WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.419 Well, please turn in your Bibles back to that passage we've read in Acts chapter 4. 00:00:06.419 --> 00:00:08.540 ! I'm going to read again from verse 23. 00:00:14.000 --> 00:00:21.800 So when Peter and John were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and elders had said to them. 00:00:22.420 --> 00:00:29.980 And when they heard it, they lifted up their voices together to God and said, Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth, 00:00:29.980 --> 00:00:40.539 and the sea, and everything in them, who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, 00:00:40.899 --> 00:00:43.579 Why do the Gentiles rage and the peoples plot in vain? 00:00:44.320 --> 00:00:51.480 The kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers are gathered together against the Lord and against his anointed. 00:00:52.560 --> 00:00:56.500 Truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, 00:00:56.500 --> 00:01:04.140 whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 00:01:05.060 --> 00:01:09.400 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 00:01:09.400 --> 00:01:17.760 Now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 00:01:18.280 --> 00:01:21.120 while you stretch out your hand to heal, 00:01:22.140 --> 00:01:27.400 and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus. 00:01:27.400 --> 00:01:33.140 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, 00:01:33.880 --> 00:01:36.719 and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, 00:01:37.080 --> 00:01:41.540 and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. 00:01:42.740 --> 00:01:45.380 Amen. This is God's word to us. 00:01:45.439 --> 00:01:48.219 Let's bow our heads just for a moment in prayer to God. 00:01:48.219 --> 00:02:05.219 Heavenly Father, as we turn our attention for a while this evening to a notion in your word of the importance of corporate prayer in the life of the church, 00:02:06.680 --> 00:02:10.699 we cry to you, Father, that you would bless us in this. 00:02:10.699 --> 00:02:18.519 Just as we were thinking last week about the prayer life of the individual Christian, 00:02:20.099 --> 00:02:25.280 and how crucial that is to our whole relationship with you, 00:02:26.199 --> 00:02:30.639 and all of the priorities that ought to inform our relationship with you, 00:02:31.259 --> 00:02:40.079 help us tonight to see how our relationships with one another are interwoven into that relationship with you as well. 00:02:40.699 --> 00:02:45.639 And so help us tonight to see how we can best bless one another, 00:02:46.519 --> 00:02:51.780 how we can help one another in our pilgrimage in this world, 00:02:51.959 --> 00:02:58.579 as we seek to live a life of shared prayer together, 00:02:59.659 --> 00:03:03.519 and as we seek to pray not only for one another privately, 00:03:04.099 --> 00:03:08.780 but with one another in our lives day by day. 00:03:10.699 --> 00:03:12.739 We need, Lord, the Holy Spirit to guide us in this. 00:03:13.139 --> 00:03:17.859 We're so conscious, Lord, of the weakness and the fragility of our own hearts. 00:03:19.959 --> 00:03:23.419 Lord, I know tonight I'm really conscious. 00:03:24.799 --> 00:03:29.239 Many brothers in particular who are in anguish over public prayer. 00:03:29.240 --> 00:03:33.879 And I pray, Father, that they would be encouraged, 00:03:35.120 --> 00:03:36.460 that they would be built up, 00:03:37.800 --> 00:03:43.120 that they would not be grieved by what we consider tonight, 00:03:43.180 --> 00:03:49.680 but rather that they would see ways to grow and to mature in your service, 00:03:50.240 --> 00:03:51.780 and in how much they can bless the church. 00:03:51.780 --> 00:03:57.680 I pray, Father, for others who are so anxious about praying with other believers 00:03:57.680 --> 00:04:00.340 that they find it actually almost impossible, 00:04:01.300 --> 00:04:03.460 just almost struck dumb when they gather. 00:04:04.740 --> 00:04:07.939 I pray, Father, that you, by your Holy Spirit, 00:04:09.219 --> 00:04:12.780 would teach us how we can bless one another 00:04:12.780 --> 00:04:15.860 and encourage one another through praying together 00:04:15.860 --> 00:04:19.060 and to be a blessing to one another in this way. 00:04:20.960 --> 00:04:22.500 And so, heart, we pray tonight, Lord. 00:04:23.139 --> 00:04:24.020 Shake our hearts. 00:04:25.259 --> 00:04:28.500 We know the building was shaken after the apostles and their friends prayed 00:04:28.500 --> 00:04:30.040 that day in Jerusalem. 00:04:31.740 --> 00:04:33.819 Lord, we need our hearts to be shaken as well. 00:04:33.980 --> 00:04:36.939 We need the Holy Spirit to come and work among us, 00:04:36.939 --> 00:04:40.800 to inform us and enlighten us and change us, 00:04:42.040 --> 00:04:46.600 and for the power of God to work in and through us in these things. 00:04:47.459 --> 00:04:49.240 And so we ask all of this in Jesus' name. 00:04:50.240 --> 00:04:50.540 Amen. 00:04:53.339 --> 00:04:57.740 This evening, I want to, when I say continue, conclude, I suppose, 00:04:58.360 --> 00:05:02.579 thinking about our prayer life as Christians. 00:05:03.839 --> 00:05:06.220 If you cast your mind back to last week, 00:05:06.220 --> 00:05:08.040 you think that was maybe about good habits 00:05:08.040 --> 00:05:12.060 that should shape our private prayer life 00:05:12.060 --> 00:05:13.420 and our priorities in prayer, 00:05:14.840 --> 00:05:19.340 and how that's really tied up in our individual walk with God, 00:05:19.980 --> 00:05:23.660 then this evening, it's about how priorities 00:05:23.660 --> 00:05:28.140 that should shape how we corporately 00:05:28.140 --> 00:05:32.460 work and pray together in God's service. 00:05:32.459 --> 00:05:37.439 And so I think tonight, if anything, I want to just reiterate 00:05:37.439 --> 00:05:41.599 that line from Derek Kidner that I was quoting last week, 00:05:42.279 --> 00:05:43.479 that the greatest happiness 00:05:43.479 --> 00:05:47.339 is to be in close agreement with God. 00:05:48.199 --> 00:05:49.939 That would be true of us as a church. 00:05:50.779 --> 00:05:54.919 It would be true of us as little fellowships within this church as well. 00:05:54.920 --> 00:05:58.699 It's difficult, you know, with a church of more than almost 400 people 00:05:58.699 --> 00:06:03.240 to speak meaningfully of us all having fellowship with one another. 00:06:03.379 --> 00:06:05.620 We gather on a Sunday and have fellowship together. 00:06:05.680 --> 00:06:09.400 But within the life of the church, there are little circles and fellowships 00:06:09.400 --> 00:06:10.920 of believers that are gathered together, 00:06:11.080 --> 00:06:13.379 family units that are clustered together. 00:06:13.379 --> 00:06:17.500 In all of these contexts as well, I want us to be encouraged 00:06:17.500 --> 00:06:23.079 about our walk with God and the joy that is to be found in harmony there 00:06:23.079 --> 00:06:26.560 with God corporately as much as individually. 00:06:27.500 --> 00:06:30.399 I have to say as well, last week, a few people have spoken to me 00:06:30.399 --> 00:06:31.399 since last week's sermon. 00:06:32.800 --> 00:06:36.899 And they've asked me about something I said that I was, 00:06:37.060 --> 00:06:39.180 in a sense, I was being deliberately provocative. 00:06:39.180 --> 00:06:44.379 What I said was, public prayer often means in people's minds 00:06:44.379 --> 00:06:45.980 that I'm talking about the prayer meeting. 00:06:47.720 --> 00:06:53.460 No, I mean corporate prayer because all Christians everywhere 00:06:53.460 --> 00:06:57.600 should and do pray with other Christians. 00:06:58.720 --> 00:07:00.879 And I think that was probably very controversial, as I said. 00:07:00.960 --> 00:07:04.360 It is inconceivable, in fact, that you could be a Christian 00:07:04.360 --> 00:07:07.759 and never pray with another Christian. 00:07:09.180 --> 00:07:13.240 And what I want to do, first of all, tonight is back that up from Scripture. 00:07:14.139 --> 00:07:17.000 I want to back it up from the teaching of the Bible 00:07:17.000 --> 00:07:21.759 and take us to the Book of Acts, where our text is tonight, 00:07:21.819 --> 00:07:24.160 and discover the things that Jesus... 00:07:24.160 --> 00:07:27.139 Remember, this is a key to understanding what's going on in the Book of Acts. 00:07:27.579 --> 00:07:31.319 The Book of Acts is what Jesus continues to do 00:07:31.319 --> 00:07:34.519 and teach in the life of the church. 00:07:34.519 --> 00:07:37.959 This is one of the great wonders of the Reformation, in fact, 00:07:38.439 --> 00:07:40.959 that the Roman Catholic Church had built up so many centuries to tradition 00:07:40.959 --> 00:07:43.000 and said all of these centuries of tradition 00:07:43.000 --> 00:07:46.659 are what we build our hope on and the life of the church upon. 00:07:47.079 --> 00:07:49.879 And the Reformers, Luther, Calvin in particular, 00:07:50.419 --> 00:07:52.439 were saying, no, we go back to the Bible 00:07:52.439 --> 00:07:56.319 and we build our expectations of the life of the church 00:07:56.319 --> 00:07:58.919 on sola scriptura, on Scripture alone. 00:07:58.920 --> 00:08:02.000 And so we go back to the Book of Acts and to the New Testament, 00:08:02.360 --> 00:08:06.120 and there we see what the history of the New Testament church was like 00:08:06.120 --> 00:08:09.040 and the pattern of the New Testament church. 00:08:09.759 --> 00:08:11.400 You see it in Matthew chapter 6, 00:08:11.460 --> 00:08:13.060 that passage we were looking at last Sunday morning. 00:08:13.480 --> 00:08:15.680 The Lord's Prayer begins with the word, 00:08:16.400 --> 00:08:17.360 Our Father. 00:08:19.139 --> 00:08:19.860 Our Father. 