WEBVTT 00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:00.400 Why? 00:00:00.560 --> 00:00:03.200 Why would that boy, you know, have that kind of reaction? 00:00:03.359 --> 00:00:05.200 It's because they don't pray in their house. 00:00:05.440 --> 00:00:12.480 If they pray in their house, you know, praying in tongues will not be strange to a three-year-old or to a four-year-old. 00:00:12.640 --> 00:00:15.839 It's because they don't pray in their house, they don't pray corporately, you know. 00:00:16.079 --> 00:00:26.480 So it is in the context of family that we get our opportunity first to exercise ourselves and to show our children, you know, what it means to pray together. 00:00:26.559 --> 00:00:34.240 So that when we now come together as a body, as as in a church, then it's easier for us to pray together. 00:00:34.560 --> 00:00:35.039 Alright. 00:00:35.280 --> 00:00:38.799 So, what are the examples do we have in the scriptures? 00:00:39.039 --> 00:00:42.399 What are the examples do we have of corporate prayers in the scriptures? 00:00:44.000 --> 00:00:44.719 Louder? 00:00:45.600 --> 00:00:47.200 The early church, the early church. 00:00:47.280 --> 00:00:49.520 We see them praying together in Acts chapter 1. 00:00:49.600 --> 00:00:52.960 We also see them praying to that together in Acts chapter 4. 00:00:53.119 --> 00:00:55.359 The church in Jerusalem prayed together. 00:00:55.520 --> 00:00:57.359 The church in Antioch also did what? 00:00:57.520 --> 00:00:58.000 Prayed together. 00:00:58.079 --> 00:00:59.439 And there was a roll call. 00:00:59.600 --> 00:01:01.039 There was there was a roll call. 00:01:01.200 --> 00:01:07.280 There was a roll call of those who were there, who were there in body, in spirit, and in their minds. 00:01:07.439 --> 00:01:08.959 They were engaged, fully engaged. 00:01:09.040 --> 00:01:12.159 When we're in corporate prayer, there's an expectation that we're fully engaged. 00:01:12.319 --> 00:01:13.120 You're fully engaged. 00:01:13.200 --> 00:01:14.319 That is how you generate the power. 00:01:14.400 --> 00:01:17.200 And we said in place of corporate prayer, what do we stand to gain? 00:01:17.280 --> 00:01:20.799 That corporate prayer is a place where God has designed to move us where? 00:01:20.959 --> 00:01:22.079 To move us forward. 00:01:22.319 --> 00:01:24.239 He has designed it for to move us forward. 00:01:24.400 --> 00:01:25.120 To move us forward. 00:01:25.200 --> 00:01:28.719 And corporate prayer is a place to discover our individual and what? 00:01:28.959 --> 00:01:30.319 Corporate purposes. 00:01:30.480 --> 00:01:33.599 It's a place where we discover our individual and corporate purposes. 00:01:33.760 --> 00:01:34.719 Very, very important. 00:01:34.879 --> 00:01:36.959 You know, Acts chapter 13, verse 2. 00:01:37.040 --> 00:01:43.200 Uh, you know, as the ministers to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, He said there were certain prophets in the church at Antioch. 00:01:43.439 --> 00:01:46.719 There were prophets there, but these people did not consult the prophet privately. 00:01:46.799 --> 00:01:48.719 No, they did not consult the prophet privately. 00:01:48.879 --> 00:01:54.319 They they they prayed corporately, and it was in the midst of that corporate prayer that the Holy Spirit said. 00:01:54.480 --> 00:01:56.400 That is the Holy Spirit said, that's more important. 00:01:56.560 --> 00:02:02.959 In fact, you see, the ministry of of prophecy is is safer in the context of company. 00:02:03.200 --> 00:02:06.879 In the ministry of prophecy, prophecy is safer in company. 00:02:07.040 --> 00:02:07.599 In company. 00:02:07.760 --> 00:02:14.639 This is why going to going to going to somebody privately to to consult for you is very dangerous. 00:02:14.719 --> 00:02:15.680 I keep saying this. 00:02:16.000 --> 00:02:19.280 Expecting them to speak to you or divine for you. 00:02:19.680 --> 00:02:21.919 Smart time, you have the spirit of divination. 00:02:22.080 --> 00:02:27.039 You know, no, prophecy is safer in the context of company and community. 00:02:27.199 --> 00:02:28.479 Prophecy is safer that way. 00:02:28.719 --> 00:02:29.599 Very, very important. 00:02:29.759 --> 00:02:36.159 So we this we discover our individual and corporate purposes in the context of corporate prayer. 00:02:36.240 --> 00:02:38.719 And then, number three, it allows you and I to what? 00:02:38.879 --> 00:02:46.319 To receive encouragement, to receive inspiration, and to receive impartation of the spirit of grace and supplication. 