Mark 16:15, “And he said to them, Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”

Bible Verses on Faith

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Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”

2 Corinthians 5:7, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”

Hebrews 11:6, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

1 John 5:4, “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”

Luke 17:6, “And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”

Hebrews 11:1-39, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. …”

Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Matthew 9:22, “Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.”

1 John 5:14, “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.”

Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

James 1:3, “For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”

Mark 11:23, “Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.”

Matthew 9:29, “Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.”

Mark 11:22-24, “And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

Acts 26:18, “To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”

Acts 3:16, “And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.”

James 1:12, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”

1 Peter 1:7, “So that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Ephesians 6:16, “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.”

1 Corinthians 2:5, “That your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”

Luke 5:5, “And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”

Matthew 9:21, “For she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.”

Romans 3:22-28, “The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. …”

Galatians 3:1-29, “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith.”

Habakkuk 2:4, “Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.”

Hebrews 11:4, “By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.”

John 20:31, “But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

Colossians 2:7, “Rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”

Philippians 1:27, “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel. “

1 Samuel 17:37, “And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”

Galatians 2:16, “Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

Revelation 2:19, ‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.”

Hebrews 10:39, “But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.”

1 Timothy 1:19, “Holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith.”

2 Thessalonians 1:3-5, “We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering.”

Romans 10:6-10, “But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) or “‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”

Mark 16:16, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

James 1:6, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.”

Hebrews 13:7, “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.”

Hebrews 11:7, “By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.”

Hebrews 10:38, “But my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”

Hebrews 6:12, “So that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Hebrews 12:2, “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

2 Timothy 2:11-13, “The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.”

2 Timothy 1:13, “Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”

1 Timothy 3:9, “They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.”

Colossians 1:23, “If indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.”

Galatians 5:6, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

Romans 10:17, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

1 Peter 1:21, “Who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”

Hebrews 10:22, “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”

1 Timothy 2:15, “Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.”

Colossians 2:6-7, “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”

Ephesians 3:17, “So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,”

Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Romans 11:20, “That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.”

1 John 5:10, “Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son.”

1 Peter 1:9, “Obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

Hebrews 11:30, “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.”

James 2:1-26, “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?”

Hebrews 6:1, “Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God.”

1 Timothy 1:11-14, “In accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted. I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”

1 Timothy 1:18-19, “This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith.”

2 Thessalonians 1:4, “Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.”

Ephesians 6:16-18, “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 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.”

Romans 9:31-33, “But that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

1 Peter 1:5, “Who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

Hebrews 11:33, “Who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.”

Titus 2:2, “Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.”

Hebrews 4:16, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

1 Timothy 1:14, “And the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”

Colossians 2:12, “Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.”

Galatians 5:5, “For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.”

 

An Exalted Nation; An Election Day Sermon

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An excellent example of an “Election Day Sermon” in outline form with historical information and relevant verses.

By Pastor Gary Dull

PROVERBS 14:34

INTRO: Today I am going to preach AN ELECTION DAY SERMON. What is AN ELECTION DAY SERMON, you may ask? Well, such a sermon has its roots buried back in the 18th and 19th Centuries in America when, either on the Sunday before Election Day, the day of the election, or on both days, preachers would deliver messages called ELECTION DAY SERMONS. For those sermons, all the elected officials were invited to attend and the pastor would direct his message to both the ELECTED and the ELECTORATE.

The purpose of the ELECTION DAY SERMON was not to tell people who TO VOTE FOR, but rather to proclaim from the pages of scripture what a nation must to in order to experience the blessing of God. Most of the ELECTION DAY SERMONS followed a typical pattern in which it was asserted that CIVIL GOVERNMENT was founded by God with the responsibility to maintain order in society. In addition, the ELECTION DAY SERMON taught both the VOTERS and the RULERS what they must do, according to scripture, to gain the BLESSING OF GOD, relative to both of their circumstances. Both VOTERS and RULERS were charged to PROMOTE VIRTUE, SUPPRESS VICE, AND SUPPORT PEOPLE OF “PROVEN WISDOM, INTEGRITY, JUSTICE AND HOLINESS.”

Many of those sermons were printed and distributed nation-wide in large city newspapers and pamphlets, as there was no radio, TV or Internet back then. (Refer to Daniel Foster’s sermon). History reveals that God used the ELECTION DAY SERMONS to make a positive influence upon the entire nation. When America became more sophisticated, the ELECTION DAY SERMON passed off of the scene. Even though the ELECTION DAY SERMON is basically a thing of the past, today, as we are facing a very crucial election in America, the Lord has led me and some other pastors across America, to resurrect this tradition that God has used for His Glory in such a great way in the past.

QUESTION: WHAT KIND OF A NATION DOES GOD BLESS AND EXALT? I am sure we ALL want a nation that God BLESSES AND EXALTS!

ANSWER: A NATION THAT MAINTAINS RIGHTEOUSNESS! “RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTETH A NATION, BUT SIN IS A REPROACH TO ANY PEOPLE.” -PROVERBS 14:34

OBSERVATIONS ON PROVERBS 14:34
1) “Righteousness” – RIGHT CHARACTER ACCORDING TO GOD’S WILL
2) “Exalt” – TO ELEVATE AND TO REMAIN ELEVATED
3) “Sin” – THE VIOLATION OF THE LAW OF GOD
4) “Reproach” – “TO SHAME AND TO MAKE SMALL WE SHOULD ALL CHOOSE RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR AMERICA!!!

