The Weakness of Shallow Religion

1 SAMUEL 1:1-3

Theme: Though Elkanah’s faith appears to be strong, it is actually weak, shallow and superficial. God would have us know Him, walk with Him and worship Him with all our heart and mind in an ever growing relationship.  

ELKANAH IS MERELY A RELIGIOUS MAN.  

Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite: ² And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. ³ And this man went up out of his city ^†yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there.^[1] (1Samuel 1:1-3)

Elkanah’s description as an Ephraimite appears troublesome since Samuel served as a priest, an office reserved exclusively for Levites. However, Elkanah was a direct descendant of Levi (1 Chron. 6:33–38) and was therefore qualified to function in a priestly capacity. He was a Levite by lineage but an Ephraimite by residence. One indication of how lawless were the times in which Samuel was born is his father’s bigamous marriages. ^[2]

The designation “Ephrathite” indicates his residence and location only, but he actually belongs to the priestly tribe of Levi. He and his family are Levites who had been historically devoted to the Lord and His service. Yet, Elkanah is not serving as a priest or Levite….

    1. He Appears to be Faithful in His Worship.   Vs. 3

In spite of Elkanah’s failures, he is still a deeply religious man (1Sam.1:3).

       A.  He Has Not Forsaken the Lord.  Vs. 3, “unto the Lord of hosts in Shiloh”

He had not forsaken the one true God to worship the "gods" of Canaan like so many of his fellow Israelites. 

       B.  He Keeps the Annual Feasts and Sacrifices. 

Evidently, he faithfully celebrates all three special feasts outlined by the Lord in the book of Exodus (23:15-16).  "Three times in the year," God had said, “all thy males shall appear before the Lord GOD” (Exo. 23:17).

Though many in Israel failed to honor God in this way—just as many Christians today fail to honor God by worshiping Him regularly and giving the first fruits of their material possessions—Elkanah was very conscientious about obeying these particular commandments.

       C.  He is Consistent and Faithful.

We read that “this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the Lord of hosts in Shiloh.” (1 Sam. 1:3).

    2.  He Appears to be Persistent in His Worship.  Vs. 3

1 Samuel 1:3, And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there.

Verse 3 emphasize Elkanah’s persistence in spite of the sinfulness and corruption of Eli’s sons Hophni and Phinehas. These men were notoriously wicked, but Elkanah faithfully and persistently worshiped God from his heart. He refuses to allow the sinfulness of others hinder his acts of devotion. Many weak souls will soon abandon their practice of faith because of the perceived and actual hypocrisy of so called adherents. They will work with, play with, recreate with, party with and even go into business with hypocrites, but they will NOT worship with them. Such excuses only evidence shallow commitments. Not Elkanah though.... He stayed with what he knew to be right and true even though his spiritual leaders were desperately wicked men.     

    3. He is Actually Superficial in His Worship.

Elkanah is a religious man—a faithful Jew when it came to performing the outward requirements of the law, particularly in terms of offering sacrifices to God. Remember superficial identifies his religion as surface, external, peripheral, and merely skin deep. It consisted in outward routines devoid of spiritual meaning. His faith is not really internalized; therefore, minimally impactful in his lifestyle and decisions.  Elkanah is an illustration of weak and shallow religion....

APPLICATION: It’s often easier to carry out the external requirements of Christianity yet neglect the internal and foundational requirements that give meaning to our outward forms of worship, service and commitment. Sometimes giving great amounts of money to a church or ministry is merely a substitute for giving one self and our talents or skills to the Lord. Such gifts tend to gain us recognition, special privileges, and honor before the rest of the church. It is so easy for spiritual disciplines to become routines disconnected from their God-given designs. As a result our faith stagnates at shallow routines and nearly meaningless practices. Bible reading is hit and miss...mostly miss. Prayer is relegated to emergency use only, but certainly not daily communion with God. Meditating on God's Word has been lost upon modern Christians. Tradition can displace truth as worship descends into patterns and forms long severed from their original meaning, power, and grace as God intended. It is possible to attend church and never worship while there…. It is possible to discover powerful truths through preaching and never bother to actually explore their potential in our own lives...through obedience. Yes, like Elkanah we can merely settle for a form of shallow and weak religion that vaguely resembles a vibrant faith.  

