Riverside Church
Pastor Jim preaches of the basics of the faith.
Principle
Defined as a general truth or law, basic to other truths, law or rule of personal conduct
Matthew 6:1-15 HCSB
Romans 15:30-33 HCSB
When you pray do you . . .
Talk to the Lord throughout your day?
Usually go to a certain place?
Read the Word of God?
Pray for things in a particular order? Randomly? Spend time telling the Lord what He means to you?
Do you write your prayer requests?
Is His Presence a comfort to you?
Are you fearful about the future? Do you lack confidence that God hears you when you cry out to Him?
Do you awaken of a morning with an excitement to meet the Lord and the day?
Do you believe this is your day or His day?
I. There is a Requirement
A. Priority of Prayer Matthew 6:1-15
B. Practices of Prayer (A.C.T.S.)
A C T S
Adoration Psalms 145-150; 22:27
Praising Him for Who He Is
Confession Psalm 66:18; I John 1:9
Praying in agreement with the truth that my sin sets me against Him and breaks fellowship with Him
Thanksgiving Philippians 4:6; Psalm 100:14; I Thessalonians 5:18
Praising Him for what He has given
Supplication Hebrews 4:15-16; John 14:13-14
Praying for my needs and the needs of my family
Intercession, prayer for others James 5:14-20; John 17
Building a Hedge of Thorns
1. Do I know Jesus Christ as my Savior? Romans 3:2; 6:23
2. Is there anything in my life that would keep me from hearing the Lord? Do I need to confess sin?
a. Perfect (Complete, Whole, Mature)
b. Just
c. Fears God
d. Hates evil
3. ‘Bind’ Satan and Build the Hedge of Thorns Mark 3:27
4. Rebuild Fellowship Hosea 2: 6-16
a. Draw away from ungodly influences
- He or she will lose direction
- Others will lose interest
- He or she will return to the Lord
b. Use gentle and loving words to restore
c. Invest in future goals, security and needs
5. Replace Satan's deceptions with God‘s Truth
Satan's Reasonings
Rejection
Independence
Guilt
Bitterness
Anger
Habits, Lust
God's Way
Acceptance
Protection
Clear Conscience
Forgiveness
Rights to God
Moral Freedom
6. Bring every thought captive to Christ II Cor. 10:5
II. Meeting God Daily
A. Privately
B. Powerfully
Benefits and Cautions for Fasting
Fasting will cause our thoughts to become agreeable with God's thoughts.
Fasting gives an uninterrupted, concentrated effort to prayer and Bible Study.
Fasting releases God's will for us and others.
Fasting is not intended to achieve selfish purposes. Is . 58:3-5
Fasting is not intended to impress others. Zechariah 7:5; Matthew 6:16-18; Luke 17:10; Romans 3:27
III. Intercession - Meeting God on Behalf of Others
A. Privilege of Prayer John 14:13-15; Romans 8:26-27,34
B. Partners in Prayer Romans 15:3-33