I. THE PLAN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
WHAT IS GOD’S PLAN TO BRING RIGHTEOUSNESS TO SOCIETY?
HIS THREE INSTITUTIONS!
A. The Home – God’s FIRST institution – Genesis 2 & 3.
GOD’S PRIMARY INSTITUTION FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS
B. The Government – God’s SECOND Institution – Genesis 9; Romans 13
GOD’S PROTECTIVE INSTITUTION FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS
C. The Church – God’s THIRD Institution – Acts 2

GOD’S PROMOTIONAL INSTITUTION FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS. IT IS GOD’S WILL FOR ALL THREE OF HIS INSTITUTIONS TO HERALD RIGHTEOUSNESS, BUT IT IS UP TO US TO SEE THAT SUCH IS DONE!

ILLUSTRATION:
II. THE PATTERN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
A. Righteousness is Revealed – In the Word of God.
B. Righteousness is Known – Through the Word of God.
C. Righteousness is Experienced – Through Jesus Christ
D. Righteousness is Promoted – By God’s People

ILLUSTRATION:
III. THE PRACTICE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
A. Principle One: The Electorate and the Elected MUST work together as a TEAM if righteousness is to be practiced
1. The Electorate
a. Develop Righteousness – Through a relationship with God in Christ.
b. Determine Righteousness
2. Support God-given Unalienable Rights – Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness.
3. Support God-established Unchangeable Realities – Sanctity of Life, Sanctity of the Family, The Public Expression of God in public spaces.
a. Demand Righteousness – Of self and the elected. Practice personal righteousness and communicate it with the ELECTED.

B. The Elected
1. Develop Righteousness – As your political platform.
2. Determine Righteousness – As the basis of all your legislation
3. Support God-given Unalienable Rights – Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness.
4. Support God-established Unchangeable Realities – Sanctity of Life, Sanctity of the Family, The public Expression of God in public spaces
a. Demand Righteousness – Of self and other elected individuals.
b. Principle Two: The Electorate and the Elected WILL rejoice together as a TEAM when righteousness is practiced – Proverbs 29:2

 

A Constitutional Republic

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A brief article relative to how the Founding Fathers knew that Democracy was a horrible system of government so they gave us a Constitutional Republic with balanced sharing of powers and checks and balances to keep the progression of tyranny in check.

The enemies of this nation have been systematically corrupting the language. It’s time to set the record and the truth straight about the words we use.

By Jared Law.

The United States of America is NOT a Democracy; The United States of America is a Constitutional Republic.“…and to the Republic, for which it stands, One Nation, Under God, with Liberty and Justice for All!”

By the 1830?s, what we now call “progressives” had already begun transforming our language. Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary is the last one to have fully Biblical/Christian education definition of all words. Nothing since, other than later printings of this edition of this dictionary, has been published, that I am aware of, that didn’t contain some form of word distortion/pollution by those we now call “progressives.”

Those progressives from the early 20th century all knew full well that we are a Constitutional Republic, and they felt that the Constitution of the United States of America was an impediment to their agenda, and one of the myriad of things that was done to combat the Principles of Liberty Enshrined in the Constitution of the United States of America, was to promote the falsehood that we are a democracy, rather than a Republic. This makes it far more easy to frame the argument in terms more agreeable to tyranny and oppression.

By the latter half of the 20th century, most public education resources had adopted this falsehood as if it were reality, and today, the very mention of the fact that we’re a Constitutional Republic is met with scorn by those who know better, but don’t want to admit it, and some who have been misled by our public education system even argue the point.
Whoever controls the language, controls society.

It’s time we took back our country, including our culture! When we use the distorted definitions and false terminology of the American Left (so-called “progressives”), we are fighting the battle with one hand tied behind our backs. Awake and Arise, fellow Patriots! Wake up, America, and realize that liberty is being smothered in the back room!

Let us continue to rally to her defense, even on issues that are seemingly small, such as the definitions of the words we use to discuss principles and issues. If it makes the difference in just a few dozen cases, it’s worth it, but if universally understood, this truth could potentially make the difference in a few hundred thousand, and indirectly, a few million cases, if not more!

The Power of the Holy Spirit

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An awesome 5-part series by Andrew Wommack about the too often ambiguous subject of the Holy Spirit.

Who He is, How He works through us, and the importance of praying in the Spirit.

Andrew Wommack Ministries

Watch Series Free Online

 

The Founding Fathers as Christians

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A vast collection of quotes by our founding fathers relating to their Christian faith, their love for Jesus Christ and their reliance on divine providence.

Samuel Adams – Father of the American Revolution, Signer of the Declaration of Independence
“I . . . recommend my Soul to that Almighty Being who gave it, and my body I commit to the dust, relying upon the merits of Jesus Christ for a pardon of all my sins.” (From the will of Samuel Adams)

Charles Carroll – Signer of the Declaration of Independence
“On the mercy of my Redeemer I rely for salvation and on His merits; not on the works I have done in obedience to His precepts.” (From an autographed letter in our possession written by Charles Carroll to Charles W. Wharton, Esq., on September 27, 1825, from Doughoragen, Maryland.)