00:08:21.120 --> 00:08:24.920 So when Jesus was teaching the disciples how to pray, 00:08:24.920 --> 00:08:29.560 what he began teaching them was that you pray together. 00:08:31.699 --> 00:08:35.639 The chief mode, in fact, of prayer in the New Testament 00:08:35.639 --> 00:08:38.120 is not individual and private prayer. 00:08:39.039 --> 00:08:42.500 The chief mode of prayer in the church is actually corporate prayer. 00:08:43.960 --> 00:08:45.720 And that is the best expression of it, 00:08:46.519 --> 00:08:51.100 that we would pray together towards our Father. 00:08:51.100 --> 00:08:55.540 And it's interesting that when you go to the end of the book of the New Testament, 00:08:55.759 --> 00:08:56.700 to the book of Revelation, 00:08:57.300 --> 00:08:58.920 what you find there is, in fact, 00:08:59.159 --> 00:09:03.639 a really fascinating pattern emerges in Revelation chapter 8 00:09:03.639 --> 00:09:07.779 when the golden censer full of the prayers of the saints 00:09:07.779 --> 00:09:10.560 rising up as incense before God is revealed 00:09:10.560 --> 00:09:12.519 at the breaking of the final seal. 00:09:13.080 --> 00:09:17.500 The prayers of the saints have come up before God. 00:09:17.500 --> 00:09:24.460 It is the corporate combined prayer of the saints together. 00:09:24.820 --> 00:09:27.220 The intercession of the body of believers. 00:09:28.460 --> 00:09:31.259 Not as if all of these prayers are somehow individual prayers 00:09:31.259 --> 00:09:33.100 that are going up to God on our own, 00:09:33.360 --> 00:09:36.740 but that actually the activity of the church praying together 00:09:36.740 --> 00:09:42.480 itself is an intercessory moment 00:09:42.480 --> 00:09:46.059 that rises up before our God, 00:09:46.059 --> 00:09:49.359 echoing what Jesus has said in Matthew chapter 6, 00:09:50.199 --> 00:09:50.959 our Father. 00:09:51.799 --> 00:09:54.419 So we ought, therefore, from the example of Jesus 00:09:54.419 --> 00:09:56.159 and from the revelation, 00:09:56.879 --> 00:09:58.759 to recognize prayer together is important. 00:09:59.019 --> 00:10:00.479 It follows through in the book of Acts. 00:10:00.539 --> 00:10:02.000 In Acts chapter 1, verse 14, 00:10:02.399 --> 00:10:04.179 it's really interesting that the apostles 00:10:04.179 --> 00:10:07.239 and the woman with them 00:10:07.239 --> 00:10:10.079 were all gathered together, 00:10:10.559 --> 00:10:11.879 devoted to prayer, 00:10:11.879 --> 00:10:15.879 in the days between the ascension of Jesus and Pentecost. 00:10:17.019 --> 00:10:19.200 You see it again in Acts chapter 2. 00:10:19.799 --> 00:10:20.799 On the day of Pentecost, 00:10:20.919 --> 00:10:23.039 there are about 3,000 people added to their number, 00:10:23.519 --> 00:10:25.620 and they devoted themselves. 00:10:26.820 --> 00:10:28.840 So this is what faith looks like. 00:10:29.240 --> 00:10:32.179 They devoted themselves to corporate things. 00:10:32.179 --> 00:10:33.659 The apostles' teaching, 00:10:34.159 --> 00:10:36.039 to fellowship, 00:10:36.779 --> 00:10:39.159 to breaking bread together. 00:10:39.159 --> 00:10:43.620 That could be seen either as sitting together at the Lord's table, 00:10:44.059 --> 00:10:46.319 breaking bread in remembrance of the Lord's death, 00:10:46.360 --> 00:10:46.959 as he taught us, 00:10:47.039 --> 00:10:51.959 or it could simply be just in having actual physical fellowship together, 00:10:52.079 --> 00:10:53.679 meeting together and breaking bread together, 00:10:54.039 --> 00:10:56.039 and being in a corporate setting like that. 00:10:56.059 --> 00:10:57.679 But it's something that they do together. 00:10:58.939 --> 00:11:01.439 And then the fourth thing that Luke tells us 00:11:01.439 --> 00:11:04.600 is that they devoted themselves to prayer. 00:11:04.600 --> 00:11:08.540 And again, the notion that that is something 00:11:08.540 --> 00:11:10.700 that they then broke off and did individually 00:11:10.700 --> 00:11:14.159 is not following through. 00:11:15.159 --> 00:11:17.480 The pattern continues. 00:11:18.460 --> 00:11:20.240 They come together under the apostles' teaching. 00:11:20.639 --> 00:11:23.700 They come together in fellowship to encourage one another. 00:11:24.040 --> 00:11:26.000 They come together breaking bread together. 00:11:26.440 --> 00:11:28.440 And they prayed together. 00:11:29.720 --> 00:11:31.100 Acts chapter 14, 00:11:31.279 --> 00:11:33.360 during Peter's imprisonment, 00:11:33.360 --> 00:11:36.480 the church prays. 00:11:37.080 --> 00:11:38.740 And there's a servant girl called Rhoda 00:11:38.740 --> 00:11:42.860 who's present at that time of prayer together. 00:11:44.139 --> 00:11:45.220 Rhoda goes to the door 00:11:45.220 --> 00:11:46.399 when she hears someone knocking 00:11:46.399 --> 00:11:49.000 and looks out to see, 00:11:49.100 --> 00:11:49.740 and it's Peter. 00:11:50.980 --> 00:11:53.039 And she kind of doesn't believe it's him. 00:11:53.259 --> 00:11:55.379 She thinks it's a vision, an apparition. 00:11:57.060 --> 00:11:58.539 And so she goes back in 00:11:58.539 --> 00:12:00.200 to speak to everybody else, 00:12:00.279 --> 00:12:01.740 leaving Peter standing out at the door. 00:12:01.840 --> 00:12:03.259 It's quite a comical scene almost. 00:12:04.340 --> 00:12:05.960 But again, you've got that impression 00:12:05.960 --> 00:12:09.100 that she's there as part of the church 00:12:09.100 --> 00:12:10.740 gathered together in prayer. 00:12:13.519 --> 00:12:16.039 You've got, as you go on in the New Testament, 00:12:16.159 --> 00:12:17.519 you go into the Corinthian church. 00:12:18.120 --> 00:12:19.899 And there is a passage that is, 00:12:20.320 --> 00:12:21.460 in some ways, very confusing. 00:12:21.580 --> 00:12:23.220 In 1 Corinthians chapter 11, 00:12:23.680 --> 00:12:25.600 it's the famous passage that talks about 00:12:25.600 --> 00:12:27.139 women having head coverings. 00:12:27.139 --> 00:12:30.980 And I know having grown up in the island, 00:12:31.559 --> 00:12:32.840 I know that that's a passage 00:12:32.840 --> 00:12:34.360 that for some of a certain generation 00:12:34.360 --> 00:12:37.139 really obsesses their thought and their thinking. 00:12:38.259 --> 00:12:39.439 But it's really interesting 00:12:39.439 --> 00:12:40.860 what Paul actually says there. 00:12:41.299 --> 00:12:43.679 Women cover their heads when they pray. 00:12:43.679 --> 00:12:46.679 And prayer in the New Testament 00:12:46.679 --> 00:12:48.659 is not something you do quietly, 00:12:49.459 --> 00:12:49.899 privately. 00:12:51.179 --> 00:12:52.819 And the point about head coverings 00:12:52.819 --> 00:12:53.559 in these contexts is 00:12:53.559 --> 00:12:54.439 it's not something that's done 00:12:54.439 --> 00:12:56.120 in a corner in your own home. 00:12:56.120 --> 00:12:58.820 It's in the gathered church. 00:13:00.919 --> 00:13:03.139 Women were participating in that, 00:13:04.060 --> 00:13:05.120 engaging in it. 00:13:08.440 --> 00:13:09.940 You see it in 1 Timothy. 00:13:11.100 --> 00:13:14.840 Paul talks to the men of Crete 00:13:14.840 --> 00:13:17.700 that he wants Timothy to encourage and teach. 00:13:17.700 --> 00:13:20.820 And he says he wants them, 00:13:20.940 --> 00:13:21.540 men everywhere, 00:13:22.280 --> 00:13:25.140 to lift up their hands in prayer. 00:13:26.800 --> 00:13:27.720 And then he says, 00:13:28.000 --> 00:13:30.460 likewise, women also 00:13:30.460 --> 00:13:33.180 should adorn themselves 00:13:33.180 --> 00:13:35.440 in respectable apparel 00:13:35.440 --> 00:13:36.620 with modesty and self-control, 00:13:36.720 --> 00:13:37.960 not with braided hair, gold, 00:13:38.780 --> 00:13:40.220 or pearls, or costly attire. 00:13:40.500 --> 00:13:41.379 Now, the question is, 00:13:41.420 --> 00:13:42.800 what does the likewise apply to? 00:13:44.879 --> 00:13:47.379 The likewise can only possibly apply 00:13:47.379 --> 00:13:48.960 to that action of prayer. 00:13:50.659 --> 00:13:51.679 That women, as they gather 00:13:51.679 --> 00:13:52.860 with the church in prayer, 00:13:53.620 --> 00:13:55.120 do so in an appropriate way. 00:13:56.840 --> 00:13:58.340 And so the pattern 00:13:58.340 --> 00:14:00.820 of the whole of the New Testament, 00:14:01.820 --> 00:14:03.100 the thrust of it is 00:14:03.100 --> 00:14:05.759 that all Christians 00:14:05.759 --> 00:14:08.259 are men and women 00:14:08.259 --> 00:14:10.860 who pray together. 00:14:13.100 --> 00:14:15.720 And before we get tied and not, 00:14:15.720 --> 00:14:17.460 then, about the context of that, 00:14:17.480 --> 00:14:18.660 and we rush to the conclusion 00:14:18.660 --> 00:14:19.460 of saying, 00:14:19.580 --> 00:14:20.519 well, that just refers 00:14:20.519 --> 00:14:21.180 to the prayer meeting. 00:14:21.360 --> 00:14:22.220 What are we going to do 00:14:22.220 --> 00:14:23.060 in the prayer meeting, Gordon? 00:14:23.680 --> 00:14:24.720 I want us to think, actually, 00:14:24.779 --> 00:14:25.440 about the fact that 00:14:25.440 --> 00:14:27.480 the church, as a body, 00:14:28.139 --> 00:14:28.980 not just what we do 00:14:28.980 --> 00:14:29.940 on the few occasions 00:14:29.940 --> 00:14:32.019 when we're actually gathered together 00:14:32.019 --> 00:14:33.160 in the large group, 00:14:33.399 --> 00:14:34.019 but that we continually 00:14:34.680 --> 00:14:35.600 be people 00:14:35.600 --> 00:14:36.779 who gather together 00:14:36.779 --> 00:14:38.040 in the small group 00:14:38.040 --> 00:14:39.820 and who pray together. 00:14:39.820 --> 00:14:42.360 That's the emphasis. 00:14:44.040 --> 00:14:45.760 The thrust of the New Testament 00:14:45.760 --> 00:14:47.460 is that if you're a Christian, 00:14:48.260 --> 00:14:49.900 you are someone who prays. 