DAYS  OF PRAYER

Prayer is a gift God has given His people. God said, “Call to Me and I will answer you…” (1). That is an incredible promise when I consider who God is and I remember who I am. Prayer connects us to God in a fellowship that is not possible any other way. That is one reason at Hyde Park Baptist and The Quarries Church we are setting aside Sunday October 19-Wednesday October 22 as “Days of Prayer.”

Years ago I read the results of a survey reporting a large percentage of Christians felt they had never encountered the presence of God in a church service. That bothered me then and it bothers me now. In one sense, my life calling should be devoted to getting people in contact with God. Like Andrew in the New Testament who brought his brother to Jesus, and who brought the boy with the loaves and fishes to Jesus, and who brought the Greeks to Jesus, (2) I can also arrange meetings between God and people. Prayer meetings can connect God and His people. I have no doubt the Apostles were thinking something similar when they said, “We will devote ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word.” (3) The word “prayer” in their declaration is plural in Greek and is preceded by the definite article, “the”. In other words, the Apostles said, “We will devote ourselves to “THE PRAYERS” (emphasis mine), meaning not only their personal prayer lives but also the coordination of the frequent prayer meetings that characterized the early church! That’s what Armin Guesswein meant when he said, “The early church didn’t attend a prayer meeting, the early church was a prayer meeting.”

Prayer connects God and His people. A true prayer meeting should be primarily about one thing: bringing people into contact with God. I lead a prayer group every Wednesday night after our mid-week church service. It is always good- but sometimes it is indescribable. When the Spirit of God connects with the spirit of man, the result is something different than all other experiences in life. That connection often occurs in my informal prayer group. Last night we met and our main prayer was for “Days of Prayer.” We had a prayer meeting in which we prayed for another prayer meeting! We prayed for prayer. It was powerful. At spontaneous and combustable moments like that, I come to realize what Samuel Chadwick meant when he said, “The greatest answer to prayer is more prayer!”

Sunday October 19, 2014 will be different by design at Hyde Park Baptist/The Quarries Church. I urge you to pray for the service and attend “Days of Prayer.” The goal is simple : We want to bring people into contact with God.

~jkb

1-JEREMIAH 33:3

2-JOHN 1:40-41; JOHN 6:8; JOHN 12:22

2-ACTS 6:4

THE FELLOWSHIP OF DESPERATION

In early September I spent two days in an important meeting with more than 90 Southern Baptist leaders from across the nation. It was a prayer and discussion meeting in Atlanta called by our Southern Baptist Convention President, Dr. Ronnie Floyd (Dr. Floyd’s report here http://ow.ly/CiCqo.It) included an open conversation about strategies to improve the effectiveness of the mission of the denomination. It was an extremely well received meeting by those in attendance.

The group consisted of a thoughtful cross section of Southern Baptist leaders representing various ministries, ages, and theological viewpoints. I believe virtually everyone there believes the time is over due for Spiritual Awakening in our churches and in our culture. Against that backdrop we discussed ways to seek, encourage, and cooperate toward Spiritual Awakening. In addition, we discussed some of the potential hindrances to a genuine move of God in our midst.

Throughout the two day meeting of prayer and conversation, there was repeated dialogue about the necessity of cooperation and unity, in order for revival to occur. Leaders have unity on their minds.

That’s what I want to talk about. Unity. It is essential in successful families, businesses, and churches. Scripture even raises the question, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3 KJV) Most of us learn early how essential unity is for normal life, for success in work and play, and even for personal security and happiness.

The principle of unity is extremely important in church because we are a family, but we are a family that does more than meet for great fellowship once a week. We are also a family with an aggressive mission given to us by the Head of our family. Jesus commands us to evangelize our world! Therefore, in both fellowship and mission, unity is essential.

In its absence, the mission breaks down. The lack of unity eventually breeds distrust and misunderstandings. People that should be on the same team start developing conflicting goals for the future, giving rise to systemic breakdown at the cellular level-which in turn creates confusion about why the team, or the workforce, existed in the first place. I’ve been there and to use the vernacular of the street, “It ain’t pretty.”

On the other hand, when everyone is unified the environment in the group is like the feeling you got the first time you watched the highlight reel of Kobe Bryant scoring 81 points one night in 2006 against the Toronto Raptors. It looked like he could do no wrong. That’s how team unity feels! It energizes everyone. It leaves you with the feeling anything is possible. For the group experience, it’s about as good as it gets.
UNITY ACROSS A CITY

In Austin, we live and minister in a secular culture more akin to an east or west coast urban setting like New York City or Seattle, than a city in Texas. In my town-the fastest growing city in the U.S.- over 1.2 million of our neighbors, in a total population of about 1.6 million, have no relationship to an evangelical church. As a result, churches of all kinds- regardless of size or denomination -have a unique interest in unity with other churches. Why? We know we need each other. Even though Austin is home to some of the greatest churches in the United States, and an unusually large population of mega-churches per capita, we are still a few thousand people on any given Sunday – surrounded by 1.2 million lost people-who for the most part are socially unfazed and spiritually unmoved by our ministries. Pastors in Austin recognize the urgency of the mission field, and our accurate sense of the immensity of the task before us drives us to partnership. In other words, we know we have to work together to reach this city for Christ. Imagine that!

Pastors in Austin regularly meet together to pray. Denominational issues seem irrelevant when we are on our faces before the Throne of God. The size of the congregation is of virtually no concern. Mega-church pastors and those from congregations much smaller lead our gatherings and our prayer focus. Racial lines fall by the way side too when we are praying, preaching in each other’s pulpits, and developing strategies to evangelize the mission field that is Austin, Texas. What does our experiment in unity suggest for the wider Body of Christ in America?

