Online with God

Online with God

2004045

Topic # 0455

Introduction:

A. T’ville – ’96 – Whether we like it or not…computers are coming so we better get ready.

1. Computers & internet have become a part of everyday life.

2. Source of instant information. We demand/expect instant & latest info.

3. Term “always on connection” has come along.

4. whenever we desire – we can connect. It’s there.

5. We’re the most informed & connected generation that has ever lived.

B. Christians have a more important “always on” connection. i.e., a healthy prayer life.

1. Prayer is a fundamental in diligently seeking God.

2. Mt. 6:5-15 – Jesus spent large portion of his time discussing prayer & its necessity for Christian living.

C. Acts 2:42 – prayer was something taken up by early Christians.

1. Monte Hampton: the prominent place of prayer in the lives of the earliest Christians and in Jesus’ fundamental teachings suggests the centrality of prayer to Christianity.

D. Prayer must become a central part of our lives.

1. Developing healthy prayer habits is mandatory for those diligently seeking God.

2. if we’re not online with God, here are some helpful suggestions to get connected.

I. We must set aside time to pray.

A. Look at Jesus. Made time to pray.

1. Mk. 1:35 – early AM. Mk. 14:23 – evening after sending away crowds.

2. Lk. 9:18, 29 – during the day; Mt. 26:36, 39 – in middle of night.

3. when our heart is continually directed to God – there is always time to pray!

B. Walton Weaver: no matter how busy He was, He could immediately turn aside for long seasons of prayer. In fact, prayer was so habitual w/Jesus, in one sense, his entire life sems to have been a prayer offered up to God. The times that were regularly given to prayer are a true index to his inner self.

C. So we must find the time to pray.

1. examine your life.

2. when is a good time to go to God? Anytime!

a) early AM? Lunch break? Evening? Before going to sleep?

b) We can find time if we want to!

II. EVERY incident in our lives should be dealt with prayer.

A. Eph. 6:18 – pray at all times.

1. context: Christian life is spent at war w/the devil. (6:11-17)

2. We need to be in constant prayer to prep for engagement on the battlefield w/the devil.

B. Let’s develop this point further.

1. Think of the scarcity of material on many bible characters. Just a few pages/chapters/verses in biblical record.

2. As you read about notable bible characters – take not of the numbers of references on their prayer life.

C. Jesus prayer life:

1. Lk. 3:21 – before baptism

2. Lk. 6:12 – before the call of the 12

3. Mk. 1:35; 6:41; 7:34 – in connection with miracles.

4. Jhn. 17:6-19; 20-26; Lk. 22:32; 23:34 – for other people

D. Paul’s prayer life:

1. Acts 20:36; 21:5 – before parting company with fellow Christians.

2. Acs 22:17 – when in the temple

3. Acts 13:1-3 – before going on a missionary journey.

4. Acts 27:33-38 – gave thanks for food.

E. Prayer was the main source of strength for bible heroes!

1. it was an avenue open to them to express their total dependence upon God.

2. Every incident in life is an event to be dealt with in prayer!

3. 1 Thess. 5:17 – this is the meaning of this verse.

III. We have a moral & spiritual obligation to pray!

A. Lk. 18:1 – think about word “ought.”

1. Significant. Only 2 major translations use a different word that “ought.”

2. Regular prayer is an absolute necessity! Not an optional thing!

B. 18:2-8 – what’s the lesson taught in this verse?

1. Persistence in prayer – even when answer not immediately granted.

C. Consider these verses:

1. Col. 1:3- always

2. 1 Thess. 3:10 – night/day – suggesting continued prayer/ constancy.

3. 1 Cor. 1:4; Eph. 1:15-16; Phil. 1:3-5; Col. 1:3, 9 – unceasing prayers.

D. Prayer can be done here, there, and everywhere!

Conclusion:

A. Ralph Walker: if the church would come to believe and practice prayer as the church did in the first century we could experience:

1. the same joy of service, share the same triumphant attitude & experience the same kind of results the early church did.

