We both lie silently still
in the dead of the night
Although we both lie close together
We feel miles apart inside

Was it something I said or something I did
Did my words not come out right
Though I tried not to hurt you
Though I tried
But I guess that’s why they say

Every rose has its thorn
Just like every night has its dawn
Just like every cowboy sings his sad, sad song
Every rose has its thorn

Though it’s been a while now
I can still feel so much pain
Like a knife that cuts you the wound heals
but the scar, that scar remains

Back on Christmas Eve in 1988 the big hair rock band Poison strummed this slow power ballad all the way to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It remained in the top for three weeks. Poison’s lead vocalist, Bret Michaels, wrote the song in a Laundromat with an acoustic guitar in response to a rough break-up with his then-girlfriend.

Over the years, how many #1 hits have been written in response to break-ups? I think that is one of the reasons so many songs like this become popular. They resonate with our own painful life experiences. Who here today hasn’t gone through a painful break-up at some point in your life? Every person, every relationship, every rose has its thorn!

The image of a thorn causing pain has been around for a long time. It originated with the Apostle Paul almost two-thousand years ago. It is amazing that a phrase like “thorn in the flesh” could last so long. Sure, it has undergone some contemporary changes like “That person is a real pain in the …neck!” but we all still know that a “thorn in the flesh” refers to something or someone who causes us physical or emotional pain.

Paul does not reveal the precise nature of his thorn; therefore, it has been a matter of much debate. Some suggest that it was an eye disease or some physical illness. Others believe it refers to persecution by his enemies or some inner temptation. No one knows for sure what the thorn was, but we do know that is caused him considerable pain and was a catalyst for reflection on his spiritual life. I would like to help us make a few observations about Paul’s thorn in the flesh today!

1.) The Reason for the Thorn (7)
In verse 7 Paul explicitly states that the reason for the thorn in his flesh was to prevent him from becoming conceited because of these incredible experiences with God. He describes them as “surpassingly great revelations.” To be taken up to heaven and speak directly to Jesus certainly would have created a temptation to boast. They could easily have led him into spiritual pride.

But God knows the sinfulness of the human heart. He knows our propensity to take credit for his work. He knows our tendency to give ourselves the glory that he alone is due. Paul wasn’t any different from the rest of us in this regard. He would have been tempted to think that he experienced these “surpassingly great revelations” because he was either more spiritual than other people, that God loved him more than other people, or that he was more gifted than other people. So, to prevent any form of spiritual pride from developing and rendering Paul’s ministry ineffective, he was given this thorn in the flesh to keep him humble and relying on God!

Have you ever wondered why God allows his people to suffer? There are many answers to this question, but one of them is that, like Paul, God allows us to suffer to keep us humble. Thorns in our flesh remind us that we are not in control of our lives. They keep us on our knees. God knows that our souls are much better off when we suffer in humility than when we prosper in pride.

Have you ever met someone who is spiritually arrogant—someone who thinks they are God’s gift to the world? They are so obnoxious that God could never use them for his kingdom. God gives most of us at least one thorn to keep us relying on him. Think about it this way—if you don’t have any thorns, you might not be a rose. Indeed, every rose has its thorn!

2.) The Source of the Thorn (7)
After Paul reveals the reason for the thorn in his flesh, he exposes the source of the thorn. On one hand, the source of his thorn was God. He employs a grammatical construction known as the divine passive when he says “there was given me.” It could actually be translated “there was given me by God.” On the other hand, he says that it is a “messenger of Satan.” How can it be that both God and Satan are the source of Paul’s suffering?

We are far more familiar with the concept of Satan causing suffering than we are God, but God is the unseen agent behind this bitter experience. Satan is the immediate source; God is the ultimate source. God is completely sovereign over Satan, but sometimes he allows the devil to make us suffer so that we may be tested, purified, and perfected.

Make no mistake about it—Satan is real! And he really does seek to destroy our lives! But we must always remember that God is sovereign over Satan and he will never allow him to do anything to us that he hasn’t ordained. Satan uses suffering to harm us, but God uses it to help us.

3.) The Response to the Thorn (8)
Paul had suffered with this thorn in his flesh for at least fourteen years. What was his response to it? The same as us, he despised it! He prayed for the Lord to heal him from it on at least three occasions (which is really a way of saying that he continually prayed for healing). He wasn’t some kind of masochist who took pleasure in pain. He knew that God could heal; God had even used him to miraculously heal others. But God would not answer his prayer. Despite his persistent pleas for deliverance, God did not remove his thorn.

Has that ever happened to you? Have you ever prayed earnestly for something, but God didn’t answer your prayer? Have you ever prayed for healing for you or someone else and God didn’t do it? Have you ever begged God to remove the thorn in your flesh and yet it still sticks in you?

Have you ever wondered why God doesn’t answer all of our prayers? So often, our desires and plans are not God’s desires and plans. When we experience the disappointment of unanswered prayers, we must always remember that he has our best interest in mind and that his plan is always better than ours!

Some of you will recognize the words to this country song:

Just the other night at a hometown football game
My wife and I ran into my old high school flame
And as I introduced them the past came back to me
And I couldn’t help but think of the way things used to be

She was the one that I’d wanted for all times
And each night I’d spend prayin’ that God would make her mine
And if he’d only grant me this wish I wished back then
I’d never ask for anything again

She wasn’t quite the angel that i remembered in my dreams
And I could tell that time had changed me
In her eyes to it seemed
We tried to talk about the old days
There wasn’t much we could recall
I guess the Lord knows what he’s doin’ after all.

And as she walked away and i looked at my wife
And then and there I thanked the good Lord
For the gifts in my life.

Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when your talkin to the man upstairs
That just because he may not answer doesn’t mean he don’t care
Some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.

4.) The Result of the Thorn (9-10)
Well, Jesus told Paul that he wasn’t going to remove the thorn in his flesh, but he told him that he would give him something even better: his grace and power. Jesus declared that his own grace would be sufficient for Paul in the midst of his suffering, for his weaknesses would provide a platform for perfecting the Lord’s power. This is why Paul could delight in his weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties. When he was weak in himself, he was strong in Christ!

This is the great paradox of Christianity—Christ’s power is made perfect in our weaknesses. This is why we can actually be thankful for our problems in life. Like Paul, we can actually delight in our weaknesses, sufferings, hardships, insults, and difficulties. When our sinful self-sufficiency is stripped away by suffering, we can experience Christ’s grace and power more deeply.

How do you view your weaknesses and hardships? What result has your sufferings produced? Have you experienced this profound paradox?

What is the thorn in your flesh today? Is it some physical illness, injury, or handicap? Is it unemployment, insufficient income, or financial anxiety? Is it a learning disability or lack of opportunity? Is it an unbelieving spouse, a problem child, or a family conflict? Is it some bad habit, besetting sin, or constant temptation? Is it a feeling of loneliness, grief, or depression?

