November 17th, 2024
BIG | A Bigger Heart for His Big World
How to Pray Again
Jon Fredricks
Today’s Scripture: Luke 19:45-48 NIV
Proverbs 16:25 NIV
There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.
Luke 19:45-48 NIV
Jesus at the Temple
45 When Jesus entered the temple courts, he began to drive out those who were selling. 46 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”
47 Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. 48 Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.
Ephesians 2:22 NIV
And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Isaiah 56:1-7 NIV
This is what the Lord says:
“Maintain justice
and do what is right,
for my salvation is close at hand
and my righteousness will soon be revealed.
2
Blessed is the one who does this—
the person who holds it fast,
who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it,
and keeps their hands from doing any evil.”
3
Let no foreigner who is bound to the Lord say,
“The Lord will surely exclude me from his people.”
And let no eunuch complain,
“I am only a dry tree.”
4 For this is what the Lord says:
“To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths,
who choose what pleases me
and hold fast to my covenant—
5
to them I will give within my temple and its walls
a memorial and a name
better than sons and daughters;
I will give them an everlasting name
that will endure forever.
6
And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord
to minister to him,
to love the name of the Lord,
and to be his servants,
all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it
and who hold fast to my covenant—
7
these I will bring to my holy mountain
and give them joy in my house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and sacrifices
will be accepted on my altar;
for my house will be called
a house of prayer for all nations.”
Luke 4:8 NIV
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”
Deuteronomy 4:24 NIV
For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.
Mark 11:17 NIV
17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”
Mark 12:31 NIV
The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
1 Corinthians 11:17 NIV
17 In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good.
1) BE SLOW TO CRITIQUE
Luke 19:47 NIV
47 Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him.
2) BE SOFT TO JESUS' REBUKE
Luke 19:48 NIV
48 Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.
3) BE QUICK TO RESPOND
John 13:17 NIV
Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
AFTER THE LIVESTREAM
Pray -
Jesus, I know that I have been separate from you my entire life. I have tried to pretend otherwise, but I realize today that my decisions, choices...my sin has separated me from God. I believe you are the Son of God and my only way forward. Please save me as I surrender the rest of my life into your hands. Thank you that you hear me!
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