But, why? How could this development take shape when a person regularly involves themselves in religious events and activities? Really...when a person is willing to sacrifice for their faith isn't that an indication of deep and substantial devotion? Then how can Elkanah be regarded as merely superficial and shallow in his worship? Wouldn't it be more correct to say his faith is strong and deep instead of weak and shallow?

          A.  Worldliness is often the Culprit.

However, when it came to matters of the heart, Elkanah allowed the worlds system to penetrate his lifestyle. We must remember that in this moment of Israel’s history, “every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judg. 21:25), including marrying more than one woman. Elkanah’s decision to be a polygamist and to subsequently demonstrate favoritism toward Hannah definitely reflected the pagan influence that had penetrated his own life. Consequently, he suffered the consequences in terms of his family life.

          B.  External Religion without Internal Commitment is Likely the Case.

Today, many of us as Christians definitely consider ourselves religious. We may go to church regularly, we may have been baptized, and we may even substantially support the ministry financially. We're also committed to the basic tenets of Christianity: the deity of Christ, salvation by grace, the Bible is the Word of God, and that Jesus Christ is coming again.

But at the heart level there is something missing in many of our lives. We are more committed to the externals of the Christian Faith than we are to the internal aspects, such as genuine devotion, loving God, deep transformation within, empowered obedience, reflecting the fruit of the Spirit, which the apostle Paul describes as “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance” (Gal. 5:22).

APPLICATION: Unfortunately, most of us live in a culture that is out of harmony with these Christian values. Consequently, we must constantly be on guard against the subtle influences of the world system, which the apostle John defines as, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” (1 John 2:16). The Word of God can help us know the true state of our hearts and motives. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Daily, the Scriptures can alerts us when we are merely going through the religious motions.

          C.  A Compensation for Guilt May also be in Play.

Frankly, I also believe many of us as Christians perform our religious duties to compensate for our failures. Guilt is the real motivation and not the Spirit of God.

                 1.  We know in our hearts we are not committed to Jesus Christ as we should be.

                 2.  We know we’re toying with sinful thoughts that dull our spiritual lives.

                 3.  We’re playing around with the sensual aspects of a worldly lifestyle.

                 4.  We’re making decisions in our businesses that are questionable, if not downright unethical.

                 5.  Our language is often not honoring to God.

                 6.  We give the appearance of being religious—in actuality, to compensate for our guilt.

APPLICATION: Sometimes we do good things for the wrong reasons. Elkanah should have been devoted to God as a priest or a Levite…. Knowing he was not what and where he ought to be motivated him to practice shallow religion instead of exploring and experiencing a life of joyful obedience to God. Yes, He made great sacrifices to compensate for his guilt, but God would rather obedience than sacrifice (1 Sam. 15:22-23). God desires that we worship Him in spirit and in truth (Jn. 4:23-24) from the heart and not merely adhering to empty religious traditions, and rituals that miss the point of adoration, praise, and heart-felt devotion (Matt. 22:36-40). If any of what I am emphasizing is true in your own life, ask God to help you practice Paul's exhortation to the Philippians: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philip. 4:8) Allow such honest inward reflections and Spirit-led self-examinations to produce godly outward expressions of true devotion from the heart. Finally, 1 John 1:9, is still in the Bible for folks just like you and me. God is a merciful and forgiving God when we specifically acknowledge our sins to Him in an attitude of genuine repentance.

---

^[1] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., 1 Sa 1:1–3). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

^[2] Merrill, E. H. (1985). 1 Samuel. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 433). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

How To Avoid Shipwreck

2 Peter 1:5-11

Subject: Spiritual Growth 

Theme: diligently apply yourself to sustain spiritual growth.

Introduction:

In order to sustain growth, we must apply serious, concentrated, and laborious persistence (2Pet. 1:5-11). Verses 3 and 4 declare how God has given us all that is required for experiencing Christ’s divine life. Because He has, we must be diligent in cultivating it. God does not make us holy against our will or without our involvement. There must be desire, determination, and discipline on our part.

Peter referred back to the divine nature by beginning this new paragraph with the words “And besides this” or for this very reason. The words “giving all diligence” means to make every effort to apply zeal; it is bringing to bear our personal determination alongside the provisions and promises of God.  It takes every bit of diligence and effort a Christian can muster, along with the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, to “escape the corruption that is in the world” caused by our evil desires (2 Peter 1:4) and to bring in alongside of our faith a complement of virtue. We must work hard at cultivating the seven qualities Peter listed in verses 5-7. As a Christian does so, we become more like Christ, participating more fully in God’s “divine nature.”

