus teaches us to make our praying God center. 00:05:36.660 --> 00:05:37.339 That's the first thing. 00:05:37.399 --> 00:05:38.560 We saw it a couple of weeks ago. 00:05:38.719 --> 00:05:42.240 When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray in verse 1, 00:05:42.540 --> 00:05:43.860 he says to them in verse 2, 00:05:43.939 --> 00:05:44.819 when you pray, say, 00:05:44.980 --> 00:05:48.480 Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 00:05:49.060 --> 00:05:50.560 As I said a couple of weeks ago, 00:05:50.560 --> 00:05:55.959 the Lord's Prayer is a prayer that Jesus gave for us as a model of prayer 00:05:55.959 --> 00:06:00.599 rather than a prayer that we are to pray with repetition in and of itself 00:06:00.599 --> 00:06:04.099 because both the Matthew version and the Luke version 00:06:04.099 --> 00:06:05.560 are actually different from one another. 00:06:05.639 --> 00:06:06.779 They're not exactly the same. 00:06:07.579 --> 00:06:10.339 On a particular note is what Jesus says, 00:06:10.419 --> 00:06:11.740 is that our first desire, 00:06:11.879 --> 00:06:13.939 our first request in prayer 00:06:13.939 --> 00:06:17.039 should be that God's name be hallowed or glorified 00:06:17.040 --> 00:06:18.860 and that his kingdom advance and he's come. 00:06:18.860 --> 00:06:24.439 That is, the first thing is God. 00:06:25.960 --> 00:06:30.000 That is, that's what I mean by God-centered prayer. 00:06:30.460 --> 00:06:31.740 The glory of God's name, 00:06:31.820 --> 00:06:33.100 the advancement of God's kingdom 00:06:33.100 --> 00:06:35.780 are the primary concerns of prayer. 00:06:35.779 --> 00:06:38.219 And if that is foreign to you, 00:06:38.279 --> 00:06:41.079 if you never plead for the name of God 00:06:41.079 --> 00:06:43.879 to be seen as holy in the way that you live 00:06:43.879 --> 00:06:46.219 or the kingdom of God to come in such a way 00:06:46.219 --> 00:06:48.039 that you want to totally surrender to him, 00:06:48.539 --> 00:06:54.179 don't be content to just be stuck there in prayer. 00:06:56.579 --> 00:06:59.479 Make the glory of God the center of your prayers. 00:06:59.859 --> 00:07:01.739 Pray again and again 00:07:01.739 --> 00:07:05.079 with as many different words as you can think and muster, 00:07:05.079 --> 00:07:10.419 Father, let your name be seen as holy in my life. 00:07:11.240 --> 00:07:12.859 May your will be done 00:07:12.859 --> 00:07:15.219 and in the process of your will be done in my life, 00:07:15.379 --> 00:07:19.279 crucify my will and let your kingdom come. 00:07:19.759 --> 00:07:21.759 That my life be surrendered, 00:07:21.899 --> 00:07:24.259 that this world be surrendered to you. 00:07:24.819 --> 00:07:26.699 Secondly, Jesus teaches us to pray 00:07:26.699 --> 00:07:28.699 with a sense of security in the Father's love. 00:07:29.000 --> 00:07:32.560 You see, Jesus doesn't want us to feel precarious 00:07:32.560 --> 00:07:35.360 or insecure in our prayers. 00:07:35.360 --> 00:07:38.379 And he shows this mainly by teaching us 00:07:38.379 --> 00:07:41.220 to call God Father when we pray to him. 00:07:41.680 --> 00:07:44.000 The prayer in verse two begins simply with Father. 00:07:44.740 --> 00:07:47.540 And then in verses 11 to 13, 00:07:47.699 --> 00:07:50.840 he unpacks for us some of the security 00:07:50.840 --> 00:07:55.819 which is implied in that title, Father. 00:07:55.819 --> 00:08:00.060 This is the great promise to encourage us in our praying. 00:08:00.480 --> 00:08:01.399 Which of you fathers, 00:08:01.540 --> 00:08:04.439 if your son asks for a fish, 00:08:04.519 --> 00:08:05.920 will give him a snake instead? 00:08:06.079 --> 00:08:07.620 Or if he asks for an egg, 00:08:07.680 --> 00:08:08.759 will give him a scorpion? 00:08:08.959 --> 00:08:11.399 If you then, though you are evil, 00:08:11.800 --> 00:08:13.959 know how to give good gifts to your children, 00:08:14.079 --> 00:08:15.899 how much more will your Father in heaven 00:08:15.899 --> 00:08:19.620 give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him? 00:08:19.620 --> 00:08:22.160 You see, the words there, 00:08:22.560 --> 00:08:24.420 how much more, 00:08:24.819 --> 00:08:28.160 means something utterly crucial for us. 00:08:29.720 --> 00:08:33.419 They mean that God is more inclined 00:08:33.419 --> 00:08:36.740 to hear me and help me when I pray 00:08:36.740 --> 00:08:40.220 than I am willing to hear 00:08:40.220 --> 00:08:43.820 or to help my daughters 00:08:43.820 --> 00:08:46.419 when they call out for my help. 00:08:46.419 --> 00:08:51.199 And that astounds me. 00:08:52.819 --> 00:08:55.079 I find that utterly astounding. 00:08:59.360 --> 00:09:01.099 Why does Jesus mention this? 00:09:02.879 --> 00:09:04.759 I think he wants us to feel 00:09:04.759 --> 00:09:08.199 totally, totally secure 00:09:08.199 --> 00:09:09.879 in the Father's love 00:09:09.879 --> 00:09:11.919 when we come to hear him in prayer. 00:09:13.419 --> 00:09:15.199 He doesn't want us to feel insecure. 00:09:16.419 --> 00:09:20.399 He doesn't want us to feel precarious 00:09:20.399 --> 00:09:23.500 or unsure of our acceptance. 00:09:24.379 --> 00:09:26.919 He doesn't want us to feel fearful 00:09:26.919 --> 00:09:28.479 that we will find the Father 00:09:28.479 --> 00:09:30.099 out of sorts with us 00:09:30.099 --> 00:09:34.539 or even that he will be unconcerned for us. 00:09:36.319 --> 00:09:38.399 And this sense of security 00:09:38.399 --> 00:09:40.719 is utterly crucial 00:09:40.719 --> 00:09:43.519 for a life of prayer. 00:09:43.519 --> 00:09:46.139 You cannot sustain a life of prayer 00:09:46.139 --> 00:09:49.039 if you believe that God is stonewalling you 00:09:49.039 --> 00:09:51.559 or that you believe that he's angry with you 00:09:51.559 --> 00:09:54.360 or that you believe that he is neutral to you. 00:09:56.539 --> 00:09:58.740 Prayer is sustained by the confidence 00:09:58.740 --> 00:09:59.919 that God is our Father 00:09:59.919 --> 00:10:01.860 and that he is concerned 00:10:01.860 --> 00:10:03.939 and that his disposition 00:10:03.939 --> 00:10:06.579 towards the disciple of the Lord Jesus 00:10:06.580 --> 00:10:10.560 is exactly what he says it is. 00:10:12.060 --> 00:10:15.120 He is more inclined to give you 00:10:15.120 --> 00:10:16.280 what you need 00:10:16.280 --> 00:10:19.220 than the best human fathers. 00:10:20.180 --> 00:10:21.360 That's his disposition. 00:10:23.360 --> 00:10:25.300 Thirdly, Jesus therefore teaches us 00:10:25.300 --> 00:10:26.340 to prevail in prayer 00:10:26.340 --> 00:10:27.860 without doubting the Father's love. 00:10:27.940 --> 00:10:28.580 I mean here, 00:10:29.000 --> 00:10:29.879 hanging in there, 00:10:30.020 --> 00:10:30.780 persevering, 00:10:31.180 --> 00:10:31.759 persisting, 00:10:31.860 --> 00:10:33.000 not giving up in prayer. 00:10:33.000 --> 00:10:35.320 Keep on asking and seeking and knocking 00:10:35.320 --> 00:10:36.580 until the answer comes 00:10:36.580 --> 00:10:38.700 or until God says stop praying. 00:10:40.200 --> 00:10:40.740 And to me, 00:10:40.820 --> 00:10:42.740 this instruction from Jesus 00:10:42.740 --> 00:10:44.240 to prevail in prayer 00:10:44.240 --> 00:10:46.340 on the surface 00:10:46.340 --> 00:10:48.620 feels inconsistent 00:10:48.620 --> 00:10:51.700 with the teaching 00:10:51.700 --> 00:10:53.360 to feel secure 00:10:53.360 --> 00:10:55.759 in the Father's love. 00:10:56.320 --> 00:10:57.139 Feels inconsistent. 00:10:57.139 --> 00:10:59.059 I mean, 00:10:59.740 --> 00:11:01.779 if God is more caring 00:11:01.779 --> 00:11:04.299 than the best earthly father, 00:11:04.500 --> 00:11:06.439 then why would he sometimes 00:11:06.439 --> 00:11:07.340 be so slow 00:11:07.340 --> 00:11:08.259 to respond 00:11:08.259 --> 00:11:09.240 to me? 00:11:10.500 --> 00:11:11.639 It seems strange 00:11:11.639 --> 00:11:13.199 that Jesus put both of these 00:11:13.199 --> 00:11:14.720 two things beside each other. 