Blessings Found Through Prayer
Heath Rogers

Prayer is the avenue through which we have access to some of the greatest blessings we receive from God.

Physical Necessities: “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matt. 6:11).

Forgiveness of Sins: “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Matt. 6:12).

Spiritual Guidance: “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matt. 6:13).

Opportunities to Teach Others: “meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains” (Col. 4:3).

Wisdom: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).

Peace: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7).

Healing for the Sick: “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him… the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up… pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:14-16).

-Knollwood Reminder (Vol. 21, Num. 11), March 12, 2017

"What the Seat Can Endure"
Connie Adams

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Willing Your Seat to Endure
Joe R. Price

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You can find the complete outline of this sermon plus PowerPoint and MP3 Audio files at BIBLE ANSWERS
 

Receiving Jesus

1. Movie (book): The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel.
2. Investigated the resurrection of Jesus and became a believer (former atheist).
3. Uses John 1:12 for how to be saved: “believe + receive = become.”

I. FIRST, WHAT JOHN 1:12 ACTUALLY SAYS.

  -received (believed) = right to become a child of God-
  A. Receive: “to take, have, hold, obtain, accept.” Mk. 6:1-6 v. Jno. 4:43-45
  B. Explanation: “Those who Believe in His Name,” Jno. 5:42-44.
  C. Right to Become a Child of God (exousia, freedom of action, right to act; power, authority), Rom. 10:9-10. Jno. 1:13; 3:2-5; 1 Pet. 1:22-23
-Meaning of John 1:12: All who receive (believe in) Jesus Christ have the right (authority, power, permission) to become children of God. New birth is available to all who believe, Jno. 1:13.

II. BIBLE EXAMPLES OF JOHN 1:12-13.

  A. Great Commission, Mk. 16:15-16.
  B. Pentecost, Acts 2:22, 36-41.
  C. Ethiopian Eunuch, Acts 8:35-39.
  D. Saul of Tarsus, Acts 9:3-11; 22:12-16.

1. Love is often used as a verb; it is active and vibrant, not static, stationary and stagnant, 1 Jno. 3:16-18; 4:19.
2. Israel: Carefully obey and love, Deut. 6:1-5.
3. Loving God is foremost, Mk. 12:28-30.

I. WITH ALL YOUR HEART.

  -The source: With (en, “in”), Matt. 22:37.
  -The sphere: With (ek, “out of”), Mk. 12:30.
  A. The Heart is the Center of Our Being and Personality.
    -Intellect, emotions, will, conscience.
    -Decisions of priorities (Matt. 6:33), of worship (Heb. 10:25), to abstain from fleshly lusts (1 Pet. 2:11), etc. – All come from heart.

II. WITH ALL YOUR SOUL.

  A. Soul is an Inclusive Word, cf. Acts 2:41; Lk. 12:20 Gen. 2:7; Acts 2:27, 31.
  -Therefore, every part of our life, including our bodies, must reflect our love for God, Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Thess. 4:3-5; 1 Cor. 6:18-20.

III.  WITH ALL YOUR MIND.

  A. The Mind Includes Moral Perception and Reflection, 1 Pet. 1:13; Eph. 2:3; 2 Pet. 3:1; 1 Jno. 5:20. -Image of Christ, Col. 3:10-

IV. WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.

  A. Strength Involves Ability and Capacity for Action, 1 Pet. 4:11; Jas. 5:16; Eph. 3:18.
  -Therefore, all our ability and capacity to act is to be directed toward actions that honor and obey God, Jno. 14:15; 1 Jno. 5:3-4; Lk. 6:46.

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(Note: We completely oppose the doctrines of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. They reject the deity of Jesus Christ, greatly distort the nature of the Godhead, and propagate many other errors. They are lost, and need the gospel. For more on the Jehovah’s Witnesses, please go to http://www.bibleanswer.com/jwitnesses8.htm.)

The New York Times reported Thursday that Russia’s Supreme Court “declared Jehovah’s Witnesses, a Christian denomination that rejects violence, an extremist organization, banning the group from operating on Russian territory and putting its more than 170,000 Russian worshipers in the same category as Islamic State militants” (“Russia Bans Jehovah’s Witnesses, Calling It an Extremist Group,” Andrew Higgins, nytimes.com). The ruling confirmed an earlier court order that the denomination be liquidated – “essentially eliminated or disbanded” (Ibid). The Witnesses have been persecuted for decades in Russia, especially under the old Soviet regime. Ironically, the Witnesses are pacifists, yet they are charged and convicted with being extremists like ISIS.

Political persecution against religious people is not limited to the Witnesses in Russia. New Testament Christians are being pressed upon by godless regimes, too. At times they face direct threats to life and property, and at times the authorities turn a blind eye while Christians are harmed and denied religious liberty.

We may be compelled to ask, “How long, O Lord, before You right these wrongs?” (Rev. 6:9-10) In God’s time, He will avenge His people (Rev. 6:11; 2 Thess. 1:7).

Let us pray for fellow Christians who are facing persecution for their faith, including those in Russia, the Philippines, India, Asia, Europe, South America and Africa. And, may we realize that our faith is also being tested by faithless people. Persecution is real in North America, too (1 Pet. 4:12-19). Endure, and be blessed (Matt. 5:10-12).