William Cushing – First Associate Justice Appointed by George Washington to the Supreme Court
“Sensible of my mortality, but being of sound mind, after recommending my soul to Almighty God through the merits of my Redeemer and my body to the earth.” (From the will of William Cushing)

John Dickinson – Signer of the Constitution
“Rendering thanks to my Creator for my existence and station among His works, for my birth in a country enlightened by the Gospel and enjoying freedom, and for all His other kindnesses, to Him I resign myself, humbly confiding in His goodness and in His mercy through Jesus Christ for the events of eternity.” (From the will of John Dickinson)

John Hancock – Signer of the Declaration of Independence
“I, John Hancock, . . . being advanced in years and being of perfect mind and memory-thanks be given to God-therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing it is appointed for all men once to die [Hebrews 9:27], do make and ordain this my last will and testament…Principally and first of all, I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it: and my body I recommend to the earth . . . nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mercy and power of God.” (From the will of John Hancock)

Patrick Henry – Governor of Virginia, Patriot
“This is all the inheritance I can give to my dear family. The religion of Christ can give them one which will make them rich indeed.” (From the will of Patrick Henry)

John Jay – First Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court
“Unto Him who is the author and giver of all good, I render sincere and humble thanks for His manifold and unmerited blessings, and especially for our redemption and salvation by His beloved son. He has been pleased to bless me with excellent parents, with a virtuous wife, and with worthy children. His protection has companied me through many eventful years, faithfully employed in the service of my country; His providence has not only conducted me to this tranquil situation but also given me abundant reason to be contented and thankful. Blessed be His holy name!” (From the will of John Jay)

Daniel St. Thomas Jenifer – Signer of the Constitution
“In the name of God, Amen. I, Daniel of Saint Thomas Jenifer . . . of disposing mind and memory, commend my soul to my blessed Redeemer.” (From the will of Daniel St. Thomas Jenifer)

Henry Knox – Revolutionary War General, Secretary of War
“First, I think it proper to express my unshaken opinion of the immortality of my soul or mind; and to dedicate and devote the same to the supreme head of the Universe – to that great and tremendous Jehovah, – Who created the universal frame of nature, worlds, and systems in number infinite . . . To this awfully sublime Being do I resign my spirit with unlimited confidence of His mercy and protection.” (From the will of Henry Knox)

John Langdon – Signer of the Constitution
“In the name of God, Amen. I, John Langdon, . . . considering the uncertainty of life and that it is appointed unto all men once to die [Hebrews 9:27], do make, ordain and publish this my last will and testament in manner following, that is to say-First: I commend my soul to the infinite mercies of God in Christ Jesus, the beloved Son of the Father, who died and rose again that He might be the Lord of the dead and of the living . . . professing to believe and hope in the joyful Scripture doctrine of a resurrection to eternal life.” (From the will of John Langdon)

John Morton – Signer of the Declaration of Independence
“With an awful reverence to the great Almighty God, Creator of all mankind, I, John Morton . . . being sick and weak in body but of sound mind and memory-thanks be given to Almighty God for the same, for all His mercies and favors-and considering the certainty of death and the uncertainty of the times thereof, do, for the settling of such temporal estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life.” (From the will of John Morton)

Robert Treat Paine – Signer of the Declaration of Independence
“I desire to bless and praise the name of God most high for appointing me my birth in a land of Gospel Light where the glorious tidings of a Savior and of pardon and salvation through Him have been continually sounding in mine ears.”(From Robert Treat Paine, The Papers of Robert Treat Paine, Stephen Riley and Edward Hanson, editors (Boston: Massachusetts Historical Society, 1992), Vol. I, p. 48, March/April, 1749.)

“When I consider that this instrument contemplates my departure from this life and all earthly enjoyments and my entrance on another state of existence, I am constrained to express my adoration of the Supreme Being, the Author of my existence, in full belief of his providential goodness and his forgiving mercy revealed to the world through Jesus Christ, through whom I hope for never ending happiness in a future state, acknowledging with grateful remembrance the happiness I have enjoyed in my passage through a long life.” (From the will of Robert Treat Paine)

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney – Signer of the Constitution
“To the eternal, immutable, and only true God be all honor and glory, now and forever, Amen!” (From the will of Charles Cotesworth Pinckney)

Rufus Putnam – Revolutionary War General, First Surveyor General of the United States
“First, I give my soul to a holy, sovereign God Who gave it in humble hope of a blessed immortality through the atonement and righteousness of Jesus Christ and the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit. My body I commit to the earth to be buried in a decent Christian manner. I fully believe that this body shall, by the mighty power of God, be raised to life at the last day; for this corruptible must put on incorruption and this mortal must put on immortality.” (From the will of Rufus Putnam)

Benjamin Rush – Signer of the Declaration of Independence
“My only hope of salvation is in the infinite, transcendent love of God manifested to the world by the death of His Son upon the cross. Nothing but His blood will wash away my sins. I rely exclusively upon it. Come, Lord Jesus! Come quickly!” (From Benjamin Rush, The Autobiography of Benjamin Rush, George Corner, editor (Princeton: Princeton University Press for the American Philosophical Society, 1948), p. 166, Travels Through Life, An Account of Sundry Incidents & Events in the Life of Benjamin Rush.)

Roger Sherman – Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Signer of the Constitution
“I believe that there is one only living and true God, existing in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. . . . that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are a revelation from God. . . . that God did send His own Son to become man, die in the room and stead of sinners, and thus to lay a foundation for the offer of pardon and salvation to all mankind so as all may be saved who are willing to accept the Gospel offer.” (From Lewis Henry Boutell, The Life of Roger Sherman (Chicago: A. C. McClurg and Company, 1896), pp. 272-273.)

