prayer: fire from heaven access.… · transcript november 19 and 20, 2016 prayer: fire from heaven...

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Transcript November 19 and 20, 2016

Prayer: Fire from Heaven | Access Jake Barker | 2 Chronicles 6:12-7:3

HeyTradersPoint,itissogoodtobewithyouthisweekend.Ifyouareaguestormaybethisisyourveryfirsttime,wearejustthrilledthatyouwouldmakethispartofyourweekend.I’dalsoliketowelcomethoseofyouwhoaretuninginonline.Whereveryouareintheworld,wearesogladyoucouldjoinusforthis,thelastweekinourprayerseries.I’dalsoliketowelcometheNorthcampus.North,weloveyouguyssomuchandaresoproudofwhatGodisdoinginandthroughyou.YouguysarejustthebestandwecannotwaitforyoutogetintoyourpermanentfacilitynextyearandtoseehowyouusethatasatooltocontinuetoreachyourfriendsandwatchthemcometoJesus.That’snotall.Infactthisveryweek,thisverySunday,ourcrew,whichispartofthecorewholaunchesourDowntowncampusnextyear,ismeetingandprayingaboutwhatGodmightdothroughouttheCityofIndianapolis.Andifyou’vebeenwithusthelastfewweeksyou’veheardusteaseoutthatwe’resoongoingtounveilplansforcampusnumberfour.Ifthisisallnewtoyou,youneedtoknowweareonechurchthatmeetsinmultiplelocations.Weareconvictedthatyouwillworship,grow,andservebestifyoudoitinthecommunityinwhichyoulive.Wewanttoequipourpeoplewithtoolssotheycaninvitetheirfriends,growthroughagroup,andusetheirgiftsinservice.That’swhyweaddtheselocations.We’vebeensohonoredtoseehowGodhasusedthateffortalreadythisyearandwillcontinueusingitintheyearstocome.ThisisourfifthandfinalweekinourseriescalledPrayer:FirefromHeaven.Overthepreviousweekswe’vebeenaskingsomequestionsaboutprayer.Howdoyoudoit?Whatareyousupposedtosay?Whatisthepurposeofprayer?Evendowntosomespecificslike:Arewetokeepeyesclosedoreyesopened?Arewestandinguporsittingdown?Doweusebigwords?Doweusesmallwords?Doweusethesamewords?Doweusedifferentwords?Likehowintheworldarewesupposedtopray?Ifyou’vemissedanyofthepreviousweeksIreallyencourageyoutogobackinourApporonourchurchwebsiteandcheckthemout.Youwilllearnaton.Buttodaywe’regoingtolandtheseriesintheScripturewheretheseriestitlecomesfrom:FirefromHeaven.SoifyouhaveaBibleoraBibleApp,I’dlovetohaveyoujoinmein2Chronicles6.2Chronicles,it’sintheOldTestamentrightafter1Chronicles.You’llfinditthere.Andchapter5iswherewe’regoingtobegin.Ifyoudon’thaveaBibleoraBibleApp,that’stotallyfine.TheScriptureswillbeonthescreennexttomeandyoucanfollowalongthatway.NowifyouareherehearingthesewordsormaybeyouaretunedinandyouwouldnotyetconsideryourselfaChristian—maybeyouareconsideringJesusormaybeyouarehereasafavortoafriend—firstofallletmetellyouwe’regladyou’rehere.Youbelongherewellbeforeyoubelieveandwe’rejustreallygladyouhavethespaceherewhereyoucanhearthetruthaboutGodandconsiderhowthatmightaffectyourlife.

Prayer:FirefromHeaven|Access November19and20,2016

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Butbeyondthat,prayermightbethefurthestthingfromyourmind.You’renotevensureyoubelieveinGod,sotheideaoftalkingtoGodisjustwayoffyourradar.Itjustsoundscrazytoyou,andItotallyunderstandwhereyou’recomingfrom.Letmejustaskthis.Ifyou’llhangwithus,IbelieveGodhassomethingveryspecifictosaytoyoutoday.Evenin2Chronicles,thisthingthatwaswrittenhundredsandhundredsofyearsago,GodisgoingtosaysomethingstodaythatIthinkareworthyourconsideration.Infact,togettothatpointI’mgoingtoraisemyhandandletyouknowthesearethequestionsyououghttoconsiderthatareworthyourtime.Overandoverinthisserieswe’vebeensayingprayerisourmeansofcommunicationwithGodwithinourrelationshipwithGod.Yousee,wedon’tthinkGodissomekindofideatobeagreedwith,asifthepointofChristianityisjusttobelieveinGod.We’reconvictedthatwe’reactuallycalledtohavearelationshipwithGod.Thatmaybedifferentthananythingyou’veeverbeentold,itmaybedifferentthananythingyou’veeverconsidered.ButitisdefinitelywhatislaidoutforusinGod’sWord,intheBible.SoinrelationshipwetalktoGodandthatisprayer.Nowoneofthebiggesthurdlesmanyofushavetoovercomewhenwetrytofigureoutprayerinourownlives,ifwearehonestourfirstattemptatthisistotrytofindsomekindofformulathatwillmakeitallmakesense.I’vetriedthisformula,somekindofa+b=cthing,andthiswillsoundfamiliartoyou.A:IfIcanfigureoutprayerandsaytherightwords;andB:IfIdon’tliveaterriblelife;thenC:GodwillgivemewhatIwant.IfIcanfigureoutprayerandnotbeaterribleperson,GodwillgivemewhatIwant.That’stheformulathatmanyofus,ifnotallofus,havetried.Buttheproblemisthatifit’struethatwe’recalledtoliveinarelationshipwithGod,formulasdon’tworkinrelationships.Youknowthisinotherrelationshipsyouhaveinlife.Consideryourwork,yourjobrelationships.Maybewhenyoustartedyourjobyouthoughttheformulawas:hardwork+goodresults=promotionIfyouworkreallyhard,andyouproducetheresultsyouaresupposedtoproduce,thenyou’llgetaraiseandanewjob.Andthenyouwereintroducedtotheuglyworldofofficepolitics.Officepoliticsarewhenyourboss’sidiotsongetsthejobyoudeservedandyourealizeformulasdon’tworkinrelationships.Ifyou’remarried,yourealizemarriageisnotaformula.WhenIgotmarriedIthought:nicewords+mowingtheyard=afuntimelaterthatnightIwasundertheimpressionthiswasmarriage.Itisnot.Ithinkitcouldbe.I’dliketotalkaboutit.Butthusfarthisisnotwhatmarriagehasturnedouttobe.Ifyou’vehadakidoreverbeenaroundakidyoumayhavethought:goodparenting+allthatstuffwereadinthosebooks=well-behavedchildrenThenyouhadkidsandyourealizedthoselittlemonsterswereputonearthtoembarrassandexhaustyouaspublicallyaspossible.That’stheirentirepurpose.