IF MY PEOPLE…

If Spiritual Awakening comes to America, as people everywhere are praying it will, it won’t be a Baptist revival, or a Pentecostal awakening, or a Calvinist crusade. God will move through all of His people. Of course that includes, thank goodness, many people not like me! To that end, we should work and pray with every Christian brother or sister who is earnestly seeking Spiritual Awakening. That won’t happen by accident- it has to be led and cultivated and constantly nurtured. Leaders have to lead.

When Christians are the majority in a culture, there may be a temptation to separate from one another into denominational or doctrinal sub-groups. Then, we sub divide within the sub-groups! But when Christians are a small percentage of the culture, choosing to isolate themselves from other Christians is clearly wrong headed! So imagine what could happen if Christian leaders across America worked and prayed together with other followers of Jesus regardless of denominational distinctions or racial differences, in order to experience Spiritual Awakening. When we get “desperate” enough we will – or we can be satisfied with the way things are now. Those are the choices before us.

DESPERATE PRAYER

I’ve spent most of my life as a Southern Baptist in areas where Southern Baptists were in the minority. That gives me a certain perspective. My background and experience tells me to work and pray with other Christians even when I don’t agree with every doctrinal position they may hold, or when they don’t agree with me.

Paul reminds us that “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13) The group he identified as “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord” is my family. Our nation is far from God and desperate as a result- yet millions of them don’t know what they’re desperate for. As Christians we are desperate too-desperate for God and desperate for a fresh outpouring of His power in our churches and our American cities. When we unite in desperate prayer with other believers, in spite of secondary differences, the “fellowship of desperation” may trigger the next Great Awakening.
~jkb

“REACHING OUR LOST WORLD”

(Luke 19:10)

It sounds like the title of an adventure movie, or a mystery novel- but a “lost city” is much more than a Friday night at the Cineplex! Sure, Jurassic Park once took us all to “The Lost World.”  They entertained us with special effects so real we almost felt as though Dinosaurs could actually be among us. But the streets of our cities are filled – not with lost prehistoric lizards- but with lost men and women. We live in the real, lost world!

According to a recent comprehensive study, my city, Austin, Texas is the 3rd most “lost city” in the United States! I have no doubt Jesus wants to use every member of His church to reach the lost of our cities and towns.

When Jesus was nearing Jerusalem for the last time, headed to the cross, He spoke of His own purpose in terms of the lostness of the world. He said, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (‭Luke‬ ‭19‬:‭10‬ ESV) Seeking and saving the lost was the personal mission statement of Jesus! As followers of Jesus, shouldn’t we join Him in His mission? The answer seems obvious.

The late evangelical Anglican scholar, John R.W. Stott once observed, “The call to universal evangelism is in obedience to Christ’s universal commission. It is the conviction that not all men will be saved in the end, but that all men must hear the gospel of salvation before the end.” You and I are called to join Jesus in seeking the lost so He can save the lost!

WHY US-WHY NOW?

Some may wonder why we should feel urgent about reaching people. After all, we have churches, if lost people want to come, they will, won’t they? Christians have said that very thing to me! I don’t know who first said it but I believe it:
“Religion is man’s search for God – Christianity is God’s search for man!” We are a people on a mission. Our mission is not to wait for lost people to come to us but to go find them! We are a “going” church because the last words of Jesus were a call to action! “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (‭Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭19-20‬ ESV) If reaching the lost is HIS mission it must also be ours! Do you have the desire to join Jesus on mission and reach the lost?

FOUR QUESTIONS

Here are four questions you should ask yourself about evangelizing a lost city.

1) “Is it really my job?”

Some may think: “That’s why we have a staff- let them evangelize-that’s why we pay them.”
Let’s think about that. There are about 316 million Americans and only about 350 thousand pastors! Paid staff cannot do this job alone!

Others may say: “Evangelism is not my gift” It is true God gave the gift of the evangelist to the Church but evangelism is not just a gift- it’s a command! Everyone of us are called to share our faith.

Many have the excuse: “I don’t know what to say.” That’s the easiest excuse to overcome-
we will train you! But I have even better news- the Holy Spirit will give you the words at the time you need them!
Remember, it’s not your ability or your inability but your availability that matters most to God!

So many people are reluctant to evangelize their friends because they falsely conclude,”it’s not the right time.” Not the right time? How do you know? We don’t know what will happen in the next 5 minutes with any certainty-only God knows the future and He says, “Now is the acceptable time” (2 Cor.6:2)!

2) “Can I do it?”

Yes, you can! Jesus promises you all the power and ability you will ever need.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (‭Acts‬ ‭1‬:‭8‬ ESV)

Think about this-between the resurrection and Pentecost not one single conversion is recorded. The disciples knew the teaching of Jesus because they were His first students and were eyewitnesses to His miracles. They knew the resurrection was real because they had seen Jesus alive after the cross- yet, after the resurrection, for over a month, they led no one to Christ! But, when the Day of Pentecost came and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit-3000 people were saved and baptized in one day! The power of the Holy Spirit made all the difference.

Ask for the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you the power to witness and then get out there and see what God can do!

3) “Do I have any opportunities?”
In Austin, America’s fastest growing city, with a population of about 1.6 million residents, over 1.1 million people have no connection to an evangelical church. We are covered up with opportunity- it isn’t opportunity we lack-yet, we often have “harvest blindness”! Jesus addressed this “eye condition” when He said, “Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.” (‭John‬ ‭4‬:‭35‬ ESV) Notice His simple instructions: “Look… lift up your eyes, and see the fields are white for harvest.” Look, lift up your eyes, see the fields… Jesus is telling us to develop an awareness for evangelism! It isn’t opportunity we lack- we are swallowed up by opportunity- it’s awareness of our opportunity we need.

Right now, and everyday from now on, ask God to make you aware of the opportunity all around you. I promise if you pray that prayer He will open your eyes!

4) “What should I do now?”

