Faithful Prayer: Trusting God's Power and Presence
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the theme of "The Tradition of Faithless Prayer and the Religion of Answered Prayer," focusing on Matthew 16:1-12. We examined how Jesus deconstructs the hypocritical traditions of the Pharisees and Sadducees, who, despite their religious knowledge, lacked genuine faith. These religious leaders demanded a miraculous sign from Jesus, not out of faith, but from a place of disbelief and doubt. Jesus rebuked them, pointing out their ability to interpret natural signs while failing to recognize the spiritual signs of His messianic presence.
We delved into the significance of faith in prayer, contrasting the faithless petitions of the Pharisees with the faithful prayers of the early church in Acts 4. The early Christians prayed for boldness and for God to manifest His power through signs and wonders, not to prove His existence, but because they already believed in His presence and power. This highlights the importance of having faith rooted in God's past faithfulness as a foundation for our prayers.
Jesus also warned His disciples about the "leaven" of the Pharisees and Sadducees, symbolizing their corrupt teachings that spread doubt and faithlessness. The disciples, initially confused, were reminded by Jesus of the miracles they had witnessed, such as the feeding of the 5,000 and 4,000, to strengthen their faith. This serves as a reminder for us to recall God's past works in our lives to bolster our faith in His continued presence and power.
In conclusion, we are called to examine our own faith and prayers. Are we like the Pharisees, demanding signs out of doubt, or like the early church, praying with bold faith in God's power and past faithfulness? Let us strive to be a community that prays with unwavering faith, trusting in God's unchanging nature and His ability to do abundantly more than we can ask or imagine.
### Key Takeaways
1. Faithless Prayer vs. Faithful Prayer: The Pharisees and Sadducees asked Jesus for a sign from a place of disbelief, showing that their prayers were rooted in doubt. In contrast, the early church prayed with faith, believing in God's power and presence. Our prayers should be grounded in faith, trusting in God's past faithfulness. [53:56]
2. Recognizing Spiritual Signs: Jesus criticized the religious leaders for their ability to interpret natural signs but failing to recognize the spiritual signs of His presence. This teaches us the importance of spiritual discernment and being attuned to God's work in our lives and the world around us. [01:01:41]
3. The Danger of Hypocritical Traditions: The teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees were like leaven, spreading doubt and faithlessness. We must be cautious of religious traditions that appear godly but lack true faith in Christ, as they can lead us away from genuine belief and trust in God. [01:15:32]
4. Remembering God's Past Works: Jesus reminded His disciples of the miracles they had witnessed to strengthen their faith. Similarly, we should recall God's past works in our lives to bolster our faith and trust in His continued presence and power. [01:17:17]
5. Faith in God's Unchanging Nature: Despite witnessing God's miraculous works, the Israelites doubted His presence. We, too, can fall into doubt despite knowing God's past faithfulness. Let us encourage one another to have unwavering faith in God's unchanging nature and His ability to work in our lives today. [01:23:54]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[0:45] - Introduction to the Sermon Series
[1:30] - The Hypocrisy of the Pharisees and Sadducees
[3:00] - The Tradition of Faithless Prayer
[5:00] - Jesus' Response to Faithless Petitions
[7:00] - Recognizing Spiritual Signs
[9:00] - The Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees
[11:00] - The Importance of Faith in Prayer
[13:00] - The Early Church's Faithful Prayers
[15:00] - Remembering God's Past Works
[17:00] - The Danger of Hypocritical Traditions
[19:00] - Faith in God's Unchanging Nature
[21:00] - Encouragement to Pray with Faith
[23:00] - Closing Prayer and Baptism Preparation
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 16:1-12
2. Acts 4:23-31
3. Isaiah 61:1-2
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the main reason the Pharisees and Sadducees asked Jesus for a sign? (Matthew 16:1-4)
2. How did Jesus respond to the Pharisees and Sadducees' request for a sign? (Matthew 16:4)
3. What did Jesus mean by the "leaven" of the Pharisees and Sadducees? (Matthew 16:6, 12)
4. How did the early church in Acts 4 demonstrate their faith in prayer? (Acts 4:29-31)
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why did Jesus criticize the Pharisees and Sadducees for their ability to interpret natural signs but not spiritual signs? (Matthew 16:2-3) [01:01:41]
2. What does the "sign of Jonah" symbolize in Jesus' response to the Pharisees and Sadducees? (Matthew 16:4) [01:06:17]
3. How does recalling God's past works, as Jesus reminded His disciples, help in strengthening faith? (Matthew 16:9-10) [01:17:17]
