This is a historic message that will be long remembered. Be sure you have taken the time to see it.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Is corporate prayer important?
Tonight we gather for prayer at NRN. Each Wednesday at 6:30 people gather to pray. Is corporate prayer important?
Corporate prayer is an important part of the life of the
church, along with worship, sound doctrine, communion, and fellowship. The
early church met regularly to learn the doctrine of the apostles, break bread,
and pray together (Acts 2:42). When we pray together with other believers, the
effects can be very positive. Corporate prayer edifies and unifies us as we
share our common faith. The same Holy Spirit who dwells within each believer causes
our hearts to rejoice as we hear praises to our Lord and Savior, knitting us
together in a unique bond of fellowship found nowhere else in life.
To those who may be alone and struggling with life’s burdens, hearing others lift them up to the throne of grace can be a great encouragement. It also builds in us love and concern for others as we intercede for them. At the same time, corporate prayer will only be a reflection of the hearts of the individuals who participate. We are to come to God in humility (James 4:10), truth (Psalm 145:18), obedience (1 John 3:21-22), with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6) and confidence (Hebrews 4:16). Sadly, corporate prayer can also become a platform for those whose words are directed not to God, but to their hearers. Jesus warned against such behavior in Matthew 6:5-8 where he exhorts us not to be showy, long-winded, or hypocritical in our prayers, but to pray secretly in our own rooms in order to avoid the temptation of using prayer hypocritically.
There is nothing in Scripture to suggest that corporate prayers are “more powerful” than individual prayers in the sense of moving the hand of God. Far too many Christians equate prayer with “getting things from God,” and group prayer becomes mainly an occasion to recite a list of our wants. Biblical prayers, however, are multi-faceted, encompassing the whole of the desire to enter into conscious and intimate communion with our holy, perfect, and righteous God. That such a God would bend an ear to His creatures causes praise and adoration to pour forth in abundance (Psalm 27:4; 63:1-8), produces heartfelt repentance and confession (Psalm 51; Luke 18:9-14), generates an outpouring of gratitude and thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6; Colossians 1:12), and creates sincere intercessory pleas on behalf of others (2 Thessalonians 1:11; 2:16).
Prayer, then, is cooperating with God to bring about His plan, not trying to bend Him to our will. As we abandon our own desires in submission to the One who knows our circumstances far better than we ever could and who “knows what you need before you ask” (Matthew 6:8), our prayers reach their highest level. Prayers offered in submission to the Divine will, therefore, are always answered positively, whether offered by one person or a thousand.
The idea that corporate prayers are more likely to move the hand of God comes largely from a misinterpretation of Matthew 18:19-20, “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” These verses come from a larger passage which addresses the procedures to be followed in the case of church discipline of a sinning member. To interpret them as promising believers a blank check for anything they might agree to ask God for, no matter how sinful or foolish, not only does not fit the context of church discipline, but it denies the rest of Scripture, especially the sovereignty of God.
In addition, to believe that when “two or three are gathered” to pray, some kind of magical power boost is automatically applied to our prayers is not biblically supportable. Of course Jesus is present when two or three pray, but He is equally present when one believer prays alone, even if that person is separated from others by thousands of miles. Corporate prayer is important because it creates unity (John 17:22-23), and is a key aspect of believers’ encouraging one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11) and spurring one another on to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24).
Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/corporate-prayer.html#ixzz2k4lJ6WOS
To those who may be alone and struggling with life’s burdens, hearing others lift them up to the throne of grace can be a great encouragement. It also builds in us love and concern for others as we intercede for them. At the same time, corporate prayer will only be a reflection of the hearts of the individuals who participate. We are to come to God in humility (James 4:10), truth (Psalm 145:18), obedience (1 John 3:21-22), with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6) and confidence (Hebrews 4:16). Sadly, corporate prayer can also become a platform for those whose words are directed not to God, but to their hearers. Jesus warned against such behavior in Matthew 6:5-8 where he exhorts us not to be showy, long-winded, or hypocritical in our prayers, but to pray secretly in our own rooms in order to avoid the temptation of using prayer hypocritically.
There is nothing in Scripture to suggest that corporate prayers are “more powerful” than individual prayers in the sense of moving the hand of God. Far too many Christians equate prayer with “getting things from God,” and group prayer becomes mainly an occasion to recite a list of our wants. Biblical prayers, however, are multi-faceted, encompassing the whole of the desire to enter into conscious and intimate communion with our holy, perfect, and righteous God. That such a God would bend an ear to His creatures causes praise and adoration to pour forth in abundance (Psalm 27:4; 63:1-8), produces heartfelt repentance and confession (Psalm 51; Luke 18:9-14), generates an outpouring of gratitude and thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6; Colossians 1:12), and creates sincere intercessory pleas on behalf of others (2 Thessalonians 1:11; 2:16).
Prayer, then, is cooperating with God to bring about His plan, not trying to bend Him to our will. As we abandon our own desires in submission to the One who knows our circumstances far better than we ever could and who “knows what you need before you ask” (Matthew 6:8), our prayers reach their highest level. Prayers offered in submission to the Divine will, therefore, are always answered positively, whether offered by one person or a thousand.
