WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:12.140 Let me have you turn in your Bibles this evening or this morning to Ephesians chapter 6, verse 18. 00:00:15.200 --> 00:00:16.000 ! 00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:23.000 Praying always, praying at all times in the Spirit. 00:00:23.000 --> 00:00:27.219 Let's do just that. 00:00:27.219 --> 00:00:39.460 Heavenly Father, as we come this morning to take your Word in hand, we are thankful that 00:00:39.460 --> 00:00:52.539 we who know the Lord Jesus Christ may ask you to work in us through your Holy Spirit, who 00:00:52.539 --> 00:01:02.140 you have given to us, that as the psalmist prayed, that your Word would be opened that 00:01:02.140 --> 00:01:04.680 we might see wonderful truths in it. 00:01:04.680 --> 00:01:13.780 And we ask this because of Jesus. 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:13.780 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:22.000 I'll tell you at the beginning that I am not going to cover the whole verse. 00:01:22.439 --> 00:01:25.540 I am going to leave the remainder for your studies personally. 00:01:26.420 --> 00:01:34.780 I think we have spent a fair amount of time in Ephesians chapter 6 beginning in verse 10 and carrying down here to 18. 00:01:34.780 --> 00:01:47.000 And I trust you are not overly labored by the fact that I'm going to leave the second half of the verse because as we study the first half you will find it to be supremely important. 00:01:47.760 --> 00:01:51.760 And I trust its value plays out in your life as a result. 00:01:52.599 --> 00:01:59.000 Let me say ahead of time that I have a goal or objective that I think fits the Scriptures and it is this. 00:01:59.000 --> 00:02:08.000 That as the result of the teaching and preaching of the Word of God with the enabling of the Spirit that your prayer life... 00:02:08.000 --> 00:02:10.800 I mean there should be an outcome to preaching. 00:02:10.900 --> 00:02:11.599 Would you agree with that? 00:02:13.340 --> 00:02:17.280 That your prayer life is improved. 00:02:21.900 --> 00:02:27.939 When I say that our prayer life is improved I suppose everybody is sitting here well okay that's alright. 00:02:29.000 --> 00:02:47.099 Let me say that if I were to begin this sermon on the subject of prayer and start out by confessing that prayer is one of those areas in my life that I'm still working at you'd probably not be all that bothered. 00:02:47.159 --> 00:02:47.819 Would you agree with me? 00:02:49.360 --> 00:02:56.319 Last week as I was sitting with my father in the nursing home out of the clear blue he said to me, 00:02:56.319 --> 00:03:00.060 Tim, what's your greatest challenge? 00:03:02.159 --> 00:03:04.819 Well I have to confess that I have a fair share of them. 00:03:06.560 --> 00:03:08.039 Being me is really hard. 00:03:09.759 --> 00:03:15.599 And I remember after I thought for a moment I said, Dad my prayer life is my greatest challenge. 00:03:15.599 --> 00:03:20.120 And I know my dad prays for me. 00:03:21.840 --> 00:03:28.900 Even though he has Alzheimer's and has moments where probably his lucidity is not as sharp and acute as it should be. 00:03:28.979 --> 00:03:36.359 Nevertheless, I know he prays for me because when I would come in following that he would talk to me about his prayers for me. 00:03:36.360 --> 00:03:41.620 And I tell you that when I stand up here to preach on the matter of prayer and I say to you, 00:03:41.780 --> 00:03:44.760 that's an area that I have some challenge and difficulty in. 00:03:45.140 --> 00:03:49.280 It probably doesn't faze you but to help you understand and make a comparison. 00:03:49.280 --> 00:03:53.960 Listen, were I to come this morning to this pulpit and say, 00:03:54.479 --> 00:03:59.900 I am going to preach this morning about drunkenness and I would say, 00:03:59.979 --> 00:04:02.280 and I'm having a real problem with it. 00:04:04.520 --> 00:04:08.319 You'd probably say, well who are you to talk to me about that? 00:04:08.960 --> 00:04:09.280 Right? 00:04:09.280 --> 00:04:12.800 Or if I were to come up here this morning and say, 00:04:13.280 --> 00:04:20.639 I am here to preach this morning about moral purity and I'm just not on top of that one. 00:04:22.800 --> 00:04:25.379 That would be very unsettling to you, wouldn't it? 00:04:26.660 --> 00:04:27.060 Agreed? 00:04:27.779 --> 00:04:28.180 Yes. 00:04:30.160 --> 00:04:35.000 When I come to you this morning and say, listen, prayer is the area in my life that I continue to work at 00:04:35.000 --> 00:04:36.800 and I need his help. 00:04:38.279 --> 00:04:44.540 The fact of the matter is, is that you identify so closely with me because your lives are struggling with the same thing. 00:04:46.459 --> 00:04:55.860 And I want us this morning to understand just how important it is that our prayer life is governed and controlled 00:04:55.860 --> 00:04:59.720 and enabled by the Spirit of God. 00:04:59.720 --> 00:05:11.820 Ephesians chapter 6 beginning in verse 10 and carrying on down to verse 18 is really about spiritual warfare. 00:05:13.740 --> 00:05:15.880 And we can get all caught up in the armor. 00:05:17.780 --> 00:05:24.360 But I want you to understand that this morning what we really are here to focus on is this matter of the priority of prayer. 00:05:25.180 --> 00:05:29.120 It is supremely important in the believer's life. 00:05:29.720 --> 00:05:37.320 When I was a young boy, you know, most of you know that I grew up as a missionary's child in India. 00:05:37.440 --> 00:05:45.920 And this was in the days, I remember when we went from New York to Bombay by ship. 00:05:47.740 --> 00:05:54.440 And on our first return from the field, it was a many weeks journey. 00:05:54.439 --> 00:06:00.699 We came by steamer and my parents were bound and determined to find the cheapest way to travel. 00:06:01.740 --> 00:06:08.120 And it was by some tramp steamer that made its way across the Indian Ocean and down. 00:06:08.240 --> 00:06:10.220 Actually went around the Cape of Good Hope. 00:06:10.540 --> 00:06:12.019 Can you imagine what that was like? 00:06:12.060 --> 00:06:12.740 And then came up. 00:06:13.159 --> 00:06:17.420 And eventually we landed somewhere in England. 00:06:17.420 --> 00:06:22.280 And then we journeyed and visited different missionaries in that area. 00:06:22.439 --> 00:06:27.420 And one of the things that my parents were bound and determined is that I should grow up with a little bit of enculturation. 00:06:28.300 --> 00:06:35.560 And so they took me to every conceivable place that had historic significance. 00:06:35.560 --> 00:06:40.879 One museum after another. 00:06:41.439 --> 00:06:44.939 I was intrigued by one particular thing in museums. 00:06:45.100 --> 00:06:48.639 I was always intrigued by the military parts of those museums, you know. 00:06:48.800 --> 00:06:55.199 I'd want to go out and put my hands on the cannons and look at these great big balls that they shot out of those cannons. 00:06:55.199 --> 00:07:00.259 And you'd walk through the museum and you would see these suits of armor. 00:07:01.659 --> 00:07:06.139 I was just enthralled by suits of armor. 00:07:06.279 --> 00:07:10.579 I thought, man, when I grow up I want to wear one of those things. 00:07:12.000 --> 00:07:15.959 In fact, I'll remember my parents actually gave me a little bit of pocket money. 00:07:15.959 --> 00:07:24.620 And I spent all of my pocket money on a piece of aluminum, briefly, very flimsy. 00:07:24.759 --> 00:07:25.899 It was a breastplate. 00:07:26.079 --> 00:07:26.979 It looked like armor. 00:07:27.139 --> 00:07:28.039 You know, it's shiny. 00:07:28.799 --> 00:07:35.959 And my brother and I played with those things until I, being much older than him at that point and larger than him, 00:07:36.019 --> 00:07:38.199 I could take significant advantage of him. 00:07:38.279 --> 00:07:39.939 So we stopped doing those things. 00:07:40.039 --> 00:07:44.679 You know, sword fighting is pretty dangerous when you're big and, you know. 00:07:44.680 --> 00:07:47.259 But I just loved the idea of armor. 00:07:48.840 --> 00:07:53.959 And, you know, you'd walk through these museums and you'd see these great big suits of armor. 00:07:54.400 --> 00:07:57.500 And I have to tell you, I thought, these are pretty neat. 00:07:57.600 --> 00:07:58.280 This is nifty. 00:07:58.460 --> 00:07:59.079 This is nice. 00:07:59.639 --> 00:08:02.340 You know, they didn't frighten me at all. 00:08:03.439 --> 00:08:04.579 They didn't bother me. 00:08:05.280 --> 00:08:14.660 But I want you to imagine that if in the ancient world some great big hulking knight had put on that suit of armor, 00:08:14.680 --> 00:08:20.220 armor, and torn out after a set of serfs in a village, it would have been pretty terrifying, wouldn't it? 00:08:21.040 --> 00:08:25.439 You see, it's not the armor itself that makes all the difference in the world. 00:08:25.439 --> 00:08:31.740 It is the person who's inside it and the one who gives the armor its energy that makes the difference. 