00:02:46.479 --> 00:02:53.680 And then finally, it enables you to what to get personal and corporate answers to our prayers. 00:02:53.919 --> 00:02:56.800 You see, because there are certain things that you cannot carry by yourself. 00:02:56.960 --> 00:03:04.879 There are certain things that you may find it difficult to carry by yourself, certain loads, certain pressure, certain burdens that you may find it difficult to carry by yourself. 00:03:05.039 --> 00:03:10.560 When you come in the place of corporate prayer, you can tap into the strength, tap into the energy of other people. 00:03:10.719 --> 00:03:12.800 And then that that carries you on. 00:03:12.960 --> 00:03:13.680 That carries you on. 00:03:13.759 --> 00:03:14.879 Number five, what did we say? 00:03:14.960 --> 00:03:16.479 We said it enables you to receive what? 00:03:16.639 --> 00:03:17.520 Power to do what? 00:03:17.840 --> 00:03:20.240 Accomplish great things, accomplish great things. 00:03:20.400 --> 00:03:25.680 You want to accomplish great things for God, you have to put yourself in the context of corporate prayers. 00:03:26.000 --> 00:03:26.879 Corporate prayers. 00:03:27.039 --> 00:03:37.759 You see, you will not find somebody in this kingdom of God, you will not find somebody in this kingdom of God that has made something significant out of their lives while neglecting corporate prayers. 00:03:38.000 --> 00:03:48.879 You will not find somebody in this kingdom that have made anything significant out of their lives while neglecting corporate prayers that did not prize the coming together of the saints to pray. 00:03:49.039 --> 00:03:49.520 You know? 00:03:49.680 --> 00:03:57.199 And then finally, you see, as a born-again Christian, you can expect that your spirit will be stirred up to receive winning ideas. 00:03:57.360 --> 00:04:00.479 How many of us, how many of us did God speak to yesterday? 00:04:00.560 --> 00:04:02.080 Maybe during the meditation or after? 00:04:02.400 --> 00:04:03.599 Did you did God speak to you? 00:04:03.680 --> 00:04:04.159 You see that? 00:04:04.240 --> 00:04:04.560 You see? 00:04:04.719 --> 00:04:14.639 God speaks to you, He tells you something, He ministers to you, He ministers grace to you, it He whispers an instruction to you, it gives you an idea, He tells you, Oh, this is what you should do, this is where you should go. 00:04:14.879 --> 00:04:23.600 In the context of corporate prayers, our spirits are stirred up and we can tap into greater frequencies that we may not be able to tap into by ourselves. 00:04:23.920 --> 00:04:35.680 If then corporate prayer is so important, if it's so important, why then do we, you know, um, why then do some Christians fail to participate in corporate prayers? 00:04:35.920 --> 00:04:46.079 If corporate prayer is so important, if praying together as a body of believers is so important, why then do some believers avoid praying together? 00:04:46.319 --> 00:04:56.560 You know, if we had a meeting of barbecue, if we had, you know, even a corporate meeting wherever there's gonna be, you know, breakfast, there's gonna be lunch, there's gonna be this thing, people will show up, you know. 00:04:56.720 --> 00:05:06.879 But why then do we see that sometimes, but why do we see that some Christians don't show up when you know we ask to pray for corporate prayer? 00:05:06.959 --> 00:05:14.800 And why then do you, yes, you and I, why do we feel sometimes that reluctance to want to participate in corporate prayers? 00:05:15.040 --> 00:05:20.399 You know, so this is not only um you know for now, this is also to fortify us for the future. 00:05:20.639 --> 00:05:28.000 This is also to fortify us for the future, fortify us against the spirit of error that might be going around in these days. 00:05:28.240 --> 00:05:33.519 Why do some Christians refuse to participate in corporate prayer? 00:05:33.600 --> 00:05:37.519 Number one, people are not informed about the benefit of corporate prayer. 00:05:37.600 --> 00:05:40.079 I'm just going to share three and we'll be done for today. 00:05:40.480 --> 00:05:46.480 They are not informed about the benefits, you know, like the six benefits that I shared now with you. 00:05:46.800 --> 00:05:50.480 I mean, I think that's and that's not exhaustive, by the way. 00:05:50.560 --> 00:05:52.160 That's ex that's not exhaustive. 00:05:52.319 --> 00:05:57.839 But with those six points, you begin to see the benefit of coming together with the saints to pray. 00:05:58.079 --> 00:06:01.040 Usaih chapter 6, Isaiah chapter 4, rather, verse 6. 00:06:01.120 --> 00:06:02.720 He says, My people are destroyed for what? 00:06:02.879 --> 00:06:03.920 For lack of knowledge. 