There’renoformulasinrelationshipsandweknowthisinourwork,ourmarriage,andourfamilies.ButwestilltrytoadoptaformulawhenitcomestoGod.IfIcouldjustdosomegoodstuffandtrynottomessituptoobad,GodhastogivemewhatIwant.Ifallyou’retryingtodoisputinyourgoodbehaviorandgetwhatyouwant,you’renotlookingforarelationship.That’scalledavendingmachineandGod’snotavendingmachine.Sowhatwe’regoingtowrestlewithtodayisthis:Principles>FormulasWhenitcomestoourrelationshipwithGod,wedon’thavesomea+b=ckindofrelationship.WhatGodisgoingtodoin2ChroniclesislayouthowweoughttorelatetoHim.He’sgoingtogiveussomeprinciplesthatoughttodefineourconversationsandoughttodefineourlivesinrelationtoGod.Sohopefullyyou’rethereat2Chronicles6.Allowmetosetthescene.AtthismomentinhistoryweareatthededicationoftheTemple.TheTemple,ifyou’vespentmuchtimeintheOldTestament,isareallybigdeal.Yousee,theoriginalvisionfortheTemplewasgiventoaguynamedDavid,butthenwascompletedbyhissonnamedSolomon.Todaywe’regoingtospendsometimelookingatSolomon’sprayer.AssoonasSolomonisdonepraying,Godsendsfirefromheaven.That’sprobablyworthcheckingout.NowtheTemplewasabigdealformultipledifferentreasons.Oneofthemwasitwashuge,itwasmassiveandthescopeandthefinisheswerejustmajestic.ThewholereasonitwasbuiltwassoGod’spresencecouldliveinthisbuilding,sothisbuildingneededtomatchGod’smajesty.But,beyondthescopeofthebuilding,itwasalsoasymbol.ItsymbolizedthatGod’speoplehadaccesstoGod.TheyknewtheycouldshowupatthisbuildingandtheycouldpraytoGod,sacrificetoGodandforapreviouslynomadicpeople,foragroupwhousedtobeenslavedbytheEgyptians,theynowhadahomelandwheretheycouldcomeandworshipGodandhaveaguaranteedaudiencewithHim.TheTemplewasareallybigdeal.Soinchapter6we’reatthededicationceremonyandthey’rereadytocuttheribbon.Solomonisholdingthecartoonishlylargescissorsandthelocalnewsistherecoveringthisevent.WatchhowSolomonbeginshisprayer.We’regoingtolookattheopeningwords.ThisiswhatSolomonchoosestoprayatthededicationoftheTemplewhichwilleventuallybemetbyfirefromheaven.Lookatwhathesaysin2Chronicles6:12,“ThenSolomonstoodbeforethealtaroftheLordinfrontoftheentirecommunityofIsrael,andheliftedhishandsinprayer.NowSolomonhadmadeabronzeplatform7feetlong,7feetwide,and4feethighandhadplaceditatthecenteroftheTemple’soutercourtyard.Hestoodontheplatform,andthenhekneltinfrontoftheentirecommunityofIsraelandliftedhishandstowardheaven.“Heprayed,‘OLord,GodofIsrael,thereisnoGodlikeYouinallofheavenandearth.YoukeepYourcovenantandshowunfailinglovetoallwhowalkbeforeYouinwholehearteddevotion.YouhavekeptYourpromisetoYourservantDavid,myfather.YoumadethatpromisewithYourownmouth,andwithYourownhandsYouhavefulfilledittoday.’”