00:08:31.740 --> 00:08:38.759 And so this morning as we think about the subject of the believer being well-armed against the enemy, 00:08:39.080 --> 00:08:47.700 I want you to understand at the very outset that the Holy Spirit wants us to get a grip on the fact that our battle is not our own and that we must have his help. 00:08:47.700 --> 00:08:56.580 That's what we're looking at this morning when at the conclusion of this lengthy passage on the subject of spiritual warfare, 00:08:57.720 --> 00:09:00.680 the Spirit of God says there in verse 18, 00:09:00.920 --> 00:09:04.620 praying at all times in the Spirit. 00:09:06.160 --> 00:09:09.040 I want you to go back just for a moment, if you will, back to verse 10. 00:09:09.039 --> 00:09:14.000 And pick up, if you will, there the argument that Paul begins. 00:09:14.120 --> 00:09:14.379 He says, 00:09:14.519 --> 00:09:19.319 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 00:09:20.379 --> 00:09:24.279 Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 00:09:24.279 --> 00:09:28.639 As Paul brings this wonderful book to a conclusion, 00:09:29.100 --> 00:09:33.779 he wants us to understand that we are going to face adversity and difficulty 00:09:33.779 --> 00:09:38.879 and we have an adversary that is very interested in our harm and our destruction 00:09:38.879 --> 00:09:44.139 and if we are going to endure and we're going to survive his attacks, 00:09:44.299 --> 00:09:46.779 we can't do it on our own. 00:09:47.579 --> 00:09:51.620 And so verse 10 is the beginning of the argument 00:09:51.620 --> 00:09:54.320 and verse 18 is the conclusion. 00:09:54.519 --> 00:10:00.419 There is a sense in which you have bookends in which at the beginning and the end of Paul's argument, 00:10:00.700 --> 00:10:04.860 he helps us understand that this battle is not our own. 00:10:06.560 --> 00:10:10.080 I trust that as we've worked our way through Ephesians chapter 6 00:10:10.080 --> 00:10:12.659 and dealt with this matter of spiritual warfare, 00:10:13.000 --> 00:10:16.259 that you've not been all caught up in the armor and the details 00:10:16.259 --> 00:10:21.659 and forget that spiritual armor without the spirit is worthless. 00:10:22.799 --> 00:10:25.019 You can actually have a head full of Bible verses. 00:10:26.639 --> 00:10:30.939 You can have a firm grip on some of the theological truths that are foundational to us. 00:10:31.600 --> 00:10:35.759 You can know every point about the nature of God. 00:10:36.279 --> 00:10:38.659 You could be ready to pass a theology exam 00:10:38.659 --> 00:10:40.360 and the truth of the matter is, 00:10:40.579 --> 00:10:43.199 is you could still be readily overcome by the enemy 00:10:43.199 --> 00:10:46.159 because in the face of all the information that you've gathered, 00:10:46.519 --> 00:10:49.819 you really don't have a dependence upon the spirit 00:10:49.819 --> 00:10:53.000 and the enemy loves when you're in that condition. 00:10:54.959 --> 00:10:57.819 And so Paul begins to tell us here at the beginning in verse 10 00:10:57.819 --> 00:10:59.959 that our strength must be in the Lord 00:10:59.959 --> 00:11:01.860 and here at the end, 00:11:02.679 --> 00:11:07.519 he highlights the fact that our spiritual strength is inseparable from our prayer life. 00:11:07.519 --> 00:11:12.740 Our spiritual strength is inseparable from our prayer life. 00:11:13.759 --> 00:11:15.620 And so he makes this statement, he says, 00:11:16.059 --> 00:11:20.439 praying at all times in the spirit. 00:11:21.399 --> 00:11:26.259 And his emphasis here is on the centrality of prayer in spiritual living 00:11:26.259 --> 00:11:30.059 and he wants us to recognize that this is a foundational matter 00:11:30.059 --> 00:11:31.620 for every one of you as believers. 00:11:33.559 --> 00:11:37.500 Prayer is really at the center of spiritual living and success 00:11:37.500 --> 00:11:39.360 and apart from prayer, 00:11:39.580 --> 00:11:41.980 we are just an accident looking for a place to happen. 00:11:42.059 --> 00:11:43.919 Can I say that again slowly so you understand it? 00:11:44.259 --> 00:11:45.080 Apart from prayer, 00:11:45.200 --> 00:11:48.519 we are just an accident looking for a place to happen. 00:11:49.980 --> 00:11:52.039 So how important is prayer in the Bible? 00:11:53.379 --> 00:11:55.320 Just touch on a few illustrations. 00:11:55.559 --> 00:11:57.860 I could spend the remainder of our time 00:11:57.860 --> 00:11:59.720 going through one after another, 00:11:59.720 --> 00:12:02.680 but let's pick up on several that make it clear 00:12:02.680 --> 00:12:06.420 that prayer for the believer is absolutely essential. 00:12:06.580 --> 00:12:10.060 Turn in your Bible back to Exodus chapter 17. 00:12:12.100 --> 00:12:13.660 Exodus chapter 17. 00:12:13.879 --> 00:12:16.480 This is early in the Exodus 00:12:16.480 --> 00:12:19.860 when God took the nation of Israel out of Egypt 00:12:19.860 --> 00:12:22.420 and he was taking them on their journey 00:12:22.420 --> 00:12:23.600 to the promised land 00:12:23.600 --> 00:12:26.000 where they were going to be involved in conflict. 00:12:26.000 --> 00:12:29.940 Earlier, actually, in Exodus, 00:12:30.679 --> 00:12:34.139 we are told that God did not take them the short route 00:12:34.139 --> 00:12:36.799 because they had not been toughened up 00:12:36.799 --> 00:12:40.919 and they had to endure some hardship 00:12:40.919 --> 00:12:42.379 and difficulty in battle 00:12:42.379 --> 00:12:45.059 so that when they came into the land of promise, 00:12:45.220 --> 00:12:47.840 which they were going to have to capture with their sword, 00:12:48.100 --> 00:12:49.639 they were ready for the conflict. 00:12:50.860 --> 00:12:52.679 Here in Exodus chapter 17, 00:12:52.679 --> 00:12:55.159 we find one of their early battles. 00:12:56.539 --> 00:12:58.259 And if you pick up there in verse 9, 00:12:59.139 --> 00:12:59.699 we read that, 00:12:59.799 --> 00:13:01.000 So Moses said to Joshua, 00:13:01.159 --> 00:13:03.599 Choose for us men and go out and fight with Amalek. 00:13:04.559 --> 00:13:07.459 Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill 00:13:07.459 --> 00:13:09.979 with the staff of God in my hand. 00:13:11.139 --> 00:13:13.919 Now, sometimes those who are generals 00:13:13.919 --> 00:13:16.759 are distantly removed from the battle 00:13:16.759 --> 00:13:18.620 and do you know why they're distantly removed? 00:13:19.439 --> 00:13:22.519 They don't want to risk being caught and killed. 00:13:23.159 --> 00:13:26.120 That was not the reason that Moses did what he did. 00:13:26.799 --> 00:13:28.539 And as we read through the passage, 00:13:28.699 --> 00:13:30.219 we discovered that what happened 00:13:30.219 --> 00:13:33.359 is that while Moses had his hands lifted up, 00:13:33.399 --> 00:13:35.719 what was going on with the battle down there 00:13:35.719 --> 00:13:37.859 on the plain with the people of Amalek? 00:13:38.539 --> 00:13:41.500 The nation of Israel was enduring. 00:13:41.979 --> 00:13:42.839 They were succeeding. 00:13:43.259 --> 00:13:44.259 They were being victorious. 00:13:45.539 --> 00:13:48.000 And Moses eventually got tired 00:13:48.000 --> 00:13:49.179 and he put his hands down. 00:13:49.500 --> 00:13:51.279 And as soon as he put his hands down, 00:13:51.279 --> 00:13:52.919 what happened with the conflict? 00:13:53.919 --> 00:13:55.879 The nation of Israel began to suffer. 00:13:57.000 --> 00:13:58.399 And Moses, seeing this, 00:13:58.819 --> 00:14:00.759 he learned that there was something going on 00:14:00.759 --> 00:14:03.279 that was directly connected with his time of prayer 00:14:03.279 --> 00:14:05.179 and his hands being lifted up 00:14:05.179 --> 00:14:07.819 for the people that were down there in the conflict. 00:14:08.240 --> 00:14:09.360 And as a result of that, 00:14:09.439 --> 00:14:12.179 what we have is that Aaron and Hur 00:14:12.179 --> 00:14:14.159 grabbed a stone, 00:14:14.259 --> 00:14:15.879 had Moses sit down on the stone, 00:14:15.879 --> 00:14:17.639 and then they stood on either side 00:14:17.639 --> 00:14:20.159 and had Moses' arms up in the air. 00:14:20.519 --> 00:14:21.500 And as a result, 00:14:21.939 --> 00:14:24.759 the people of Israel succeeded in the battle. 00:14:24.980 --> 00:14:25.360 Why? 00:14:25.559 --> 00:14:26.379 Because of prayer. 00:14:29.279 --> 00:14:33.439 I'm reminded also of what we read over in 1 Kings 17-18. 00:14:33.600 --> 00:14:34.939 You don't need to turn to that passage. 00:14:34.940 --> 00:14:36.540 But if you would remember, 00:14:37.040 --> 00:14:38.560 in 1 Kings 17-18, 00:14:39.080 --> 00:14:42.240 we're given a little picture of the power of prayer 00:14:42.240 --> 00:14:44.980 because it tells us that Elijah prayed, 00:14:45.400 --> 00:14:47.220 and it tells us in the book of James 00:14:47.220 --> 00:14:49.680 that for three years it... 00:14:49.680 --> 00:14:50.640 Does anybody know what happened? 00:14:51.100 --> 00:14:51.940 It didn't rain. 00:14:53.000 --> 00:14:53.620 It didn't rain. 00:14:54.940 --> 00:14:56.960 And God uses that 00:14:56.960 --> 00:14:59.320 to bring Ahab and all the nation together, 00:14:59.500 --> 00:15:01.520 and they end up on top of this mountain, 00:15:01.620 --> 00:15:03.600 and here is Elijah and the prophets of Baal, 00:15:03.600 --> 00:15:06.879 and they're having this little contest, 00:15:08.100 --> 00:15:10.700 and Elijah prays down fire from heaven, 00:15:11.800 --> 00:15:15.120 and then he prays rain into the nation. 