Dupree Baptist Church
  • Home
  • Pastor's Page
  • Family of God
  • Contact Information
  • Extras

Praying the Word

8/13/2023

0 Comments

 
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." John 15:5-7

The Word remains in us if we allow it. We have to choose to live/abide in the Word.

How should we pray?

"One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”
2 He said to them, “When you pray, say:
“‘Father,[a]
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.[b]
3 Give us each day our daily bread.
4 Forgive us our sins,
    for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.[c]
And lead us not into temptation.[d]’” Luke 11:1-5

The Lord's Prayer is an example. Yes, you can pray it, but it was given to us by Jesus to show us how to pray. 

Just saying stuff it say it doesn't count. Don't just babble on. Go off by yourself and pray.

Pray Continuously


16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6

Whether life is good or bad, thank God. 

Shut out the Word by Abiding in the Word.

7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." John 15:7

31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.
 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 NIV

31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,
 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 ESV

Begin Prayer with Reading/Praying Scripture Aloud


O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
    you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
    and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
    behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
5 You hem me in, behind and before,
    and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
    it is high; I cannot attain it.

7 Where shall I go from your Spirit?
    Or where shall I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
    If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
9 If I take the wings of the morning
    and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 even there your hand shall lead me,
    and your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
    and the light about me be night,”
12 even the darkness is not dark to you;
    the night is bright as the day,
    for darkness is as light with you.

13 For you formed my inward parts;
    you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.[a]
Wonderful are your works;
    my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
    intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
    the days that were formed for me,
    when as yet there was none of them.

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
    How vast is the sum of them!
18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
    I awake, and I am still with you." Psalm 139:1-18

When you begin prayer with Reading the Word, 2 things happen: you get into the Word and you learn about God. And it helps you focus!

Application: 

1. Find a place to pray.


16 But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray." Luke 5:16

2. Clear the clutter from your mind. Get out of the World and into the Word.

2 Do not be conformed to this world,[a] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.[b]" Romans 12:2

3. Pray the Word out loud.

13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise." James 5:13

4. Think about the Words.

8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." Joshua 1:8

Jesus used scripture as a response to Satan.

Take it all to the Father!

14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him." 1 john 5:14-15

0 Comments

The Sword of the Spirit

10/7/2018

0 Comments

 
(This is the fourth in a sermon series on the armor of God. I forgot to bring the recorder this week so I can only give you notes.)

"Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:17

The Sword of the Spirit is an offensive weapon. The Word of God is our offensive weapon against the spiritual forces that are against God and His kingdom.

Paul was very familiar with Roman armor and swords since he was guarded by Roman soldiers 24-7. The Roman sword was called a gladius.

Picture
It was a typical weapon for a Roman infantry soldier. See picture on right. It was a two-edged sword, very sharp, cut both ways.

It had two roles:

To Parry= a deflection of the enemy's weapons.

​To Thurst/Slash= offensive move -- used on the attack.

We are supposed to attack satan and his kingdom with the Word of God.

The Word of God Attributes:

It is Perfect.


"The law of the Lord is perfect,
    refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
    making wise the simple." Psalm 19:7

It is Inerrant.

“Every word of God is flawless;

    he is a shield to those who take refuge in him." Proverbs 30:5

It is complete.

 "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll.
 19 And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll." Revelation 22:18-19

It is sufficient.

"All Scripture is God-breathed
 and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,"
2 Timothy 3:16

It is alive and active.

'For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Hebrews 4:12-13

Jesus used the Word of God (If Jesus Himself who is the Word of God used it, how much more do we need to use it when we are attacked spiritually?)

In Matthew 4, Satan first attacks Jesus by telling Him to turn the stones into loaves of bread.

Jesus replies with a parry stroke (a deflection of the enemy's weapon). 

 "Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[a]” Matthew 4:4

Then, Satan tries to use the word against Jesus. Jesus again parries with the Sword of the Spirit.

"Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[a]”" Matthew 4:7

And finally, Satan tells him to serve satan and Satan will make it easy for Jesus. Jesus uses a thurst, an offensive move. He attacks Satan with the Word of God.

"Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[a]” Matthew 4:10

Soldiers constantly train with their weapons to get better with them and to stay skilled with them. We too need to train in the specific use of the Word.

"Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." Romans 10:17

Paul stayed to share the Word of Christ. He stayed till his job was done.

"He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”" Luke 11:28

"Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation," 1 Peter 2:2

We have to be craving the Word.

How much time do you spend in the Word?  The Word should be well-worn.

In addition to the joy and blessing of it, of God speaking directly to us through the Word, think about the planning and the intention it took for God to provide us with the Word of God; to give us the perfect sword; a creation we can hold (and read) in our hands.

It gets harder and sharper the more you work with it. Layers upon layers of wisdom.

The only problem is we don't spend enough time in it. 

We're at war.

Why aren't we sharpening our swords?  What aren't we training with it?

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel,
 because it is the power of Godthat brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile." Romans 1:16

​What are you doing with it?




​

0 Comments

    RSS Feed

    Picture

    Shannon Hinrichs

    Dupree Baptist Church Pastor

    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    October 2015

    Categories

    All
    Anticipation
    Baptism
    Bread
    Burdens
    Calling
    Children
    Christmas
    Commitment
    Community Outreach
    Compassion
    Contentment
    Courage
    Discipline
    Easter
    Faith
    Family
    Family Of God
    Father
    Fear
    Fishing
    Forgiveness
    Freedom
    Giving
    God
    God's Plan
    God's Word
    God The Father
    Gospel
    Grace
    Habit
    Holy Spirit
    Jesus
    Joy
    Judgment
    Love
    Maturity In Christ
    Mothers
    Mystery Of God
    Nation
    Obedience
    Patient
    Peace
    Perfection
    Philippians
    Praise
    Prayer
    Priorities
    Promises Of God
    Prophecy
    Responsibility
    Restoration
    Salvation
    Scripture
    Service
    Silence
    Spiritual Warfare
    Strength
    Thankful
    The Church
    Time
    Tongue
    Truth
    Unity
    VBS
    Word Of God
    Words
    Worry
    Worship

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.