Where there is life, there must be growth. The new birth is not the end; it is the beginning. God gives His children all that we need to live Christ-like lives, but we, His children, must apply ourselves and be diligent to use the “means of grace” He has provided. Spiritual growth is not automatic. It requires cooperation with God and the application of spiritual diligence and discipline. “Work out your own salvation.... For it is God which worketh in you”(Phil. 2:12–13).

Lesson:

Make Every Effort to Grow and Experience The Benefits of Spiritual Growth (1:8-10).

There is either advance or decline in the pathway of discipleship—no standing still. There is strength and security in moving forward; danger and failure in retreat. Failure to persevere in the development of Christian character leads to barrenness, unfruitfulness, blindness, shortsightedness, and forgetfulness.  When this happens we know we are not 'growing up' in the Lord.  But how can we know we are advancing?  Peter gave three solid evidences of genuine spiritual growth.

There will be Spiritual Fruitfulness: Assurance of fruitfulness in the knowledge of Christ (1:8-9).

Notice the Benefits of Fruitfulness.

                                Christian growth (1:5-7) results in spiritual effectiveness and productivity. The words “be in you” means “possessing” and emphasizes that these spiritual qualities “belong to” Christians.

                                However, Christians are to do more than merely possess these virtues. Effective and productive spirituality comes as these qualities “abound”—more than adequate measure. There is to be a growth in grace. A believer who does not progress in these seven areas is ineffective and unproductive in his saving knowledge—“full personal knowledge”—of our Lord Jesus Christ.

     Notice the Consequences of Unfruitfulness.

                                Unfortunately many Christians know the Lord in salvation, but they lack the “fruit” of the Spirit and are not advancing spiritually. They remain “infants in Christ” (1 Cor. 3:1), still in need of spiritual “milk” (Heb. 5:12-13).

                                But as Peter urged, believers should “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).

     Thus avoiding barrenness (1:8).  Only the life lived in fellowship with God can be truly effective. The guidance of the Holy Spirit eliminates barren activity and insures maximum efficiency. Otherwise, we simply going through the motions, but we are not producing anything godly.

     Thus avoiding unfruitfulness (1:8).  It is possible to have considerable knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and yet be unfruitful in that knowledge. Failure to practice what we know leads inevitably to barrenness. Inflow without outgo killed the Dead Sea, and it kills productivity in the spiritual realm as well.

     There will be Spiritual Vision: Avoidance of blindness in the knowledge of Christ (1:9).

     We can avoid blindness and shortsightedness (1:9). In contrast with a growing Christian, a carnal believer is blind and nearsighted.

                                A believer with spiritual myopia is not magnifying the grace of Christ. Since his life is not evidencing the seven characteristics listed in verses 5-7, he seems to be just like a spiritually blind (or unsaved) person (2 Cor. 4:4; John 9:39). He is not aware of what is central in life. He lacks discernment of true spiritual values. He lives in a dark world of shadows. (MacDonald)

                                The phrase cannot see afar off means “shortsighted.” It is the picture of somebody closing or squinting his eyes, unable to see at a distance.

                                There are some Christians who see only their own church, or their own denomination, but who fail to see the greatness of God’s family around the world. Some believers see the needs at home but have no vision for a lost world. –W. W. Wiersbe

                                Shortsightedness encompasses the fact that there are various degrees of impaired vision which are spoken of as blindness (1:9). Shortsightedness here specifies the form of blindness in which man lives for the present rather than the future. He is so occupied with material things that he neglects the spiritual.

     We can avoid forgetfulness (1:9). Since they lack these seven virtues, they have forgotten that they have been cleansed from their pre-conversion sins. Such Christians are spiritually immature. Though they have been cleansed from their sins, they have not grown spiritually (Titus 3:5). The truth of his redemption has lost its grip on them. He or she is going back in the direction from which they were once rescued. They are toying with sins that caused the death of God’s Son.

    There will be Spiritual Security: Assurance of salvation and greater reward (1:10-11).

     This involves confirming our calling an election (1:10).