00:15:16.440 --> 00:15:19.279 And it tells us over in that passage in James 00:15:19.279 --> 00:15:21.460 that it was because of his prayer 00:15:21.460 --> 00:15:23.019 that these things took place. 00:15:25.480 --> 00:15:28.379 I'm reminded also of what Jesus taught his disciples 00:15:28.379 --> 00:15:29.540 on the matter of prayer 00:15:29.540 --> 00:15:32.080 and our dependence upon him. 00:15:32.080 --> 00:15:34.040 And over in John chapter 15, verse 5, 00:15:34.160 --> 00:15:35.560 there's a passage that I trust 00:15:35.560 --> 00:15:37.020 is just woven into your life. 00:15:37.340 --> 00:15:40.240 Without me, you can do what? 00:15:40.960 --> 00:15:41.980 You can do nothing. 00:15:43.500 --> 00:15:45.460 So I want you to think just for a moment this morning 00:15:45.460 --> 00:15:46.500 of just how important, 00:15:46.960 --> 00:15:48.780 how significant the matter of prayer is 00:15:48.780 --> 00:15:49.960 in your life as a believer, 00:15:50.200 --> 00:15:52.160 and recognize that here you are, 00:15:52.360 --> 00:15:54.060 you are faced with the reality 00:15:54.060 --> 00:15:55.900 that you have a spiritual enemy 00:15:55.899 --> 00:16:00.000 that is desperately determined to destroy you. 00:16:01.439 --> 00:16:03.459 And it's not the armor in itself 00:16:03.459 --> 00:16:06.439 that is by itself that essential. 00:16:06.779 --> 00:16:09.220 Apart from prayer, it's just a suit. 00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:11.779 And there are some of you here this morning 00:16:11.779 --> 00:16:13.459 that as I, as your shepherd, 00:16:13.579 --> 00:16:15.419 as your pastor, think about your life, 00:16:15.679 --> 00:16:18.799 I am aware of some of the heartache 00:16:18.799 --> 00:16:19.659 and the difficulties, 00:16:19.659 --> 00:16:22.219 and as I look at what's going on in your life, 00:16:22.419 --> 00:16:24.219 one of the things that I would plead with you 00:16:24.219 --> 00:16:25.740 is that your prayer life would change 00:16:25.740 --> 00:16:27.919 so that you're not harmed as you have been. 00:16:29.399 --> 00:16:30.480 I want you to understand 00:16:30.480 --> 00:16:31.839 that your enemy is after you. 00:16:33.439 --> 00:16:34.699 And I want you to understand 00:16:34.699 --> 00:16:38.100 that prayer must be your heart's great defense. 00:16:38.100 --> 00:16:41.620 Well, let's stop and think about the passage 00:16:41.620 --> 00:16:43.120 because it says they're praying. 00:16:44.580 --> 00:16:44.980 Praying. 00:16:46.259 --> 00:16:48.659 I don't need to break down the issue of prayer for you 00:16:48.659 --> 00:16:50.200 because you understand what it means. 00:16:50.580 --> 00:16:51.759 It is coming to the Lord 00:16:51.759 --> 00:16:53.120 with a dependence upon Him. 00:16:53.180 --> 00:16:54.920 It is coming with a recognition 00:16:54.920 --> 00:16:57.019 of the promises that He's made. 00:16:57.120 --> 00:16:59.320 It is coming believing that He is, 00:16:59.580 --> 00:17:01.420 as it says in Hebrews chapter 11, 00:17:01.720 --> 00:17:04.019 He is and He is the one who is the rewarder 00:17:04.019 --> 00:17:06.559 of those that do diligently seek Him. 00:17:08.099 --> 00:17:10.259 You understand what prayer is. 00:17:11.399 --> 00:17:12.559 So let's think a little bit 00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:13.539 about what it says there. 00:17:13.839 --> 00:17:15.299 It says that at all times, 00:17:15.379 --> 00:17:16.980 we're to pray at all times. 00:17:17.480 --> 00:17:18.859 That little word always, 00:17:19.099 --> 00:17:20.099 or at all times, 00:17:20.139 --> 00:17:21.519 as we have it in the ESV, 00:17:21.980 --> 00:17:23.719 is a word that is talking 00:17:23.719 --> 00:17:26.959 not so much about the length of time. 00:17:27.059 --> 00:17:27.919 There are two different ways 00:17:27.919 --> 00:17:31.159 that time is used in the Greek here. 00:17:31.279 --> 00:17:33.199 One is talking about the length of time. 00:17:33.879 --> 00:17:37.980 Like, I prayed for 39 minutes. 00:17:38.099 --> 00:17:40.019 That's not what's being said. 00:17:41.079 --> 00:17:42.939 It is talking about praying 00:17:42.939 --> 00:17:46.000 at all kinds of circumstances, 00:17:46.980 --> 00:17:49.679 all kinds of settings, 00:17:50.740 --> 00:17:53.019 all kinds of moments. 00:17:54.319 --> 00:17:59.039 And it's recognizing that praying 10 minutes 00:17:59.039 --> 00:18:02.539 or reciting the Lord's Prayer for 20 times 00:18:02.539 --> 00:18:03.740 or whatever is, 00:18:03.779 --> 00:18:05.859 is not what is in view here. 00:18:07.460 --> 00:18:10.539 It is talking about the fact 00:18:10.539 --> 00:18:11.539 that every setting 00:18:12.119 --> 00:18:13.920 and every circumstance, 00:18:14.339 --> 00:18:16.740 every issue in your life 00:18:16.740 --> 00:18:19.079 is worthy of prayer. 00:18:19.079 --> 00:18:19.159 prayer. 00:18:21.159 --> 00:18:22.419 So when should we pray? 00:18:23.419 --> 00:18:24.199 For one, 00:18:24.639 --> 00:18:25.299 we should pray 00:18:25.299 --> 00:18:26.339 when we are being tempted. 00:18:28.019 --> 00:18:29.119 I want you to remember 00:18:29.119 --> 00:18:30.679 what Jesus said to His disciples 00:18:30.679 --> 00:18:32.699 in Matthew chapter 26, verse 41. 00:18:33.240 --> 00:18:34.939 He, knowing what was coming, 00:18:35.799 --> 00:18:37.779 went off to pray. 00:18:39.240 --> 00:18:41.059 And He made statement to them. 00:18:41.119 --> 00:18:41.460 He said, 00:18:41.539 --> 00:18:42.419 listen, pray 00:18:42.419 --> 00:18:45.059 that you enter not into temptation. 00:18:45.059 --> 00:18:47.319 And so let me ask you the question, 00:18:47.460 --> 00:18:49.500 how often are you challenged 00:18:49.500 --> 00:18:51.079 and tempted by the enemy? 00:18:51.399 --> 00:18:53.039 Is it something that only happens 00:18:53.039 --> 00:18:54.480 very rarely and occasionally, 00:18:54.740 --> 00:18:57.220 or is it something that is incessant? 00:18:59.220 --> 00:19:00.759 I know that it's incessant 00:19:00.759 --> 00:19:02.500 because it happens to me. 00:19:03.079 --> 00:19:04.079 It happens to you. 00:19:04.879 --> 00:19:06.779 My temptation may not be the same 00:19:06.779 --> 00:19:07.679 as your temptation, 00:19:07.819 --> 00:19:08.480 and some of the things 00:19:08.480 --> 00:19:10.079 that you are battling with 00:19:10.079 --> 00:19:11.240 may be completely different 00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:12.480 from the things I am enduring. 00:19:12.480 --> 00:19:14.200 But here's the truth of the matter. 00:19:14.579 --> 00:19:15.839 All of us are tempted 00:19:15.839 --> 00:19:17.259 incessantly by the enemy 00:19:17.259 --> 00:19:18.460 who is interested 00:19:18.460 --> 00:19:19.480 in our demise 00:19:20.099 --> 00:19:20.900 and our harm. 00:19:21.339 --> 00:19:22.759 And so what we should do 00:19:22.759 --> 00:19:23.700 is be people 00:19:23.700 --> 00:19:25.019 that are praying all the time. 00:19:25.400 --> 00:19:26.299 All the time. 00:19:29.059 --> 00:19:29.880 We should pray 00:19:29.880 --> 00:19:31.039 before we open our mouth. 00:19:32.839 --> 00:19:33.640 We should pray 00:19:33.640 --> 00:19:34.759 before we open our mouth. 00:19:35.860 --> 00:19:37.000 I want you to turn back 00:19:37.000 --> 00:19:37.420 in your Bible 00:19:37.420 --> 00:19:38.079 just for a second 00:19:38.079 --> 00:19:39.400 to Nehemiah chapter 2. 00:19:40.180 --> 00:19:40.980 Look at verse 4. 00:19:42.480 --> 00:19:43.960 Nehemiah chapter 2 verse 4. 00:19:46.059 --> 00:19:46.819 By the way, 00:19:47.059 --> 00:19:48.140 if you've been tracking, 00:19:48.380 --> 00:19:48.940 we're teaching, 00:19:49.160 --> 00:19:50.200 we're studying the book 00:19:50.200 --> 00:19:50.940 of Nehemiah 00:19:50.940 --> 00:19:53.880 in Wednesday evening, 00:19:53.880 --> 00:19:55.779 but at the outset 00:19:55.779 --> 00:19:56.360 of the book, 00:19:56.440 --> 00:19:57.120 it starts out 00:19:57.120 --> 00:19:58.519 by Nehemiah discovering 00:19:58.519 --> 00:19:59.180 the condition 00:19:59.180 --> 00:20:00.220 of the nation of Israel, 00:20:00.319 --> 00:20:00.759 in particular, 00:20:00.900 --> 00:20:01.740 the city of Jerusalem, 00:20:02.000 --> 00:20:02.860 and we know 00:20:02.860 --> 00:20:03.880 that he had spent 00:20:03.880 --> 00:20:05.039 a long time 00:20:05.039 --> 00:20:05.940 in prayer 00:20:05.940 --> 00:20:06.980 for the condition 00:20:06.980 --> 00:20:07.559 of the city 00:20:07.559 --> 00:20:08.460 and what had happened 00:20:08.460 --> 00:20:09.920 to the people of God. 00:20:09.920 --> 00:20:12.080 I believe 00:20:12.080 --> 00:20:12.720 as a result 00:20:12.720 --> 00:20:13.880 of his incessant prayer 00:20:13.880 --> 00:20:14.960 that God opened the door 00:20:14.960 --> 00:20:16.000 and gave him 00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:16.660 an opportunity 00:20:16.660 --> 00:20:18.660 to present his concern 00:20:18.660 --> 00:20:19.440 to the king. 00:20:20.940 --> 00:20:21.720 He'd prayed 00:20:21.720 --> 00:20:22.680 for a long time. 00:20:22.920 --> 00:20:23.660 He'd been fasting. 00:20:24.900 --> 00:20:25.740 Weeks had passed. 