Embracing Prayer and Inclusivity in Our Faith Journey
Summary
In my sermon today, I began by addressing the congregation's experience with the rearranged seating, which was part of our shift in focus towards a significant aspect of our faith journey. I introduced the concept of our annual "One Church" series, where we collectively seek God's movement in a specific area of need within our church. This year, we embarked on a 40-day prayer journey, emphasizing the power and importance of prayer in our relationship with God and its practical impact on our lives. To guide us, we are using Mark Batterson's book "Draw the Circle" as a companion to deepen our engagement with Scripture, not as a replacement for the Bible.
I shared my personal experience from 2017 when I undertook a 40-day prayer journey during a time of struggle and doubt. Despite being a pastor, I was not immune to the existential crises that can affect anyone's faith. I committed to praying with the belief that God would hear and respond, and I was graced with a profound sense of God's presence throughout that period.
The sermon then delved into the story of Cornelius from Acts chapter 10. Cornelius, a Roman centurion, was described as devout, God-fearing, generous to the poor, and one who prayed regularly to God. His story is significant because it demonstrates that God's blessings and salvation are available to all who faithfully pray, regardless of their background or ethnicity.
I recounted how Peter was instructed by God to meet Cornelius and treat him as an equal, despite the cultural and religious barriers of the time. This meeting led to the first Gentile conversion, as Cornelius and his household received the Holy Spirit and were baptized, illustrating the inclusivity of the gospel and the power of prayer.
I encouraged the congregation to consider what they would pray for during our 40-day journey, emphasizing the importance of having a specific target for our prayers. I used the example of Honi, who prayed boldly for rain during a drought, to inspire us to approach God with boldness and faith.
Finally, I addressed the concerning trend of declining church attendance and introduced our collective prayer focus: praying over the empty chairs in our church. We are not seeking to fill seats for our own glory but to reach out to those who are not yet part of our community, that they may come to know Jesus.
Key Takeaways:
1. The act of rearranging our seating serves as a physical representation of our readiness to embrace change and focus on the spiritual journey ahead. Just as we adapt to new perspectives in our physical space, we must also be willing to shift our spiritual posture to align with God's purposes. [18:10]
2. Personal struggles and doubts in faith are not unique to the congregation but are also experienced by church leaders. These challenges can become pivotal moments that deepen our reliance on prayer and our experience of God's presence. [24:08]
3. Cornelius's story is a powerful testament to the fact that God's love and salvation extend beyond cultural and religious boundaries. His devout life and regular prayers set a precedent for us to follow, demonstrating that our background does not limit God's grace. [30:37]
4. The vision given to Peter about clean and unclean animals symbolizes the breaking down of barriers between Jews and Gentiles. This teaches us that God's plan for salvation through Jesus Christ is inclusive and reconciles all of humanity to Himself. [40:22]
5. As we pray over the empty chairs in our church, we are reminded that our prayers are not for our own glory but for the expansion of God's kingdom. We trust that God will use our church to impact the lives of those around us and bring them into a saving relationship with Him. [53:59]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Acts 10:1-2, 44-48 (ESV)
- In Caesarea there lived a Roman army officer named Cornelius, who was a captain of the Italian Regiment. He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was everyone in his household. He gave generously to the poor and prayed regularly to God.
- Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. For they heard them speaking in other tongues and praising God. Then Peter asked, “Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?” So he gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterward, Cornelius asked him to stay with them for several days.
2. Matthew 6:6 (ESV)
- But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
3. James 1:17 (ESV)
- Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
Observation Questions:
1. What characteristics of Cornelius are highlighted in Acts 10:1-2, and how do they reflect his relationship with God?
2. In Acts 10:44-48, what was the response of the Jewish believers to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles, and what actions did Peter take as a result?
3. According to Matthew 6:6, where does Jesus instruct us to pray, and what is the promise associated with this practice?
4. Reflecting on James 1:17, what does this passage tell us about the nature of God's gifts to His children?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Cornelius in Acts 10 challenge the idea of cultural and religious barriers in the context of God's blessings?
2. What does the baptism of Cornelius and his household signify about the inclusivity of the gospel?
3. Considering Jesus' instructions in Matthew 6:6, what might be the significance of praying in a private space rather than in public?
4. How can we reconcile the truth of James 1:17 with the experience of unanswered prayers or periods of spiritual drought?
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own prayer life. What specific time and place can you set aside this week to pray as Jesus instructed in Matthew 6:6?
2. In light of Cornelius's example, identify a specific action you can take this week to demonstrate generosity and God-fearing behavior in your community.
3. Considering the transformation in Cornelius's household, how can you foster an environment that encourages faith and prayer in your own home or among your close relationships?
4. Think of a situation where you are waiting for a response to prayer. How can you actively trust in the goodness of God as described in James 1:17 during this period of waiting?
5. Identify an "empty chair" in your life—someone who does not yet know Jesus. What specific prayer will you commit to for this person over the next 40 days?
