Church 12/1/2021
Sermon thesis: Do what you can do
Point #1: Take time to pray
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
Ephesians 6:18 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Ephesians%206:18&version=NKJV
Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Matthew 26:41 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew%2026:41&version=NKJV
Pray even when you feel weak.
Jesus exhorted His disciples to pray before He had gotten arrested so that they would not fall into temptation.
The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
Acts 1:1-14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Acts%201:1-14&version=NKJV
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 2:1-4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Acts%202:1-4&version=NKJV
Prayer is important. It’s important to do what the Word says.
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
James 1:22 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=James%201:22&version=NKJV
Point #2: Cast your cares upon the Lord
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Philippians%204:6-7&version=NKJV
Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].
Philippians 4:6-7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Philippians%204:6-7&version=AMP
casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Peter%205:7&version=NKJV
Also this:
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
1 Peter 5:8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Peter%205:8&version=NKJV
Point #3: Plant a seed
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
Galatians 6:7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Galatians%206:7&version=NKJV
When you plant a seed, you bless others.
“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
Matthew 6:1-5 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew%206:1-5&version=NKJV
Pause: should we pray? Yes.
Did Jesus pray? Yes.
Did He encourage His disciples to pray? Yes.
Is prayer important? Yes.
But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
Matthew 6:6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew%206:6&version=NKJV
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%203:16&version=NKJV
For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Galatians 6:8-10 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Galatians%206:8-10&version=NKJV
Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Luke 6:38 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Luke%206:38&version=NKJV
Plant a seed. Do what the Word says. You will be blessed back when you bless others.
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