All of us should encourage the efforts of our church in reaching people by praying for others involved in outreach and by getting involved ourselves! You don’t have to invent the wheel of outreach- the wheels are already turning at your church! Volunteer and show up with a servants heart. God will use you.

If you are a Sunday School, Community Group, or small group teacher make your group more evangelistic. How? Be open to and invite new people to your group. Ask yourself: “If I was not a believer, would I understand what’s going on here?” You don’t have to “dumb your group down” to be more conscious of the lost or new believer’s needs. In one sense, if your group is so “deep” it’s not for new believers, your “depth” may be shallow and self centered!

Next, you must occasionally and deliberately share the plan of salvation– explain the gospel so lost people can understand!  Nothing brings new life to a small group like, well, new life!

Finally, each time you meet, pray as a group for opportunities to share the gospel.

In addition, apart from your church or small group, think about your entire life as a mission field. In other words, everywhere you go, you are on mission! Years ago, someone taught me that some people I meet will be divine appointments. Then one day, a few months ago, this thought crossed my mind- everyone I meet is a divine appointment! Will your relationships change if you realize everyone you meet is part of God’s plan for them and for you!

These are only a few suggestions. They may not all pertain to you in every case. But I know this-God wants to use you! One of my former pastors once observed, “You can’t reach everybody everywhere- but you can reach somebody somewhere!”

-jkb

DISCOURAGEMENT IN MINISTRY

A friend of mine was an automobile mechanic for most of his career and at the end of his work days he was usually covered with grease and oil. It was an “occupational hazard.” It could not be avoided due to the nature of his work. My son is working his way through college at a BBQ restaurant in Austin, and after work, his work clothes often have a strong smokey smell and a few BBQ sauce stains. Those things are unavoidable for him because of the environment he works in. Ministry has environmental factors and “occupational hazards” too. We cannot avoid discouragement.

Before you think I’m “going negative”or “having a bad day,” consider the evidence. I have been in ministry for more than 30 years. I have never known a minister who did not face discouragement at times. I have had more than one conversation with a pastor or staff member who was already standing “on the ledge” of quitting. A recent article by Tim Peters, in ChurchLeaders magazine, reported that 1700 pastors leave the ministry every month! The number one reason cited is “discouragement.” More importantly, beyond the statistical and anecdotal evidence, it is impossible to trace the lives of biblical characters without being confronted with stories of their “bad days.” Moses overreacted out of anger when the people rebelled. Elijah was depressed in a cave. Jeremiah felt deceived. Nehemiah cried for days when he heard the bad news about Jerusalem’s condition. Jonah wanted to die. Peter was a public failure who wept in shame. Even Jesus in Gethsemane was “overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” Discouragement is a ministerial occupational hazard. You cannot avoid it so you must learn to deal with it by being prepared for it before it creeps up.

HOW TO DEAL WITH MINISTRY DISCOURAGEMENT

There are several hundred thousand ministers in America and probably an equal number of reasons why we battle discouragement! Physical and emotional fatigue, financial pressures, relationship conflicts (both in the church and at home), personal health issues, personal sin and guilt, and even unwise comparisons to other ministers, (who appear to be succeeding in areas where we feel as if we’re struggling), may be just the tip of the discouragement iceberg. There is no doubt discouragements will come. The question is, “what can I do about discouragement?”

There are a number of factors to consider when dealing with ministry discouragement. You may be tired and need rest. You may need to eliminate other distractions from your life where possible to focus more directly on ministry. You may need to learn to celebrate the small victories when the big ones seem elusive. All of these issues, and many more, play a role in healthy, long term ministry but I want to focus on only one area in this brief essay. Ministry can drain your spiritual and emotional tank and you must know how to refill it!

As a minister your spiritual life has to be a top priority if you are going to help others with theirs! For instance, when you are on a commercial flight and the flight attendant explains how to buckle a seat belt prior to take off (and you check out mentally while someone explains how to use your seat cushion as a flotation device) they usually tell you something about the oxygen masks that fall from overhead if the cabin “suddenly loses pressure.” Every time the advice is the same- put your mask on before you attempt to help someone else. Otherwise, a parent might pass out from oxygen deprivation while trying to save a child and in that case both people suffer. The logic is clear. If you are breathing you can help others- but you stop breathing you become part of the problem! The same is true of the minister’s spiritual life. You cannot help others for long, if your own life is suffering from spiritual oxygen deprivation! 

The antidote for overcoming ministry discouragement may be as basic as maintaining a consistent walk with God. Do whatever you have to do to guard your time alone with God each day. Start your day as early as possible with the study of the Word and prayer. The more discouraged you feel, the more you need the Scripture and communion with the Lord. Ignore every impulse that suggests your spiritual needs can wait. Prioritize prayer and Bible reading over nearly every other ministry (of course there are emergencies that must be addressed and you must respond to those. You will know when those things occur, but do not let daily routines disguise themselves as emergencies!). Remember Jesus said, “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭6‬ ESV) In ministry, with its endless demands, we have to “shut the door” for our spiritual growth! That means we prioritize prayer and Bible study and shut out the relentless cry of other voices begging for our attention. Is it easy to do? No, because we want to respond, we want to help, we want to solve problems. But if you ignore your spiritual life long enough you won’t be helping anybody- you’ll be on a spiritual casualty list!

An old expression imagines that you can “become so heavenly minded that you’re no earthly good.” While I understand the sentiment of that old saying, it isn’t realistic. Few of us border on being too heavenly minded today. The bigger problem in our ranks, if we would be honest, is we are often too earthly minded to be any heavenly good! If you want to overcome ministry discouragement then you will pray and study the Bible as much as possible and as early as possible every day because it is through those consistent disciplines that you maintain spiritual and emotional strength. 