00:14:50.720 --> 00:14:52.240 Whether you are an old Christian 00:14:52.240 --> 00:14:53.240 or a young Christian, 00:14:53.760 --> 00:14:54.820 whether you are a man 00:14:54.820 --> 00:14:55.440 or a woman, 00:14:56.400 --> 00:14:57.940 whatever your situation is, 00:14:58.560 --> 00:15:00.420 you are part of a body of people 00:15:00.420 --> 00:15:02.740 who pray. 00:15:02.740 --> 00:15:06.759 So all disciples 00:15:06.759 --> 00:15:08.840 are praying together. 00:15:10.940 --> 00:15:12.200 Perhaps the most intimate 00:15:12.200 --> 00:15:12.960 of that setting 00:15:12.960 --> 00:15:14.340 is within your own family. 00:15:15.519 --> 00:15:16.259 In fact, not even just 00:15:16.259 --> 00:15:16.919 within your own family, 00:15:16.980 --> 00:15:17.799 but with your spouse. 00:15:18.799 --> 00:15:20.159 If you are a Christian 00:15:20.159 --> 00:15:21.980 married to another Christian tonight, 00:15:22.519 --> 00:15:24.200 the pattern of the New Testament 00:15:24.200 --> 00:15:26.080 is that you pray together. 00:15:27.639 --> 00:15:29.259 Paul's even very specific about it. 00:15:29.320 --> 00:15:30.100 You can read the passage 00:15:30.100 --> 00:15:31.840 in 1 Corinthians 7. 00:15:31.840 --> 00:15:33.480 where Paul talks about 00:15:33.480 --> 00:15:35.440 just how marriage works 00:15:35.440 --> 00:15:36.620 and the flow 00:15:36.620 --> 00:15:37.899 and the rhythm of marriage 00:15:37.899 --> 00:15:39.800 when you set aside 00:15:39.800 --> 00:15:42.220 time to pray together. 00:15:43.300 --> 00:15:44.700 So there's a real emphasis 00:15:44.700 --> 00:15:47.300 on that role of prayer 00:15:47.300 --> 00:15:49.240 in the corporate life 00:15:49.240 --> 00:15:50.240 of our families. 00:15:51.620 --> 00:15:53.340 There is a pattern for it 00:15:53.340 --> 00:15:55.120 within our family worship. 00:15:56.420 --> 00:15:57.639 Again, I would encourage you 00:15:57.639 --> 00:15:58.700 to reflect on this 00:15:58.700 --> 00:15:59.480 and think about this 00:15:59.480 --> 00:16:00.680 as Christians. 00:16:01.840 --> 00:16:03.300 How do you conduct 00:16:03.300 --> 00:16:04.940 prayer in the context 00:16:04.940 --> 00:16:05.980 of your family home? 00:16:07.879 --> 00:16:09.080 Is prayer a part 00:16:09.080 --> 00:16:09.680 of what you do 00:16:09.680 --> 00:16:10.500 with your kids? 00:16:12.639 --> 00:16:13.759 Do you set them 00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:14.860 an example of it 00:16:14.860 --> 00:16:16.680 in how you pray with them? 00:16:18.120 --> 00:16:18.740 You've got people 00:16:18.740 --> 00:16:19.340 who do this 00:16:19.340 --> 00:16:20.480 in evangelism as well. 00:16:21.220 --> 00:16:21.980 The great example 00:16:21.980 --> 00:16:24.860 that I find 00:16:24.860 --> 00:16:26.220 is probably in Acts 17 00:16:26.220 --> 00:16:29.080 where there's a group 00:16:29.080 --> 00:16:29.460 of people 00:16:29.460 --> 00:16:29.899 who are called 00:16:29.899 --> 00:16:30.779 God-seekers 00:16:30.779 --> 00:16:32.399 and among them 00:16:32.399 --> 00:16:32.860 is Lydia 00:16:32.860 --> 00:16:35.000 in Philippi. 00:16:36.000 --> 00:16:37.740 And there isn't a synagogue 00:16:37.740 --> 00:16:38.399 in Philippi 00:16:38.399 --> 00:16:39.660 so these people 00:16:39.660 --> 00:16:41.279 among whom 00:16:41.279 --> 00:16:41.879 are the women 00:16:41.879 --> 00:16:42.540 like Lydia 00:16:42.540 --> 00:16:43.680 they've gone 00:16:43.680 --> 00:16:44.500 to the riverbank 00:16:44.500 --> 00:16:45.660 to a quiet place 00:16:45.660 --> 00:16:47.120 a place where 00:16:47.120 --> 00:16:47.840 they can see God. 00:16:48.840 --> 00:16:49.720 And it's a place 00:16:49.720 --> 00:16:50.440 of prayer. 00:16:50.440 --> 00:16:52.620 And you've got 00:16:52.620 --> 00:16:53.260 Lydia there 00:16:53.260 --> 00:16:54.900 and Paul 00:16:54.900 --> 00:16:56.180 and his team 00:16:56.180 --> 00:16:57.000 of evangelists 00:16:57.000 --> 00:16:57.660 go along 00:16:57.660 --> 00:16:59.540 to this place 00:16:59.540 --> 00:17:00.280 of prayer. 00:17:01.320 --> 00:17:02.320 And in that place 00:17:02.320 --> 00:17:02.920 of prayer 00:17:02.920 --> 00:17:03.620 they share 00:17:03.620 --> 00:17:04.120 the gospel. 00:17:05.660 --> 00:17:06.120 And I think 00:17:06.120 --> 00:17:07.220 it's a wonderful example 00:17:07.220 --> 00:17:07.900 just in scripture 00:17:07.900 --> 00:17:08.759 of the importance 00:17:08.759 --> 00:17:10.660 of setting aside 00:17:10.660 --> 00:17:11.920 time 00:17:11.920 --> 00:17:13.400 to pray 00:17:13.400 --> 00:17:13.880 with those 00:17:13.880 --> 00:17:14.500 who are seeking. 00:17:15.860 --> 00:17:16.640 And those of you 00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:16.900 tonight 00:17:16.900 --> 00:17:17.820 who are seeking 00:17:17.819 --> 00:17:18.839 you know 00:17:18.839 --> 00:17:19.240 those of you 00:17:19.240 --> 00:17:19.939 who haven't yet 00:17:19.939 --> 00:17:21.319 come to a place 00:17:21.319 --> 00:17:22.619 of settled faith 00:17:22.619 --> 00:17:23.879 in the Lord Jesus 00:17:23.879 --> 00:17:25.779 I want to encourage 00:17:25.779 --> 00:17:26.220 you tonight 00:17:26.220 --> 00:17:27.299 to look for 00:17:27.299 --> 00:17:28.279 people 00:17:28.279 --> 00:17:28.980 Christians 00:17:28.980 --> 00:17:30.700 who will pray 00:17:30.700 --> 00:17:31.339 with you. 00:17:32.240 --> 00:17:33.079 Perhaps tonight 00:17:33.079 --> 00:17:33.879 you don't know 00:17:33.879 --> 00:17:34.599 how to pray 00:17:34.599 --> 00:17:37.039 and you don't need 00:17:37.039 --> 00:17:37.679 a lecture 00:17:37.679 --> 00:17:38.500 to tell you 00:17:38.500 --> 00:17:39.159 how to pray 00:17:39.159 --> 00:17:40.319 but what you 00:17:40.319 --> 00:17:41.099 could best do 00:17:41.099 --> 00:17:41.559 is actually 00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:42.299 find Christians 00:17:42.299 --> 00:17:43.179 who will show 00:17:43.179 --> 00:17:44.659 you how to pray 00:17:44.659 --> 00:17:46.519 who will set 00:17:46.519 --> 00:17:47.179 an example 00:17:47.180 --> 00:17:47.840 for you 00:17:47.840 --> 00:17:48.759 of teaching 00:17:48.759 --> 00:17:49.340 you how 00:17:49.340 --> 00:17:49.980 to pray 00:17:49.980 --> 00:17:51.039 to the living 00:17:51.039 --> 00:17:51.420 God 00:17:51.420 --> 00:17:52.279 how they come 00:17:52.279 --> 00:17:52.620 to him 00:17:52.620 --> 00:17:53.420 how you pray 00:17:53.420 --> 00:17:54.039 for one another 00:17:54.039 --> 00:17:55.080 how you encourage 00:17:55.080 --> 00:17:55.960 people through that 00:17:55.960 --> 00:17:56.880 how you bring 00:17:56.880 --> 00:17:58.160 forth the blessing 00:17:58.160 --> 00:17:58.600 of God 00:17:58.600 --> 00:17:59.259 in people's lives 00:17:59.259 --> 00:17:59.920 by praying 00:17:59.920 --> 00:18:00.440 for them. 00:18:01.380 --> 00:18:02.200 I heard a wonderful 00:18:02.200 --> 00:18:02.920 example of this 00:18:02.920 --> 00:18:03.740 actually just recently 00:18:03.740 --> 00:18:04.480 I was talking 00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:05.019 to some friends 00:18:05.019 --> 00:18:06.120 who were in the 00:18:06.120 --> 00:18:06.700 South Uist 00:18:06.700 --> 00:18:07.320 and Mbecula 00:18:07.320 --> 00:18:07.860 congregation 00:18:07.860 --> 00:18:08.720 at one point 00:18:08.720 --> 00:18:10.640 and they were 00:18:10.640 --> 00:18:11.180 telling me about 00:18:11.180 --> 00:18:11.700 the history 00:18:11.700 --> 00:18:12.680 of that congregation 00:18:12.680 --> 00:18:13.259 and one of the 00:18:13.259 --> 00:18:14.120 most precious 00:18:14.120 --> 00:18:14.840 things I have heard 00:18:14.840 --> 00:18:15.500 said in a long 00:18:15.500 --> 00:18:15.820 time 00:18:15.819 --> 00:18:17.179 was you know 00:18:17.179 --> 00:18:17.419 Gordon 00:18:17.419 --> 00:18:20.079 we used to 00:18:20.079 --> 00:18:20.759 pray people 00:18:20.759 --> 00:18:21.359 into the kingdom 00:18:21.359 --> 00:18:21.679 there 00:18:21.679 --> 00:18:25.539 they would 00:18:25.539 --> 00:18:26.720 basically 00:18:26.720 --> 00:18:27.019 when Ian 00:18:27.019 --> 00:18:27.460 McCaskill 00:18:27.460 --> 00:18:27.960 was preaching 00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:29.819 some of them 00:18:29.819 --> 00:18:30.240 would be off 00:18:30.240 --> 00:18:31.339 in the cafe 00:18:31.339 --> 00:18:31.779 in the weak 00:18:31.779 --> 00:18:32.859 space in the corner 00:18:32.859 --> 00:18:33.299 one of the other 00:18:33.299 --> 00:18:33.980 rooms in the building 00:18:33.980 --> 00:18:35.480 and they would be 00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:36.179 praying for the 00:18:36.179 --> 00:18:36.720 congregation 00:18:36.720 --> 00:18:37.200 who are there 00:18:37.200 --> 00:18:37.960 listening to the 00:18:37.960 --> 00:18:38.700 word being preached 00:18:38.700 --> 00:18:40.679 and it reminded me 00:18:40.679 --> 00:18:41.279 of something I'd read 00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:41.799 actually about 00:18:41.799 --> 00:18:42.700 the past 00:18:42.700 --> 00:18:43.740 about Spurgeon's 00:18:43.740 --> 00:18:44.899 ministry 00:18:44.900 --> 00:18:44.940 ministry 00:18:44.940 --> 00:18:45.460 in the 00:18:45.460 --> 00:18:45.820 metropolitan 00:18:45.820 --> 00:18:46.440 tabernacle 00:18:46.440 --> 00:18:47.980 and Spurgeon's 00:18:47.980 --> 00:18:48.420 ministry was 00:18:48.420 --> 00:18:49.220 characterized by 00:18:49.220 --> 00:18:49.880 that same thing 00:18:49.880 --> 00:18:50.900 there was in fact 00:18:50.900 --> 00:18:51.700 a group of people 00:18:51.700 --> 00:18:53.160 when Spurgeon preached 00:18:53.160 --> 00:18:54.560 who stayed aside 00:18:54.560 --> 00:18:55.080 out in the 00:18:55.080 --> 00:18:55.519 you know what we 00:18:55.519 --> 00:18:56.220 say almost the 00:18:56.220 --> 00:18:56.740 session room 00:18:56.740 --> 00:18:57.060 or out in the 00:18:57.060 --> 00:18:57.320 