Praying in a Spiritual Battle (2 Corinthians 4:4-6)
This sermon invites listeners to consider prayer not merely as a habit, but as an active engagement in spiritual reality. It delves into how intentional, focused prayer can make a profound difference in both personal lives and the advancement of God's kingdom.
The sermon emphasizes that living a life 'sent' by Jesus means engaging in spiritual battle. Believers are called to pray proactively, practically, powerfully, and persistently to advance God's kingdom and see lives transformed.
Overview
This sermon, part of a series called 'Live Sent,' argues that committing to a life used by God means acknowledging and engaging in a spiritual battle. Referencing 2 Corinthians 4:4-6 and Ephesians 6:10-12, the preacher explains that this unseen war is for human hearts, where an enemy seeks to blind people to the gospel, but Jesus brings light.
The sermon first encourages believers to 'pray first,' making prayer a devoted habit rather than an afterthought. Drawing from Colossians 4:2, it suggests prioritizing speaking to God about people before attempting to speak to people about God, recognizing God's power to transform hearts.
Next, the message calls for 'practical' prayer, using Paul's request in Colossians 4:3 for open doors for the message and clarity in speaking as an example. The preacher illustrates how God uses ordinary people's specific prayers to achieve significant breakthroughs, sharing examples of church planting and building construction.
Finally, the sermon instructs on how to pray 'powerfully' and 'persistently.' Powerful prayer aligns with God's will (His desire for none to perish), His promises (like turning hard hearts), and His word. Persistent prayer, as taught by Jesus in Luke 11:9-10, means continually asking, seeking, and knocking, not giving up on prayers for others, even for decades.
Key points
- Living a life 'sent' by Jesus involves engaging in a spiritual battle for human hearts against an enemy that blinds people to the gospel.
- Believers are called to 'pray first,' dedicating themselves to prayer and speaking to God about people before engaging people about God.
- Prayer should be 'practical,' involving specific requests for God to open doors for the message and to grant clarity in sharing it, as Paul prayed in Colossians 4:3.
- God uses ordinary people with practical prayers to move mountains, demonstrated through examples of prison campuses and building projects.
- To pray 'powerfully,' one should align prayers with God's will (His desire for all to repent), His promises (like pouring out His Spirit or softening hard hearts), and His written word.
- The sermon stresses the importance of 'persistent' prayer, encouraging believers to keep asking, seeking, and knocking, even when answers are not immediately seen, as Jesus taught in Luke 11:9-10.
- Righteous prayers are powerful and effective, as the kingdom of God operates by power, not just talk.
In Rick Warren's words
“I will speak to God about people before I speak to people about God.”
“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
“We bring casual prayers to a critical hour.”
Outline
- I. Living a Life Sent Means Living at War
- A. There is a spiritual reality and a battle for the human heart (2 Corinthians 4:4-6)
- B. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces (Ephesians 6:10-12)
- C. Saying "God, use me" means choosing to live at war
- D. When Jesus is enthroned, other things must be dethroned
- E. We are called to live on the offensive
- II. How to Pray Proactive Prayers
- A. Pray First
- 1. Devote yourselves to prayer (Colossians 4:2)
- 2. Make prayer a devotion, not an afterthought
- 3. Speak to God about people before speaking to people about God
- B. Pray Practically
- 1. Ask for specific, practical things (Colossians 4:3)
- 2. God uses ordinary people with practical prayers to move mountains
- 3. Examples: Philippines prison campus, Irvine campus construction plans
- C. Pray Powerfully
- 1. Confess sins and pray for each other (James 5:16)
- 2. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective
- 3. The kingdom of God is a matter of power (1 Corinthians 4:20)
- 4. Pray the will of God
- a. Ask according to His will (1 John 5:14)
- b. God deeply cares about people who don't know Him (2 Peter 3:9)
- c. It is God's will that none should perish
- 5. Pray the promises of God
- a. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2)
- b. Turning hard hearts soft (Ezekiel 36)
- 6. Pray the word of God
- a. The word is filled with prayers (Ephesians 1:18-19 quoted)
- b. God watches to see His word fulfilled (Jeremiah 1:12)
- D. Pray Persistently
- 1. Keep on asking, seeking, and knocking (Luke 11:9-10)
- 2. Do not give up on people or situations
- 3. Example: Decades of prayer for an aunt and uncle
Scripture references
- 2 Corinthians 4:4-6
- Ephesians 6:10
- Ephesians 6:12
- Colossians 4:2
- Matthew 6:24
- Colossians 4:3
- James 5:17
- James 5:16
- 1 Corinthians 4:20
- 1 John 5:14
- Second Peter 3:9
- Acts 2
- Ezekiel 36
- Ephesians 1:18-19
- Jeremiah 1:12
- Luke 11:9-10
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.
5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
1 Also, thou son of man, prophesy unto the mountains of Israel, and say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord:
2 Thus saith the Lord God; Because the enemy hath said against you, Aha, even the ancient high places are ours in possession:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
12 Then said the Lord unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.
9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Insights
Living a "sent" life involves engaging in an unseen spiritual battle.
Prayer shifts from being an afterthought to a foundational act of devotion.
Speaking to God about others changes our perspective before we speak to them.
Questions & answers
What does it mean to "live sent" according to this sermon?
To "live sent" means to understand that Jesus has created us for more than worldly pursuits and that when we know Him, He sends us forth with His good news. It implies living a life engaged in spiritual battle for the hearts of others.
What is the "spiritual battle" the sermon refers to?
The sermon explains that a spiritual battle is constantly happening for the human heart. An enemy called "the god of this age" blinds the minds of unbelievers, but Jesus shines His light into darkness. Our struggle is against spiritual forces, not flesh and blood.
How does the sermon suggest we prioritize prayer?
The sermon emphasizes the need to "pray first," making prayer a devotion rather than an afterthought. It encourages speaking to God about people before attempting to speak to people about God.
What does it mean to pray "practically" in this sermon?
Praying practically means bringing specific requests before God, such as asking Him to "open a door" for the message of Christ or for clarity in sharing. It involves asking God to intervene in circumstances beyond human sight.
How can one pray "powerfully"?
Powerful prayer involves aligning with God's will (His desire for all to come to repentance), claiming His promises (like pouring out His Spirit or softening hard hearts), and praying His written word. It is the prayer of a "righteous person" who is yielded to Jesus.
Why is persistence important in prayer, according_to the sermon?
Jesus commanded us to "keep on asking, seeking, and knocking" (Luke 11:9-10). Persistence in prayer means not giving up on people or situations, trusting that God hears and responds, even if answers are not immediately apparent.
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