Does this counsel seem too simplistic? Perhaps. But there are no viable substitutes for God in your life and God has given you prayer and the Word in order to stay connected to Him. On the last night of His life on earth, with only a few hours remaining to train His followers and pass the baton of leadership, Jesus said, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” (‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭7-8‬ ESV) One key to effective ministry (bearing fruit and proving to be His disciples) is a dynamic personal spiritual life. Jesus said the key to your spiritual fruitfulness is His Word and prayer (v.8). If you can’t take my word for it, take it from Jesus! Pray earnestly, and read the Word regularly, and you will be stronger and more effective in ministry and less prone to discouragement.

~jkb

TIME FOR PRAYER AND BUSY LIVES

Even in a culture marked by a growing secularism, millions of Americans still regard prayer as an important part of their lives. In fact, in May 2014 a Pew Research Center poll found that 55% of Americans pray daily. A much higher number – almost 90%- pray at least once a week. This doesn’t suggest that all of them pray as Christians or they all live godly lives. It does suggest, however, that there remains, in the minds and hearts of our neighbors and friends, a hunger for God, or a need for something spiritual, the world cannot offer. And while church attendance for decades in America has usually been considered stalled somewhere in the 40-45% range of the population, a majority of people still believe something about God, and they believe prayer is a way to Him.

What do you think about prayer? How important is it in your life? Do you believe God hears and answers prayer?

PRAYER HEROES VS THE REAL LIFE YOU LIVE NOW

Even for those of us who want to pray and make prayer an even more important part of our lives, knowing how to pray and making time to pray can be obstacles we need to overcome. As a pastor, I have taught on prayer for years and written on it as well (see my web site, iprayaustin.com). One thing I might have done inadvertently, in my exuberance to encourage prayer, is over-emphasize the heroic examples of prayer. Of course we all need role models and there are some magnificent examples in history to draw from. Unfortunately, the examples of the extraordinary prayer warriors of the past might subtlety act as a de-incentive to the average Christian who wants a healthier and more consistent prayer life.

How is that possible? Let’s say you are a University student, or a working mom or dad, or running your own business. Are you busy? Now suppose your pastor preaches a message next Sunday about prayer and he quotes Martin Luther who needed 3 hours a day for prayer each day. Or the pastor uses the example of David Brainerd, who spent hours everyday praying in the Colonial American wilderness, often in the snow of an open field, exacerbating his pre-existing illness, until he finally died at the young age of 29. Or perhaps you were at Hyde Park Baptist Church or The Quarries Church last week and heard my story of the late evangelist and author Jess Hendley.

I knew Jess Hendley well in the last few years of his remarkable life. On one occasion his friends and family couldn’t reach him by phone for days. Finally, a fellow minister went to Dr. Hendley’s home (where he lived alone as a widower), expecting the worst. After repeated attempts to get some response, Jess  reluctantly answered the door. When the other pastor challenged him about not responding, Jess only said he had “been with the Lord.” When asked why he didn’t answer the phone, or respond when they knocked, he replied, “I don’t answer the phone, or answer the door when I’m with the Lord.” It then dawned on the other minister that Jess had been out of contact for a few days. So he asked the old evangelist, “Jess, how long have you been with the Lord?” Dr. Hendley, without a hint of pride, and in full command of his mental faculties answered, “What day is it?”

The man who found Jess Hendley that day is a friend of mine and he personally related that story to me in even more meticulous detail. The old Christian warrior had been in secret prayer for days! He had lost track of the time and even the day of the week! As a minister, I am motivated beyond words by that kind of devotion. I want to be a prayer warrior like that. Maybe you do to. Or, perhaps, you are that young working mom walking through the last few months of life exhausted with the demands of motherhood and a career. Do the stories of people spending hours and days in prayer motivate you? Or, is there a subtle message being conveyed- a message that seems to imply- “faithful prayer, like God requires, is out of reach for me”?

THERE IS GREAT HOPE FOR YOU IN PRAYER!

While we will always be impressed with the sincere devotion of exceptional men and women who linger in prayer for hours, most of us need to find other ways to pray in shorter blocks of time, while still remaining faithful and consistent. Perhaps the words of the late Adrian Rogers come closer to an experience we can emulate in our daily lives. He once said, “I’ve rarely spent two hours in prayer, but I’ve rarely gone two hours without prayer.” Does that seem more like what you could strive for as you improve in your desire to be faithful in daily prayer? 

Guilt is a powerful, but ultimately terrible motivation for the Christian life. Most of us could say, “I need to pray more.” That will almost always be true. But feeling you have failed before you even begin is worse! When I started my prayer life, more than 35 years ago, I had no idea how to pray- but I wanted to learn! My first attempts were commitments to pray 5 minutes a day. It started at that point- like a child’s first awkward steps, but I kept going and I grew from there.

You may never spend hours a day in prayer. Few do. You can, however, accept God’s invitation each day to meet Him with the time you have and as you are faithful in that commitment, your appetite for prayer and commitment of time will inevitably increase. In any event, the goal of prayer is not watching the clock but knowing the Lord! Start where you are and let the Lord lead you from there!

~jkb

——————————–

MY SERMON NOTES FROM LAST SUNDAY:

UNLIMITED DIMENSIONS IN PRAYER
(Ephesians 6:17-18)

John R. W. Stott: “Most Christians pray sometimes, with some prayers and some degree of perseverance, for some of God’s people. But to replace ‘some’ with ‘all’ in each of these expressions would be to introduce us to a new dimension of prayer.”

“praying at ALL times in the Spirit, with ALL prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with ALL perseverance, making supplication for ALL the saints.” (‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭18 ESV)
4 uses of the word ALL

UNLIMITED PRAYER UNLEASHES THE POWER OF GOD (vv.17-18)

James Montgomery Boice: “Our secret resource is prayer. The weakest Christian can at any moment cry out to God.”