Sohere’sSolomonandhebeginsthisprayerinfrontoftheentirecommunityofIsraelatthededicationoftheTemple,andhekicksitoffwiththisthingcalledadoration.AndadorationissimplyhimtellingGodhowgreatHeis.Ifyounoticehiswords,hesaid,“God,thereisnoonelikeYou.Impostersneednotapply.Therearesomecheapcounterfeitsinotherworldreligions,buttheydon’tholdacandletoYou,God.God,notonlydoYoumakepromisesbutevenbetterYoukeepthem.AndYoumadeapromisetomyfatherDavid,andnowYou’vefulfilleditwithYourownhandsheretoday.ThereisnoonelikeYou,God.”That’showSolomonbeginshisprayer,withadoration.YouandIhavetoask,“WhywouldSolomonbeginitlikethat?WhywouldhespendsomuchtimejusttellingGodhowgreatHeis?”Thetruthis,whenyouandIpray,itcanhelpsetourperspectiveastowhoitiswearetalkingto.Yousee,Godisnotsomedistantdeityouttherewe’llneverconnectwith,butHe’salsonotlikethecollegebuddywesharedadormroomwith.He’sneitherdistant,norisHedismal.HeistheCreatorGod,whooutofabsolutelynothingspokeintobeingeverythingyousee,hear,touch,andfeel.HeistheFatherGodwhoseesusasHischildren,andHewantstogiveusgoodgifts.HeistheSaviorGod,whosentHisonlySontodieinourplacetopaythepenaltyforoursinthatwasthreateningtokillus.HeistheComforterGod,whosentHisSpirittoguideusthroughourtimesofneed.Thatiswhowe’retalkingto.Thatistheaudiencetowhomwearespeaking.WhenweprayifwespendalittlebitoftimetellingGodwhoHeisitgivesusalittlebitofperspectiveandsetsourmindright.SoSolomonbeginswithadoration,andthenhekicksintothisthingIcalltheDTRconversation.Idon’tknowifyouknowwhataDTRconversationis.Itmeansdefinetherelationship.Sometimesyouhavepeopleinyourlifeandyouneedtodefineyourrelationshipwiththem.Howdoyouinteractandwhodoeswhat?Thishashappenedineverydatingrelationshipthathaseverexisted.TherehadtobeamomentwhereyouhadtoDTR,youhadtodefinetherelationship.Sofellas,you’vegotthatgirlandshe’sputtingoffthevibesandyou’renotreallysurewhatshe’sdoing.Youinviteheronadateandyouputoncologne,youshave,andyouwearthatoneniceshirt(theoneyouboughtearlierthatdaythat’swhatyouwear).Youlookatherandyousay,“Whatarewe?Whatarewedoinghere?”Andshelooksbackatyouandsays,“Idon’tlikelabels.”Whatshehasdoneisshehasdefinedtherelationshipasnon-existent.Shedoesn’twantthatrelationship.It’sover,myman,justmoveon.Atleastshedefinedit.YouhavetohaveaDTReveryonceinawhile.That’swhatSolomondoeswithGod.OverthenextfewverseshedefinestherelationshipbetweenGod’speopleandGod.AndhedoesitbymakingthislistofprayersthathewantsGodtohearandanswer.AndSolomonisgoingtogiveexamples,twodifferentkinds.Heisgoingtohaveprayersofcharacterandprayersofcircumstance.We’vebeentalkingaboutthisallserieslong.Ourprayersarenotexclusivelyabouteasingthediscomfortofourcircumstances.Oftenwhenweprayit’sfocusedonourcharacter,andGodisshapingusfromtheinsideout.ThosearethetypesofprayersSolomonbeginswith.Hesays,“WhenwesinandweneedforgivenesswewanttopraytoYouandhaveYouhearandanswerthoseprayers.Andwhenwe’rereadytoturnourlivesaroundandwithanoathheadinanotherdirection,wewantYoutohearandanswerthoseprayers.”Thoseareprayersofcharacter.

ButthenSolomonkicksintoanotherlistorprayersofcircumstance.Hesays,“God,whenIsraelisinwarwillYouhearandanswerourprayers?OrifIsraellosesawarandisdefeated,willYouhearandanswerthoseprayers?OrifanimmigrantmovestoIsraeltoworshiptheOneTrueGod,willYouhearandanswerthoseprayers?”SoSolomon,infrontoftheentirecommunityofIsrael,isdefiningtherelationshipastohowtheywanttointeractwithGod.AshecloseshisprayerGoddoesanamazingthing.Lookatchapter7,verse1.Itsays,“WhenSolomonfinishedpraying,fireflasheddownfromheavenandburneduptheburntofferingsandsacrifices,andthegloriouspresenceoftheLordfilledtheTemple.