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Change for Spiritual Growth
Change is often uncomfortable, but it is a necessary part of growth, especially in our spiritual lives. The act of rearranging seating in the church is more than a mere shift in where one sits; it is a symbolic gesture that reflects a deeper willingness to embrace change in pursuit of spiritual transformation. This physical repositioning can serve as a catalyst for individuals to re-evaluate their spiritual posture and readiness to align with God's purposes. It is an invitation to view the world from a different vantage point, to see others and oneself in a new light, and to anticipate the work God will do in and through a community that is open to His leading.
"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:19 ESV)
Reflection: What change in your spiritual life have you been resisting, and how can you begin to embrace it today? [07:40]
Day 2: Finding God in the Midst of Doubt
Doubt and struggle are not signs of a weak faith; rather, they can be the very soil from which a deeper, more resilient faith grows. Leaders and laypeople alike experience these challenges, and it is through earnest prayer and seeking God's presence that one finds strength and reassurance. When faced with existential crises, the commitment to pray with the expectation that God hears and responds can lead to a profound sense of His presence and work in one's life. This journey through doubt can ultimately deepen one's reliance on God and enhance the understanding of His faithfulness.
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to experience God's strength in your weakness, and how can you seek His presence in that struggle today? [24:08]
Day 3: God's Grace Beyond Boundaries
The story of Cornelius in Acts chapter 10 is a powerful reminder that God's grace and salvation are not confined by cultural, ethnic, or religious boundaries. Cornelius, a Roman centurion, was a devout man who prayed regularly, and his life exemplifies that faithfulness to God is recognized and blessed, regardless of one's background. This account encourages believers to understand that God's love is universal and that His grace is available to all who seek Him with a sincere heart. It challenges the faithful to live a life of devotion and to trust in the inclusivity of God's saving grace.
"And Peter opened his mouth and said: 'Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.'" (Acts 10:34-35 ESV)
Reflection: How can you demonstrate the inclusivity of God's love in your interactions with people who are different from you? [30:37]
Day 4: Breaking Down Barriers Through Christ
The vision given to Peter about clean and unclean animals was a divine message that shattered the existing barriers between Jews and Gentiles. It revealed God's plan for an inclusive salvation through Jesus Christ, one that reconciles all of humanity to Himself. This message is a call for believers to recognize that the gospel is not limited to a specific group but is a gift offered to every person. It is an invitation to participate in God's reconciling work by treating all individuals as equals and by sharing the message of Christ's love and redemption with everyone.
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28 ESV)
Reflection: What barriers do you need to overcome to treat others as equals in Christ, and what steps can you take to begin breaking them down today? [40:22]
Day 5: Praying for Kingdom Expansion
Praying over the empty chairs in a church is not about filling seats for the sake of numbers; it is about reaching out to those who are not yet part of the faith community so that they may come to know Jesus. This act of prayer is a commitment to the expansion of God's kingdom and a demonstration of trust that God will use the church to impact the lives of others. It is a call to be intentional in prayer, to seek God's guidance in reaching out, and to be open to the ways He will bring people into a saving relationship with Him.
"And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none." (Ezekiel 22:30 ESV)
Reflection: Who can you specifically pray for today that they might come to know the love and salvation of Jesus Christ? [53:59]
Quotes
1) "I would much rather you, at the end of this 40-day journey, tell someone else about the time you drew a circle, about the time you positioned yourself, about a time where you climbed up the watchtower, and that you poured your heart in prayer, and that you would give it all to God." [51:11]
2) "As a church, this is where our one big ask comes from because I want you to know, I want you to pick something personally, but as a church, we have to address something that is a major issue, and you've probably been painfully aware of it." [52:22]
3) "I firmly believe that if we are committed to prayer, if we are regularly praying to God, that God will give you good. I say that with boldness and confidence, that God will, not God can, not God is able, not God might, but I firmly believe that if we are committed to prayer, God will give you good." [36:24]
4) "I took Him up on that promise, that challenge, and I began praying diligently to God for 40 days in one of the stages of my faith where I felt at my lowest." [25:38]
5) "I want to simply ask you, what is it that for the next 40 days you are going to precisely pray for? Because I think you need to have some kind of target. You can't just climb up on the watchtower and constantly spinning and not knowing what it is that you ought to be looking for." [48:56]
6) "We're praying over the empty chair. And as a church our students they have empty chairs that they're praying for and not just that God would build up their classroom, but because of the people who ought to be sitting in there that God loves them that God would wish for us to meet them as mutual." [55:16]
7) "God's holy divine purpose is to reconcile the entire world to him through the blood of Jesus Christ. It always was. This wasn't plan B. It wasn't a new plan that God is devising. This wasn't some kind of backup plan now that things have changed. This was always God's plan." [40:22]
8) "Cornelius's life, his testimony paints a beautiful picture of the good that God will do for those who faithfully pray, regardless of their background, regardless of their ethnicity, or regardless of borderlines, regardless of upbringing, and regardless of tradition." [45:12]
9) "For those 40 days, I was genuinely experiencing the presence of God in ways that I never felt before. And so this, this struggling, struggling youth pastor those years ago when I decided, look, God, I'm going to turn it over to you, and I'm just going to commit myself to do the things that you have told me to do." [48:19]
10) "In Caesarea, there lived a Roman army officer named Cornelius... He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was everyone in his household. He gave generously to the poor, and, catch this, he prayed regularly to God." [30:37]
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