hall 00:18:57.320 --> 00:18:59.200 and there they 00:18:59.200 --> 00:18:59.860 would pray 00:18:59.860 --> 00:19:01.800 and intercede 00:19:01.800 --> 00:19:02.540 before God 00:19:02.540 --> 00:19:03.160 for the blessing 00:19:03.160 --> 00:19:03.660 of the word 00:19:03.660 --> 00:19:04.200 and the people 00:19:04.200 --> 00:19:04.880 who were gathered 00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:06.380 there that night 00:19:06.380 --> 00:19:07.200 and Spurgeon 00:19:07.200 --> 00:19:07.700 called it the 00:19:07.700 --> 00:19:08.080 engine room 00:19:08.080 --> 00:19:08.700 of the church 00:19:08.700 --> 00:19:12.700 it's really 00:19:12.700 --> 00:19:13.240 interesting in fact 00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:13.660 that that's the 00:19:13.660 --> 00:19:14.220 pattern of the 00:19:14.220 --> 00:19:14.640 New Testament 00:19:14.640 --> 00:19:15.799 that prayer 00:19:15.799 --> 00:19:16.980 and evangelism 00:19:16.980 --> 00:19:17.480 go really 00:19:17.480 --> 00:19:18.200 hand in hand 00:19:18.200 --> 00:19:18.799 don't they 00:19:18.799 --> 00:19:22.000 and when Paul's 00:19:22.000 --> 00:19:22.539 talking about 00:19:22.539 --> 00:19:23.519 the Christian's 00:19:23.519 --> 00:19:23.840 armor 00:19:23.840 --> 00:19:26.480 he talks about 00:19:26.480 --> 00:19:27.000 us having 00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:27.420 the sword 00:19:27.420 --> 00:19:27.640 of the 00:19:27.640 --> 00:19:28.860 spirit 00:19:28.860 --> 00:19:29.279 which is the 00:19:29.279 --> 00:19:29.860 word of God 00:19:29.860 --> 00:19:31.240 but the other 00:19:31.240 --> 00:19:31.980 weapon that goes 00:19:31.980 --> 00:19:32.480 with it 00:19:32.480 --> 00:19:33.580 is prayer 00:19:33.579 --> 00:19:35.500 the offensive 00:19:35.500 --> 00:19:36.359 weapons in the 00:19:36.359 --> 00:19:36.939 armory of the 00:19:36.939 --> 00:19:37.299 Christian 00:19:37.299 --> 00:19:38.179 are the word 00:19:38.179 --> 00:19:38.519 of God 00:19:38.519 --> 00:19:38.980 and prayer 00:19:38.980 --> 00:19:39.419 and they go 00:19:39.419 --> 00:19:40.259 hand in hand 00:19:40.259 --> 00:19:41.659 we should be 00:19:41.659 --> 00:19:42.220 looking for the 00:19:42.220 --> 00:19:42.839 preaching of the 00:19:42.839 --> 00:19:43.399 word to be 00:19:43.399 --> 00:19:44.599 accompanied by 00:19:44.599 --> 00:19:45.339 prayer 00:19:45.339 --> 00:19:46.960 earnestly seeking 00:19:46.960 --> 00:19:47.619 God's blessing 00:19:47.619 --> 00:19:49.619 on the preaching 00:19:49.619 --> 00:19:50.319 of the word 00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:51.779 as we go on 00:19:51.779 --> 00:19:54.659 perhaps you'll 00:19:54.659 --> 00:19:55.079 pray together 00:19:55.079 --> 00:19:55.839 for missionaries 00:19:55.839 --> 00:19:57.839 and one of the 00:19:57.839 --> 00:19:58.500 great privileges 00:19:58.500 --> 00:19:59.099 we have as a 00:19:59.099 --> 00:19:59.439 congregation 00:19:59.439 --> 00:20:00.139 is we support 00:20:00.139 --> 00:20:00.480 Muriel 00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:01.539 over in Cambodia 00:20:01.539 --> 00:20:02.799 and other 00:20:02.799 --> 00:20:03.220 missionaries 00:20:03.220 --> 00:20:03.620 besides 00:20:03.620 --> 00:20:05.539 and we take 00:20:05.539 --> 00:20:06.480 time to stop 00:20:06.480 --> 00:20:07.720 and pray 00:20:07.720 --> 00:20:08.460 for their 00:20:08.460 --> 00:20:08.900 ministry 00:20:08.900 --> 00:20:11.819 and again 00:20:11.819 --> 00:20:12.620 it's a context 00:20:12.620 --> 00:20:13.299 where the church 00:20:13.299 --> 00:20:14.079 comes together 00:20:14.079 --> 00:20:14.680 to pray 00:20:14.680 --> 00:20:16.779 for the blessing 00:20:16.779 --> 00:20:17.299 of God 00:20:17.299 --> 00:20:18.940 on that work 00:20:18.940 --> 00:20:20.200 I've never 00:20:20.200 --> 00:20:20.799 been to Korea 00:20:20.799 --> 00:20:22.600 but some of you 00:20:22.600 --> 00:20:22.960 have 00:20:22.960 --> 00:20:24.700 and when you go 00:20:24.700 --> 00:20:25.220 to a Korean 00:20:25.220 --> 00:20:26.140 prayer meeting 00:20:26.140 --> 00:20:27.539 it's very 00:20:27.539 --> 00:20:28.079 different to 00:20:28.079 --> 00:20:28.380 ours 00:20:28.380 --> 00:20:30.400 Korean prayer 00:20:30.400 --> 00:20:30.880 meetings are 00:20:30.880 --> 00:20:31.980 characterized by 00:20:31.980 --> 00:20:32.880 open prayer 00:20:32.880 --> 00:20:33.820 prayer but 00:20:33.820 --> 00:20:34.260 not just open 00:20:34.260 --> 00:20:34.540 prayer where 00:20:34.540 --> 00:20:34.900 one person 00:20:34.900 --> 00:20:35.420 gets up after 00:20:35.420 --> 00:20:35.840 the other 00:20:35.840 --> 00:20:37.720 it's open 00:20:37.720 --> 00:20:38.040 prayer where 00:20:38.040 --> 00:20:38.960 everyone prays 00:20:38.960 --> 00:20:40.560 there's just a 00:20:40.560 --> 00:20:41.660 noise of people 00:20:41.660 --> 00:20:43.040 lifting up their 00:20:43.040 --> 00:20:44.020 voices to God 00:20:44.020 --> 00:20:46.200 and interceding 00:20:46.200 --> 00:20:47.860 for their nation 00:20:47.860 --> 00:20:48.680 for their 00:20:48.680 --> 00:20:49.300 community 00:20:49.300 --> 00:20:49.740 for their 00:20:49.740 --> 00:20:50.320 congregation 00:20:50.320 --> 00:20:51.720 for the work 00:20:51.720 --> 00:20:52.300 of the gospel 00:20:52.299 --> 00:20:55.339 for the progress 00:20:55.339 --> 00:20:56.180 of the kingdom 00:20:56.180 --> 00:20:58.259 so prayer 00:20:58.259 --> 00:20:58.639 together 00:20:58.639 --> 00:21:00.240 men and women 00:21:00.240 --> 00:21:00.799 young and old 00:21:00.799 --> 00:21:01.539 it is completely 00:21:01.539 --> 00:21:02.019 normal 00:21:02.019 --> 00:21:03.519 it is completely 00:21:03.519 --> 00:21:04.000 biblical 00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:05.839 it is also 00:21:05.839 --> 00:21:06.279 I would say 00:21:06.279 --> 00:21:07.000 just as a couple 00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:07.399 of asides 00:21:07.399 --> 00:21:07.859 before we get 00:21:07.859 --> 00:21:08.359 too far into 00:21:08.359 --> 00:21:08.700 this as well 00:21:08.700 --> 00:21:09.480 it's essential 00:21:09.480 --> 00:21:10.379 for discipleship 00:21:10.379 --> 00:21:13.559 young Christians 00:21:13.559 --> 00:21:15.180 grow by being 00:21:15.180 --> 00:21:15.799 in the company 00:21:15.799 --> 00:21:16.700 of older Christians 00:21:16.700 --> 00:21:18.740 and one of the 00:21:18.740 --> 00:21:19.140 things that 00:21:19.140 --> 00:21:19.880 older Christians 00:21:19.880 --> 00:21:20.880 have an enormous 00:21:20.880 --> 00:21:22.200 privilege to do 00:21:22.200 --> 00:21:23.580 is to teach 00:21:23.580 --> 00:21:24.299 younger Christians 00:21:24.299 --> 00:21:24.860 how to pray 00:21:24.860 --> 00:21:26.960 and often that 00:21:26.960 --> 00:21:27.480 is done 00:21:27.480 --> 00:21:28.620 simply by your 00:21:28.620 --> 00:21:29.120 example 00:21:29.120 --> 00:21:30.900 so as you 00:21:30.900 --> 00:21:31.940 pray as an 00:21:31.940 --> 00:21:32.580 older Christian 00:21:32.580 --> 00:21:33.279 in the company 00:21:33.279 --> 00:21:33.980 of younger Christians 00:21:33.980 --> 00:21:35.120 you're setting a 00:21:35.120 --> 00:21:35.940 pattern for how 00:21:35.940 --> 00:21:36.819 they in turn 00:21:36.819 --> 00:21:38.380 will pray as well 00:21:38.380 --> 00:21:39.160 and so the 00:21:39.160 --> 00:21:40.200 priorities that you 00:21:40.200 --> 00:21:40.740 have as an 00:21:40.740 --> 00:21:41.580 older Christian 00:21:41.580 --> 00:21:42.420 are going to 00:21:42.420 --> 00:21:43.400 really shape 00:21:43.400 --> 00:21:44.299 the priorities 00:21:44.299 --> 00:21:44.779 that younger 00:21:44.779 --> 00:21:45.680 Christians have 00:21:45.680 --> 00:21:49.000 and that's a 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:50.339 huge responsibility 00:21:50.339 --> 00:21:52.940 on men and 00:21:52.940 --> 00:21:53.240 women 00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:56.019 something that 00:21:56.019 --> 00:21:56.319 we need to 00:21:56.319 --> 00:21:56.720 take very 00:21:56.720 --> 00:21:57.200 seriously 00:21:57.200 --> 00:21:57.599 if you've 00:21:57.599 --> 00:21:58.299 got a skewed 00:21:58.299 --> 00:21:59.759 or a misplaced 00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:00.720 relationship with 00:22:00.720 --> 00:22:01.460 God that is 00:22:01.460 --> 00:22:02.440 reflected in 00:22:02.440 --> 00:22:03.539 your prayer life 00:22:03.539 --> 00:22:05.000 and you're 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.420 praying with 00:22:05.420 --> 00:22:06.119 younger Christians 00:22:06.119 --> 00:22:06.519 you're going to 00:22:06.519 --> 00:22:07.220 pass that on 00:22:07.220 --> 00:22:11.160 if there's no 00:22:11.160 --> 00:22:12.000 closeness in 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:12.859 your walk with 00:22:12.859 --> 00:22:13.220 God 00:22:13.220 --> 00:22:14.500 when you pray 00:22:14.500 --> 00:22:15.160 with others 00:22:15.160 --> 00:22:16.339 that lack 00:22:16.339 --> 00:22:17.299 of closeness 00:22:17.299 --> 00:22:18.700 and familiarity 00:22:18.700 --> 00:22:19.799 and confidence 00:22:19.799 --> 00:22:20.720 before God 00:22:20.720 --> 00:22:21.339 is going to 00:22:21.339 --> 00:22:22.119 be passed on 00:22:22.119 --> 00:22:24.220 and so it's 00:22:24.220 --> 00:22:24.920 really important 00:22:24.920 --> 00:22:26.000 that we think 00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:27.299 about what we 00:22:27.299 --> 00:22:27.819 are going to 00:22:27.819 --> 00:22:28.579 do when we 00:22:28.579 --> 00:22:29.799 pray with 00:22:29.799 --> 00:22:30.579 others 00:22:30.579 --> 00:22:32.640 it's important 00:22:32.640 --> 00:22:33.220 that we have 00:22:33.220 --> 00:22:33.660 biblical 00:22:33.660 --> 00:22:34.339 