00:11:15.100 --> 00:11:16.220 On the surface, 00:11:16.340 --> 00:11:17.240 it seems strange. 00:11:18.000 --> 00:11:19.120 In verses 5 to 8, 00:11:19.199 --> 00:11:20.120 Jesus tells the story 00:11:20.120 --> 00:11:20.960 of a man who goes 00:11:20.960 --> 00:11:22.039 to his friend's house 00:11:22.039 --> 00:11:22.899 in the middle of the night 00:11:22.899 --> 00:11:24.860 to say that a guest 00:11:24.860 --> 00:11:25.779 has just arrived, 00:11:25.879 --> 00:11:26.980 he hasn't got enough food 00:11:26.980 --> 00:11:27.779 in his fridge 00:11:27.779 --> 00:11:30.100 and he needs some food 00:11:30.100 --> 00:11:30.720 to feed him. 00:11:31.360 --> 00:11:32.820 And so he asks his friend 00:11:32.820 --> 00:11:34.220 for three loaves of bread, 00:11:34.779 --> 00:11:36.639 but his friend says, 00:11:36.980 --> 00:11:37.720 go away, 00:11:37.899 --> 00:11:38.759 the door's locked, 00:11:38.840 --> 00:11:39.680 I put the cat out 00:11:39.680 --> 00:11:40.279 for the night, 00:11:40.399 --> 00:11:41.519 the children are asleep 00:11:41.519 --> 00:11:42.120 and frankly, 00:11:42.259 --> 00:11:42.960 I can't be bothered 00:11:42.960 --> 00:11:43.860 coming downstairs. 00:11:47.200 --> 00:11:49.080 Go to the 7-Eleven store 00:11:49.080 --> 00:11:51.120 and find something there. 00:11:52.360 --> 00:11:53.340 And yet this friend 00:11:53.340 --> 00:11:54.200 keeps knocking, 00:11:54.200 --> 00:11:55.180 he keeps asking 00:11:55.179 --> 00:11:56.459 until his friend 00:11:56.459 --> 00:11:57.239 in frustration 00:11:57.239 --> 00:11:58.079 gets up. 00:11:59.219 --> 00:12:00.379 Notice that he doesn't 00:12:00.379 --> 00:12:01.359 get up because he wants 00:12:01.359 --> 00:12:02.419 to help his friend, 00:12:02.519 --> 00:12:03.719 but because his friend 00:12:03.719 --> 00:12:05.079 keeps revailing, 00:12:05.620 --> 00:12:06.839 keeps persisting, 00:12:07.179 --> 00:12:08.079 keeps knocking 00:12:08.079 --> 00:12:09.019 and think, 00:12:09.139 --> 00:12:10.519 oh my goodness, 00:12:10.639 --> 00:12:11.179 I'm going to have to 00:12:11.179 --> 00:12:11.879 open the door 00:12:11.879 --> 00:12:12.959 and give him his food 00:12:12.959 --> 00:12:13.599 so I can go back 00:12:13.599 --> 00:12:14.439 to bed for the night. 00:12:18.439 --> 00:12:19.339 It doesn't feel 00:12:19.339 --> 00:12:20.199 very attractive. 00:12:20.200 --> 00:12:21.879 It's not a very 00:12:21.879 --> 00:12:22.820 attractive vision 00:12:22.820 --> 00:12:23.379 of prayer 00:12:23.379 --> 00:12:24.820 in my mind. 00:12:26.460 --> 00:12:27.600 God only answers 00:12:27.600 --> 00:12:28.900 because I annoy him 00:12:28.900 --> 00:12:31.020 enough to give him 00:12:31.020 --> 00:12:31.600 what he wants, 00:12:31.640 --> 00:12:32.540 to give us what we want. 00:12:32.680 --> 00:12:32.960 I mean, 00:12:33.480 --> 00:12:34.920 I'll be frank with you, 00:12:34.980 --> 00:12:35.700 when my kids 00:12:35.700 --> 00:12:36.520 badger me 00:12:36.520 --> 00:12:37.140 for an answer 00:12:37.140 --> 00:12:37.740 to a request 00:12:37.740 --> 00:12:38.300 of theirs, 00:12:38.400 --> 00:12:39.680 it's never attractive. 00:12:41.960 --> 00:12:43.060 More often than not, 00:12:43.160 --> 00:12:43.980 it's because 00:12:43.980 --> 00:12:44.759 the reason why 00:12:44.759 --> 00:12:45.379 they badger me 00:12:45.379 --> 00:12:45.759 is because 00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:46.759 I don't want 00:12:46.759 --> 00:12:47.759 to go out of my way 00:12:47.759 --> 00:12:48.840 to fulfill the request. 00:12:50.059 --> 00:12:51.340 Can we go to the park? 00:12:54.860 --> 00:12:55.220 Really? 00:12:56.159 --> 00:12:56.860 I mean, 00:12:57.200 --> 00:12:58.559 that involves 00:12:58.559 --> 00:13:00.480 me packing it, 00:13:00.580 --> 00:13:00.740 well, 00:13:01.340 --> 00:13:02.200 that involves 00:13:02.200 --> 00:13:03.279 not packing everything 00:13:03.279 --> 00:13:04.600 in the car. 00:13:04.860 --> 00:13:05.799 It means food, 00:13:05.919 --> 00:13:06.840 it means water bottles, 00:13:06.939 --> 00:13:07.639 it means sunscreen, 00:13:07.799 --> 00:13:08.419 it means hat, 00:13:08.539 --> 00:13:09.039 it means, 00:13:09.720 --> 00:13:11.000 and then when we get there, 00:13:11.039 --> 00:13:11.500 it's not like 00:13:11.500 --> 00:13:12.399 I'm going to sit back 00:13:12.399 --> 00:13:12.960 on the bench 00:13:12.960 --> 00:13:13.759 and read the paper 00:13:13.759 --> 00:13:14.939 and have a drink. 00:13:15.019 --> 00:13:15.600 It means I've got 00:13:15.600 --> 00:13:16.539 to do all the pushing, 00:13:16.899 --> 00:13:17.340 I've got to, 00:13:17.759 --> 00:13:20.220 can we go to the park? 00:13:20.720 --> 00:13:21.500 Maybe tomorrow. 00:13:22.620 --> 00:13:22.779 See, 00:13:22.819 --> 00:13:23.779 it's never attractive 00:13:23.779 --> 00:13:25.000 and that's the sort of vision 00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:26.639 that we have here 00:13:26.639 --> 00:13:27.700 of prayer 00:13:27.700 --> 00:13:29.259 or a vision of God, 00:13:29.340 --> 00:13:29.759 in fact, 00:13:30.059 --> 00:13:30.860 but immediately 00:13:30.860 --> 00:13:31.919 Jesus says 00:13:31.919 --> 00:13:32.819 that there's a lesson. 00:13:34.600 --> 00:13:35.700 So I say to you, 00:13:35.960 --> 00:13:36.460 ask 00:13:36.460 --> 00:13:37.759 and it will be given to you. 00:13:38.000 --> 00:13:38.299 Seek 00:13:38.299 --> 00:13:39.120 and you will find, 00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:39.620 knock 00:13:39.620 --> 00:13:40.899 and the door will be opened to you. 00:13:41.120 --> 00:13:42.340 Three things here 00:13:42.340 --> 00:13:43.960 stress the importance 00:13:43.960 --> 00:13:45.340 of not giving up 00:13:45.340 --> 00:13:45.840 in prayer. 00:13:46.200 --> 00:13:47.279 One is the present tense 00:13:47.279 --> 00:13:47.819 of the verbs 00:13:47.819 --> 00:13:49.000 that what they say 00:13:49.000 --> 00:13:50.659 is continuous action. 00:13:51.019 --> 00:13:51.980 Keep asking, 00:13:52.159 --> 00:13:52.720 keep seeking, 00:13:52.919 --> 00:13:53.480 keep knocking. 00:13:53.839 --> 00:13:54.879 The second is 00:13:54.879 --> 00:13:56.539 that Jesus commands it. 00:13:57.740 --> 00:13:58.919 He commands 00:13:58.919 --> 00:13:59.740 the continuous actions 00:14:00.279 --> 00:14:01.699 and repeats it again 00:14:01.699 --> 00:14:02.579 in verse 10. 00:14:03.240 --> 00:14:04.659 And the third thing 00:14:04.659 --> 00:14:05.899 that stress is prevailing 00:14:05.899 --> 00:14:07.819 is that the three words 00:14:07.819 --> 00:14:09.860 used get increasingly 00:14:09.860 --> 00:14:12.120 closer to the answer 00:14:12.120 --> 00:14:14.120 as we press upon God. 00:14:14.120 --> 00:14:15.639 asking 00:14:15.639 --> 00:14:16.919 is the simplest 00:14:16.919 --> 00:14:18.240 thing 00:14:18.240 --> 00:14:19.000 and requires 00:14:19.000 --> 00:14:19.720 no movement. 00:14:19.899 --> 00:14:20.299 Seeking 00:14:20.299 --> 00:14:21.560 turns asking 00:14:21.560 --> 00:14:22.519 into an activity 00:14:22.519 --> 00:14:23.179 of pursuit. 00:14:23.679 --> 00:14:24.720 Knocking on and on 00:14:24.720 --> 00:14:25.600 on the door 00:14:25.600 --> 00:14:26.460 again and again 00:14:26.460 --> 00:14:27.320 signifies 00:14:27.320 --> 00:14:28.639 an utter earnestness 00:14:28.639 --> 00:14:29.240 and perhaps 00:14:29.240 --> 00:14:30.120 even a sense 00:14:30.120 --> 00:14:31.060 of desperation 00:14:31.060 --> 00:14:32.120 and a sense 00:14:32.120 --> 00:14:32.840 of weakness 00:14:32.840 --> 00:14:34.100 that I'm totally 00:14:34.100 --> 00:14:34.620 dependent 00:14:34.620 --> 00:14:35.220 that God, 00:14:35.360 --> 00:14:35.919 you need to 00:14:35.919 --> 00:14:37.360 answer this. 00:14:37.360 --> 00:14:39.620 And so Jesus, 00:14:39.740 --> 00:14:40.899 he clearly wants us 00:14:40.899 --> 00:14:42.320 to be like this friend 00:14:42.320 --> 00:14:43.360 who kept knocking. 