00:20:26.700 --> 00:20:27.480 It had been front 00:20:27.480 --> 00:20:27.900 and center 00:20:27.900 --> 00:20:28.680 on his life, 00:20:29.140 --> 00:20:29.920 but the moment 00:20:29.920 --> 00:20:30.779 that the king 00:20:30.779 --> 00:20:31.700 asked him, 00:20:32.200 --> 00:20:32.700 what is it 00:20:32.700 --> 00:20:33.840 that you would like, 00:20:34.700 --> 00:20:34.980 do you know 00:20:34.980 --> 00:20:35.660 what he did first? 00:20:35.660 --> 00:20:37.820 He took a second 00:20:37.820 --> 00:20:38.980 and he prayed 00:20:38.980 --> 00:20:39.460 one of those 00:20:39.460 --> 00:20:40.220 bullet prayers. 00:20:41.300 --> 00:20:41.940 How many of you 00:20:41.940 --> 00:20:42.759 prayed a bullet prayer? 00:20:44.240 --> 00:20:44.779 A year and a, 00:20:45.000 --> 00:20:45.180 well, 00:20:45.560 --> 00:20:46.560 not last winter, 00:20:46.640 --> 00:20:47.540 the winter before last, 00:20:47.820 --> 00:20:48.980 I was driving 00:20:48.980 --> 00:20:51.040 in the city 00:20:51.040 --> 00:20:52.480 and I had come 00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:53.620 to a left-hand turn 00:20:53.620 --> 00:20:54.500 and there I was 00:20:54.500 --> 00:20:54.960 waiting. 00:20:55.100 --> 00:20:55.820 It had been snowing 00:20:55.820 --> 00:20:56.360 pretty bad 00:20:56.360 --> 00:20:57.700 and I am waiting 00:20:57.700 --> 00:20:58.680 at the stoplight 00:20:58.680 --> 00:20:59.740 for the opportunity 00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:00.340 to go. 00:21:01.120 --> 00:21:02.279 And there was a guy 00:21:02.279 --> 00:21:03.940 that came skating around 00:21:03.940 --> 00:21:05.160 making a, 00:21:05.160 --> 00:21:05.800 how was it, 00:21:05.840 --> 00:21:06.120 a left, 00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:07.019 a right-hand turn 00:21:07.019 --> 00:21:08.920 and as I'm watching him, 00:21:09.200 --> 00:21:10.460 it became quite evident 00:21:10.460 --> 00:21:11.759 that his tires 00:21:11.759 --> 00:21:12.660 were not going 00:21:12.660 --> 00:21:13.320 in the direction 00:21:13.320 --> 00:21:14.640 that he was cranking 00:21:14.640 --> 00:21:15.140 the wheel. 00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:17.720 I was actually 00:21:17.720 --> 00:21:19.420 at the stoplight 00:21:19.420 --> 00:21:20.540 talking to my wife 00:21:20.540 --> 00:21:20.840 saying, 00:21:20.960 --> 00:21:21.100 honey, 00:21:21.279 --> 00:21:22.440 I'll be home 00:21:22.440 --> 00:21:23.200 in a, 00:21:23.360 --> 00:21:24.360 I'm going to have 00:21:24.360 --> 00:21:24.960 a wreck. 00:21:26.519 --> 00:21:27.220 Do you follow that? 00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:29.340 And I remember 00:21:29.340 --> 00:21:31.259 in that same frame 00:21:31.259 --> 00:21:31.660 saying, 00:21:31.820 --> 00:21:32.340 oh Lord. 00:21:32.680 --> 00:21:33.700 That's a short prayer. 00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:34.480 Do you understand that? 00:21:35.160 --> 00:21:36.080 Could anybody add 00:21:36.080 --> 00:21:36.860 a couple other words 00:21:36.860 --> 00:21:37.519 along with that? 00:21:37.580 --> 00:21:37.960 Oh Lord, 00:21:38.040 --> 00:21:38.700 help me to whatever. 00:21:38.880 --> 00:21:38.980 You know, 00:21:38.980 --> 00:21:39.300 it's like, 00:21:39.580 --> 00:21:40.300 those are known 00:21:40.300 --> 00:21:41.080 as bullet prayers. 00:21:41.180 --> 00:21:41.500 It's like, 00:21:41.660 --> 00:21:42.880 help me. 00:21:43.759 --> 00:21:45.040 So when should you pray? 00:21:46.160 --> 00:21:46.779 How many of you 00:21:46.779 --> 00:21:47.140 would admit 00:21:47.140 --> 00:21:47.740 that you would be 00:21:47.740 --> 00:21:48.300 well served 00:21:48.300 --> 00:21:49.180 if you never opened 00:21:49.180 --> 00:21:49.580 your mouth 00:21:49.580 --> 00:21:50.640 without praying first? 00:21:53.340 --> 00:21:54.480 James tells us 00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:55.180 that the tongue 00:21:55.180 --> 00:21:55.820 is the toughest 00:21:55.820 --> 00:21:56.820 thing to handle. 00:21:56.940 --> 00:21:57.420 Am I right? 00:21:58.340 --> 00:21:59.040 And so, 00:21:59.180 --> 00:22:00.300 I would encourage you, 00:22:00.340 --> 00:22:01.060 when should you pray? 00:22:01.220 --> 00:22:01.340 Well, 00:22:01.380 --> 00:22:02.300 pray when you are tempted. 00:22:02.800 --> 00:22:03.640 Pray when you are tempted 00:22:03.640 --> 00:22:04.500 to open your mouth. 00:22:05.800 --> 00:22:06.960 Pray instead of fretting. 00:22:08.080 --> 00:22:08.820 I want you to look 00:22:08.820 --> 00:22:09.700 in your passage, 00:22:09.900 --> 00:22:10.380 in your Bible, 00:22:10.500 --> 00:22:11.720 to Philippians chapter 4, 00:22:11.800 --> 00:22:12.860 verse 4 through 7. 00:22:14.620 --> 00:22:15.580 When should I pray? 00:22:15.660 --> 00:22:16.200 I should pray 00:22:16.200 --> 00:22:17.060 when I am tempted 00:22:17.060 --> 00:22:17.520 to fret. 00:22:18.520 --> 00:22:19.420 And some of us 00:22:19.420 --> 00:22:20.200 are better fretters 00:22:20.200 --> 00:22:20.600 than others. 00:22:20.680 --> 00:22:21.600 We have more practice. 00:22:22.720 --> 00:22:23.680 But listen to what it says 00:22:23.680 --> 00:22:24.780 there in Philippians 00:22:24.780 --> 00:22:25.500 chapter 4, 00:22:25.560 --> 00:22:26.080 verse 4. 00:22:26.620 --> 00:22:27.420 He says this, 00:22:27.480 --> 00:22:27.900 he says, 00:22:28.300 --> 00:22:29.560 rejoice in the Lord always, 00:22:29.559 --> 00:22:30.779 and again I say rejoice. 00:22:32.839 --> 00:22:33.559 How many of you 00:22:33.559 --> 00:22:34.220 really enjoy 00:22:34.220 --> 00:22:35.419 being around grumpy Christians? 00:22:36.700 --> 00:22:37.279 You know what 00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:38.259 a grumpy Christian is like? 00:22:39.259 --> 00:22:40.440 It's one of those persons 00:22:40.440 --> 00:22:40.779 who, 00:22:41.139 --> 00:22:41.359 you know, 00:22:41.419 --> 00:22:42.980 everything is just 00:22:42.980 --> 00:22:43.799 not going well 00:22:43.799 --> 00:22:44.440 and they're kind of 00:22:44.440 --> 00:22:45.819 frowny and unhappy 00:22:45.819 --> 00:22:46.259 and, 00:22:46.679 --> 00:22:47.000 you know, 00:22:47.159 --> 00:22:48.539 they've missed 00:22:48.539 --> 00:22:50.399 the truth, 00:22:50.700 --> 00:22:51.440 the sweet blessing 00:22:51.440 --> 00:22:52.639 of their relationship. 00:22:52.779 --> 00:22:52.899 Well, 00:22:53.000 --> 00:22:53.720 we're reminded here 00:22:53.720 --> 00:22:54.279 in Philippians, 00:22:54.379 --> 00:22:54.599 it says, 00:22:54.720 --> 00:22:54.799 hey, 00:22:55.099 --> 00:22:56.039 rejoice in the Lord. 00:22:56.519 --> 00:22:57.319 Verse 5, 00:22:57.319 --> 00:22:57.639 it says, 00:22:57.819 --> 00:22:58.740 let your reasonableness 00:22:58.740 --> 00:23:00.879 be known to everyone. 00:23:01.139 --> 00:23:02.159 The Lord is at hand. 00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:03.019 And then verse 6, 00:23:03.480 --> 00:23:05.179 do not be anxious 00:23:05.179 --> 00:23:06.679 about anything. 00:23:08.359 --> 00:23:09.439 But in everything, 00:23:10.079 --> 00:23:12.099 by prayer and supplication 00:23:12.099 --> 00:23:13.179 with thanksgiving, 00:23:13.559 --> 00:23:14.740 let your requests 00:23:14.740 --> 00:23:15.939 be made known to God. 00:23:16.980 --> 00:23:17.539 So, 00:23:18.220 --> 00:23:19.500 when should we pray? 00:23:19.659 --> 00:23:20.919 That's the question 00:23:20.919 --> 00:23:22.439 that the Bible verse 00:23:22.439 --> 00:23:23.359 brings to our attention 00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:24.240 when it says, 00:23:24.579 --> 00:23:25.599 pray at all times. 00:23:25.799 --> 00:23:26.480 When should we pray? 00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:27.039 We should pray 00:23:27.039 --> 00:23:28.279 when we are tempted 00:23:28.279 --> 00:23:28.880 to fret, 00:23:29.000 --> 00:23:29.759 to be anxious. 00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:31.779 When else should we pray? 00:23:32.700 --> 00:23:33.220 We should pray 00:23:33.220 --> 00:23:34.180 at the start of our day. 00:23:34.980 --> 00:23:35.599 Isn't that right? 00:23:36.259 --> 00:23:37.380 The start of your day 00:23:37.380 --> 00:23:38.579 as you are waking up 00:23:38.579 --> 00:23:39.700 and you are beginning 00:23:39.700 --> 00:23:41.400 to ponder the things 00:23:41.400 --> 00:23:42.559 that lie in front of you 00:23:42.559 --> 00:23:43.140 and you're thinking 00:23:43.140 --> 00:23:44.640 through the responsibilities 00:23:44.640 --> 00:23:45.779 that you have 00:23:45.779 --> 00:23:47.200 and some of the challenges 00:23:47.200 --> 00:23:48.039 that you're facing, 00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:49.200 that's the time 00:23:49.200 --> 00:23:50.000 to come to the Lord 00:23:50.000 --> 00:23:50.740 in prayer and say, 00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:51.039 listen, 00:23:51.240 --> 00:23:52.740 I want you to be 00:23:52.740 --> 00:23:54.579 the one that I look to 00:23:54.579 --> 00:23:55.720 and I trust 00:23:55.720 --> 00:23:57.159 and I depend upon 00:23:57.159 --> 00:23:57.779 this morning 00:23:57.779 --> 00:23:59.240 rather than get caught up 00:23:59.240 --> 00:24:00.519 in my own thing. 00:24:02.500 --> 00:24:04.000 I'm reminded of what it says 00:24:04.000 --> 00:24:05.559 over in Luke chapter 18, 00:24:05.659 --> 00:24:06.279 verse 1. 00:24:07.139 --> 00:24:09.579 Men ought always to pray 00:24:09.579 --> 00:24:10.960 and not faint. 