1. God hears our prayers.

Prayer catapults us onto the frontier of the spiritual life. Of all the Spiritual Disciplines prayer is the most central because it ushers us into perpetual communion with the Father.- Richard J. Foster, Celebrations of the Discipline Pg. 33

Weekly pre-service prayer on Sunday @ 8am
Weekly Saturday men’s prayer @ 7am
The prayer chain
Monthly prayer breakfast

2. It’s all about the message.

John and Elijah
Same Clothes (Matthew 3:4, 2 kings 1:8)
Reproved Kings (Luke 3:18-20, 1 Kings 18:17-19)
Wanted dead by the wives of kings (Matthew 14:1-12, 1 Kings 19:1-4)
Called people to repent (Luke 3:1-14, 1 Kings 18:20-40)

“The Gospel shows people their wounds and bestows on them love. It shows them their bondage and supplies the hammer to knock away their chains. It shows them their nakedness and provides them the garments of purity. It shows them their poverty and pours into their lives the wealth of heaven. It shows them their sins and points them to the Savior.” ― Billy Graham

3. Our disbelief has consequences.

Sermon Discussion Questions

1. God heard and answered Zechariah and Elizabeth's prayer. Can you share a time God answered your prayer?

2. Do you think prayers "expire"?

3. What is one way that you can deepen your prayer life?

4. What is the message of the gospel, and why is it important?

5. How can we help others prepare for the coming of the Lord?

6. Have you ever experienced a time when you did not believe in God, and consequences followed? What happened?