QUESTION: What will unlimited prayer look like?

unlimited prayer is:

–spiritual (v.18)
“…at all times in the Spirit…”

– universal (v.18)
“…with all prayer and supplication…”

-scriptural (v.17)
-praise
-thanksgiving
-confession
-petition
-supplication
-waiting
-watching
-intercession

– continual (v.18)
“…with all perseverance…”

Only time the form of the word is used in NT. Lit. meaning: “To continue” “To remain steadfast ” “to remain constantly devoted”

Adrian Rogers: “I’ve rarely spent two hours in prayer but I’ve rarely gone two hours without prayer.”

Persistence in prayer means you don’t give up- you keep praying even when answers are slow in coming or non-existent or even if things get worse- YOU KEEP PRAYING!

– fraternal (v.18)
“…for all the saints…”
Intercessory prayer!

QUESTION: What would your family be like if you knew each member was praying for you daily? What would God do through our church if each of us prayed for the Church and its mission everyday?

TODAY’S TAKE AWAYS:
1)prayer can change your life
2) prayer is absolutely essential for your spiritual growth
3) prayer connects you to God

WATCH LAST SUNDAY’S MESSAGE ON PRAYER

UNLIMITED FAITH
(Ephesians 6:16)

In a spiritual sense, YOU have an ENEMY that fires flaming missiles at you everyday! Your spiritual enemy wants to Discourage you, Discredit you, Defeat you, and Destroy you. The question is not, “do you have an enemy?” The real question is: “Do you have a shield?” Faith is a spiritual shield against the devil’s attacks. What would your life look like if you didn’t have faith?

Jim Cymbala put it this way, “What is faith? It is total dependence upon God that becomes supernatural in its working…Nothing else counts if faith is missing.”

Ephesians. 6:10-17 is the most well known passage on spiritual warfare and spiritual armor found in the New Testament. Paul describes six pieces of the Roman soldier’s armor and insists we have it too, in a spiritual sense.

-Belt of truth
-Breastplate of righteousness
-Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
-Shield of faith
-Helmet of salvation
-Sword of the Spirit/Word of God

Why do we need armor to live for Christ? Someone once said (and many have since repeated), “The Christian life is not a playground – it’s a battleground!” As a result, to be forewarned is to be forearmed! A quick review of Paul’s teaching about the shield of faith teaches a simple, but important truth…

FAITH PROVIDES UNLIMITED DEFENSE AGAINST EVERY SPIRITUAL ATTACK OF THE ENEMY!

“In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.” (Ep.6:16)
~Rick Warren commented on this and reminds us, “Put on the shield of faith….Trust God, no matter what you see, hear, or feel about the world around you. You need the certainty of God when you face the uncertainty of Satan’s fiery darts.” So, once I know I need to take up the shield of faith, how does it work? Here are 4 practical points to remember:

The shield of faith is…

a) pervasive (v.16)

The apostle said, “In ALL circumstances take up the shield of faith….” In other words you need faith everywhere, all the time, over every area of your life.

b) personal (v.16)

You are to “…TAKE UP the shield of faith…” You and I participate in the victory God has planned for us! We have to personally “take up” the shield of faith rather than passively wait for God to live the Christian life for us! He is sovereign, and He is Lord, but He calls us to action as He fulfills His plans for our lives!

c) protective (v.16)

You need to “take up the SHIELD of faith…” Why? You have an enemy who wants to take you out of the battle in disgrace. Faith defends against his deadly attacks! 

d) purifying (v.16)

” …with which you can EXTINGUISH ALL THE FLAMING DARTS…” Faith keeps you off the spiritual casualty list by keeping your life holy. Don’t go “up in flames” through the devil’s temptations. Beat the devil when you meet the devil!

Today’s Take Aways:

1) What you believe matters
2) Spiritual warfare is real and constant
3) Faith protects you from spiritual failure
4) Faith assures spiritual victory

~jkb

LAST SUNDAY’S MESSAGE:

14 BIBLICAL REASONS WHY CHRISTIANS LOVE JERUSALEM

Any Christian who has traveled to Israel knows the almost unexplainable sensation and mixture of wonder, expectancy, joy, spiritual longing, and the tinge of heartache, when first driving up the steep highway out of the desert, and catching the first glimpse of Jerusalem. It’s not unusual for Christians to weep. I’ve been privileged to enter Jerusalem many times, and the sight of the Holy City of God always stirs my emotions.

Why do Christians, from around the world, feel such a strange fascination with the ancient Jewish city? What is the unmistakeable feeling that, in some unexplainable sense, when we are in Jerusalem, we have come “home”?

Jerusalem holds a unique place in the hearts of Christians because so many significant New Testament events occurred there (in addition to the obvious importance it holds in our Old Testament heritage). We have spent our entire Christian lives studying the New Testament and Jerusalem figures prominently in some of the most important events in Scripture. Allow me to highlight a few.

1) Jesus the King (Mt.2:2)
When Jesus was an infant in Bethlehem, 4 miles from Jerusalem, an entourage of Magi entered Jerusalem enquiring about the one “born King of the Jews.” This is the first reference in the New Testament where Jesus is identified as King. Jesus is first called “King” in Jerusalem.

2) Jesus as a Child (Lk. 2:10-52)

In the only glimpse of Jesus as a child (other than the Nativity story, of His infancy) He is in the Temple at Jerusalem (Lk. 2:410-52)

3) Triumphal Entry (Mt. 21:1-11)
When Jesus entered Jerusalem the week before the cross, He was hailed as a King!

4) House of Prayer (Mt.21:13)
One of our Lord’s most passionate displays of anger flared in the Temple when God’s House was not used for worship! His declaration, that His House is to be a “house of prayer” was uttered in Jerusalem!