                                Peter exhorts his readers to confirm their calling and election (1:10). These are two facets of God’s plan of salvation. Election refers to His sovereign, eternal choice of individuals to belong to Himself. Calling refers to His action in time by which the choice is made evident. Our election took place before the world was made; our call takes place when we are converted. Chronologically, there is first election, then call. But in human experience we first become aware of His call, then we realize we were chosen in Christ from all eternity.

                                We cannot make our calling and election more sure than they already are; God’s eternal purposes can never be thwarted. But we can confirm them by growing in likeness to the Lord. By manifesting the fruit of the Spirit, we can provide unmistakable evidence that we truly belong to Him. A holy life proves the reality of our salvation.

                                Peter pointed out that “calling” and “election” go together. The same God who elects His people also ordains the means to call them. The two must go together, as Paul wrote to the Thessalonians: “God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation.... Whereunto He called you by our Gospel” (2 Thes. 2:13–14). We do not preach election to unsaved people; we preach the Gospel. But God uses that Gospel to call sinners to repentance, and then those sinners discover that they were chosen by God! (Wiersbe)

                                Peter also pointed out that election is no excuse for spiritual immaturity or for lack of effort in the Christian life. Some believers say, “What is going to be is going to be. There is nothing we can do.” But Peter admonishes us to “give diligence.” This means “make every effort.” (He used this same verb in 2 Peter 1:5.) While it is true that God must work in us before we can do His will (Phil. 2:12–13), it is also true that we must be willing for God to work, and we must cooperate with Him. Divine election must never be an excuse for human laziness. –Wiersbe: The Bible Exposition Commentary

     This involves preventing a fall into sin, disgrace, and disuse (1:10).

                                Living a holy life will keep us from stumbling. It is not a question of falling into eternal perdition; the work of Christ delivers us from that. Rather, it refers to falling into sin, disgrace, or disuse. If we fail to progress in divine things, we are in danger of wrecking our lives. But if we walk in the Spirit, we will be spared from being disqualified for His service. God guards the Christian who moves forward for Him. The peril lies in spiritual idleness and blindness. –MacDonald: Believer's Bible Commentary

                                If you walk around with your eyes closed, you will stumble! But the growing Christian walks with confidence because he knows he is secure in Christ. It is not our profession of faith that guarantees that we are saved; it is our progression in the faith that gives us that assurance. The person who claims to be a child of God but whose character and conduct give no evidence of spiritual growth is deceiving himself and heading for judgment.

                                   

     This involves securing a grand entrance into Christ’s everlasting kingdom (1:11).

                                Not only is there safety in constant spiritual progress, there is also the promise of a richly-provided entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Peter refers here not to the fact of our entry but to the manner of it. The only basis of admission to the heavenly kingdom is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. But some will have a more abundant entrance than others. There will be degrees of reward. And the rewards are here said to depend on the degree of one’s conformity to the Savior. (Wiersbe)

                                In fact, the growing Christian can look forward to an abundant entrance into the eternal kingdom! The Greeks used this phrase to describe the welcome given Olympic winners when they returned home. Every believer will arrive in heaven, but some will have a more glorious welcome than others. Remember, some believers “shall be saved; yet so as by fire” (1 Cor. 3:15).

                                The word ministered in 2 Peter 1:11 is the same as the word add in 2 Peter 1:5, and it means “to bear the expenses of a chorus.”

                                When the Greek theatrical groups presented their dramas, somebody had to underwrite the expenses, which were very great. The word came to mean “to make lavish provision.” If we make lavish provision to grow spiritually (2 Peter 1:5), then God will make lavish provision for us when we enter heaven! –The Bible Exposition Commentary

                                The ultimate reward of a growing, Christ-honoring life is the personal “welcome” by the Savior into His kingdom. Stephen experienced it (Acts 7:56); Paul knew when it was imminent for him (2 Tim. 4:7-8, 18); and every believer will experience such a welcome when he enters the Lord’s presence in heaven. …The entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be supplied with richness; it will be a wonderful “welcome home.” –Walvoord: The Bible Knowledge Commentary

Conclusion:

What spiritual disciplines have helped you the most in your Christian walk?

Clearly our Father knows our weaknesses. He knows we are prone to be undisciplined in spiritual matters. We need Him to come alongside us and help us. We all should ask for Him to guide us, and give us perseverance and discipline so that we can grow in our knowledge of Him. May we never be content with less than His best. The prayer on all of our lips should be, “Show us how much more you want to teach us. May we always hear your voice and obey.”