“ThepriestscouldnotentertheTempleoftheLordbecausethegloriouspresenceoftheLordfilledit.WhenallthepeopleofIsraelsawthefirecomingdownandthegloriouspresenceoftheLordfillingtheTemple,theyfellfacedownonthegroundandworshipedandpraisedtheLord,saying,‘Heisgood!Hisfaithfulloveenduresforever!’”SoKingSolomonisdownonhiskneeswithhishandsopen.HeisprayingtoGodandhehasnowdefinedtherelationshipastohowtheywanttointeractwithGod,andGodrespondswithfirefromheaven.HispresencefillstheTempleanditissooverwhelmingthatthepriestscan’tgoinside.Everyonewhoisstandingaroundandseesthathappen,theyfallflatontheirfaceandworshipGodsaying,“HeisgoodandHisfaithfulloveenduresforever!”ThiswasnotjusttheappropriateresponsewhenGodshowsup.ItwastheonlyresponsewhenGodshowsupinabigway.SoyouandI,wejusthavetoconsider,“WhatwasitaboutSolomon’sprayerthatcausedGodtosendfirefromheaven?Itseemslikeasimplecauseandeffect.SolomonprayedsomethinganditmadeGodrespondwithfirefromheaven,HispresencefilledtheTemple.SowhatdidSolomondo?AtfirstglanceitmayseemlikesinceSolomonwassogoodatprayingthat’swhythefirecame.Andhisprayerwaslong,anditwaseloquent,anditwasspiritual,anditwasdetailed.ItmustbebecauseSolomonwassogood.Godgavehimthefirefromheavenbecauseheprayedsowell.Butuponfurtherreviewitwasthis:ThefirefromheavenwastheresultofSolomon’salignmentwithGod.Nowonemoretime:ThefirefromheavenwastheresultofSolomon’salignmentwithGod.Yousee,thefirewasnotSolomon’sawardbecausehewassogoodatpraying.InfactthiswasjustaffirmationofSolomon’salignmentwithGod.Hewassaying,“Solomon,we’reonthesamepage.Yes,thisisourrelationship.”GodandGod’speoplewereonthesamepage.Theywerealigned.Again,itwasnotsomekindofawardbecauseSolomonwassogoodatit.Itwasjustsimplyaffirmationofalignment.That’swhythefirecamefromheaven.SoyouandIareofteninthepursuitoffire-from-heavenkindofprayers.We’relookingforsomekindofmiraculousintervention,somekindofdivineinterruptioninourlives.Andmaybeyou’vespenttimeprayingforthesamethingassincerelyasyoupossiblycouldoverandoverandoveragain,andthere’snofire.There’snointerruptionandthere’snointervention,andyou’rewondering,“WhatiswrongwiththekindofprayersIampraying?”Letmejustaskyouthequestionwe’veposedeverysingleweekoftheseries:AmIattemptingtoalignwithGodorgetGodalignedwithme?

That’sreally,reallydifferent.AmIattemptingtoalignwithGodorgetGodalignedwithme?SowhenIpraydoIhaveaplanIwantGodtoblesswithoutanyofHisinput?OramIcontinuallyseekingoutwhereverGodisalreadymovingandtryingtogetonboard?AmIactivelytryingtogetGodtoeasemycircumstancesforthesakeofmycomfortoramIaskingGodwhatHeistryingtoteachmeinthemidstofimperfection?DoIaskGodtohelpmeavoidabrokenheartordoIaskHimtobreakmyheartforwhatbreaksHis?AmItryingtogetalignedwithGodorgetGodalignedwithme?Thatfundamentaldifferencewillnotonlychangeyourprayerlife,butIbelieveitwillchangeyourentirerelationshipwithGod.So,allofus,wehavetoconsider,“Dowewantthat?”Andifyoudon’twantthatit’sfine.Youcanjustcheckoutfortherestofthis,it’snotgoingtobeforyou.Butsayyouwantthis.SayyouwantthiskindofalignmentwithGod,thiskindoffire-from-heavenalignmentwithGod.Howdowedothat?Andforus,whatwegettodoisreadfurtherinchapter7andit’sgoingtobeGod’sturntodefinetherelationshipfromHisperspectivetowardHispeople.WhatHe’sgoingtodoislayouthowHewantstorelatetous.TheGodoftheUniverseisgoingtoexplainhowHewantstorelatetous.It’sincredible.We’regoingtoseethatHeisgoingtogiveusprinciples,notformulasbutprinciplesastohowHewantsustorelate.LikeIsaidearlier,ifyou’renotsurewhatyoubelieve,ifyou’reoutonJesusrightnowandnotsurewhatthismeansthesearegoingtobesomethingsGodisgoingtopresenttoyouthatIthinkareworthyourconsideration.Let’sreadittogether,2Chronicles7:14-15.ThesearetheWordsofGod.Itsays,“Thenifmypeoplewhoarecalledbymynamewillhumblethemselvesandprayandseekmyfaceandturnfromtheirwickedways,Iwillhearfromheavenandwillforgivetheirsinsandrestoretheirland.Myeyeswillbeopenandmyearsattentivetoeveryprayermadeinthisplace.”SohereGodisdefininghowHewantstorelatetoyouandme.Helaysouttheseprinciplesastowhatshoulddefineourrelationship.Fortherestofourtimewe’regoingtotakethemoneatatimeandsay,“Howmuchofthisistrueaboutme?And,howmuchofthisisnotyettrueaboutmylife?”SothefirstthingGodsaysisHewantsHispeopletodothis.Humblethemselves:Prideblocksprayer.GodgivesusalistandHebeginswiththisone.Ithinkit’simportanttonotethatGodbeginswiththisoneforareason.Pridenotonlyblocksourprayerbutitoftenblocksourrelationships;relationshipswithothersandrelationshipswithGod.Prideshowsupinabunchofdifferentwaysinourlives.There’stheclassicexpressionofpridewhichisarrogance.Arroganceistheideathat,“IhavewhatittakesandIdon’tneedanyone’shelp.”AfewyearsagomywifeandIweredrivingfromIndianapolisuptoCanadasoIcouldofficiateaweddingofafriend.SomewherearoundMichiganIgotthissneakingsuspicionwe’dgottenoffcourse.Thesignsthatusedtoread“north”werenowreading“west”andwethought,“That’snotgood.Weneedtokeepgoingup,becausenorthisup.”Weneededtofigurethisout.ThiswasbeforethetimeofGPSandiPhonesthattoldyouwheretogo.Ithought,“Icangetbackontrack.I’lljustbacktracktothewrongturnwemadeandwe’llgetbackuptowhereweneedtogo.”My