Richard Stockton – Signer of the Declaration of Independence
“I think it proper here not only to subscribe to the entire belief of the great and leading doctrines of the Christian religion, such as the Being of God, the universal defection and depravity of human nature, the divinity of the person and the completeness of the redemption purchased by the blessed Savior, the necessity of the operations of the Divine Spirit, of Divine Faith, accompanied with an habitual virtuous life, and the universality of the divine Providence, but also . . . that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom; that the way of life held up in the Christian system is calculated for the most complete happiness that can be enjoyed in this mortal state; that all occasions of vice and immorality is injurious either immediately or consequentially, even in this life; that as Almighty God hath not been pleased in the Holy Scriptures to prescribe any precise mode in which He is to be publicly worshiped, all contention about it generally arises from want of knowledge or want of virtue.” (From the will of Richard Stockton)

Jonathan Trumbull Sr. – Governor of Connecticut, Patriot
“Principally and first of all, I bequeath my soul to God the Creator and Giver thereof, and body to the Earth . . . nothing doubting but that I shall receive the same again at the General Resurrection through the power of Almighty God; believing and hoping for eternal life thro the merits of my dear, exalted Redeemer Jesus Christ.” (From the will of Jonathan Trumbull)

John Witherspoon – Signer of the Declaration of Independence
“I entreat you in the most earnest manner to believe in Jesus Christ, for there is no salvation in any other [Acts 4:12]. . . . If you are not reconciled to God through Jesus Christ, if you are not clothed with the spotless robe of His righteousness, you must forever perish.”

Praying in the Spirit

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A comprehensive article on the biblical foundations and spiritual power of praying in tongues.

By Prayer Warriors International.

What does it mean to move in the Spirit.

It is allowing a constant, effective influence within our hearts, whereby we are directed and enabled to do more than we could ask or think. To walk in obedience to God’s word, freely and joyfully.

Praying in the Spirit is a weapon of precision, it will always hit the target. It is effective deep into the realm of darkness.

Tongues. It touches the highest heaven.

We are of the Spirit of God, so all that we do should be done in and through the work of the Holy Spirit; conscious of Him, not led by various impulses from the soul of ideas that flood into the mind. The blind have to be led, not carried. So start to pray and He will lead.

Phil 2:13, “…for God is at work in us for His good pleasure. By His Spirit. For His purposes.”

Peace is a result of this relationship. Trust – Faith.
Galatians 5:22, “Fruit of the Spirit. Love -Joy -Peace. to God. Patience – Kindness – Goodness – Gentleness. to others. Self Control.”

If we live by the Spirit, we also walk by the spirit. Pray in the character of God’s Spirit. Faith in Jesus produces love. Love for Jesus produces faith and draws us together by His Spirit. .

1 Pet 4:11, “Whoever speaks, let him speak the utterances of God, by the strength given. Not struggling or striving.”
1 Cor 2:11-12, “Spiritual thoughts with spiritual deeds.”
Eph 4:23, “Be renewed in the spirit of your mind.”
1 Cor 14:15, “Mind and spirit. A right time to pray in tongues. Pray in natural language.”
Eph 6:18, “Pray in the Spirit, understanding, Wisdom, council, strength, fear of the Lord, Righteousness, faithfulness, His character.”
2 Cor 3:17, “There is liberty. No pressure or striving.”
Rom 12:2 + 11-12, “Mind and spirit devoted to prayer.”
1 Pet 4:7, “Be sober in spirit for the purpose of prayer, not unruly, wandering all over the place. Order on Order. Line on line. But, if the Holy Spirit says, do all that He asks.”
Col 4:2, “Keep alert, with an attitude of Thanksgiving.”
1 Thess 5:16-25, “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing Rejoice some more. Give thanks for this is Christ’s will for you.” Prayer has its wings clipped without thanks.
Acts 12:5-12, “Paul in prison. People praying at Mary’s house. He was led to the place the people were praying. They were in the spirit but did not know that God had set Paul free.”
James 4:5, “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us.”

So pray according to His word and His will; forgiveness of sin. Increase of knowledge, understanding in the realm of the spirit, Wisdom etc. Opportunities to witness. Courage – boldness – Strength to do His will. Give thanks. Pray for the fruit of the Spirit. Divine appointments. For Jerusalem. Go through the concordance. Look up pray. He will always answer positively.

Paul’s thorn in the flesh was for added power. He received more power from having the thorn than he would with it. Can we trust Him like that?

So why do we not let the Holy Spirit do all the praying for us?
1. We build relationship with God in prayer, He wants to relate to us.
2. The Holy Spirit only prays in the hearts of those who choose to pray. He searches the desires.
3. God has told us to pray.
4. The Holy Spirit is helping us in our praying. Our Helper.

John 16:13. To lead into all truth.
1 Chron 28:9. The Lord looks into the heart to see the motive. The Spirit wants us to have the right motive to receive the prayer request.
1 Sam 16:7. The Lord looks at the heart. For out of the heart comes forth the reality. Heart-Spirit-Life.

Prayers on Revival

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A vast library on the subject of revival, including prayers, sermons, quotes, history and articles.

Revival Library

 

Lord Teach Us How To Pray

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This is a sermon on how The Lord’s Prayer was not given to just be recited as a ritual. It is actually given to us as the Lord’s blueprint for prayer.