5) Lord’s Supper (Lk.22:7-19)
The last time you received Communion, did you recommit yourself to following Christ and holiness in life? The most famous meal in history- The Last Supper, which continued as a treasured spiritual tradition throughout the Christian Church for the last 2000 years, started in an upper room in Jerusalem!

6) Signs of the Times (Mt. 24)
If you have ever studied “End Time” prophecy, you spent a lot of time in Matthew 24 reading and considering the words of Jesus in ‘the Olivet Discourse.” The entire teaching took place in Jerusalem!

7) Gethsemane (Mt.26:36-46)
On the night Jesus surrendered His will completely to God’s redemptive plan, He was praying in a garden on the Mt. of Olives in Jerusalem.

8) Jesus Died for You (Jn.19)
The greatest event in human history- the payment for our sin upon the cross- the sacrificial death of Jesus -took place in Jerusalem, Israel.

9) He is ALIVE! (Lk. 24:1-49)
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ took place in Jerusalem! He is alive forevermore!

10) The Ascension (Ac.1:9)
The visible, bodily ascension of Jesus took place in Jerusalem!

11) The Holy Spirit Rushes In! (Ac. 2:1-12)
The mighty, world changing moment when the Holy Spirit descended upon the praying church occurred at the Feast of Pentecost in Jerusalem!

12) The First Sermon (Ac. 2: 14-38)
Millions of sermons have been preached in the last 2000 years, but the first sermon ever preached, by the Church of Jesus, took place in Jerusalem!

13) Introducing the Church! (Ac. 2:42-47)
The Church takes many forms today but the original blueprint was drawn by God. The Church was actually born in Jerusalem!

14) His Return (Ze. 14:4)
Jesus is coming again and when He does, He will stand upon the Mt of Olives. Jesus is coming back to Jerusalem!

So, isn’t it obvious why Christians love the Holy City? Jerusalem is the birthplace of Christianity. It is the cradle of our faith. Jerusalem is the Christian’s “heartland.” 

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they be secure who love you! Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!” For my brothers and companions’ sake I will say, “Peace be within you!” For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.” (‭Psalm‬ ‭122‬:‭6-9‬ ESV)

~jkb

THE URGENCY OF THE PRAYER MOVEMENT: IS IT NOW OR NEVER?

The early 20th century Methodist pastor, Samuel Chadwick, once made the unique observation, “The greatest answer to prayer is more prayer.” If he was right, we must be entering a season of answered prayer as the national prayer movement increasingly gathers momentum.

The examples of the growing burden for prayer continue to develop all around us. For instance, a few months ago, pastor and author, Dr. Ronnie Floyd, called Southern Baptist pastors to join him in Dallas for 2 days of prayer for spiritual awakening. Pastors from several states called upon God and returned to their churches both refreshed and burdened for a fresh move of God. That meeting was followed by a second meeting in Atlanta where nearly twice the original number participated. These were not “Bible Conferences” or preaching events. They were times of humility as men, charged with spiritual leadership, wrestled with God in prayer.

In June, Dr. Floyd was elected President of the Southern Baptist Convention and used his platform to call all Southern Baptists to prayer for the purpose of spiritual awakening. His leadership will no doubt drive the SBC into a more focused and intentional prayer strategy. More prayer meetings like the ones in Dallas and Atlanta are inevitable. (see Dr Floyd’s thoughts here- http://www.ronniefloyd.com/blog/7215/southern-baptist-convention/extraordinary-prayer-for-the-next-great-awakening-what-is-it-how-do-we-do-it/)

Later in June, Family Research Council, a lobbying organization for traditional marriage and pro-life issues in Washington DC, called for a Day of Prayer in Church services across America “for God to reshape our lives and renew our land.” (http://www.call2fall.com/basics) Obviously, the intent of this call to prayer bares a strong similarity to the emphasis currently gaining strength in the SBC.

In another notable example, Anne Graham Lotz issued a call to a national day of prayer on July 7. Following her own extended times of prayer she called Christians across the United States to join her for 7 hours of prayer and fasting for a national spiritual awakening “before it’s too late and judgement falls on our nation.” (http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2014/July/Anne-Graham-Lotz-Sounds-Alarm-Calls-for-Prayer/?exitmobile=true)

What is happening? Why are so many Christian leaders sensing the draw of God’s Spirit to call the Church to prayer? These few notable examples are only the tip of the iceberg, in a sense. For instance, in separate developments, pastors in Arkansas, Florida, and Louisiana recently coordinated prayer meetings across those states, each praying for revival. (http://m.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=42972) The movement is bound to grow as pastors and leaders testify to the blessing of these events, and as answers from Heaven descend.

Here in Austin, a growing burden for spiritual awakening in our city has drawn pastors of many denominations to meet at least once a month for several hours of united prayer. One outgrowth of those pastoral prayer meetings has been the rise of significant city wide prayer events with up to a thousand people meeting together, praying for revival. These events are not about one church or one denomination. Rather, they are the manifestations of the Body of Christ crying out in one voice.

Why now? What is driving the rising tide of nearly spontaneous prayer meetings?
The Assemblies of God director of the Office of Prayer and Spiritual Care, John Maempa, believes one reason is the cultural revolution we are currently observing in the US. He recognizes the moral decline of the nation as the most conspicuous reason for the renewal of prayer meetings throughout America, among numerous denominations, (regardless of their lack of agreement on some doctrinal points). At least we can agree our nation is in spiritual trouble and the Church must join together in prayer.

