The Prayers that God Answers

Probation of Oaths 5:12 Jesus distinguished between oaths. I: A Christian should have the reputation of always telling the truth. 1. His yes means yes and his no means no. 2. His word is his bond. 3. It is a shame for Christians to have a reputation of being doubted in their given promise or word. 4. It is a shame when a Christian’s word is no better than a man without God. 5. James warned Christians against cursing. The name of God should never be taken lightly. II: Encouragement to Pray 5:13-18: 1. Prayer teaches us the proper way to use God’s name. 2. The personal aspect of prayer. 3. The prayer for those that suffer. 4. When we suffer, prayer helps us to place our case before the Judge of all the Universe. 5. Pray when you are happy. 6. Pray the...

The Churche’s Obligation to Reach People

Corinthians 2 3:2, & 5:17-19 I: What is the main task of the local church? 1. “The church is a fellowship of redeemed people. It is none. It is an agency of reconciliation.” 2. Christ established the Church to do his work of Earth. 3. Reaching people is not a question of convenience for the Christian. Ezekiel 3:17-19. 4. Jesus taught and practiced visitation witnessing. a. His personal needs did not keep him from seeking that which was lost. b. The multitudes of Jesus’s day were not attending the regular religious meetings, so he went where they were. 5. A Church’s spiritual life is closely related to its outreach. So is the individual Christian. II: Outreach to whom? 1. One indication of the Church’s outreach is its SS...

The Hour Has Come

John 17:1-12 I: Jesus was a man of prayer. 1. The New Testament records thirteen times when he prayed. 2. His public prayers were brief, but his private prayers often lasted all night. 3. If any man questions the value of prayer, he should study the prayer life of Jesus. II: “The hour has come.” 1. The supreme battle for the souls of men. 2. The hour of the greatest sacrifice. 3. The hour of the lamb of God. 4. The hour to hear the sins of the world. 5. The hour of darkness and shame. 6. The hour of earthquake and grave opening. 7. The hour of man’s greatest sin and shame. 8. The hour of separation from the Father. 9. The hour he would finish the work he came to do. 10. The hour of victory over death, hell and the grave. 11. The hour to bruise...

Now is my Soul Troubled?

An unpleasant job: Too often we refuse to do the unpleasant task or one that calls for sacrifice. John 12:23-33 The Greeks were knocking at his door for admission. Sheep of the other folds were ready to come in. The burdens of a lost world were now laid upon Him. The grain of wheat was ready for planting. He was about to lose his life for others. I: “Now is my soul troubled?” 1. A troubled heart is a troubled prayer. 2. Troubled because of the sins of others. 3. The death of the cross and separation from the father were too much for him. 4. The trouble was crushing his heart. 5. He was walking with: Abraham to Mt. Moriah, sitting with Job on an ash heap. David as he cried Absolem, O Absolem; with Jeremiah as he watched a Nation commit suicide. Elijah...

The Undecided

Kings 1 18:17-24 Our world is in a state of indecision. Christianity limps thru the spiritual marked shopping, but never giving a verdict. Even when the sentence is passed, the penalty is nonely carried out. I: “How long halt we between his options?” verse 21. 1. Elijah faced three kings of people; those sold out to God (very few) the servants of God (many) and a multitude of undecided. 2. Elijah addressed himself to the undecided. 3. The undecided were crippled! 4. They were trying to stay on the good side of Baal and God. 5. The undecided looked back more than forward.They have put their hands in the plow but are plowing a crooked row! 6. To them, religion was a matter of opinion, not conviction. 7. We chance our opinions, but our convictions change...

The Lamb of God

Genesis 22: 1-14, Exodus 12:1-13, Peter 1:18-20 & John 1:2 I: “Without shedding of blood…” Hebrews 9:22. 1. Cain refused this way of cleaning. 2. Many human sacrifices were made to heathen gods. 3. The strange tie of blood and sacrifice in every tribe and nation. II: The Lamb that took Issac’s place. Genesis 12:1-13. 1. “Take now thine only son.” verse 2. 2. “Whom thou lovest.” verse 2. 3. “Offer him.” No greater test. 4. “Abraham rose up early.” 5. “I and the lad will go yonder and worship and come again to you.” Faith in God’s love and care. 6. “My son, God will provide himself a lamb.” verse 8. III: The Passover Lamb Exodus 12:1-13. 1. “This month...