priorities 00:22:34.339 --> 00:22:36.059 it's important 00:22:36.059 --> 00:22:36.880 that we allow 00:22:36.880 --> 00:22:38.119 the example 00:22:38.119 --> 00:22:38.940 that we set 00:22:38.940 --> 00:22:39.960 to be shaped 00:22:39.960 --> 00:22:41.099 by what 00:22:41.099 --> 00:22:41.779 Jesus has 00:22:41.779 --> 00:22:42.039 done 00:22:42.039 --> 00:22:42.359 what the 00:22:42.359 --> 00:22:42.980 apostles have 00:22:42.980 --> 00:22:43.440 taught us 00:22:43.440 --> 00:22:44.000 what the 00:22:44.000 --> 00:22:44.680 Bible teaches 00:22:44.680 --> 00:22:45.180 us throughout 00:22:45.180 --> 00:22:45.539 it 00:22:45.539 --> 00:22:48.080 so you know 00:22:48.080 --> 00:22:49.180 for example 00:22:49.180 --> 00:22:49.420 if 00:22:49.420 --> 00:22:52.140 if you have a 00:22:52.140 --> 00:22:52.500 habit of 00:22:52.500 --> 00:22:53.279 addressing God 00:22:53.279 --> 00:22:53.759 in the third 00:22:53.759 --> 00:22:54.220 person 00:22:54.220 --> 00:22:55.539 you know as if 00:22:55.539 --> 00:22:56.460 your prayer is a 00:22:56.460 --> 00:22:57.299 formal letter 00:22:57.299 --> 00:22:58.019 written to a 00:22:58.019 --> 00:22:58.920 distant sovereign 00:22:58.920 --> 00:23:01.360 where you're 00:23:01.360 --> 00:23:01.880 asking the 00:23:01.880 --> 00:23:02.500 Lord to do 00:23:02.500 --> 00:23:02.980 things and you 00:23:02.980 --> 00:23:03.420 hope that the 00:23:03.420 --> 00:23:03.900 Lord is going to 00:23:03.900 --> 00:23:04.400 do this and 00:23:04.400 --> 00:23:05.600 the prayer is 00:23:05.600 --> 00:23:06.440 constantly never 00:23:06.440 --> 00:23:07.860 addressed to 00:23:07.860 --> 00:23:08.460 you Lord 00:23:08.460 --> 00:23:09.600 even if you use 00:23:09.600 --> 00:23:10.160 these and those 00:23:10.160 --> 00:23:10.380 prayers in your 00:23:10.380 --> 00:23:10.920 prayer but if 00:23:10.920 --> 00:23:11.279 you simply 00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:11.820 address your 00:23:11.820 --> 00:23:12.340 prayer never 00:23:12.340 --> 00:23:13.220 to you 00:23:13.220 --> 00:23:14.120 personally to 00:23:14.120 --> 00:23:14.420 God you 00:23:14.420 --> 00:23:15.200 don't speak 00:23:15.200 --> 00:23:16.180 directly to 00:23:16.180 --> 00:23:16.480 God you 00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:17.180 speak of him 00:23:17.180 --> 00:23:17.440 in your 00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:18.060 prayer but 00:23:18.060 --> 00:23:18.580 never to 00:23:18.580 --> 00:23:20.980 him something 00:23:20.980 --> 00:23:21.560 like that can 00:23:21.560 --> 00:23:22.259 be passed on 00:23:22.259 --> 00:23:22.940 and be so 00:23:22.940 --> 00:23:26.420 damaging in the 00:23:26.420 --> 00:23:26.860 way younger 00:23:26.860 --> 00:23:27.620 Christians growing 00:23:27.620 --> 00:23:28.320 up think about 00:23:28.320 --> 00:23:28.940 their relationship 00:23:28.940 --> 00:23:29.500 with God 00:23:29.500 --> 00:23:31.680 and so we have 00:23:31.680 --> 00:23:32.160 to think 00:23:32.160 --> 00:23:33.560 carefully about 00:23:33.560 --> 00:23:34.519 how we speak 00:23:34.519 --> 00:23:35.240 and what we 00:23:35.240 --> 00:23:36.900 speak as we 00:23:36.900 --> 00:23:37.540 speak to our 00:23:37.539 --> 00:23:38.359 God in prayer 00:23:38.359 --> 00:23:40.399 as well as 00:23:40.399 --> 00:23:40.940 one other 00:23:40.940 --> 00:23:41.659 quick point as 00:23:41.659 --> 00:23:42.019 well just to 00:23:42.019 --> 00:23:42.500 think about is 00:23:42.500 --> 00:23:43.180 that prayer 00:23:43.180 --> 00:23:46.019 corporately is 00:23:46.019 --> 00:23:46.920 a covenanted 00:23:46.920 --> 00:23:49.720 activity it is 00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:50.500 an activity of 00:23:50.500 --> 00:23:51.299 a covenanted 00:23:51.299 --> 00:23:53.740 people by a 00:23:53.740 --> 00:23:54.119 covenanted 00:23:54.119 --> 00:23:54.700 people what I 00:23:54.700 --> 00:23:55.059 mean is a 00:23:55.059 --> 00:23:55.579 people who 00:23:55.579 --> 00:23:55.899 have been 00:23:55.899 --> 00:23:57.720 bought by 00:23:57.720 --> 00:23:58.180 the blood 00:23:58.180 --> 00:23:58.819 price of 00:23:58.819 --> 00:23:59.740 Christ's blood 00:23:59.740 --> 00:24:00.420 shed for 00:24:00.420 --> 00:24:02.619 us and 00:24:02.619 --> 00:24:03.079 where we are 00:24:03.079 --> 00:24:04.079 brought through 00:24:04.079 --> 00:24:05.960 that into a 00:24:05.960 --> 00:24:07.259 new relationship 00:24:07.259 --> 00:24:08.200 relationship with 00:24:08.200 --> 00:24:09.019 a triune 00:24:09.019 --> 00:24:10.900 God and so 00:24:10.900 --> 00:24:11.559 when we think 00:24:11.559 --> 00:24:12.400 about prayer we 00:24:12.400 --> 00:24:13.200 need to understand 00:24:13.200 --> 00:24:14.000 it as having a 00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:15.539 relationship with 00:24:15.539 --> 00:24:16.559 God our 00:24:16.559 --> 00:24:18.160 father but we 00:24:18.160 --> 00:24:18.819 do so as a 00:24:18.819 --> 00:24:19.539 body of people 00:24:19.539 --> 00:24:20.400 who are united 00:24:20.400 --> 00:24:21.460 with Christ 00:24:21.460 --> 00:24:25.119 and we are as 00:24:25.119 --> 00:24:26.079 a body indwelt 00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:27.299 by the Holy 00:24:27.299 --> 00:24:28.319 Spirit which is 00:24:28.319 --> 00:24:28.819 why I think that 00:24:28.819 --> 00:24:29.559 passage that we're 00:24:29.559 --> 00:24:30.140 looking at tonight 00:24:30.140 --> 00:24:31.079 in Acts 4 is so 00:24:31.079 --> 00:24:32.400 crucial when they 00:24:32.400 --> 00:24:33.960 had prayed they 00:24:33.960 --> 00:24:34.759 were filled with 00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:36.319 the Holy Spirit and 00:24:36.319 --> 00:24:36.980 they continue to 00:24:36.980 --> 00:24:37.620 speak the word of 00:24:37.620 --> 00:24:38.519 God with boldness 00:24:38.519 --> 00:24:41.480 so the presence of 00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:42.519 a triune God is 00:24:42.519 --> 00:24:43.059 there they've 00:24:43.059 --> 00:24:44.000 addressed prayer to 00:24:44.000 --> 00:24:45.920 the father they've 00:24:45.920 --> 00:24:46.779 been told that the 00:24:46.779 --> 00:24:47.579 main point of the 00:24:47.579 --> 00:24:48.240 prayer is actually 00:24:48.240 --> 00:24:49.500 about proclaiming 00:24:49.500 --> 00:24:50.180 the name of the 00:24:50.180 --> 00:24:51.140 son proclaiming the 00:24:51.140 --> 00:24:52.860 name of Jesus and 00:24:52.860 --> 00:24:53.539 the person who 00:24:53.539 --> 00:24:54.460 operates in them is 00:24:54.460 --> 00:24:56.120 the Holy Spirit who 00:24:56.120 --> 00:24:57.059 comes and gives them 00:24:57.059 --> 00:24:58.000 boldness to go on 00:24:58.000 --> 00:25:00.700 preaching fills the 00:25:00.700 --> 00:25:01.620 church with boldness 00:25:01.620 --> 00:25:04.460 as they go on we 00:25:04.460 --> 00:25:05.360 are as a body 00:25:05.359 --> 00:25:06.299 children of the 00:25:06.299 --> 00:25:07.459 most high God we 00:25:07.459 --> 00:25:08.219 come to him as a 00:25:08.219 --> 00:25:09.619 father we come to 00:25:09.619 --> 00:25:10.939 him clinging the 00:25:10.939 --> 00:25:13.719 the royal promises 00:25:13.719 --> 00:25:16.699 of Jesus and we 00:25:16.699 --> 00:25:18.199 come also to the 00:25:18.199 --> 00:25:19.919 hope and power of 00:25:19.919 --> 00:25:22.019 the Holy Spirit and 00:25:22.019 --> 00:25:22.740 so because of that 00:25:22.740 --> 00:25:23.819 it's helpful to think 00:25:23.819 --> 00:25:25.199 of prayer corporately 00:25:25.199 --> 00:25:28.259 as a pact you know 00:25:28.259 --> 00:25:29.519 a pact is an 00:25:29.519 --> 00:25:30.299 agreement that we 00:25:30.299 --> 00:25:30.819 make with one 00:25:30.819 --> 00:25:33.199 another and when we 00:25:33.200 --> 00:25:34.779 pray together it's 00:25:34.779 --> 00:25:35.400 good to have a 00:25:35.400 --> 00:25:36.200 thought about what 00:25:36.200 --> 00:25:37.059 we're doing in that 00:25:37.059 --> 00:25:40.580 pact that consignment 00:25:40.580 --> 00:25:42.019 of of intention 00:25:42.019 --> 00:25:43.340 towards one another 00:25:43.340 --> 00:25:45.559 as we pray and one 00:25:45.559 --> 00:25:46.259 of the small things 00:25:46.259 --> 00:25:46.900 and this is a very 00:25:46.900 --> 00:25:48.539 incidental thing it's 00:25:48.539 --> 00:25:49.240 about the language 00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:50.180 that we use when we 00:25:50.180 --> 00:25:52.580 do it I mean plenty 00:25:52.580 --> 00:25:53.380 of people will quote 00:25:53.380 --> 00:25:54.120 scripture in their 00:25:54.120 --> 00:25:55.580 prayers and if the 00:25:55.580 --> 00:25:56.059 scripture you're 00:25:56.059 --> 00:25:56.880 familiar with is the 00:25:56.880 --> 00:25:57.539 King James version 00:25:57.539 --> 00:25:58.700 it's fine under these 00:25:58.700 --> 00:25:59.620 contexts I think to 00:25:59.620 --> 00:26:00.860 quote scripture in 00:26:00.859 --> 00:26:02.719 that way but very 00:26:02.719 --> 00:26:03.719 few people today 00:26:03.719 --> 00:26:05.639 fluently speak 16th 00:26:05.639 --> 00:26:06.539 century Elizabethan 00:26:06.539 --> 00:26:09.379 language and when 00:26:09.379 --> 00:26:11.399 you try to contort the 00:26:11.399 --> 00:26:12.599 way you speak to God 00:26:12.599 --> 00:26:14.419 into that because you're 00:26:14.419 --> 00:26:15.299 not familiar with it 00:26:15.299 --> 00:26:16.219 yourself sometimes what 00:26:16.219 --> 00:26:17.139 comes out is gibberish 00:26:17.139 --> 00:26:20.339 and so we should try 00:26:20.339 --> 00:26:21.899 and the confession 00:26:21.899 --> 00:26:23.639 teaches us this we 00:26:23.639 --> 00:26:25.439 should try to speak in 00:26:25.439 --> 00:26:26.779 the ordinary language of 00:26:26.779 --> 00:26:27.959 the people around us 