4. In what ways did the early church's prayer in Acts 4 reflect their faith in God's past faithfulness? (Acts 4:29-31) [01:12:19]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you prayed for a sign or miracle. Was your request rooted in faith or doubt? How can you ensure your future prayers are grounded in faith? [55:31]
2. How can you develop better spiritual discernment to recognize God's work in your life and the world around you? What steps can you take this week to be more attuned to spiritual signs? [01:01:41]
3. Are there any religious traditions or practices in your life that might be spreading doubt or faithlessness? How can you address and change these to foster genuine faith in Christ? [01:15:32]
4. Think of a specific instance where God has worked powerfully in your life. How can recalling this event help you bolster your faith in His continued presence and power? [01:17:17]
5. How can you encourage others in your community to have unwavering faith in God's unchanging nature and His ability to work in their lives today? [01:23:54]
6. Identify one area in your life where you struggle with faith. What practical steps can you take to strengthen your faith in this area, based on God's past faithfulness? [01:19:04]
7. How can you incorporate the early church's example of praying for boldness and God's manifestation into your own prayer life? What specific prayers can you start with this week? [01:12:19]
Devotional
Day 1: Faithless Prayer vs. Faithful Prayer
Faithless prayer stems from doubt, while faithful prayer is rooted in trust.
The Pharisees and Sadducees asked Jesus for a sign from a place of disbelief, showing that their prayers were rooted in doubt. They had religious knowledge but lacked genuine faith. In contrast, the early church prayed with faith, believing in God's power and presence. They prayed for boldness and for God to manifest His power through signs and wonders, not to prove His existence, but because they already believed in His presence and power. This highlights the importance of having faith rooted in God's past faithfulness as a foundation for our prayers. Our prayers should be grounded in faith, trusting in God's past faithfulness. [53:56]
Hebrews 11:6 (ESV): "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."
Reflection: Think of a recent prayer you made. Was it rooted in faith or doubt? How can you shift your mindset to pray with unwavering faith in God's power and presence today?
Day 2: Recognizing Spiritual Signs
Spiritual discernment is crucial to recognizing God's work in our lives.
Jesus criticized the religious leaders for their ability to interpret natural signs but failing to recognize the spiritual signs of His presence. Despite their religious knowledge, they missed the most significant spiritual event—the coming of the Messiah. This teaches us the importance of spiritual discernment and being attuned to God's work in our lives and the world around us. We must cultivate a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit to recognize and respond to God's presence and activity. [01:01:41]
1 Corinthians 2:14 (ESV): "The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you might have missed a spiritual sign from God. How can you become more attuned to the Holy Spirit's guidance in your daily life?
Day 3: The Danger of Hypocritical Traditions
Beware of religious traditions that lack true faith in Christ.
The teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees were like leaven, spreading doubt and faithlessness. Jesus warned His disciples about the "leaven" of these religious leaders, symbolizing their corrupt teachings. We must be cautious of religious traditions that appear godly but lack true faith in Christ, as they can lead us away from genuine belief and trust in God. It is essential to examine our traditions and practices to ensure they are rooted in a sincere faith in Jesus. [01:15:32]
Colossians 2:8 (ESV): "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."
Reflection: Are there any religious traditions or practices in your life that might be more about appearance than genuine faith? How can you refocus these practices to deepen your relationship with Christ?
Day 4: Remembering God's Past Works
Recalling God's past works strengthens our faith in His continued presence.
Jesus reminded His disciples of the miracles they had witnessed, such as the feeding of the 5,000 and 4,000, to strengthen their faith. This serves as a reminder for us to recall God's past works in our lives to bolster our faith and trust in His continued presence and power. When we remember how God has been faithful in the past, it encourages us to trust Him in our present and future circumstances. [01:17:17]
Psalm 77:11-12 (ESV): "I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds."
Reflection: Take a moment to write down three specific instances where you have seen God's faithfulness in your life. How can these memories encourage you to trust Him in your current situation?
Day 5: Faith in God's Unchanging Nature
Trust in God's unchanging nature and His ability to work in our lives today.