00:24:12.099 --> 00:24:12.579 So, 00:24:13.159 --> 00:24:15.579 why don't you do this 00:24:15.579 --> 00:24:17.099 before you turn on the TV? 00:24:17.799 --> 00:24:18.319 Why don't you pray? 00:24:18.319 --> 00:24:21.200 Before you decide 00:24:21.200 --> 00:24:22.439 you're going to check Facebook, 00:24:23.220 --> 00:24:25.439 why don't you pray? 00:24:27.480 --> 00:24:28.599 Before you decide 00:24:28.599 --> 00:24:29.460 that you want to make 00:24:29.460 --> 00:24:30.919 some scuzzy little comment 00:24:30.919 --> 00:24:32.439 about somebody else's 00:24:32.439 --> 00:24:33.399 statement on Facebook, 00:24:33.500 --> 00:24:33.859 how many of you 00:24:33.859 --> 00:24:34.799 know what I'm talking about? 00:24:36.460 --> 00:24:37.599 I have deleted 00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:38.939 more of the brilliance 00:24:38.939 --> 00:24:39.799 that I have produced 00:24:39.799 --> 00:24:41.079 from this little pea brain 00:24:41.079 --> 00:24:42.399 that I've decided 00:24:42.399 --> 00:24:43.559 after the second read 00:24:43.559 --> 00:24:43.899 is like, 00:24:44.059 --> 00:24:45.559 that is not going 00:24:45.559 --> 00:24:46.480 to be good to say. 00:24:46.559 --> 00:24:47.079 How many of you there? 00:24:47.079 --> 00:24:48.259 Okay? 00:24:49.460 --> 00:24:50.659 It would probably be 00:24:50.659 --> 00:24:52.579 a little prophylactic 00:24:52.579 --> 00:24:53.319 or preventive 00:24:53.319 --> 00:24:53.879 just to pray 00:24:53.879 --> 00:24:54.639 before you even 00:24:54.639 --> 00:24:55.759 open Facebook, right? 00:24:57.559 --> 00:24:58.639 Go ahead and pray 00:24:58.639 --> 00:24:59.539 before you decide 00:24:59.539 --> 00:25:00.139 you're going to surf 00:25:00.139 --> 00:25:00.559 the internet. 00:25:01.619 --> 00:25:02.720 Go ahead and pray 00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:03.899 before you're going 00:25:03.899 --> 00:25:04.980 to indulge in that 00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:05.799 thinking, 00:25:05.960 --> 00:25:06.500 that bitterness 00:25:06.500 --> 00:25:07.559 or that irritation 00:25:07.559 --> 00:25:09.059 or you begin to fret 00:25:09.059 --> 00:25:09.960 about the way things 00:25:09.960 --> 00:25:11.619 are devolving in your life. 00:25:11.919 --> 00:25:12.779 Why don't you decide 00:25:12.779 --> 00:25:14.519 before you entertain that 00:25:14.519 --> 00:25:15.919 that you're going to pray? 00:25:17.919 --> 00:25:18.799 Why don't you pray 00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:19.639 before you decide 00:25:19.639 --> 00:25:20.539 that you'll refresh 00:25:20.539 --> 00:25:21.720 your memory 00:25:21.720 --> 00:25:22.559 with some of the hurts 00:25:22.559 --> 00:25:23.299 that you've endured 00:25:23.299 --> 00:25:24.500 from other people 00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:25.099 in the fellowship? 00:25:27.500 --> 00:25:28.439 So as we look 00:25:28.439 --> 00:25:29.299 at this part 00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:30.059 in the beginning, 00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:31.960 I want you to recognize 00:25:31.960 --> 00:25:33.000 that what the apostle 00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:34.059 is saying is that 00:25:34.059 --> 00:25:35.379 the prayer life 00:25:35.379 --> 00:25:36.159 of the believer 00:25:36.159 --> 00:25:37.039 is to be something 00:25:37.039 --> 00:25:37.879 that is robust 00:25:37.879 --> 00:25:38.599 and profound 00:25:38.599 --> 00:25:39.599 and covers 00:25:39.599 --> 00:25:40.699 the broad range 00:25:40.700 --> 00:25:41.759 of everything 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:42.640 going on 00:25:42.640 --> 00:25:43.500 in our life. 00:25:44.779 --> 00:25:45.920 Praying always, 00:25:46.259 --> 00:25:47.700 all the time. 00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:50.059 But now let's come 00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:51.559 to the most important piece. 00:25:54.200 --> 00:25:55.059 Praying in the spirit 00:25:55.059 --> 00:25:57.640 is what Paul 00:25:57.640 --> 00:25:59.299 is very interested 00:25:59.299 --> 00:26:01.500 that we care for here. 00:26:02.299 --> 00:26:03.620 And so as we are 00:26:03.620 --> 00:26:04.759 addressing the issue 00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:05.860 of spiritual warfare, 00:26:06.360 --> 00:26:07.299 I want you to understand 00:26:07.299 --> 00:26:08.120 that as we come 00:26:08.119 --> 00:26:08.719 to this piece, 00:26:08.779 --> 00:26:09.439 we're talking about 00:26:09.439 --> 00:26:11.359 the very most important part 00:26:11.359 --> 00:26:12.399 in the equation, 00:26:12.679 --> 00:26:13.399 we are to pray 00:26:13.399 --> 00:26:14.019 in the spirit. 00:26:15.759 --> 00:26:16.699 We're instructed 00:26:16.699 --> 00:26:17.239 to pray 00:26:17.239 --> 00:26:19.139 through the enabling 00:26:19.139 --> 00:26:20.459 of the spirit of God 00:26:20.459 --> 00:26:22.419 and I cannot overstate 00:26:22.419 --> 00:26:23.479 the importance 00:26:23.479 --> 00:26:24.819 of doing so 00:26:24.819 --> 00:26:25.759 in the power 00:26:25.759 --> 00:26:26.639 of the spirit of God. 00:26:26.779 --> 00:26:27.859 Let me help you understand 00:26:27.859 --> 00:26:28.859 just how important 00:26:28.859 --> 00:26:30.319 it is that we live 00:26:30.319 --> 00:26:30.799 in the spirit, 00:26:30.959 --> 00:26:31.759 walk in the spirit, 00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:33.639 and rely upon the spirit 00:26:33.640 --> 00:26:36.360 for our daily spiritual life. 00:26:38.280 --> 00:26:38.820 You're in the book 00:26:38.820 --> 00:26:40.140 of Ephesians. 00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:41.820 Turn back just a little bit 00:26:41.820 --> 00:26:44.720 to Galatians chapter 5. 00:26:46.480 --> 00:26:48.100 In Galatians chapter 5, 00:26:48.180 --> 00:26:48.840 it says this, 00:26:48.900 --> 00:26:49.240 it says, 00:26:49.380 --> 00:26:49.740 I say, 00:26:50.180 --> 00:26:51.020 walk by the spirit 00:26:51.020 --> 00:26:53.320 and you will not gratify 00:26:53.320 --> 00:26:54.640 the desires of the flesh. 00:26:56.240 --> 00:26:57.980 Walk by the spirit 00:26:57.980 --> 00:26:59.640 and you will not gratify 00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:01.520 the desires of the flesh. 00:27:01.519 --> 00:27:02.859 Now, is the issue 00:27:02.859 --> 00:27:03.980 of gratifying 00:27:03.980 --> 00:27:05.359 the desires of the flesh 00:27:05.359 --> 00:27:08.879 a gender-specific problem? 00:27:10.359 --> 00:27:11.220 How many of you understood 00:27:11.220 --> 00:27:11.940 what I just said? 00:27:12.779 --> 00:27:13.680 Not at all. 00:27:15.039 --> 00:27:17.660 Men, women, boys, girls, 00:27:17.980 --> 00:27:20.559 all of us have issues 00:27:20.559 --> 00:27:21.940 where we are tempted 00:27:21.940 --> 00:27:22.940 by the enemy 00:27:22.940 --> 00:27:24.799 and we look to gratify 00:27:24.799 --> 00:27:26.039 the desires of the flesh. 00:27:26.420 --> 00:27:27.579 And what Paul says 00:27:27.579 --> 00:27:28.660 is that we are to walk 00:27:28.660 --> 00:27:29.279 by the spirit 00:27:29.279 --> 00:27:30.619 and we won't do that. 00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:35.000 So I want you 00:27:35.000 --> 00:27:36.139 to understand this morning 00:27:36.139 --> 00:27:38.339 that it makes sense 00:27:38.339 --> 00:27:39.220 that our prayer life 00:27:39.220 --> 00:27:40.599 should be utterly dependent 00:27:40.599 --> 00:27:41.660 upon the spirit of God. 00:27:41.700 --> 00:27:42.039 And I want you 00:27:42.039 --> 00:27:43.099 to ask yourself the question, 00:27:43.440 --> 00:27:44.720 is that what characterizes 00:27:44.720 --> 00:27:45.440 your prayer life? 00:27:45.900 --> 00:27:46.480 Let's stop 00:27:46.480 --> 00:27:47.619 and think carefully. 00:27:48.700 --> 00:27:51.379 Is spirit dependence 00:27:51.379 --> 00:27:52.339 the thing 00:27:52.339 --> 00:27:53.960 that characterizes 00:27:53.960 --> 00:27:55.639 your prayer life? 00:27:56.879 --> 00:27:57.619 Some of us 00:27:57.619 --> 00:27:58.319 are fairly good 00:27:58.319 --> 00:27:59.000 with prayer lists. 00:27:59.119 --> 00:27:59.920 How many of you understand 00:27:59.920 --> 00:28:01.039 that prayer lists 00:28:01.039 --> 00:28:01.500 are helpful? 00:28:02.940 --> 00:28:04.279 If we don't have prayer lists, 00:28:04.400 --> 00:28:04.860 guess what we're going 00:28:04.860 --> 00:28:05.660 to pray for generally? 00:28:07.140 --> 00:28:08.320 A little bit like this. 00:28:09.420 --> 00:28:09.960 Dear Jesus, 00:28:10.080 --> 00:28:10.920 help mommy and daddy. 00:28:11.800 --> 00:28:12.759 Help all the missionaries 00:28:12.759 --> 00:28:13.300 in the world. 