Baptist church believing in the salvation of sinners by Grace and through Faith alone.

CrossPoint is a Ministry of Victory Baptist Church of Shelbyville, TN

Exalting the Savior Evangelizing Sinners Equipping the Saints Maintaining a Servant's Heart

Grace seeks to display God's glory to the world by evangelizing sinners, edifying saints and exalting the Savior through Christ-centered worship. Grace is a friendly, caring church family located in Anderson, IN.

Prayer Baptist Church is an Old-Fashioned, Independent, Fundamental Church that loves people and wants sinners to come to Christ.

What The Bible Says - Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

Circulated by Victory Baptist Press, Milton, FL 32572-0766

What The Bible Says Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

What The Bible Says Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

What The Bible Says Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

New to Bible Baptist Church? If ever you're in the San Diego Area, we would love to have you join us. To find out more, click here: ...

Watch our Live Stream Sundays starting at 9:45am, Sunday Evenings at 6pm and Wednesday Evenings at 7pm (CST) Take a ...

Watch our Live Stream Sundays starting at 9:45am, Sunday Evenings at 6pm and Wednesday Evenings at 7pm (CST) Take a ...

Watch our Live Stream Sundays starting at 9:45am, Sunday Evenings at 6pm and Wednesday Evenings at 7pm (CST) Take a ...

Watch our Live Stream Sundays starting at 9:45am, Sunday Evenings at 6pm and Wednesday Evenings at 7pm (CST) Take a ...

Preaching how God hates abortion has its place because He calls us to speak His truth in our generation, but it must be done in love and gentleness. God's most interested in drawing lost sinners to Himself through His Son Jesus Christ.

? Temple Baptist Church - 3-31-2024Luke 24:1-12? Introduction:? ? A.? Resurrection Sunday.? A day set apart to celebrate our Risen Lord.? ? Matthew 28:6? He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.? B. Once again, we come to the Garden Tomb and find it, as always, still empty!? The “Stone” which the builders rejected became the “Chief Corner Stone” and, ultimately, the “Capstone of Christianity.”? ? C. There are many “Cardinal Doctrines” in the Bible:? Fundamental, Key, Basic, Central, Principal.? When I use the term “Cardinal Doctrine”, I want you to understand that all doctrine is of major importance, but without the doctrine of the Resurrection, all others would be in vain.? ? D. The resurrection of Jesus Christ was both the end and the beginning.? The finishing of the Gospel, a completed work.? The Beginning of a new life in Christ Jesus for the believer.? 1.? The resurrection was the finishing of the Gospel.? In our text for this morning, we find the Gospel.? ? a)? The death of Christ -? Luke 24:7? Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.? b)? The burial of Christ - Luke 24:1? Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.? c)? The resurrection of Christ - Luke 24:6? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,? d)? 1 Corinthians, chapter 15, speaks of the magnitude of the resurrection.? In 1 Corinthians, chapter 15:1-4, we find the Gospel is perfectly defined.? 1 Corinthians 15:1-4? Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;? (2)? By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.? (3)? For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;? (4)? And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:? 1)? Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.? The Son of God died once for all.? Sin's payment was made in full.? The Father looked upon the travail of His Son and was satisfied.? John 19:30? When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.? Romans 5:8? But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.? 1 Timothy 2:4? Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.? 2)? Christ was buried.? Placed in a Garden Tomb for 3 days and 3 nights.? There is no Good Friday found in the Bible!? Christ died on Wednesday.? Matthew 12:40? For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.? 