00:14:43.500 --> 00:14:44.360 He wants us to prevail 00:14:44.360 --> 00:14:44.940 in prayer 00:14:44.940 --> 00:14:46.019 and prevailing 00:14:46.019 --> 00:14:48.100 in God-centered prayer 00:14:48.100 --> 00:14:48.680 particularly. 00:14:49.220 --> 00:14:50.539 The point of these verses 00:14:50.539 --> 00:14:51.440 is to show us 00:14:51.440 --> 00:14:52.840 that prevailing prayer 00:14:52.840 --> 00:14:54.080 that is persisting 00:14:54.080 --> 00:14:55.240 and persevering in prayer 00:14:55.240 --> 00:14:56.279 is utterly 00:14:56.279 --> 00:14:57.539 crucial 00:14:57.539 --> 00:14:59.039 for us. 00:14:59.039 --> 00:15:02.659 Jesus stamps 00:15:02.659 --> 00:15:03.419 this truth 00:15:03.419 --> 00:15:04.759 on our memories 00:15:04.759 --> 00:15:05.919 with this 00:15:05.919 --> 00:15:07.339 terrible image 00:15:07.339 --> 00:15:09.019 of this friend 00:15:09.019 --> 00:15:10.599 who won't help 00:15:10.599 --> 00:15:12.079 unless he's being 00:15:12.079 --> 00:15:13.159 bothered to help. 00:15:16.279 --> 00:15:17.860 But notice 00:15:17.860 --> 00:15:21.759 he makes this 00:15:21.759 --> 00:15:23.039 sudden turn 00:15:23.039 --> 00:15:24.639 in verse 11 00:15:24.639 --> 00:15:26.259 and he shifts 00:15:26.259 --> 00:15:27.299 from the image 00:15:27.299 --> 00:15:28.959 of the grumpy friend 00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:30.440 to the image 00:15:30.440 --> 00:15:31.340 of the caring 00:15:31.340 --> 00:15:32.360 father again. 00:15:33.800 --> 00:15:35.139 He qualifies 00:15:35.139 --> 00:15:35.900 his point 00:15:35.900 --> 00:15:36.840 in verses 11 00:15:36.840 --> 00:15:37.620 to 13 00:15:37.620 --> 00:15:38.460 and saying 00:15:38.460 --> 00:15:38.860 that God 00:15:38.860 --> 00:15:39.780 is not like 00:15:39.780 --> 00:15:40.560 that friend. 00:15:42.720 --> 00:15:44.100 He's not like 00:15:44.100 --> 00:15:44.580 the owner 00:15:44.580 --> 00:15:45.320 of the house 00:15:45.320 --> 00:15:46.400 who can't be bothered. 00:15:47.540 --> 00:15:48.379 God is 00:15:48.379 --> 00:15:49.200 the caring, 00:15:49.500 --> 00:15:49.780 loving, 00:15:49.960 --> 00:15:50.840 approachable father 00:15:50.840 --> 00:15:51.740 and so yes, 00:15:52.120 --> 00:15:53.100 sometimes 00:15:53.100 --> 00:15:55.460 he gives us 00:15:55.460 --> 00:15:56.340 what we need 00:15:56.340 --> 00:15:57.560 only after 00:15:57.560 --> 00:15:58.259 a long 00:15:58.259 --> 00:15:59.039 season 00:15:59.039 --> 00:15:59.899 of prevailing 00:15:59.899 --> 00:16:01.159 and persisting 00:16:01.159 --> 00:16:01.720 in prayer 00:16:01.720 --> 00:16:02.559 but no, 00:16:02.639 --> 00:16:03.139 it's not 00:16:03.139 --> 00:16:03.819 because he's 00:16:03.819 --> 00:16:04.539 like the grumpy 00:16:04.539 --> 00:16:05.120 friend. 00:16:06.679 --> 00:16:07.679 There's another 00:16:07.679 --> 00:16:08.360 reason. 00:16:10.779 --> 00:16:11.799 What makes 00:16:11.799 --> 00:16:12.080 it 00:16:12.080 --> 00:16:14.080 difficult 00:16:14.080 --> 00:16:14.919 for us 00:16:14.919 --> 00:16:15.960 is that 00:16:15.960 --> 00:16:16.439 Jesus 00:16:16.439 --> 00:16:17.139 doesn't 00:16:17.139 --> 00:16:17.840 directly 00:16:17.840 --> 00:16:18.460 tell us 00:16:18.460 --> 00:16:19.000 the other 00:16:19.000 --> 00:16:19.659 reason 00:16:19.659 --> 00:16:22.799 but he 00:16:22.799 --> 00:16:23.039 does 00:16:23.039 --> 00:16:23.679 indirectly. 00:16:25.199 --> 00:16:26.059 He says 00:16:26.059 --> 00:16:26.879 in verse 11 00:16:26.879 --> 00:16:27.559 that a good 00:16:27.559 --> 00:16:28.120 father 00:16:28.120 --> 00:16:29.059 will not 00:16:29.059 --> 00:16:29.620 give his 00:16:29.620 --> 00:16:30.120 son a 00:16:30.120 --> 00:16:30.459 serpent 00:16:30.459 --> 00:16:30.980 if he 00:16:30.980 --> 00:16:31.519 asks for 00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:32.079 a fish. 00:16:33.500 --> 00:16:34.339 In other 00:16:34.339 --> 00:16:34.659 words, 00:16:34.719 --> 00:16:34.980 a good 00:16:34.980 --> 00:16:35.299 father 00:16:35.299 --> 00:16:35.839 will only 00:16:35.839 --> 00:16:36.259 give his 00:16:36.259 --> 00:16:36.719 children 00:16:36.719 --> 00:16:37.480 what is 00:16:37.480 --> 00:16:37.899 good 00:16:37.899 --> 00:16:38.759 for them. 00:16:40.339 --> 00:16:40.879 That is 00:16:40.879 --> 00:16:41.419 the only 00:16:41.419 --> 00:16:43.639 answer 00:16:43.639 --> 00:16:44.259 that Jesus 00:16:44.259 --> 00:16:45.839 gives us 00:16:45.840 --> 00:16:46.740 as to 00:16:46.740 --> 00:16:47.460 why 00:16:47.460 --> 00:16:48.340 he wants 00:16:48.340 --> 00:16:48.660 us to 00:16:48.660 --> 00:16:49.000 prevail 00:16:49.000 --> 00:16:49.500 in prayer. 00:16:51.720 --> 00:16:52.460 When the 00:16:52.460 --> 00:16:52.980 father in 00:16:52.980 --> 00:16:53.519 heaven gives 00:16:53.519 --> 00:16:54.120 us a slow 00:16:54.120 --> 00:16:54.440 answer, 00:16:54.560 --> 00:16:54.860 when he 00:16:54.860 --> 00:16:55.379 wills that 00:16:55.379 --> 00:16:56.139 we persevere 00:16:56.139 --> 00:16:56.540 for a 00:16:56.540 --> 00:16:57.100 season in 00:16:57.100 --> 00:16:57.620 prayer without 00:16:57.620 --> 00:16:58.180 an apparent 00:16:58.180 --> 00:16:58.740 answer, 00:16:59.120 --> 00:17:00.300 it's because 00:17:00.300 --> 00:17:01.019 he's giving 00:17:01.019 --> 00:17:01.940 us a fish 00:17:01.940 --> 00:17:03.019 and not a 00:17:03.019 --> 00:17:03.420 snake. 00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:05.500 That's the 00:17:05.500 --> 00:17:06.019 only reason. 00:17:08.819 --> 00:17:09.600 He is 00:17:09.600 --> 00:17:10.600 giving us 00:17:10.600 --> 00:17:12.039 what is 00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:12.500 good for 00:17:12.500 --> 00:17:12.920 us. 00:17:12.920 --> 00:17:15.340 There is 00:17:15.340 --> 00:17:16.100 something in 00:17:16.100 --> 00:17:17.080 the persevering, 00:17:17.560 --> 00:17:18.120 the asking, 00:17:18.259 --> 00:17:18.600 the seeking, 00:17:18.740 --> 00:17:19.140 and knocking 00:17:19.140 --> 00:17:20.340 that we 00:17:20.340 --> 00:17:21.620 need and 00:17:21.620 --> 00:17:22.000 that he's 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:22.480 giving to 00:17:22.480 --> 00:17:22.900 us. 00:17:23.779 --> 00:17:24.700 The prevailing 00:17:24.700 --> 00:17:25.140 prayer is 00:17:25.140 --> 00:17:25.560 part of his 00:17:25.560 --> 00:17:25.960 gift to 00:17:25.960 --> 00:17:26.320 us. 00:17:27.220 --> 00:17:27.560 It is 00:17:27.560 --> 00:17:27.960 good for 00:17:27.960 --> 00:17:28.279 us. 00:17:29.920 --> 00:17:30.940 The power 00:17:30.940 --> 00:17:31.759 of prayer 00:17:31.759 --> 00:17:33.220 never means 00:17:33.220 --> 00:17:33.960 that God 00:17:33.960 --> 00:17:35.080 stops being 00:17:35.080 --> 00:17:35.740 God. 00:17:36.860 --> 00:17:37.600 We do 00:17:37.600 --> 00:17:37.960 not have 00:17:37.960 --> 00:17:38.500 the wisdom 00:17:38.500 --> 00:17:38.960 or the 00:17:38.960 --> 00:17:39.779 grace to 00:17:39.779 --> 00:17:40.160 run the 00:17:40.160 --> 00:17:40.539 universe. 00:17:40.720 --> 00:17:41.039 God is 00:17:41.039 --> 00:17:41.460 God. 00:17:41.840 --> 00:17:42.180 He will 00:17:42.180 --> 00:17:43.220 continue to 00:17:43.220 --> 00:17:43.880 decide how 00:17:43.880 --> 00:17:44.140 to run 00:17:44.140 --> 00:17:44.680 the universe 00:17:44.680 --> 00:17:45.400 his way. 00:17:46.160 --> 00:17:46.340 The 00:17:46.340 --> 00:17:46.980 Christian is 00:17:46.980 --> 00:17:47.620 to live 00:17:47.620 --> 00:17:48.759 by faith 00:17:48.759 --> 00:17:50.019 in his 00:17:50.019 --> 00:17:50.840 goodness and 00:17:50.840 --> 00:17:51.299 in his 00:17:51.299 --> 00:17:52.200 sovereignty and 00:17:52.200 --> 00:17:52.580 we'll talk 00:17:52.580 --> 00:17:53.000 more about 00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:53.500 that next 00:17:53.500 --> 00:17:53.840 week. 00:17:54.200 --> 00:17:54.519 And the 00:17:54.519 --> 00:17:55.560 promise that 00:17:55.560 --> 00:17:56.400 will encourage 00:17:56.400 --> 00:17:57.279 us in 00:17:57.279 --> 00:17:58.000 prevailing in 00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:58.460 prayer is 00:17:58.460 --> 00:17:59.100 simply verse 00:17:59.100 --> 00:17:59.539 10, 00:18:00.100 --> 00:18:00.860 everyone who 00:18:00.860 --> 00:18:02.220 asks receives, 00:18:02.840 --> 00:18:03.279 he who 00:18:03.279 --> 00:18:05.539 seeks finds, 00:18:05.940 --> 00:18:06.460 and to him 00:18:06.460 --> 00:18:07.100 who knocks the 00:18:07.100 --> 00:18:07.480 door be 00:18:07.480 --> 00:18:07.880 opened. 