Steadfast Prayer: The Foundation of Evangelism

Devotional

Day 1: The Foundation of Discipleship

Discipleship is a journey that requires three essential elements: God's Word, the Holy Spirit, and community. These elements provide a solid biblical foundation and equip us to walk with others in their faith journey. Discipleship is not a solo endeavor but a communal one, where we grow together in understanding and living out Scripture. By immersing ourselves in God's Word, we gain the knowledge and wisdom needed to guide others. The Holy Spirit empowers and directs us, while the community offers support, accountability, and encouragement. Together, these elements create a robust framework for effective discipleship.

[02:53]

Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

Reflection: Who in your community can you partner with to grow in your understanding and application of Scripture? How can you support each other in this journey?

Day 2: The Necessity of Prayer in Evangelism

Evangelism begins with a prayerful dependence on God. This dependence creates an expectant readiness to proclaim Jesus. Persistent prayer, as exemplified by Paul and George Mueller, opens doors for the gospel and transforms our hearts, making us watchful for God's work. When we pray steadfastly for opportunities to share the gospel, we align our hearts with God's mission and become more attuned to the needs and spiritual conditions of those around us. Prayer is the foundation that prepares us for effective evangelism, reminding us that it is God who ultimately opens hearts and minds to the truth of the gospel.

[04:27]

Ephesians 6:18-19 (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, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel."

Reflection: Identify five unbelieving individuals in your life. How can you commit to praying for them steadfastly, and what specific prayers can you lift up for their salvation today?

Day 3: The Simplicity and Depth of the Gospel

The gospel message is simple yet profound: Jesus Christ, who created all things, came to restore what was broken by sin. Through His sacrifice, we have the promise of eternal life in a new creation. Our role is to faithfully proclaim this message, trusting God to bring about the results. The beauty of the gospel lies in its simplicity and depth, offering hope and redemption to all who believe. As we share this message, we must remember that it is not our eloquence or persuasive skills that save, but the power of the gospel itself and the work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of listeners.

[16:11]

2 Corinthians 5:17-19 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation."

Reflection: How can you simplify the gospel message in your own words to share it effectively with someone today? What aspects of the gospel resonate most deeply with you?

Day 4: Evangelism as a Spiritual Battle

Evangelism is a spiritual battle, not won by arguments but by the Spirit of God. The eyes of unbelievers are blinded, and only God can lift the veil. Our task is to faithfully proclaim the gospel and pray for God to open their eyes to the beauty of Christ. Recognizing the spiritual nature of this battle helps us to rely on God's power rather than our own abilities. We must engage in prayer, asking God to remove the spiritual blindness and to reveal His truth to those we are trying to reach. This understanding keeps us humble and dependent on God for the success of our evangelistic efforts.

[21:48]

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (ESV): "And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case, the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."

Reflection: Think of someone you know who is resistant to the gospel. How can you specifically pray for the spiritual veil to be lifted from their eyes today?

Day 5: Commitment to Steadfast Prayer

Identify five unbelieving individuals in your life and commit to praying for them steadfastly. This prayer not only impacts those we pray for but also transforms our own hearts, creating a watchful expectation for God's work. Steadfast prayer is a demonstration of our faith and trust in God's ability to save. As we persist in prayer, we become more attuned to God's movements and more sensitive to opportunities to share the gospel. Let us be a church known for unwavering faith and dedication to prayer, trusting that God hears and answers our prayers in His perfect timing.

[10:58]

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: How can you incorporate a daily habit of praying for the five unbelievers you identified? What specific times or reminders can you set to ensure you remain steadfast in this commitment?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, Crosspoint. Today, we embark on a new three-week series, but first, let's revisit our journey so far, particularly focusing on the Emmaus Project. This multi-year discipleship initiative is inspired by the story in the Gospel of Luke, where Jesus walks with two disciples on the road to Emmaus, revealing how all Scripture points to Him. Our goal is to establish a solid biblical foundation and equip you to walk with others in discipleship, sharing how all Scripture points to Jesus.

We previously discussed the essentials for discipleship: God's Word, the Holy Spirit, and community. These elements are crucial for a fruitful discipleship journey. Now, we shift our focus to evangelism, starting with the necessity of prayer. Evangelism begins with a prayerful dependence on God, creating an expectant readiness to proclaim Jesus.