00:26:27.959 --> 00:26:29.659 when we're engaged in 00:26:29.660 --> 00:26:30.180 these activities 00:26:30.180 --> 00:26:32.480 together so the 00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:33.440 language we use is 00:26:33.440 --> 00:26:34.860 important because of 00:26:34.860 --> 00:26:37.140 not reverence for God 00:26:37.140 --> 00:26:37.900 that we think we're 00:26:37.900 --> 00:26:39.759 emulating but because 00:26:39.759 --> 00:26:40.800 of respect for the 00:26:40.800 --> 00:26:42.560 people around us who 00:26:42.560 --> 00:26:43.380 we're seeking to be 00:26:43.380 --> 00:26:45.500 blessed when we pray 00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:48.340 together and it's that 00:26:48.340 --> 00:26:49.580 sense of a community 00:26:49.580 --> 00:26:51.400 bound together through 00:26:51.400 --> 00:26:52.259 the blood of Jesus 00:26:52.259 --> 00:26:53.360 under the sovereignty of 00:26:53.360 --> 00:26:55.320 God connected by the 00:26:55.320 --> 00:26:56.740 Holy Spirit uniting us 00:26:56.740 --> 00:26:57.720 and binding us together 00:26:57.720 --> 00:26:58.680 in the love of Christ 00:26:58.680 --> 00:27:00.340 that we should seek to 00:27:00.340 --> 00:27:01.360 be a blessing towards 00:27:01.360 --> 00:27:02.880 one another so what 00:27:02.880 --> 00:27:03.779 does this pact look 00:27:03.779 --> 00:27:06.680 like the first thing 00:27:06.680 --> 00:27:07.580 is that there's praise 00:27:07.580 --> 00:27:08.500 you see it in the 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:09.200 prayer here in Acts 00:27:09.200 --> 00:27:10.620 4 when the disciples 00:27:10.620 --> 00:27:12.279 and their friends come 00:27:12.279 --> 00:27:15.560 together they begin 00:27:15.560 --> 00:27:16.480 their prayer by saying 00:27:16.480 --> 00:27:17.880 sovereign Lord maker of 00:27:17.880 --> 00:27:18.820 heaven and earth and so 00:27:18.820 --> 00:27:20.820 on and what they're 00:27:20.820 --> 00:27:21.480 doing by that is 00:27:21.480 --> 00:27:22.400 elevating their 00:27:22.400 --> 00:27:23.620 perception of who God 00:27:23.620 --> 00:27:24.840 is and the majesty of 00:27:24.840 --> 00:27:27.400 God and you see it in 00:27:27.400 --> 00:27:28.740 plenty other places in 00:27:28.740 --> 00:27:29.600 scripture I've got an 00:27:29.600 --> 00:27:30.480 example for you the 00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:31.600 notes tonight the 00:27:31.600 --> 00:27:32.420 bulletin have these 00:27:32.420 --> 00:27:33.300 cross references you can 00:27:33.300 --> 00:27:33.860 go and read them when 00:27:33.860 --> 00:27:34.500 you when you go home 00:27:34.500 --> 00:27:35.900 perhaps if you want 00:27:35.900 --> 00:27:37.420 Solomon's prayer of the 00:27:37.420 --> 00:27:38.060 dedication of the 00:27:38.060 --> 00:27:39.300 temple he begins his 00:27:39.300 --> 00:27:40.480 prayer by saying oh God 00:27:40.480 --> 00:27:42.240 God of Israel there is 00:27:42.240 --> 00:27:45.940 no God like you he calls 00:27:45.940 --> 00:27:47.040 out the uniqueness of 00:27:47.040 --> 00:27:49.340 God the marvel of God 00:27:49.340 --> 00:27:51.880 the the the blessedness 00:27:51.880 --> 00:27:53.440 of God's connection to 00:27:53.440 --> 00:27:56.520 his people and he is 00:27:56.520 --> 00:27:59.060 leading the people as he 00:27:59.060 --> 00:28:02.740 prays into praise for God 00:28:02.740 --> 00:28:05.480 that's one of these things 00:28:05.480 --> 00:28:06.720 to remember as you pray 00:28:06.720 --> 00:28:09.700 with others you're 00:28:09.700 --> 00:28:11.720 privileged as you pray 00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:13.920 with others to bring them 00:28:13.920 --> 00:28:16.500 into the presence of God 00:28:16.500 --> 00:28:19.820 with you you have an 00:28:19.819 --> 00:28:21.399 opportunity to bring the 00:28:21.399 --> 00:28:22.279 people you're praying 00:28:22.279 --> 00:28:25.419 with to see and marvel 00:28:25.419 --> 00:28:27.799 and wonder at a God who 00:28:27.799 --> 00:28:30.639 loves them a God whose 00:28:30.639 --> 00:28:31.939 care for them sent his 00:28:31.939 --> 00:28:33.419 son into this world to die 00:28:33.419 --> 00:28:36.879 in their place a God who 00:28:36.879 --> 00:28:38.139 seeks to indwell within 00:28:38.139 --> 00:28:39.899 them and bless them through 00:28:39.899 --> 00:28:41.259 his presence and his power 00:28:41.259 --> 00:28:43.179 administered through the 00:28:43.179 --> 00:28:44.179 power and working of the 00:28:44.179 --> 00:28:45.939 Holy Spirit and that's true 00:28:45.939 --> 00:28:47.579 in every context in which 00:28:47.579 --> 00:28:48.919 you can pray with others 00:28:48.919 --> 00:28:51.119 so it is of course true in 00:28:51.119 --> 00:28:53.139 the context of prayer with 00:28:53.139 --> 00:28:54.000 your spouse with your 00:28:54.000 --> 00:28:55.039 husband with your wife 00:28:55.039 --> 00:28:57.279 when you pray with them 00:28:57.279 --> 00:28:59.119 it's it's easy it's 00:28:59.119 --> 00:29:00.079 tempting I know from my 00:29:00.079 --> 00:29:01.259 you know from from from 00:29:01.259 --> 00:29:02.579 married life you know 00:29:02.579 --> 00:29:04.599 sometimes the problems and 00:29:04.599 --> 00:29:05.139 the things that you're 00:29:05.139 --> 00:29:05.960 wanting to pray about are 00:29:05.960 --> 00:29:07.000 so overwhelming and so 00:29:07.000 --> 00:29:08.339 pressing you would almost 00:29:08.339 --> 00:29:09.599 rush towards the shopping 00:29:09.599 --> 00:29:10.519 list of things you want to 00:29:10.519 --> 00:29:13.559 pray about but but how 00:29:13.559 --> 00:29:14.960 good it is to bless your 00:29:14.960 --> 00:29:16.119 husband your wife your 00:29:16.119 --> 00:29:18.099 spouse that when you come 00:29:18.099 --> 00:29:19.239 in prayer you draw them 00:29:19.239 --> 00:29:20.659 into the praise of God 00:29:20.659 --> 00:29:23.239 it's the same with your 00:29:23.239 --> 00:29:24.519 kids you're having family 00:29:24.519 --> 00:29:28.479 worship bring them into 00:29:28.479 --> 00:29:29.459 the praise of God with 00:29:29.459 --> 00:29:30.079 you with your Sunday 00:29:30.079 --> 00:29:31.399 school class I hope the 00:29:31.399 --> 00:29:33.019 Sunday school teachers are 00:29:33.019 --> 00:29:34.019 not afraid to pray with 00:29:34.019 --> 00:29:34.519 their Sunday school 00:29:34.519 --> 00:29:36.899 classes it's a good place 00:29:36.899 --> 00:29:38.079 to teach them to bring 00:29:38.079 --> 00:29:39.179 them into the presence of 00:29:39.179 --> 00:29:42.379 God if you're with a 00:29:42.379 --> 00:29:44.079 seeker and you're opening 00:29:44.079 --> 00:29:46.279 up the Bible together and 00:29:46.279 --> 00:29:46.939 you're wanting to read 00:29:46.939 --> 00:29:48.199 scripture together in a 00:29:48.199 --> 00:29:49.720 one-on-one Bible study 00:29:49.720 --> 00:29:51.779 again you've got an 00:29:51.779 --> 00:29:52.859 opportunity there to pray 00:29:52.859 --> 00:29:53.740 with them it's always good 00:29:53.740 --> 00:29:54.759 to pray before we open the 00:29:54.759 --> 00:29:57.039 word anyway but to pray 00:29:57.039 --> 00:29:58.059 with them and draw them 00:29:58.059 --> 00:29:59.639 into the presence of God 00:29:59.639 --> 00:30:01.019 and worship and praise 00:30:01.019 --> 00:30:07.299 with a Kirk session with the 00:30:07.299 --> 00:30:08.279 deacons court finance 00:30:08.279 --> 00:30:10.559 subcommittee with the 00:30:10.559 --> 00:30:14.500 vacancy committee with the 00:30:14.500 --> 00:30:15.279 group that are praying for 00:30:15.279 --> 00:30:18.480 Muriel and Cambodia you 00:30:18.480 --> 00:30:19.419 know these are practical 00:30:19.419 --> 00:30:20.419 things that we think we 00:30:20.419 --> 00:30:21.159 need to pray about the 00:30:21.159 --> 00:30:23.819 practicalities yes there are 00:30:23.819 --> 00:30:25.179 practicalities to pray for 00:30:25.179 --> 00:30:26.960 but lead people into the 00:30:26.960 --> 00:30:30.179 praise of God bring them 00:30:30.179 --> 00:30:32.799 with you to the adoration of 00:30:32.799 --> 00:30:35.519 our God and Father maybe it's 00:30:35.519 --> 00:30:38.200 with your prayer triplet a lot 00:30:38.200 --> 00:30:38.840 of Christians have 00:30:38.840 --> 00:30:40.920 accountability structures like 00:30:40.920 --> 00:30:42.660 that people that you're close 00:30:42.660 --> 00:30:43.720 with and you walk with God 00:30:43.720 --> 00:30:45.100 you meet with them regularly 00:30:45.100 --> 00:30:46.920 you pray with them remember 00:30:46.920 --> 00:30:48.819 in that place praise of God 00:30:48.819 --> 00:30:50.299 is so crucial you don't know 00:30:50.299 --> 00:30:51.140 how much of a blessing you'll 00:30:51.140 --> 00:30:51.920 actually be to the others 00:30:51.920 --> 00:30:54.819 who are there perhaps you're 00:30:54.819 --> 00:30:55.940 confused and you're thinking 00:30:55.940 --> 00:30:58.080 well they're confused and 00:30:58.080 --> 00:30:58.860 thinking I don't know where 00:30:58.860 --> 00:31:00.140 God is in all of this life that 00:31:00.140 --> 00:31:00.840 I'm going through just now and 00:31:00.840 --> 00:31:01.759 I haven't even shared with this 00:31:01.759 --> 00:31:03.240 people I'm praying with and 00:31:03.240 --> 00:31:04.920 yet the fact that you can lead 00:31:04.920 --> 00:31:07.360 them to a place of praise is 00:31:07.359 --> 00:31:10.479 such a blessing maybe it's with 00:31:10.479 --> 00:31:14.500 your businessman's lunch or with 00:31:14.500 --> 00:31:17.019 a road to recovery group or 00:31:17.019 --> 00:31:19.240 with a WFM or maybe it's a 00:31:19.240 --> 00:31:20.299 same grace before you eat your 00:31:20.299 --> 00:31:22.699 dinner but in all of these 00:31:22.699 --> 00:31:25.339 contexts there's an opportunity 00:31:25.339 --> 00:31:27.839 to