00:18:09.019 --> 00:18:09.940 God is 00:18:09.940 --> 00:18:10.360 not 00:18:10.360 --> 00:18:12.019 unresponsive to 00:18:12.019 --> 00:18:12.619 our prevailing 00:18:12.619 --> 00:18:13.039 prayer. 00:18:14.279 --> 00:18:14.599 We do 00:18:14.599 --> 00:18:15.000 not pray 00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:15.559 in vain. 00:18:15.680 --> 00:18:15.920 He is 00:18:15.920 --> 00:18:16.539 our father 00:18:16.539 --> 00:18:17.039 and when 00:18:17.039 --> 00:18:17.639 he hears 00:18:17.639 --> 00:18:18.200 his children 00:18:18.200 --> 00:18:19.119 he responds. 00:18:19.619 --> 00:18:19.960 He is 00:18:19.960 --> 00:18:20.599 not deaf 00:18:20.599 --> 00:18:21.420 or indifferent 00:18:21.420 --> 00:18:22.220 or powerless. 00:18:22.619 --> 00:18:23.180 He hears 00:18:23.180 --> 00:18:23.900 and he 00:18:23.900 --> 00:18:24.480 acts. 00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:26.960 And 00:18:26.960 --> 00:18:27.500 specifically 00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:28.019 what does 00:18:28.019 --> 00:18:28.379 he hear 00:18:28.379 --> 00:18:28.639 and what 00:18:28.639 --> 00:18:28.879 does he 00:18:28.879 --> 00:18:29.639 act for? 00:18:31.119 --> 00:18:31.720 And so 00:18:31.720 --> 00:18:32.279 the final 00:18:32.279 --> 00:18:33.680 thing that 00:18:33.680 --> 00:18:34.079 Jesus, 00:18:34.799 --> 00:18:35.759 final direction 00:18:35.759 --> 00:18:36.319 if you like, 00:18:36.400 --> 00:18:36.759 that Jesus 00:18:36.759 --> 00:18:37.440 gives us 00:18:37.440 --> 00:18:38.079 in prayer 00:18:38.079 --> 00:18:39.259 is in 00:18:39.259 --> 00:18:39.740 a sense 00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:40.519 of circling 00:18:40.519 --> 00:18:42.119 back to 00:18:42.119 --> 00:18:42.439 the very 00:18:42.439 --> 00:18:43.119 first point 00:18:43.119 --> 00:18:43.639 of God 00:18:43.639 --> 00:18:44.319 centredness. 00:18:45.059 --> 00:18:45.679 And if I 00:18:45.679 --> 00:18:46.500 understand Jesus 00:18:46.500 --> 00:18:47.220 here correctly, 00:18:48.179 --> 00:18:49.240 he means 00:18:49.240 --> 00:18:50.559 for it to 00:18:50.559 --> 00:18:51.699 be the 00:18:51.699 --> 00:18:52.359 prevailing 00:18:52.359 --> 00:18:53.139 heartbeat 00:18:53.139 --> 00:18:53.779 of our 00:18:53.779 --> 00:18:54.539 prayer life 00:18:54.539 --> 00:18:54.939 here at 00:18:54.939 --> 00:18:55.720 St. Paul's 00:18:55.720 --> 00:18:56.740 this year. 00:18:56.899 --> 00:18:57.379 And in fact, 00:18:57.460 --> 00:18:57.939 I want to 00:18:57.939 --> 00:18:58.599 suggest every 00:18:58.599 --> 00:18:58.819 year, 00:18:58.879 --> 00:18:59.159 but let's 00:18:59.159 --> 00:18:59.599 just focus 00:18:59.599 --> 00:19:00.759 on 2015. 00:19:01.379 --> 00:19:02.199 The prevailing 00:19:02.199 --> 00:19:02.740 heartbeat 00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:03.339 of our 00:19:03.339 --> 00:19:03.939 prayer life 00:19:03.939 --> 00:19:05.119 for 2015. 00:19:05.119 --> 00:19:06.719 Jesus 00:19:06.719 --> 00:19:07.199 teaches 00:19:07.199 --> 00:19:07.719 in verse 00:19:07.719 --> 00:19:08.319 13 00:19:08.319 --> 00:19:09.399 that our 00:19:09.399 --> 00:19:10.019 prevailing 00:19:10.019 --> 00:19:10.839 in prayer, 00:19:11.079 --> 00:19:11.879 our pleading 00:19:11.879 --> 00:19:12.599 and knocking 00:19:12.599 --> 00:19:13.179 and seeking 00:19:13.179 --> 00:19:13.839 and asking 00:19:13.839 --> 00:19:15.079 should be 00:19:15.079 --> 00:19:15.979 prevailing 00:19:15.979 --> 00:19:17.500 upon God 00:19:17.500 --> 00:19:19.599 for the 00:19:19.599 --> 00:19:19.979 filling of 00:19:19.979 --> 00:19:20.259 the Holy 00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:20.699 Spirit. 00:19:22.079 --> 00:19:22.899 If you 00:19:22.899 --> 00:19:23.279 then, 00:19:23.939 --> 00:19:24.379 though you 00:19:24.379 --> 00:19:24.899 are evil, 00:19:25.559 --> 00:19:25.959 know how 00:19:25.959 --> 00:19:26.379 to give 00:19:26.379 --> 00:19:26.959 good gifts 00:19:26.959 --> 00:19:27.299 to your 00:19:27.299 --> 00:19:27.599 children, 00:19:27.759 --> 00:19:28.599 how much 00:19:28.599 --> 00:19:29.159 more 00:19:29.159 --> 00:19:30.259 will your 00:19:30.259 --> 00:19:30.959 Father in 00:19:30.959 --> 00:19:31.359 heaven 00:19:31.359 --> 00:19:32.959 give you 00:19:32.959 --> 00:19:33.399 a fish? 00:19:33.459 --> 00:19:33.819 What's the 00:19:33.819 --> 00:19:34.099 fish? 00:19:35.119 --> 00:19:35.659 The good 00:19:35.659 --> 00:19:36.039 thing that 00:19:36.039 --> 00:19:36.539 we need? 00:19:38.299 --> 00:19:39.000 The Holy 00:19:39.000 --> 00:19:39.939 Spirit to 00:19:39.939 --> 00:19:41.000 those who 00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:41.479 ask him. 00:19:43.959 --> 00:19:44.599 That's the 00:19:44.599 --> 00:19:45.019 fish that 00:19:45.019 --> 00:19:45.479 he delights 00:19:45.479 --> 00:19:45.819 to give 00:19:45.819 --> 00:19:46.159 us. 00:19:47.699 --> 00:19:48.779 Luke tells 00:19:48.779 --> 00:19:49.119 us in 00:19:49.119 --> 00:19:49.599 chapter 3 00:19:49.599 --> 00:19:49.939 that while 00:19:49.939 --> 00:19:50.559 Jesus was 00:19:50.559 --> 00:19:50.859 praying, 00:19:50.959 --> 00:19:51.219 the Holy 00:19:51.219 --> 00:19:51.819 Spirit descended 00:19:51.819 --> 00:19:52.099 on him 00:19:52.099 --> 00:19:52.419 like a 00:19:52.419 --> 00:19:52.719 dove. 00:19:53.339 --> 00:19:53.459 The 00:19:53.459 --> 00:19:54.019 outspouring 00:19:54.019 --> 00:19:54.319 of the 00:19:54.319 --> 00:19:55.519 Spirit at 00:19:55.519 --> 00:19:56.079 Pentecost 00:19:56.079 --> 00:19:56.619 came at 00:19:56.619 --> 00:19:57.579 the climax 00:19:57.579 --> 00:19:58.500 of a 00:19:58.500 --> 00:19:59.059 10-day 00:19:59.059 --> 00:20:00.419 prayer vigil. 00:20:00.839 --> 00:20:01.059 And in 00:20:01.059 --> 00:20:01.739 Acts 4 00:20:01.739 --> 00:20:02.439 verse 31, 00:20:02.659 --> 00:20:02.959 when the 00:20:02.959 --> 00:20:03.419 church had 00:20:03.419 --> 00:20:03.919 prayed the 00:20:03.919 --> 00:20:04.519 place they 00:20:04.519 --> 00:20:05.099 were gathered 00:20:05.099 --> 00:20:05.740 were shaken 00:20:05.740 --> 00:20:06.059 and they 00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:06.679 were filled 00:20:06.679 --> 00:20:07.379 with the 00:20:07.379 --> 00:20:08.179 Holy Spirit, 00:20:08.619 --> 00:20:09.139 prevailing 00:20:09.139 --> 00:20:10.299 prayer is 00:20:10.299 --> 00:20:11.139 the pathway 00:20:11.139 --> 00:20:11.759 to the 00:20:11.759 --> 00:20:12.259 outpouring 00:20:12.259 --> 00:20:12.459 of the 00:20:12.459 --> 00:20:13.119 Holy Spirit. 00:20:13.459 --> 00:20:14.159 This is a 00:20:14.159 --> 00:20:15.059 constant need 00:20:15.059 --> 00:20:15.699 for the 00:20:15.699 --> 00:20:16.159 church, 00:20:16.959 --> 00:20:18.199 ongoing and 00:20:18.199 --> 00:20:19.219 continual 00:20:19.219 --> 00:20:20.319 spiritual 00:20:20.319 --> 00:20:21.159 renewal. 00:20:21.939 --> 00:20:22.259 It's 00:20:22.259 --> 00:20:23.039 interesting that 00:20:23.039 --> 00:20:23.439 as you go 00:20:23.439 --> 00:20:23.759 through the 00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:24.379 New Testament 00:20:24.379 --> 00:20:25.039 that even 00:20:25.039 --> 00:20:25.599 under the 00:20:25.599 --> 00:20:26.339 leadership of 00:20:26.339 --> 00:20:26.980 the apostles, 00:20:27.519 --> 00:20:28.159 it is 00:20:28.159 --> 00:20:28.959 evident that 00:20:28.959 --> 00:20:29.339 there is 00:20:29.339 --> 00:20:30.019 still a 00:20:30.019 --> 00:20:30.879 need for 00:20:30.879 --> 00:20:31.699 continual 00:20:31.699 --> 00:20:32.480 renewal in 00:20:32.480 --> 00:20:33.140 the church. 