newlywedwifewasbeggingmetojuststopandaskdirections.Wewerelikeamovingstereotype,that’swhatwashappening.Westoppedinthemiddleofsomenowhere,Michigantogetgasandshewentintogetasnack.Shecamebackwithacandybarandanatlas.Andshehadnointentionofusingtheatlas.Shewasjustmakinga20dollarpoint.That’swhatshewasdoing.Andifyou’venevermadea20dollarpoint,you’veneverbeenmarried.Becausemarriageisaseriesof20dollarpoints,that’sreallytheentirerelationship.Forthoseofyouwhoareunder30,anatlasisabookofmapsandamapisjustapictureofastate.Youguesswhereyouareandtrytofigureoutwheretogo.You’llneverknow.You’lljustneverknowwhatthisislike.Somypridewastheverythingthatwasblockingusfromwhereweneededtogo,myarrogancethatIcouldfigurethisoutonmyown.Butarroganceisn’ttheonlyversionofpride.Infacttherearesomesneakieronesbecausepridecanoftenshowupinourinsecurities.Therearesomeofyouwhohaveboughtintotheideathatyourpastissodarkandyoursinissodeep,thatyouaresofargonethereisnohope.Maybegraceisbigenoughtocover99.9percentofhumanitybutyou’reinthe.1percent.IfIknewwhatyousaid,ifIknewwhatyoudid,ifIknewwhatrelationshipyoublewup,thenIwouldagreewithyou.Buthere’sthething.IfyouandIevergettothepointwherewethinksomethingaboutourselvesisbiggerthanGod,that’spride.Whetherit’sourarroganceorwhetherit’sourinsecurity,prideblocksprayeranditblocksourrelationshipwithHim.Soifyou’vegottentotheplacewhereyoudon’tthinkyouneedhelp,I’mjustsayinghumbleyourself.Ifyou’vegottentotheplaceyouthinkyou’retoofargone,God’saskingyoutohumbleyourselfandreceivetheforgivenessthatyouneed.Nowforthoseofyouwhoareconsidering,forthoseofyouwhoarenotallinyet,letmeaskyouafewquestions.I’dliketopresentyouanidea.Ibelieve,becauseit’strueaboutyouandabouteverysingleoneofus,thattherearesomerelationshipsinyourlifethatjustaren’tright.They’renotfullyclicking.There’sjustsomethingoff.Ibelieveprideisoftentheculpritforourdisconnection—ourdisconnectionwithothersandourdisconnectionwithGod.Soifyoubelieveyou’regoodenoughtowhereyoudon’tneedaSavior,youdon’tneedanyone’shelp,canIjustlovinglytellyouthatyouarekeepingyourselffromthelife-savinggracethatyouneedthemost?Andalso,Idon’tthinkyoubelievethat.Iknowyoumightsayit,andIknowthatmightbethethingyoutellpeoplebutIdon’tthinkdeepdownyoureallybelievethatbecausethere’ssomestuffinyourlifeyoujustcan’tfigureout.Andthere’resomepiecesyoucan’tputbacktogetherandyouneedsomehelp.Ifyou’veboughtintotheliethatyou’retoofargoneandyourpastistoodeepandtoodark,maybeyouthoughtifyou’dwalkintoaplacelikethistheroofwouldcollapse.Maybethat’swhyyou’rewatchingonlinerightnow.I’djustlovetotellyouyou’renottoofargone.YoujustneedtohumbleyourselfandreceivethegraceGodoffers.Ipraythattodayisthedaythatyoutakeyourfirststeptowardhumilityandtowardreceivingwhatyouneed.Sonumberone.Godsaysforthemtohumblethemselves.

