"Prayer"

On Monday night Ronny's text was taken from 1 Thess. 5:17. His subject was prayer.

He began his sermon talking about the times when prayer isn't appropriate.

1. When the person who has never obeyed the gospel prays for salvation. Salvation isn't gained through prayer, in spite of the false claims by many preachers that the "sinner's prayer" will save. Ronny cited the example of Saul of Tarsus who was found praying when God sent Annanias to preach to him. Prayer wasn't saving Saul. Preaching the gospel (done at the hand of Annanias) is what saved Saul. Likewise, the story of Cornelius in Acts 10 proves that prayer doesn't save. The scriptures say that he prayed always. Yet, he was unsaved until he was baptized.

Ronny explained that "calling on the name of the Lord" in Romans 10 means "obeying the gospel." We're able to conclude that because we don't find anybody being saved by prayer, but we do find people being saved through baptism.

2. It's not appropriate to pray for the Kingdom to come. The Kingdom, the Church, has already come. For us to recite what is commonly called "The Lord's Prayer" is wrong today. When Christ was using that model prayer to instruct the disciples it was appropriate because the Church had not yet been established. However, it's not appropriate for any of us who live after the establishment of the Church.

3. Persistent sinners should quit praying. Those who refuse the gospel and neglect obedience have no business praying. God will not hear their prayers. Sinners need forgiveness. Obeying the gospel of Jesus Christ is where forgiveness is found.

4. People who fail to forgive others should stop praying. If the offender of Matthew 5 and the offended of Matthew 18 would do exactly as the Bible directs, Ronny points out they'd meet half way in gaining resolution of their problems. Unfortunately, too often men refuse the Bible plan for resolving conflict. God's forgiveness will be extended to us in like measure as we give it to others. A sobering thought for every Christian.

5. The hypocritical church member should stop praying. That doesn't mean they shouldn't pray for forgiveness, but they need to straighten up their behavior and stop being hypocritics. Ronny cited those described in Matthew 6 who wanted to be seen and heard of men. He also pointed out the folly of long-winded prayers, along with prayers full of vain repetitions.

He concluded by talking about acceptable prayer.

a. Pray in faith. We need to believe God will hear and answer our prayers.
b. Pray God's will be done. We don't want our will to be done because God knows best.
c. Pray through Jesus Christ, our mediator.
d. Pray for rulers to allow us to live quiet, peaceable lives in all righteousness.
e. Pray for brethren.
f. Pray for the lost.
g. Pray for the sick. Ronny discussed how to pray for those who are terminally ill. First, pray that God's will be done. Second, pray that whatever is best for them and their family be done. It's not wise to pray that God spare them because that may not be what is best. Turn it over to the Lord and pray that He'll do whatever is most fitting for them and those who love them.
h. Pray for physical needs.
i. Pray for your enemies.
j. Pray for forgiveness.

He closed by asking the question important to every person: "Is God your Father?" He took that question from the prayer Jesus modeled for the disciples when He began it with the phrase, "Our Father, which art in heaven."

Unless God is our Father, we can't pray to Him. Obedience to the gospel is fundamental for every person. He encouraged all who were not saved to obey the gospel by repenting, confessing their faith in Christ and being baptized for the remission of their sins.

The meeting continues each night this week. We urge you to come listen to God's Word plainly taught.

You won't be asked to contribute any money. You won't be embarrassed. You won't be made to feel uncomfortable.
We'll gladly answer any questions you may have. We promise your time will be well spent considering eternal things.

Join us each night this week at 7:30pm.