Faith in Action: Embracing Prayer and Rest
Summary
In this sermon, I was reminded of the importance of not just having faith, but putting it into action. I was challenged to not just know the Bible, but to apply its teachings to my life. The speaker emphasized that spiritual warfare without action is impotent, and action without spiritual warfare is incapable. It's not enough to just know the scripture, I must practice the principles it teaches. The speaker also highlighted the importance of prayer, questioning why it is often our last resort instead of our first line of defense. I was reminded that I can't do anything without the power of God, and that I should go to God with everything in prayer.
The sermon also touched on the concept of burnout, both physical and emotional. The speaker acknowledged that even the strongest leaders have weak moments and can grow physically tired. He also addressed the emotional and mental drain that can come from being in a spiritual battle, leading to burnout. The speaker challenged me to admit when I'm tired and to give myself permission to rest. He also emphasized the importance of not holding onto burdens that God wants to take from me, reminding me that I don't have to do everything on my own.
Key takeaways:
- Faith without action is impotent, and action without faith is incapable. It's not enough to just know the scripture, I must practice the principles it teaches. ([01:11:49])
- Prayer should be our first line of defense, not our last resort. I can't do anything without the power of God, and I should go to God with everything in prayer. ([01:13:08])
- Even the strongest leaders have weak moments and can grow physically tired. It's important to acknowledge when I'm tired and give myself permission to rest. ([01:19:49])
- I don't have to hold onto burdens that God wants to take from me. I don't have to do everything on my own. ([01:26:00])
- Everything is spiritual, including our attitudes. I should be praying for people and their salvations. ([01:17:51])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Exodus 17:11-13 - As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses' hands grew tired... #!!01:18:28!!#
2. 1 Timothy 2:8 - Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. #!!01:16:36!!#
3. Ephesians 6:12-14 - For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the Heavenly Realms. #!!01:11:03!!#
Observation Questions:
1. What does the act of Moses holding up his hands signify in Exodus 17:11-13?
2. How does 1 Timothy 2:8 instruct men to pray and why is this significant?
3. What does Ephesians 6:12-14 reveal about the nature of our struggles and battles?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Moses and Joshua in Exodus 17:11-13 illustrate the importance of both action and prayer in our spiritual battles?
2. What does 1 Timothy 2:8 suggest about the attitude and posture we should have when we pray?
3. How does Ephesians 6:12-14 challenge our understanding of the battles we face in our daily lives?
Application Questions:
1. Can you recall a situation where you tried to handle a problem on your own, like Moses initially did, instead of seeking help from others or God?
2. How can you apply the principle of "lifting holy hands without anger or disputing" in your prayer life this week?
3. In what ways can you engage in spiritual warfare, as described in Ephesians 6:12-14, in your current circumstances?
4. Can you identify a burden you've been carrying alone that you need to surrender to God, as illustrated by the cup of water analogy?
5. How can you better support and intercede for others in your community, like Moses did for Joshua, in their battles?
Devotional
Day 1: Faith Requires Action
Faith without action is impotent. Knowing the scripture, memorizing it, and understanding it is not enough. It is the application of scripture, living it out, that makes the difference in our lives. Spiritual warfare requires both faith and action. Without action, our faith is stagnant and without faith, our actions lack power. [01:11:49]
James 2:17 - "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where your faith has remained stagnant due to lack of action. What steps can you take to put your faith into action in this area?
Day 2: Prayer as a First Line of Defense
Prayer should not be our last resort, but our first line of defense. It is through prayer that we access the power of God. Without God, we are incapable of achieving anything of spiritual significance. Yet, often we neglect prayer and try to do things in our own strength. [01:13:08]
Psalm 28:2 - "Hear the sound of my pleading when I cry to You for help, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where you tried to handle things in your own strength instead of turning to prayer. How can you make prayer your first response in future situations?
Day 3: The Struggle of Endurance
Even the strongest leaders have weak moments. In the midst of spiritual warfare, we can become physically, emotionally, and mentally drained. This is when we need to lean on God the most, for He provides the endurance we need to keep fighting the good fight. [01:19:10]
Isaiah 40:31 - "But those who wait on the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt emotionally, physically, or mentally drained from a spiritual battle. How can you lean on God for strength and endurance in similar situations in the future?
Day 4: The Weight of Our Burdens
We often hold onto burdens that God never intended for us to carry. These burdens may seem light at first, but the longer we hold onto them, the heavier they become. God wants us to lay our burdens down and trust Him to carry them for us. [01:23:15]
Matthew 11:28-30 - "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Reflection: Reflect on a burden you've been carrying for a long time. How can you lay this burden down and trust God to carry it for you?
Day 5: Better Together
We are not meant to fight our battles alone. When we try to do everything on our own, we quickly become overwhelmed and burnt out. But when we share our burdens with others, they become much lighter. We are better together. [01:26:00]
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 - "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you tried to handle a situation on your own. How can you invite others into your struggles and allow them to help carry your burdens?
Quotes
1. "Too many of you have been holding on to what God has not given you to hold on to. Too many of you are holding what God wants to take. It's time to put it down. You don't need to keep holding on to it. It wasn't yours to hold on to in the beginning, it was God's to be able to take." - 01:26:00
2. "Why is it that we're not receiving the power of God in our lives because we're not going to God and asking through prayer? Why is it that we're just going out in the battle and we're fighting the battle like Joshua but so many of us are not going to the hill and getting on our hands and knees and praying for power from the Holy Spirit to actually fight the spiritual battle that we cannot see?" - 01:13:08
3. "We should go to God In Prayer first because that's where the power lies. We can't do anything without the power of God. We are incapable of doing anything without the power of God. So why is it that we don't go to God with everything in prayer?" - 01:13:47
4. "Moses was a strong leader but even the strongest of leaders have weak moments. This is a moment where Moses grew physically tired. Even the strongest of leaders have weak moments and this is a moment where Moses grew physically tired." - 01:20:31
5. "God will give you plenty that you can't handle. That's why you got to go to him. If I could handle it all, I wouldn't need God. So he gives you plenty more. But the scripture actually says that he will provide a way out for you. He will help you in your time of need but you gotta go to him." - 01:21:52
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