Acts 21:1-15
From the very inception of Paul’s call to faith, there on that dusty Damascene road; this former persecutor of those who followed the Way was himself shown by the Lord “...how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake” (Acts 9:16). The legacy of this man’s life was nothing short of faithfulness unto the Lord. He was sold out to Christ with a one-track mind to finish the course appointed him.
During his third missionary journey, Paul received a number of prophetic warnings from multiple sources, all confirming the same thing that bonds and afflictions awaited him upon his return to Jerusalem. Many pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem so as to spare him from the danger that awaited him there. Paul’s response was decisive and final…he’d purposed to go up to Jerusalem and to there finish the course appointed Him by the Lord! May the Lord grant us such faithful unswerving conviction to ever do what is right by our God no matter what the cost!
Matthew 6:25-34
Some things I find in life are easier said than done. As human beings, we’re generally better at giving advice than we are at taking it! How many times have we heard the saying (and no doubt probably said it ourselves), “What’s the point in worrying? It won’t change anything...”, and yet we continue right on worrying! What is worry but a manifestation of fear on account of uncertainty?
In this sermon, we dig into the Scriptures and allow the Word of God to generate faith by looking at the great providential hand of God towards His children. What have we to fear, if God be for us? Let us cast our cares upon Him and bring our burdens to the Lord in prayer, finding in place of worry, a place of sweet relief.
Matthew 14:23
Could it be that corporate prayer is so lacking in the Church today because God’s people have not first been found in private prayer? It is my conviction and that also of the Scriptures; God’s people ought to have an appetite for prayer. I say appetite because it’s not a laborious thing. Is it laborious to eat? If you’ve no taste buds...ye.! But God has given us a wonderful pallet so that we can enjoy the many tastes and flavours, so that even though we must eat, we want to eat, and the whole experience is a most enjoyable one!! Tell me, have you an appetite for prayer? There is much instruction in the New Testament concerning praying for others; if we care enough for others, we’ll pray enough for others. Yet private prayer is much more than a list of names and needs. Prayer is personal and as such, when you and I go into our closets and shut the door, the most intimate exchange ought to take place in fellowship with God as we bear the secrets of our hearts to our heavenly Father, aided by the help of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord stir our hearts to get alone from the business of this world and to spend time with Him in prayer.
Nehemiah 9:1-3
In Nehemiah’s day, the children of Israel did something that is seldom is heard today – they confessed their sins to God. Yet in their confession, they did not attempt to apportion blame to another, but rather, they owned responsibility for their sin and ascribe greatness to God in His chastening hand of judgment!! The true mark of sincere and genuine confession is the absence of excuses and if the bedrock of confession is faulty, then repentance upon which it rests will also be faulty and no true fruit will follow. May God help us to get a hold on the heart of true confession, that we might return again to Him in true repentance.