00:06:04.160 --> 00:06:06.319 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. 00:06:06.480 --> 00:06:09.279 They are not destroyed because the enemy is stronger. 00:06:10.240 --> 00:06:12.480 My people are not destroyed because the enemy is stronger. 00:06:12.639 --> 00:06:15.600 My people are destroyed why because of lack of knowledge. 00:06:15.759 --> 00:06:17.600 They are destroyed because of lack of knowledge. 00:06:17.839 --> 00:06:20.639 Isaiah chapter 5, Isaiah chapter 5, verse 13. 00:06:20.720 --> 00:06:21.360 Look at what it says. 00:06:21.519 --> 00:06:25.839 It says, Therefore, my people have gone into captivity because they have no knowledge. 00:06:26.000 --> 00:06:28.720 My people have gone into captivity because they have no knowledge. 00:06:28.879 --> 00:06:34.399 Their honorable men are famished because they have no knowledge, and their multitude dried up with thirst. 00:06:34.560 --> 00:06:34.879 Why? 00:06:35.120 --> 00:06:36.720 Because they have no knowledge. 00:06:37.040 --> 00:06:37.839 They have no knowledge. 00:06:38.000 --> 00:06:51.360 You see, the land can be green, the land can be fertile, but if not, if you don't have the knowledge of how to put seed in the ground, and the knowledge that you have to wait for some time, and if you have that knowledge, you you you you will be thirsty and hungry. 00:06:51.839 --> 00:07:00.959 You can be living in a land that is flowing with milk and honey, but if you don't have the knowledge of how to till the ground, that land will not yield to you. 00:07:01.120 --> 00:07:06.240 If you don't have the knowledge of the principles you have to abide by, that land will not yield to you. 00:07:06.480 --> 00:07:07.360 My people are what? 00:07:07.600 --> 00:07:09.199 Destroyed for lack of knowledge. 00:07:09.360 --> 00:07:11.040 Proverbs chapter 24, verse 5. 00:07:11.279 --> 00:07:13.519 Proverbs chapter 24 and verse 5. 00:07:13.600 --> 00:07:15.439 It says, A wise man is strong. 00:07:15.600 --> 00:07:18.000 Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength. 00:07:18.160 --> 00:07:19.839 Verse 10 of Proverbs chapter 24. 00:07:19.920 --> 00:07:20.639 Look at what it says. 00:07:20.720 --> 00:07:24.959 It says, If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. 00:07:25.199 --> 00:07:26.079 Let's read again. 00:07:26.240 --> 00:07:28.240 Proverbs chapter 24 and verse 5. 00:07:28.399 --> 00:07:29.199 Look at what it says. 00:07:29.279 --> 00:07:31.759 It says, A wise man is strong. 00:07:31.920 --> 00:07:33.439 Yes, a man of what? 00:07:33.680 --> 00:07:34.240 Knowledge. 00:07:34.399 --> 00:07:35.279 A man of what? 00:07:35.439 --> 00:07:37.519 Knowledge increases strength. 00:07:37.759 --> 00:07:43.199 Verse 10 now says that if you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. 00:07:43.439 --> 00:07:45.839 Proverbs 24 and verse 5 and 10. 00:07:46.079 --> 00:07:46.639 You see? 00:07:46.879 --> 00:07:53.040 So a man of a man, a wise man is what is strong, and a man of knowledge what increases strength. 00:07:53.199 --> 00:08:03.279 And then it says that if your strength, if your strength is small, if you faint in the day of adversity, that means your strength is small. 00:08:03.439 --> 00:08:06.560 That means knowledge gives strength. 00:08:06.879 --> 00:08:09.040 Knowledge is equal to strength. 00:08:09.279 --> 00:08:11.439 Knowledge is equal to strength. 00:08:11.680 --> 00:08:13.199 Knowledge is equal to strength. 00:08:13.279 --> 00:08:18.319 So when people don't know, if we know better, we'll do better. 00:08:18.639 --> 00:08:24.480 When people don't know the benefits of corporate prayers, when people don't know the benefits of corporate prayers, they do not participate in it. 00:08:24.560 --> 00:08:31.680 So we are trying to drum this into us so that every time you hear, oh, let us pray together in the context of church, you jump at it. 00:08:31.839 --> 00:08:32.559 You jump at it. 00:08:32.639 --> 00:08:36.320 Number two, they have an unbalanced approach to their Christianity. 00:08:36.639 --> 00:08:39.759 Why do people fail to participate in corporate prayers? 00:08:39.919 --> 00:08:40.639 They have what? 00:08:40.799 --> 00:08:43.519 An unbalanced approach to their Christianity. 00:08:43.679 --> 00:08:46.480 They have an unbalanced approach to their Christianity. 00:08:46.639 --> 00:08:56.879 You see, spirituality does not lead, does not mean that it has to be spooky or it has to be mystical. 00:08:57.200 --> 00:08:57.519 No. 00:08:58.080 --> 00:09:00.559 Spirituality must be practical. 