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Praying the Scripures
Normal 0 0 1 2009 9044 Calvary Baptist Church 170 32 14068 11.1287 0 0 0 February 21, 2010/AM Prayer Series
Message # 4
Praying the Scriptures
1 Chronicles 17.20
Text: “O LORD, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee; according to all that we have heard with our ears.”
INTRODUCTION: Perhaps my topic is a revolutionary thought for you, or, maybe this is something that you already are doing as part of your prayer life.
In either case, today I want us to explore the need and reality of praying the scriptures for life transformation.
I want us to look today at:
I) The Value of Praying the Scriptures.
A) Dawson Trotman, founder of the Navigators, said, “Let’s scripturize our prayer life.”
1) What did he mean by that?
2) He was suggesting that we learn to add the Scriptures to our prayer life.
3) This would take away the “staleness” that seems to permeate our memorized prayers.
B) Do you realize that after 24 hours have passed, we remember 15% of what we hear; 30% of what we read; 60% of what we study; and 100% of what we memorize?
1) Much of Scripture retention is repetition.
2) As a first year student at Baptist Bible College, in a class called “Personal Evangelism” Dr. R. O. Woodworth required us to memorize 150 verses.
3) Many of those verses I can still remember because of the repetition he used in testing and the repetition of the Holy Spirit in requiring me to use them in witnessing.
C) Let’s take a look at some of the things the Word does for us:
1) It cleanses us – Psalm 119.8: “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.”
2) It convicts us – Psalm 119.25:“My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.”
3) It comforts us – Psalm 119.50: “This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.”
4) It revives us – Psalm 119.107: “I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.”
5) It gives us renewed life – Psalm 119.107: “ I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.”
6) It is forever settled – Psalm 119.89: “ For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.”
7) It is a lamp and a light – Psalm 119.105: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
8) It is enlightening to us – Psalm 119.130: “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.”
9) It is pure – Psalm 119.140: “Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.”
II) Next, we need to see the Purpose in Praying the Scriptures.
A) We put the Holy Spirit into the Position of Prompting Us in How and What We Pray.
1) Ephesians 6.18: “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”
2) Every believer who has any history with prayer knows there are times when we come to God’s throne room with a full heart and lockjaw.
3) It is then that Romans 8.26 comes into play in our prayer lives. “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
B) We position ourselves to accept the transformation that God wants for us through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
1) 2 Corinthians 3.18: “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
2) When Moses met with God, his face was unveiled. He did not have to hide his face in the presence of this Holy One.
3) When he came out to be with the people, they knew he had been with God because of his countenance.
4) Is it a stretch for us to believe that when we spend time with God others will know because of what they see in our countenance?
5) I think not!
C) We acknowledge to God that our desires need to be changed and only His Spirit can do that.
1) Psalm 37.4: “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”
2) Some here this morning are perfectly happy with your desires as they are and do not want them changed.
3) Have you ever asked God what He wants for you, your family, your job, your future, your service for Him?
4) Do you see, and understand, that in order for God to give us the desires of our heart, we must delight ourselves in Him?
5) What does this word delight mean? to be soft or pliable, that is, (figuratively) effeminate or luxurious:—delicate (-ness), (have) delight (self), sport self.
III)Finally, Let’s Review the A. C. T. S. Model of Prayer.
A) ADORATION is the Pinnacle of Relationship.
1) It enables us to join the throng around the throne – Psalm 22.3: “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.”
2) ADORATION is our response to God’s desire for our fulfillment – Psalm 150.6: “Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.”
(a) God seeks us to save us – Luke 19.10: “For the son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
(b) God seeks us to worship Him – John 4.23: “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.”
3) ADORATION is demonstrating our love to Christ – Psalm 119.9-11: “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. 10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee.”
4) ADORATION is giving God our attention, our affection, and our abilities.
5) We must praise God for Who He is and What He has Done – Exodus 33.13-23: “And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. 15And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. 16For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth. 17And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name. 18And he said, I beseech thee, show me thy glory. 19And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 20And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. 21And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: 22And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: 23And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.”
B) CONFESSION is the power of Agreement.
1) It is the conviction that I must submit to God’s divine inspection …
(a) Psalm 139.23-24: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
(b) Psalm 19.14: “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”
(c) 2 Timothy 2.21: “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”
2) It is both positive and negative.
3) CONFESSION (Gk. Homologeo) is to speak in agreement to the fact and truth. It is our agreement with God that what He said is right and it is our desire to repent in areas we have breached. Real confession also includes real repentance. 1 John 1.9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
4) CONFESSION is cleansing our conscience –
(a) Hebrews 9.14: “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”
(b) Hebrews 10.22: “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”
5) This cleansing is called forgiveness in 1 John 1.9.
6) This cleansing is also spiritual preparation – “ … prepared unto every good work …” (2 Timothy 2.21d).