Paul's letters to the Colossians and Corinthians emphasize the importance of steadfast prayer for open doors to share the gospel. Paul, even while imprisoned, prayed for opportunities to proclaim the mystery of Christ. This persistent prayer is exemplified by George Mueller, who prayed steadfastly for his unbelieving friends for years, seeing them come to faith one by one.

Our application today is to identify five unbelieving individuals in our lives and commit to praying for them steadfastly. This prayer not only impacts those we pray for but also transforms our own hearts, creating a watchful expectation for God's work. Hudson Taylor's example of praying over a map of China reminds us to begin our day with God's Word and prayer, tuning our hearts to God's work.

The gospel we proclaim is simple yet profound: Jesus Christ, who created all things, came to restore what was broken by sin. Through His sacrifice, we have the promise of eternal life in a new creation. Our role is to faithfully proclaim this message, trusting God to bring about the results.

Evangelism is a spiritual battle, not won by arguments but by the Spirit of God. We must pray for the veil to be lifted from the eyes of unbelievers, allowing them to see the beauty of the gospel. Our task is to be faithful in making the gospel known, trusting God to save.

As we move forward, let's commit to steadfast prayer for the lost, be watchful for opportunities, and faithfully proclaim the gospel. Let us be a church known for unwavering faith and dedication to prayer.

###

Key Takeaways

1. The Foundation of Discipleship: Discipleship requires three essential elements: God's Word, the Holy Spirit, and community. These elements provide a solid biblical foundation and equip us to walk with others in their faith journey. Discipleship is not a solo endeavor but a communal one, where we grow together in understanding and living out Scripture. [02:53]
2. The Necessity of Prayer in Evangelism: Evangelism begins with a prayerful dependence on God. This dependence creates an expectant readiness to proclaim Jesus. Persistent prayer, as exemplified by Paul and George Mueller, opens doors for the gospel and transforms our hearts, making us watchful for God's work. [04:27]
3. The Simplicity and Depth of the Gospel: The gospel message is simple yet profound: Jesus Christ, who created all things, came to restore what was broken by sin. Through His sacrifice, we have the promise of eternal life in a new creation. Our role is to faithfully proclaim this message, trusting God to bring about the results. [16:11]
4. Evangelism as a Spiritual Battle: Evangelism is a spiritual battle, not won by arguments but by the Spirit of God. The eyes of unbelievers are blinded, and only God can lift the veil. Our task is to faithfully proclaim the gospel and pray for God to open their eyes to the beauty of Christ. [21:48]
5. Commitment to Steadfast Prayer: Identify five unbelieving individuals in your life and commit to praying for them steadfastly. This prayer not only impacts those we pray for but also transforms our own hearts, creating a watchful expectation for God's work. Let us be a church known for unwavering faith and dedication to prayer. [10:58]
### [10:58]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:26] - Introduction to the Emmaus Project
[02:53] - Essentials for Discipleship
[04:27] - The Necessity of Prayer in Evangelism
[07:21] - Paul's Call for Steadfast Prayer
[09:06] - Example of George Mueller
[10:58] - Application: Praying for Five Unbelievers
[12:50] - Hudson Taylor's Example
[14:27] - Tuning Our Hearts to God's Work
[16:11] - The Simplicity and Depth of the Gospel
[17:57] - The Reality of Spiritual Separation
[19:50] - How to Pray for the Lost
[21:48] - Evangelism as a Spiritual Battle
[23:51] - The Beauty of God's Creation
[25:39] - Compelled to Share the Gospel
[27:30] - Proclaiming Jesus, Not Ourselves
[29:03] - The Light of the Gospel
[30:35] - Trusting God in Evangelism
[32:04] - Humbling Experience of Evangelism
[33:50] - Encouragement from a New Believer
[35:44] - Commitment to Steadfast Prayer
[37:29] - Being Watchful and Expectant
[38:55] - Sharing the Journey with Others
[40:54] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What are the three essential elements for discipleship mentioned in the sermon? [[02:53]]
According to Colossians 4:2-4, what does Paul ask the believers to pray for while he is in prison? [[07:21]]
How did George Mueller demonstrate steadfast prayer for his unbelieving friends? [[09:06]]
What is the simple yet profound message of the gospel as described in the sermon? [[16:11]]

