PRAYING FOR WORK

5-27-07

Acts 9:1-6 (6)

Welcome, friends, family, guest.

How many of you are wondering what in the world this wacko is up to? Well I’m up to pushing your comfort zones. I’m in the mind set of Peter (2Pet 1:13 ). So some one might get a little hot under the collar but remember what Paul said (Gal 4:16 ).You are probably wondering what all these silhouette’s are for. Well if you remember a few weeks back I preached a sermon call “can you here God saying COME ON”. I know that for the most part we as humans just have to see with our eyes sometimes. Well I’m here today to help us see with our eyes what God wants from us.

I often wonder if Paul realized what he was asking for in verse 6?

If you have not noticed all the silhouettes are painted a different color. This was done to help us see that God is not a respecter of person. God does not look at the color of ones skin, he doesn’t care were you come from, but he cares were you are going, he doesn’t care how much money you have in the bank, under your bed or buried out in the back yard. If we are proclaiming to be his children doing what we wants us to do these should not be our concerns either. In (Matt 28:19-20) it doesn’t say that we are to hand out a form before we teach to see if we want to accept them, it just says GO. One more point, we are to be teaching Jesus not our opinions or traditions of what we think is right (Mk 7:1-9, Col 2:8) AMEN.

When was the last time you prayed for God to send some one to the church so that they can find help for their problems? Many people don’t do this because it might mean that there comfort zone will be pushed upon and they might have to do something. We should not be coming here because it is Sunday. There are three reasons that we should come to this building. One, to get help, two, to offer help and three to worship and praise God. Today we want to look at examples of these. Let me say this about worship and praise. They both start at home, helping and getting help are both shown through our praise and worship to God by our actions everyday.

Jesus said that he came to save the sick (Mk 2:16 -17). Look at what was happening in the early group of believers (Acts 5:12 -16) Now before this happened lets go back to (Acts 4:23 -24) Peter and John had just been told to stop all that Jesus stuff they were talking about. When they left the Jewish leaders they went to those that believed in the power of God and offered up prayers to God but look what they asked for (Acts 4:29-31).

We have all a one time or another asked God to help us to find a job in the world, or even a better paying job, and when we have gotten that job, we then ask for more hours and even over time that will stop us from worshipping God.. The colleges are full of people that are hoping for the one great job so that they can live a successful life, reach that golden ring. Well how many times have you really prayed for more to do in Gods kingdom; have you ever asked God to give you some overtime in helping lost souls?

Look at this (Acts 8:26 -31). These silhouettes represent people searching to understand God. We need to be as Phillip and answer the call to teach those searching. Phillip had to have faith in God to trust God enough to move in the direction that God wanted him to move. Phillip didn’t ask why, he didn’t hesitate, he didn’t get a committee together he just did.

Let’s look at Cornelius and Peter for a moment (Acts 10: 1-5, 17-22, 25-28, 34-38). Verse 1&2 give us a description of Cornelius. Verse 3-5 let us in on Gods plan. In verses 9-16 Peter had a dream about what he consider clean or unclean but was showing him something different. Verses 17-20 Peter’s trying to figure out what the dream was about and here show up Cornelius men and God tells Peter to just GO don’t be doubting. Verses 25-28 Shows us Peter has learned to humble himself. It also shows us that Cornelius had a lot of influence. Verses 34-38 Peter learns what God was showing him in the dream. The gospel is for everybody not just a select few.

Let’s look at a reason why it is important for leadership to have full trusts in God. All of us should be connected to God but leadership should really REALLY have full trust in God (Acts 16:6-10, 14-15). Here we have Paul training up Timothy to be a minister for God. Paul reacts to what God has put on his heart and because of this Lydia and her household was baptized.

Lets close with a look at two more passages (1Sam 12:20 -25 & Jn17:20) First we have Samuel talking to the children of Israel and he closes with this advise. Yes you have done wrong but that doesn’t mean you have to continue doing things that way and as a leader he also remembers his role. Church we have to ask ourselves, what did we bring the minister and his family here for? Did we bring him here to grow or to just have someone to preach and teach or are we looking to do better in the sight of God by doing what God has called us to do.

Look at Jesus prayer in (Jn 17:20 -26). Jesus is praying for us and his pray is that we don’t drop the torch.

HEAR – BELIEVE – REPENT – CONFESS – BAPTISED – LIVE A FAITHFUL LIFE