Christian Life Church
April 10, 2024 at 7:00 pm
PRAYING MEN OF THE BIBLE #3 PAUL – THE TEACHER OF PRAYER #4 THE PRAYERS OF PAUL – PART 1
Locations & Times
Christian Life Church Columbia
2700 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210, USA
Wednesday 6:30 PM
PRAYING MEN OF THE BIBLE APRIL 10, 2024
#3 PAUL – THE TEACHER OF PRAYER
Fletcher of Madeley, a great teacher of a century and a half ago, used to lecture to the young theological students. He was one of the fellow-workers with Wesley and a man of most saintly character. When he had lectured on one of the great topics of the Word of God, such as the Fullness of God's Holy Spirit or on the power and blessing that He meant His people to have, he would close the lecture and say, "That is the theory; now will those who want the practice come along up to my room!" And again and again they closed their books and went away to his room, where the hour's theory would be followed by one or two hours of prayer.
Rev. Hubert Brooke
SCRIPTURE
1Timothy 2:1-4 NIV I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people - 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
Philippians 4:6,7 NIV Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Central Truth: From the writings and teachings of Paul we clearly see the priority and importance he places on prayer for himself, the believer, and the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Who was Paul?
1/ Born a Roman citizen to Jewish parents in Tarsus (modern eastern Turkey) A.D. 6
2/Studied Torah in Jerusalem with Gamaliel; becomes a Pharisee A.D. 20-30
3/Persecuted followers of Jesus of Nazareth in Jerusalem and Judea A.D. 30-33
4/Converted on the way to Damascus; spends three years in Arabia; returns to Damascus to preach Jesus as Messiah A.D. 33-36
What did Paul do?
1/First missionary journey with Barnabas to Cyprus and Galatia A.D. 47-48
2/Paul argues successfully at the Council of Jerusalem that Gentile Christians need not follow Jewish law; confronts Peter over question of Jewish law A.D. 49
3/Second missionary journey with Silas, through Asia Minor and Greece; settles in Corinth; writes letters to Thessalonians A.D. 49-52
4/Begins Third missionary journey; stays in Ephesus; writes letters to Galatians and Corinthians A.D. 52-55
5/Travels through Greece and possibly Illyricum (modern Yugoslavia); writes letter to Romans A.D. 55-57
6/Returns to Jerusalem and arrested; imprisoned at Caesarea A.D. 57-59
7/ Appears before Festus and appeals to Caesar; voyage to Rome A.D. 59-60
8/Under house arrest at Rome; writes letters to Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon A.D. 60-62
9/Released; writes letters to Timothy and Titus A.D. 62-64
10/Returns to Rome; martyred during persecution A.D. 64
How was prayer a priority of Paul’s Life?
1/Paul communicated by writing, teaching, and living out the absolute necessity of prayer.
1Timothy 2:1-4, 8 NIV I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people - 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
8 Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.
2/Paul prayed everywhere and about everything.
Philippians 4:6 NIV Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
3/Paul continued steadfast in prayer without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, 17pray continually,18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Christian Life Lessons
1/We must be convinced, as Paul was, in the absolute necessity of prayer!
2/Prayer is elemental in seeing the Kingdom of God established in the earth, an indispensable factor in the spreading of the Gospel, and in the development of personal holiness.
3/Prayer must cover all things, be in every place, find itself in all seasons, and embrace everything, always, and everywhere.
4/Prayer-sacrifice is the forerunner and pledge of self-sacrifice. We must die in our closets before we can die on the cross!
PRAYING MEN OF THE BIBLE
#4 THE PRAYERS OF PAUL – PART 1
In the life of Frank Crossley it is told how one day in 1888 he had said good-bye at the station to his friends, General and Mrs. Booth; but before they steamed out he handed a letter to them giving details of a sacrifice he had resolved to make for the (Salvation) Army. He came home and was praying alone. “As I was praying,” he said, “there came over me the most extraordinary sense of joy. It was not exactly in my head, nor in my heart, it was almost a grasping of my chest by some strange hand that filled me with an ecstasy I never had before. It was borne in on me that this was the joy of the Lord.” So this servant of God made in his pilgrimage to God an advance from which he never fell back. He thought it likely at the time that the Booths had read this letter in the train and this was an answer to prayer of theirs; afterwards he heard they had prayed for him in the train just after getting west out of Manchester. Rev. Edward Shillito
Central Truth: Prayer which costs nothing gains nothing! Prayer must always engage and absorb us! Paul’s conviction of prayer was that it was a great responsibility, as well as, a solemn duty.
