Fellowship Bible Church Sermons Fellowship Bible Church

June 19, 2024 PM, Psalm 88:1ff.

June 16, 2024 PM, Ephesians 2:19-22.Our Scripture reading was Amos 5:1ff

June 16, 2024 AM, Luke 11:1-4.Our Scripture reading was Philemon 1:1ff

A. The model prayer, or any prayer for that matter that is patterned after it, is of no value if the heart of the person praying it is not walking with God. “If I cherish iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (loose quotation of Psalm 66:18). B. The question and the Lord’s answer concern private, individual prayer. The Lord is not talking about public prayer offered in a gathered worship service. That topic is addressed elsewhere in Scripture (1 Cor. 11:4-13, 14:13-17; 1 Thess. 5:17, 5:25; 1 Tim. 2:1-8). Paul in particular gives reports about the content of his prayers. I do not believe those things violate the Lord’s prohibition about public prayer in Matthew 6 because Paul is not giving the prayer report to seek praise from people as the Pharisees were doing. He is giving the report to edify and encourage the church. Those who pray publicly in church also must pray with similar motivation. We also see examples of the first church praying together in Acts 1:14, 4:24-31, 12:12, 13:3, 14:23, 20:36, 21:5, 27:29. C. The model prayer gives us a template, an outline if you will, that shows our focus in all things it to be heavenward—toward God as
holy Father, toward God’s kingdom and will, toward God’s provision, toward God’s mercy in forgiveness, with respect to our similar godly attitude toward others, and toward holiness in our conduct. D. The model prayer does not accomplish its design if we do not pray very much or often.

June 16, 2024 SS, Philippians 4:8.In myself: A. Repent. Confess any sin. Ask God to help you think better in the future, more carefully, more truly, etc. In others: B. Do not treat the failed person with malice, harsh judgement, ill will, lack of love, lack of mercy, etc. C. Love covers a multitude of sins. D. Gently ask the person to explain their thinking, and if truly he is not “thinking well” then ask him to amend his ways. If there is a pattern of sin, expose that as a help to the brother or sister so they will break that pattern. E. Be quick to forgive.

June 12, 2024 PM, Acts 14:21-28.This reminds us of several truths that we need to really engage with: 1. Paul and his missionary team were doing exactly what the Great Commission told them to do. 2. The Great Commission is not just about preaching the gospel, but doing the next steps – making disciples, maturing disciples, organizing disciples into churches with pastors. The Great Commission requires more of us than to only share the gospel. There is also required continued teaching, encouragement, warning, and establishing of local churches with qualified leadership. 3. Our church’s missions program needs to be focused on this kind of work—since that is what the Great Commission is! Social programs are not missions. If we keep that clear, we have the start of a good foundation to go forward in our missionary program. 4. Our local church ministries and programs need to be focused on making disciples, not just doing things for things’ sake.

June 9, 2024 PM, Ephesians 2:14-18.Our Scripture reading was Amos 4:1ff