I don’t what your thorn is, but I do know that God gives us thorns to keep us humble and relying upon him! He gives us weaknesses so that we might experience his power! He gives us pain so that we might experience his peace! He gives us grief so that we might experience his grace!

He gives us thorns so that we might remember his thorns! Do you remember that crown of thorns that was twisted and pressed into Jesus’ head before he hung on the cross? Do you remember the blood that ran down his face? Jesus endured those thorns so that we could experience his grace and be forgiven for our sins! Indeed, every rose has its thorn!

As I conclude today, allow me to read you a poem that puts all of this in perspective. It was written by Bonita Quesinberry and is titled “A Thorn in My Side.”

He was one of the devoted Pharisees called Saul,
a man of God with whom I identify named Paul.
He had approved of minister Stephen’s stoning death,
threats and slaughter of Christ’s disciples on ole Saul’s breath:
until the day he set out for Damascus with friends,
where he would arrest and the will of believers bend.
But, the spirit of Jesus caught Saul just outside town:
Saul, frightened beyond measure, fell trembling to the ground.
Then, Paul did absolutely all Jesus commanded;
yet, there would be a heavy price of him demanded.
He was given gifts like the Apostles, greater even;
but, Paul was made a minister in place of Stephen.
Paul suffered ill health, lack of basic needs and distress,
all for Christ’s sake, and persecution with no redress.
Three times he begged of our Lord to take these things away:
“My grace is sufficient for thee,” Jesus once would say,
“for my strength is made perfect in weakness,” He ended.
Paul knew the thorn in his flesh humility tended.
I considered the many sins I did against God
and knew I was no better than Paul, less than wet sod:
yet, eventually He chose my pen for His tongue.
Little did I think more spiritual gifts would come;
then, I received prophecy and interpretation,
followed by teaching it all to this generation.
I thought about the things I’m called for speaking God’s Ways,
lies abound, the pain of MS and Lupus most days.
I recall the times I begged for physical relief,
at once to be shown His gifts given for my belief;
so I do understand this thorn to keep me humble.
Oh, but Satan earnestly desires me to tumble.
Thus, much like Paul, I glory in my infirmities,
that the power of Christ may continue upon me;
for when I am weak, then I am strong and turn to Him,
singing His praises and humming that Rugged Cross hymn:
I’m reminded that none of this is what it might seem.
It only means that soon enough my Lord shall redeem.

In nineteenth century England, the people were anxiously awaiting news of the outcome of the strategic battle of Waterloo, where the British forces under General Wellington faced off against the French forces under Napoleon. A signal man was placed on top of Winchester Cathedral with instructions to keep an outlook on the sea. When he received a message, he was to pass it on to another man on a hill. That man was to pass it on to another, and on and on. In that way, the outcome of the battle was to be relayed to London and then all across Britain.

At long last, a ship was sighted through the fog, which that day lay thick on the channel. The signalman on board sent the first word—“Wellington.” The next word was “defeated.” Then the fog closed in and the ship could no longer be seen. “Wellington defeated!” The tragic message was sent all across England, and a great gloom descended over the countryside. After a few hours the fog lifted, and the signal came again—“Wellington defeated the enemy!” Now the full message went racing across the countryside again, but this time the nation rejoiced!

This story bears a striking resemblance to that dreadful day when Jesus died. When Jesus was crucified, a deep darkness descended upon the whole countryside. And when he breathed his last and gave up his spirit, his followers received the tragic message—“Jesus is dead.” They immediately plummeted into the pit of gloom and all of their hopes died with him. But after three days, the fog lifted and the full message became clear—“Jesus was dead, but he has risen! Jesus defeated the enemy!”

Indeed, Jesus defeated the enemy through his resurrection on the third day. He accomplished his mission on earth and took on a new ministry of prayer at his Father’s side in heaven. But before he ascended, he spent 40 days preparing his disciples to carry on his mission in the world.

Jesus told his disciples to meet him on a specific mountain in Galilee. It is fitting that Jesus ends his earthly ministry with his disciples in the same place he began it, in Galilee of the Gentiles. After his disciples worshipped him there, Jesus gave them their final marching orders. Matthew 28:16-20 is commonly known as “The Great Commission.” This is where Jesus tells his disciples, including us, what to do and how to do it! Let’s take a look at the “Great Commission.”

“All Authority in Heaven and on Earth” (18)
Before Jesus issues his final marching orders, he lays the foundation for the orders by emphasizing his divine authority. All of God the Father’s authority over heaven and earth is mediated through Jesus the Son, thereby giving him the appropriate rank to issue these final orders. Jesus is God in human flesh! He is 100% God and 100% man at the same time. As the second person in the Holy Trinity, he always was and always will be their Master. The disciples were to obey his orders because he has authority over everything in heaven and on earth!

Even though many people don’t recognize it, Jesus still has supreme authority over our lives today. He has authority over everything because he is the one who created everything. As our Great Master and Commander, we should take his orders seriously and obey them completely! Do you recognize Jesus’ authority in your life or do you think you are your own Master? Will you obey his marching orders or face the dishonor of insubordination? Will you fulfill your Great Commission duty?

“Make Disciples” (19)
After Jesus lays the foundation by declaring his authority, he gives his Great Commission. The Great Commission is given in one succinct sentence with four phrases; there is one imperative and three modifying participles. In grammar, imperatives are commands that tell us what to do and participles are usually descriptions of how to do it.

So, the imperative in this sentence forms Jesus’ central command—“make disciples.” Jesus’ disciples were to reproduce other disciples from all the nations. “Disciple” means learner, follower, or apprentice. Jesus wanted his disciples to reproduce followers. He wanted more people to learn the ways of Jesus and put them into action. Discipleship really means to live the “Jesus life.” It is the life-long process whereby our beliefs, values, attitudes, and actions are conformed to Jesus’ life.

The Greek word translated “nations” is the plural of “ethnos” from which we get our English word “ethnicity” or “ethnic.” He was hinting that it was the disciple’s duty to make disciples from every ethnicity on earth. This would mean that these Jewish Christians would have to get over their ethnic prejudices to obey his command. This was not an easy task. The Jews were taught that they had special access to God because they were “God’s chosen people.” Now Jesus is telling them that God is for everyone and it was their job to proclaim this message.

Just as he did with those original eleven disciples, he commands each one of us to make disciples. He wants us to love people and help them to live the Jesus life. He wants us to introduce people to Jesus. He wants us to help them become more like Jesus and serve him better. He wants us to do it formally and informally. He wants us to make disciples of our family members, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and classmates. He even wants us to do it with people of different ethnic, racial, social, and economic backgrounds than ourselves.