3)? Christ rose again the third day according to the scriptures.? The Father's Acceptance of the price paid.? Romans 1:4? And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:? Matthew 28:6? He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.? Mark 16:1-6? And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.? (2)? And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.? 4)? There is the presentation of the Blood of Christ.? ? John 20:17? Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.? Hebrews 9:11-12? But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;? (12)? Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.? 2.? The resurrection was the beginning of a new life in Christ.? ? a.? The Resurrection gives the believer hope in eternity.? I thank God that there's a better day coming!? ? 1)? Without the Resurrection of Christ, Calvary would have been in vain; we would still be in our sins; and there would be no hope of life after death!? 2) Without the Resurrection of Christ, there would be no finishing!? No finishing of the Cross.? I am glad this morning that it is finished for time and eternity. Sin paid for in full and redemption purchased.? Hallelujah, what a Saviour!? 3) Without the Resurrection of Christ, there would be no faithfulness to the Scriptures!? This Bible that I hold in my hands would be just another fiction book.? 1 Corinthians 15:19-22? If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.? (20)? But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.? (21)? For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.? (22)? For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.? 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18? But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.? (14)? For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.? (15)? For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.? (16)? For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:? (17)? Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.? (18)? Wherefore comfort one another with these words.? Titus 2:11-14? For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,? (12)? Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;? (13)? Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;? (14)? Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.? b.? The Resurrection gives the believer confidence in life.? Everything is going to be alright!? Philippians 1:20-24? According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.? (21)? For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.? (22)? But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.? (23)? For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:? (24)? Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.? c.? The Resurrection gives the believer peace in death.? Death is the “door” through which we enter into the eternal presence of the Lord!? Psalms 23:4? Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.? John 11:25? Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:? Revelation 14:13? And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.? d.? The Resurrection gives the believer boldness in witness.? The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth!? Romans 1:16? For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.? 2 Timothy 1:12? For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.? Conclusion:? The Gospel is now finished as Christ has died for the sins of the world, was buried, and rose again for our Justification.? ? Let's stand and sing together: “Because He Lives.”? “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow; because He lives, all fear is gone; because I know I know He holds my future; life is worth the living just because He lives!? And then one day, I'll cross that river; I'll fight life's final war with pain; and then as death gives place to victory; I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives.”