By John Hamby

Almost all of our prayers begin by rushing into a series of request in which we pour out to God our problems, our needs, our irritations. This only tends to reinforces the focus of our attention on what is troubling us and our inability to remedy it. It could be that is at least part of the problem of why we are more depressed and frustrated after we pray than before.

Alan Redpath sums up how many feel even when they have prayed, “When we have finished our praying we can scarcely bring ourselves to believe that our feeble words can have been heard, or that they can have made a difference in the things concerning which we have been praying. We’ve said our prayers but we have not prayed.” [Victorious Praying: Studies in the Lord’s Prayer ( Grand Rapids: Fleming Revell, 1993) p. 12]

Jesus gave the Lord’s Prayer in response to the disciple’s request in (v. 1), “Lord, teach us to pray?” The disciples seem to have waited a long time to ask Jesus to teach them to pray. They have been with Him for months, perhaps even years by this point. They have watched Him praying in every circumstance of life. They had seen Him taking time to be alone to pray. They understand that Jesus lived a life guided and empowered by prayer. Perhaps as they have watched Him pray it has caused them to realize how very little they truly knew about prayer. Whatever the cause, the Disciples turn to Jesus and ask, “Lord teach us to pray.”

“Now it came to pass, as he was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of his disciples said to him, “Lord teach us to pray; as John also taught his disciples.’(2) So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. (3) Give us day by day our daily bread. (4) And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.” Luke 11:2-4 (NKJV)

Obviously the Lord’s Prayer was not given to be just be recited as a ritual. It is actually given to us as the Lord’s blueprint for prayer that is acceptable to God. There is something tremendously important about the way Jesus answered the disciples question, “Lord, teach us to pray.” Jesus’ reply as recorded in Luke was “When you pray,” and in parallel account in Matthew (6:9-13) he is quoted as saying “In This Manner Pray” in other words “Pray like this.”

The Lord’s Prayer was given to show the disciples how to pray, after all that is what they asked, that is how they should go about praying, not just the words they should use. But we must recognize that there is a difference between saying the Lord’s prayer and praying the Lord’s prayer. . Elmer Towns says this way, “The effective prayer is not measured by how loud you pray, or how long you pray, or even if you say the words of the Lord’s Prayer again and again in a repetitious fashion. Your prayer life will be effective it you are sincere (your approach) and if you ask for the right things (what you say).” [Towns p. 27]

The Elements for the Lord’s Blueprint for Prayer

1. Praying On the Basis of A New Relationship
We begin our examination of the Lord’s Prayer by looking at the first four English words, “Our Father in Heaven.” Jesus is stating the importance of starting our prayers with the awareness that God is our Father. What Jesus is teaching here is pretty revolutionary. The word that Jesus used for Father was not a formal word. It was the common Aramaic word with which a child would address his father – the word “Abba”. Of course everyone used the word, but no one under any circumstances used it in connection with God. “Abba” meant something like “Daddy” but with a more reverent touch than we use it today. It meant something like, “Dearest Father.”

When Jesus came on the scene he addressed God only as “Father.” All of his prayers addressed God as “Father.” The Gospels record his use of “Father” more than sixty times in reference to God, yet in all of the Old Testament God is referred to as “Father” only fourteen times and then only in relation to the nation of Israel, never as an individual or personal Father. No one in the entire history of Israel had ever prayed like Jesus. Jesus transformed the relationship with God from one of a distant and unapproachable deity to that of a intimate relationship of a Father.
The fact that God is our “dearest father” is to be foundational awareness in prayer. Paul tells us in Galatians 4:6, “And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” (NKJV) Wrapped up in the expression “our father” is a new dimension in intimate communion with God, the same intimacy that exists between a child and their father is to exist between them and God.

But perhaps you have a great hindrance in this area because did not have a good role model in your earthly father! Perhaps your father was angry and unapproachable or abusive. In such a case, one way to overcome this is to think of God as being everything you ever wished for in a father, God can become for you the fulfillment of your dream for a honorable and decent father who loves you unconditionally. The beginning of effective prayer is the recognition that God possesses a father’s heart, a father’s love, a father’s strength and a father’s concern for the best interest of his children.

This concept of a loving heavenly father provides us with a profound sense of being loved. Everett Fullam a missionary to a remote tribe in Nigeria relates the salvation experience of one of the local natives, when he revealed the awesomeness of this new experience with God by saying; “Behind this universe stands one God, not a great number of warring spirits, as we had always believed, but one God. And that God loves me!” [as quoted in Kent Hughes. Abba Father: The Lord’s Pattern for Prayer (Wheaton, Crossway Books, 1986) pp. 22-23.]

It of course needs to be remembered that it is impossible to come to God as our Father except that we are born into his family through faith in Jesus Christ. This prayer is based on a relationship with God through faith in Christ and can only be uttered by those who are in the family.

When we begin our prayer, “Our Father,” we begin to pray based on an intimate relationship with God – that of a father and child. God is not an angry judge looking for an opportunity to condemn us, nor is aloof and distant, too busy to hear you. He is our Father and can be approached on an intimate basis. Having the foundational awareness of God as our Father we move on to the first of the petitions, “hallowed be your name.”

