Gateway Franklin Church

Recorded messages from weekly worship services at Gateway Church in Franklin, TN. Audio

Video
Sermon Notes
Why the elusive practice of prayer? We grossly underestimate the magnitude of the relationship we have with God through Christ.We are grossly overdependent on our own power to do life and make things happen.We are grossly in the dark regarding the spiritual role we play in God’s unfolding drama.The Descriptive PunchEvangelism Synergy – Working together to lead more people out of spiritual darkness into God’s marvelous light.Leadership Expansion – All growth demands growing leadership and all growing leadership leads to growth.Discipleship Tenacity – Not easily pulled apart. It takes grit and determination to overcome the enemy and stay on the path of becoming.Advancing PrayerAdvancing PrayerTo forward the cause ofTo move up in positionTo move forward as a result ofAdvance Prayer as PresencePsalm 115:1-8 Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. 2 Why do the nations say, “Where is their God?” 3 Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him. 4 But their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands. 5 They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. 6 They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell. 7 They have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk, nor can they utter a sound with their throats. 8 Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.The Cross Opens the Door of Relationship Through…Justification Redemption Reconciliation2 Corinthians 5:17-18 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: Now that we have it we can give it!WorshipVictory Hebrews 4:14-16 14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.Prayer’s primary motivation is relational not transactional. Advance Prayer as PriorityGod has a fierce expectation that we go to Him first. Philippians 4:6-7 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.Advance Prayer as PowerJames 5:16-18 (AMP) tells us… 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offenses], and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored. The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power]. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours [with the same physical, mental, and spiritual limitations and shortcomings], and he prayed intensely for it not to rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. 18 Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the land produced its crops [as usual].Ephesians 5:18-20 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.Advancing Prayer at Gateway1. Stay in contact with your Elder2. Prayer Works ~ www.gatewayfranklin.com/prayer3. Staff payer every Tuesday morning4. Life Groups5. Individual Lead Teams