The church: her worship in prayer and thanksgiving

Monday 29 August 2011

2
Rom 12:1-2, Heb 13:15-16, suggest 4 sacrices a Christian should make. Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of Gods mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrice, holy and pleasing to Godthis is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what Gods will ishis good, pleasing and perfect will. Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrice of praisethe fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrices God is pleased.

Offer your body, praise, good works, stewardship/sharing

Monday 29 August 2011

3
Worship in this age is not about circumstance or form: God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." Jn 4:24 It is not about a spectacular place but about a heart of adoration expressing prayer and intercession through Christ. Chafer states, Prayer and praise are the principle elements of worship and are acts of direct communion of men with God In OT and NT there is a progressive revelation about this subject.
Monday 29 August 2011

A. Prayer before the first advent of Christ

Individuals have always offered prayer to God - though in a household it would appear the patriarch offered the main prayer, Job 1:5 Between Moses and Christ it was done by the priest on behalf of the people - pleading in prayer would be on the basis of covenants and of the character of God - and followed the shedding of sacricial blood. 1Ki 8:22-26, Neh 9:32, Dan 9:4, Gen 18:25, Ex 32:11-14, Heb 9:7
Monday 29 August 2011

B. Prayer in expectation of the kingdom

Jesus taught his early disciples to pray for the kingdom on earth. Matt 6:9-13 - including, Your kingdom come... Chafer states this is about the millennial kingdom to be established here on earth - and suggests the ending of Matt 6:13 further substantiates this thinking, for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Monday 29 August 2011

6
Chafer also suggests that Matt 6 is not the real Lords prayer but John 17 is - where the Lord interceded for the church recognising Gods purpose in this age. He says Matt 6 has some useful items suitable for all ages and circumstances - adoration of the Father, asking for daily bread, deliverance from temptation. He also says it is not wrong to pray this prayer - but we have to realise the millennial kingdom will not come about by human effort.
Monday 29 August 2011

C. The prayer of Christ

John 17 reveals the utmost freedom between Father and Son. Here Jesus prays as High Priest for believers in his age and after Pentecost. On earth Christ spent long times in prayer: Matt 14:23, Lk 6:12 The prayer of Christ does not rest on covenants but on his own person and priestly work of sacrice. Jn 17 reveals the intercessory work of Christ which continues through this dispensation.
Monday 29 August 2011

D. Prayer under the relationship of grace

Prayer is different through all dispensations. With NT revelation of prayer in the name of Christ and in the light of his sacrice on the cross it takes on a new dimension. Christ teaches on prayer in 3 major places: Jn 14:12-14, 15:7, 16:23-24 Prayer under grace is lifted free of earthly limitations into the eternal sphere of being a new creation.

Monday 29 August 2011

D. Prayer under the relationship of grace

Prayer is different through all dispensations. With NT revelation of prayer in the name of Christ and in the light of his sacrice on the cross it takes on a new dimension. Christ teaches on prayer in 3 major places: Jn 14:12-14, 15:7, 16:23-24 Prayer under grace is lifted free of earthly limitations into the eternal sphere of being a new creation.

Monday 29 August 2011

9
1. Prayer includes not only praise but your own needs and interceding on behalf of others. The rational mind says prayer is meaningless - God is omniscient and therefore is ahead of you in what you pray for. God has sovereignly chosen prayer as a way of accomplishing his will and has commanded us to do it. Jn 14:13-14, And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be gloried in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Monday 29 August 2011

9
1. Prayer includes not only praise but your own needs and interceding on behalf of others. The rational mind says prayer is meaningless - God is omniscient and therefore is ahead of you in what you pray for. God has sovereignly chosen prayer as a way of accomplishing his will and has commanded us to do it. Jn 14:13-14, And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be gloried in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Monday 29 August 2011

10
Prayer is elevated here - Gods action is conditioned by the believers prayer! Whilst we might not understand how it works we know God has ordained some form of partnership with us in prayer - we get to share in the service of prayer and also the glory of it - Heb 10:19-20, Eph 5:30 Jn 14:12 14, greater works, is connected to prayer...Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father... You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Monday 29 August 2011

11
2. Prayer in the name of Jesus is the highest possible form of prayer - and supersedes all previous grounds of prayer, Jn 16:24 Using the name of Jesus commands the attention of the Father, and inclines Him to do what is asked - the name of Christ = the person of Christ, and recognises that we are part of Christ in the new creation. Prayer in Christs name is like him signing our request.
Monday 29 August 2011

12

Unanswered prayer may be because we look for the things of self - Jas 4:22-23 We should be praying His name as we are in Christ - 2Cor 5:17-18, Col 3:3 What of the prayer of unbelievers? Chafer states, since prayer is possible only on the ground of the shed blood and by virtue of the believers vital union with Christ, the prayer of the unsaved cannot be accepted by God.

Monday 29 August 2011

12

Unanswered prayer may be because we look for the things of self - Jas 4:22-23 We should be praying His name as we are in Christ - 2Cor 5:17-18, Col 3:3 What of the prayer of unbelievers? Chafer states, since prayer is possible only on the ground of the shed blood and by virtue of the believers vital union with Christ, the prayer of the unsaved cannot be accepted by God.