We don’t have to be pastors or missionaries to make disciples! I was discipled by a bus driver and an appliance repair man. All we have to do is pass on what we know about Jesus to other people. Some of us know much more than others, and that is fine. If you are a disciple of Jesus, you know something about him. He wants you to come alongside someone else and share it with them!

Have you obeyed Jesus’ marching order to make disciples? Who are you discipling right now? Are you discipling your children? Grandchildren? A friend? If you have been neglecting your duty to make disciples of all nations, now is the time to get started! Who does God want you to disciple?

“Go” (19)
Before Jesus told his disciples what he wanted them to do, he began to tell them how to do it. The participle “Go” is placed in the emphatic position even though it is a subordinate clause. How does one make a disciple? He or she must first “go.” Going means more than traveling across geographical borders, although this is part of Jesus’ meaning. The point is that he wants his disciples to be active rather than passive. He wants them to invest in people rather than ignore them. And in some cases, he does want his disciples to cross borders to make disciples. Most of these eleven took Jesus’ message to foreign lands.

Throughout the ages God has used this verse to literally call thousands of people into cross-cultural missions. It calls all of us to support cross-cultural missions. We must support global outreach financially and support the people going emotionally and spiritually through prayer. In all of these ways, we “go” in fulfillment of Jesus’ Great Commission.

But for most of us, the going does not mean crossing the ocean to make disciples. Rather, it means crossing the street to invite your neighbor to church. It means going to the front porch of a friend who needs to be encouraged. It means having someone over for dinner just to get to know them better. It means crossing through your comfort zone to make the gospel accessible to the lost.

Will you go? Will you go wherever God wants you to go and make disciples? Will you go and share what you know about Jesus?

“Baptize” (19)
The second participle is “baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” Baptizing is one of the ways in which we make disciples. When someone undergoes the waters of baptism, they are initiated into the faith by symbolically identifying with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Because baptism was so closely associated with the decision of faith in the New Testament, it may be best to see baptizing as Jesus’ way of summarizing the evangelistic half of disciple making. Baptism doesn’t save a person’s soul, but it is the initial step of obedience that results from someone putting their faith in Jesus Christ.

Jesus specified that we are to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The use of the singular name clearly implies that this listing of three persons should be thought of as one name. This is a clear affirmation of the doctrine of the Trinity—one God, three distinct persons. The believer who chooses to submit to baptism into this name identifies with God’s name as well as the spiritual family who have been baptized into the same name.

Some of you may be wondering, “If I am to be obedient to Jesus’ Great Commission, do I have to baptize people?” Well, the answer to that question is “yes” and “no.” First of all, you don’t have to be an ordained minister to effectively baptize someone. Any Christian who understands the meaning of baptism can baptize someone else! Therefore, we should all be ready to baptize someone if we are called upon.

One the other hand, I really do believe that Jesus is using this phrase to summarize the evangelistic part of discipleship. We lead people to baptism when we share the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection with them. We fulfill the Great Commission when we introduce others to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and help them make that step of faith!

Will you baptize someone?

“Teaching” (20)
The third participle is “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” This represents the other half of making disciples—edification or building others up in the faith. This includes teaching about the faith and also training in the faith—head knowledge and heart knowledge. If people are to become mature disciples, they need to know the Bible and the doctrines and history of the church, but they also need to know Christian ethics, attitudes, behaviors, and disciplines. In this way, a person learns the ways of Jesus and becomes more like him. It is truly amazing when a person’s character and conduct are conformed to the image of Christ!

Discipleship is a matter of building. Each of us has the opportunity to build something — a secure family, a good reputation, a career, a relationship with God. But some of these things can disappear almost overnight due to financial losses, natural disasters and other unforeseen difficulties. What are we to do?

Daniel Webster offered excellent advice, saying, “If we work on marble it will perish. If we work on brass, time will efface it. If we rear temples, they will crumble to dust. But if we work on men’s immortal minds, if we instill them with high principles, with just fear of God and love of their fellow-men, we engrave on those tablets something which time cannot efface, and which will brighten and brighten to all eternity.”

Are you teaching men’s immortal minds? Are you engraving the ways of Jesus in the souls of others? Are you making disciples? Again, this process should start in our own homes and branch out from there!

As I conclude today, let me empathize with you. Some of you are thinking to yourself “How in the world can I do this? I don’t know enough or I’m not ready to make disciples!” I don’t know if anyone ever feels adequate to make disciples; I know I certainly don’t! But the truth is that we do know enough and we are ready! Jesus doesn’t expect us to be expert disciple makers. These Eleven certainly weren’t! But Jesus ends his marching orders with a promise: “I will be with you to the end of the age.” We can all make disciples because Jesus is with us and he helps us!

Like baptism, there has been considerable debate over communion throughout church history. Different denominations and churches all seem to have their own understanding of communion and way of practicing it. It has all created quite a confusing quandary. This morning I am going to attempt to bring some clarity to the quandary by answering some of the most common questions I have heard people ask about communion!

1.) What is communion?

Simply put, communion is a symbolic and communal act of remembering the death of our Lord Jesus Christ by eating bread and drinking wine. Jesus himself instituted this practice when he shared his last supper with his disciples the night before he was crucified. The Last Supper meal became a model for the Lord’s Supper and Jesus commanded his disciples to repeat this practice in remembrance of him. In verse 23 Paul tells the Corinthian church that he received this tradition from the Lord and passed it on to them. No doubt, he received the communion ordinance via the disciples, not from some direct revelation, and taught it to all of the churches he planted.

Symbolic Act of Remembrance (23-25)

Paul explains the symbolic nature of communion in verses 23-25. The broken bread represents Jesus’ body broken for us. Likewise, the cup of wine represents Jesus’ blood that was poured out for us. Jesus cleverly chose bread and wine, two of the most common elements in the ancient Jewish diet, as visible signs of his suffering. Bread is the same color as human flesh and wine is the same color as blood are visual reminders that Jesus sacrificed his body and blood so that we could have forgiveness for our sins.

As you can already tell, I believe that when Jesus said “This is my body” and “This is my blood” he is speaking metaphorically. He means that the bread and wine represent his body and blood, not that they literally are his body and blood. No one sitting with Jesus at the table would have understood his statement literally. By eating and drinking this food, Christians exercise their faith by symbolizing that they have received God’s grace through the death of his son. This is one of the areas where the Christian church has been divided.