Numbertwo.ThisisthesecondthingHesays.SeekHisface:lackofrelationshipblocksprayer.Humbleourselves,pray,seekHisfacebecauselackofrelationshipblocksourprayer.Weknowthisbecause,aswe’vesaidoverandoveragain,prayerisaboutourrelationshipwithGodandwe’respeakingtoalovingFather.We’relayingoutbeforeHimourcharacterandourcircumstances.Andnoticesomethinghere.Godwantstherelationship.There’sthisnastyrumorgoingaroundthatGodisdistantandHereallydoesn’twanttoconnectwithusandthat,honestly,He’skindofmadatusformessingupallHisstuff.That’snotthepicturethat’spresentedintheBible.Infact,theBibleishowGodchosetorevealHimselftousandthepicturesHeusesareverydifferent.TheyarethoseofalovingFatherwhowantstoextendHisgracetoHischildren.Thatdoesn’tsoundlikesomekindofdistantdeity,itsoundslikeaGodwholovesyouandme.Thebasictruthis:ifwedon’tknowGodwedon’twanttotalktoHim.ButIbelievethemoreyougettoknowGodthemoreyou’llwanttospendtimewithHim.Justtestmeonthat.DiveintoHisWordandsee.OnceyougettoknowHimyoumightwanttospeakwithHimmore.He’saGodwhowantstotalktousabouteverything,thegood,thebad,andeverythinginbetween.Andonemoretimeforthoseofyouwhoareconsideringallthis,canIjustsuggestarelationshipwithGodisthethingyoumostdeeplydesirebutyoujusthaven’tarticulateditlikethat?I’mpressinginonthatfeelingthatthereissomethingmissing.I’mnotsayingyourlifeisbad.I’mnotsayingyou’resadallthetime—nothinglikethat.I’mjustsayingit’sincomplete.I’mnotgoingdowntheroadofsayingyou’vegotsomeGod-sizedholeinyourheartthatonlyGodcanfillbecausethat’ssupercheesy.I’djustliketosuggestacoupleofthings.I’dliketosuggestthatyoucan’tfigureouteverythingthat’sgoingoninthisworldbecauseyoulackarelationshipwiththeonlyonewhocanmakesenseofit.Ibelieveyouneedwisdomthatsupersedesyourcircumstances,butyoulacktherelationshipwiththesourceofallwisdom.Ibelieveit’skindofscarytoconsiderwhatmightbeafterthislifeifyoulackarelationshipwiththesourceofalllifeandtheCreatorofeternallife.I’mjusttellingyouit’stheonethingyouneedthemost.I’dlovefortodaytobethedayyoutakeyourfirststeptowardarelationshipwithGod.SoHesaysto:Humblethemselvesandpray.SeekHisface.Andthefinaloneisthis.Turnfromtheirwickedways:UnrepentantsinblocksprayerAndthatwordunrepentantjustmeanssinwehaven’tdealtwith.It’stheonewe’rehiding,theonewe’recoveringup.It’stheonewedon’tliketotalkabout.Theideaisthis.Ifwecanfooleveryoneelseinourlifewe’llfeelreallygood.Butwe’renotfoolingGod.Youseesin,forthoseofyouwhoarenewtothis,iswhenwefallshortofthestandardGodset.Andeverysingleoneofushasdoneit.Godisundernopresumptionthatwewilleverbeperfect.Hejustwantsustobehonestwhenwefalldown.Andwhenwe’rehonestandweconfessandrepentGodsays,“Iwilltakecareofthatsin,unlikeanythingyoucando.”

Yousee,oftenwhenI’mwalkingGodthroughmylifeinprayerIusuallytreatitlikemyhousewhenI’mhavingcompanyover.Idon’tknowaboutthestateofyourhouseonaregularbasis.Forsomeofyou,yourhouseisalwaysputtogether,everythingisinits’placeandit’sreallycleanandwehateyou.Wejusthateyousomuch.You’retheworst.Butforthoseofyouwhoarenormallikeme,you’vegotsomestufflyingouteveryonceinawhile.WhenI’mhavingcompanyover,whatIdoisImakeamentalmapofwheremycompanywillbe.Theywillgointomyfrontroom,andmyliving-room,andmykitchen.Butthatcloset,they’renotlookinginthere.Sothatisabouttobecomeastorageunitforallthelosestuffinmyhouse.Alltheshoes,thejackets,thebooks,andmagazinesjustgetthrownintherebecausethey’llneverseethem.WhatIdowhenI’mprayingwithGodisIsay,“God,comeintomyfrontroomI’vepickedup.Lookatallmyfriendshipsthataregoingreallywell.Godcomeintomyliving-roomwhereeverythingisputtogether.I’lltellYouaboutmyministriesI’mtryingtodoforyou.ComeintomysparklingkitchenandI’lltellYouabouttheonekidIlike.NottheothertwothatIhave,buttheoneIreallydolike,I’lltalktoYouabouthim.”I’llsay,“God,Idon’treallywanttotalkaboutthatcloset.Youdon’tknowwhat’sinthere.”MyeffortisthatifIcanbringGodintothecleanareasofmylifemaybeHe’lllikememore.MaybeHe’lllovememore.Buthere’sthething,guys.Godknowsaboutthecloset.InfactHecannameeverysinglethingyou’veeverputinthere.He’snotsurprisedbythecloset.AndsomeofusareparalyzedbytheideathatGodmightfindout,ifHelookedinsidemaybeitwouldchangethewayHefeelsaboutus.Andbecausewedon’tknow,wekeepthatstufftoourselves.Here’sthegoodnews.God,inHisprovidence,toldusalreadyhowHefeelsaboutus.Heknowsaboutthecloset.AndthenHesaidthisistrue.InRomans5Paulwrotethis,“Whenwewereutterlyhelpless,Christcameatjusttherighttimeanddiedforussinners.Now,mostpeoplewouldnotbewillingtodieforanuprightperson,thoughsomeonemightperhapsbewillingtodieforapersonwhoisespeciallygood.ButGodshowedhisgreatloveforusbysendingChristtodieforuswhilewewerestillsinners.”Whiletheclosetwasstilljam-packed,GodsentHisSontodieforus.BeforeweevenknewweneededaSavior,Godgaveusone.So,it’sgoodnews.Here’sthedeal.Youdon’thavetohidethecloset.Infactit’skindofkillingyouontheinside.Sotodayisthedayyoucancomeclean.I’djustliketotalktoyou,thosewhoareconsideringallofthis,andmaybeyou’renotsureandalittleskeptical.IknowI’mreallypressingmyluckonthisone.Repentanceandsin,that’snotusuallywhatweleadwith,right?MaybeyouhadsomeoneinyourlifeandtheytriedtotrickyouintolovingJesusandrightatthelastsecondtheysaid,“Ohyeah,bytheway,youhavetorepentofyoursins.That’spartofittoo.Surprise!”That’snothelpfulandIdon’teventhinkit’snecessary.Here’swhy.Ithinkthere’ssomethinginsideofyourliferightnowandit’skillingyou.It’ssomesetofbehaviors,somesetofaddictions,somesetofrelationshipsanditiseatingyouupontheinsideandyoudon’tknowwhattodoaboutitbecausewitheverythingyoucando,you’veputeveryounceofeffortintomakingitgoawayanditwon’t.Youknowwhy?It’sbecauseyouwerenevermeanttodothat.You’renotstrongenough,you’renotsmartenough—neitheramI—todealwithyourjunk.There’sonlyonepersonwhocandealwithoursin