SCRIPTURE
1/ Prayer for revelation of Jesus' beauty and the Bride's destiny unto transforming our heart.
…the Father of glory, may give to you the SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND REVELATION IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the HOPE OF HIS CALLING, what are the riches of the GLORY OF HIS INHERITANCE IN THE SAINTS, and what is the exceeding GREATNESS OF HIS POWER TOWARD US. Ephesians 1:17-19
2/ Prayer for the release of supernatural strength in the heart unto experiencing God's emotions.
…that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, TO BE STRENGTHENED WITH MIGHT THROUGH HIS SPIRIT IN THE INNER MAN, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, MAY BE ABLE TO COMPREHEND with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:16-19
3/ Prayer for God's love to abound in our heart resulting in discernment and righteousness.
And this I pray, that YOUR LOVE MAY ABOUND still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may APPROVE THE THINGS THAT ARE EXCELLENT, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being FILLED WITH THE FRUITS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11
4/ Prayer to know God's will, to be fruitful in ministry and strengthened by intimacy with God.
We do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WILL in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may have a WALK WORTHY OF THE LORD, fully pleasing Him, BEING FRUITFUL in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; STRENGTHENED WITH ALL MIGHT, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. Colossians 1:9-12
Christian Life Lessons
1/ Apostolic prayers are God-centered and addressed to God (not the devil). God centered prayer, including spiritual warfare prayer is the model of the New Testament.
2/ Apostolic prayers are positive prayers asking God for the impartation of positive things instead of the removal of negative things. Positive praying brings unity to the church and healing to negative hearts.
3/ Apostolic prayers are usually for the church.
4/ Apostolic prayers focus our intercession on the release of a greater measure of the Holy Spirit and the release of a greater measure of justice.
5/ Apostolic prayers usually ride along three themes.
a. The fruit or character of God
b. The wisdom of God
c. The gifts of God
#3 PAUL – THE TEACHER OF PRAYER
Fletcher of Madeley, a great teacher of a century and a half ago, used to lecture to the young theological students. He was one of the fellow-workers with Wesley and a man of most saintly character. When he had lectured on one of the great topics of the Word of God, such as the Fullness of God's Holy Spirit or on the power and blessing that He meant His people to have, he would close the lecture and say, "That is the theory; now will those who want the practice come along up to my room!" And again and again they closed their books and went away to his room, where the hour's theory would be followed by one or two hours of prayer.
Rev. Hubert Brooke
SCRIPTURE
1Timothy 2:1-4 NIV I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people - 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
Philippians 4:6,7 NIV Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Central Truth: From the writings and teachings of Paul we clearly see the priority and importance he places on prayer for himself, the believer, and the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Who was Paul?
1/ Born a Roman citizen to Jewish parents in Tarsus (modern eastern Turkey) A.D. 6
2/Studied Torah in Jerusalem with Gamaliel; becomes a Pharisee A.D. 20-30
3/Persecuted followers of Jesus of Nazareth in Jerusalem and Judea A.D. 30-33
4/Converted on the way to Damascus; spends three years in Arabia; returns to Damascus to preach Jesus as Messiah A.D. 33-36
What did Paul do?
1/First missionary journey with Barnabas to Cyprus and Galatia A.D. 47-48
2/Paul argues successfully at the Council of Jerusalem that Gentile Christians need not follow Jewish law; confronts Peter over question of Jewish law A.D. 49
3/Second missionary journey with Silas, through Asia Minor and Greece; settles in Corinth; writes letters to Thessalonians A.D. 49-52
4/Begins Third missionary journey; stays in Ephesus; writes letters to Galatians and Corinthians A.D. 52-55
5/Travels through Greece and possibly Illyricum (modern Yugoslavia); writes letter to Romans A.D. 55-57
6/Returns to Jerusalem and arrested; imprisoned at Caesarea A.D. 57-59
7/ Appears before Festus and appeals to Caesar; voyage to Rome A.D. 59-60
8/Under house arrest at Rome; writes letters to Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon A.D. 60-62
9/Released; writes letters to Timothy and Titus A.D. 62-64
10/Returns to Rome; martyred during persecution A.D. 64
How was prayer a priority of Paul’s Life?
