Praying now more than ever..."Lord, teach us to pray."

September 10, 2014 – This means that tomorrow is 9/11.  I can still remember where I was, what I did, and how I felt as I watched the “Twin Towers” fall in New York City.  The entire world seems to stand still.  The skies were silent due to every air plane being grounded.  Everyone I met seemed to be in a state of shock and rightly so.  The next morning I attended our weekly Rotary meeting and had the privilege of leading the Pledge of Allegiance.  I and my fellow Rotarians have never pledged their allegiance to America as “one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all” as we did that day.  My prayer today is that our country and the world would unite under the banner of the love of Jesus Christ rather than continue down a path of pain, division, all kinds of “ism’s”, war, and terror.  May God help me to do my part today and every day to promote love, grace, and mercy alongside of justice and righteousness up in the country and wherever I am.  I hope you will follow the path of peace, too.

Sunday morning in the church of Christ at Enola we will begin a new series of sermons on prayer.  I have entitled this series, “Lord, teach us to pray.”  When you think about it, prayer is work.  Prayer is sometimes very hard work.  I believe that prayer is the most important work I do as a gospel preacher and minister.  Those who have dedicated themselves to continual effective fervent prayer know what I am talking about.  “Easy” you say.  Well, we’ll see what you think about the ease of prayer after this Sunday’s lesson.  If you would like to read ahead, read Luke 11:1-10 and Matthew 6.

On Sunday evening we’re looking at some strange things people have said and say about the church of Christ.  The name of the church is in the Bible, “church of Christ” – Romans 16:16.  The name we wear is also found in the Bible, “Christians” – Acts 11:26, 26:28, 1 Peter 4:16.  Acceptable worship is found in the Bible, prayer, singing, giving, communion, and preaching – Acts 2:42, Ephesians 5:19, 1 Corinthians 11:23-30…even the day we are to meet – Acts 20:7.  How to become a member of Christ’s church is found in the Bible, faith in Jesus Christ as God’s Son – Hebrews 11:6 (But faith alone cannot save – James 2:17), repentance – Acts 2:38 (Who would ever say that one must repent “because of” or because they already have forgiveness or remission of sins?  Why the need to repent for something that has already been forgiven?  This is preposterous.  Yet some people claim that “for” in this verse means “because of” rather than “in order to obtain” forgiveness of sins due to the erroneous teaching that baptism is not necessary for salvation), confession of Christ as God’s Son – Romans 10:8-10 (Confession of Christ gives us the authority or power to become a Christian – John 1:11-12), and baptism – Acts 22:16 (Yes.  Baptism is without question necessary for salvation. Well, one may question baptism, but its necessity for salvation remains.  Note the order of Ananias’ command to Saul:  First – Why do you wait? Second – Arise. Next – Be baptized.  Then – Wash away your sins. (This one phrase tells us that Saul still had sin, that his sins were not forgiven upon his faith or repentance or confession or his prayer to God.  His sins remained until his baptism.) Finally, Ananias commanded him “Calling on the name of the Lord.”  God’s expectations of every Christian can be found in the Bible – Love God supremely.  Love others as Jesus loves.  Be kind and courteous.  Be patient.  Be generous.  Forgive.  Always tell the truth.  Take care of your body.  Learn.  Grow.  Live every day in view of heaven.

If you are looking for a new adventure in your life, an adventure that will take you from where you are to where you need to be and want to be, the church of Christ at Enola meets every Sunday at 10 and again at 5 for Bible study, worship, and fellowship.  We meet again on Wednesday evening at 7.  Please consider this your very special invitation to come and be our guest.