The Lord’s Prayer contains seven petitions; the first three petitions are called the “Thy Petitions” because in the King James Version they begin with the word “thy” and they center on God.
-Thy name be hallowed
-Thy kingdom come
-Thy will be done

2. Praying On the Basis of a New Respect – “Hallowed be your Name”
When you pray “hallowed be your name,” you climb to a new level of respect for God and reverence for his person. You are ascending to the very heart of God to recognize who He is and what He has done for us.
When Jesus taught us to pray “hallowed be your name,” He was telling us to make the presence of God real in our hearts. When you pray “hallowed be thy name,” you are placing God on the throne of your heart. It is about putting God on the throne of our lives on earth, as He sits upon His throne in heaven.

How do we “hallow” his name? We hallow his name with our lips, both privately and publicly, and by our actions. To pray that His name is “hallowed” means that first and foremost we desire our lives to reveal to others to the name of Jesus and the character or God.

3. Praying On the Basis of a New Priority – “Your Kingdom Come”
The first thing to consider is, “What did Jesus mean when He taught us to pray for the Kingdom to come?” When we pray “your Kingdom come” this prayer recognizes that God’s kingdom is not presently ruling on the earth. The tense of the verb “come” refers to a decisive time in the future when the kingdom will come once and for all – an event that will happen only once. In effect you are asking for the second coming of Jesus to this earth. You are asking for Jesus to come and established His kingdom on this earth. We are looking forward to the climax of history when God’s will, shall be done on earth as it is in heaven.

If we truly desire God’s rule over all men and women at a future time, then it follows that we desire that He will work His will out in our lives now. When we pray, “your kingdom come,” we are acknowledging God’s right to rule all people, including us. We dare not pray for his rule over others unless we honestly desire His rule over us. There is absolutely no reason whatsoever to pray, “your kingdom come,” unless we fully intend to cooperate with the establishment of his rule in our own lives. Obviously the more fully we submit to God’s reign in our own lives the more effectively God will be able to use us in manifesting His kingdom on the earth.

4. Praying On the Basis of a New Submission – “Your Will be Done On Earth As It Is In Heaven.”
It is unfortunately true that untold millions of individuals have repeated the words “your will be done” down through the centuries without the faintest notion of what God’s will is. Perhaps even more alarming is that even more people have repeated these words without any intention whatever of seeing to it that the Father’s will is done.

When you ask “your will be done,” you must be willing to do it “right now.” Notice you are not asking God to change His will or to bless your will, you are asking Him to help you find and do His will in your life.

But it is not enough just to know the will God; one must then apply it. “Your will be done”, is in reality a prayer of submission. According to Romans 12:2, it is our privilege to submit to “… that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (NKJV). The truth is that the cause of all the unrest, frustration, unhappiness and sense of powerlessness in the life of a Christian can be traced to trying to follow our own self-will. At the back of all our failure is the desire to have my way not His way; it’s basis is a will that says No to God!

As have seen the first three petitions have to do with God. The second four petitions, which we begin to examine now, have to do with human well-being and are distinguished by the word “us:” “give us,” “forgive us,” “keep us” and “lead us.” In last half of the prayer we turn from praying for God’s glory to praying for our needs. One of the profound realities of the Christian life is the realization that God cares about the simple, day-to-day, needs of our lives. He cares whether we are warm, fed and housed. He is concerned for our whole well-being, including those things necessary to sustain life.

5. Praying On The Basis of a New Dependence- “Give us day by day our daily bread.”
What does this request mean? We miss its importance for the simple fact that when you awoke this morning, none of you had even the slightest doubt that you would be able to eat today. Most of the major concerns for the average American is what will we eat, not whether we will eat. We are told to pray “give us day by day our daily bread,” to remind us of our absolute dependence on God for everything. God made us with needs so that we would have to look to Him to supply them. In this prayer for “daily bread,” bread stands for more than just food. It stands for all the physical things we need for life. To pray this prayer for “our daily bread,” expresses our conviction and belief that God is able to answer our prayer and to meet our needs. It is not that we are praying to overcome God’s unwillingness or overcome his reluctance, seeking to bend His will to ours, but it is rather the taking hold of God’s willingness to give.

In the spiritual realm it is just as true that yesterday’s strength is absolutely useless to fight today’s battles. Sometimes we as Christians rely on our experiences with God in the past. Of course they were good, but we need a fresh touch of God in our lives everyday. God never gives us a reservoir of grace in our lives, but expects to turn to Him everyday for the grace sufficient to meet the challenges of that day.

The phrase, “this day” reminds us as believers that we need daily renewal of our spiritual strength. We often get stressed out with anxiety because we try to face the problems of tomorrow today. Jesus addressed the problem of worry in the Sermon on the Mount were he said, “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ (32) For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. (33) But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (34) Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matt 6:31-34 NKJV).

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When we worry about tomorrow we are telling the heavenly father that we are not sure that He can provide for tomorrow’s bread. The invitation to pray “give us day-by-day our daily bread,” is an invitation to come to God with even those things that others might call small. We are not just to bring the big things to God but even our ordinary request – for a coat, for shoes, a vacation, groceries, or even a bicycle.

The ultimate bread is Jesus Christ himself. The only bread the will satisfy completely and forever is the provision of the Lord Jesus Himself. “I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” John 6:51 (NKJV)

6. Praying On the Basis of God’s Pardon – “Forgive Us Our Sins”
This petition is not only an explicit prayer for forgiveness, “forgive us our sins,” but also for a forgiving spirit, “for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.” The first three of the petitions relate to the role of God as our Father. The last four focus on our needs as God’s children.