00:09:00.720 --> 00:09:02.320 Yes, we know that God is spirit. 00:09:02.480 --> 00:09:03.919 John chapter 4, verse 24. 00:09:04.080 --> 00:09:04.639 God is spirit. 00:09:04.799 --> 00:09:10.320 However, we also know that the same God at the Spirit, in Genesis chapter 1, what did he do? 00:09:10.480 --> 00:09:12.480 He created the earth that we see. 00:09:13.440 --> 00:09:14.720 God is spirit. 00:09:14.960 --> 00:09:17.039 We cannot see him, we cannot behold him. 00:09:17.200 --> 00:09:20.000 But the same God at the Spirit, what did he do in Genesis chapter 1? 00:09:20.159 --> 00:09:22.320 He created the earth that we can see. 00:09:22.559 --> 00:09:28.480 So I'm trying to say that your spirituality, my spirituality, should lead to tangible things. 00:09:28.799 --> 00:09:31.840 Should lead to tangible things we can touch and we can feel. 00:09:32.240 --> 00:09:34.159 Yes, it should lead to tangible things. 00:09:34.240 --> 00:09:37.360 It should not just be in the realm of ideas. 00:09:38.559 --> 00:09:41.759 My spirituality and your spirituality, it should lead to what? 00:09:41.919 --> 00:09:42.799 Tangible things. 00:09:42.960 --> 00:09:48.399 The Bible tells us in Hebrews chapter 11, verse 3, it says that this earth was framed by what we cannot see. 00:09:48.559 --> 00:09:51.919 This word that you can see, this word that I can see, how was it framed? 00:09:52.000 --> 00:09:53.679 It was framed by what we cannot see. 00:09:53.840 --> 00:09:59.200 The spirituality of God led him to produce and to create the earth, which is physical. 00:09:59.519 --> 00:10:02.960 The question is, what has your own spirituality produced? 00:10:03.120 --> 00:10:05.120 What has my spirituality produced? 00:10:05.360 --> 00:10:09.039 What physical, what tangible thing has your spirituality produced? 00:10:09.200 --> 00:10:13.919 Yes, you say you are spiritual, you we know you are spiritual, but what tangible thing has it produced? 00:10:14.159 --> 00:10:15.759 What tangible thing has it produced? 00:10:15.840 --> 00:10:16.639 That's very important. 00:10:16.799 --> 00:10:21.360 The more spiritual you are, the more practical should be the things that you are able to do. 00:10:21.519 --> 00:10:25.840 The more spiritual you are, the more practical should be the things that you're able to do. 00:10:25.919 --> 00:10:34.320 That is, you don't say you are you are spiritual and there is a difficult challenge at work, and you are not able to propose practical solutions to it. 00:10:34.480 --> 00:10:35.919 That's what we're saying. 00:10:36.559 --> 00:10:43.519 You see, when you are spiritual, you you should be able to propose what practical solutions to issues. 00:10:44.000 --> 00:10:46.240 You see, practical solutions to issues. 00:10:46.480 --> 00:10:48.000 This is Joseph's life. 00:10:48.320 --> 00:10:50.480 Joseph, it was spiritual. 00:10:50.879 --> 00:10:54.399 You know, there's no record in the Bible that Joseph prayed, actually. 00:10:54.639 --> 00:10:57.200 There's no record in the Bible that Joseph prayed. 00:10:59.279 --> 00:11:01.200 No record that he prayed. 00:11:02.399 --> 00:11:07.600 But the the practicality of a spirituality, you can't you cannot doubt it. 00:11:08.240 --> 00:11:10.879 You know, leading to practical results. 00:11:10.960 --> 00:11:16.159 This is the challenge of the territory, this is the challenge of the comp of the company, this is the challenge of the kingdom. 00:11:16.240 --> 00:11:17.679 This is how we are going to solve it. 00:11:17.919 --> 00:11:19.039 Practical solutions. 00:11:19.120 --> 00:11:21.840 Your spirituality, my never forget this. 00:11:22.000 --> 00:11:27.200 Your spirituality and my spirituality must lead to what practical solutions. 00:11:27.440 --> 00:11:29.519 Must do the practical solutions. 00:11:31.440 --> 00:11:34.559 Don't have the days that we that we shut God out of our work. 00:11:34.799 --> 00:11:37.679 I'm learning to do that better more these days. 00:11:37.840 --> 00:11:39.440 Like you just shut God out of work. 00:11:39.600 --> 00:11:45.279 Once once you are going to work, or once you are at your computer doing your work, you you think the Holy Spirit and God is no longer relevant. 00:11:45.519 --> 00:11:48.240 No, that is where they are most relevant. 00:11:48.720 --> 00:11:50.320 That's where they are most relevant. 00:11:50.480 --> 00:11:53.039 Because the one who created the heavens are there, he knows everything. 00:11:53.200 --> 00:12:00.879 If you are if you are doing nothing, if you are doing um policy, if whatever you are doing, the Holy Spirit knows everything about that space. 