I recently began a new sermon series called Commit at my church on what biblically committed church membership looks like. This post is based off of the sixth sermon in that series. You can watch the sermon here.
Today, we continue our sermon series on biblical church membership based on the pattern we see in Acts 2.
We started our sermon series in Acts 2 and I want to again look at a couple of verses from there. If you would let’s look again at Acts 2:41.
Acts 2:41
So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
This verse summarizes the response to Peter’s preaching on the Day of Pentecost which occurred a few days after Jesus had ascended back to heaven. Those present heard the gospel. Many responded by receiving Peter’s message, repenting of their sins (Acts 2:38), and trusting (believing) in Jesus. After trusting in Jesus, they were baptized and added to the church.
So, what happened next? Look at verse 42.
Acts 2:42
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers
The rest of Acts 2 describes how the early Christians committed themselves to one another. This is the paradigm we see in the rest of the New Testament – conversion, baptism, committed church membership.
Earlier in this sermon series we saw the importance of baptism and church membership. Since then, we’ve been looking at how we can be faithful church members. In other words, what should we do after joining a church?
Look at verse 42 again. It says that the early Christians “devoted themselves” to four things: the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer.
Last week, we saw that just as the early church devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, we should submit to God’s Word both as a church and as church members.
Today, we are going to see how we can be committed to the church by being people that pray.
During the week of his death, Jesus made this statement: “My house shall be called a house of prayer” (Matt 21:13). The temple is no longer standing, but the church of Jesus Christ is alive and well. We do not gather in a holy place. Instead, we gather as those who have been redeemed by Jesus, our great high priest. And when the members of His body gather, they should gather as a prayerful people.
Just as these early believers devoted themselves to prayer, we should devote ourselves to prayer.
BIG IDEA: In order for our church to experience the fullness of God we must be devoted to prayer.
What is Prayer?
There are two ends of the spectrum when it comes to prayer. On one end of the spectrum, we may think that prayer is all about us and our needs. In this way, God is a means to an end. We only pray when we need something – material provision, healing, etc.
On the other end of the spectrum, some people believe that God has already decided everything so they believe that prayer is pointless.
But really, what is prayer? Graeme Goldsworthy writes, “Prayer is our response to God as He speaks to us.” That definition makes sense when you think about it. God has spoken through the gospel and in the Bible, His written Word. Prayer is our response to God as He speaks to us through His Word.
- We pray because we believe God hears our prayers. Why do we believe that? The Bible.
- We pray because we believe God loves and cares for us. Why do we believe that? The Bible.
- We pray because we believe God answers prayer. Why do we believe that? The Bible.
- We are commanded to pray. Why do we believe that? The Bible.
We pray because we believe God has spoken through His Word. We believe that He hears us when we pray. We believe He cares for us as a loving Father. We believe He answers prayer in accordance with His will. Therefore, we pray.
The Model of the Early Church
We’ve already seen that the early church was devoted to prayer (Acts 2:42). If you read the book of Acts, you’ll find that the early church prayed about anything and everything.
- They prayed as they waited for the coming of the Holy Spirit.
- They prayed as they choose leaders for the church.
- They prayed for Christians who were in prison.
- They prayed while they were in prison.
- They prayed for boldness to proclaim the gospel.
- They prayed for the spread of the gospel.
- They prayed for the sick.
- They prayed for safety.
The early church understood two things. First, they knew they were totally dependent on God through prayer. Second, because they knew they were totally dependent on God, they set aside time to pray when they got together. They were not limited to two or three prayers in a worship service.
The early church could not have imagined not praying with one another. The truth is that if we want to see in our church what happened in the early church, then we need to pray like they prayed.[1]Donald Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines within the Church, 165.
Like the early church, we need to remember the necessity of prayer. We must realize that without prayer our labor is in vain.
The Necessity of Prayer
Ps 127:1
“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.”
“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.”
Psalm 127:1
One theme of Ps 127 is that without the Lord’s blessing, all human work is worthless. The same holds true in our church. If we change the word house to the word church, here’s what it says:
“Unless the Lord builds the church, those who build it labor in vain.” That is the clear teaching of the New Testament. Look at the following Scriptures.
Matt 16:18b
I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Acts 2:47b
the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
1 Cor 3:6-7
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.
If you’ve ever tried to share the gospel or plead with someone in unrepentant sin, you know that none of us has any power to change someone’s heart. The Holy Spirit has to work before there can be spiritual fruit.
In the Bible, God has given us His plan for building the church. Through prayer, God supplies the power for building the church.
When we pray, we are acknowledging that we have no power in and of ourselves. In John 15:5 Jesus told his disciples that apart from a relationship with Jesus, they could do nothing of spiritual value. When we pray, we are acknowledging that we are helpless without God.