praise God and to bring 00:31:27.839 --> 00:31:28.859 others into that praise 00:31:28.859 --> 00:31:35.939 perhaps it's a funeral perhaps 00:31:35.940 --> 00:31:36.779 perhaps it's when you go to visit 00:31:36.779 --> 00:31:37.600 people who are grieving 00:31:37.600 --> 00:31:40.080 perhaps it's when you're going to 00:31:40.080 --> 00:31:41.940 hospital to see someone who's 00:31:42.580 --> 00:31:45.759 battling an incurable cancer 00:31:45.759 --> 00:31:49.799 there is no context where the 00:31:49.799 --> 00:31:51.340 praise of God is not relevant 00:31:51.340 --> 00:31:54.039 there's no context where it's not 00:31:54.039 --> 00:31:56.660 needed it's not necessary it is a 00:31:56.660 --> 00:32:00.360 right place for us to bring people 00:32:00.359 --> 00:32:06.259 into the awe of God and so we we begin 00:32:06.259 --> 00:32:08.839 with praise secondly there's also 00:32:08.839 --> 00:32:11.319 admission I see the time is very much 00:32:11.319 --> 00:32:14.299 tramping on again it's a big topic I'm 00:32:14.299 --> 00:32:17.019 sorry there's a place of an admission 00:32:17.019 --> 00:32:20.579 of sin a recognition of sin that the 00:32:20.579 --> 00:32:24.039 disciples when they pray in Acts 4 they 00:32:24.039 --> 00:32:26.039 talk about the death of Jesus and they 00:32:26.039 --> 00:32:27.619 recognize that there is a sense in 00:32:27.619 --> 00:32:29.079 which it has happened under the 00:32:29.079 --> 00:32:30.279 planning and the foreknowledge and the 00:32:30.279 --> 00:32:32.359 predestination of God but they don't 00:32:32.359 --> 00:32:35.240 say the Gentiles did it they don't 00:32:35.240 --> 00:32:37.740 point the finger at Herod and 00:32:37.740 --> 00:32:38.919 Pontius Pilate although they 00:32:38.919 --> 00:32:40.339 recognize Herod and Pontius Pilate 00:32:40.339 --> 00:32:41.579 and the Gentiles had a role to play 00:32:41.579 --> 00:32:43.679 it was a Roman execution detail that 00:32:43.679 --> 00:32:46.539 killed Jesus but they also say also 00:32:46.539 --> 00:32:49.159 the peoples of Israel and they 00:32:49.159 --> 00:32:50.960 include themselves in that if you're 00:32:50.960 --> 00:32:52.579 familiar with the opening chapters of 00:32:52.579 --> 00:32:55.079 the book of Acts they see themselves 00:32:55.079 --> 00:32:59.199 themselves as Israel and so they put 00:32:59.199 --> 00:33:01.179 themselves into the heart of that 00:33:01.179 --> 00:33:02.799 confession that's why I highlighted 00:33:02.799 --> 00:33:04.579 Daniel 9 as a great example of this 00:33:04.579 --> 00:33:07.119 Daniel is acknowledging the sins of his 00:33:07.119 --> 00:33:10.139 people of his nation and he includes 00:33:10.139 --> 00:33:12.559 himself in that we have sinned we have 00:33:12.559 --> 00:33:15.319 done wrong we are responsible for the 00:33:15.319 --> 00:33:18.099 exile that has now come to us we are 00:33:18.099 --> 00:33:19.359 responsible for the fact that we are 00:33:19.359 --> 00:33:21.379 separated from the place of the temple 00:33:21.380 --> 00:33:23.940 where we can worship our God we did 00:33:23.940 --> 00:33:27.300 this and one of the great practical 00:33:27.300 --> 00:33:29.240 applications of this is that when we 00:33:29.240 --> 00:33:32.380 come to confession of sin when we're 00:33:32.380 --> 00:33:36.240 praying with others we need to own it 00:33:36.240 --> 00:33:42.200 we need to own it and very often when 00:33:42.200 --> 00:33:44.120 we come to confession of sin we're we're 00:33:44.120 --> 00:33:45.460 really thinking about confession of sins 00:33:45.460 --> 00:33:50.420 of our community of our nation a good 00:33:50.420 --> 00:33:54.940 example would be abortion the steadily 00:33:54.940 --> 00:33:57.800 worsening abortion laws that our 00:33:57.800 --> 00:34:00.480 country is enacting and a situation 00:34:00.480 --> 00:34:02.340 that seems to be just slipping away 00:34:02.340 --> 00:34:06.140 into worse and worse outcomes all the 00:34:06.140 --> 00:34:10.019 time and it's almost as if we might 00:34:10.019 --> 00:34:11.220 want to point the finger 00:34:11.219 --> 00:34:19.699 and yet it's us 00:34:19.699 --> 00:34:24.819 we're not admitting the sins of others 00:34:24.819 --> 00:34:31.579 we are confessing our sin our nation's 00:34:31.579 --> 00:34:38.339 sin our need of God's grace our nation's 00:34:38.340 --> 00:34:40.240 need of God's grace 00:34:40.240 --> 00:34:48.380 it's a place to confess 00:34:48.380 --> 00:34:52.780 not a place to complain 00:34:52.780 --> 00:34:58.420 it's not a place to complain about the 00:34:58.420 --> 00:35:00.000 things we don't like in the church 00:35:00.000 --> 00:35:02.700 I'd say this when you're gathering with 00:35:02.700 --> 00:35:04.480 your brothers and sisters in Christ 00:35:04.480 --> 00:35:08.300 your private opinions stay at the door 00:35:08.300 --> 00:35:12.619 if you don't like the church's church 00:35:12.619 --> 00:35:16.039 planting policy the gathering of the 00:35:16.039 --> 00:35:19.099 saints is not a place to just rant about 00:35:19.099 --> 00:35:23.880 that it's a place to pray it's a place 00:35:23.880 --> 00:35:27.199 to intercede it's a place to seek God's 00:35:27.199 --> 00:35:27.679 blessing 00:35:27.679 --> 00:35:33.599 and so remember prayer together it's a 00:35:33.599 --> 00:35:34.859 place for confession 00:35:34.859 --> 00:35:39.859 not a place for just generally complaining 00:35:39.859 --> 00:35:41.679 about what's going on 00:35:41.679 --> 00:35:44.639 and so we come and confess 00:35:44.639 --> 00:35:48.339 it's a place as well for calling out to 00:35:48.339 --> 00:35:50.579 God so we have praise we have 00:35:50.579 --> 00:35:53.739 acknowledgement of our sin it's a place 00:35:53.739 --> 00:35:56.239 for calling to God for requesting his 00:35:56.239 --> 00:35:58.619 help and his blessing second chronicles 00:35:58.619 --> 00:36:01.119 chapter 20 Jehoshaphat calls for God's 00:36:01.119 --> 00:36:03.339 help on behalf of the people 00:36:03.339 --> 00:36:06.379 we don't know what to do in this 00:36:06.379 --> 00:36:07.359 situation he says 00:36:07.359 --> 00:36:11.000 but our eyes are on you 00:36:11.000 --> 00:36:14.599 that's one of the great privileges of 00:36:14.599 --> 00:36:18.000 praying together as a church as 00:36:18.000 --> 00:36:20.239 individuals gathered together as 00:36:20.239 --> 00:36:22.619 people who want to pray to God in 00:36:22.619 --> 00:36:23.939 all of these different contexts that 00:36:23.939 --> 00:36:25.379 I've already mentioned one of the 00:36:25.380 --> 00:36:28.260 great privileges that we have is of 00:36:28.260 --> 00:36:31.539 expressing our dependence on a 00:36:31.539 --> 00:36:32.480 covenantal God 00:36:32.480 --> 00:36:38.140 do you not think that God who did not 00:36:38.140 --> 00:36:39.460 spare his only son 00:36:39.460 --> 00:36:43.099 will he not now bless you 00:36:43.099 --> 00:36:45.960 abundantly more than you can ask or 00:36:45.960 --> 00:36:46.260 think 00:36:46.260 --> 00:36:50.940 that means we pray big 00:36:50.940 --> 00:36:54.240 and with this I am nearly done 00:36:54.240 --> 00:36:57.200 it means we pray with boldness 00:36:57.200 --> 00:37:02.200 we pray with boldness and confidence 00:37:02.200 --> 00:37:05.700 in a God who holds the entire cosmos in 00:37:05.700 --> 00:37:06.240 his hands 00:37:06.240 --> 00:37:10.059 and that's one of the things that I fear 00:37:10.059 --> 00:37:11.380 when the church prays together 00:37:11.380 --> 00:37:15.760 I always fear that we we forget how 00:37:15.760 --> 00:37:20.060 great our God is and how bold we can be in 00:37:20.060 --> 00:37:23.500 coming to him in prayer the great 00:37:23.500 --> 00:37:25.100 things that we can ask for the wonderful 00:37:25.100 --> 00:37:27.500 things that we can request the marvel of 00:37:27.500 --> 00:37:33.680 his grace we can ask for those who are dead in 00:37:33.680 --> 00:37:36.700 their sins to come to life 00:37:36.700 --> 00:37:40.080 you see it in the way the disciples do it 00:37:40.080 --> 00:37:42.920 here when they pray they pray about the 00:37:42.920 --> 00:37:44.800 persecution they're facing they pray about the 00:37:44.800 --> 00:37:46.840 the affliction that they are under the 00:37:46.840 --> 00:37:48.200 threats that they have received 00:37:48.200 --> 00:37:50.639 but they're not rushing to pray for 00:37:50.639 --> 00:37:51.820 something small 00:37:51.820 --> 00:37:55.079 what they're rushing to pray for is the 00:37:55.079 --> 00:37:56.260 mercy of God 00:37:56.260 --> 00:37:59.539 not judgment over all those who are 00:37:59.539 --> 00:38:00.139 opposing them 00:38:00.139 --> 00:38:02.260 and over the preaching of the word and 00:38:02.260 --> 00:38:03.619 for all of the countless hundreds and 00:38:03.619 --> 00:38:04.380 thousands of people 00:38:04.380 --> 00:38:06.860 who are still there to hear the gospel in 00:38:06.860 --> 00:38:07.280 Jerusalem 00:38:07.280 --> 00:38:11.280 let us be bold in how we pray 00:38:11.280 --> 00:38:13.720 let us also be indicative 00:38:13.720 --> 00:38:16.480 let us be deliberate about what we pray 00:38:16.480 --> 00:38:16.760 for 00:38:16.760 --> 00:38:19.120 you know when we're praying with one 00:38:19.120 --> 00:38:21.400 another we can pray specifically for 00:38:21.400 --> 00:38:22.840 the matters at hand 00:38:22.840 --> 00:38:24.420 we don't need to be vague 00:38:24.420 --> 00:38:29.260 our God is big enough to hear our 00:38:29.260 --> 00:38:30.300 specific prayers 00:38:30.300 --> 00:38:32.360 in fact that's part of God's condescending 00:38:32.360 --> 00:38:34.360 he comes down to the level at which we 00:38:34.360 --> 00:38:34.740 are at 00:38:34.740 --> 00:38:36.740 and he hears the specific things that 00:38:36.740 --> 00:38:37.480 we're