00:12:01.519 --> 00:12:04.480 And he even knows the future, he knows the challenges that are coming. 00:12:04.639 --> 00:12:13.519 And if you are if you stay close to him, he can whisper solutions into your ears that will separate you, that will that will make you different, that will stand you out in that place. 00:12:14.000 --> 00:12:16.799 Practical things to your spirituality. 00:12:17.279 --> 00:12:22.799 Spirituality must produce tangible impact on society and on the world around you. 00:12:22.960 --> 00:12:26.879 At least it must prove it must produce tangible impact in your neighborhood. 00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:33.840 So some people also some people feel like you know they're so spiritual, so you know the best place to pray is just to pray in their house. 00:12:33.919 --> 00:12:36.480 They just want to want to pray in their house. 00:12:36.960 --> 00:12:37.600 You know? 00:12:38.879 --> 00:12:40.080 Just give me the prayer points. 00:12:40.159 --> 00:12:41.679 Just Pastor, just give me the prayer points. 00:12:41.759 --> 00:12:43.120 I'll pray it at home. 00:12:43.840 --> 00:12:45.840 You know, but there's a place for that. 00:12:46.000 --> 00:12:50.320 There's a place for praying by yourself, but there's also a place for corporate prayers. 00:12:50.480 --> 00:12:52.080 Somebody say corporate prayers again. 00:12:52.320 --> 00:12:53.679 Yes, there's a place for that. 00:12:53.840 --> 00:12:57.039 You see, in Christianity, one principle does not cancel another. 00:12:57.200 --> 00:12:59.120 One principle does not cancel another. 00:12:59.200 --> 00:13:08.639 So the same God that said you should pray by yourself, pray without season is is the same God that also commands or laid out the principle that we should come together to pray. 00:13:09.120 --> 00:13:09.759 Yes. 00:13:10.320 --> 00:13:17.679 For example, if you want to buy a car, let's say you want to buy a car today, because you say, Oh, I just want to pray by myself at home. 00:13:18.080 --> 00:13:22.960 I I don't have the time to come to that gathering, I don't have the time to pray with those people. 00:13:23.200 --> 00:13:30.559 Say you want to buy a car and the manufacturer tells you that they can only give you one pedal. 00:13:31.840 --> 00:13:34.879 You can either choose to get the brake or the accelerator. 00:13:37.759 --> 00:13:45.440 You know, so you want to buy a car now and the manufacturer tells you that um for this car now that we are you have to choose. 00:13:45.759 --> 00:13:50.320 You can only get you can only get one pedder, either a brake or the accelerator. 00:13:50.480 --> 00:13:51.519 Which one will you choose? 00:13:53.600 --> 00:13:55.519 You said you would choose the brake. 00:13:56.320 --> 00:13:57.840 How would the car move now? 00:13:58.000 --> 00:14:00.080 If you don't have accelerator, how would the car move? 00:14:02.639 --> 00:14:02.799 Eh. 00:14:04.399 --> 00:14:07.360 I said you have a man, you have a man, you want to buy a car. 00:14:07.440 --> 00:14:11.039 You want you to pick one brake or accelerator. 00:14:11.120 --> 00:14:12.480 Which one are you picking? 00:14:16.159 --> 00:14:16.960 You can't choose. 00:14:17.120 --> 00:14:17.840 You can't choose. 00:14:17.919 --> 00:14:22.639 You see, the the I I think my I've my illustration is I've made my point. 00:14:23.120 --> 00:14:32.799 Because why they seem like they are doing mutually exclusive and opposite things, the accelerator moves you forward, the break stops you. 00:14:33.840 --> 00:14:39.840 In that opposing thing is the balance, in that opposing thing is your safety. 00:14:40.639 --> 00:14:48.399 In that opposing, in that, in that opposing thing, in that in the fact that, oh, you need to accelerate and you need to break, you need both. 00:14:49.039 --> 00:14:52.799 You need both, you need to pray by yourself, and you also need to pray corporately. 00:14:52.879 --> 00:14:54.320 That's what I'm trying to say. 00:14:54.799 --> 00:15:00.559 You can't say that, oh you can't say that, oh, I'm just gonna do my I'm just gonna do my thing. 00:15:00.960 --> 00:15:02.559 You know, you need both. 00:15:04.000 --> 00:15:05.279 You need both. 00:15:06.559 --> 00:15:13.840 So while the peddles may do contrary things, things that are contrary to each other, therein lies your safety. 00:15:14.000 --> 00:15:20.159 Corporate prayer will never replace personal prayers, and personal prayers will never replace corporate prayers. 00:15:20.399 --> 00:15:26.720 Just as the accelerator will never make, will never replace the brake, and the brake will not replace the accelerator. 