Despite witnessing God's miraculous works, the Israelites doubted His presence. We, too, can fall into doubt despite knowing God's past faithfulness. Jesus' rebuke of the Pharisees and Sadducees serves as a reminder to have unwavering faith in God's unchanging nature. Let us encourage one another to trust in God's ability to do abundantly more than we can ask or imagine, based on His consistent character and past actions. [01:23:54]
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."
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you struggling to trust God's unchanging nature? How can you remind yourself of His consistent character and past faithfulness to strengthen your faith today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "The hypocritical tradition of faithless prayers comes from disbelief. The pharisees and the sadducees in verse one, the pharisees and the sadducees approach jesus and test him asking that him to show them a sign from heaven. The pharisees and the sadducees are two sects within judaism they're like church denominations if you want to see it that way as of today and they're wildly different in their views and their theology." [55:31] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Brothers and sisters, can we see any picture where we might fall into these categories of hypocrisy? Yeah we know the lord we know the lord but we don't trust him of course i know god i read my bible i know what he's like but there's no faith you know jesus tells a story in luke chapter 18 of a persistent widow and in the story it's all about prayer and being persistent in prayer and she's seeking justice and she goes to a wicked king and she keeps going back to him over and over and over again until finally the wicked king gives up and says oh fine i'll answer your prayers because of your persistence." [01:04:44] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Do we believe in the lord jesus christ? And just as it said that he died, that he rose again and that he's seated at the right hand of the father and that the father has given all authority over to the son and that authority, the holy spirit was poured down upon the people who believe in jesus christ. Do we believe that? So the power of resurrection lives within his people. Yeah. God, the living god lives in his people." [01:12:19] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Would faith rise up in the community of god's people, that he is still performing the miraculous, the wonders and the signs. He won't perform them from doubt, but he will perform them based on the truth. Based on your faith in what he has been doing. And he hasn't changed. How can it be that christians believe that god is with them in the spirit through jesus and to deny his power here today? But we do because we struggle for faith and the disciples are a good symbol of this." [01:13:56] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Imagine witnessing all of that and then questioning whether the lord your god is with you. And we christians do the exact same thing. Your god has sent his son, jesus christ, to deliver you from the hands of satan, through his blood. That is what he's done historically for you. He brought you out of darkness into light. And then we question and we say, well, where is he now? Doubt. We have little faith. Would you let faith rise up in the testimony of what he did on the cross? Did he die for sins? Amen, he died for our sins." [01:23:54] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "The pharisees and the sadducees are people that kind of use the governing bodies they use the policies of the time they're trying to work with the romans to get what they want from their religion through political realms so they're very different people they would often have arguments within themselves they didn't see eye to eye on many things but these two sects that don't see eye to eye on many things decide to collaborate together because they have a common enemy and their common enemy is jesus." [58:23] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Jesus uses a sunday school story and says, this is the sign that you have to believe in to the pharisees and the sadducees, if you're going to see who i am, if you want to perceive me. Let's go back to matthew. Is it wrong to ask god for signs and wonders? Let's see. We've got this one here, and jesus breaks the people. Then if we move over into acts chapter 4, this is what we read of god's people at the early times." [01:09:13] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The comfort we take in the disciples is they're not generally the quickest of people to come to faith. They often misunderstand. And so little faith and misunderstandings, god has a lot of time for. What he doesn't have time for is arrogance that says it knows god, yet knows nothing about him at all, according to faith. Why do they have little faith? Well, jesus lines that out for them. Look at verse nine and 10. Don't you remember the five loaves for the 5,000 and how many baskets you collected?" [01:17:17] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Brothers and sisters, like the disciples, it is easy for you and i to forget the testimonies of the things that god has done, both in scripture and in your personal life. And when we forget them and we do not grow up in our faith in them, we are prone to start thinking the way that we used to think. We are prone to start understanding things, and not from a place of faith, but from falling back into it. the ways that we used to go. And when you try to pursue god without faith, you're going to end up understanding nothing." [01:19:04] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "They teached faithlessness in jesus. They didn't have faith in him. And they're not going to teach other people to have faith in him. For all their doctrine, for all their theology, for all their tradition, they What they teach is actually faithlessness in christ. You know, you hear, oh, the great problem in the church today is we don't have people who aren't preaching the truth. You know, exegeting the scriptures, going through it, blah, blah, blah. It's not good theology. And yes, it is a shame that that doesn't happen." [01:20:34] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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