Tue, 7 June 2011
Tony Smith continues the series on Prayer by giving the background to, and explaining the significance of, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28. Setting Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians, the Thessalonian church and Paul's gospel-centred mission in their context, Tony concentrates on verses 16-18. What does it mean to pray without ceasing? Why do "rejoice always" and "give thanks in all circumstances" surround this encouragement? Tony explains that "pray continuously" is not a legalistic command, but is instead an encouragement to the Church. He explains how prayer should look in our personal lives and in our lifestyle, as well as how the Church community and Church culture are affected. |
Tue, 7 June 2011
Chris Frost looks at John 17:1-5, at Jesus' prayer. Going through the prayer, explaining it bit by bit, Chris brings out key information about how we should pray following Jesus' example, and what prayer means. |
Tue, 7 June 2011
Gateway's year-long series on Word - Prayer - Worship moves into its second part, on prayer. Pete Gray explains how to pray, using the Lord's prayer as a structure. Explaining how it is two halves, one about God and one about us, Pete goes through the prayer explaining what each part means and how it relates to our prayer lives. He ends with a challenge to spend more time individually in prayer, as well as as a church. |
Tue, 7 June 2011
Matt Ashworth reminds the church of the encouragement to live with daring faith, using Luke 10:1-11 as a new encouragement. The "72 others" are explained as having daring faith to go out into a dangerous environment as the harvest is plentiful. Matt explains five keys to living a life of daring faith, namely: trusting in God's provision; keeping hearts set on the task; finding enjoyment and rest in people who give peace; believing in signs and wonders and shaking off every trace of rejection. Equally important to those who are living this life, those who used to live it but have grown cold and to those who have never lived it, Matt gives a powerful call to the church to have more faith and to live in it. |