00:20:34.360 --> 00:20:35.480 Just as 00:20:35.480 --> 00:20:36.140 Israel's 00:20:36.140 --> 00:20:37.559 election as 00:20:37.559 --> 00:20:38.160 God's people 00:20:38.160 --> 00:20:39.039 was demonstrated 00:20:39.039 --> 00:20:39.539 at Mount 00:20:39.539 --> 00:20:40.839 Sinai, so 00:20:40.839 --> 00:20:41.420 the church 00:20:41.420 --> 00:20:43.160 is constituted 00:20:43.160 --> 00:20:43.599 by the 00:20:43.599 --> 00:20:44.680 descending and 00:20:44.680 --> 00:20:45.200 the filling 00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:46.259 of the 00:20:46.259 --> 00:20:46.920 Holy Spirit 00:20:46.920 --> 00:20:47.599 in Acts 00:20:47.599 --> 00:20:48.039 2. 00:20:48.700 --> 00:20:49.440 But just 00:20:49.440 --> 00:20:50.519 as Israel 00:20:50.519 --> 00:20:52.519 is continually 00:20:52.519 --> 00:20:53.759 called upon 00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:57.220 to Sinai-like 00:20:57.220 --> 00:20:58.099 covenant 00:20:58.099 --> 00:20:59.160 renewals, 00:20:59.160 --> 00:21:00.560 so the 00:21:00.560 --> 00:21:01.220 church, 00:21:01.960 --> 00:21:02.519 even when 00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:02.960 it doesn't 00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:03.620 seem to 00:21:03.620 --> 00:21:03.940 be in 00:21:03.940 --> 00:21:04.580 any form 00:21:04.580 --> 00:21:05.140 of major 00:21:05.140 --> 00:21:05.880 decline, 00:21:06.540 --> 00:21:07.040 receives 00:21:07.040 --> 00:21:09.140 fresh and 00:21:09.140 --> 00:21:09.960 ongoing 00:21:09.960 --> 00:21:11.100 fillings of 00:21:11.100 --> 00:21:11.440 the Holy 00:21:11.440 --> 00:21:11.920 Spirit 00:21:11.920 --> 00:21:12.360 throughout the 00:21:12.360 --> 00:21:12.940 New Testament. 00:21:14.640 --> 00:21:15.019 Many 00:21:15.019 --> 00:21:16.040 Pentecosts 00:21:16.040 --> 00:21:17.000 happen right 00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:17.680 throughout Acts, 00:21:17.800 --> 00:21:18.340 chapter 4, 00:21:18.460 --> 00:21:19.000 chapter 7, 00:21:19.100 --> 00:21:19.600 chapter 8, 00:21:19.900 --> 00:21:20.420 chapter 10, 00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:21.340 chapter 13. 00:21:21.560 --> 00:21:22.160 There is a 00:21:22.160 --> 00:21:23.279 continual need 00:21:23.279 --> 00:21:24.860 to renew 00:21:24.860 --> 00:21:25.440 the fullness 00:21:25.440 --> 00:21:26.220 of the Spirit 00:21:26.220 --> 00:21:26.940 amongst the 00:21:26.940 --> 00:21:27.380 church. 00:21:27.560 --> 00:21:28.279 And we see 00:21:28.279 --> 00:21:28.680 in the Old 00:21:28.680 --> 00:21:29.720 Testament that 00:21:29.720 --> 00:21:30.279 the fullness 00:21:30.279 --> 00:21:31.339 of the Spirit 00:21:31.339 --> 00:21:32.559 in general 00:21:32.559 --> 00:21:33.700 is connected 00:21:33.700 --> 00:21:34.819 to the 00:21:34.819 --> 00:21:35.319 prevailing 00:21:35.319 --> 00:21:36.059 prayers of 00:21:36.059 --> 00:21:36.599 the church, 00:21:37.319 --> 00:21:40.680 especially 00:21:40.680 --> 00:21:42.059 in the face 00:21:42.059 --> 00:21:43.019 of challenge. 00:21:46.299 --> 00:21:47.220 And I 00:21:47.220 --> 00:21:47.480 don't know 00:21:47.480 --> 00:21:47.839 about you, 00:21:47.899 --> 00:21:48.379 but I can 00:21:48.379 --> 00:21:48.799 see a 00:21:48.799 --> 00:21:49.139 significant 00:21:49.139 --> 00:21:49.680 number of 00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:50.079 challenges 00:21:50.079 --> 00:21:50.799 before us 00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:51.139 as a 00:21:51.139 --> 00:21:51.460 church 00:21:51.460 --> 00:21:52.700 right now. 00:21:54.539 --> 00:21:55.420 Why would 00:21:55.420 --> 00:21:56.000 we want to 00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:56.559 prevail in 00:21:56.559 --> 00:21:56.980 prayer for 00:21:56.980 --> 00:21:57.359 the filling 00:21:57.359 --> 00:21:57.619 of the 00:21:57.619 --> 00:21:58.299 Holy Spirit 00:21:58.299 --> 00:21:59.379 in us 00:21:59.379 --> 00:21:59.679 as a 00:21:59.679 --> 00:22:00.039 church? 00:22:01.759 --> 00:22:03.000 I can 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:03.519 think it's 00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:03.959 because of 00:22:03.959 --> 00:22:04.419 our mission 00:22:04.419 --> 00:22:05.199 statement that's 00:22:05.199 --> 00:22:05.719 written on our 00:22:05.719 --> 00:22:06.500 walls that we 00:22:06.500 --> 00:22:06.979 as a church 00:22:06.979 --> 00:22:07.739 exist to know 00:22:07.739 --> 00:22:08.519 Jesus, treasure 00:22:08.519 --> 00:22:09.059 Jesus, and 00:22:09.059 --> 00:22:09.919 represent Jesus. 00:22:10.199 --> 00:22:10.799 Why do we 00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:11.179 want to do 00:22:11.179 --> 00:22:11.479 that? 00:22:11.779 --> 00:22:12.599 For God's 00:22:12.599 --> 00:22:14.759 glory and 00:22:14.759 --> 00:22:16.279 the joy of 00:22:16.279 --> 00:22:16.979 all people. 00:22:17.759 --> 00:22:18.599 St. Paul's 00:22:18.599 --> 00:22:19.739 wants to see 00:22:19.739 --> 00:22:21.019 God's name 00:22:21.019 --> 00:22:22.539 hallowed 00:22:22.539 --> 00:22:24.079 amongst us. 00:22:24.079 --> 00:22:24.759 God's name 00:22:24.759 --> 00:22:26.079 is a 00:22:26.079 --> 00:22:26.980 God's name 00:22:26.980 --> 00:22:27.839 and 00:22:27.839 --> 00:22:28.599 when it is, 00:22:29.539 --> 00:22:30.240 we and 00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:30.939 all people 00:22:30.939 --> 00:22:31.919 connected with 00:22:31.919 --> 00:22:33.119 that will 00:22:33.119 --> 00:22:33.779 experience 00:22:33.779 --> 00:22:34.799 maximum joy. 00:22:37.460 --> 00:22:38.439 And so 00:22:38.439 --> 00:22:40.299 we ought to 00:22:40.299 --> 00:22:40.879 prevail in 00:22:40.879 --> 00:22:41.439 prayer for the 00:22:41.439 --> 00:22:42.000 Holy Spirit 00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:42.519 to come, 00:22:43.139 --> 00:22:43.500 that our 00:22:43.500 --> 00:22:44.460 mission statement 00:22:44.460 --> 00:22:45.579 might be 00:22:45.579 --> 00:22:46.039 fulfilled. 00:22:46.039 --> 00:22:49.119 As Tim 00:22:49.119 --> 00:22:49.599 Keller has 00:22:49.599 --> 00:22:49.879 written, 00:22:50.019 --> 00:22:50.339 spiritual 00:22:50.339 --> 00:22:51.159 renewal is 00:22:51.159 --> 00:22:51.779 a work of 00:22:51.779 --> 00:22:52.879 God in 00:22:52.879 --> 00:22:53.299 which the 00:22:53.299 --> 00:22:53.839 church is 00:22:53.839 --> 00:22:54.639 beautified and 00:22:54.639 --> 00:22:55.440 empowered because 00:22:55.440 --> 00:22:56.059 the normal 00:22:56.059 --> 00:22:56.920 operations of 00:22:56.920 --> 00:22:57.279 the Holy 00:22:57.279 --> 00:22:57.980 Spirit are 00:22:57.980 --> 00:22:58.839 intensified. 00:22:59.819 --> 00:23:00.460 He goes on 00:23:00.460 --> 00:23:00.899 to suggest 00:23:00.899 --> 00:23:01.799 that historically 00:23:01.799 --> 00:23:02.420 there is an 00:23:02.420 --> 00:23:02.960 outpouring, 00:23:03.460 --> 00:23:04.799 where there is 00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:05.279 an outpouring of 00:23:05.279 --> 00:23:06.019 the Spirit on 00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:06.579 and within the 00:23:06.579 --> 00:23:07.200 congregation, 00:23:08.059 --> 00:23:08.659 the presence 00:23:08.659 --> 00:23:09.099 of God 00:23:09.099 --> 00:23:09.399 amongst 00:23:09.399 --> 00:23:09.920 people, 00:23:10.200 --> 00:23:10.819 amongst God's 00:23:10.819 --> 00:23:11.079 people, 00:23:11.200 --> 00:23:12.000 becomes evident 00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:12.859 and palpable. 