75 Years of Faith: The Power of Prayer

 

Summary

Celebrating 75 years of ministry, we gather today to reflect on the journey of our church and the unwavering faithfulness of God. The torn temple veil symbolizes our direct access to God, a privilege we must not take for granted. God hears and answers our prayers, even when His responses challenge our understanding. Our limited vision often blinds us to His greater plan, but as we seek Him, our trust in His faithfulness grows. This celebration is not just about looking back but also about setting a course for the future, grounded in prayer and gratitude.

Prayer has been the cornerstone of our church's journey, guiding every decision and overcoming every challenge. It is not merely a value we profess but a central practice that fuels our spiritual engine. As we reflect on our history, we reaffirm our commitment to prayer, seeking to saturate every aspect of our lives with intimacy with Christ. This commitment has led to remarkable growth and transformation within our community, driven not by our efforts but by God's leading.

The Apostle Paul instructs us to devote ourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. An alert mind focuses on God's presence, declutters distractions, and fills itself with the wisdom of Jesus. A thankful heart fosters humility, contentment, trust, and peace, transforming our perspective and aligning us with God's will. As we celebrate, we are reminded that our future depends on our dedication to prayer, the engine that drives our church.

Today, as we partake in communion, we are invited to pray specifically for the ministries and people God places on our hearts. This act of prayer is a partnership with God, acknowledging His work on the cross and His ongoing work in our church. Let us commit to deepening our prayer lives, seeking God's guidance, and fulfilling His mission for the next 75 years and beyond.

Key Takeaways:

1. Direct Access to God: The torn temple veil signifies our privilege to seek God directly. This access is a gift we must cherish, as God hears and answers our prayers, even when His responses challenge our understanding. Our limited vision often blinds us to His greater plan, but as we seek Him, our trust in His faithfulness grows. [21:25]

2. Prayer as a Cornerstone: Prayer is not just a value but the cornerstone of our church's journey. It guides every decision and overcomes every challenge, fueling our spiritual engine. Our commitment to prayer has led to remarkable growth and transformation, driven by God's leading, not our efforts. [29:11]

3. Devotion to Prayer: The Apostle Paul instructs us to devote ourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. An alert mind focuses on God's presence, declutters distractions, and fills itself with the wisdom of Jesus. A thankful heart fosters humility, contentment, trust, and peace, aligning us with God's will. [35:32]

4. The Engine of Prayer: Prayer is the engine that drives our church. Our future depends on our dedication to prayer, as it fuels everything we do. We must prioritize prayer, not out of obligation, but from a deep, heartfelt desire to connect with God and fulfill His mission. [34:52]

5. Specific Prayer in Communion: As we partake in communion, we are invited to pray specifically for the ministries and people God places on our hearts. This act of prayer is a partnership with God, acknowledging His work on the cross and His ongoing work in our church. [43:06]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [21:25] - The Privilege of Seeking God
- [22:15] - Understanding God's Answers
- [23:00] - Celebrating God's Faithfulness
- [23:59] - Acknowledging Life's Challenges
- [25:11] - Vibrant Youth Ministry
- [26:04] - Day of Celebration
- [27:19] - 75 Years of Ministry
- [28:41] - Commitment to Prayer
- [29:24] - Visionary Goals and Values
- [30:33] - Centered in Prayer
- [31:35] - Growth Through Prayer
- [32:23] - Centered in God's Purposes
- [34:20] - The Engine of Prayer
- [35:32] - Devotion to Prayer
- [42:01] - Renewed Commitment to Prayer
- [43:06] - Specific Prayer in Communion

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Colossians 4:2 - "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."
2. Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
3. Proverbs 4:23 - "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."

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Observation Questions:

1. What does the torn temple veil symbolize in the context of our relationship with God? [21:25]
2. How has prayer been described as the cornerstone of the church's journey over the past 75 years? [29:11]
3. According to the sermon, what are the four components of an alert mind in prayer? [36:34]
4. What specific instructions does the Apostle Paul give regarding prayer in Colossians 4:2? [35:32]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of direct access to God through the torn temple veil challenge or enhance one's understanding of prayer? [21:25]
2. In what ways might a thankful heart, as described in the sermon, transform an individual's perspective on life's challenges? [38:40]
3. How does the sermon suggest that prayer acts as the "engine" of the church, and what implications does this have for the church's future? [34:52]
4. What might be the significance of praying specifically for ministries and people during communion, as mentioned in the sermon? [43:06]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your personal prayer life. How can you ensure that you are not taking your direct access to God for granted? [21:25]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of an alert mind in prayer. What practical steps can you take to declutter your mind and focus on God's presence this week? [36:34]
3. Consider the role of gratitude in your life. How can you cultivate a more thankful heart, especially in challenging situations? [38:40]
4. How can you incorporate prayer more intentionally into your daily routine to ensure it remains the "engine" of your spiritual life? [34:52]
5. During your next communion, what specific ministry or person will you commit to praying for, and why? [43:06]
6. Identify one area of your life where you feel God's guidance is needed. How will you seek His direction through prayer this week? [42:01]
7. Reflect on the past 75 years of the church's ministry. How can you contribute to its future growth and transformation through prayer and action? [29:11]

Devotional

Day 1: Cherishing Direct Access to God
Our direct access to God is a profound privilege, symbolized by the torn temple veil. This access allows us to communicate with God freely, knowing that He hears and answers our prayers. However, His responses may sometimes challenge our understanding, as our limited vision can obscure His greater plan. As we seek Him, our trust in His faithfulness grows, and we learn to appreciate the depth of this divine relationship. This privilege is not to be taken lightly, but cherished as a gift that deepens our spiritual journey. [21:25]

Hebrews 10:19-22 (ESV): "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."

Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally cherish and utilize your direct access to God today, especially in moments of uncertainty or doubt?


Day 2: Prayer as the Foundation of Our Journey
Prayer is not merely a value but the cornerstone of our church's journey. It guides every decision and overcomes every challenge, acting as the spiritual engine that fuels our growth and transformation. This commitment to prayer has led to remarkable changes within our community, driven by God's leading rather than our efforts. As we reflect on our history, we reaffirm our dedication to saturating every aspect of our lives with prayer, seeking intimacy with Christ and allowing His guidance to shape our path. [29:11]

Colossians 4:2 (ESV): "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."

Reflection: How can you incorporate prayer more deeply into your daily routine, ensuring it remains the foundation of your spiritual journey?


Day 3: Devotion with an Alert Mind and Thankful Heart
The Apostle Paul instructs us to devote ourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. An alert mind focuses on God's presence, declutters distractions, and fills itself with the wisdom of Jesus. A thankful heart fosters humility, contentment, trust, and peace, transforming our perspective and aligning us with God's will. This devotion is essential for spiritual growth, as it helps us remain centered in God's purposes and open to His guidance. [35:32]

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV): "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Reflection: What distractions can you remove from your life today to cultivate an alert mind and a thankful heart in your prayer life?


Day 4: Prayer as the Driving Force of Our Church
Prayer is the engine that drives our church, fueling everything we do. Our future depends on our dedication to prayer, as it is not just an obligation but a heartfelt desire to connect with God and fulfill His mission. By prioritizing prayer, we align ourselves with God's purposes and open ourselves to His transformative power. This commitment ensures that our church remains vibrant and focused on its mission for the next 75 years and beyond. [34:52]

Ephesians 6:18 (ESV): "Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints."

Reflection: How can you contribute to making prayer the driving force in your community, ensuring it remains central to your church's mission?


Day 5: Specific Prayer in Communion
As we partake in communion, we are invited to pray specifically for the ministries and people God places on our hearts. This act of prayer is a partnership with God, acknowledging His work on the cross and His ongoing work in our church. By committing to deepening our prayer lives, we seek God's guidance and fulfill His mission, ensuring that our church continues to thrive and serve its community effectively. [43:06]

James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."

Reflection: Who or what ministry can you specifically pray for today, asking God to guide and bless them in their journey?

Quotes



I am reminded of the wonderful privilege that you have given us that we get to seek you that the temple veil has been torn and we have been invited in to the holy of holies. Lord, we seek you but more than just seeking and not hearing or not having a response or not being heard, God, you hear us and you answer. [00:21:05]

Father, would you increase our understanding as we continue to seek you, as we continue to open ourselves up to more of what you have in store for us and the more we learn of you I am confident, God, that we will continue to put more and more in our trust in you because God, you're faithful. [00:22:16]

Prayer is the engine that will drive the church. Can I ask you this question, Church, do we believe that statement or do we align with that statement? What we claim to believe in our heads, the future will depend on our times of prayer. If we really believe that the future depends on the time that we spend in prayer. [00:34:52]

The Apostle Paul gives us some pretty clear instructions in how to fuel this engine. He says in Colossians 4:2, devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. To be devoted to something is not just a casual decision; it is a serious commitment. It is a choice to make it a priority, maybe better, the priority of our lives. [00:35:32]

We have been given the excellent task of making disciples of Jesus Christ and we know as those who have grown up in the church or walked in the life of the church, we've heard the instructions. We know the way in which to do that, right? It's we seek God with everything that we have, with all of our heart, with all of our soul, with all our mind, with all our strength. [00:32:59]

Several years ago, our church leadership gathered together in a season of prayer and planning as we evaluated where we were as a church and where we felt like God was leading us. In that season, we reaffirmed and clarified our mission that would lead us into the future. Along with that, we established some visionary goals over the next few years. [00:29:24]

We determined that we wanted to be a people who are centered in prayer. This wasn't just a cute little nice sentiment statement that we could write on a piece of paper so when somebody asks what we value most, we could simply say, oh, we value prayer. Unfortunately, sometimes in church, sometimes in life, that's what we do, right? [00:30:33]

Prayer is the very engine that fuels everything that we do. We dare not move forward any further in faith in any of the plans and purposes that God has for us unless we value this engine of prayer in our midst. So I want to take just a couple minutes and briefly tell you how we fuel this engine of prayer in our church. [00:36:44]

An alert mind has four pieces, four parts to it. First and foremost, it is a mind that is focused on the presence of God, right? It is fixed, as the scripture says, on God, on who he is, on what he is doing, and what he is saying. With that focus, we can begin to do the hard work of decluttering our minds, removing the distractions that get in the way. [00:37:48]

A thankful heart trusts. Trust in God increases and our doubt decreases. Finally, in a thankful heart, peace increases and worry decreases. I love the new Living Translation, Paul's words of the Philippians, don't worry about anything, right? We all want to say, you're right, right? That's one of those biblical things that we're like, okay, we know it's a good sentiment. [00:40:07]

As we celebrate our 75th anniversary as a church, I want us to do so with a renewed commitment to prayer. I think you've seen that over the last few weeks in our services, but you will see it more and experience it more, not only in our services but throughout the work of ministry and the life of our church, as least as I can lead it. [00:42:01]

Today, I want you to also spend some time praying for the church, but I don't want you to just pray generally. I want you to pray very specifically for the part of the church that God puts on your heart today. For one of you, it might be children's ministry; for somebody else, it's going to be youth ministry, maybe young adults or prime time. [00:43:06]

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Transcript
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