The Roman Catholic view is called “Transubstantiation” which means that when the priest raises up the elements and says “This is my body” and “This is my blood” that bread and wine are literally transformed into the body and blood of Jesus. This is why they believe that every time the mass is celebrated, the sacrifice of Christ is actually repeated. The Lutheran view is called “Consubstantiation” which means that although the bread and wine are not literally transformed into the body and blood of Christ, Jesus’ physical body is present “in, with, and under” the bread and wine in the Lord’s Supper. All other Protestant churches believe that Jesus’ words are meant to be understood figuratively, not literally, and that the bread and wine are mere symbols of Jesus’ body and blood.

Throughout his ministry, Jesus often used physical objects to teach us about spiritual realities, and I wholeheartedly believe that this is exactly what Jesus was doing when he instituted the Lord’s Supper. So, when we see, hold, smell, and taste the bread and wine, it reminds us of what Jesus endured for us!

Communal Act of Remembrance (17-22)

Secondly, communion is a communal or community act of remembrance. When Jesus first instituted the Lord’s Supper, who did he do it with? That’s right, his disciples! He did not take his personal loaf of bread and bottle of wine to a lonely mountain and have a private picnic with his Heavenly Father; he shared this meal with his closest friends (his spiritual family if you will). Communion is a community celebration of what Jesus has accomplished for us on the cross. Communion is about community!

This is why Paul chastised the Corinthians in verses17-22. Communion is a picture of the Church’s unity with Christ and with each other, but the Corinthians had defiled the ordinance by their divisions, dissentions, disunity, and disrespect that they were showing to one another. Paul actually tells them that their worship services were a waste of time; they brought more harm than good! The specific problem was that the wealthy members of the church were not waiting for everyone else to arrive before they began eating. Remember, in the early church communion was often served during an actual meal. They were gorging themselves on the bread and getting drunk on the wine, and by the time the poorer church members showed up, there wasn’t anything left for them to share communion. Paul was angered by this display of decadence and he hammers their hypocrisy by telling them that it is not the Lord’s Supper that they are eating. The depth of his displeasure is seen in the sarcasm of his rhetorical questions in verse 22.

If communion is not about community, then it is not true communion. Communion should be celebrated across social, racial, economic, and gender lines! It is not reserved for certain cliques in the church. Communion is about what Christ has done for the whole community and should be remembered and practiced as a whole community!

2.) Why should we celebrate communion?

Obedience (24-25)

The first reason why we should celebrate communion is obedience. Jesus commanded his disciples to “do this in remembrance of me.” It is as simple as that: Jesus told us to do it, so we do it! Jesus expects us to continually obey him by celebrating communion until he comes. The disciples passed communion on to Paul, Paul passed it on to the churches he planted, the Church has passed it on for 2000 years, and we are to practice it today and continue to pass it on to the next generation.

Remembrance (24-25)

The second reason why we should celebrate communion is remembrance. We have already partially discussed this when we explored the meaning of communion, but it needs to be revisited here. Jesus knew how forgetful human beings are, so he gave us this graphic picture to constantly remind us of his death.

I am so glad that Jesus instituted communion to remind us of his death. I forget things all the time. When I was growing up, my grandfather used to tell me, “You’d forget your head if it wasn’t screwed on!”

Think about it! We forget things all the time! We forget where we put our keys, we forget to do our homework, we forget most of what our wives tell us to do, and we would certainly be more susceptible to forgetting Jesus’ love if we weren’t reminded of his death when we celebrate communion.

We all do things to help us remember things that are important. Some people write things down in a calendar, use little sticky notes, or e-mails to themselves. Some people leave themselves voice messages on their telephones. Others tie strings around their fingers. The problem is they can’t remember what the string was supposed to remind them of! God uses communion to remind us of the depth of Jesus’ love for us and the extent of his sacrifice for our sins!

Proclamation (26)

The third reason why we should celebrate communion is that it proclaims the gospel of Jesus Christ. In verse 26 he tells the Corinthians that whenever they eat the bread and drink the wine they proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes. Communion is a visual sermon or an object lesson that tells about the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus. This picture is one of the ways that non-Christians learn about who Jesus is and what he has done for us.

3.) Who should participate in communion?

This question has caused considerable controversy in the church. Should only Christians participate in communion or is it OK for non-believers too? Do you have to belong to a particular denomination? How about children? Should they participate? If so, when? Should we take communion when we are in sin? It is quite a quandary indeed!

Believers, not Unbelievers

Let’s begin with the question of whether communion is just for believers. I believe the answer to this question is “Yes!” Communion symbolizes our union with Christ and Christ’s community. As baptism is a sign of entering into the Christian life, communion is a sign of continuing in the Christian life. How can communion symbolize union with Christ and his Church, if the person taking it is not a Christian? How can communion signify a continuation in the Christian life if the person is not a Christian?

Also, even though the “unworthy manner” in verse 27 primarily refers to those wealthy Christians who were eating and drinking everything before the poorer Christians showed up, there is a broader implication of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. In verse 29 Paul explains what he means by this when he says “without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment upon himself.” How can someone “recognize” the body and blood of the Lord if they are not believers? Unbelievers, by definition, do not accept the biblical meaning of Christ’s death nor do they adequately care about his people. Christians don’t recognize the body and blood of the Lord when they act selfishly toward others in the Christian community.

Whether it is an unbeliever who hasn’t received the benefits of Jesus’ death or a believer who is abusing the meaning of Jesus’ death, Paul warns against participating in communion. Either way, he is trying to prevent hypocrisy in the Lord’s Supper so that no one will take it in an unworthy manner and incur God’s judgment.

I believe that if a person is a true believer in Jesus Christ, you don’t have to belong to any particular denomination to take communion. At our church, anyone who professes faith in Jesus Christ is welcome to this table. It doesn’t matter if you are Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Congregational, or something else. I would caution you against taking communion at churches where they state that communion is only for members of their particular church or denomination. We want to be respectful to all!

Children who Profess Faith

As for children, I believe it should be as I have just mentioned. Until a child is able to “recognize” the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ and makes some profession of faith, I think they should abstain. Whenever a child understands who Jesus is and what he has done for us through his death on the cross, regardless of specific age, I believe they should be accounted as part of the Christian community and allowed to participate.

Therefore, parents have a huge responsibility in spiritually discerning the faith of their children. I would recommend erring on the side of caution and not allow your children to take communion until you feel quite comfortable with your child’s understanding of the death of Jesus Christ. If you are not sure, I would recommend enlisting the help of your pastor and/or child’s Sunday school teacher.

In Sin or Not

As for the question, “Should I take communion when I am in sin?” I would ask, is there ever a time when we are not in sin? When Paul encourages the Corinthians to “examine themselves” he is specifically referring to the hypocrisy of their disunity and selfishness during the communion service, but again, this has broader implications. Any sin against a member of Christ’s Church is a sin against Christ himself. Therefore, a period of self-examination and repentance before communion is always appropriate.