00:23:14.440 --> 00:23:15.159 He said, 00:23:15.160 --> 00:23:15.680 when that 00:23:15.680 --> 00:23:16.240 happens, 00:23:16.740 --> 00:23:17.300 when spiritual 00:23:17.300 --> 00:23:18.580 renewal happens, 00:23:19.420 --> 00:23:20.080 sleepy or 00:23:20.080 --> 00:23:21.100 stagnant Christians 00:23:21.100 --> 00:23:21.779 wake up. 00:23:23.300 --> 00:23:23.640 He said, 00:23:23.700 --> 00:23:24.060 there is a 00:23:24.060 --> 00:23:24.620 new and 00:23:24.620 --> 00:23:25.320 deeper conviction 00:23:25.320 --> 00:23:25.960 of sin and 00:23:25.960 --> 00:23:26.440 repentance, 00:23:27.019 --> 00:23:27.920 not for major 00:23:27.920 --> 00:23:29.060 behavioural sins 00:23:29.060 --> 00:23:29.840 but for 00:23:29.840 --> 00:23:30.580 attitudes of 00:23:30.580 --> 00:23:31.120 the heart. 00:23:33.320 --> 00:23:34.180 But with 00:23:34.180 --> 00:23:34.640 that they 00:23:34.640 --> 00:23:35.519 experience at 00:23:35.519 --> 00:23:36.240 the same time 00:23:36.240 --> 00:23:37.380 a far more 00:23:37.380 --> 00:23:39.060 powerful assurance 00:23:39.060 --> 00:23:40.140 and the 00:23:40.140 --> 00:23:41.080 nearness of 00:23:41.080 --> 00:23:41.660 the love of 00:23:41.660 --> 00:23:42.560 God with 00:23:42.560 --> 00:23:43.320 the end result 00:23:43.320 --> 00:23:44.019 is that Christians 00:23:44.019 --> 00:23:44.800 become both 00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:45.500 humbler and 00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:46.059 bolder at the 00:23:46.059 --> 00:23:46.819 same time. 00:23:47.299 --> 00:23:47.619 The more 00:23:47.619 --> 00:23:49.099 deeply one 00:23:49.099 --> 00:23:50.220 feels our 00:23:50.220 --> 00:23:50.779 sin, 00:23:51.000 --> 00:23:51.659 our debt, 00:23:52.319 --> 00:23:52.779 the more 00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:54.659 intensely we 00:23:54.659 --> 00:23:55.480 will feel the 00:23:55.480 --> 00:23:56.519 wonder of the 00:23:56.519 --> 00:23:57.519 payment of that 00:23:57.519 --> 00:23:58.339 debt for us 00:23:58.339 --> 00:23:58.859 by the Lord 00:23:58.859 --> 00:23:59.240 Jesus. 00:23:59.899 --> 00:24:00.379 Nominal 00:24:00.379 --> 00:24:01.059 Christians or 00:24:01.059 --> 00:24:01.599 Christians by 00:24:01.599 --> 00:24:02.379 name only 00:24:02.379 --> 00:24:03.159 begin to 00:24:03.159 --> 00:24:03.720 realise that 00:24:03.720 --> 00:24:04.159 they don't 00:24:04.159 --> 00:24:04.859 actually have a 00:24:04.859 --> 00:24:05.700 living relationship 00:24:05.700 --> 00:24:06.279 with the Lord 00:24:06.279 --> 00:24:07.299 Jesus by grace, 00:24:07.399 --> 00:24:07.940 they get 00:24:07.940 --> 00:24:08.399 converted. 00:24:09.220 --> 00:24:09.899 And when this 00:24:09.899 --> 00:24:10.419 begins to 00:24:10.419 --> 00:24:11.019 happen, it 00:24:11.019 --> 00:24:12.399 electrifies people. 00:24:12.400 --> 00:24:13.720 this is 00:24:13.720 --> 00:24:14.400 spiritual renewal 00:24:14.400 --> 00:24:15.040 in the church. 00:24:15.040 --> 00:24:16.320 It electrifies 00:24:16.320 --> 00:24:16.780 people. 00:24:17.220 --> 00:24:17.700 Long-time 00:24:17.700 --> 00:24:18.460 members start 00:24:18.460 --> 00:24:19.259 getting up and 00:24:19.259 --> 00:24:19.920 talking about 00:24:19.920 --> 00:24:20.660 being converted 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:21.540 and speaking of 00:24:21.540 --> 00:24:22.340 Christ in 00:24:22.340 --> 00:24:23.480 radiant terms and 00:24:23.480 --> 00:24:24.640 expressing repentance 00:24:24.640 --> 00:24:26.320 in new ways. 00:24:26.860 --> 00:24:27.360 And the early 00:24:27.360 --> 00:24:28.220 stages of renewal 00:24:28.220 --> 00:24:29.160 shake up everyone 00:24:29.160 --> 00:24:30.160 else in the church 00:24:30.160 --> 00:24:31.060 as nominals, 00:24:31.180 --> 00:24:31.880 other sleepers 00:24:31.880 --> 00:24:33.040 start to get 00:24:33.040 --> 00:24:33.740 renewed by the 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:34.320 Spirit as well. 00:24:34.780 --> 00:24:35.220 Corporately, 00:24:35.340 --> 00:24:35.940 there's a sense 00:24:35.940 --> 00:24:36.720 of more passion 00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:37.660 and freedom 00:24:37.660 --> 00:24:38.380 and presence 00:24:38.380 --> 00:24:39.660 of God 00:24:39.660 --> 00:24:40.580 in corporate 00:24:40.580 --> 00:24:41.040 worship. 00:24:41.720 --> 00:24:42.480 And as a result 00:24:42.480 --> 00:24:43.260 of his outpouring 00:24:43.260 --> 00:24:43.760 of the Spirit, 00:24:43.880 --> 00:24:44.520 new people are 00:24:44.520 --> 00:24:44.940 brought in the 00:24:44.940 --> 00:24:45.300 church and 00:24:45.300 --> 00:24:45.840 begins to 00:24:45.840 --> 00:24:46.100 grow. 00:24:46.700 --> 00:24:47.280 On the one 00:24:47.280 --> 00:24:47.840 hand, the 00:24:47.840 --> 00:24:48.780 renewed believers 00:24:48.780 --> 00:24:50.140 create a far 00:24:50.140 --> 00:24:50.840 more attractive 00:24:50.840 --> 00:24:52.320 community as 00:24:52.320 --> 00:24:53.520 they share and 00:24:53.520 --> 00:24:54.520 care and they 00:24:54.520 --> 00:24:55.100 love for one 00:24:55.100 --> 00:24:55.660 another and 00:24:55.660 --> 00:24:56.440 corporate worship 00:24:56.440 --> 00:24:58.020 becomes something 00:24:58.020 --> 00:24:58.960 that they aspire 00:24:58.960 --> 00:24:59.760 to be part of 00:24:59.760 --> 00:25:00.680 and desire to be 00:25:00.680 --> 00:25:01.360 part of week by 00:25:01.360 --> 00:25:01.680 week. 00:25:01.940 --> 00:25:02.520 There is a 00:25:02.520 --> 00:25:03.300 beautifying of 00:25:03.300 --> 00:25:03.820 the community 00:25:03.820 --> 00:25:04.360 of the King 00:25:04.360 --> 00:25:05.420 that attracts 00:25:05.420 --> 00:25:06.900 people from 00:25:06.900 --> 00:25:07.700 the outside. 00:25:08.380 --> 00:25:08.780 And on the 00:25:08.780 --> 00:25:09.260 other hand, 00:25:09.380 --> 00:25:09.820 Christians who 00:25:09.820 --> 00:25:10.680 begin to 00:25:10.680 --> 00:25:11.740 experience God's 00:25:11.740 --> 00:25:12.340 beauty and his 00:25:12.340 --> 00:25:13.040 power and his 00:25:13.040 --> 00:25:15.140 love, put their 00:25:15.140 --> 00:25:16.200 relationship with 00:25:16.200 --> 00:25:17.600 Christ and the 00:25:17.600 --> 00:25:18.440 church first in 00:25:18.440 --> 00:25:18.820 their lives. 00:25:18.880 --> 00:25:19.340 They become 00:25:19.340 --> 00:25:20.480 radiant and 00:25:20.480 --> 00:25:21.680 attractive witnesses, 00:25:22.100 --> 00:25:23.080 more willing and 00:25:23.080 --> 00:25:24.140 confident in fact to 00:25:24.140 --> 00:25:24.920 speak about the 00:25:24.920 --> 00:25:25.940 Lord Jesus, their 00:25:25.940 --> 00:25:26.520 faith in him. 00:25:26.700 --> 00:25:27.600 They become more 00:25:27.600 --> 00:25:28.420 winsome in the way 00:25:28.420 --> 00:25:29.300 they speak and less 00:25:29.300 --> 00:25:30.700 judgmental when they 00:25:30.700 --> 00:25:31.900 do so and more 00:25:31.900 --> 00:25:32.680 confident in their 00:25:32.680 --> 00:25:33.480 own church and so 00:25:33.480 --> 00:25:34.220 they start bringing 00:25:34.220 --> 00:25:35.000 people along. 00:25:36.980 --> 00:25:37.880 That's renewal of 00:25:37.880 --> 00:25:38.340 the Spirit. 00:25:38.380 --> 00:25:40.220 people get 00:25:40.220 --> 00:25:42.940 converted, potentially 00:25:42.940 --> 00:25:43.860 even in significant 00:25:43.860 --> 00:25:44.700 numbers. 00:25:45.620 --> 00:25:46.460 And so there is an 00:25:46.460 --> 00:25:47.100 impact of the 00:25:47.100 --> 00:25:48.080 community surrounding 00:25:48.080 --> 00:25:48.860 the church and even 00:25:48.860 --> 00:25:49.240 the broader 00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:49.720 culture. 00:25:50.440 --> 00:25:51.860 So spiritual 00:25:51.860 --> 00:25:53.640 renewal produces 00:25:53.640 --> 00:25:55.260 people who become 00:25:55.260 --> 00:25:56.560 involved in works of 00:25:56.560 --> 00:25:58.980 social concern and 00:25:58.980 --> 00:25:59.980 social justice. 