00:28:14.360 --> 00:28:15.580 Help me to have a good day. 00:28:16.080 --> 00:28:16.320 Amen. 00:28:17.620 --> 00:28:18.940 Our prayers, 00:28:19.160 --> 00:28:20.019 if we don't have 00:28:20.019 --> 00:28:21.259 a list that's a little 00:28:21.259 --> 00:28:21.940 more robust 00:28:21.940 --> 00:28:22.840 and a little far thinking, 00:28:22.920 --> 00:28:23.740 a little further thinking, 00:28:23.940 --> 00:28:24.759 we tend to be 00:28:24.759 --> 00:28:25.900 pretty self-focused 00:28:25.900 --> 00:28:26.660 in our prayer life. 00:28:26.660 --> 00:28:27.380 Would you agree with that? 00:28:28.180 --> 00:28:29.260 Prayer lists help us 00:28:29.260 --> 00:28:30.740 to get a broader picture, 00:28:31.160 --> 00:28:32.060 but here's the danger 00:28:32.060 --> 00:28:32.820 of a prayer list. 00:28:33.120 --> 00:28:33.940 You can crank 00:28:33.940 --> 00:28:35.100 through your prayer list 00:28:35.100 --> 00:28:36.680 and never think 00:28:36.680 --> 00:28:37.940 one bit 00:28:37.940 --> 00:28:39.340 about how 00:28:39.340 --> 00:28:40.280 all of it 00:28:40.280 --> 00:28:41.140 makes sense. 00:28:42.600 --> 00:28:43.340 Have you ever done that? 00:28:44.740 --> 00:28:45.580 Have you ever prayed 00:28:45.580 --> 00:28:46.400 through your prayer list 00:28:46.400 --> 00:28:47.300 and when the end of the day, 00:28:47.660 --> 00:28:48.760 you just checked it off, 00:28:48.860 --> 00:28:49.660 but there was nothing 00:28:49.660 --> 00:28:50.680 really resonating? 00:28:53.560 --> 00:28:54.640 So what does 00:28:54.640 --> 00:28:55.880 praying in the spirit mean? 00:28:55.880 --> 00:28:56.900 Let me talk first of all 00:28:56.900 --> 00:28:58.060 about what it does not mean. 00:28:59.820 --> 00:29:00.640 Praying in the spirit 00:29:00.640 --> 00:29:02.040 does not mean 00:29:02.040 --> 00:29:02.840 mouthing 00:29:02.840 --> 00:29:04.060 an unintelligible 00:29:04.060 --> 00:29:04.800 collection 00:29:04.800 --> 00:29:05.980 of vowels 00:29:05.980 --> 00:29:07.060 and consonants. 00:29:08.520 --> 00:29:09.820 I have dear friends 00:29:09.820 --> 00:29:12.500 that are quite caught up 00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:15.180 in the supposed exercise 00:29:15.180 --> 00:29:16.200 of speaking in tongues. 00:29:17.420 --> 00:29:18.540 And I want to tell you 00:29:18.540 --> 00:29:19.280 with gentleness 00:29:19.280 --> 00:29:20.040 and clarity 00:29:20.040 --> 00:29:21.680 that the New Testament 00:29:21.680 --> 00:29:23.000 gift of tongues 00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:24.140 undeniably 00:29:24.140 --> 00:29:24.860 in the scriptures 00:29:24.859 --> 00:29:26.139 was the ability 00:29:26.139 --> 00:29:26.919 to communicate 00:29:26.919 --> 00:29:29.079 in other dialects. 00:29:33.119 --> 00:29:34.399 Interestingly enough, 00:29:35.240 --> 00:29:37.439 when the charismatic movement 00:29:37.439 --> 00:29:38.319 came back 00:29:38.319 --> 00:29:40.299 into popularity 00:29:40.299 --> 00:29:42.379 in the early 20th century, 00:29:42.479 --> 00:29:43.879 that was like 1916 00:29:43.879 --> 00:29:44.740 or something like that, 00:29:45.019 --> 00:29:46.399 at Azusa Street Mission, 00:29:46.400 --> 00:29:51.420 those who began teaching 00:29:51.420 --> 00:29:52.320 the issue 00:29:52.320 --> 00:29:53.160 of the charismatic 00:29:53.160 --> 00:29:54.200 gift of tongues 00:29:54.200 --> 00:29:55.940 made the supposition 00:29:55.940 --> 00:29:57.180 that the gift 00:29:57.180 --> 00:29:57.960 was actually 00:29:57.960 --> 00:29:58.680 the ability 00:29:58.680 --> 00:29:59.720 to speak 00:29:59.720 --> 00:30:01.120 dialects 00:30:01.120 --> 00:30:02.440 or foreign languages. 00:30:02.440 --> 00:30:03.820 And as a result, 00:30:04.420 --> 00:30:05.300 this is history, 00:30:05.460 --> 00:30:06.080 this is fact, 00:30:06.840 --> 00:30:08.100 they sent out 00:30:08.100 --> 00:30:09.519 a wave of missionaries 00:30:09.519 --> 00:30:11.220 without any language 00:30:11.220 --> 00:30:11.720 training. 00:30:11.720 --> 00:30:12.860 Now, 00:30:12.920 --> 00:30:13.779 it makes sense, 00:30:14.339 --> 00:30:15.759 do you follow me? 00:30:15.940 --> 00:30:17.240 It makes sense 00:30:17.240 --> 00:30:19.539 if what they thought 00:30:19.539 --> 00:30:20.220 they had 00:30:20.220 --> 00:30:21.079 was actually 00:30:21.079 --> 00:30:22.259 the New Testament 00:30:22.259 --> 00:30:22.819 ability 00:30:22.819 --> 00:30:23.559 to speak 00:30:23.559 --> 00:30:24.420 foreign languages. 00:30:24.880 --> 00:30:25.779 Guess what happened 00:30:25.779 --> 00:30:27.120 when they got to India 00:30:27.120 --> 00:30:27.920 and China 00:30:27.920 --> 00:30:28.940 and Burma 00:30:28.940 --> 00:30:29.880 and Malaysia 00:30:29.880 --> 00:30:31.299 and wherever else 00:30:31.299 --> 00:30:31.720 they went? 00:30:31.819 --> 00:30:32.500 Guess what happened? 00:30:32.500 --> 00:30:35.339 All the nationals 00:30:35.339 --> 00:30:36.339 in all those countries 00:30:36.339 --> 00:30:37.539 had no idea 00:30:37.539 --> 00:30:38.519 what they were doing 00:30:38.519 --> 00:30:39.140 when they were going 00:30:39.140 --> 00:30:39.940 blah, blah, blah, blah, 00:30:39.940 --> 00:30:40.839 blah, blah, whatever. 00:30:42.480 --> 00:30:43.799 And they came back 00:30:43.799 --> 00:30:45.240 and rethought 00:30:45.240 --> 00:30:46.019 their theology 00:30:46.019 --> 00:30:47.920 and it became 00:30:47.920 --> 00:30:48.839 a matter of, 00:30:49.220 --> 00:30:49.380 well, 00:30:50.079 --> 00:30:51.019 this is 00:30:51.019 --> 00:30:52.099 spiritual 00:30:52.099 --> 00:30:53.480 praying 00:30:53.480 --> 00:30:55.140 and nobody 00:30:55.140 --> 00:30:56.220 understands it. 00:30:57.359 --> 00:30:58.160 I want you 00:30:58.160 --> 00:30:58.680 to understand 00:30:58.680 --> 00:30:59.259 that praying 00:30:59.259 --> 00:31:00.299 in the Spirit 00:31:00.299 --> 00:31:01.680 is not a collection 00:31:01.680 --> 00:31:03.519 of unintelligible 00:31:03.519 --> 00:31:05.060 vowels and consonants, 00:31:06.019 --> 00:31:07.060 nor is it 00:31:07.060 --> 00:31:07.539 being 00:31:07.539 --> 00:31:08.960 exceptionally moved 00:31:08.960 --> 00:31:09.740 by emotion. 00:31:11.100 --> 00:31:11.320 Now, 00:31:11.340 --> 00:31:12.299 sometimes we think 00:31:12.299 --> 00:31:13.860 that just because 00:31:13.860 --> 00:31:14.680 we have been moved 00:31:14.680 --> 00:31:15.440 by emotion 00:31:15.440 --> 00:31:17.019 that that necessarily 00:31:17.019 --> 00:31:17.660 is the work 00:31:17.660 --> 00:31:18.200 of the Spirit. 00:31:19.360 --> 00:31:19.900 How many of you 00:31:19.900 --> 00:31:20.920 understand that emotions 00:31:20.920 --> 00:31:22.480 are pretty fickle things? 00:31:23.740 --> 00:31:23.940 Huh? 00:31:23.940 --> 00:31:26.960 I, once again, 00:31:27.120 --> 00:31:27.700 bear with me 00:31:27.700 --> 00:31:28.240 on Facebook, 00:31:28.440 --> 00:31:30.420 but I have people 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:31.160 that will every now 00:31:31.160 --> 00:31:31.740 and then post 00:31:31.740 --> 00:31:32.820 these little cute things 00:31:32.820 --> 00:31:34.160 about cats and dogs 00:31:34.160 --> 00:31:35.539 and tell me that 00:31:35.539 --> 00:31:37.519 if I just watch this clip, 00:31:37.580 --> 00:31:38.640 it will break me down 00:31:38.640 --> 00:31:39.500 into emotions. 00:31:39.660 --> 00:31:40.279 You follow that? 00:31:41.440 --> 00:31:41.820 Nah. 00:31:44.320 --> 00:31:45.039 I mean, 00:31:45.180 --> 00:31:46.539 I can get carried away 00:31:46.539 --> 00:31:47.160 with emotions 00:31:47.160 --> 00:31:48.200 and I think you know that, 00:31:48.320 --> 00:31:49.460 but cats and dogs 00:31:49.460 --> 00:31:50.100 don't do it. 00:31:50.099 --> 00:31:53.379 And we ought to be careful 00:31:53.379 --> 00:31:54.399 that we don't assume 00:31:54.399 --> 00:31:55.139 that just because 00:31:55.139 --> 00:31:56.039 we have a little 00:31:56.039 --> 00:31:57.119 emotional surge 00:31:57.119 --> 00:31:58.319 that it's the Spirit 00:31:58.319 --> 00:31:58.959 of God. 00:32:01.399 --> 00:32:02.359 You can 00:32:02.359 --> 00:32:03.599 work up 00:32:03.599 --> 00:32:04.459 emotions. 00:32:06.980 --> 00:32:07.899 And that's not 00:32:07.899 --> 00:32:08.879 necessarily the work 00:32:08.879 --> 00:32:09.699 of the Spirit of God. 00:32:12.259 --> 00:32:13.419 Just as an example, 00:32:13.559 --> 00:32:14.399 when was the last time 00:32:14.399 --> 00:32:15.399 you thought about people 00:32:15.399 --> 00:32:16.199 going to hell 00:32:16.199 --> 00:32:17.740 and you broke down 00:32:17.740 --> 00:32:18.160 in tears? 00:32:19.599 --> 00:32:20.359 That's the Spirit. 00:32:22.920 --> 00:32:23.319 So, 00:32:23.519 --> 00:32:24.640 let's talk about 00:32:24.640 --> 00:32:25.339 what it is to pray 00:32:25.339 --> 00:32:25.839 in the Spirit. 00:32:26.240 --> 00:32:26.920 Praying in the Spirit 00:32:26.920 --> 00:32:27.779 is praying with, 00:32:27.859 --> 00:32:28.359 number one, 00:32:28.680 --> 00:32:29.920 a sense of blessing 00:32:29.920 --> 00:32:31.259 in our relationship 00:32:31.259 --> 00:32:32.120 with Him. 00:32:34.160 --> 00:32:35.299 I think about the passage 00:32:35.299 --> 00:32:36.299 in Romans chapter 8, 00:32:36.359 --> 00:32:36.920 verse 15. 00:32:37.019 --> 00:32:37.640 I want you to look 00:32:37.640 --> 00:32:38.380 at that passage. 00:32:38.880 --> 00:32:40.120 One of the sweet... 00:32:40.120 --> 00:32:41.180 Romans chapter 8 00:32:41.180 --> 00:32:42.579 has a lot to say 00:32:42.579 --> 00:32:43.740 about the love of Christ 00:32:43.740 --> 00:32:45.680 and the Spirit of God 00:32:45.680 --> 00:32:46.539 who is at work 00:32:46.539 --> 00:32:47.339 in the believer. 