Listen to what New Testament scholar Craig Blomberg says:

The Eucharist should be a time for self-examination, not so much for past sins, though repentance from them is always appropriate. Rather, Christians should consider their present attitudes toward those more needy than themselves. This would lead to a radically different group of people who ought to refrain from the Lord’s Supper than usually appears. All repentant sinners are welcome, no matter how far away from God they may have recently felt. All professing believers who are unprepared to give generously of their wealth to help the poor in their midst, or who treat people of lower classes as second-class citizens, or who simply remain unreconciled with fellow celebrants, should refrain.

4.) Who should administer communion?

Some churches specify that communion can only be served by ordained clergy, but the Bible gives us no explicit teaching on this question. So we are simply left to spiritual wisdom to decide. In order to guard against abuse of the Lord’s Supper, a responsible leader should be in charge of administering it. In most situations, this would be the pastor, but it does not have to be limited to a pastor.

5.) How often should communion be celebrated?

Some churches celebrate communion every week, some once a month, and still others only celebrate it quarterly or once or twice a year. Which one is right? Well, again the Scriptures don’t give us any explicit teaching about this. Jesus said, “As often as you do this, do it in remembrance of me.” Every church should decide on what is most appropriate for their Christian community, but we should all be careful not to become too dogmatic about issues that are not clearly expressed in Scripture.

6.) How should communion be served?

Every church has its own custom on how communion is served. Some call everyone up to the alter where they eat a wafer and drink wine from a common cup while others use white bread and serve grape juice in individual cups in the pews. Some only allow elders to serve communion while others utilize the youth group. Again, Scripture is really silent on this issue so we should be careful not to assert that any one way is the right way. Under the guidelines of unity and respect, every church should follow what is best for their particular community.

Now that we know about communion, let’s partake of it together!

The story is told about the baptism of King Aengus by St. Patrick in the middle of the fifth century. Sometime during the rite, St. Patrick leaned on his sharp-pointed staff and inadvertently stabbed the king’s foot. After the baptism was over, St. Patrick looked down at all the blood, realized what he had done, and begged the king’s forgiveness. Why did you suffer this pain in silence, the Saint wanted to know. The king replied, “I thought it was part of the ritual.”

Over the centuries there has been a lot of confusion about Christian baptism. The Church has debated what baptism accomplishes, to whom it should be administered, and how much water should be used. For the most part, every Christian denomination has its own approach to baptism.

Even now, when I say the word “baptism” it conjures up a wide variety of images in our minds. For those of you who grew up in churches who practiced infant baptism, you think about the times either you or another family in your church stood up before the whole congregation, pledged to raise the child in the faith, and was sprinkled withed water as the pastor prayed. I haven’t met anyone who remembers their own infant baptism. On the other hand, the word baptism may cause you to remember the time when you got saved as an adolescent, teenager, or adult, and then you made your profession of faith before the church before you were dunked in a baptismal, river, lake, or even swimming pool.

This morning I am going to attempt to bring some clarity to the issue by going back to the basics of baptism. We will explore 4 fundamental questions about baptism, so let us get started!

1. What is Baptism? (Romans 6:3-4)

Christian baptism has traditionally been defined as an outward symbol of an inward reality, or to say it another way, it is an outward testimony of what has occurred inwardly in a believer’s life. Baptism illustrates a believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. In Christian baptism, the action going under the water symbolizes dying and being buried with Christ. The action of coming out of the water pictures Christ’s resurrection.

The Apostle Paul, in Romans 6:3-4, presents a clear explanation and paints a beautiful picture of baptism. It is a symbolic act of identifying with Jesus Christ. It is obviously not meant to be understood literally because we are not actually crucified or resurrected when we put our faith in Christ. Standing upright in the water is a symbol of being “crucified” with Christ, being immersed in the water is a symbol of being buried with Christ, and being raise out of the water is a symbol of being resurrected with Christ. It pictures and proclaims the death of our old life to sin, and our resurrection to walk in newness of life. As Christ was raised up from the dead, by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Baptism also shows our faith in the Trinity of the Godhead. In Matthew 28: 19, Jesus gives us the baptismal formula—“ baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

Water baptism then, is the outward testimony of the believer’s inward faith. It is a picture of what transpired when you placed your faith and trust in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ to save you from your sins. It does not atone for sin. Only the blood of Christ cleanses us from sin. A sinner is saved the moment he places his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Baptism is a visible testimony to that faith.

French writer Henri Barbusse (1874-1935) tells of a conversation overheard in a trench full of wounded men during the First World War. One of the men, who knew he only had minutes to live says to one of the other man, “Listen, Dominic, you’ve led a very bad life. Everywhere you are wanted by the police. But there are no convictions against me. My name is clear, so, here, take my wallet, take my papers, my identity, take my good name, my life and quickly, hand me your papers that I may carry all your crimes away with me in death.”

The Good News is that through Jesus, God makes a similar offer. Something wonderful happens to us when we are baptized. When we are baptized, we identify ourselves with Jesus. We publicly declare our intention to strive to be like Jesus and follow God’s will for our lives. When we are baptized, our lives are changed. We see things differently than before. We see other people differently than before. Baptism enables and empowers us to do the things that Jesus wants us to do here and now. We are able to

identify with Jesus because He was baptized. And we are able to love as he loved. Such identification is life changing. That kind of identification shapes what we believe and claims us.

2.) Why should we be baptized? (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38)

We should be baptized because the Bible tells us that we should be baptized! Baptism is an act of obedience. In Acts 2 Peter preached a powerful sermon that cut to the heart of his listeners. When they were convicted of their sin and realized that even their sins contributed to the death of Christ, they cried out in desperation, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter responded with the simple phrase, “Repent and be baptized!” After someone renounces their sinful life and turns to Jesus in faith, they are to publically profess that faith through baptism. Baptism is really the first act of obedience for followers of Jesus Christ.

Likewise, if we look back to Jesus’ baptismal formula in Matthew 28:19, we see that baptism is an essential part of becoming a disciple. He commanded his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations by baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus did not make baptism optional; it is a mandatory step in the discipleship process. If people are not willing to publically profess their faith in Christ by identifying with his crucifixion, burial, and resurrection, how can they be considered true disciples?

The unfortunate reality today is that many people get baptized for the wrong reasons. Some people get baptized because they think that they will have a better chance of getting into heaven. Others get baptized because their parents make them get baptized or there is family or social pressure to have your children baptized. Others get baptized because their friends are doing it. There are all sorts of wrong motives baptism.