Rediscovering the Power of Prayer for Local Church MinistryClark GrahamThu, 01/18/2024 - 09:00 Throughout the New Testament, we see that crisis prayers are often ineffectual without being preceded by communion prayers. Ministry is filled with unexpected moments of crisis. In these times, we find ourselves praying for God's miraculous intervention. Throughout the New Testament, however, we see that crisis prayers are often ineffectual without being preceded by communion prayers.? For instance, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus engaged in a season of unimaginable, agonizing prayer (Matthew 26:36–44). However, John 17 records that Jesus had prayed in the upper room just before Gethsemane. These two prayers—Gethsemane and the upper room—are profoundly different. While the garden prayer was about imminent crisis, the upper room prayer was about intimate communion.? In June of 2017, twenty-one-year old Alex Honnold climbed the world's most famous climbing rock: El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. He ascended the three thousand-foot face in just three hours and fifty-six minutes. But his real achievement was not just in what he did, but in how he did it. Honnold specializes in a climbing technique known as free solo climbing, meaning he does not use any ropes or equipment. His climb was celebrated as one of the greatest athletic feats of any kind because it would either be a perfect climb or death.But Alex Honnold didn't just wake up one day and decide to scale El Capitan without a rope. He went through a two-year preparation process. On the day of his climb, every hand hold, foot placement, and body movement had been carefully choreographed in precise detail. Alex's preparation had determined his performance.? In Mark 9, while Peter, James, and John are on the mountain with Jesus witnessing His transfiguration, the remaining disciples find themselves in a situation for which they are wholly unprepared (Mark? 9:14–29). A man whose son has been suffering day and night because of demon possession approaches the disciples begging for help. Despite all their efforts, they are powerless to cast out the evil spirit. Jesus arrives on the scene and miraculously heals the boy, ministering to the once-hopeless father in the process. After the ordeal is over, the disciples ask Jesus privately why they were not able to cast out the demon. Jesus' answer is simple but soul-shaking: “This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting” (Mark 9:29).? The disciples were certainly praying men, but they lost, or perhaps had not yet discovered, power in their praying.? When we find ourselves in such a place—serving and yet unequipped and powerless in ministry—how do we rediscover the power of prayer? Here are three ways:Regain the Focus of Our Imperative MissionThe church's mission was defined by Jesus in Matthew 28:18–20. At the very core of this mission, two actions are essential: to represent the Savior and recover sinners.? In Mark 9, the father of the demon possessed boy came to the disciples because he had heard of Jesus. In Jesus' absence, the man naturally looked to His disciples who were ministering in His name. Sadly, the disciples did not represent the Savior well nor were they able to recover sinners from the grip of Satan. “And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not” (Mark? 9:18).? Paul explained that God has given all believers the “ministry of reconciliation.” We are able to carry out this mission as we remember that we represent the Savior. We “are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God” (2? Corinthians? 5:18, 20).Remember the Futility of Impotent MinistryBefore this father begged the disciples for help, the disciples had already been sent out to preach the gospel and were given authority to cast out devils and heal the sick (Luke 9:1–2). Why then were they not able to minister to this family when they had been given the authority to do so? Jesus had given authority to His disciples, but that authority was only effective when exercised by faith. Christ has given His church the authority to minister for Him, but our authority will be ineffective and lack power when we operate faithlessly: “He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me” (Mark 9:19).? Jesus warned against trying to produce results on our own: “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John? 15:5).Renew Our Faith in an Impeccable Master? Faith unlocks the invisible and completes the impossible. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Jesus affirmed this to the desperate father in Mark 9: “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth” (Mark 9:23). When we put our faith in Jesus Christ, we can ascribe limitless possibility to God by completely trusting Him.If we are to truly live by faith day by day, we will need to, like the desperate father, acknowledge that we are a limited people: “And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief” (Mark 9:24).? Some of the greatest prayers in the Bible were motivated by an acknowledgment of one's human limitations. Moses prayed for mercy (Numbers 14:11–20). David prayed for cleansing (Psalm? 51:2–12). Solomon prayed for wisdom (1? Kings? 3:5–12). The apostles prayed for courage (Acts 4:23–31). These men, and countless others, could have full assurance and confidence in their crisis prayers because they regularly had communion prayers.? That power is for us, too. When we regain focus, remember the futility of ministering in our own power, and daily renew our faith in our impeccable Master while we commune with the Lord in prayer, we will discover or rediscover the free-flowing power of God upon our lives, ministries, and churches.? ? Category Christian Living Tags Prayer Local Church