In a similar way, like so many other churches, denominations, and para-church organizations, the revival ministry, One Cry, is likewise involving thousands of Christians, from many denominational backgrounds in America, to pray daily for revival and spiritual awakening, with an almost identical vision and passion noted in the other ministries previously mentioned. Clearly, in America, a ground swell of prayer is taking shape. (http://www.charismanews.com/us/33598-prayer-movements-building-stronghold-in-america)

Obviously, prayer meetings, and the thirst for revival, are not new, but in my years of ministry, I have never seen a greater consensus about the problems facing us, or the desire to find God’s solutions through prayer. This unity is consistent in the life of nearly every pastor I know. It is almost a given today, when pastors and Christian leaders meet together, we talk about the need for prayer and spiritual awakening for our churches and our nation. We know something is wrong, and as a culture we have moved beyond the point of human solutions (if, in fact, human solutions were ever an option in the first place). As a result, it is almost certain the movement of prayer meetings for revival will increase across the denominational spectrum.

We can expect God to answer our prayers because He has promised to do so (Jeremiah 33:3, 2 Chronicles 7:14, Matthew 7:7, etc.), and He has responded to the cries of His people for generations. In fact, it is our desperation-combined with genuine repentance, that seems to bend the heart of God near to His broken people.

There will always be those who scoff and ridicule our motives and our efforts. Yet, if the hour is late, as so many fear it is, then we will put the cynic and the scoffer on our prayer list and we will press on in prayer. In the end, I would rather be ridiculed by the secularist and the sceptic than miss the opportunity to participate in what may be the last, best hope for genuine spiritual awakening in my lifetime.  So, if you want to pray for revival in Jesus’ name- I’m with you!

-jkb

ACCEPTING THE GOODNESS OF GOD
(Romans 8:28)

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬ ESV)

Do you believe in the goodness of God, even in the face of disappointment, pain, and personal tragedy? I’ve discovered faith in Christ makes the most sense when life makes the least sense! After all, no one would need reassurance that God works all things together for good, if everything was already good! No, we need the reminder that God is working for our good precisely because things aren’t always good- yet!

A BIBLICAL FOUNDATION FOR RELATING TO GOD’S GOODNESS

In order to receive the specific promise that God is working for our good, we need to focus on God’s character as revealed throughout Scripture. For instance, a believer must accept two biblical truths about God in order to grasp the truth of Romans 8:28.

a) God is good. It’s who He is. He isn’t against His people (see Romans 8:31). He isn’t looking for ways to hurt you (see Jeremiah 29:11).

My first pastorate was a country church in the tobacco fields of rural Kentucky. One of the most faithful men there was a recent convert and after fiery sermons he reminded me how much he “enjoyed” the messages because I “stepped on his toes.” He was a good man and I appreciated his friendship. He exemplifies, however, many believers I’ve known. He “felt” a greater connection to God when he felt most guilty! I understand conviction is absolutely necessary but we can move beyond condemnation (see Romans 8:1) to forgiveness (see 1 John 1:9), and abundant life (see John 10:10)! Why? Because God is good.

God wants what’s best for His children just as a loving dad or mom wants to bless their children. We desire good things for our kids and God is a far better parent than we are and He desires to do you good! Since He desires our ultimate good, we can approach Him without fear of condemnation.

b) As a follower of Christ you must also believe that God is all-powerful. As a result, if He promises to work all things together for good- He has the power to deliver! He is good and He does good and believers benefit from His goodness.

The Scripture does not teach that believers escape all trouble- far from it. Instead, we accept by faith that God is always doing His good work. For instance, John R. W. Stott recognized that God is working for our good and he once observed, “We do not always understand what God is doing, let alone welcome it. Nor are we told that He is at work for our comfort. But we know that in all things He is working toward our supreme good.”

HOW DOES GOD’S GOODNESS WORK IN A WORLD OF TROUBLE?

We are surrounded by evil. People can be cruel to a degree that leaves most of us stunned. The sexual slavery of children, the global jihad, school shootings, the ruthlessness of the drug cartels, and the murderous rampages occurring in some American cities are only a few disturbing examples of our broken world (which continues to be a dangerous, painful place). In the face of these horrible realities it’s not unusual to hear someone ask, “How could a good God allow all of this?” Even people of faith are often staggered by the harshness and injustice of life. Yet we are called to believe.

As believers we are not immune to the brutal realities of pain and problems. We know these things did not originate with our good God. We know we have a demonic enemy who wants to destroy everything good. We know Jesus predicted the world will get more dangerous, rebellious, and faithless as we near the end of time (see Matthew 24:7-14). In fact, it is precisely what “we know” that makes the difference for us. What I mean is this- notice the first two words of Romans 8:28- “We know.” God has given to His church a knowledge no one else in the world has. We know God is working through the horrors of life to bring good into our lives. We anchor our faith to the certainty of God’s goodness even during the blistering storms of trouble!

God also challenges us to reject any worldview that might argue God lacks the power or willingness to involve Himself in our story. Romans 8:28 states God is working in all things- not some things, or a few things, or even most things- God is working in all things for your good. Therefore, in spite of sometimes unthinkable suffering, you will not be forgotten or abandoned. Through even your most painful moments, God is still at work to bring about something good. He is working in you right now! God is good and God does good.

Finally, God is bringing everything in your life- the good and the bad- to His workshop. He is causing all things to “work together”(v.28). In other words, God doesn’t overlook any of your life. The Greek word translated “works together” is “sunergeo” from which we get our English word “synergy.” Synergy is the force of multiple factors, within a system, combining to create an effect greater than the sum of the parts. Someday life will all make sense because God is bringing the apparently unrelated parts of your life- the good, the bad, the confusing, and even the unknown, together so it all “works together” for your good.

Sometimes life looks like a puzzle with too many pieces that don’t seem to fit. We can feel frustrated by unfulfilled desires- like pieces of the puzzle which should easily interlock but rarely if ever do. At other times, we can act in self destructive ways and become our own worst enemy, trying to force pieces of the puzzle of our lives into places they were not designed to fit and this unwise action can cause damage to the pieces or the puzzle itself. Still at other times, some fool just flips the table over- spilling our unfinished puzzle onto the floor into a jumbled mess of pieces. After being victimized by evil, or suffering through some intense tragedy, we can feel so demoralized we are tempted to give up. It’s unfortunately true, life can feel like that, but our faith speaks softly to our bruised hearts reminding us it is God- not us- who is ultimately responsible for bringing all the pieces of our lives together. And when He does, He is working for our good. 