00:15:26.960 --> 00:15:28.159 It has to be both. 00:15:28.399 --> 00:15:29.840 It has to be both. 00:15:30.559 --> 00:15:31.360 It has to be both. 00:15:31.440 --> 00:15:33.840 So we must be balanced in our approach to Christianity. 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:36.240 We must be balanced in our approach to Christianity. 00:15:36.399 --> 00:15:42.480 If you are doing something that is not changing your life, is not moving you forward, you must be open to reviewing it. 00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:52.799 If you are practicing something, if you are practicing a Christianity that is not moving your life forward, if you are doing something that is not that is not producing results, then you must be open to reveal it. 00:15:52.960 --> 00:15:54.639 You must be open to review it. 00:15:54.799 --> 00:15:56.240 You have to be open to reviewing it. 00:15:56.320 --> 00:16:06.080 If you are doing something, if you have if you have been practicing something for something for long, and you know it's not getting you where you want to go, then you have to review, you have to check, you have to ask yourself questions. 00:16:06.240 --> 00:16:07.679 Okay, what am I doing wrong? 00:16:07.840 --> 00:16:09.600 What can I do differently? 00:16:10.559 --> 00:16:11.519 What am I doing wrong? 00:16:11.600 --> 00:16:13.200 What can I what can I do differently? 00:16:13.440 --> 00:16:17.279 So some people have an unbalanced approach to their Christianity. 00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:23.759 They have an unbalanced approach, they lean on one end, they lean on one side, and they think that that will carry them. 00:16:24.399 --> 00:16:28.000 So, what what are some things that people who have this unbalanced approach to corporate prayer? 00:16:28.159 --> 00:16:29.200 What are some things they say? 00:16:29.440 --> 00:16:38.320 So that you know if you have said it one time or the other, or if you need to stop saying it, what are some things that people who have this unbalanced approach to corporate prayers? 00:16:38.399 --> 00:16:38.960 What do they say? 00:16:39.039 --> 00:16:42.080 You hear them say things like God hears prayers everywhere. 00:16:42.559 --> 00:16:44.639 They say things like God hears prayers everywhere. 00:16:44.720 --> 00:16:47.200 While that is true, that is an incomplete statement. 00:16:47.279 --> 00:16:51.039 Saying that God hears prayers everywhere is true, but it's an incomplete statement. 00:16:51.200 --> 00:16:55.840 God hears prayers everywhere when that prayer is prayed according to his will. 00:16:56.720 --> 00:16:59.360 God hears prayers everywhere when the prayer is what? 00:16:59.519 --> 00:17:00.720 Prayed according to what? 00:17:00.960 --> 00:17:01.679 His will. 00:17:01.919 --> 00:17:08.640 When the prayer is prayed according to his will, he spread, he's prayed according to his will and in line with the principles he has laid out in his word. 00:17:08.880 --> 00:17:12.480 You also you also hear them say things like, I can pray to God on my own. 00:17:12.720 --> 00:17:15.759 You say, I can pray to God on my own, I don't need anybody. 00:17:16.079 --> 00:17:17.279 You know, you can pray to God. 00:17:17.359 --> 00:17:20.319 That's that's the that's that's ignorance at best. 00:17:21.039 --> 00:17:22.559 Ignorance at best. 00:17:22.880 --> 00:17:26.960 Psalm 63, verse 2, Psalm 63, verse 2. 00:17:27.200 --> 00:17:32.880 So I have looked for you in the sanctuary to see your power and your glory. 00:17:33.279 --> 00:17:34.240 I have looked for you. 00:17:34.319 --> 00:17:36.480 It is I have looked for you in on my bed. 00:17:37.599 --> 00:17:39.599 It is I have looked for you on my bed. 00:17:39.839 --> 00:17:44.559 It says I have looked for you where in the sanctuary to see your power and your glory. 00:17:44.640 --> 00:17:52.640 So, yes, you pray on your own, but the same God has asked us to not neglect the gathering of the brethren, to not neglect the gathering of the brethren. 00:17:52.880 --> 00:17:55.039 So you claim to love God, but you cannot see. 00:17:55.200 --> 00:18:05.119 You cannot, you cannot, you cannot, you you claim to love the God that you cannot see, but you don't love the people that because some people they don't participate in corporate prayer because they cannot stand other believers. 