Bible Text: Luke 11:5-11 | Preacher: Pastor Steve | Series: Abiding in the Lord, Transformed by Christmas
We are Transformed by Christmas
John 1:14 The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood…
2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Ephesians 3:20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
The greatest moments in life are the miraculous moments when imperfect humans intersect with the all-powerful Divine Creator of the universe!
God wants to use us, but it is never about us!
Acts 1:4-5 …wait for the Promise of the Father, which, He said, you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit…
Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Prayer puts us in connection to the Lord
Matthew 6:6-7 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.  And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
We need to take people to God BEFORE we take God to people
What an amazing gift we have to offer
PRAYER and PEACE!
Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
AW Tozer:
“If the Holy Spirit was withdrawn from the church today, 95% of what we do would go on and no one would know the difference. If the Holy Spirit had been withdrawn from the New Testament Church, 95% of what they did would stop and everybody would know the difference.”
2 Chronicles 7:14 IF my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, THEN will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Luke 11:5-11 And He said to them, which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him; and he will answer from within and say, do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you.
Transforming prayer requires us to be:
Persistent
Direct
Specific
Bold
Prayer appeals are often a result of a crisis that releases a genuine sense of urgency.
I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, YET BECAUSE OF HIS PERSISTENCE he will rise and give him as many as he needs. So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
Progressive Powerful Persistent Prayer
Luke 11:9-10 So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
Keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knocking
NEVER GIVE UP!
We learn to attack each situation with increasing intensity and confidence and power because of the Holy Spirit in us!
I John 5:14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.