Some of you may have seen the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou. This is a whimsical retelling of Homer’s Odyssey set in 1930s Mississippi. Three hapless escaped convicts–Everett, Pete, and Delmar–are hiding out in the woods, running from the law. There they encounter a procession of white-robed people going down to the lake to be baptized. As they move toward the water they sing, “Let’s go down to the river and pray.” As the baptism ceremony begins, Delmar is overwhelmed by the beauty and the mystery of this rite. He runs into the water and is baptized by the minister.

As he returns to his companions, he declares that he is now saved and “neither God nor man’s got nothing on me now.” He explains that the minister has told him that all his sins have been washed away. Even, he says, when he stole the pig for which he’d been convicted. “But you said you were innocent of that,” one of his fellow convicts exclaims. “I lied,” he says, “and that’s been washed away too!” Later the three convicts steal a hot pie from a window sill. The one who felt that his sins had been washed away returns and places a dollar bill on the window sill.

Delmar wasn’t made perfect by his baptism any more than any of the rest of us are made perfect by our baptism. But he was conscious that it was time for him to make a new beginning. That is why in understanding baptism we begin with repentance.

Baptism really should be one of the first acts of obedience after coming to true faith in Jesus Christ. To publically identify with Jesus in this way is a biblical mandate. Have you publically declared your allegiance to Christ by undergoing the waters of baptism?

3.) Who and when should we be baptized?

Let’s begin with who should be baptized? In Christian baptism, there are two requirements before a person is baptized: 1) the person being baptized must have trusted in Jesus Christ as Savior, and 2) the person must understand what baptism signifies. If a person does not know the Lord, it wouldn’t make any sense for them to be baptized. If a person knows the Lord Jesus as Savior, understands that Christian baptism is a step of obedience in publicly proclaiming his or her faith in Christ, they should be baptized.

This is certainly the pattern that we see in the book of Acts. In Acts 2:41 we observe that they received the word, and then they were baptized. In Acts 8:12, 36, 37 we find that they believed, and then they were baptized. In Acts 10:43, 44, 47, it is plain to see that those who believed received the Holy Spirit, and then they were baptized. (Lost people do not receive the Holy Spirit).

So, who should be baptized? According to the established Bible pattern, only those who have trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior should be baptized. Baptism is important for believers because it is a step of obedience—publicly declaring faith in Christ and commitment to Him—an identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

When is the believer to be baptized? The Bible teaches that water baptism follows shortly after spiritual baptism (the new birth). The established pattern throughout the book of Acts is belief then baptism. Notice the example of Paul (Acts 9:18), Cornelius (Acts 10:43-48), and the Philippian Jailer (Acts 16:33).

Obviously, I believe that the biblical evidence clearly favors believer’s baptism over infant baptism. Throughout the whole Bible we only see a precedent for believer’s baptism. There isn’t a single example of an infant baptism anywhere in Scripture.

4.) How should we be baptized?

Should we sprinkle, pour, or immerse people in water when we baptize? Well, our English word “baptism” comes from the Greek word “baptism” which literally means “to immerse.” As a matter of fact, immersion in water is the only form of baptism found in the Bible. In Matthew 3:13-16 and in Mark 1:9-10 we find that John the Baptist needed “much water” for baptism. In Acts 8:38-39 we are taught baptism by immersion. In Romans 6:3-6 we see that baptism must fulfill three types: death, burial and resurrection. It is also referred to as being “planted”, and being raised. It is not difficult to see that the only mode of baptism which fulfills all these pictures is the immersion of the believer in water. Furthermore, scriptural expressions such as “much water” (John 3:23), and “down both into the water” (Acts 8:38) are very conclusive evidence that water baptism is by immersion.

The mode of baptism varies in different Christian groups. Immersion was the original form of the rite. Affusion, or the pouring of large amounts of water over the subject, was introduced rather early as an alternative method of administration. Aspersion, or sprinkling, was first introduced to accommodate the sick and infirm, but was not generally accepted until the thirteenth century.

As for the mode of baptism, I believe that immersion is the most biblical form, and we are wise to stay as close to the Bible as we can. On the other hand, we must remember that baptism is a symbolic act and like the church throughout history, sometimes we must adjust our practices to fit the context. Therefore, I don’t have any problem with pouring or sprinkling if the baptism is taking place in an area where the person cannot be immersed. Immersions should be the preferred mode, but to be sprinkled or poured doesn’t mean you are any less baptized!

A man, a woman, and a redneck were scheduled to be baptized. The man was baptized first. When he came out of the water, he said, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want!” Then the woman was baptized. She came out of the water and said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!”Now it was the redneck’s turn. He didn’t know any verses from the Bible, so when he came out of the water he yelled, “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

Indeed, there is a lot of confusion about baptism. I hope that this sermon has brought some clarity to the issue for you. Baptism is the outward symbol of what has already transpired in the heart of the person who has trusted the Lord Jesus Christ for full salvation.

Have you taken this first step in your walk with the Lord? Have you been obedient to the word of God concerning this matter of believer’s baptism? In Acts 2:41 we read, “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized…” What is your response?

There once was a tortoise, And there once was a hare,
Who, for some odd purpose, Started a race that wasn’t fair,
The tortoise obviously wasn’t much of a racer,
And the hare, out of the two, was easily faster,
At the start of the race the hare was first placer,
But for this hare, the race meant disaster,
For, believing he had an extremely large lead,
The hare decided to stop for a nap,
You could see this was a very bad move indeed,
For the tortoise slowly began to close the gap,
While the hare continued to sleep dreamily on,
The tortoise steadily continued to run,
Until he passed the hare, resting on the lawn,
Putting an end to the sleepy hare’s fun
By the time the hare awoke from his slumber,
He could tell although the tortoise was slower, he was the dumber,
For as the hare slept for most of the day,
The tortoise crossed the finish line, in a slow and steady way

For over 2500 years Aesop’s little fable The Tortoise and the Hare has taught us the moral—“Slow and steady wins the race.” Another way to say this valuable lesson is—“Persistence pays off!”

Like Aesop, one time Jesus told a little story to teach us a similar lesson. In Luke 18:1-8 he tells us a parable to teach us about prayer. He states his reason for the story in verse 1—“To show them that they should always pray and not give up.” This parable doesn’t just tell us, but it shows us the power of persistent prayer!

Persistence Pays Off (2-5)

Let me introduce to you the protagonist of our little story. Her name is Persistent Widow! We don’t know how, when, or why she lost her husband, but we do know that she was poor and powerless. How do we know this? We know this because all widows were poor and powerless in ancient times. Without a husband to provide and protect, widows were considered some of the most vulnerable people in society. Without means to provide for themselves, they were often forced to beg and were constantly at the mercy of others.

Now allow me to introduce to you the antagonist of our story. His name is Unjust Judge! We do not know how, when, or why he became a judge, but we do know that he was rich and powerful. How do we know this? We know this because all judges in ancient times were rich and powerful. We also know that in spite of his honorable office, he lacked honorable character. As a matter of fact Jesus tells us that he neither feared God nor cared about men. He shadier than a hundred year old oak.