00:32:47.740 --> 00:32:49.500 If you were to ask me 00:32:49.500 --> 00:32:51.200 what are some of the 00:32:51.200 --> 00:32:52.539 most significant things 00:32:52.539 --> 00:32:53.680 that the Lord has done 00:32:53.680 --> 00:32:54.839 in my life 00:32:54.839 --> 00:32:55.900 in the last 10 years 00:32:55.900 --> 00:32:56.400 spiritually, 00:32:56.640 --> 00:32:57.620 I would tell you 00:32:57.620 --> 00:32:58.599 that it has been 00:32:58.599 --> 00:32:59.380 His working 00:32:59.380 --> 00:33:00.579 in helping me 00:33:00.579 --> 00:33:02.359 slowly grow 00:33:02.359 --> 00:33:03.420 in appreciating 00:33:03.420 --> 00:33:04.259 the love of Christ 00:33:04.259 --> 00:33:05.400 and appreciating 00:33:05.400 --> 00:33:06.500 the work of the Spirit 00:33:06.500 --> 00:33:07.039 of God 00:33:07.039 --> 00:33:07.900 in the life 00:33:07.900 --> 00:33:08.539 of the believer. 00:33:10.339 --> 00:33:11.200 And here in Romans 00:33:11.200 --> 00:33:11.779 chapter 8, 00:33:11.839 --> 00:33:12.500 verse 15, 00:33:13.380 --> 00:33:15.900 it says this, 00:33:15.900 --> 00:33:17.720 you have received 00:33:17.720 --> 00:33:19.280 the Spirit of adoption 00:33:19.280 --> 00:33:22.640 by whom we cry, 00:33:23.360 --> 00:33:24.840 Abba, Father. 00:33:28.060 --> 00:33:29.480 When was the last time 00:33:29.480 --> 00:33:30.700 that in your prayer life 00:33:30.700 --> 00:33:33.019 you just had this 00:33:33.019 --> 00:33:34.300 abiding sense 00:33:34.300 --> 00:33:36.980 that the God in heaven 00:33:36.980 --> 00:33:39.480 is your Father 00:33:39.480 --> 00:33:42.200 and He cares about you 00:33:42.200 --> 00:33:43.599 in a way that is 00:33:43.599 --> 00:33:45.099 beyond your comprehension 00:33:45.099 --> 00:33:46.579 and you rest 00:33:46.579 --> 00:33:47.579 in the goodness 00:33:47.579 --> 00:33:48.819 of that relationship. 00:33:50.079 --> 00:33:51.420 To pray in the Spirit 00:33:51.420 --> 00:33:52.819 is to pray 00:33:52.819 --> 00:33:53.460 with a sense 00:33:53.460 --> 00:33:54.059 of blessing 00:33:54.059 --> 00:33:55.599 in our relationship 00:33:55.599 --> 00:33:57.019 both with the Spirit 00:33:57.019 --> 00:33:57.500 of God 00:33:57.500 --> 00:33:58.339 and with the Father. 00:33:59.819 --> 00:34:00.900 To pray in the Spirit 00:34:00.900 --> 00:34:01.759 is also to pray 00:34:01.759 --> 00:34:02.640 with a thankfulness 00:34:02.640 --> 00:34:03.460 for His indwelling. 00:34:03.460 --> 00:34:05.759 I think about the passage 00:34:05.759 --> 00:34:07.059 over in John chapter 15 00:34:07.059 --> 00:34:07.860 or 16 00:34:07.860 --> 00:34:08.980 where Jesus said this, 00:34:09.380 --> 00:34:10.519 it is to your advantage 00:34:10.519 --> 00:34:11.559 that I leave. 00:34:13.340 --> 00:34:14.480 That had to be 00:34:14.480 --> 00:34:15.840 a mind blower 00:34:15.840 --> 00:34:16.699 for the disciples. 00:34:16.840 --> 00:34:17.420 Do you follow that? 00:34:18.320 --> 00:34:19.960 They had no idea 00:34:19.960 --> 00:34:21.280 that things were going 00:34:21.280 --> 00:34:21.699 to end up 00:34:21.699 --> 00:34:22.460 the way they did. 00:34:23.220 --> 00:34:24.240 And we know that 00:34:24.240 --> 00:34:25.639 because even after 00:34:25.639 --> 00:34:26.500 the Last Supper 00:34:26.500 --> 00:34:27.619 as Jesus went through 00:34:27.619 --> 00:34:28.539 breaking the elements 00:34:28.539 --> 00:34:28.920 and said, 00:34:29.300 --> 00:34:29.980 this is my body 00:34:29.980 --> 00:34:30.740 which is for you 00:34:30.740 --> 00:34:31.880 and this cup 00:34:31.880 --> 00:34:32.659 is the cup 00:34:32.659 --> 00:34:33.400 of the New Testament 00:34:33.400 --> 00:34:34.019 in my blood 00:34:34.019 --> 00:34:35.099 and He explained 00:34:35.099 --> 00:34:35.720 the fact that He 00:34:35.720 --> 00:34:36.360 was going to die 00:34:36.360 --> 00:34:36.760 for them. 00:34:36.980 --> 00:34:38.019 As they left 00:34:38.019 --> 00:34:39.079 that time 00:34:39.079 --> 00:34:40.039 they were 00:34:40.039 --> 00:34:41.579 bickering 00:34:41.579 --> 00:34:42.780 with who was going 00:34:42.780 --> 00:34:43.680 to be number one 00:34:43.680 --> 00:34:44.200 in the kingdom. 00:34:44.320 --> 00:34:45.099 They didn't get it. 00:34:46.240 --> 00:34:46.760 Jesus says, 00:34:46.840 --> 00:34:47.220 I'm leaving. 00:34:48.260 --> 00:34:49.420 But it's a good thing 00:34:49.420 --> 00:34:49.880 I'm leaving 00:34:49.880 --> 00:34:51.019 because when I leave 00:34:51.019 --> 00:34:51.680 you're going to get 00:34:51.680 --> 00:34:52.160 the Spirit. 00:34:54.200 --> 00:34:55.200 And so to pray 00:34:55.200 --> 00:34:55.720 in the Spirit 00:34:55.720 --> 00:34:56.420 means to pray 00:34:56.420 --> 00:34:57.340 with a thankfulness 00:34:57.340 --> 00:34:58.639 that He indwells me 00:34:58.639 --> 00:34:59.760 that I have 00:34:59.760 --> 00:35:00.400 the blessing 00:35:00.400 --> 00:35:01.380 of the Spirit 00:35:01.380 --> 00:35:01.860 of God 00:35:01.860 --> 00:35:03.119 abiding in me. 00:35:04.160 --> 00:35:05.340 When was the last time 00:35:05.340 --> 00:35:06.480 that you found yourself 00:35:06.480 --> 00:35:07.160 tempted 00:35:07.160 --> 00:35:08.160 and as you were 00:35:08.160 --> 00:35:09.539 struggling with that 00:35:09.539 --> 00:35:10.019 temptation 00:35:10.019 --> 00:35:11.180 you thought to yourself, 00:35:11.360 --> 00:35:11.619 listen, 00:35:12.519 --> 00:35:14.840 if I do this sin 00:35:14.840 --> 00:35:16.099 I am going to grieve 00:35:16.099 --> 00:35:16.980 the Holy Spirit 00:35:16.980 --> 00:35:18.139 who abides in me. 00:35:18.180 --> 00:35:18.760 Do you follow that? 00:35:19.099 --> 00:35:19.639 Think with me. 00:35:20.599 --> 00:35:21.880 Your eyes are going 00:35:21.880 --> 00:35:23.240 where they shouldn't go 00:35:23.240 --> 00:35:24.220 and you think 00:35:24.220 --> 00:35:24.800 to yourself, 00:35:25.099 --> 00:35:25.680 the Spirit 00:35:25.680 --> 00:35:26.539 is looking 00:35:26.539 --> 00:35:27.699 and seeing 00:35:27.699 --> 00:35:28.679 and grieved 00:35:28.679 --> 00:35:29.480 by that. 00:35:33.420 --> 00:35:34.619 To pray in the Spirit 00:35:34.619 --> 00:35:37.000 is to pray 00:35:37.000 --> 00:35:38.179 with a conscious 00:35:38.179 --> 00:35:38.880 dependence 00:35:38.880 --> 00:35:40.440 on His person 00:35:40.440 --> 00:35:41.940 and His work. 00:35:44.119 --> 00:35:45.179 When was the last time 00:35:45.179 --> 00:35:45.900 that you let Him know 00:35:45.900 --> 00:35:46.860 how glad you are 00:35:46.860 --> 00:35:47.440 that He is there 00:35:47.440 --> 00:35:47.900 to help you? 00:35:49.279 --> 00:35:50.119 Do you follow that? 00:35:50.119 --> 00:35:53.000 I am so glad 00:35:53.000 --> 00:35:55.440 that I have 00:35:55.440 --> 00:35:56.460 the Holy Spirit 00:35:56.460 --> 00:35:57.779 abiding in me. 00:35:58.880 --> 00:35:59.880 I can tell you 00:35:59.880 --> 00:36:00.779 that earlier 00:36:00.779 --> 00:36:01.500 in ministry 00:36:01.500 --> 00:36:03.279 I found 00:36:03.279 --> 00:36:03.639 that 00:36:03.639 --> 00:36:05.519 I spent 00:36:05.519 --> 00:36:06.179 a great deal 00:36:06.179 --> 00:36:06.619 of time, 00:36:06.679 --> 00:36:06.960 in fact, 00:36:07.059 --> 00:36:07.639 more time 00:36:07.639 --> 00:36:08.199 in study 00:36:08.199 --> 00:36:08.960 than in prayer 00:36:08.960 --> 00:36:10.259 over a passage. 00:36:10.380 --> 00:36:11.119 I wanted to understand 00:36:11.119 --> 00:36:11.559 the Greek, 00:36:11.679 --> 00:36:12.259 I wanted to understand 00:36:12.259 --> 00:36:13.319 the structure, 00:36:13.460 --> 00:36:14.099 I wanted to understand 00:36:14.099 --> 00:36:15.299 the flow of the sentence 00:36:15.300 --> 00:36:16.000 and context 00:36:16.000 --> 00:36:17.220 and all of those things 00:36:17.220 --> 00:36:18.400 are supremely important 00:36:18.400 --> 00:36:19.840 but as I have grown 00:36:19.840 --> 00:36:20.840 older in the Lord 00:36:20.840 --> 00:36:21.660 I have found 00:36:21.660 --> 00:36:22.640 that praying 00:36:22.640 --> 00:36:23.980 in the Spirit 00:36:23.980 --> 00:36:25.840 is as valuable 00:36:25.840 --> 00:36:27.240 if not more valuable 00:36:27.240 --> 00:36:28.600 in comprehending 00:36:28.600 --> 00:36:29.220 the Scriptures. 00:36:31.380 --> 00:36:32.160 So praying 00:36:32.160 --> 00:36:32.660 in the Spirit 00:36:32.660 --> 00:36:33.320 is to be 00:36:33.320 --> 00:36:34.880 dependent 00:36:34.880 --> 00:36:36.660 upon His work. 00:36:38.640 --> 00:36:39.600 I want to tell you 00:36:39.600 --> 00:36:40.140 another thing 00:36:40.140 --> 00:36:40.580 that to pray 00:36:40.580 --> 00:36:41.080 in the Spirit 00:36:41.080 --> 00:36:41.800 means to pray 00:36:41.800 --> 00:36:42.860 with a deference 00:36:42.860 --> 00:36:44.420 to His Word. 00:36:44.539 --> 00:36:45.019 What do I mean 00:36:45.019 --> 00:36:45.880 by a deference? 00:36:47.820 --> 00:36:48.460 To pray 00:36:48.460 --> 00:36:49.019 in the Spirit 00:36:49.019 --> 00:36:51.099 means to pray 00:36:51.099 --> 00:36:53.320 with the enabling 00:36:53.320 --> 00:36:54.039 of the Spirit 00:36:54.039 --> 00:36:54.500 of God 00:36:54.500 --> 00:36:55.320 doing something 00:36:55.320 --> 00:36:56.360 in my thinking. 