7) This CONFESSION also produces confidence in prayer – 1 John 3.21-22: “Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. 22And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.”
(a) Forgive me of having an unforgiving spirit – James 4.17: “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
(b) Forgive me of anything that offends you.
(c) Forgive me of being a poor ______ (you fill in the blank).
(d) Forgive me for being a poor student of your Word.
C) THANKSGIVING is the pleasure of gratitude.
1) It counteracts negativity.
2) It is the antidote of selfishness.
3) It “bookends” our day – 1 Chronicles 23.30: “And to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at even;”
4) It is the pervasive attitude for believers – 1 Thessalonians 5.18: “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
D) SUPPLICATION is the pursuit of fruitfulness.
1) Beth Moore, in her book, Praying God’s Word, writes: “I have never discovered a more powerful way to demolish strongholds in my life than praying the Scriptures.”
2) We sometimes get overwhelmed with those in spiritual need, and we should.
3) Jesus was moved with compassion as he was the multitudes.
4) People, not things, should dominate our supplication.
IV)How Do We Get Started?
A) Choose some verses that refer to worshipping God. Memorize them and pray, “Lord, You have said …”
B) Add new verses to each element of the Acts prayer model.
C) Be ready for the greatest blessing that only Scripture memorization and praying in the will of God can add to your life.
CLOSING THOUGHTS: The combination of hiding God’s Word in our heart and consequently praying with substance produces cleansing, and cleansing produces usability. When God wants to work greatly, He chooses a clean vessel. Filling our mind with God’s thoughts prompts prayers that correspond to God’s will and He delights in answering these.
George Mueller said, “There are five conditions which I always endeavor to fulfill; by observing these I have the assurance of answer to my prayer:
· I have not the lease doubt because I am assured that it is the Lord’s will to save them, for He wills that all men should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2.4); and we have the assurance “that if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us” (1 John 5.14).
· I have never pleases for their salvation in my own name, but in the blessed name of my precious Lord Jesus, and on His merits alone (John 1.14).
· I always firmly believed in the willingness of God to hear my prayers (Mark 11.24).
· I am not conscious of having yielded to any sin, for “if I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Psalm 66.18) when I call.
· I have persevered in believing prayer for more than fifty-two years for some, and will continue until the answer comes: “Shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him?” (Luke 18.7).
Thinking new thoughts by memorizing God’s Word and praying new prayers frees us form the mediocrity of “how it used to be and how it has always been done” to a fresh paradigm of enthusiasm and power.
Message # 4
Praying the Scriptures
1 Chronicles 17.20
Text: “O LORD, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee; according to all that we have heard with our ears.”
INTRODUCTION: Perhaps my topic is a revolutionary thought for you, or, maybe this is something that you already are doing as part of your prayer life.
In either case, today I want us to explore the need and reality of praying the scriptures for life transformation.
I want us to look today at:
I) The Value of Praying the Scriptures.
A) Dawson Trotman, founder of the Navigators, said, “Let’s scripturize our prayer life.”
1) What did he mean by that?
2) He was suggesting that we learn to add the Scriptures to our prayer life.
3) This would take away the “staleness” that seems to permeate our memorized prayers.
B) Do you realize that after 24 hours have passed, we remember 15% of what we hear; 30% of what we read; 60% of what we study; and 100% of what we memorize?
1) Much of Scripture retention is repetition.
2) As a first year student at Baptist Bible College, in a class called “Personal Evangelism” Dr. R. O. Woodworth required us to memorize 150 verses.
3) Many of those verses I can still remember because of the repetition he used in testing and the repetition of the Holy Spirit in requiring me to use them in witnessing.
C) Let’s take a look at some of the things the Word does for us:
1) It cleanses us – Psalm 119.8: “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.”
2) It convicts us – Psalm 119.25:“My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.”
3) It comforts us – Psalm 119.50: “This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.”
4) It revives us – Psalm 119.107: “I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.”
5) It gives us renewed life – Psalm 119.107: “ I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.”
6) It is forever settled – Psalm 119.89: “ For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.”
7) It is a lamp and a light – Psalm 119.105: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
8) It is enlightening to us – Psalm 119.130: “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.”
9) It is pure – Psalm 119.140: “Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.”
II) Next, we need to see the Purpose in Praying the Scriptures.
A) We put the Holy Spirit into the Position of Prompting Us in How and What We Pray.
1) Ephesians 6.18: “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”
2) Every believer who has any history with prayer knows there are times when we come to God’s throne room with a full heart and lockjaw.
3) It is then that Romans 8.26 comes into play in our prayer lives. “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
B) We position ourselves to accept the transformation that God wants for us through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
1) 2 Corinthians 3.18: “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
2) When Moses met with God, his face was unveiled. He did not have to hide his face in the presence of this Holy One.