Remember God has given us all that is required for experiencing Christ’s divine life. Because He has, we must be diligent in cultivating it. God does not make us holy against our will or without our involvement. There must be desire, determination, and discipline on our part.

“Add to your faith”: Supplement it, flesh it out. Being a Christian doesn't mean believing and then just sitting around. Now that you have faith in God's part, make every effort—that's your part.

That's disciplines.

That's regular “holy habits.”

That's pacing yourself for the cross country run to your future.

Says Henri Nouwen, “A spiritual life without discipline is impossible.” Tighten your belt. Get tough on yourself. GO FOR IT.

A woman once said to the great Paderewski, “Sir, you are truly a genius.”

“Well,” he answered, “before I was a genius, I was a drudge!”

To get there, to win—your life needs discipline, order, and arrangement.

“If one examines the secret behind a championship football team, a magnificent orchestra, or a successful business, the principle ingredient is invariably discipline” (James Dobson, Discipline of the Home).

You will only discover excellence on the other side of hard work.

(From My Sacrifice, His Fire by Anne Ortlund)

My Special Prayer Partner

ROM. 8:26-27

SUBJECT: PRAYER

THEME: Depend on the Word of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit to enhance the effectiveness of your prayer life. Continue to look to the Lord for help even when you feel your prayers are useless.

INTRODUCTION:

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. ²⁷ And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. ²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:26-29)

Do you struggle in prayer? If you do, you are not alone. There are things that not even my sweet wife can help me with in prayer. Every Christian I know struggles at times in prayer, wondering…

• How should I pray about this situation or for this person?
• What is the Father's will in this instance?
• How should I express myself to God to convey what I really mean?

At times, our emotions run too deep for words, and we are therefore at a loss for clear expressions in prayer.

• At other times, we are confused by what we see as conflicting possibilities or problems.
• At still other times, we feel under such heavy assault from the devil that we seem to be fighting for our very lives, and all we can voice is a desperate cry for help!

Often we feel alone with nothing but the weakness of our prayers and the intimidation of our concerns. But, remember the secret of your power is your weakness—your infirmity. What is the secret of power to you?

• If you’re Popeye, I guess the secret of power is a can of spinach.
• If you’re Superman, the secret of power is kryptonite.
• If you’re a Christian, the secret of your power is weakness.
  The Word of God says, “Likewise [that is, by faith], the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities [weakness.]”
  It is not in our perceived strengths that the Spirit helps us.
  It is not in our egotism.
  It is not in our pride.
  It is when we recognize our lack of power that we plug into His strength. When we understand how much we need Him, then that is how much we will have Him.
• God works in our weaknesses. God likes to hit big licks with little sticks. God likes to honor Himself with things that look weak and helpless.

Remember, you are not wicked or even wrong because you need help in prayer!

MESSAGE:

I.                  Understand the Lord Jesus Seriously Struggled in Prayer.

Have you ever stopped to recognize that Jesus, in His humanity, struggled in prayer?

1. JESUS UNDERSTOOD HIS MISSION….

Jesus knew that He had come to the earth to be the substitutionary, sacrificial, all-sufficient payment for all sin. He said to His disciples during the final week of His life,

John 12:23-24, … The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. [24] Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

John 12:27-28, Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. [28] Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.

2. EVEN WITH THIS KNOWLEDGE AND RESOLVE, JESUS STRUGGLED….

Matthew tells us that in the final hours before His betrayal by Judas, Jesus agonized in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane.

• He admitted to His disciples, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.” (Matt. 26:38)
• “This was doubtless the unspeakable revulsion of His holy soul as He anticipated becoming a sin-offering for us. We who are sinful cannot conceive what it meant to Him, the Sinless One, to be made sin for us (2 Cor. 5:21).”—MacDonald, William

• Jesus prayed that if at all possible, He might be spared His crucifixion—the wrath of God, becoming sin, and separation from the Father’s fellowship (Matt. 27:46). In His agony in the garden, His soul was afflicted—a man of sorrow, overwhelmed with grief, as He prepared for trial and for death.  His soul wrung with pain.

