Continuing the Jabez Series on Prayer…
Pastor Kong 17 May 08
In the book of Chronicles, there were many names mentioned, but God singled out one name, Jabez. Recall: Jabez means I bore him in pain. All of us are ordinary people but God wants us to do extraordinary things.
1 Chronicles 4:9 “Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers”
Honourable = kabod = more glory, more substance.
Jabez had pressed into God and had broken through. So he carried with him the presence of God. Jabez was a man of prayer.
2 Chronicles 7:14
“if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
“if My people”
“If” is the biggest word in the Bible. All things are possible IF you pray.
As evidenced by South Korea, you may be poor today, but if you walk with Jesus, obey Jesus, you will never be poor all your life!
The name of Jesus is Christ. We are called by His name – Christians. Thus, we are called to become prayer warriors.
“humble themselves”
In this context, the humbling of oneself is fasting. Fasting is the best way to say that God we are not leaning on our natural strength, our human cleverness, but we are leaning on your supernatural power.
“and pray and seek”
Prayer is the key that unlocks Heaven over our lives and our churches.
If you seek God first and His righteousness, all things will be given unto you. But many people want to see God’s hand rather than God’s face. God is saying, can I alone be enough for you? The kingdom of God is the kingdom of relationship. You need to get connected to God and connected to His kingdom.
“turn from their wicked ways”
Just because you are a Christian doesn’t mean you are perfect. God is saying, repent from your sin. Whatever you are struggling with, today, make a decision to turn away from it. God will give us the power and the strength to change from inside out. His grace is sufficient.
“heal their land”
Revival, transformation of the society. It starts from inside the house of God – the church. Out of His house flows the glory of God to bring down His kingdom. A mighty river of Holy Spirit will flow out of this church!
The reason we need to be reminded of prayer as prayer can become a duty than a delight. Most Christians don’t pray, they serve.
Why should we pray?
1. Temptations are over come through prayer. Matt 26:40-41
2. Hearts are softened towards God through prayer. Hos 10:12
3. God is found through prayer. Ish 55:6 Call on Him while He can be found!
4. Your life gets refreshed through prayer. Amos 5:4
5. Soul is encouraged through prayer. Luk 18:1
6. Persistence is built through prayer. Eph 6:14
7. The Holy Spirit empowers you through prayer. Eph 6:14
8. Anxiety is defeated through prayer. Phil 4:8
9. Revival comes through prayer. Acts 1:14. A few verses after that, the Holy Spirit comes.
10. You will shake the world through prayer. Acts 4:21. As we pray, we shake our generation!
YAY 24,000 every weekend!!! God is bringing us in a season of revival! We got to find Him while He can be found! People need the Lord! Pray one hour a day for 21 days, get connected with God who we are going to spend an eternity with! June 1 – 21. Let’s believe God for 30,000 people! A mighty river is going to flow in our family, our ministries, our cell group, our church!
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Helloooo, I didn't manage to catch the empty points because someone called me. And I won't be able to catch tmr's service because I'm going to a peach farm in the morning. Can someone who took down notes during service edit the post? Hmm. Sometimes I feel like I'm talking to thin air even though I know people do read this blog. Thanks Michelle! :)
Anyway, they were doing recording for Pastor Ulf's church (25th anniversary) and Pastor Kong was so cute! ahaha. Got NG somemore. Haha!
- wei
MICH was HERE to fill up the missing stuffs =D
Labels: Saturday, Sermons