The idea that corporate prayers are more likely to move the hand of God comes largely from a misinterpretation of Matthew 18:19-20, “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” These verses come from a larger passage which addresses the procedures to be followed in the case of church discipline of a sinning member. To interpret them as promising believers a blank check for anything they might agree to ask God for, no matter how sinful or foolish, not only does not fit the context of church discipline, but it denies the rest of Scripture, especially the sovereignty of God.
In addition, to believe that when “two or three are gathered” to pray, some kind of magical power boost is automatically applied to our prayers is not biblically supportable. Of course Jesus is present when two or three pray, but He is equally present when one believer prays alone, even if that person is separated from others by thousands of miles. Corporate prayer is important because it creates unity (John 17:22-23), and is a key aspect of believers’ encouraging one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11) and spurring one another on to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24).
Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/corporate-prayer.html#ixzz2k4lJ6WOS
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
A time of worship as we honor our Veterans
This week we paused in thankfulness as we honor every man and women who have served our country. We gave tribute on Veterans Day - November 11, 2013 Here is a portion of a time of worship that blessed my soul. I hope it encourages your faith today:
Monday, November 11, 2013
Veterans Day 2013 - A Tribute
On the Veterans Day 2013 - I give tribute to those who have served and to those serving in our armed forces to preserve our freedom.. THANK YOU!
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Reflection of my message today - This is the truth....
God is so good! I am confident in my heart that God met with us in power this morning. Here is a reflection of my message today:
More than 50 years have passed since Jesus' death on a cross and His subsequent resurrection, and throughout the Roman world at the close of the 1st century the disciples of Jesus and their disciples have spread His message and built a thriving church. But after the great fire of Rome occurred on July 19, AD 64, the Caesar Nero blamed this growing religious sect known as "Christians" for the fire. He did that to combat doubts about the part he had in causing the fire. What a brilliant strategy — blame the Christians — they were trouble anyway claiming that God was greater than all other gods, and greater than Caesar as well. The Roman world was a world filled with gods and was inclusive of the Gods of people conquered into the Empire. Yet in spite of their claim that Jesus was the only way, Christianity continued to grow.
Here is a great overview of the teaching series I closed today:
This is written from God's perspective to the seven churches mentioned in Revelation 2-3 as a whole. My hope is that this maybe inspires you because we are the church and we are called to be the body of Christ to the world. Satan will tell us that we are not worth it and that we have no chance of making any difference but God's Word reminds us that Satan and the world have been overcome by the power and blood of the perfect lamb, Jesus Christ. That same power lives inside of us and gives us the victory. All that is left is for us to take action. So let us arise, church, for the the battle is won and the victory is ours!
Blessings and peace to you.
Enjoy.
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Preparing for Worship on Sunday Nov. 10, 2013
I am really excited about tomorrow at NRN! This has been a week of struggle and I have wrestled with the passage of Scripture I will share on Sunday. We are bringing the current teaching series to a close. Sensing the leading of the Lord I am combining two messages into one and plan to preach no longer than 40 minutes. I pray that God draws people to the church to hear the word of God. God has pierced my heart with such powerful truths and I am compelled to share. The order of worship has been revised to allow a little more time for the preaching portion of the worship. I am excited about what I sense in my spirit that God has planned for us. We make our plans - put God has the last word.
As we go tot he Lord in prayer we offer our thanks and adoration to our Great God. He alone is worthy of our worship! We plan to also pause to express appreciation to all those who have served and all whoa re currently serving in our armed forces to preserve our freedom to assemble together for worship. On this Veterans Day weekend in 2013 we pay tribute to those who serve on our behalf.
Exciting things are happening at our church. We will share about the opportunities to connect and to serve. As we present our offerings to the Lord we honor Him in song:
Join us this Sunday at NRN. Come with a heart prepared to meet with God.
As we go tot he Lord in prayer we offer our thanks and adoration to our Great God. He alone is worthy of our worship! We plan to also pause to express appreciation to all those who have served and all whoa re currently serving in our armed forces to preserve our freedom to assemble together for worship. On this Veterans Day weekend in 2013 we pay tribute to those who serve on our behalf.
Exciting things are happening at our church. We will share about the opportunities to connect and to serve. As we present our offerings to the Lord we honor Him in song:
Join us this Sunday at NRN. Come with a heart prepared to meet with God.
Friday, November 8, 2013
Preparing for this Sunday at NRN - a good news - bad news message
As I prepare for this Sunday at NRN I face a big task. I am planning to conclude the current teaching series:
"Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Over the past few weeks we have examined the messages to the churches of Revelation. This coming Sunday I am planning to concise two messages into one and bring a good news - bad news account. We will look at the letters to the churches in Philadelphia and Laodicea. Here is a preview of the messages to these churches. Come on Sunday to hear the sermon God has placed upon my heart.
"Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
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