• Yet His ultimate prayer was, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (See Matt. 26:36–42.)
• The “cup” represented the undiluted wrath of Jehovah against sin.
• Luke adds that Jesus was in such agony as He prayed that “his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” (Luke 22:44).  
• Hebrews tells us how angst-ridden His soul was as He wept profusely, and cried out to God,

“Who [Jesus] in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; ⁸ Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered…” (Hebrews 5:7-8)

• It was not merely death that Jesus was struggling with in prayer, but the fact that he would be made the Sin-Bearer of the world for all mankind and all ages.
• The punishment that had to be borne for our sins brought Jesus, a mammoth of a man, to His knees in anguishing prayer.  As the Sin-Bearer, He would be severed from fellowship with the Father for the first time. Christ would soon be inundated with the blame for all wickedness; He deemed sin as profoundly repulsive!
• Yes, the Son of God struggled in prayer, but He was effective still. You and I can have effective prayer lives in spite of our infirmities as we depend on the Holy Spirit.

3. YES, WE WILL ALSO STRUGGLE WITH PRAYER.

That is if prayer means anything at all to us and if we feel a burden to intercede for others. And yet, in those times of struggle, the apostle Paul taught, we can take heart because “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (Rom. 8:26). The Holy Spirit dwells within us to help us in our prayer lives! We can count on Him to make our prayers effective.

                                                                       

II.              Understand How To Pray Within The Father's Will.

Romans 8:27, And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

A.     TRUST THE SCRIPTURES TO HELP US PRAY THE FATHER’S WILL.

Our Desire as Christians must Always Be to Pray Within the Will of the Father for Us.

• 1 John 5:14-15, And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: ¹⁵ And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

• The Father's will include all that is beneficial and good for us personally, and all that is beneficial and good for all His children—simultaneously and eternally. His plan is greater than our ability to understand it; His purposes for our lives are beyond our comprehension. How, then, do we pray within the Father's will? (Stanley, C.)

     1.  If We Are Praying for Unsaved People, Our Prayer Should Be That They Come to Accept Jesus Christ as Their Personal Savior and Then to Follow Him as Their Lord.

• Romans 10:1, Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
• Romans 9:1-4, I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, [2] That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. [3] For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: [4] Who are Israelites; . . . .   

• Paul even wished himself accursed or cut off from Christ if through the forfeiting of his own salvation his Jewish brothers might be saved. In this spiritually muscular declaration of self-renunciation, we sense the highest form of godly love—that which constrains a man to lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13). (MacDonald)

• And we feel the enormous burden, which he carried for the conversion of his countrymen. It reminds us of Moses’ prayer for his people: “Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written” (Ex. 32:32).  Obviously, Paul wept over his people, desiring supremely to see them saved. It is God’s will to pray for the conversion of sinners.

• While living in the village of Herriden, Germany, God gave me many opportunities to witness to the youth at the bus stops in our community. I made a point of giving out gospel tracks and encouraging them to think about their personal need for Christ. God helped me remember many of their names and I used them when I interacted with them. I also placed their names on a special prayer list, “Bus Stop Prayer List,” to remind me to pray for the salvation of their souls.

     2.  If We Are Praying for Fellow Believers in Christ Jesus, Certain Things Are Always Within the Will of the Father.

        A.  A Model Prayer for the Philippians.  We have a good model for this in Paul’s letter to the Philippians, in which he tells the Philippians what he prays for them:

Philip. 1:3-6, I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, [4] Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, [5] For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; [6] Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Philip. 1:9-11 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; [10] That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; [11] Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

We can pray these things for all believers at all times and in all situations:

                1) That Christ Will Complete the Work in Them That He Has Started.  vs 6

                2) That Their Love May Abound and Overflow.  Vs 9,

·        Love is doing what’s best for another physically, emotionally, mentally, & spiritually.

                3) That They May Grow in Knowledge and Discernment   vs 9-10

·        Knowing right and wrong

·        Choosing the best, “excellent,” over the good and better

                4) That They May Live Sincere Lives as They Follow Christ, Avoiding Offenses to Him   Vs 10

                5) That They May Be Filled with the Fruits of Righteousness—persistent do-gooders   vs 11

                6) That Their Lives May Bring Glory and Praise to God     Vs 11

                7) That Christians Would Faithfully Contribute to the Advance of the Gospel–Missions Vs5           “For your fellowship in the gospel”

       B.  A Model Prayer for the Colossians.  Colossians provides another model prayer that we can always pray for our fellow believers and know it is God's will:         

Col. 1:9-12, For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; [10] That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; [11] Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; [12] Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

It is God's will always that our fellow believers:  

               1) Know God's Will for Their Lives Generally and Specifically.    Vs 9

               2) Have God's Wisdom as We Navigate through Daily Life.    Vs 9

               3) Grow in Spiritual Understanding—godly perspective & outlook.    Vs 9

·      (1 Cor. 2:12-13; compare 1 John 2:20; 5:20).