And finally, let me introduce to you the third character in our story. His name is Adversary! We don’t know where he came from or how he got into this position, but we do know that he had some hold over the widow. He was somehow using his advantage over her and treating her unjustly.

Now that we know the characters, let me get on with the story. This oppressed widow kept coming before the judge with the same plea. Over and over again she kept repeating the same request, “Grant me justice against my adversary.” She presumably did this every day without fail. She had more appearances before the judge than Carl Rove, Michael Vick, and Lindsay Lohan rolled into one!

At first she was met with opposition. I don’t know if you have ever noticed, but one of the sad realities of living in a sinful world is that the poor and powerless have a much harder time receiving justice than the rich and powerful. The woman’s status as a widow prevented her from getting justice. She didn’t have the money to buy justice! She didn’t have any influential friends to call to twist the judge’s arm. She was completely at the mercy of the judge, and this judge could care less about true justice.

The unjust judge refused the widow’s request for a long time, but she was not deterred. What she lacked in power and prestige, she more than made up for in persistence! With diligence and determination, she continued to make her request!

Eventually, the judge realized that he she wasn’t going to give up. He reasoned with himself, “Even though I don’t care a lick about justice, I do care about my sanity. If I don’t get this woman off my back, she will drive me completely crazy. I’ll see that she gets justice so that she will leave me alone!”

Jesus shares this little story with us to illustrate that persistence pays off. Have you ever experienced this? Can you think of a time when persistence paid off in your life? Maybe you have walked in the widow’s shoes?

I still remember the time that I really learned the lesson that persistence pays off. It was my first week in college. I was a country boy from the coal fields of Pennsylvania and I had just moved to the windy streets of Chicago, and I knew that if I was ever going to pay for school, I needed a job. Someone told me that I had to go to the human resources office to inquire about on-campus employment. I walked right up to the front desk and said to the lady, “I’m here to get a job!” She smiled at my rawness as she told me about the available jobs in the cafeteria. I may have been raw but I wasn’t dumb. I didn’t want anything to do with a job in food service.

I told her that I was really interested in working at the Solhiem Center, which was the athletic facility at the school. She told me that there were no available positions listed but I could go and talk to the manager directly. She told me that his name was Shawn Demoss.

Well, I walked right up to the front desk and said, “Hi! I’m here to see Shawn Demoss about a job!” I saw that same wry smile cross the guys face as he told me that he would call back to his office to see if he was available. I said, “What do you mean? Available? I walked the whole way across the street to see him about a job.”

I have no idea what the man said to Mr. Demoss on the telephone, but a minute later he pointed me to his office. I walked right in, gave him a firm handshake, and said, “Mr. Demoss, my name is Jason McConnell and I want to work for you!” When he smiled too, I began to wonder what was wrong with these people in Chicago. I proceeded to present my verbal resume by highlighting my previous work experience and history with athletics.

After a few minutes, he interrupted me and said, “Jason, you sound like you would be a wonderful employee, but the problem is that I just don’t have any job openings. All of the positions are already filled by upper-classmen.” I was immediately heartbroken.

Then, for whatever reason, I got bold. I said, “Mr. Demoss, you don’t understand! I have to have a job to pay my way through school and I really want to work here. Again, he said, “I’m really sorry, but there isn’t anything I can do for you.” Finally, I let it all out, “Mr. Demoss, you still don’t understand. I really want to work for you. If you just give me a chance, I promise that I will be your hardest working employee. I’ll do whatever you need. Please, give me a shot. I promise that you won’t regret it.”

I watched him run his hands through his hair as a look of exasperation came over his face. He began to chuckle at my persistence and he finally said, “Can you be here on Monday afternoon?” “You bet,” I said. I was promoted to head supervisor after my first semester and worked there faithfully throughout my college career. I walked in the widow’s shoes and learned that persistence pays off!

Or maybe you have been on the other end of persistence? Maybe instead of walking in the widow’s shoes you have sat in the judge’s seat?

Just the other day I took my children fishing on the shores of Lake Carmi. After getting Marcus’ Sponge Bob Square Pants fishing pole strung up, putting the worm on the hook, and casting the line into the water, I stuck a Y-shaped stick into the sand and propped up the pole. He was so excited! Then I said, “OK Marcus, now we have to sit and wait until we see the bobber go under the water.” About two minutes later, the excitement wore off and he looked up at me and said, “Dad, I want to ‘weel’ it in!” I immediately protested and explained the worm has to stay in the water.

In spite of my impeccable logic, passionate pleas, and reputation as an expert fisherman, my three year old son kept demanding, “I want to weel it in! I want to wheel it in…” And unfortunately, he learned that persistence pays off! Never underestimate the power of a persistent three year old! Needless to say, we didn’t catch any fish, but he didn’t care. He got to weel it in! I sat in the judge’s seat and learned that persistence pays off.

Persistence Pays Off in Prayer (6-8)

After Jesus tells this little story, he applies the moral to prayer. Yes, persistence pays off in general, but it especially pays off in prayer. He focuses in on what the unjust judge said—“I will see that she gets justice” and makes the point that if this unjust judge will ensure that the widow will receive justice, how much more will God hear our prayers and guarantee that his chosen ones will get justice.

When we cry out to him day and night with the same persistence as this widow, our compassionate God will not put us off. He will hear our prayers and answer them accordingly. Just as I could not refuse the persistent pleas of my child, God will not resist the persistent pleas of his children.

Jesus ends this who section with a provocative rhetorical question—“When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” This is his final appeal for his people to always pray and never give up. Prayer is one of the greatest acts of faith. Prayer is the exercise of trusting in God instead of ourselves. While we wait for Jesus to return to earth and ultimately restore justice, we are supposed to show our reliance upon him through persistent prayer.

I echo Jesus’ question today! When he returns, will he find faith on earth? Do we really believe that prayer changes things? Do you have enough faith to keep on praying?

Areas for Persistent Prayer

1.) Injustice

This area is probably closest to the text. Though the struggle of this life is sometimes hard and even unfair to Christians as they seek to honor God, we must not lose heart. Sometimes the persecution and rejection we experience makes us wonder if it is really worth it. It is rather easy to become frustrated when those who are unfaithful to God look like they are prospering. When you experience injustice, persistent prayer pays off!

2.) Provision

As we go through life, we encounter times when we are in need of provision. This might be monetary provision, material provision, or some other type of provision. Remember, God loves you and wants to provide for you. He wants you to pray for provision. So often, we have not because we ask not! When you are in need of provision, persistent prayer pays off!