As a follower of Jesus Christ, you will not be able to avoid hardship, ridicule, persecution, and the ordinary daily difficulties of life. Life for the Christian can be full of love. It can be abundant, exciting, and deeply fulfilling- but life can be hard. It can seem completely unfair at times. There may be days when you won’t understand why things are the way they are. Yet as Christians we are assured God knows exactly what He is doing- and what He is doing is always good. Always.
~jkb

A MESSAGE ABOUT GOD’S GOODNESS

Sent from my iPad

                                                              PRAYER AS FELLOWSHIP
                                                                        (Psalm 27:4)

Imagine a great season of prayer- one in which you connect deeply with the presence of  God- yet, you ask for nothing. Or, rather, the ONLY thing you ask for IS the presence of God!

I have a good and growing collection of classic, (as well as  lesser known books) on the subject of prayer. The best books I’ve ever read- that is to say the most influential in my life -have been on prayer. I encourage every believer to read about prayer. (For this reason I am including a “recommended reading list” at the end of this Blog entry.)

Having said all of that, and intending in no way to diminish the importance of these books, I’ve noticed an absent subject in the discussion on prayer. We need to talk more about prayer as fellowship. Last week, in preparing to preach, I searched the table of contents for such a chapter in some of my favorite books and came up empty.

There are chapters on intercession, confession, praise, how long to spend in prayer, what posture to take in prayer, supplication, petition, warfare prayer, the mystery of unanswered prayer, great men and women of prayer, and the prayer life of Jesus. There are chapters on prayer and evangelism, prayer and fasting, group prayer, praying the Word, and praying for your pastor, but we need more on the subject of prayer as fellowship! In one sense, we readily acknowledge every great book on prayer is, in a general or larger sense about fellowship with God, but the time has come for us to insist more specifically on this subject. Without a focus on this primary subject, prayer may become a “got to” instead of a “get to” exercise!

What is meant by “prayer as fellowship“?

A BIBLICAL EXAMPLE
(Psalm 27:4)
At some point in King David’s life he was in life threatening trouble. While David was still a young man, the jealous, half crazed King Saul hunted David across the Judean desert intending to kill him. Decades later, when David was firmly established as King, his overly ambitious son Absolom pulled off a coup that forced David out of Jerusalem and into hiding while the armies of Absolom hunted him. Only the miraculous intervention of God saved David in both instances. During one of those terrible, vulnerable seasons, David wrote Psalm 27. In 14 brief verses he mentions opposing armies, enemies, and adversaries at least 10 times!

In spite of the dilemmas he faced, David’s desire was centered, not on claiming or reclaiming his throne, but instead, on “one thing.” The “one thing” he prayed for was a return to unhurried worship in the presence of God!

“One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His temple.” (Psalm 27:4 ESV)

Notice how David hoped to spend the days of his life- “gazing upon the beauty of the Lord…” (v.4). Then he expressed a second, similar longing: “to inquire in His temple.” These phrases describe two aspects of prayer as fellowship. Both phrases focus on intimacy with God through praise and prayer. David sought the presence of God so he could enjoy fellowship with God.

Were there times when David prayed for other reasons? Of course! He interceded, confessed, praised, petitioned- David knew the power of prayer. He was one of greatest prayer warriors in Scripture! But in a clarifying moment, David desired to “gaze on the beauty of the Lord,” which suggests pure praise and loving fellowship. To “inquire” in the temple isn’t a way of suggesting how to ask from God, but instead to study God Himself. The word translated “inquire,” in the ESV, is from a Hebrew word rarely used in connection to God. It’s basic definition has to do with finding something lost. The use of the word in connection to God and prayer, however, seems to mean something akin to our word “investigate.” In other words, King David expressed a desire to “investigate” or “study” God. If that is the way the word is intended, as I believe it is, then the thought of the phrase is not about inquiring of God but inquiring about God! The equivalent New Testament thought is found in Paul’s letter to the Philippians when he said “I want to know Him….” (Ph.3:10). For King David, the deep longing of his heart was not for what God would give Him through prayer, but for fellowship with God through prayer!

TAKING OUR PRAYER LIFE INTO HIS PRESENCE

Asking, confessing, thanking, praising, and interceding are all appropriate aspects of real prayer and we should exercise our privilege of prayer in all of these ways. But one thing I want to avoid in prayer is a “prayer life” that looks more like a mercantile exchange than an intimate fellowship. If we focus only on a kind of unspoken spiritual “scorecard” of answered prayers (as if prayer is only about receiving the results we seek in prayer), we have reduced prayer to less than it is. Jesus did instruct us to ask, and God does promise that if we call upon Him, we should expect Him to do “great and mighty things.” But if that is all prayer is to us, it might be like a husband returning from a work related trip and his wife’s first words to him being, “Did you bring me anything?”

After more than 35 years of prayer, I can testify that the  greatest “answer” to prayer I have ever received is the privilege of prayer itself. In prayer, we meet with God-nothing could be better than that. To put it another way, it isn’t the “presents” of God in prayer, but the “presence” of God in prayer that brings me back to prayer every day. In fact, I am going to slip away for some fellowship with God in prayer right now!

To expand on this theme, I have included a recommended prayer reading list, and the video of the Sunday message from Psalm 27:4.

Enjoy!

APPENDIX: RECOMMENDED READING LIST
http://www.iprayaustin.com/TopBooks.html

WATCH SERMON “UNLIMITED LIVING IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD”

~jkb