Interpretation Questions

Why is prayer considered the starting point for evangelism according to the sermon? [[04:27]]
How does persistent prayer transform our own hearts and create a watchful expectation for God's work? [[10:58]]
What does it mean that evangelism is a spiritual battle and not won by arguments? [[21:48]]
How does the example of Hudson Taylor's prayer life inspire us to begin our day with God's Word and prayer? [[12:50]]

Application Questions

Who are the five unbelieving individuals in your life that you can commit to praying for steadfastly? How will you remind yourself to pray for them daily? [[10:58]]
How can you create a watchful expectation in your heart for God's work as you pray for the lost? What practical steps can you take to stay alert and ready for opportunities to share the gospel? [[12:50]]
Reflect on a time when you felt inadequate to share the gospel. How does knowing that evangelism is a spiritual battle and that God is the one who opens eyes change your perspective? [[21:48]]
How can you incorporate the practice of praying over a map or a list of names into your daily routine, similar to Hudson Taylor's example? [[12:50]]
What specific actions can you take to faithfully proclaim the gospel in your daily interactions, trusting God to bring about the results? [[16:11]]
How can you support and encourage others in your small group to be steadfast in prayer for the lost? What can you do together as a group to foster a culture of prayer and evangelism? [[38:55]]
Think of a person who tests your patience or challenges your faith. What is a short prayer you can say before the next time you interact with that person to help you stay focused on Jesus and share His love? [[30:35]]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "The sermon in a sentence is this, that evangelism begins with a prayerful dependence on God, and this expectant readiness to proclaim Jesus. Like, that's the heart of the message. The whole sermon can be summed up in this sentence, that evangelism begins with a prayerful dependence on God before anything else, and that will create in us a watchful expectation." [06:33] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "What if what was said of us as a church, what was said of you as an individual, is they had an unwavering faith? Whatever came after them, their faith was unwavering, and they were dedicated to prayer. They steadfastly prayed and interceded for those who did not yet trust in Jesus." [10:58] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "What if we were intentional to steadfastly pray and intercede? Like, put it on a post-it note on your mirror, and while you brush your teeth, use that. Mumble between brushing your teeth, your prayer to God. Put it on your, your steering wheel, a mirror, like, somewhere in your home that it reminds you to pray." [14:27] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "What a joy that God would use you to call one of his children home. Like, what a joy. I, this past week, I visited, some of you, you know, Pat, who we prayed for. She's 87 years old. Living with us before she had to go to the hospital and now in rehab. She might be watching now. But so I'm sitting there, and she's in the hospital bed." [33:50] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "What if that's how we were described? That's the story I want for us. So how will you write it down? How will you remind yourself to be steadfast in your prayer? Second Corinthians chapter four, as a model of prayer, I find myself praying these words often to Lord, let your light shine into darkened hearts, to remove the veil that hinders them from seeing the beauty of the gospel, to see and behold the beauty of the gospel in the face of Christ for his glory." [37:29] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "The first is it's meant to establish a solid biblical foundation of understanding of God's Word. How all of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, ultimately points us to Jesus. And this is a biblical understanding beneath our feet. But it's also meant to equip you then to walk with others on the road of the discipleship, to share with them how all Scripture points to Jesus." [01:26] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "To understand the things of God, we have to... We need the Spirit of God to help us see and understand what He has written us. And the third and final component is we need one another. It's not meant to be a solo journey. It is together as a companion and as a community following Jesus together. Discipleship happens life on life." [02:53] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Who are the five unbelieving people that you are presently and will commit to steadfastly praying for? The five people. Like, think of them in this moment. The family member, the friend, the co-worker, the neighbor. Picture their face. You know their story. The highs, the lows, the joys, the sorrows. Who are the five people that you will use to personally live out this steadfast prayer?" [10:58] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but we. We proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord. And we then are servants for Jesus' sake. For it's God who said, let light shine out of darkness. And he has shown in our hearts, it says. He has shown in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." [27:30] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Let us then be expectant and watchful. Look for opportunities. Expect God to answer the prayer. Look for opportunities. Maybe it's just, hey, I'm praying for you. Maybe it's, hey, if you ever need to talk or you have any questions spiritually, I would love to answer, but no pressure. I just want to make myself available. And just planting seeds, it doesn't mean like, hey, let me now present to you the whole gospel." [37:29] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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