3) When he came out to be with the people, they knew he had been with God because of his countenance.
4) Is it a stretch for us to believe that when we spend time with God others will know because of what they see in our countenance?
5) I think not!
C) We acknowledge to God that our desires need to be changed and only His Spirit can do that.
1) Psalm 37.4: “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”
2) Some here this morning are perfectly happy with your desires as they are and do not want them changed.
3) Have you ever asked God what He wants for you, your family, your job, your future, your service for Him?
4) Do you see, and understand, that in order for God to give us the desires of our heart, we must delight ourselves in Him?
5) What does this word delight mean? to be soft or pliable, that is, (figuratively) effeminate or luxurious:—delicate (-ness), (have) delight (self), sport self.
III)Finally, Let’s Review the A. C. T. S. Model of Prayer.
A) ADORATION is the Pinnacle of Relationship.
1) It enables us to join the throng around the throne – Psalm 22.3: “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.”
2) ADORATION is our response to God’s desire for our fulfillment – Psalm 150.6: “Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.”
(a) God seeks us to save us – Luke 19.10: “For the son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
(b) God seeks us to worship Him – John 4.23: “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.”
3) ADORATION is demonstrating our love to Christ – Psalm 119.9-11: “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. 10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee.”
4) ADORATION is giving God our attention, our affection, and our abilities.
5) We must praise God for Who He is and What He has Done – Exodus 33.13-23: “And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. 15And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. 16For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth. 17And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name. 18And he said, I beseech thee, show me thy glory. 19And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 20And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. 21And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: 22And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: 23And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.”
B) CONFESSION is the power of Agreement.
1) It is the conviction that I must submit to God’s divine inspection …
(a) Psalm 139.23-24: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
(b) Psalm 19.14: “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”
(c) 2 Timothy 2.21: “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”
2) It is both positive and negative.
3) CONFESSION (Gk. Homologeo) is to speak in agreement to the fact and truth. It is our agreement with God that what He said is right and it is our desire to repent in areas we have breached. Real confession also includes real repentance. 1 John 1.9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
4) CONFESSION is cleansing our conscience –
(a) Hebrews 9.14: “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”
(b) Hebrews 10.22: “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”
5) This cleansing is called forgiveness in 1 John 1.9.
6) This cleansing is also spiritual preparation – “ … prepared unto every good work …” (2 Timothy 2.21d).
7) This CONFESSION also produces confidence in prayer – 1 John 3.21-22: “Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. 22And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.”
(a) Forgive me of having an unforgiving spirit – James 4.17: “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
(b) Forgive me of anything that offends you.
(c) Forgive me of being a poor ______ (you fill in the blank).
(d) Forgive me for being a poor student of your Word.
C) THANKSGIVING is the pleasure of gratitude.
1) It counteracts negativity.
2) It is the antidote of selfishness.
3) It “bookends” our day – 1 Chronicles 23.30: “And to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at even;”
4) It is the pervasive attitude for believers – 1 Thessalonians 5.18: “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
D) SUPPLICATION is the pursuit of fruitfulness.
1) Beth Moore, in her book, Praying God’s Word, writes: “I have never discovered a more powerful way to demolish strongholds in my life than praying the Scriptures.”
2) We sometimes get overwhelmed with those in spiritual need, and we should.
3) Jesus was moved with compassion as he was the multitudes.
4) People, not things, should dominate our supplication.
IV)How Do We Get Started?
A) Choose some verses that refer to worshipping God. Memorize them and pray, “Lord, You have said …”
B) Add new verses to each element of the Acts prayer model.
C) Be ready for the greatest blessing that only Scripture memorization and praying in the will of God can add to your life.
CLOSING THOUGHTS: The combination of hiding God’s Word in our heart and consequently praying with substance produces cleansing, and cleansing produces usability. When God wants to work greatly, He chooses a clean vessel. Filling our mind with God’s thoughts prompts prayers that correspond to God’s will and He delights in answering these.
George Mueller said, “There are five conditions which I always endeavor to fulfill; by observing these I have the assurance of answer to my prayer:
· I have not the lease doubt because I am assured that it is the Lord’s will to save them, for He wills that all men should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2.4); and we have the assurance “that if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us” (1 John 5.14).
· I have never pleases for their salvation in my own name, but in the blessed name of my precious Lord Jesus, and on His merits alone (John 1.14).
· I always firmly believed in the willingness of God to hear my prayers (Mark 11.24).
· I am not conscious of having yielded to any sin, for “if I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Psalm 66.18) when I call.
· I have persevered in believing prayer for more than fifty-two years for some, and will continue until the answer comes: “Shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him?” (Luke 18.7).
Thinking new thoughts by memorizing God’s Word and praying new prayers frees us form the mediocrity of “how it used to be and how it has always been done” to a fresh paradigm of enthusiasm and power.