Prayer in Acts, Part 3 – Prayer for Deacons

Last night was our third week using prayers in the book of Acts as a guide for our own Wednesday prayer meeting.  We came to Acts 6, where the early church had an internal conflict that could have hindered their unity and limited the explosive growth they had been experiencing by the power of the Holy Spirit.  However, God moved powerfully in that instance – leading the church to designate certain areas of focus in ministry for apostles (which apply to pastors today) and deacons.  As a result, the Word of God increased, the number of disciples multiplied, and even many priests became obedient to the faith (verse 7)!

Below is the guide I used for that passage.  It takes points of prayer from Acts 6:1-7.  It would be good for group or individual use, especially as you pray for your deacons and pastors.  God bless you.

Prayer in Acts, Part 3 – Prayer Meeting 01132016

 

Tags: Prayer, Prayer Meeting, Prayer Guide, Acts 6, Deacons, Pastors, Unity

The Nature of the Shepherd

Dr. Hershael York, professor at Southern Seminary and senior pastor at Buck Run Baptist Church, was my preaching professor and a member of my dissertation committee.  God has greatly blessed me with his preaching instruction, pastoral counsel, and friendship.  I highly recommend his book on preaching.

Yesterday, Dr. York shared this excellent personal story on Facebook that is not only good counsel for those in Christian ministry, but also a great illustration for the kind of Shepherd Jesus is to His people.  Dr. York connected the story to John 10:1-18.  He writes,

On one of my trips to Israel I once saw a man behind a flock of sheep, driving them down the road by holding out two long sticks, one on either side, in an attempt to force them to stay together in front of him. Puzzled that I had never seen a shepherd lead his sheep like that, I asked my guide, Zvi, “Why is that shepherd driving his sheep that way? I’ve never seen that before.” “Oh,” he answered. “That’s not a shepherd. That’s a butcher. He has bought those sheep and now he has to drive them to the slaughterhouse. They won’t follow him, because they don’t know him. He can’t lead them, so he has to drive them.” 

Shepherds lead from the front. Butchers drive from behind.

 

This story could illustrate sermons from many passages in addition to John 10, including words to pastors like Ephesians 4 and 1 Peter 5 (especially verses 1-4).  It also would fit well with passages that speak of Jesus as the Good Shepherd: Psalm 23, Matthew 2 (verse 6), Matthew 9 (verse 36), Paul’s words to the Ephesians elders in Acts 20, the benediction of Hebrews 13, 1 Peter 2 (verse 25), and Revelation 7 (verse 17).

 

Tags: Jesus, Good Shepherd, Shepherd, Sheep, Psalm 23, Matthew 2, Matthew 9, Mark 6, John 10, Acts 20, Ephesians 4, Hebrews 13, 1 Peter 2, 1 Peter 5, and Revelation 7.

Finishing Well

Here’s the link for a video and article that are very ripe for illustrative purposes – both for finishing well and for the value of Christian accountability in discipleship.

http://www.runnersworld.com/world-championships/infeld-euphoric-huddle-devastated-after-world-champs-10k

I won’t summarize the whole story because you can read about and watch it at the link.  Clearly, this could illustrate passages about running well, finishing our race, fighting the good fight, and more.  Don’t forget about narrative contexts that this could fit with – like the lives of Saul, Solomon, Uzziah, Judas Iscariot, or Ananias and Sapphira.

But on top of that, notice what Molly Huddle said after losing: “I thought there was no one battling me down the home stretch…”  Do you think she would have taken third place if she knew that Emily Infeld was right behind her?  I’m sure of it.  So, this story could also illustrate the Scriptural principle that we must “stir up one another to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24).  Molly’s awareness of someone “battling” her down the stretch would actually have caused her to win a medal!  That’s a good kind of battle, like iron sharpening iron (Proverbs 27:17).

 

Tags: Saul, Solomon, Uzziah, Judas Iscariot, Paul, Ananias and Sapphira, Finishing Well, Discipleship, Accountability, Faithfulness, 1 Samuel 13, 1 Samuel 15, 1 Kings 11, 2 Chronicles 26, Proverbs 27, Matthew 26, Matthew 27, Mark 14, Luke 22, John 13, John 18, Acts 5, Philippians 1, 2 Timothy 4, Hebrews 4, Hebrews 10, Hebrews 11, Hebrews 12

Prayer in the Book of Acts, Part 2

Tonight marks our second week using prayers in the book of Acts as a guide for our own Wednesday prayer meeting.  I am doing basic searches on “prayer” and related terms in the book of Acts, and then seeing how those stories and prayers from the life of the early church can guide our own prayers.

Below is the guide I’m using tonight.  It takes points of prayer from Acts 4:23-31 (and the surrounding narrative context).  It would be good for group or individual use.  God bless you.

Prayer in Acts, Part 2 – Prayer Meeting 01062016

 

Tags: Acts, Acts 4, Prayer, Prayer Meeting, Persecution, Evangelism