FIVE PRAYERS FOR 2024
We trust today’s message encouraged and guided you in your journey of following Jesus. These notes are meant to help you remember and reflect on the message, help you go deeper into study on the subject, or be used for a sermon group discussion.
Sermon Title: FIVE PRAYERS FOR 2024
Main Scripture: Luke 19:1-10; Ephesians 2:10; John 15:4-5; Proverbs 3:5-6; Romans 1:16-17; Matthew 6:33; Hebrews 12:1-3; Romans 13:8-10
If you’re going through this discussion with a community group this week, consider reading the provided scripture to catch everyone up!
Summary:
I was praying for our church and services this Sunday and God just started prompting me to pray the topics I have to share today. I could have added many different topics of prayer to this prayer list and I will as the year goes on. But then the Holy Spirit was bringing scripture to my memory about these topics and I felt a burden to turn them into a sermon for this week. These are simple prayers and reminders that will help us become more like Jesus. I’m praying God uses this message to inspire growth in your relationship with Him and step out in faith to do things for His kingdom.
Notes:
Purpose
I’m praying we live a life of purpose
Luke 19:1-10
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Jesus lived a life of purpose. He was born to save sinners. He came to seek and to save the lost. He came to call, love, equip, and fill the disciples to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth.
Jesus saved us on purpose for a purpose.
The life of a follower of Christ is not meaningless or without purpose. A follower of Christ is not a life of spontaneity, luck, or play it by ear. Jesus has given us the only example of who we are truly meant to be, what we are truly meant to do, and where we are truly meant to go in life.
As you go through this year please remember this point, God gives you purpose. You have been saved and called by God. Your life has a purpose found only in God and His Word. Your purpose is to know God, know His will, and make Him known to everyone around you.
You have purpose at home, at work, in this church, and in this community. Think of the Kingdom of God in all that you do. How can you glorify God, how can you make Jesus known in your home life, work life, and leisure?
Most of us are not called to full-time ministry. But we're all called to be full-time Christians. God's purposes transform the mundane into monumental.
Abide
I’m praying we will experience God's presence in greater measure.
John 15:4-5 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. 5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
In a get-things-done kind of world or personality, we can think that slowing down to be with the Lord, reading our Bibles, and praying is counter-productive. Abiding in fellowship with the Lord is the most productive thing you can do.
God wants your heart, not just your hands and feet. There’s no point in trying to do things for the Lord when you don’t know Him or His heart. And knowing God is the only way you’ll truly do things for Him in the right way.
Oswald Chambers: "Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work."
Martin Luther: “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.”
Charles Spurgeon: “A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.”
It is not in the doing of these things that you transform…It is God at work in you as you do them that transforms you.
Don't let anything or anyone keep you from being in your private fellowship with the Lord.
Remember Galatians 2:20: “It is not I who live but Christ in me.” Abide in Him so you have Christ flowing through your life in greater measure to help you.
Trust
I’m praying we have steadfast trust in God.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
God preserved, protected, and multiplied His people when they were slaves in Egypt. God heard their cries for deliverance and they were delivered. When the Israelites were in the desert. God took care of them. God made a river of water come out of a rock to quench the thirst of His people. God gave them meat and manna from the sky to feed His people. When the enemy chased down the Israelites, God gave them a way through where there was no way.
Jesus said not to worry about our daily needs or worry about tomorrow (Matt. 6).
Trust God is present, protecting, providing, listening, watching, answering, leading, and working for our good.
2024 will test us, especially our trust in God. God will test our trust in Him. The heroes of the faith that we learn from in Hebrews 11 lived by faith or trust in the Lord. They weren’t perfect, but their lives tell the stories of God’s greatness because they trusted and allowed God to use them. Step out in faith and obedience this year and let God use you for His kingdom on earth. You’ll see how trustworthy He is!
Boldness
I’m praying we will be bold witnesses of the Gospel.
Romans 1:16-17 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. 17 This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”
The world is bold about worldly ways. Why not be bold about THE way, THE truth, and THE life, Jesus Christ?
Be bold but not in an obnoxious, judgmental, weird, or abrasive way. Let us proclaim and express our faith with conviction clothed in compassion. Jesus never pressured people. Jesus simply spoke the truth, showed love, and gave invitations.
Let us toss out fearful and doubtful assumptions that people won't listen. Let's not let those who won't listen stop us from reaching those who will. Let’s not shrink back.
I've seen enough people you wouldn't expect come to the Lord in the past 3 years that I'm convinced the harvest is plentiful but the workers are scared off by a few scarecrows in the fields.
Focus
I’m praying we will focus on what matters the most.
Jesus himself said in Matthew 6:33: But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.
We choose every day to focus on something or not on anything and the results will show. Jesus knew why he was here. Jesus lived an intentional life and thank God he did.
What's your life focus? Does it contribute to the kingdom of God? Can you put on Kingdom lenses in your occupation or your season of life and see how God wants to use you where you are?
Simplify your focus. Focus on loving God, loving those closest to you, loving one another in the body of Christ, and reaching out in love to the lost.
At the center of all these prayers is Jesus. May Jesus be the center of our lives, our homes, our church, and our life in the community.
Discussion:
What stuck out to you from today’s message?
Why is knowing you have a life of purpose in God so important?
Why is abiding in spiritual fellowship with Jesus so important to our walk and what we do for the Lord?
How did God test or stretch your trust in Him last year? Do you think it has prepared you for this year?
What does it mean to be bold in our witness for Jesus and our faith? Why is it time to be more bold?
Pastor Ryan said to focus on what matters most…what do you think that is?
What other notes did you highlight or write down that you would like to share?
The most important decision you will ever make!
If you’re ready to trust in Jesus for salvation and eternal life we encourage you to process this decision with a strong believer and when you’re ready say a simple prayer like this from your heart: Dear God, I acknowledge and admit I have sinned. I see my need for Jesus Christ. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I believe I am forgiven and cleansed of my sin by His death. I also believe I have eternal life because of His resurrection from the dead. I repent, I turn away from my old ways and I choose to live my life to worship you and follow Jesus, Amen!
We would love to know if you decided to trust in Jesus for your salvation and help you take the next steps. Let us know here.
Pray Together
We hope you found this AFTER THE SERMON discussion helpful for your walk with Jesus. We pray you can find ways to apply it this week!