               4) Walk in Righteousness—Worthy of Our Lord, Pleasing to Him.   Vs 10  

               5) Bear Fruit in Many Types or areas of Christian Service.    Vs 10   

               6) Grow in Intimate Knowledge of God—experience Him daily.  Vs 10

               7) Become Stronger enabling us to be more Patient, more Longsuffering, and Joyful.  Vs 10

I encourage you to use these prayers as your basic pattern of intercession for other believers.

 B.  TRUST THE SPIRIT TO HELP US PRAY THE FATHER’S WILL.

When We Do not Always Know What to Pray or Cannot Seem to Pray What We Desire to Pray   Romans 8:26, Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Our struggle with praying within the will of the Father occurs most often when we don’t know how to pray or what to request. It may also occur when we do know how to pray, but the way we feel led to pray is not the way others desire for us to pray.

I heard the story about a pastor who visited a woman in the hospital. She was very ill, and she asked him to pray for her healing. He tried to pray as she requested, but the more he prayed, the more he prayed for everything but healing. He indicated that in his spirit, he had a growing knowledge that healing was not God’s plan for her. God was about to call her home. Sure enough, she died the next day.

      1.  The Holy Spirit Helps Us Pray in Spite of Our Infirmities.

In the difficult times when we don’t know how to pray, or we find ourselves stopped from praying what we had intended to pray, Paul tells us the Holy Spirit  “helpeth our infirmities” (Rom. 8:26).

                   A.  The Infirmities of the Christian

The Holy Spirit actually strengthens the believer to overcome his infirmities (weaknesses). Infirmities may refer to the presence of sin abiding in the believer (Rom. 7:14).  It may also refer to our ignorance and our current ambiguous perception of our future glorious existence.  Still the Spirit helps us conquer our weaknesses in our prayers. This knowledge of God’s sympathy should not motivate us to excuse our infirmities, but quicken us to seek a higher, holier, and Christ-honoring life. There may be much against us, but God is still for us!

                   B.  The Help of the Spirit. Rom 8:26, Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: ....

“Helpeth” here signifies "to take hold with at the side for assistance"; hence, "to take a share in, help in bearing, to help in general."  

Thus the Holy Spirit shares our burdens and assists us in our infirmities or at the very moment of weakness!  In other words before we will ever experience being over burdened with the Trials and Troubles of life, the Holy Spirit will pick up the burden on the other end before it’s too late and help you bare it!

                                1. It Means That the Holy Spirit Shares the Load. He gets up under the burden that we feel—about our lives or others' lives—and He helps carry the prayer. Remember, we still must pray!

                                2.  This Word “Helpeth” Is Also Used, in Martha's Request to the Lord to Bid Her Sister Help Her.   Luke 10:40, But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

This same word “help” is used in Luke 10 where we read that Martha was distracted from sitting at Jesus' feet because she was concerned about getting a meal on the table. She asked Jesus to tell her sister, Mary, to help her in the serving preparations. (See Luke 10:40.)

The implication in both places is that the help being given or being sought is practical in nature. Martha is “cumbered about”—with serving her guests. This phrase implies that she was running in circles. That's the way we often feel in our prayers, isn't it? We run all around the problem, hoping to corral it. (Stanley, C.)

The idea behind the use of the word “Helpeth” is the down to earth, everyday kind of help that Martha needed in the kitchen!  That is help where you need it the most!  We can trust the Holy Spirit to help us in a practical way—to guide us very specifically into God's answers and solutions so that we truly are praying in the will of the Father. (Stanley, C.)