Monday 29 August 2011

13
3. What is the scope of prayer? Jn 15:7 denes it; If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. Remain in me - you must be in Christ for prayer to be heard Whatever you wish - as we are in Christ we shall ask Christ centred, Godglorifying prayers. Phil 2:13 - for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulll his good purpose. Rom 8:26-27
Monday 29 August 2011

13
3. What is the scope of prayer? Jn 15:7 denes it; In the same way, the Spirit helps If you remain in me and my words remain usyou,our weakness. We do not will in in ask whatever you wish, and it know what we ought to pray for, be done for you. but the in me -himself intercedes for Remain Spirit you must be in Christ for us to be heard prayer through wordless groans. Whatever you wish - as our hearts And he who searcheswe are in Christ we shall ask mind of the Spirit, knows the Christ centred, Godglorifying the Spirit intercedes for becauseprayers. Phil 2:13 - for it in God who works in you is accordance with Gods people to will and to act in order to fulll his the will of God. good purpose. Rom 8:26-27
Monday 29 August 2011

14
4. The practice of prayer should be given careful attention by every believer - regular times of prayer, no irreverent prayers, no useless repetitions, Matt 6:7-8 - And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Jn 16:23 - In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
Monday 29 August 2011

14
4. The practice of prayer should be given careful attention by Jude 20 -But you, dear friends, by every believer - regular times of building yourselves up in your most prayer, no irreverent prayers, no holy faith and praying in the Holy useless repetitions, Spirit, Matt 6:7-8 - And when you pray, Chafer states the order of Jn 16:23 do not keep on babbling like and Jude 20 is important: pagans, for they think they will be We do not pray to Christ which heard because of their many words. abandons his mediation but Do not be like them, for your Father through Christ - and we do not knows what you need before you pray to the Spirit of God but by ask him. Jn 16:23 - In that day you him, otherwise it implies we are will no longer ask me anything. Very doing it in our own sufciency truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
Monday 29 August 2011

15

E. The prayer of thanksgiving

True thanksgiving is the voluntary expression of heartfelt gratitude for benet received. Its effectiveness depends on the sincerity and intensity depends on what value is given to the received benet - 2 Cor 9:11 This is not a payment for the benet - but a recognition in receiving, that we are indebted to the giver - all thanksgiving is closely related to praise and worship. In this age we make sacricial offerings of thanksgiving to God.
Monday 29 August 2011

16
Prayer is mentioned many times in the OT, especially n the Psalms thanksgiving offerings are mentioned in Lev 7:12-15 praise and thanksgiving seemed to be prominent under Nehemiah, Neh 12:12-40 The prophets anticipate thanksgiving as a special part of worship in the kingdom - Isa 51:3, Jer 30:19 There is continual thanksgiving in heaven - Rev 4:9, 7:12, 11:19
Monday 29 August 2011

16
Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who Prayer is mentioned many times in sits OT,the throne and who lives the on especially n the Psalms for ever and ever, thanksgiving offerings are mentioned ...saying: in Lev 7:12-15 praise and thanksgiving seemed to Amen! Praise and glory be prominent under Nehemiah, and wisdom and thanks and honor Neh 12:12-40 and power and strength be to our God prophetsand ever. Amen! The for ever anticipate thanksgiving as a special part of ... saying: worship in thanks to you, Lord We give the kingdom - Isa 51:3, Jer 30:19 God Almighty, the One who is and There is continual you have taken who was, becausethanksgiving in heaven - Rev 4:9, 7:12, 11:19 your great power and have begun to reign.
Monday 29 August 2011

17
OT thanksgiving involves appreciating the Person of God apart from all his benets - Ps 30:4, 95:2, 97:12, 100:1-5, 119:62 Remember not to neglect this idea: Ps 92:1 -It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High Thanksgiving is mentioned 45x in NT - for earthly and spiritual blessings - both Christ and Paul gave thanks for food - Matt 15:36, 26:27, Mk 8:6, 14:23 etc. Acts 27:35, Rom 14:6
Monday 29 August 2011

18
Paul uses the phrase thanks be to God in connection with; Unspeakable gift 2Cor 9:15 Victory over the grave through the resurrection, 1 Cor 15:57 Present triumph which is ours through christ, Cor 2:14 Thanksgiving for believers 1Thess 1:2 For Titus 2Cor 8:16 In commanding thanks be given for all men 1Tim 2:1
Monday 29 August 2011

19
2 important features of NT thanksgiving: 1. It is connected to prayer without ceasing - Heb 13:15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrice of praisethe fruit of lips that openly profess his name. 2. Thanksgiving should be offered for all Eph 5:20 - always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thess 5:17-18 - pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus.
Monday 29 August 2011

19
2 important features of NT thanksgiving: 1. It is connected to prayer without ceasing - Heb 13:15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrice of praisethe fruit of lips that openly profess his name. 2. Thanksgiving should be offered for all Eph 5:20 - always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thess 5:17-18 - pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus.
Monday 29 August 2011

20
Giving thanks always is not the same as giving thanks sometimes! If we accept Rom 8:28 -And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Then thanks can be offered to God for all things, (if we are Spirit lled, Eph 5:18) Jonah 2:9 Daniel 6:20 Ingratitude is a sin - 10 lepers - Lk 17:11-19, 2 Tim 3:2 - People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
Monday 29 August 2011