Many churches today think if they do certain things that their church will grow:
- If we get an eloquent preacher who doesn’t speak too long.
- If we do enough marketing.
- If we change our music style.
- If we design our services around unbelievers.
- If we have flashy children’s and youth programs.
To that, God says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.”
Many churches are in steep decline and it’s in large part because they are operating without the power of God that is supplied through prayer.
Our sound doctrine, our good works, our money, and our seminary degrees can never accomplish what only the power of God can accomplish. And the power of God never comes upon a prayerless church. It’s been said that “Prayer is the slender nerve that moves the hand of God.”
Our sound doctrine, our good works, our money, and our seminary degrees can never accomplish what only the power of God can accomplish.
If our church wants to experience a movement of God, then we need to be on our knees in the presence of God. This is something that’s been on my heart since I’ve been a pastor and I want to grow in this area. I want us as a church to pray together. It is wonderful if you are a prayer warrior at home, but churches need to pray together.
At this point, I hope I’ve convinced you that we need to pray. I want to now help us know how to pray and whom to pray for.
How to Pray
If you’re like me, then prayer is hard. We know that we need to pray and because we often don’t pray, we grow frustrated because we are not praying.
There’s obviously a lot we could say about how to pray. Books have been written on the subject. I’ll mention two things.
First, we should pray constantly (or consistently).
1 Thess 5:17
Pray without ceasing.
This verse doesn’t mean that we are always praying. It means that we have an attitude of prayer and we’re ready to pray at any time.
Rom 12:12
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Col 4:2
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
Phil 4:6-7
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
It’s been said, “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.”[2]Quoted in Prayer by John Onwuchekwa, p. 17.
As church members, we need to be constant (or consistent) in prayer. Second, we need to pray in the Spirit. This doesn’t mean that you have a private prayer language or that you’re speaking in tongues. It means that as you are praying, you are being controlled (or filled) by the Spirit (Eph 5:18; 6:18).
Eph 5:18
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
Eph 6:18a
praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
Again, when Paul says to be filled with the Spirit, he means to be controlled by the Spirit. He says don’t be filled or controlled by wine, but instead be filled by the Spirit. If you are filled with the Spirit then you will pray according to the will of God which is of course found in the Word of God.
So we’re to pray constantly and in the Spirit.
What and Whom to Pray For
Pray for other church members (Jam 5:14-16)
I hope that someday we’ll again have a membership directory so that we can regularly pray through it. Pray for those on prayer list. Pray for those in your Sunday school group (or small group). As you begin to pray for those in the church, you will grow to love them more.
Pray for the preacher and his sermons (Eph 6:18-20)
Pray that the preacher will speak God’s Word accurately and in the power of the Spirit. Pray for those listening, that they would have ears to hear and obey God’s Word.
Pray for revival and reformation (Acts 1:14, 2:1)
Pray for a movement of God in our church and our community. Pray that we would be bold to share the gospel and that God would prepare the hearts of those who need to receive it. Pray for people to repent and trust in Christ.
Pray for gospel laborers (Matt 9:36-38)
Pray for missionaries that are sharing the gospel. Pray that many will receive the gospel and come to know Christ. Pray for God to raise up more pastors for our church and pastorless churches. Pray for other churches.
Pray for those in authority (1 Tim 2:1-3; Rom 13:1-2)
In Scripture, we’re told to pray for our government officials. This includes national, state, and local government. Pray that they would seek the good of all people. Pray that they would govern in accordance with God’s Word and that we as a church would be free to share the gospel without hindrance from the government.
Pray for those who persecute the church (Matt 5:46-47)
We are even called to pray for those who persecute the church. Pray for those who are persecuting the church and for the persecuted church.
I hope in that by now you’re seeing the importance of prayer. We need God to move in our lives and others’ lives. John Piper says this about prayer:
“Prayer is a walkie-talkie for warfare, not a domestic intercom for increasing our conveniences.” [3]John Piper, Desiring God, 147.
The most obvious way to lose a war is to not realize you’re in one. Friends, we’re in the middle of a spiritual battle for the souls of men. If you were in a war and you desperately needed supplies, you would be on your walkie-talkie trying to get them. Let us never forget the power of God that we can only access through prayer. We’re in a battle and we desperately need God’s help.
Conclusion
Friends, how’s your prayer life? Are you seeking God daily through prayer?
How can we be more faithful in prayer?
- Discipline yourself for prayer.
- Plan times of prayer in your life.
- Pray with others.
- Attend church prayer meetings.
- Be informed as you pray.
- Pray God’s Word.
If we long for the blessing of God upon our church, then we must seek the face of God.