In our model prayer after we have asked the Father for provision, now we ask for pardon. “Forgive” follows “give.” Look back at the beginning of verse four, underline the word “and,” because it links the request for daily bread, with the request for daily forgiveness. In that way when we think of our need for food we will think of our need for forgiveness. Many of us are conscious of our need for daily bread, but are utterly unconscious of our need for daily forgiveness.
If we are sincere when we pray, “forgive us our sins,” then we are openly admitting ourselves as guilty of wrongdoing, of sin. Many falsely presume that because when we are saved we have no further need to ask for forgiveness or confession of sin.

This of course, is not the case. 1 John 1:8-9 tell us, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (9) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (NKJV) Christian’s can and do still sin and thus stand in need of daily confession and forgiveness.

It needs to be remembered that this is a “family prayer,” it does not deal with the sins of unbelievers. It does not deal with our standing before God, which was established at salvation, and which can never be affected; it concerns the sins of the children of God, which hamper our fellowship with the Father. No non-Christian ever receives forgiveness from God on the basic of claiming to forgive someone else.

Although we receive forgiveness when we were saved we will never be able to fully enjoy cleansing in our Christian walk unless we are ready to extend it freely to those who offend us. True believers are forgiven and forgiving. That does not mean that forgiveness ever comes easily or naturally even to real Christians. It is always a battle to maintain a forgiving spirit. But the struggle to forgive is in itself evidence of God’s grace in a person’s heart, because otherwise he or she would just give in to bitterness. The warning here is for those who claim to be Christians and but who will not forgive and have no desire to do so.

Some say but I can’t forgive, is really I can’t or is it I won’t? Jesus did not tell the disciples that they could pray, “Lord, forgive me my trespasses and I will try to forgive those who have wronged me.” He told them that when they had forgiven others they could then claim their own forgiveness.

Ray Stedman tells the story of one man’s explanation for his lack of forgiveness. He said, “A man once said to me, ‘I know I’m a Christian, but someone once did an awful thing to me – something I just can’t forget or forgive.’ I replied, ‘Are you sure you can’t forgive him?’ He maintained that he had really tried to forgive this man, but was unable to do so. As we continued talking, I said, ‘I know, I have found that we often use the word can’t what we really mean is won’t. Isn’t possible that what you are saying is not, “I can’t forgive him,’ but ‘I won’t forgive him?’

If it is really true that you cannot forgive this ma, then it indicates that you yourself have never been forgiven and you are only kidding yourself about being a Christian.’ This shook him a bit. He thought it through and then, with a rather sheepish grin, he said, ‘I guess you’re right. I guess I won’t.’ It wasn’t long before he came to me and reported with joy that he had finally forgiven the man who had injured him.” [Ray Stedman. Talking With My Father. ( Grand Rapids; Discovery House, 1997) p. 73

It is possible that that right here we are touching upon one of the principle causes of unanswered prayer. Is it possible that anyone would truly rather have his own prayers unanswered for the human satisfaction of hating someone and holding on to a grudge against someone who has offended us? When we do not forgive we set up a roadblock in our prayer life.

7. Praying On the Basis of God’s Protection – “And do not Lead Us Into Temptation”
In the preceding petition “forgive us our sins,” the request was that sins already committed might be forgiven, but here we have a plea to be delivered from falling into new sins. The petition in the prayer is primarily for protection. By teaching us to pray for God to “not lead us into temptation”, he is not suggesting that God is the one who tempts us. James states that God “does not tempt anyone” (James 1:13). Rather it accepts the danger of temptation, acknow-ledges our deficiency in dealing with it, and asks for deliverance from it.

If we are to win in the battle against temptation we must realize the reality of Spiritual warfare. We cannot be victorious over that which we do not understand. Being ignorant of the fact that there is a great spiritual battle being fought in our world does not erase that fact that it is true.

We also need to acknowledge our inability to handle temptation on our own. We need to remember, everyone is vulnerable to temptation, no one is above falling. No matter how old we are or how mature in the faith we are. Although the strength of certain temptations may diminish somewhat with age, we are never free from temptation as long as we live in this world.

When we pray for God’s protection from temptation we are agreeing with the High priestly prayer of Jesus. He prayed, “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.” John 17:15 (NKJV)

The second part of the prayer for God’s protection is found in the request, “Deliver Us From Evil One.”
The King James Version translates this, “deliver us from evil” but The New King James Version, The New International Version and The New English Bible translations rendered it, “deliver us from the evil one” – referring of course to Satan.
When you use the phrase “deliver us from the evil one” you are admitting that this life is a struggle with an enemy that opposes us. Because we do not know what dangers we will face each new day, we need God’s protection to cover us. When you pray “deliver us from the evil one” you are turning your protection over to God.

Although Satan may be the ruler of this present evil world, though he may be the prince of the power of the air, though he may have cohorts of evil spirits at his command, he has no claim over the children of God, nor does he have any power to tempt them except what the Father allows.

Conclusion
To really learn about prayer you must pray. Jesus gave us the blueprint for prayer, I want to challenge you to use that way. Begin by praying, “Our father in heaven,” focus on what it means to talk to the God of the Universe as Father. Then pray about his priorities – “Your kingdom come,” his purposes- “your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” ask for his provision- “give day by day our daily bread” – ask for his pardon – “forgive us our sins, for we forgive everyone who is indebted to us”, and his his protection – “ and do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.”

Disaster Preparedness: Call 911

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What should we do when cataclysmic events strike? When buildings fall and waters rise? Prepare for disaster by calling 9:11. This sermon is about remaining faithful and prayerful when disasters occur. It includes related bible verses and ways to encourage and strengthen the congregation.