00:26:01.140 --> 00:26:02.420 The reason for this 00:26:02.420 --> 00:26:03.740 is that real, 00:26:04.300 --> 00:26:05.380 genuine relationship 00:26:05.380 --> 00:26:06.880 with Jesus results in 00:26:06.880 --> 00:26:07.700 real, genuine 00:26:07.700 --> 00:26:09.580 holiness and it 00:26:09.580 --> 00:26:10.800 changes not just 00:26:10.800 --> 00:26:12.040 your private life but 00:26:12.040 --> 00:26:13.200 your public life as 00:26:13.200 --> 00:26:13.540 well. 00:26:14.340 --> 00:26:14.960 That's spiritual 00:26:14.960 --> 00:26:15.320 renewal. 00:26:17.120 --> 00:26:18.440 True religion is not 00:26:18.440 --> 00:26:19.280 merely a private 00:26:19.280 --> 00:26:20.960 matter providing some 00:26:20.960 --> 00:26:21.740 sort of internal 00:26:21.740 --> 00:26:22.640 peace and 00:26:22.640 --> 00:26:23.120 fulfillment. 00:26:23.720 --> 00:26:25.940 It transforms our 00:26:25.940 --> 00:26:27.040 behavior and our 00:26:27.040 --> 00:26:29.660 relationships and that 00:26:29.660 --> 00:26:30.880 is public. 00:26:30.880 --> 00:26:30.940 life. 00:26:33.720 --> 00:26:35.160 Let me make one point of 00:26:35.160 --> 00:26:35.640 clarification. 00:26:36.980 --> 00:26:38.460 I'm not saying that 00:26:38.460 --> 00:26:39.780 spiritual renewal equals 00:26:39.780 --> 00:26:40.620 church growth. 00:26:41.500 --> 00:26:42.580 That's not what I'm 00:26:42.580 --> 00:26:42.860 saying. 00:26:44.780 --> 00:26:46.300 The fact is that many 00:26:46.300 --> 00:26:47.240 churches do grow 00:26:47.240 --> 00:26:49.040 rapidly but there are 00:26:49.040 --> 00:26:51.260 telltale symptoms of 00:26:51.260 --> 00:26:52.280 lifelessness. 00:26:53.440 --> 00:26:54.760 Much growth can be 00:26:54.760 --> 00:26:55.940 transferred growth rather 00:26:55.940 --> 00:26:57.040 than conversion growth. 00:26:57.039 --> 00:26:57.099 life. 00:26:58.259 --> 00:26:59.859 There is no, not 00:26:59.859 --> 00:27:00.680 necessarily a deep 00:27:00.680 --> 00:27:01.700 conviction of sin and 00:27:01.700 --> 00:27:02.420 repentance and 00:27:02.420 --> 00:27:03.920 therefore few people 00:27:03.920 --> 00:27:05.079 attest to any sort of 00:27:05.079 --> 00:27:06.220 dramatic change in 00:27:06.220 --> 00:27:06.619 lives. 00:27:06.960 --> 00:27:07.740 When this sort of 00:27:07.740 --> 00:27:08.619 growth happens in a 00:27:08.619 --> 00:27:09.879 church, the church 00:27:09.879 --> 00:27:11.240 makes no impact on the 00:27:11.240 --> 00:27:12.500 local social order 00:27:12.500 --> 00:27:14.159 whatsoever because 00:27:14.159 --> 00:27:15.339 people do not carry the 00:27:15.339 --> 00:27:16.579 Christian faith out 00:27:16.579 --> 00:27:18.259 into the use of their 00:27:18.259 --> 00:27:19.259 wealth and into their 00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:20.119 work and into their 00:27:20.119 --> 00:27:21.099 public lives. 00:27:22.180 --> 00:27:23.559 With our deep renewal of 00:27:23.559 --> 00:27:24.359 the gospel in our 00:27:24.359 --> 00:27:26.039 hearts, our external 00:27:26.039 --> 00:27:27.759 lives will be sealed 00:27:27.759 --> 00:27:28.799 off from what we 00:27:28.799 --> 00:27:31.440 believe and our 00:27:31.440 --> 00:27:33.460 beliefs will never 00:27:33.460 --> 00:27:35.379 result in concrete 00:27:35.379 --> 00:27:37.259 change in our lives. 00:27:38.259 --> 00:27:39.599 So when I talk about 00:27:39.599 --> 00:27:41.460 spiritual renewal, I 00:27:41.460 --> 00:27:43.079 mean deep renewal of 00:27:43.079 --> 00:27:44.359 the gospel in our 00:27:44.359 --> 00:27:46.119 hearts, which is the 00:27:46.119 --> 00:27:46.859 work of the Holy 00:27:46.859 --> 00:27:47.799 Spirit through the 00:27:47.799 --> 00:27:49.599 word of God and it's 00:27:49.599 --> 00:27:50.619 often throughout the 00:27:50.619 --> 00:27:51.680 New Testament and 00:27:51.680 --> 00:27:52.440 throughout history 00:27:52.440 --> 00:27:54.059 connected to the 00:27:54.059 --> 00:27:55.740 prevailing prayers of 00:27:55.740 --> 00:27:57.279 God's people for an 00:27:57.279 --> 00:27:58.039 outpouring of the 00:27:58.039 --> 00:27:58.900 Spirit upon his 00:27:58.900 --> 00:27:59.240 people. 00:28:02.299 --> 00:28:03.339 Now there is much 00:28:03.339 --> 00:28:03.900 that can be said 00:28:03.900 --> 00:28:04.900 about spiritual renewal 00:28:04.900 --> 00:28:06.960 of the church, but we 00:28:06.960 --> 00:28:08.240 will concentrate on just 00:28:08.240 --> 00:28:09.120 that last point. 00:28:12.400 --> 00:28:13.339 Biblically and 00:28:13.339 --> 00:28:15.339 historically, the 00:28:15.339 --> 00:28:17.279 non-negotiable universal 00:28:17.279 --> 00:28:18.880 ingredient in times of 00:28:18.880 --> 00:28:20.579 spiritual renewal is 00:28:20.579 --> 00:28:23.039 corporate, prevailing, 00:28:23.039 --> 00:28:26.819 intensive, kingdom 00:28:26.819 --> 00:28:28.759 centred prayer. 00:28:32.759 --> 00:28:33.819 Not whether the 00:28:33.819 --> 00:28:34.639 prayer is local or 00:28:34.639 --> 00:28:34.980 global. 00:28:37.879 --> 00:28:38.920 Let me make that 00:28:38.920 --> 00:28:39.220 point. 00:28:39.980 --> 00:28:40.740 Not whether prayer is 00:28:40.740 --> 00:28:41.460 local or global. 00:28:43.079 --> 00:28:44.859 Kingdom centred prayer. 00:28:45.639 --> 00:28:46.960 Kingdom centred prayer is 00:28:46.960 --> 00:28:47.859 focused on God's 00:28:47.859 --> 00:28:48.539 presence and his 00:28:48.539 --> 00:28:48.899 kingdom. 00:28:49.339 --> 00:28:50.159 It's a sort of prayer 00:28:50.159 --> 00:28:51.200 that is modelled for us 00:28:51.200 --> 00:28:52.240 in the Lord's prayer. 00:28:52.240 --> 00:28:53.880 It is a prayer for 00:28:53.880 --> 00:28:56.039 grace, for us, the 00:28:56.039 --> 00:28:56.960 people of God, to 00:28:56.960 --> 00:28:59.039 confess sins, to 00:28:59.039 --> 00:29:01.500 humble ourselves, a 00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:03.160 compassion and zeal for 00:29:03.160 --> 00:29:04.160 the flourishing of the 00:29:04.160 --> 00:29:05.980 church, a yearning to 00:29:05.980 --> 00:29:07.160 want to know God, to 00:29:07.160 --> 00:29:08.779 see his face, to see his 00:29:08.779 --> 00:29:09.200 glory. 00:29:09.980 --> 00:29:11.400 Such prayer need not, in 00:29:11.400 --> 00:29:12.539 fact, usually does not 00:29:12.539 --> 00:29:13.680 begin as an organised 00:29:13.680 --> 00:29:14.580 church program. 00:29:15.640 --> 00:29:17.340 It most often begins with 00:29:17.340 --> 00:29:20.140 people who spend time in 00:29:20.140 --> 00:29:22.700 personal, prayerful, 00:29:23.299 --> 00:29:25.039 self-examination. 00:29:25.900 --> 00:29:27.440 With confidence in the 00:29:27.440 --> 00:29:29.120 gospel of grace, they 00:29:29.120 --> 00:29:30.460 examine themselves for 00:29:30.460 --> 00:29:32.240 idols and they set those 00:29:32.240 --> 00:29:33.240 idols aside. 00:29:34.360 --> 00:29:35.620 Kingdom centred prayer is 00:29:35.620 --> 00:29:36.640 prevailing prayer. 00:29:37.460 --> 00:29:39.380 By this I simply mean that 00:29:39.380 --> 00:29:40.160 prayer should be 00:29:40.160 --> 00:29:41.580 constant, not sporadic, 00:29:41.579 --> 00:29:42.879 and not brief. 00:29:43.359 --> 00:29:44.919 Not because, as I've 00:29:44.919 --> 00:29:47.039 already said, that Jesus 00:29:47.039 --> 00:29:50.720 wants us to grovel or 00:29:50.720 --> 00:29:53.000 that he doesn't care, but 00:29:53.000 --> 00:29:54.799 sporadic, brief prayer 00:29:54.799 --> 00:29:56.359 shows a lack of 00:29:56.359 --> 00:29:58.639 dependence on God and 00:29:58.639 --> 00:30:00.019 unhealthy self-sufficiency. 00:30:00.899 --> 00:30:02.159 And so we must pray 00:30:02.159 --> 00:30:04.839 without ceasing to pray 00:30:04.839 --> 00:30:06.399 long and to pray hard for 00:30:06.399 --> 00:30:07.159 spiritual renewal. 