andHealreadyhas.HisnameisJesus.Somyprayerforyoutodayisthatyou’lltakeonesteptowardJesusandopenyourhandsandletHimdealwithsomethingyoucouldneverdealwithonyourown.Sohere’sGodandHe’sdefiningtherelationshipbetweenHimandHispeopleandHesays,“Ifthey’llhumblethemselvesandpray,ifthey’llseekMyfaceandturnfromtheirways,”thatiswhatHeexpects.That’stherelationship:Principlesnotformulas.ThenGodmakestwopromisesandHepromisestogiveusthetwothingsweneedthemostandthetwothingswecan’tdoonourown.Thefirstoneisthis.Forgivetheirsin:CharacterYousee,somanyofuswhenwethinkofprayerweimmediatelyjumptoourcircumstancesasifthatisthemosturgentthinginourlife.ButGodknowsbetterandsays,“Thisisthemostimportantthingrighthere.We’vegottoaddressthisstuff.”AndHedoessomeheartsurgeryonus.Hedoesn’tdoitbegrudgingly.Hedoesitlovinglyandwillingly.Yousee,wedon’tearnourforgiveness,wearepurelyrecipientsofagiftandthatgiftiscalledgrace.Anditisavailableto100percentofus.Theofferisonthetable.GodhasalreadyprovidedawayforustobeforgivenandreconnectwithHim.That’sHisfirstpromise.Thesecondpromiseisthis.Restoretheirland:CircumstancesItdoesn’tmeanGodcaresaboutcharactermorethancircumstances.Hecaresaboutboth.SoHesaysHe’llrestoretheirland.AtthismomentinhistoryHeistalkingtoalargelyagriculturalsocietyinthemidstofadrought.SoGodpromisestosendrain,theonethingthatwillbringlifetotheircommunity,theonethingthatwillrestorethembacktohealth.Andforyouandme,wedon’tlivenecessarilyinadaywhenwe’redependentonrainforlifebutIbelieveourcommunity,ourculture,andourcountryneedssomerestoration.Weneedsomehealing.IjustwanttoreadthisnextparttomakesureIgetitright.ThisweekI’vehadtheopportunitytospeakwithsomeofmybrothersandsistersinChristwhoarestillhavingahardtimeprocessingtheeventsofthelastfewweeksandmonths.Ijustwantyoutohearme.It’snotabouttheirvote,it’snotaboutyourvote,andit’snotaboutthevote.Don’thijackthis,that’snotwhatit’sabout.It’sabouthowtheircountryandcultureperceivesthemasmenandwomenofcolor.WehavebrothersandsistersinChristwhoaresad,fearful,anddiscouraged.AndIknowthatmaynotbeyourexperience,butjustbecauseit’snotyoursdoesn’tmeanit’snotsomeone’s.Ifyou’renotsad,findsomeonewhoisandlisten,andhugthem,andletthemknowyoulovethem.Ifyou’renotscared,findsomeonewhois.Don’tdismisstheirfearanddon’tprovidesolutions,anddon’ttellthemtojustgetoverit.Listenandlearnfromthem.Theirfearsareneitherillegitimatenorunfounded.Foramomentallowyourselftosetasideanybiasorpreconceivedconclusion.Ifyou’renotdiscouraged,findsomeonewhoisandlistenandencouragethemandletthemknowthatyoulovethem.Yousee,overthelastyearIhavelearnedmorethaneverbeforeinmy33yearsthatmyexperienceisnottheonlyoneandmyroleasaChristianistoleverageanyprivilegeIhaveforthesakeofothers.Just