B. DSG by possessing a healthy prayer life.

C. I hope this will inspire you to pray often & open up to God!



Online with God 2004045 Topic # 0455 Introduction: A. T’ville – ’96 – Whether we like it or not…computers are coming so we better get ready. 1. Computers & internet have become a part of everyday life. 2. Source of instant information. We demand/expect instant & latest info. 3. Term “always on connection” has come along. 4. whenever we desire – we can connect. It’s there. 5. We’re the most informed & connected generation that has ever lived. B. Christians have a more important “always on” connection. i.e., a healthy prayer life. 1. Prayer is a fundamental in diligently seeking God. 2. Mt. 6:5-15 – Jesus spent large portion of his time discussing prayer & its necessity for Christian living. C. Acts 2:42 – prayer was something taken up by early Christians. 1. Monte Hampton: the prominent place of prayer in the lives of the earliest Christians and in Jesus’ fundamental teachings suggests the centrality of prayer to Christianity. D. Prayer must become a central part of our lives. 1. Developing healthy prayer habits is mandatory for those diligently seeking God. 2. if we’re not online with God, here are some helpful suggestions to get connected. I. We must set aside time to pray. A. Look at Jesus. Made time to pray. 1. Mk. 1:35 – early AM. Mk. 14:23 – evening after sending away crowds. 2. Lk. 9:18, 29 – during the day; Mt. 26:36, 39 – in middle of night. 3. when our heart is continually directed to God – there is always time to pray! B. Walton Weaver: no matter how busy He was, He could immediately turn aside for long seasons of prayer. In fact, prayer was so habitual w/Jesus, in one sense, his entire life sems to have been a prayer offered up to God. The times that were regularly given to prayer are a true index to his inner self. C. So we must find the time to pray. 1. examine your life. 2. when is a good time to go to God? Anytime! a) early AM? Lunch break? Evening? Before going to sleep? b) We can find time if we want to! II. EVERY incident in our lives should be dealt with prayer. A. Eph. 6:18 – pray at all times. 1. context: Christian life is spent at war w/the devil. (6:11-17) 2. We need to be in constant prayer to prep for engagement on the battlefield w/the devil. B. Let’s develop this point further. 1. Think of the scarcity of material on many bible characters. Just a few pages/chapters/verses in biblical record. 2. As you read about notable bible characters – take not of the numbers of references on their prayer life. C. Jesus prayer life: 1. Lk. 3:21 – before baptism 2. Lk. 6:12 – before the call of the 12 3. Mk. 1:35; 6:41; 7:34 – in connection with miracles. 4. Jhn. 17:6-19; 20-26; Lk. 22:32; 23:34 – for other people D. Paul’s prayer life: 1. Acts 20:36; 21:5 – before parting company with fellow Christians. 2. Acs 22:17 – when in the temple 3. Acts 13:1-3 – before going on a missionary journey. 4. Acts 27:33-38 – gave thanks for food. E. Prayer was the main source of strength for bible heroes! 1. it was an avenue open to them to express their total dependence upon God. 2. Every incident in life is an event to be dealt with in prayer! 3. 1 Thess. 5:17 – this is the meaning of this verse. III. We have a moral & spiritual obligation to pray! A. Lk. 18:1 – think about word “ought.” 1. Significant. Only 2 major translations use a different word that “ought.” 2. Regular prayer is an absolute necessity! Not an optional thing! B. 18:2-8 – what’s the lesson taught in this verse? 1. Persistence in prayer – even when answer not immediately granted. C. Consider these verses: 1. Col. 1:3- always 2. 1 Thess. 3:10 – night/day – suggesting continued prayer/ constancy. 3. 1 Cor. 1:4; Eph. 1:15-16; Phil. 1:3-5; Col. 1:3, 9 – unceasing prayers. D. Prayer can be done here, there, and everywhere! Conclusion: A. Ralph Walker: if the church would come to believe and practice prayer as the church did in the first century we could experience: 1. the same joy of service, share the same triumphant attitude & experience the same kind of results the early church did. B. DSG by possessing a healthy prayer life. C. I hope this will inspire you to pray often & open up to God!