? Temple Baptist Church - 3-3-2024Genesis 1:1-4? Introduction:? ? A.? I love the Book of Genesis or Beginnings.? ? 1.? “In the beginning God” is the most profound and important statement in the Bible!? Without God, man is nothing with no purpose and no hope.? ? 2.? The Bible is a “God Book” as our Lord said in both Psalms and Hebrews, “Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me!”? It matters not what man says nor what man thinks.? If he contradicts the Bible, he is wrong.? B.? There is another “landmark” of the faith that I want to deal with this morning.? We have dealt with the landmarks of the Scripture, Sanctuary, Salvation, and Sovereignty, but one of the most important and neglected of all doctrines is that of Biblical Sanctification.? ? C.? The Doctrine of Biblical Sanctification is so important that the Bible mentions it first!? In Geneses, chapter 1, we see that God set the precedent of sanctification along with the definition of it.? God left no doubt or place for argument.? In verse 4, we find the Doctrine of Sanctification: “and God divided the light from the darkness!”? The light of God dispelled the darkness of this world.? Here, we find the first Biblical sanctification, is caused by division, which demands separation.? D.? In verse one, God created the first heaven, our atmosphere, and the earth.? In the beginning, we find that darkness shrouded the earth.? “Without form, and void.”? Darkness preceded light.? The darkness was upon the face of the deep.? E.? Darkness was before light but when God introduced light (notice I said introduced and not created), it dispelled the darkness.? The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.? And God said, “Let there be light!”? This was not natural light nor was it a man-made light.? It was the light of God.? ? In 1 John 1:5, the Bible declares that God is perfect light as He has no darkness at all.? 1 Timothy 6:15-16? Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;? (16)? Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.? 1 John 1:5? This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.? F.? In verse 4 of Genesis 1, We find the First Mention of the word “good.”? God declared the light to be good with the unsaid truth that darkness was not good as it obscured what God had made to be seen.? God divided light from darkness.? G.? Thus, we find Biblically that God created sanctification, separation, and division.? ? 1.? I know that this introduction is a little long, but we need to understand that God will not compromise, and it is He that brings division which brings about separation.? ? 2.? God loves sinners and hates sin.? God loves good and He hates bad.? Period!? ? 3.? Today, sanctification and division have been given a bad name by both worldly lost and religious lost.? But too often by God's children as they try to co-exist in peace with the world.? ? 4.? This cannot be done without compromise and the world does not compromise.? The world's take on sanctification is that doctrine is bad because it divides while love is good because it unifies.? ? 5.? The question now needs to be asked, “What does doctrine divide and what does love unify?”? Doctrine divides Godly from ungodly while a love without truth unifies the ungodly against the godly.? H.? Sanctification is Separation!? The word means to be set aside from something for a purpose.? Sanctification is Division!? God created both sanctification and division and in the end analysis, said that it was very good!? ? 1.? I feel that I need to make a point that the world does not like and that is compromise.? The world teaches that both side in conflict need to give somewhat.? We hear a lot about arbitration which is compromise.? 2.? Do not think for one second that God will compromise in order to bring about a peaceful solution!? Matthew 10:34-35? Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.? (35)? For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.? 3.? By the same token, God does not want His children to compromise what the Bible is clear on.? J.? Sanctification which brings division which brings separation is a Landmark that God, through the Bible has set!? It is not the believer who set the precedent, it is God, and the Bible is clear upon the subject.? Now, let us look at sanctification for a few minutes.? ? 1.? Salvation's Sanctification.? This is something that God does!? There are three distinct areas of sanctification in the life of every believer:? a.? It is Positional Sanctification - 1 Corinthians 1:30? But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:? ? 2 Corinthians 5:17? Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.? At the moment of salvation, the believer is set apart from the world positionally through Jesus Christ.? He is the believer's sanctification.? We are baptized into Christ who is both perfect and eternal and therefore remain secure!? b.? It is Perpetual or Permanent Sanctification -? 1 John 3:1-2? Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.? (2)? Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.? 2.? Personal or Practical Sanctification.? Something that we do!? ? Romans 12:1-2? I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.? (2)? And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.? 1 Peter 1:15? But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.? ? a.? The Believer is the separate from the world.? 1 John 1:5-7? This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.? (6)? If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:? (7)? But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.? When we are saved, we remain just a sinner saved by the grace of God.? As we mature in the Lord and grow in our faith, we are being constantly changed by both the Spirit of God who indwells us and the Word of God that teaches and guides us.? John 17:17? Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.? b.? The Believer is to be the light of the world.? ? Matthew 5:14-16? Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.? (15)? Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.? (16)? Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.? 2 Corinthians 4:3-4? But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:? (4)? In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.? 3.? ? Doctrinal Sanctification.? Something that we do!? Romans 16:17? Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.? ? a.? We are to preach sound doctrine.? Sound means something that is not weakened or flawed.? ? 2 Timothy 4:2-3? Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.? (3)? For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;? b.? We are to practice sound doctrine. We are to remain doctrinally sound and separated.? ? Romans 16:17? Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.? 4.? Ecclesiastical Sanctification.? Something that we do!? 2 Corinthians 6:14-18? Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.? Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,? And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.? a.? Denominationalism lends itself to unbiblical unions.? Our church is not to be yoked in any manner with other churches that are liberal or apostate. You are who you hold hands with spiritually.? ? b.? One may think they are straight but if they are supporting or affiliated with liberal churches, they are liberal!? That's why Bible churches were independent and autonomous!? ? Conclusion:? Sanctification or Separation or Division of a right kind is an act of God!? The believer MUST love the sinner but not the sin and this requires (by God) Biblical Sanctification!

