2014.9.21 礼拝

2014.9.21 礼拝

Matthew 18:19-20 – Understanding the Connection between Prayer and Unity

What are you seriously thinking about now?  Students – final exams/entrance exams; business men – work/new projects/contracts etc.

What was Jesus Christ’s foremost interest while on earth?  His foremost interest was:

Matthew 6:9-10 “The Lord’s Prayer” – Wished that all will get to know “our Father in Heaven”, filled with love and forgiveness and accept him as our Lord , and be able to live under his protection.  He wished that we would have the same wish and, therefore, pray in the same way.

John 6:38 – Jesus came to do the will of God, that his will be done on earth as in heaven.  It is for us Christians to carry out his will.

Mark 14:35-36 –Before he was arrested and crucified, we prayed that he be relieved of  his suffering, “yet not what I will, but what you will.” Doing God’s will was ultimate joy.  Our challenge is to do God’s will especially when we are praying for our own wishes.

Isaiah 55:11 – so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

What God has promised will be done. 

James 4:3 – If you don’t receive what you have prayed for or wished, your motive must have been bad – praying only for your own pleasure.  If we wish for what God wills, it would be fulfilled.

1.  Prayer should not be for your own convenience.　

Matthew 18:19 – “Again I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will done for you by my Father in heaven.”

Not that our prayer will always be selfish when we pray alone, but we may realize our selfish prayers when we pray together with other people.  Our prayer may be a wish over sacrifice of some other people.  For example, if two Christian teams pray for their own victory, one team wins on the sacrifice of the other.  Jesus says, if two should ask for what is agreed, then the prayer will be answered.  

2.  Don’t just taste God’s blessing

Matthew 5:45 – “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”

God shows his love and mercy with the “sun to rise on the evil and the good” to give everyone a taste of how wonderful it would be if we could get to know God and be in heaven. 

3.  Adjust your soul to God’s will. 

Matthew 18:20 – “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”

It would be easy for people with same ideas to agree, however, unity does not mean to have the same ideas.  God wants us to realize unity in sharing the same will of God.  Find unity in the will of Jesus.

Psalm 37:3-5 – Should find unity in following Jesus.  Surrender yourself to God and “seek your happiness in the Lord” so that you will find joy in doing the will of God.