1/Paul communicated by writing, teaching, and living out the absolute necessity of prayer.
1Timothy 2:1-4, 8 NIV I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people - 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
8 Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.
2/Paul prayed everywhere and about everything.
Philippians 4:6 NIV Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
3/Paul continued steadfast in prayer without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, 17pray continually,18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Christian Life Lessons
1/We must be convinced, as Paul was, in the absolute necessity of prayer!
2/Prayer is elemental in seeing the Kingdom of God established in the earth, an indispensable factor in the spreading of the Gospel, and in the development of personal holiness.
3/Prayer must cover all things, be in every place, find itself in all seasons, and embrace everything, always, and everywhere.
4/Prayer-sacrifice is the forerunner and pledge of self-sacrifice. We must die in our closets before we can die on the cross!
PRAYING MEN OF THE BIBLE
#4 THE PRAYERS OF PAUL – PART 1
In the life of Frank Crossley it is told how one day in 1888 he had said good-bye at the station to his friends, General and Mrs. Booth; but before they steamed out he handed a letter to them giving details of a sacrifice he had resolved to make for the (Salvation) Army. He came home and was praying alone. “As I was praying,” he said, “there came over me the most extraordinary sense of joy. It was not exactly in my head, nor in my heart, it was almost a grasping of my chest by some strange hand that filled me with an ecstasy I never had before. It was borne in on me that this was the joy of the Lord.” So this servant of God made in his pilgrimage to God an advance from which he never fell back. He thought it likely at the time that the Booths had read this letter in the train and this was an answer to prayer of theirs; afterwards he heard they had prayed for him in the train just after getting west out of Manchester. Rev. Edward Shillito
Central Truth: Prayer which costs nothing gains nothing! Prayer must always engage and absorb us! Paul’s conviction of prayer was that it was a great responsibility, as well as, a solemn duty.
SCRIPTURE
1/ Prayer for revelation of Jesus' beauty and the Bride's destiny unto transforming our heart.
…the Father of glory, may give to you the SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND REVELATION IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the HOPE OF HIS CALLING, what are the riches of the GLORY OF HIS INHERITANCE IN THE SAINTS, and what is the exceeding GREATNESS OF HIS POWER TOWARD US. Ephesians 1:17-19
2/ Prayer for the release of supernatural strength in the heart unto experiencing God's emotions.
…that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, TO BE STRENGTHENED WITH MIGHT THROUGH HIS SPIRIT IN THE INNER MAN, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, MAY BE ABLE TO COMPREHEND with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:16-19
3/ Prayer for God's love to abound in our heart resulting in discernment and righteousness.
And this I pray, that YOUR LOVE MAY ABOUND still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may APPROVE THE THINGS THAT ARE EXCELLENT, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being FILLED WITH THE FRUITS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11
4/ Prayer to know God's will, to be fruitful in ministry and strengthened by intimacy with God.
We do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WILL in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may have a WALK WORTHY OF THE LORD, fully pleasing Him, BEING FRUITFUL in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; STRENGTHENED WITH ALL MIGHT, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. Colossians 1:9-12
Christian Life Lessons
1/ Apostolic prayers are God-centered and addressed to God (not the devil). God centered prayer, including spiritual warfare prayer is the model of the New Testament.
2/ Apostolic prayers are positive prayers asking God for the impartation of positive things instead of the removal of negative things. Positive praying brings unity to the church and healing to negative hearts.
3/ Apostolic prayers are usually for the church.
4/ Apostolic prayers focus our intercession on the release of a greater measure of the Holy Spirit and the release of a greater measure of justice.
5/ Apostolic prayers usually ride along three themes.
a. The fruit or character of God
b. The wisdom of God
c. The gifts of God