ILAGAN BAPTIST CHURCH SERMON OUTLINES
A Prayerful Local Church
Text: Acts 4:31-37 IBCSS May 11, 2008
Preacher: Pastor Jose B. Cabajar
A local church with prayerful members is certainly a powerful congregation. Christians who have unwavering communication with the Lord are strong and wisdom-filled servants of the Lord Jesus Christ. The hands of the Lord are with them and they are guided according to His blessed will. Prayerful believers are delightful to God and they enjoy the Lord’s loving-favor.
The Church in Jerusalem exemplified a prayerful church and the great power of God was manifested through the believers’ lives. In Acts 2:42-43, it is written, And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. (KJV) We really need powerful ministries in this truth-rejecting world.
Local churches must be encouraged to become watchful and prayerful so they may not become weak and easily influenced by world-friendly ways. Many Christian ministries today are struggling to survive because their supporters have become lukewarm and their indifferent attitude is leading them to stagnancy and unfruitfulness. The Bible says in I Corinthians 15:58, Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. (KJV) We must keep on praying to God that He may touch the hearts of His people so they may be revived spiritually and abound in the works of the Lord.
A careful study on the amazing results of prayer in the ministry will surely stir our hearts to be more prayerful and thankful to God. Be prayerful and expect great things from God.
(I) The Visible Results
Acts 4:31-37 Acts 2:43
-The presence of the Holy Ghost
The powerful presence of the Holy Ghost is always felt in the midst of prayerful Christians. In Acts 4:31, it says, And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. (KJV) What a visible and powerful results of group prayer.
Evidently, a local church with consistent prayer meeting is a strong ministry, but believers who belittle the importance of prayer meeting are people who are easily led by the deceitfulness of sin.
-Boldness to speak the Word of God
Behind the boldness to speak the Word of Truth is a strong prayer life. Prayer is a courage builder and he who prays unceasingly will never be panic-stricken when confronted by fear-producing situation. Prayerful believers are fearless witnesses of the Lord. Through their ministries, many will be led to the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
-United hearts
Believers who pray together will stay together having united hearts in the Lord. They have one desire, that is to serve the Lord wholeheartedly. In Acts 4:32, it is written, And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. (KJV)
It is heart-breaking to see many churches today being weakened and becoming unfruitful because of division. But we thank God because there is still a way to become united, and that is through praying together. Be faithful in attending prayer meetings and be a contributor of strength to your local church.
-Great grace
Great grace bestowed upon prayerful believers produces great accomplishments in the ministry. Acts 4:33 says, And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. (KJV) Be prayerful, and surely, you will experience and enjoy unbelievable fruits of God’s grace in your life.
-Caring attitude
A prayerful believer is a caring servant of the Lord. God hears his prayers for others and he delights to see others being blessed by his unselfish prayers. In Acts 4:34-35, Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. (KJV)
-Sacrificial attitude
He who prays fervently and enjoys deep communion with the Lord will understand the value of sacrificial giving. He gives with significance because his heart is fully controlled by the Holy Ghost.
-The power of God
Acts 4:5:1-16 Acts 4:33
Prayerful Christians are undeniably men of faith and they are the kind of people whom God uses to show His great power especially to the unbelieving people. The power of God is beyond man’s limitations and he who puts his trust in the Omnipotent God will surely do astounding achievements for the glory of God.
The devil knows the power of God, but still he wants to test us individually, as a family and as a congregation. He wants us to be humiliated before his eyes. In Luke 22:31-32, It is written, And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. (KJV) These verses remind us of the power of prayer and the unfailing faith we need as we serve the Lord.
True Christians should pray for one another and encourage one another to pray fervently for the power of God to be manifested through believers’ lives and through Christian ministries. As we stand side by side and march against our unnumbered foes, may we take time to pray to the Lord for His empowerment. We must keep in mind that a powerful Church is composed of prayerful believers.
ILAGAN BAPTIST CHURCH
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