00:30:07.299 --> 00:30:09.240 When we do, we will find 00:30:09.240 --> 00:30:12.200 that the very process in 00:30:12.200 --> 00:30:14.299 praying itself is 00:30:14.299 --> 00:30:15.880 bringing about that which 00:30:15.880 --> 00:30:17.259 we are asking for. 00:30:19.259 --> 00:30:20.339 Get that? 00:30:21.640 --> 00:30:23.759 The very process of 00:30:23.759 --> 00:30:25.500 prevailing in prayer is 00:30:25.500 --> 00:30:26.859 bringing about the thing 00:30:26.859 --> 00:30:27.940 that we're actually asking 00:30:27.940 --> 00:30:28.539 for. 00:30:28.980 --> 00:30:31.359 To have our hard hearts 00:30:31.359 --> 00:30:33.720 melted, to tear down 00:30:33.720 --> 00:30:36.099 barriers, and to have the 00:30:36.099 --> 00:30:37.579 glory of God break 00:30:37.579 --> 00:30:37.960 through. 00:30:39.240 --> 00:30:42.620 And so as we begin 00:30:42.620 --> 00:30:43.819 another year together, I 00:30:43.819 --> 00:30:44.940 want to urge you to take 00:30:44.940 --> 00:30:45.799 time to pray for 00:30:45.799 --> 00:30:46.339 yourselves. 00:30:47.640 --> 00:30:49.240 That you would enter a 00:30:49.240 --> 00:30:50.920 season of self-examination. 00:30:51.720 --> 00:30:53.799 That we would enter a 00:30:53.799 --> 00:30:55.359 season of self-examination. 00:30:57.500 --> 00:30:59.880 And that you, that I, 00:31:00.559 --> 00:31:02.640 may be with full gospel 00:31:02.640 --> 00:31:05.700 assurance hard on 00:31:05.700 --> 00:31:06.279 ourselves. 00:31:06.279 --> 00:31:13.119 ask that God would show 00:31:13.119 --> 00:31:16.160 you ways in which you don't 00:31:16.160 --> 00:31:17.579 represent Christ as you 00:31:17.579 --> 00:31:19.819 should, in your 00:31:19.819 --> 00:31:20.839 relationships, in your 00:31:20.839 --> 00:31:22.519 work, in your family life, 00:31:22.660 --> 00:31:23.720 in your habits, in your 00:31:23.720 --> 00:31:25.019 attitudes, in your 00:31:25.019 --> 00:31:26.180 relationships within your 00:31:26.180 --> 00:31:26.579 church. 00:31:27.399 --> 00:31:29.720 Take time to pray for 00:31:29.720 --> 00:31:31.720 yourselves that God will 00:31:31.720 --> 00:31:35.100 make things you know about 00:31:35.100 --> 00:31:38.960 the gospel so real in your 00:31:38.960 --> 00:31:42.160 head and in your heart that 00:31:42.160 --> 00:31:46.000 it will change everything in 00:31:46.000 --> 00:31:46.559 your life. 00:31:46.559 --> 00:31:46.619 love. 00:31:48.419 --> 00:31:49.720 So I'm going to lead us in 00:31:49.720 --> 00:31:50.399 prayer now. 00:31:51.019 --> 00:31:51.819 I'm going to pray, 00:31:52.679 --> 00:31:55.000 starting off with confession, 00:31:55.559 --> 00:31:57.200 and then having prayed with 00:31:57.200 --> 00:31:58.720 confession, I'm going to move us 00:31:58.720 --> 00:32:02.379 into a time of the assurance of 00:32:02.379 --> 00:32:03.879 our relationship with God in the 00:32:03.879 --> 00:32:05.819 Lord's Supper together. 00:32:05.819 --> 00:32:05.859 Father. 00:32:06.480 --> 00:32:07.720 So if you'd like to bow your 00:32:07.720 --> 00:32:08.399 heads, we'll pray. 00:32:19.480 --> 00:32:20.859 O Lord God of heaven, 00:32:21.879 --> 00:32:23.740 the great and awesome God, 00:32:23.819 --> 00:32:24.700 you have most 00:32:24.700 --> 00:32:27.000 magnificently revealed your 00:32:27.000 --> 00:32:28.599 power and goodness to us in the 00:32:28.599 --> 00:32:30.480 person and work of your Son, 00:32:30.519 --> 00:32:31.559 the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:32:31.559 --> 00:32:36.220 Thank you that in him, by 00:32:36.220 --> 00:32:37.980 grace and mercy, you have 00:32:37.980 --> 00:32:39.440 brought us to know and to love 00:32:39.440 --> 00:32:41.440 you and to delight in your 00:32:41.440 --> 00:32:42.039 commands. 00:32:43.299 --> 00:32:45.899 And yet, our gracious Father, 00:32:46.000 --> 00:32:48.659 we confess that our love for you 00:32:48.659 --> 00:32:49.240 is flawed. 00:32:50.139 --> 00:32:52.119 We love ourselves and our 00:32:52.119 --> 00:32:53.799 concerns ahead of you and your 00:32:53.799 --> 00:32:54.960 people and your kingdom. 00:32:56.119 --> 00:32:58.879 We think little about some sins. 00:32:59.220 --> 00:33:00.940 We think big about some sins, but 00:33:00.940 --> 00:33:01.960 little about others. 00:33:03.000 --> 00:33:05.200 We think often of sins in terms 00:33:05.200 --> 00:33:05.600 of 00:33:05.600 --> 00:33:11.940 issues, mistakes, flaws, rather 00:33:11.940 --> 00:33:13.380 than attitudes of independence 00:33:13.380 --> 00:33:14.000 from you. 00:33:15.700 --> 00:33:17.580 Father, we gossip and we malign and 00:33:17.580 --> 00:33:18.860 we harm our relationships. 00:33:20.140 --> 00:33:21.840 We are greedy for gain. 00:33:23.600 --> 00:33:25.920 We'll be dishonest if we think we're 00:33:25.920 --> 00:33:27.279 not seen and we can get away with 00:33:27.279 --> 00:33:27.440 it. 00:33:27.440 --> 00:33:30.120 We are drawn to the works of 00:33:30.120 --> 00:33:30.680 darkness. 00:33:32.680 --> 00:33:34.860 And yet, even times we delight in 00:33:34.860 --> 00:33:35.880 hidden wickedness. 00:33:37.600 --> 00:33:39.840 Turn our hearts from such wickedness 00:33:39.840 --> 00:33:41.220 and help us to delight in your 00:33:41.220 --> 00:33:41.580 goodness. 00:33:43.440 --> 00:33:45.680 Please forgive us, Lord Jesus. 00:33:47.180 --> 00:33:49.640 Help us to live knowing your eyes, 00:33:49.700 --> 00:33:51.259 see everything, and wanting to 00:33:51.259 --> 00:33:52.620 please you, our King. 00:33:52.619 --> 00:33:56.519 We ask that you would pour out upon 00:33:56.519 --> 00:33:58.539 us your Holy Spirit. 00:34:00.399 --> 00:34:02.619 Give us the patience and the 00:34:02.619 --> 00:34:05.379 endurance to keep prevailing for 00:34:05.379 --> 00:34:06.199 that request. 00:34:07.379 --> 00:34:09.500 Revive us with a passion for you and 00:34:09.500 --> 00:34:10.119 your purposes. 00:34:11.599 --> 00:34:14.279 May we be a true light to your 00:34:14.279 --> 00:34:15.779 goodness in this dark world. 00:34:16.739 --> 00:34:19.739 Keep us from hypocrisy and pretense. 00:34:19.739 --> 00:34:22.479 Please bless your church family at 00:34:22.479 --> 00:34:22.939 St. Paul's. 00:34:23.000 --> 00:34:25.359 May our work and our witness be 00:34:25.359 --> 00:34:26.899 blessed because your name is 00:34:26.899 --> 00:34:27.279 great. 00:34:28.419 --> 00:34:30.659 May our unity be testimony to love 00:34:30.659 --> 00:34:32.279 that we have for one another in 00:34:32.279 --> 00:34:32.659 Christ. 00:34:33.939 --> 00:34:36.239 Grant us your favour as we minister 00:34:36.239 --> 00:34:39.199 in your name to the communities in 00:34:39.199 --> 00:34:42.779 which we live and we work and carry 00:34:42.779 --> 00:34:43.959 the name of the Lord Jesus. 00:34:45.199 --> 00:34:47.099 Revive us, Lord Jesus, we pray. 00:34:47.099 --> 00:34:49.360 Our magnificent King. 00:34:50.739 --> 00:34:52.779 We thank you, our Father, that in 00:34:52.779 --> 00:34:54.880 your love and mercy you gave your 00:34:54.880 --> 00:34:56.639 Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the 00:34:56.639 --> 00:34:57.819 cross for our salvation. 00:34:58.519 --> 00:35:01.059 By this offering of himself once and 00:35:01.059 --> 00:35:04.059 for all time, the Lord Jesus made a 00:35:04.059 --> 00:35:07.699 full and perfect, total, sufficient 00:35:07.699 --> 00:35:09.619 sacrifice for the sins of the whole 00:35:09.619 --> 00:35:10.079 world. 00:35:10.940 --> 00:35:12.860 And he commanded us to continue 00:35:12.860 --> 00:35:14.679 remembrance of his precious death 00:35:14.679 --> 00:35:15.799 until he's coming again. 00:35:16.839 --> 00:35:19.219 And so hear us, merciful Father, and 00:35:19.219 --> 00:35:20.799 grant that we who receive these 00:35:20.799 --> 00:35:23.519 gifts of your creation, this bread and 00:35:23.519 --> 00:35:25.119 this wine, according to our Saviour's 00:35:25.119 --> 00:35:27.579 command, in remembrance of his 00:35:27.579 --> 00:35:29.739 suffering and his death, may be 00:35:29.739 --> 00:35:31.419 partakers of his body and blood. 00:35:32.259 --> 00:35:32.619 Amen.