praying for 00:38:37.480 --> 00:38:39.420 and the things that we're interceding for 00:38:39.420 --> 00:38:41.960 and we can be such a blessing to one 00:38:41.960 --> 00:38:43.599 another with specific prayer 00:38:43.599 --> 00:38:46.039 and to encourage one another along 00:38:46.039 --> 00:38:46.700 that way is 00:38:46.700 --> 00:38:49.039 a covenanted community praying to God 00:38:49.039 --> 00:38:50.639 and the other thing about being praying 00:38:50.639 --> 00:38:52.260 big is also not just to be bold and 00:38:52.260 --> 00:38:53.400 indicative in what we pray for but to 00:38:53.400 --> 00:38:54.320 be God glorifying 00:38:54.320 --> 00:38:58.960 you know there's often a feeling 00:38:58.960 --> 00:38:59.680 perhaps that 00:38:59.680 --> 00:39:01.900 God will not be glorified if we pray 00:39:01.900 --> 00:39:02.920 for things that we want 00:39:02.920 --> 00:39:05.980 but actually if we want God's glory 00:39:05.980 --> 00:39:09.699 we will be satisfied with the things 00:39:09.699 --> 00:39:10.800 that glorify God 00:39:10.800 --> 00:39:13.119 and that is what we'll pray for 00:39:13.119 --> 00:39:17.559 and so let us have that kind of boldness 00:39:17.559 --> 00:39:19.079 that John Piper speaks of 00:39:19.079 --> 00:39:21.940 that God is most glorified in us 00:39:21.940 --> 00:39:23.500 when we are most satisfied 00:39:23.500 --> 00:39:25.099 in him 00:39:25.099 --> 00:39:28.360 that's what it means to pray with 00:39:28.360 --> 00:39:29.780 hearts alight 00:39:29.780 --> 00:39:30.719 for God 00:39:30.719 --> 00:39:33.760 burning with a passion for the glory of God 00:39:33.760 --> 00:39:35.120 and the things that we are asking for 00:39:35.120 --> 00:39:37.020 and the intercessions that we are raising 00:39:37.020 --> 00:39:40.240 acknowledging God's great mercy 00:39:40.240 --> 00:39:42.360 and the blessing that he will give 00:39:42.360 --> 00:39:44.820 the final thing just is thanksgiving 00:39:44.820 --> 00:39:48.900 praise 00:39:48.900 --> 00:39:53.300 acknowledgement of sin 00:39:53.300 --> 00:39:56.680 calling out for God's blessing 00:39:56.679 --> 00:39:59.579 and doing so with thanksgiving 00:39:59.579 --> 00:40:01.579 Ezra's 00:40:01.579 --> 00:40:02.940 public confession 00:40:02.940 --> 00:40:03.940 and the renewal of 00:40:03.940 --> 00:40:05.500 the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem 00:40:05.500 --> 00:40:07.339 there in Nehemiah as well 00:40:07.339 --> 00:40:08.480 actually you can read in both passages 00:40:08.480 --> 00:40:08.739 but 00:40:08.739 --> 00:40:10.119 but Ezra is heavy 00:40:10.119 --> 00:40:11.759 his prayer is heavy with confession 00:40:11.759 --> 00:40:12.039 but 00:40:12.039 --> 00:40:14.799 but he also acknowledges God's mercy 00:40:14.799 --> 00:40:15.500 and his preservation 00:40:15.500 --> 00:40:18.039 and he goes through the whole history of the nation 00:40:18.039 --> 00:40:19.559 and all of the things that God has done 00:40:19.559 --> 00:40:20.440 to preserve Israel 00:40:20.440 --> 00:40:22.579 and he just pours out thanks 00:40:22.579 --> 00:40:25.419 that's what we do 00:40:25.420 --> 00:40:28.740 that's how we're going to conclude our worship just now 00:40:28.740 --> 00:40:30.940 praising God 00:40:30.940 --> 00:40:33.460 for the certainty of his mercies 00:40:33.460 --> 00:40:38.059 and the enduring grace that he shows 00:40:38.059 --> 00:40:40.980 and how firm and sure that is 00:40:40.980 --> 00:40:43.000 to all eternity 00:40:43.000 --> 00:40:45.019 that is our God 00:40:45.019 --> 00:40:46.960 that is a God that we can come to 00:40:46.960 --> 00:40:48.139 with praise and thanksgiving 00:40:48.139 --> 00:40:51.280 and so let us bow in prayer to him just now 00:40:51.280 --> 00:40:52.079 for just a moment 00:40:52.079 --> 00:40:58.119 heavenly father 00:40:58.119 --> 00:41:00.659 we want to come before you this evening 00:41:00.659 --> 00:41:03.539 and seek your blessing upon us 00:41:03.539 --> 00:41:04.980 lord 00:41:04.980 --> 00:41:06.960 we thank you for the privilege 00:41:06.960 --> 00:41:08.819 of being able to come before you in prayer 00:41:08.819 --> 00:41:09.840 as a church 00:41:09.840 --> 00:41:11.659 as a gathering tonight 00:41:11.659 --> 00:41:15.039 and we pray father that as we do so 00:41:15.039 --> 00:41:17.860 we would be reminded of just how glorious a God you are 00:41:17.860 --> 00:41:20.039 you are worthy of our praise 00:41:20.039 --> 00:41:21.440 because you have loved us 00:41:21.440 --> 00:41:23.960 and you have sent a salvation for us 00:41:23.960 --> 00:41:25.860 and you have glorified your name 00:41:25.860 --> 00:41:26.980 and redeeming us 00:41:26.980 --> 00:41:29.000 through the blood of Jesus 00:41:29.000 --> 00:41:31.220 and I pray tonight father 00:41:31.220 --> 00:41:32.420 that that would be 00:41:32.420 --> 00:41:34.140 what we make most of 00:41:34.140 --> 00:41:36.079 what we rejoice in 00:41:36.079 --> 00:41:37.500 where we find our hope 00:41:37.500 --> 00:41:38.120 and our confidence 00:41:38.120 --> 00:41:40.079 and why we remember 00:41:40.079 --> 00:41:41.220 that we have every reason 00:41:41.220 --> 00:41:41.880 to be bold 00:41:41.880 --> 00:41:43.000 in coming to you in prayer 00:41:43.000 --> 00:41:46.159 because you have done so much 00:41:46.159 --> 00:41:48.760 in working out our salvation 00:41:48.760 --> 00:41:49.659 for us 00:41:49.659 --> 00:41:52.059 we thank you that you are a God who hears 00:41:52.059 --> 00:41:53.760 we thank you that all of us tonight 00:41:53.760 --> 00:41:54.920 can perhaps speak of times 00:41:54.920 --> 00:41:56.000 where we have cried out to you 00:41:56.000 --> 00:41:56.780 and you have answered 00:41:56.780 --> 00:41:58.719 and so we pray father 00:41:58.719 --> 00:42:00.380 that you would continue to show yourself 00:42:00.380 --> 00:42:02.380 as a God who is faithful and merciful 00:42:02.380 --> 00:42:04.639 abundant in mercy in fact 00:42:04.639 --> 00:42:06.380 and may that overflow 00:42:06.380 --> 00:42:07.900 in our lives 00:42:07.900 --> 00:42:09.840 and be seen in how we glorify 00:42:09.840 --> 00:42:11.960 and exalt you continually 00:42:11.960 --> 00:42:13.679 help us Lord 00:42:13.679 --> 00:42:14.880 to bless one another then 00:42:14.880 --> 00:42:16.360 as we would seek to pray together 00:42:16.360 --> 00:42:17.559 multiply Lord 00:42:17.559 --> 00:42:18.840 the opportunities that we have 00:42:18.840 --> 00:42:19.659 to pray together 00:42:19.659 --> 00:42:20.860 as a congregation 00:42:20.860 --> 00:42:21.900 as individuals 00:42:21.900 --> 00:42:23.480 with in our families 00:42:23.480 --> 00:42:25.920 help us to cultivate good patterns 00:42:25.920 --> 00:42:26.679 and practices 00:42:26.679 --> 00:42:27.639 and how we do that 00:42:27.639 --> 00:42:29.220 help us not to be ashamed 00:42:29.220 --> 00:42:30.900 or afraid of praying together either 00:42:30.900 --> 00:42:32.699 but to have boldness 00:42:32.699 --> 00:42:34.699 in how we come to our God 00:42:34.699 --> 00:42:36.659 and to see the fruit 00:42:36.659 --> 00:42:37.659 of that prayer 00:42:37.659 --> 00:42:39.039 to see the answers to prayer 00:42:39.039 --> 00:42:41.619 to the praise of your glorious name 00:42:41.619 --> 00:42:43.219 and we ask these things 00:42:43.219 --> 00:42:44.139 for Jesus' sake 00:42:44.139 --> 00:42:45.019 Amen 00:42:45.019 --> 00:42:51.519 we're going to sing in conclusion 00:42:51.519 --> 00:42:53.300 in the Scottish Psalter 00:42:53.300 --> 00:42:56.519 Psalm 136 00:42:56.519 --> 00:42:59.079 the second version of the Psalm 00:42:59.079 --> 00:43:00.300 page 428 00:43:00.300 --> 00:43:01.820 in the Blue Book 00:43:01.820 --> 00:43:03.119 page 428 00:43:03.119 --> 00:43:05.420 we're going to sing 00:43:05.420 --> 00:43:06.019 verses 1-4 00:43:06.019 --> 00:43:06.880 so just two stanzas 00:43:06.880 --> 00:43:07.960 to the tune St. John 00:43:07.960 --> 00:43:09.300 praise God 00:43:09.300 --> 00:43:10.340 for he is kind 00:43:10.340 --> 00:43:12.720 his mercy lasts foray 00:43:12.720 --> 00:43:13.960 give thanks 00:43:13.960 --> 00:43:15.079 with heart and mind 00:43:15.079 --> 00:43:16.579 to God of God's always 00:43:16.579 --> 00:43:17.400 for certainly 00:43:17.400 --> 00:43:18.900 his mercy's durer 00:43:18.900 --> 00:43:20.579 most firm and sure 00:43:20.579 --> 00:43:21.820 eternally 00:43:21.820 --> 00:43:22.940 let's stand and sing 00:43:22.940 --> 00:43:23.639 two stanzas 00:43:23.639 --> 00:43:24.460 please 00:43:24.460 --> 00:43:24.460 00:43:24.460 --> 00:43:24.460 00:43:24.460 --> 00:43:24.460 00:43:24.460 --> 00:43:24.460 00:43:24.460 --> 00:43:24.460 00:43:24.460 --> 00:43:24.460 00:43:24.460 --> 00:43:24.460 00:43:24.460 --> 00:43:24.460 00:43:24.460 --> 00:43:24.460 00:43:24.460 --> 00:43:24.460 00:43:24.460 --> 00:43:24.460 00:43:24.460 --> 00:43:24.460 00:43:24.460 --> 00:43:24.460 00:43:24.460 --> 00:43:24.460 00:43:24.460 --> 00:43:24.460 00:43:24.460 --> 00:43:24.460 00:43:24.460 --> 00:43:24.460 00:43:24.460 --> 00:43:24.460 00:43:24.460 --> 00:43:24.460 00:43:24.460 --> 00:43:29.019 please 00:43:29.019 --> 00:43:38.239 God, while he is kind, his mercy lasts foray. 00:43:38.239 --> 00:43:48.239 Give thanks with heart and mind to God of God's glory. 00:43:48.239 --> 00:44:02.279 For certainly his mercy's due, most perman should eternally. 00:44:04.119 --> 00:44:13.879 The Lord of Lords, praise ye, his mercy still endure. 00:44:13.880 --> 00:44:25.579 Faith wanders only he, that work by his great hand. 00:44:25.900 --> 00:44:38.700 For certainly his mercy's due, most perman should eternally. 00:44:38.699 --> 00:44:50.119 Now the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of God the Holy Spirit be with each one of you now and always. Amen. 00:45:08.699 --> 00:45:10.699 Amen.