Learning to Walk with God

Victory Through Prayer

Sermon OverviewScripture Passage: Acts 12:1-11The Book of Acts shares numerous accounts of triumph over difficulty, as the first Christians experienced victory through prayer.In Acts 12, the Early Church faced persecution from Herod, who unleashed violence and put the Apostle Peter in prison (v. 1-4). Yet, in verse 5, we see that “constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.”As we fight our battle against the world, the flesh, and the devil, it is fundamental that we learn how to pray as the Early Church did.First, we must recognize the freedom of their prayers.Our enemy doesn’t want us to understand this. But try as he might, the devil cannot stop us from praying to our God; we are free to pray anytime, anywhere.Second, we see their faithfulness; they never ceased to pray.Whether God answers swiftly or there is a season of waiting, our approach to prayer should be faithful, constant, and frequent.Their prayers were also fervent: charged with intensity.Prayer is warfare—we should expect some opposition from the enemy; but we must pray wholeheartedly with fervor, concentration, and effort.Their prayers also brought them together in fellowship.Churches, which are built upon prayer, should be in the habit of drawing near to God together.The Early Church’s prayer also revealed their faith.They recognized that they were entering the throne room of God. And as we speak to God, we must do so with the faith that He will answer.We should also note the focus of that prayer.This church prayed specifically for Peter, who was in prison and set to be beheaded in the coming days. When we pray, we should avoid generalized requests and focus on specific concerns.Finally, we must remember the force of their prayer.God miraculously delivered Peter from prison. In the dead of night, Peter’s chains were broken, and the prison door was open. Peter walked out, just in time.Adrian Rogers says, “When we depend upon planning, we see what planning can do. But when we depend upon prayer, we see what God can do.”Apply it to your lifeHave you experienced victory through prayer? Remember: prayer is no substitute for work or common sense. But when you begin to merge prayer with obedience, God begins to work on your behalf.

Our Identification with Christ

Sermon OverviewScripture Passage: 1 John 4:17As Christians, we find our identification in Jesus Christ. He became as we are that we might become as He is.1 John 4:17 says, “Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.”Our identification with Christ is a powerful truth; we are spiritually united with Jesus in His death, burial, and resurrection. As a result, we are also united with Jesus in His victory.Adrian Rogers says, “I’m not merely with Jesus on the cross; I have walked out of that empty tomb with Him.”The Bible also proclaims that our identification with Christ is very present and practical.His wisdom is our wisdom. “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God…” (1 Corinthians 1:30).His joy is our joy. In John 15:11, Jesus says, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”His sorrow is our sorrow. “...that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death…” (Philippians 3:10).His friends are our friends. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus says, “...as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.”His enemies are our enemies. “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you” (John 15:18).His purpose is our purpose. In John 20:21, Jesus implores, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”His authority is our authority. In Matthew 21:18-20, Jesus says, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations… teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you…”Finally, His future is our future. “When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (Colossians 3:4).When we took Jesus as a heavenly bridegroom, He became one with us, that we might become one with Him.Apply it to your lifeDo you find your identification in Christ? Dwell on these verses and ask the Holy Spirit to confirm this truth in your heart today.

An Old Testament Calvary

Join Adrian Rogers as he explores the most remarkable psalm, Psalm 22, and its breathtaking prophecy of the crucifixion. With meticulous attention to detail and fervent passion, Rogers elucidates how this piece of scripture, written nearly a millennium before the birth of Jesus, foretells key elements of the crucifixion. From the agony and mockery Jesus endured to the ultimate victory of His resurrection, listeners are invited to comprehend the deep suffering and triumphant love encapsulated in these verses.

Learning to Lean

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Hebrews 11:21; Genesis 32 Hebrews 11:21 says, “By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.” Many of us think self-sufficiency is a virtue, but truthfully, it is a vice. After deceiving his father to obtain his brother Esau’s birthright, Jacob was on the run for his life. God used this moment to cause Jacob to cease depending upon his own schemes. Jacob’s story reveals three principles to remember as we learn to lean on God. First, God will protect us, but He will not pamper us. In Genesis 32, Esau was pursuing Jacob with a vengeance. God appointed angels to protect Jacob on his journey, but Jacob needed to learn that his flattery and strategy would not work. Second, God will hurt us, but He will not harm us. Adrian Rogers explains, “God brought Jacob to realize that his only hope was God: not his scheming, but his surrendering; not his bargaining, but his begging.” As He loved Jacob, God loves us too much to leave us self-sufficient. Genesis 32:24-25 says, “Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him.” Finally, God will break us, but He desires to bless us. Genesis 32:27-28 says, “So He said to him, “What is your name?” He said, “Jacob.” And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.” God gave Jacob a new name: no longer was Jacob a schemer or conniver; when he learned to lean on God, he became a prince, Israel. Following this encounter, Jacob was left with a limp. All his life, Jacob leaned upon his staff—but he was stronger with a limp than he ever would have been on his own two feet. Adrian Rogers says, “Men throw broken things away, but God never uses anything until He first breaks it.” Apply it to your life Failure doesn’t need to be final; if you’ll judge yourself, you won’t have to be judged. Lean on the Lord Jesus Christ; it is your worship by…

Lessons from a Dysfunctional Family

Sermon Overview Scripture Passage: Hebrews 11:20 Family was first established by God in the Garden of Eden. Knowing family is a gift of God, the enemy has waged a war against the home. Hebrews 11 reveals lessons from a dysfunctional family, and offers hope for those who face unrest in the home. “By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come” (Hebrews 11:20). This passage looks back to the story of twin brothers Jacob and Esau in Genesis 25. They were the sons of Isaac and Rebekah, and together, they were a family plagued by favoritism, deception, and betrayal. Esau, the eldest, sold Jacob his birthright for a bowl of stew. This small act of foolishness propelled a lifetime of dysfunction. Genesis 27 goes on to reveal the failure of a dysfunctional family. Isaac, the sensual father on his deathbed, blessed the wrong son for the wrong reasons. He was a man who lived for the things of this world and ended his life in sorrow. He represents many fathers who live self-centered lives, giving in to their appetites. There is also Rebekah, the scheming mother who, favoring Jacob, helped him take the birthright from Esau. As a result, she lost the son she was trying to bless. Then there’s Jacob, the shady son, who connived his way to Esau’s birthright. Yet, God was at work in this family; there was still faith in the disciplined father. Shaken by what he had done, Isaac came to his senses and returned to the Word of God. Finally, this family reflects the forecast of a determined future. Having returned to his faith, Isaac blessed both sons in the name of God, on the authority of Scripture. Yet, he had the foresight to know the godly lineage would come from Jacob. Adrian Rogers says, “It is God who is moving history to a conclusion, and the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ.” Apply it to your life Remember these deeply convicting words from Adrian Rogers: “The best thing any father could do is give his heart to Jesus. The best thing any mother could do is trust her children to Jesus and quit scheming. The best thing any child could do is stand on the promises of God, our birthright—the One who has blessed us with all heavenly blessings in Christ Jesus.”