                              3. The Word “Helpeth” and the Holy Spirit’s Title “Comforter” Convey the Same Ideas As One Called Alongside to Help!   John 14:16, And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;     (Also: Jn. 14:26; 15:26 & 16:7)

“The kind of help He gives is the help a doctor gives when he is called along side the sick bed; the kind of help the fireman gives when he is called alongside a burning building; the kind of help a Lawyer gives when he is called along side to undertake a case.  What a Helper and Comforter!”—Dr. John Phillips

         2.  What Do We Have to Do to Receive the Help of the Holy Spirit?  We need to ask for it. Ask for His help before you pray. Ask for His help as you pray.  Then literally depend on Him to assist and guide, and aid you in your prayer life.

         3.  God is Concerned About the Trials and Sufferings of His People.  Sometimes we wonder if God really Cares in the midst of our pain; we even question the tangibility of His love! There is great help in simply knowing that God really cares when we hurt and experience suffering in this life. Not only does God care, but he actually helps us in such times!  He Strengthens, Assists, Feel Our Pain with Us, He even Heals the Hurts in our spirit and soul!  O, how we need to acknowledge His help and accept His comfort always but most of all in the midst of the longest Trials, deepest Pains, and darkest Hours!

   C.  DO NOT ALLOW YOURSELF TO BECOME DISCOURAGED OR FRUSTRATED!

Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

         1.  At the Very Times You Are Most Discouraged about Prayer, Don't Give in to Discouragement. That's the very time when you need to pray! Jesus promised that our Comforter-Helper is always available and is instantly accessible. He is never out of the office when we need Him.

         2.  God Values Our Prayers. Furthermore, He Commands Us to Pray. Prayer is part of God's plan for accomplishing His purposes on this earth. We didn't design this plan for prayer. God did. And He intends for us to succeed in prayer. That's why He helps us in it.

“The Creature and the Creation must groan in pain until the Revelation of the Sons of God, but until that time there is help for the Saved through the Holy Spirit.  We are told that the Holy Spirit will help with our weaknesses.   Even when we are too weak to know what we should pray for, we get intercession from the Spirit with such groaning that we could not utter.  We have a Heavenly Helper who maintains our cause for us.  All of this intercession is made according to the will of God.”—Dr. A. V. Henderson, Pastor Temple Baptist Church

Certainly God delights to do His own will!  These prayers will no doubt be answered fully!

CONCLUSION:   

My purpose is not to answer all the questions we might have about prayer. Rather, my purpose is to make this point: The Lord God wants us to pray, encourages us to pray, guides us in prayer, and when we do not know what to pray for, the Holy Spirit takes up our cause and prays to the Father for us.

Therefore, we should never fear praying to God or be discouraged about prayer. Rather, we can go to God and admit that we do not know how to pray for some things as we ought, and have confidence the Holy Spirit will make the proper prayer on our behalf. What freedom that gives us! We can just pray, with a free heart, knowing that the Holy Spirit is praying for us at the same time, translating our mixed-up thoughts, our uncertainties, and ignorance, into valid meaningful prayers.

Be sure to respect God qualifying criteria for prayer! The Scriptures are abundantly clear that we are not to pray with selfish motives (James 4:3), or with sin in our heart (Psalm 66:18), or without faith (James 1:6). At the same time, God readily hears the prayer, “Lord, I have sinned. Forgive my sin, and restore me to fellowship with you. Empower me to change from within.” If we have taken care of those matters, we can pray. So pray…risk praying poorly if you must, but still pray—cry out to God shamelessly. Pray the best you know how. The Holy Spirit is there, assisting, translating, interpreting, and literally praying to the Father for you. That is correct; God prays to God for you!

But, what if we do not believe what the Bible declares about prayer? We will miss out on some of the ministry of the Lord Jesus, the Word of God, and Holy Spirit would like to have in our lives. We will have a less than biblical understanding of the blessing of the Living God’s direct involvement. We’ll miss out on the peace and joy of knowing that God is on a constant watch for our spiritual welfare. Then finally, we will have little to share with others regarding these weighty spiritual matters. (Anders)

So are your prayers needed? Yes! Is God listening? Yes! Does God expect us to pray when He prompts us to pray? Yes! Does God hear and answer our Bible-informed prayers? Yes! Do we always pray the right things when we ask the Holy Spirit and rely on Him to guide our prayers? YES!

There is great reward in cooperating with the Scriptures, Holy Spirit and our Lord Jesus in prayer. That reward is manifested not only in the lives of those for whom we pray but also in our life. You cannot lose if you ask the Holy Spirit, trust the Word, and follow the Lord Jesus in prayer!