00:18:05.599 --> 00:18:09.759 They are suspicious of other believers, they are suspicious of them. 00:18:09.920 --> 00:18:15.839 So you claim to love God, but you don't love the the believers and the Christians that you can see. 00:18:17.200 --> 00:18:20.720 You know, they can't they don't want to deal with people, you know. 00:18:20.880 --> 00:18:31.599 They they they they just and that kind of mindset is a mindset that guarantees that that person is going to be a loser, you know, because you're gonna have to deal with people everywhere, you know, you're gonna have to deal with people everywhere. 00:18:31.680 --> 00:18:34.640 You deal with people in church, you deal with people on your job, you deal with people everywhere. 00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:40.160 So knowing and understanding how to deal with people will set anybody up for a good life, all right. 00:18:40.319 --> 00:18:41.759 What do you what do you hear them say? 00:18:41.839 --> 00:18:46.160 You hear them say things like, Oh, God answers prayers everywhere, or I can pray to God on my own. 00:18:46.240 --> 00:18:52.400 You also hear them say things like, I don't like the distractions of corporate prayer, and so I've decided to pray by myself. 00:18:53.279 --> 00:18:56.559 They don't like the distraction of corporate prayer, so they decide to pray by themselves. 00:18:56.720 --> 00:18:58.000 The noise is too much. 00:18:58.240 --> 00:19:01.680 No, what are you going to do in heaven if the noise is too much? 00:19:02.480 --> 00:19:04.559 You know, there's a lot of noise in heaven, right? 00:19:04.720 --> 00:19:05.680 There's a lot of noise. 00:19:05.759 --> 00:19:06.880 What are you going to do in heaven? 00:19:06.960 --> 00:19:12.799 The Bible says that I mean it's thousands upon thousands, uncountable people of every tribe, of every tongue. 00:19:12.960 --> 00:19:13.680 What are they doing? 00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:15.599 Yeah, they are praising God, they are praising God. 00:19:15.680 --> 00:19:26.880 I don't think that place is quiet, and you can't, you can you're not going to take um air morphs or whatever to the place, you know, you're not going to take that to the place. 00:19:26.960 --> 00:19:31.920 You're going to have to be at home with people praying and praising God. 00:19:32.319 --> 00:19:34.240 So our approach to Christianity must be what? 00:19:34.400 --> 00:19:34.720 Practical. 00:19:34.880 --> 00:19:35.920 Somebody say practical. 00:19:36.720 --> 00:19:39.599 Yes, your approach to Christianity must be practical. 00:19:39.759 --> 00:19:42.960 You see, it doesn't have to be mystical, it doesn't have to be mystical. 00:19:43.119 --> 00:19:51.039 When you go through the Bible, particularly the gospels, you will see you will see practical questions that the disciples asked Jesus in Mark chapter 10. 00:19:51.119 --> 00:19:54.720 They asked him, We have left, we have left everything to follow you. 00:19:54.880 --> 00:19:56.240 What is going to be ours? 00:19:56.400 --> 00:19:57.680 This is a practical question. 00:19:57.839 --> 00:19:59.279 I have left everything to follow you. 00:19:59.359 --> 00:20:00.720 What are you going to give me in return? 00:20:00.880 --> 00:20:01.519 I left my. 00:20:30.319 --> 00:20:32.400 Don't be spooky and be no no no no no. 00:20:32.559 --> 00:20:34.000 Ask him real questions. 00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:35.839 Real questions. 00:20:36.559 --> 00:20:37.279 Real questions. 00:20:37.440 --> 00:20:42.799 In fact, the questions that Jesus did not answer in the scriptures are those that were a little bit philosophical. 00:20:43.039 --> 00:20:45.119 Oh, when are you going to return the kingdom? 00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:46.720 Are you not going to return the kingdom to us? 00:20:46.880 --> 00:20:51.359 Jesus, like, no, no, no, it's not, it's not up to me, it's not up to you to know when the kingdom is going to be restored. 00:20:51.599 --> 00:20:52.559 Because that's not important. 00:20:52.720 --> 00:20:53.440 Ask me practical. 00:20:53.599 --> 00:20:56.880 When they ask him questions about divorce and marriage, he answered them. 00:20:57.200 --> 00:20:59.200 He answered them directly. 00:21:00.480 --> 00:21:03.519 I told you yesterday, God does not speak much, but what? 00:21:03.680 --> 00:21:04.480 He answers much. 00:21:04.559 --> 00:21:07.440 So you ask him practical questions about your life. 00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:11.200 God, this is what I this is these are the deficiencies in my life. 00:21:11.279 --> 00:21:14.319 These are the how am I going to fix this situation? 00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:16.400 Practical questions. 