likeJesusdidformeandjustlikeJesusdidforyou.Restoration,andhealing,andreconciliationcomefromthosewhosacrificetheirprivilegeandpositionforothers.Soifyouaresad,andscared,anddiscouragedyouneedtoknowthischurchisforyou.Andifinthislastseasonyou’vewonderedifyoucouldbeapartofaplacethatlookslikethis,canIjustsaythisasclearlyaspossible?Weloveyou.Weloveyou.Andyouneedtoknowthat,asaleadershipteam,we’reactivelypursuingrelationshipsforlearningandunderstanding.Aaron,andI,andthestaffaredevelopingrelationshipswithleadersofmulti-ethnicchurchestounderstandhowtoleadadiversechurch.Wearereadyasrecipientsofunmeritedfavor,whichiscalledgrace,toembraceyouasbrothersandsisters.Thischurchisforyou.AndthroughthepowerofGodalonewebelieveHewillhealthisland.Youdonotneedtoputyourhopeinthewordsofanyhumanleader,orgoverningprinciples,orsermonsofsomeskinny,white-boypreacher.Thatisnotwhereyourhopelies.YourhopeisinJesusalone.Listentome,ifyouhearthisandyouthink,“Impossible.Impossibletofindunity.Impossibletofindonenessinthemidstofsuchadivisiveculture,”youareinluck.TheentiretyofChristianityisfoundedontheimpossiblebecauseourGodwalkedoutofagrave.OurGod,Hedefeateddeath.SoimpossibleisactuallyHismajor.Hemajorsinimpossible.AndHenotonlyhasthisvisionofaperfecteternity,butHehasavisionforaredeemedpresentandHewantstobringHiskingdomonearthasitisinheaven.HewantstodoitthroughHischurch,Hispeople.Notthroughthegovernments,notthroughtheschools,butthroughthechurchaswelistenandwelearnandwelove.Andweloveyou.We’rehereforyouandwearelearning.Hereismylastquestionforeverysingleoneofus.It’sreallysimple:Whichoneisyours?Humbleyourself;SeekHisface;Turnfromyourways.Everysingleoneofusneedstoidentifywhichoneisours.It’snotthatwedon’tneedworkinallthree,butisthereonethatreallystandsout.Doyouneedtohumbleyourself?IsprideblockingyourrelationshipswithothersandyourrelationshipwithGod?Youneedtoadmityouneedhelpandyouneedtofinallyacceptthefactthatyou’renottoofargoneandyoucanreceivetheforgivenessyouneed.DoyouneedtoseekHisfaceandmaybeforthefirsttimeinyourentirelifebeginarelationshipwithHim?Ordoyouneedtoturnfromyourways:thatbehavior,addiction,relationship,thatthingthatiskillingyouontheinsidesothatyoustartlettinggoandlettingGodstarttohelpyoudealwiththethingsyoucouldneverdealwithbefore.Nowwearegoingtodoathingcalledcommunion.Beforeyoustartputtingstuffawayorshufflingletmekindofexplain.Ifthisisnewandyou’renotsureandyoudon’tknowwhereyoustand,letthesetrayspass.It’snotabigdeal.Noonewillthinklessofyou.Butifyou’reallinforJesusthisisyouropportunitytotakebreadandjuicetorepresentJesus’bodyandblood.AndwerememberthemomentwhenHelaiddownHisprivilegeandpositionforoursake.

Todaywearegoingtoputsomeslidesupforyoutoconsider,oneforeachoneofthese.Whenyouseeyourscomeup,theoneyou’veself-identified,IwantyoutoreadtheScripturewe’veprovidedandpraytheprayer.IhopeGoddoessomemajorstuffontheinsideofyou.Becauseyousee,theTemplewasthisreallygreatideabutitwasn’tenough.AnditgavesomesemblanceofaccesstoGod,butitdidn’tgiveadirectconnection.Doyouknowwhodid?Jesus,andthroughHisfinishedworkonthecrossHetoreawayanydistractionandanyblockbetweenusandGodandgaveusdirectaccesstotheCreatorGod,theFatherGod,theRedeemerGod,andtheComforterGod.That’swhowegettotalktorightnow.Soletmeprayforus.Father,wearesogratefulforYourWordevenwhenitpushesus,evenwhenitchallengesus,evenwhenitcallsthingsoutinusmaybeweweretryingtohide.WeknowasagoodFatherYouaredoingitforourbenefit.SorightnowIpraywehumbleourselvesandallowYoutosaywhatYouneedtosay.IprayweseekYourfacetoliveinthatrelationship,thatYouwouldgiveusthecouragetoturnfromourwaysandpursuelifetothefullestwhichonlyYoubring.GodwearelayingitallatYourfeetrightnow.It’sinYournameIpray.Amen.HumbleyourselfIspridekeepingyoufromGod?Areyouconvincedyoudon’tneedHishelp?Pray:God,Ibelieveyouaretheonlyonewhoisbigenough,strongenough,andsmartenoughtohelp.Ineedyourhelp.Iamsinfulandimperfect.Pleasehumblemyspiritandteachmetofollowafteryou.James4:10:“HumbleyourselvesbeforetheLord,andhewillliftyouupinhonor.”SeekHisfaceDoyoudesirearelationshipwithGod?WhenwasthelasttimeyousoughtHimout?Pray:God,Ibelieveyouwantarelationshipwithme.YousentyourSontosavemefrommysin.Pleasehelpmeinmydesires.Helpmetowanttoseekyourface.Psalm69:32:“ThehumblewillseetheirGodatworkandbeglad.LetallwhoseekGod’shelpbeencouraged.”TurnfromyourwaysAreyoureadytosurrenderandseekforgiveness?WillyouallowGodtotransformyourlife?Pray:God,IbelievethatyouprovidedawaytoforgivenessthroughtheCross.IrecognizehowIhavefallenshortofthemarkandIamseekingforgivenessandrestoration.Colossians1:13-14:“ForhehasrescuedusfromthekingdomofdarknessandtransferredusintotheKingdomofhisdearSon,whopurchasedourfreedomandforgaveoursins.”

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