Rediscovering the Power of Prayer for Local Church MinistryClark GrahamThu, 01/18/2024 - 09:00 Throughout the New Testament, we see that crisis prayers are often ineffectual without being preceded by communion prayers. Ministry is filled with unexpected moments of crisis. In these times, we find ourselves praying for God's miraculous intervention. Throughout the New Testament, however, we see that crisis prayers are often ineffectual without being preceded by communion prayers.? For instance, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus engaged in a season of unimaginable, agonizing prayer (Matthew 26:36–44). However, John 17 records that Jesus had prayed in the upper room just before Gethsemane. These two prayers—Gethsemane and the upper room—are profoundly different. While the garden prayer was about imminent crisis, the upper room prayer was about intimate communion.? In June of 2017, twenty-one-year old Alex Honnold climbed the world's most famous climbing rock: El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. He ascended the three thousand-foot face in just three hours and fifty-six minutes. But his real achievement was not just in what he did, but in how he did it. Honnold specializes in a climbing technique known as free solo climbing, meaning he does not use any ropes or equipment. His climb was celebrated as one of the greatest athletic feats of any kind because it would either be a perfect climb or death.But Alex Honnold didn't just wake up one day and decide to scale El Capitan without a rope. He went through a two-year preparation process. On the day of his climb, every hand hold, foot placement, and body movement had been carefully choreographed in precise detail. Alex's preparation had determined his performance.? In Mark 9, while Peter, James, and John are on the mountain with Jesus witnessing His transfiguration, the remaining disciples find themselves in a situation for which they are wholly unprepared (Mark? 9:14–29). A man whose son has been suffering day and night because of demon possession approaches the disciples begging for help. Despite all their efforts, they are powerless to cast out the evil spirit. Jesus arrives on the scene and miraculously heals the boy, ministering to the once-hopeless father in the process. After the ordeal is over, the disciples ask Jesus privately why they were not able to cast out the demon. Jesus' answer is simple but soul-shaking: “This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting” (Mark 9:29).? The disciples were certainly praying men, but they lost, or perhaps had not yet discovered, power in their praying.? When we find ourselves in such a place—serving and yet unequipped and powerless in ministry—how do we rediscover the power of prayer? Here are three ways:Regain the Focus of Our Imperative MissionThe church's mission was defined by Jesus in Matthew 28:18–20. At the very core of this mission, two actions are essential: to represent the Savior and recover sinners.? In Mark 9, the father of the demon possessed boy came to the disciples because he had heard of Jesus. In Jesus' absence, the man naturally looked to His disciples who were ministering in His name. Sadly, the disciples did not represent the Savior well nor were they able to recover sinners from the grip of Satan. “And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not” (Mark? 9:18).? Paul explained that God has given all believers the “ministry of reconciliation.” We are able to carry out this mission as we remember that we represent the Savior. We “are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God” (2? Corinthians? 5:18, 20).Remember the Futility of Impotent MinistryBefore this father begged the disciples for help, the disciples had already been sent out to preach the gospel and were given authority to cast out devils and heal the sick (Luke 9:1–2). Why then were they not able to minister to this family when they had been given the authority to do so? Jesus had given authority to His disciples, but that authority was only effective when exercised by faith. Christ has given His church the authority to minister for Him, but our authority will be ineffective and lack power when we operate faithlessly: “He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me” (Mark 9:19).? Jesus warned against trying to produce results on our own: “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John? 15:5).Renew Our Faith in an Impeccable Master? Faith unlocks the invisible and completes the impossible. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Jesus affirmed this to the desperate father in Mark 9: “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth” (Mark 9:23). When we put our faith in Jesus Christ, we can ascribe limitless possibility to God by completely trusting Him.If we are to truly live by faith day by day, we will need to, like the desperate father, acknowledge that we are a limited people: “And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief” (Mark 9:24).? Some of the greatest prayers in the Bible were motivated by an acknowledgment of one's human limitations. Moses prayed for mercy (Numbers 14:11–20). David prayed for cleansing (Psalm? 51:2–12). Solomon prayed for wisdom (1? Kings? 3:5–12). The apostles prayed for courage (Acts 4:23–31). These men, and countless others, could have full assurance and confidence in their crisis prayers because they regularly had communion prayers.? That power is for us, too. When we regain focus, remember the futility of ministering in our own power, and daily renew our faith in our impeccable Master while we commune with the Lord in prayer, we will discover or rediscover the free-flowing power of God upon our lives, ministries, and churches.? ? Category Christian Living Tags Prayer Local Church