00:21:16.640 --> 00:21:20.480 Our Christianity must lead to practical things. 00:21:20.640 --> 00:21:22.480 Jesus is not say they were being carnal. 00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:25.200 He didn't say they were being carnal when they were asking him those questions. 00:21:25.440 --> 00:21:26.559 No, no. 00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:28.160 He he answered them. 00:21:28.319 --> 00:21:29.039 He answered them. 00:21:29.200 --> 00:21:31.599 How did he answer them when he said, What is it going to be for us? 00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:43.759 He said, He said, Anyone that has left brother, sister, houses, mother, and wife for the sake of the gospel shall in this life receive a hundred fruit, and in the age to come, eternal life. 00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:45.359 Practical question. 00:21:45.599 --> 00:21:50.079 In this life, you will receive a hundred fruit, and in the head to come, you have eternal life. 00:21:50.480 --> 00:21:51.920 Practical answers to what? 00:21:52.160 --> 00:21:53.440 Practical questions. 00:21:54.160 --> 00:21:55.200 Very, very important. 00:21:56.160 --> 00:21:58.960 So let's take the time to ask your questions. 00:21:59.200 --> 00:21:59.839 Ask him questions. 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:00.720 Questions. 00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:03.440 Okay, God, I've been waiting on this thing for so long. 00:22:03.599 --> 00:22:05.200 When what do I need to change? 00:22:05.279 --> 00:22:06.880 What do I need to do differently? 00:22:07.279 --> 00:22:09.519 God, I mean, I want to get married. 00:22:09.680 --> 00:22:10.480 What do I need to change? 00:22:10.559 --> 00:22:11.200 What do I need to change? 00:22:11.279 --> 00:22:12.559 What do I need to do differently? 00:22:12.720 --> 00:22:13.359 Ask him. 00:22:13.920 --> 00:22:14.559 Ask him. 00:22:15.200 --> 00:22:16.559 What is it that I need to change? 00:22:16.640 --> 00:22:17.759 What is it that I need to change? 00:22:17.839 --> 00:22:19.039 What is it that I need to move? 00:22:19.200 --> 00:22:21.359 Do I need to look relocate? 00:22:21.599 --> 00:22:23.599 Jesus was a very practical teacher. 00:22:23.920 --> 00:22:24.960 Very, very practical teacher. 00:22:25.039 --> 00:22:27.680 He said, These people have been have been with me for three days now. 00:22:27.839 --> 00:22:31.680 He said, if I send them away, they will faint on the way. 00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:37.839 Jesus did not say that I am God, I'm going to suspend the the pangs of hunger in their stomach. 00:22:37.920 --> 00:22:38.640 He didn't do that. 00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:39.359 What did he do? 00:22:39.440 --> 00:22:41.519 He said, if I send them away, this is practical stuff. 00:22:41.680 --> 00:22:42.880 Your Christianity must be practical. 00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:45.519 You must look at it and say, okay, this is this is not going to work. 00:22:45.599 --> 00:22:46.799 This is not working. 00:22:47.759 --> 00:22:48.400 You know. 00:22:49.039 --> 00:22:51.920 If I send them away, they will faint on the way. 00:22:53.039 --> 00:22:54.400 Let's give them something to eat. 00:22:54.480 --> 00:22:55.680 Let's feed them. 00:22:56.079 --> 00:22:56.799 Let's feed them. 00:22:56.880 --> 00:22:57.440 Let's feed them. 00:22:57.519 --> 00:22:58.559 Let's let's give them something to eat. 00:22:58.720 --> 00:23:02.559 Jesus did not, he did not cover their face with religious jargon and religious. 00:23:02.640 --> 00:23:03.359 Oh, it is well. 00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:05.279 It is well with you as you it is well. 00:23:05.440 --> 00:23:06.640 Oh, it is it is well. 00:23:06.799 --> 00:23:07.680 No, that's no. 00:23:07.920 --> 00:23:08.799 How is it going to be well? 00:23:08.960 --> 00:23:10.000 Show me how it's going to be well. 00:23:10.079 --> 00:23:11.279 That's what I want to know. 00:23:11.920 --> 00:23:13.759 Show me how it's going to be well. 00:23:13.920 --> 00:23:15.200 That's what I did. 00:23:15.279 --> 00:23:17.200 He didn't say, Oh, I will be praying for you as you go. 00:23:17.359 --> 00:23:18.480 I will be praying for you. 00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:19.119 No. 00:23:19.759 --> 00:23:21.279 Very, very practical. 00:23:21.920 --> 00:23:31.200 Jesus used his spirituality to turn what was available, the bread that was available, to something that will now feed the 5,000. 00:23:31.440 --> 00:23:33.039