00:36:56.500 --> 00:36:57.119 Do you follow that? 00:36:57.840 --> 00:36:59.539 And if we follow 00:36:59.539 --> 00:37:00.259 the passage 00:37:00.259 --> 00:37:02.099 in John chapter 16 00:37:02.099 --> 00:37:03.539 we understand 00:37:03.539 --> 00:37:04.420 that the work 00:37:04.420 --> 00:37:05.019 of the Spirit 00:37:05.019 --> 00:37:05.679 of God 00:37:05.679 --> 00:37:06.780 is to bring 00:37:06.780 --> 00:37:07.719 the Scriptures 00:37:07.719 --> 00:37:08.719 to mind. 00:37:10.400 --> 00:37:11.480 And if I am 00:37:11.480 --> 00:37:12.500 praying in the Spirit 00:37:12.500 --> 00:37:16.440 my prayer life 00:37:16.440 --> 00:37:17.760 will be enriched 00:37:17.760 --> 00:37:19.679 and characterized 00:37:19.679 --> 00:37:21.239 by the Scriptures. 00:37:25.519 --> 00:37:26.940 To pray in the Spirit 00:37:26.940 --> 00:37:29.119 is to pray 00:37:29.119 --> 00:37:29.960 with an amplified 00:37:29.960 --> 00:37:31.320 focus on Christ. 00:37:32.619 --> 00:37:33.679 Turn in your Bible 00:37:33.679 --> 00:37:36.340 turn in your Bible 00:37:36.340 --> 00:37:37.400 and I close with this 00:37:37.400 --> 00:37:39.880 to John chapter 16 00:37:39.880 --> 00:37:40.740 verse 14. 00:37:42.140 --> 00:37:43.260 I have made 00:37:43.260 --> 00:37:44.700 repeated references 00:37:44.700 --> 00:37:45.460 this morning 00:37:45.460 --> 00:37:47.280 to the book 00:37:47.280 --> 00:37:47.780 of John 00:37:47.780 --> 00:37:48.420 in particular 00:37:48.420 --> 00:37:49.440 to chapter 16 00:37:49.440 --> 00:37:50.680 because in John 00:37:50.680 --> 00:37:51.579 chapter 15 00:37:51.579 --> 00:37:51.960 16 00:37:51.960 --> 00:37:53.260 you find 00:37:53.260 --> 00:37:55.420 John giving us 00:37:55.420 --> 00:37:55.860 perhaps 00:37:55.860 --> 00:37:57.380 the most complete 00:37:57.380 --> 00:38:00.420 study of the doctrine 00:38:00.420 --> 00:38:01.740 of the Spirit's ministry 00:38:01.740 --> 00:38:02.579 in our lives 00:38:02.579 --> 00:38:04.260 as Jesus explains 00:38:04.260 --> 00:38:04.940 to the disciples 00:38:04.940 --> 00:38:05.480 the benefit 00:38:05.480 --> 00:38:06.300 they're going to have 00:38:06.300 --> 00:38:07.300 after He leaves. 00:38:07.300 --> 00:38:08.460 But look at 00:38:08.460 --> 00:38:09.539 John chapter 16 00:38:09.539 --> 00:38:10.240 verse 14 00:38:10.240 --> 00:38:11.360 as Jesus 00:38:11.360 --> 00:38:12.060 is explaining 00:38:12.060 --> 00:38:12.920 to His disciples 00:38:12.920 --> 00:38:14.080 what the Spirit 00:38:14.080 --> 00:38:14.580 of God 00:38:14.580 --> 00:38:15.100 will do 00:38:15.100 --> 00:38:16.060 when He comes. 00:38:18.820 --> 00:38:20.260 He will glorify me. 00:38:22.660 --> 00:38:23.740 How do I know 00:38:23.740 --> 00:38:25.600 that I'm praying 00:38:25.600 --> 00:38:26.120 in the Spirit? 00:38:27.280 --> 00:38:28.280 How do I know 00:38:28.280 --> 00:38:29.000 that I'm walking 00:38:29.000 --> 00:38:29.620 in the Spirit? 00:38:31.200 --> 00:38:32.160 How do I know 00:38:32.160 --> 00:38:33.039 that I'm rejoicing 00:38:33.039 --> 00:38:33.580 in the Spirit? 00:38:33.579 --> 00:38:36.639 How do I know 00:38:36.639 --> 00:38:37.279 that the Spirit 00:38:37.279 --> 00:38:37.880 of God 00:38:37.880 --> 00:38:38.779 is at work 00:38:38.779 --> 00:38:40.400 in Tim Kenoyer's life? 00:38:40.599 --> 00:38:41.519 I know it 00:38:41.519 --> 00:38:43.019 when Jesus Christ 00:38:43.019 --> 00:38:43.799 is the one 00:38:43.799 --> 00:38:45.019 that is exalted 00:38:45.019 --> 00:38:46.239 and lifted up. 00:38:46.739 --> 00:38:47.319 Why? 00:38:47.980 --> 00:38:48.860 Because that's 00:38:48.860 --> 00:38:49.579 His work. 00:38:55.739 --> 00:38:56.460 He 00:38:56.460 --> 00:38:59.039 will glorify 00:38:59.039 --> 00:38:59.940 me. 00:38:59.940 --> 00:39:00.099 He 00:39:00.099 --> 00:39:06.519 I want you 00:39:06.519 --> 00:39:06.739 to think 00:39:06.739 --> 00:39:07.019 with me 00:39:07.019 --> 00:39:07.539 for a moment. 00:39:10.319 --> 00:39:11.360 Paul is 00:39:11.360 --> 00:39:12.019 greatly 00:39:12.019 --> 00:39:12.759 concerned 00:39:12.759 --> 00:39:13.819 for believers 00:39:13.819 --> 00:39:15.799 in Ephesus 00:39:15.799 --> 00:39:19.739 whose lives 00:39:19.739 --> 00:39:20.519 were threatened 00:39:20.519 --> 00:39:21.360 by an enemy 00:39:21.360 --> 00:39:21.920 that wanted 00:39:21.920 --> 00:39:22.599 to trash 00:39:22.599 --> 00:39:22.960 them. 00:39:24.539 --> 00:39:25.319 Do you 00:39:25.319 --> 00:39:25.759 follow that? 00:39:25.760 --> 00:39:29.220 And as 00:39:29.220 --> 00:39:31.600 that passage 00:39:31.600 --> 00:39:32.640 was being read 00:39:32.640 --> 00:39:33.580 I have no doubt 00:39:33.580 --> 00:39:34.080 that as 00:39:34.080 --> 00:39:35.420 perhaps Timothy 00:39:35.420 --> 00:39:37.000 don't know for sure 00:39:37.000 --> 00:39:38.320 but as 00:39:38.320 --> 00:39:39.500 whoever was reading 00:39:39.500 --> 00:39:40.320 that passage 00:39:40.320 --> 00:39:40.800 of Scripture 00:39:40.800 --> 00:39:41.700 was reading it 00:39:41.700 --> 00:39:42.640 with the enabling 00:39:42.640 --> 00:39:43.240 of the Spirit 00:39:43.240 --> 00:39:43.660 of God 00:39:43.660 --> 00:39:44.720 I have no doubt 00:39:44.720 --> 00:39:45.460 that he could look 00:39:45.460 --> 00:39:46.360 out on the congregation 00:39:46.360 --> 00:39:47.520 and see the faces 00:39:47.520 --> 00:39:48.560 of people 00:39:48.560 --> 00:39:49.320 that he loved 00:39:49.320 --> 00:39:50.080 as a shepherd 00:39:50.080 --> 00:39:51.160 and he saw 00:39:51.160 --> 00:39:51.980 them there 00:39:51.980 --> 00:39:53.160 harmed 00:39:53.160 --> 00:39:54.580 and wounded. 00:39:55.760 --> 00:39:57.460 And his heart 00:39:57.460 --> 00:39:58.320 was with them 00:39:58.320 --> 00:39:59.440 as he prayed 00:39:59.440 --> 00:40:00.600 oh I hope 00:40:00.600 --> 00:40:01.440 they get it 00:40:01.440 --> 00:40:02.800 and they pray 00:40:02.800 --> 00:40:04.480 always 00:40:04.480 --> 00:40:06.340 in the Spirit. 00:40:20.160 --> 00:40:21.040 Do we have 00:40:21.040 --> 00:40:21.360 an enemy? 00:40:22.800 --> 00:40:23.440 Yeah. 00:40:23.440 --> 00:40:23.520 Yeah. 00:40:25.760 --> 00:40:26.600 Has he wounded 00:40:26.600 --> 00:40:27.280 you before? 00:40:28.580 --> 00:40:29.080 Yes. 00:40:31.160 --> 00:40:32.080 Am I more 00:40:32.080 --> 00:40:32.900 fearful of him 00:40:32.900 --> 00:40:33.680 today than I 00:40:33.680 --> 00:40:34.340 used to be? 00:40:35.620 --> 00:40:36.160 Yes. 00:40:37.960 --> 00:40:38.900 Am I more 00:40:38.900 --> 00:40:39.720 conscious of 00:40:39.720 --> 00:40:40.580 the Spirit's 00:40:40.580 --> 00:40:41.100 enabling 00:40:41.100 --> 00:40:42.600 and sufficiency 00:40:42.600 --> 00:40:43.960 and power 00:40:43.960 --> 00:40:45.140 and blessing? 00:40:45.920 --> 00:40:46.420 Yes. 00:40:50.100 --> 00:40:50.600 And where 00:40:50.600 --> 00:40:51.020 are you in 00:40:51.020 --> 00:40:51.320 that? 00:40:54.260 --> 00:40:54.980 Let's close 00:40:54.980 --> 00:40:55.400 in prayer. 00:40:55.760 --> 00:41:06.800 Holy Spirit 00:41:06.800 --> 00:41:10.260 work 00:41:10.260 --> 00:41:12.900 in the lives 00:41:12.900 --> 00:41:15.220 of people 00:41:15.220 --> 00:41:19.060 that know 00:41:19.060 --> 00:41:19.740 the Lord Jesus 00:41:19.740 --> 00:41:20.340 Christ 00:41:20.340 --> 00:41:22.600 are blessed 00:41:22.600 --> 00:41:23.480 with salvation 00:41:23.480 --> 00:41:26.679 and desperately 00:41:26.679 --> 00:41:27.800 need victory 00:41:27.800 --> 00:41:29.800 over an 00:41:29.800 --> 00:41:30.179 enemy 00:41:30.179 --> 00:41:31.059 that hates 00:41:31.059 --> 00:41:32.920 their soul. 00:41:35.079 --> 00:41:35.920 And let 00:41:35.920 --> 00:41:36.480 the thing 00:41:36.480 --> 00:41:38.320 that characterizes 00:41:38.320 --> 00:41:39.360 the outcome 00:41:39.360 --> 00:41:40.079 of the 00:41:40.079 --> 00:41:40.579 preaching 00:41:40.579 --> 00:41:48.139 of the 00:41:48.139 --> 00:41:48.840 word of God 00:41:48.840 --> 00:41:49.420 today be 00:41:49.420 --> 00:41:49.900 this 00:41:49.900 --> 00:41:50.940 God 00:41:50.940 --> 00:41:51.820 that we 00:41:51.820 --> 00:41:52.139 be a 00:41:52.139 --> 00:41:52.440 people 00:41:52.440 --> 00:41:53.099 who pray 00:41:53.099 --> 00:41:55.260 at all 00:41:55.260 --> 00:41:55.900 times 00:41:55.900 --> 00:41:57.480 in the 00:41:57.480 --> 00:41:57.880 Spirit. 00:41:59.360 --> 00:41:59.800 Amen. 00:42:02.440 --> 00:42:02.940 Let's 00:42:02.940 --> 00:42:03.420 stand together 00:42:03.420 --> 00:42:03.780 as we 00:42:03.780 --> 00:42:04.240 close 00:42:04.240 --> 00:42:05.340 and as we 00:42:05.340 --> 00:42:05.860 are singing 00:42:05.860 --> 00:42:06.440 our closing 00:42:06.440 --> 00:42:06.940 song 00:42:06.940 --> 00:42:07.940 God 00:42:07.940 --> 00:42:09.079 I want 00:42:09.079 --> 00:42:10.500 to 00:42:10.500 --> 00:42:14.860 encourage 00:42:14.860 --> 00:42:15.179 you 00:42:15.179 --> 00:42:15.440 if you 00:42:15.440 --> 00:42:15.780 are here 00:42:15.780 --> 00:42:16.019 this 00:42:16.019 --> 00:42:16.300 morning 00:42:16.300 --> 00:42:16.460 and 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:16.700 there's 00:42:16.700 --> 00:42:17.039 a matter 00:42:17.039 --> 00:42:17.460 that you 00:42:17.460 --> 00:42:17.780 need 00:42:17.780 --> 00:42:18.539 to 00:42:18.539 --> 00:42:18.720 settle 00:42:18.719 --> 00:42:19.459 and 00:42:19.459 --> 00:42:19.459 00:42:19.459 --> 00:42:19.459 00:42:19.459 --> 00:42:19.459 00:42:19.459 --> 00:42:19.459 00:42:19.459 --> 00:42:19.459 00:42:19.459 --> 00:42:19.459 00:42:19.459 --> 00:42:19.459 00:42:19.459 --> 00:42:19.459 00:42:19.459 --> 00:42:19.459 00:42:19.459 --> 00:42:19.459 00:42:19.459 --> 00:42:19.459 00:42:19.459 --> 00:42:19.459