By Pastor Daniel Austin.

INTRODUCTION
We all know where we were and what we were doing on September 11, 2001. We remember how we felt, because to some degree, we have felt that way ever since and events like the Indonesian tsunami and hurricane Katrina remind us of the frailty of this world.

In this lesson we are going to ask the question: What should we do when these cataclysmic events strike? When buildings fall and waters rise? I would like to suggest that to prepare for disaster we call on 9:11.

Matthew 14

I. HAVE FAITH – NOT FEAR
Vs. 26. “…and they cried out for fear.”
Vs. 27, “…Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.”
Vs. 30, “…But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid;”.
Vs. 31, “…O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”

A. I am not suggesting that we should not express normal emotions of concern and uncertainty. I am saying that fear is not the spiritual response.
1. 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”
2. Fear will not comfort anyone. Fear will only bring more anxiety and distress.

B. As we have observed the tragedy and horror that is present on gulf coast resident’s faces over the last 2 weeks, we each have related with them, whether we’re related or not!
1. And we Christians should not be naïve to overlook the fact that the worst is yet to come for this planet.
2. Yet, we must not let fear reign during times of crisis. There are no answers in fear. Only faith will have the answer for us.

C. Just Call 911—
1. Genesis 9:11 “I establish My covenant with you; and all flesh shall never again be cut off by the water of the flood, neither shall there again be a flood to destroy the earth.”
2. Do you believe God’s promise? Tsunamis and hurricanes are localized. The rainbow is God giving us His word on this…do we believe Him and trust Him?
3. Jesus said in Mark 11:22 “Have faith in God.”
Then Have Faith and not Fear.

II. PRAY – DON’T PANIC
A. When panic takes over prayer ceases. We must continue to pray for those who are homeless or missing loved ones. We should pray today for all ravaged by terrorism 4 years ago, and for the ongoing worldwide war against it!

B. Just Call 911—
1. Nehemiah 9:11 “You divided the sea before them, So they passed through the midst of the sea on dry ground; And their pursuers You hurled into the depths, Like a stone into raging waters.”
2. The natural man panics…but the supernatural man prays!
a. Job 9:11 “Were He to pass by me, I would not see Him; Were He to move past me, I would not perceive Him.”
b. Job didn’t see God in some low times, but he knew He was there, and he prayed until he got his answer!
3. Psalm 91:1 “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.”
a. It’s hard to see in the shadows, and it can be scary there, until we realized Who cast the shadow!
4. 2 Corinthians 9:11 “…you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.”
Truly, if we have Christ we have it all…we’re rich, we’re blessed, and we should be thankful in all circumstances for this!

III. BELIEVE GOD – DON’T BLAME HIM
A. This is not God’s fault, though we call it an “act of God.” Some will blame Him. Some will turn against Him. Some will suggest that God is punishing certain individuals.
1. It’s part of our nature to make ourselves feel better by assigning blame.
2. Some will seek to blame the President, the government, FEMA, etc. There is a place for responsibility but also understanding!

B. So Call 911—
1. Ecclesiastes 9:11-12 “I again saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift and the battle is not to the warriors, and neither is bread to the wise nor wealth to the discerning nor favor to men of ability; for time and chance overtake them all. Moreover, man does not know his time: like fish caught in a treacherous net and birds trapped in a snare, so the sons of men are ensnared at an evil time when it suddenly falls on them.”

C. We are sinners in a sin-cursed world and bad things happen. We need to keep our focus on the eternal.

D. We shouldn’t blame God, but believe on Him. Know that He wants to save us from the wages of sin, and He will, if only we obey, like the blind man…
1. John 9:11 “He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.”

We don’t know all the reasons why. We do know that God is in charge, and He controls all. Thus, we must also…

IV. BE ASSURED – NOT ANGRY
A. Be assured:
1. Be assured that God always does the right thing.
2. Be assured that God never makes mistakes.

B. Our Anger must be directed toward sin.
1. Righteous anger must be directed toward the Prince of sin.
2. We must unite against the act of terrorism, not the terrorist.
3. God loves the sinner. But he hates their sin.
4. Always remember that God gave His Son for the sinner.

C. Anger will only enhance confusion and misunderstanding. So we need to focus upward in assurance, not outward in anger.
1. Peter got into trouble when he looked at the storm, but when he focused on his Lord he rose above the storm.
a. We have a problem in that we always want to “feel” good.
b. We need to rest in the “fact” that all is well even when we don’t feel it.
2. Bad things happen, but God is good!
a. When disaster strikes we have assurance even when living “hand to mouth” as long as it’s God’s hand to our mouth! He who puts food on the table will put gas in the tank. If He can be trusted with our souls He can be trusted with our feet and everything that stands above them!

D. Call 911—
1. Proverbs 9:(10)11 (“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.) For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you.”
2. We can be assured the goodness of God in all things because we have the assurance of salvation…Hebrews 9:11-14

CONCLUSION
What must we do in time of crisis? We must have faith, not fear. We must pray, not panic. We should believe and not blame. And depart in peace with assurance.
Philippians 1:6 “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”

 

A Better Way to Pray

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An awesome 5-part series by Andrew Wommack on effective, fervent prayer.

A life changing teaching for all Christians, especially Pastors, intercessors and youth ministries.

Andrew Wommack Ministries

Available for Free Online