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From Creation to Redemption

In the beginning, God's Word went forth: "Let there be light" (Gen 1:3). The Spirit of God hovering over the face of the deep joined Himself to that Word with explosive, creative effect. And the universe was born.  As it was with creation, so it is now with redemption--God's new creation in Christ (2 Cor 4:6). God's Word is preached and, when it is accompanied by the power of His Spirit, man is born again. Sinners are saved and saints are strengthened, all by His grace and all for His glory (cf. Gal 3:1-6; Act 20:32). May God be pleased to use these sermons in your life to this end!

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Prayer Ministry Sunday 12/30

Date:12/30/12

Passage: Hebrews 10:24-25

Speaker: Steve Fuller

Prayer Ministry Sunday

                                                                   Hebrews 10:24-25

Acts 13:1-3

Let’s turn to Hebrews 10.  If you need a Bible, go ahead and raise your hand and we will bring one to you.  Hebrews 10 is on page 1007 in the Bibles we are passing out.

Today we are going to have what we call a “Prayer Ministry Sunday.”  This is where we break into small groups, one person will share a need, and then the group will lay hands on them, pray over them, asking God to bring spiritual gifts, and asking God to work with supernatural power.

One reason we do this a couple times a year is because it reminds us that church is not a spectator sport.  When the church gathers, everyone gets to participate – everyone has a crucial part to play. 

To see this take a look at Hebrews 10:24-25 –

24            And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,

25            not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

So when these believers met together they encouraged one another.  They did not just listen to one preacher encourage all of them.  They did that, too.  But they also encouraged each other.  So everyone was participating – giving encouragement to others and receiving encouragement from others.

And we want our Sunday morning gathering to reflect this.  So during worship we encourage prayers of praise, we ask for spiritual gifts, we have a sharing time, and we have question and answer on the sermon.

But even with those – it’s easy for us to start thinking Sunday mornings is a spectator sport.  So a couple Sundays a year we have a Prayer Ministry Sundays – so we can be better trained in prayer ministry, so people can receive a powerful touch from God, and so we can be reminded that each of us has a crucial part in what God wants to do when His people gather.

Now let me show you an example of prayer ministry – so we can see how biblical this is and understand how it works.  Look at what happens in Acts 13:1-3 –

1             Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

2             While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

3             Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

So the leaders of the church in Antioch are gathered.  And while they are worshiping and fasting and praying – the Holy Spirit speaks to them, probably bringing a prophetic word to one of them – saying that He wants them to send Barnabas and Saul out on a missions trip.

And after what I’m sure was lots of discussion and prayer – they fasted and prayed some more – and laid hands on them and then sent them off.

So what does it mean that they laid their hands on them?  It means they gathered around them and prayed – asking for God to work in them supernaturally right then and there. 

  • Maybe they asked God to give them increased power by the Spirit – and as they prayed God brought more power on them. 
  • Maybe they asked God to give them more faith by the Holy Spirit – and as they prayed God gave them more faith. 
  • Maybe they asked God to give them wisdom and revelation by the Spirit – and as they prayed God spoke to them and told them where to start their missionary journey. 

We don’t know the details, but the laying on of hands is a time to pray and ask for God to come and work in supernatural ways right here and now.

So that’s what we want to do this morning.  There’s lots of needs in this room.  But the good news is that there is a God.  And He has revealed Himself to us in Jesus Christ.  And because Jesus died on the Cross – through trusting Jesus we can be forgiven for our sins and reconciled to God.

And because we are trusting Jesus and reconciled to God – God loves to work supernaturally in our lives.

 So this morning as we lay hands on each other and pray – God might –

  • Free you from fear
  • Give you power over temptation
  • Speak encouragement to you
  • Heal your sickness
  • Free you from spiritual oppression
  • Strengthen your faith
  • Soften your heart
  • Give you wisdom and guidance
  • Comfort your sorrow

So in a moment, I’m going to ask you all to stand up and rearrange your chairs into circles of 8 to 10 people.  We’ve got leaders who will organize this.  Then you will briefly introduce yourselves.  Then one person will share a need.  Don’t go into a lot of details, but share your need.  Then the group will lay hands on you and pray.            

Now this is crucial: as you pray, go ahead and pray for their need and ask the Father to work supernaturally right here and now.  Focus your prayer on things that the Holy Spirit could do in them right here and now.  For example, if someone is afraid of losing a sales account, pray that the account will not be lost, yes.  But focus on what God might do in them right here and now – like comforting them, giving them peace, giving them wisdom.

Now here’s something new I’d like to add to our prayer ministry.  The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit works through His Word – so as you pray for the Holy Spirit to work in their hearts, pray powerful Scriptures over them.  For example, if they are fearful of losing a sales account, you could pray Isaiah 40:10 over them, where God says “Fear not, for I am with you.  Do not anxiously look about you, I am your God.  I will strengthen you.  I will help you.  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

This is important because the Spirit doesn’t just give peace out of nowhere.  He gives peace by revealing who God is to us in Jesus Christ – and that happens through His Word.  So pray powerful Scriptures over them.  I’m including some possible Scriptures on your teaching insert.

And as you pray for the Father to do supernatural things right here and now – be alert to spiritual gifts God might give you to share.

 And then give it time.  Our goal is not to pray for everyone in the group.  We will pray for one, maybe two or three.  So don’t rush.  Give it time.

And as you pray, don’t be afraid of silence.  Use silent time to ask God if there’s any special way He wants to lead or guide the prayer time.

And after you have prayed for a while, the leader will stop and ask them what the Father did as you prayed.  It’s good to hear what the Holy Spirit is doing in them.

And then you can either stop praying for them, and move on to someone else, or you can pray again for them.  Whatever the leaders senses is best.

Then when we are finished, I will have a spokesperson from each group come up and share what God did.  Your privacy is very important to us, so when they share, they will not mention any names.

So let’s have the leaders stand – and then let’s break into groups – introduce yourselves, share a need, and start praying.