PENTECOSTAL LITURGIES

Pastor Josh Weisbrod – May 24, 2020

KEY IDEA: Learn to use the model of prayer that Jesus gave us, so that we can be equipped to fulfill part of the mission Jesus gave us to teach others how to pray.

KEY PASSAGE: Matthew 6:9 (Matthew 6:9-13)

SUMMARY: Using the model of prayer Jesus gave the disciples, when we begin our prayer by declaring who God is and declaring that He is holy, it puts everything into its proper perspective. God is on the throne, and I am loved by God the Father.

BACKGROUND:

This first in a series of messages is intended to equip the saints, which means that it is intended to teach you how to pray so you can teach someone else how to pray. We are giving you the tools to empower you in the mission God has given you and all of us. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

What are Pentecostal Liturgies?

• Pentecost is the day where Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to come be with us and to dwell in us.

• Pentecostal means believing the Holy Spirit is alive and active and moving.

• Liturgy is a means of worship.

• Jesus was not just an example to love, but an example for you to emulate. We are called to live as Jesus lived. Pentecostal Liturgies help us live as Jesus lived by following His example.

Prayer is a Blessing

• Prayer is communicating with God. I talk and I listen.

• We have access to God. He hears our prayers and He answers our prayers.

• Philippians 4:6 - It’s not only a command to pray together, but it is also a blessing when we pray together.

How do I Pray?

Our Father in Heaven . . .

• Our Father

• Prayer is a corporate gathering opportunity. It’s a blessing for us as a church.

• We all have one Father God. We are connected because we have the same Father.

• His is intimately connected with us as Father, but infinitely great because He is in heaven

Declare Who God is

· This is the best place to start in prayer. Declaration puts God in the right position—in our heart, mind, prayer, focus, and life.

· Prayer has power because of God’s authority.

· Prayer gives us peace because He is a good father.

· Your prayer doesn’t have power because of your power or your words. Prayer has power because of God’s power. Start by recognizing that He reigns over all things.

· Greek word father translates as Abba. ( Romans 8:15-17) We need to redefine ‘father’ so we can understand God as Father. (Previous message on Redefining Fatherhood)

· He’s infinitely powerful and holds the whole universe, yet He holds me in His hands. You are special and important to God because He loves and values you.

· Declaring who God is gives us perspective on Him, prayer, and our relationship to Him. This puts everything into the proper order of things.

· Start by putting Him on the throne—the throne of my life, of every nation, etc.

· Declare His strength and might. Thank Him for His might.

· Declare His goodness. Thank Him for being a good Father.

Hallowed be Your Name

• Hallowed means to honor as holy.

• It’s not just the letters, word, of idea of His name.

• Name – onoma – means person, or reputation of character.

• Holy is everything about God—His entire character, His promises, His ways, His thoughts, everything about Him is holy. There is no trace of evil or sin in Him. He is perfect in every way. God is holy and we are not.

• Isaiah 59 - There is a separation because of sin. Jesus came as the once and for all sacrifice. There is no longer a separation. We have unlimited access to God because of Jesus. Hebrews 10:19-25

Declare God’s Holiness

• Prayer brings a humble and eternal perspective when I declare who God is and His holiness.

• I have a response when I understand God’s holiness, and His love and mercy for me.

• May I live today in a way that honors Your holiness and who You are.

• When God is in the right position then my heart can be in the right position.

• When I declare who God is and I declare His holiness, I start responding to love from my Father rather than feeling like I have to earn his love.

• When I start my prayer by recognizing who God is, what he has done, and how we respond, it takes away so much anxiety. It feels comforting not chaotic; a gentleness comes in my time in prayer.

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

Use these reflection questions as a way to deepen your relationship with God. Allow the Holy Spirit to shine a light into your heart.

1) If you could change one thing about your prayer life what would it be and why?

2) We can believe things with our head and not with our heart. In other words, we can have an intellectual understanding of a concept and believe it in our head, yet not have experiential knowledge and believe it in our hearts. How easy or difficult is it for you to believe, with both your head and your heart, that God hears you and answers you when you pray? Why?

3) At different times and situations in our lives, God reveals a different aspect of His nature and His character, often through an experience. For example, when someone is struggling to make ends meet, and food shows up on your doorstep or some other way you weren’t expecting and there is enough food for your family, God may reveal Himself to you as your Provider. What part of God’s nature or character has He revealed to you personally through experience, through the Word of God, through a sermon, etc.? How can you use these experiences to declare who God is, His character and nature, in prayer?

4) “Prayer has power because of God’s authority (He rules and reigns over all things). Prayer gives us peace because He is a good Father.” God does both of those things. What do you feel like you most need right now in your life—God’s authority and power, or God’s peace as a good Father?

5) Prayer brings a humble and eternal perspective when I declare who God is and His holiness.

Share about a time when God changed your perspective, or share about an area of your life where you need God’s perspective. [Either of these can become prayer points. You can declare what God has done for you in giving you a new perspective, or you can declare God’s holiness and receive God’s perspective.]

Full Podcast Episode: http://banner.church/podcast/2020/5/25/pentecostal-liturgies-liturgy-to-declare-gods-holiness-52420

Link To Liturgy: http://banner.church/declaration