Sermon notes…on the fly

I didn’t get to post yesterday. It was yet another morning with too many tasks and not enough a time. I did promise to share my sermon notes from Sunday and I typed them all out last night so I could post quickly this morning. 

Somehow when I went to backspace for an edit, I managed to erase the first few short paragraphs. This is what is left. Sadly, I do not have time to retrace my steps and add the first part back in. I will assume this is what you needed to hear. 

It was a good teaching on prayer and I urge you to listen to the whole thing here – https://www.firstdecatur.org/messages/teachmetopray/

• The biggest key to being able to hear God’s will is to KNOW and PRAY God’s word. 

• 2 Timothy 3:16,17 from The Message is a reminder of this:

Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another – showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us. 

• Use the reading of His word as a means of listening and surrender. When you read something, stop and ask if you are putting these words into practice. 

• Using an illustration about an opera singer who began to sing off key because his hearing had been damaged by the volume of the other voices around him, Brian pointed out that God’s voice can be drowned out if we are allowing the voices of the world and distractions to become  louder. 
• Brian asked us, “Is God’s the loudest voice in your life?” This is a direct reminder that God speaks in a still, small voice and if I do not train my ear to hear Him, I will not know His will. To me (and yes, this is my thought) since I know God won’t shout at me, I have to be very intentional to turn down all the other voices that vie for my attention so I can hear His voice. 

• Prayer is not asking God to do our will, but asking God to align our will with His. 

• When we read, for the most part, it is for information or entertainment. But when we read God’s Word it is for transformation. We read His word to become changed. Romans 12: 2 Do not be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind; it is then you will be able to test and prove His good and perfect will. 

• Reading, praying and applying God’s Word is how we begin to know and understand His will. 

This is just a skeleton note sketch of it, but I hope you can find some encouragement to help you grow in your prayers.