3.) Guidance

Maybe you are in need of guidance today! Maybe you are at some crossroad in your life and you don’t know which way to go. Maybe you have some important but difficult decision to make. If so, keep asking until the Lord shows you what to do. Don’t give up! When you are in need of guidance, persistent prayer pays off!

4.) Healing

The widow’s greatest need was justice, but maybe the greatest need in your life today is healing. Are you are suffering with some disease or bearing the pain of some physical problem. Or maybe you are fine but a loved one is in need of healing. Keep on praying! Hang in there! God hears your cries every night and day! When you or a loved one is in need of healing, persistent prayer pays off!

5.) A Lost Soul

Do you have a lost soul in your life? What I mean is do you have a family member or a friend who is not following Jesus. Are you burdened for them? Are you afraid for their soul? Maybe it is your spouse, a parent, a child, a co-worker! Are you praying for their soul? Persistent prayer gives us the opportunity to be God’s instrument in changing the destiny of someone who does not yet know him. When you are burdened for a lost soul, persistent prayer pays off!

I’m not sure what is going on in your life today, but I do know that while Jesus is away, he wants us to exercise our faith through persistent prayer! So, based on the authority of own God’s word, I challenge you to remain persistent in prayer. Will you do it! Will you hang in there? Always remember that persistent prayer pays off!

While I was in Birmingham this past week, I heard about a study that was conducted a few years ago that surveyed the prayer lives of pastors. The results were startling. It revealed that 80% of pastors pray less than 15 minutes each day. It also concluded that the average churchgoer only prays between 4 and 7 minutes a day!

Now you always have to be careful about any statistics that you read, but when I read this report I became convicted about my own prayerlessness. I need to confess to you this morning that my prayer life isn’t what it should be. I wish this wasn’t the case, but it is! I am so sorry that I have failed you in this way!

If I could snap my fingers and change one thing about myself, I would ask God to make me more devoted to prayer. Don’t get me wrong, like you, I do pray. I pray almost every morning. I pray during worship services and church meetings. I pray before meals. I go on prayer walks. I pray in hospital rooms and in people’s homes. I pray for folks over the phone. My life is not devoid of prayer. But yet, oh how I wish my commitment to prayer were more—more earnest, more passionate, and more consistent!

How about you? How is your prayer life? How much time do you dedicate to prayer in an average day? Do you wish your prayer life was more serious, fervent, and faithful?

How about our church as a whole? Are we a praying church? Are we a Christian community that gains its guidance and draws its power from God in prayer or we a church that tries to function on its own power and resources?

I seriously doubt that the church in North America is known around the world as a church committed to prayer. We have money, education, books, a lot of missionaries, and some great teachers. But do we have a reputation for serious, importunate, long-suffering prayer? What if the single biggest answer for the decline of Christianity in America and our lack of spiritual fruit was not due the need of a new strategy for sharing Jesus with others, the lack of new music, or the lack of new ways of doing church, but the lack of prayer? What if our church took a fresh look at all we are doing, put everything on the table and said, “Let’s put prayer first and we’ll see what we can fit in after that?”

Pray without Ceasing (I Thessalonians 1:17)

Though out the Bible God tells us that he wants us to be a people of prayer. Not surprisingly then, Paul wished for all of his converts to be committed to prayer as a fundamental activity of their lives. He believed it was the Christian’s duty to engage in prayer regularly, and nowhere does he state this more clearly than I Thessalonians 5:17. These two simple words provide a power-packed imperative command for God’s church. Continual prayer is God’s will and expectation for all Christian!

Paul wrote these two words as a part of his letter to the church of Thessalonica. He planted this little church on his second missionary journey and he cared deeply about its survival. When he first preached the gospel to these Thessalonians, only a handful of Jews and a slightly higher number of gentiles became Christians. The rest of the Jews in the city were unreceptive to Paul or his message about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and they stirred up a riot against him. Their hostility was so severe that it forced Paul to flee the city. When the Jews couldn’t apprehend Paul, they released their rage against Paul’s followers. This little church was facing tremendous persecution. Many of the believers feared for their lives.

But in spite of the fierce persecution, the Thessalonian church was standing firm and keeping the faith. Paul knew firsthand what they were experiencing, so he wrote them this letter to encourage their hearts and to teach them how to persevere through hardship. These two words “pray continually” come at toward the end of the letter where he delivers some final instructions.

Constant prayer would enable them to faithfully endure.

But what does he actually mean when he says “pray continually.” Obviously, he does not mean for the Christians to drop all other activities for the sake of prayer. He means that every activity must be carried on in a spirit which is the spontaneous outcome of a sense of God’s presence. In the context, this command for continual prayer is meant for individual believers and the church as a whole. It is the ongoing reminder that God’s children are always and wholly dependent upon him for all things.

Notice also how this verse to pray continually is sandwiched in between the commands to “be joyful always” and “give thanks in all circumstances.” Considering the Thessalonians circumstances, it would have been impossible for them to do either one of these things without consistent prayer. The rivers of joy and thankfulness flow through the valley of prayer!

Reasons Why People Don’t Pray

I would guess that this isn’t the first time you have heard this verse or the first time you have been told that God expects us to pray. So, if we all already know this, why are the statistics for prayer so low? Why don’t we pray more often? Why don’t we pray more consistently? Why don’t be pray better? Well, I can think of a few reasons why people don’t pray!

1.) We don’t really believe in the power of prayer!

One of the chief reasons why people don’t pray is that don’t really believe in its power. Deep down I think we believe that if we spend a lot of time praying, we’ll still have the same problems left to deal with. We just won’t have as much time to deal with them. Prayerlessness is the measure of our unbelief. We don’t really believe that God answers prayers. We don’t really believe that we have not because we ask not. We don’t really believe that God can do more than we ask or imagine. True, God doesn’t need to hear from us, but he ordained prayer so that we might him work and he might be glorified in answering our prayers.

A few months ago I was talking with an elderly friend. He has been struggling with an incurable disease for a number of years now. He continues to suffer as he draws closer to death with each passing day. During the course of our conversation I asked him what God has taught him through this experience. He thought about it for a minute and said, “Well, I have become convinced of the power of prayer! When I was younger and could do everything for myself, I had my doubts about prayer, but now that I am old and sick, I have been able to see the effects of prayer.

Have you seen the effects of prayer? Do you believe in the power of prayer?

2.) We are too busy for prayer!

Other people believe in the power of prayer, but their problem is that they just don’t have enough time. I hear a lot of people say, “I would like to pray more, but I am just too busy!” By the time we wake up in the morning, go to work or school, take care of our responsibilities, eat a few meals, share a little family time, and maybe have a little recreation, what time do we really have for prayer?

The sixteenth century church reformer Martin Luther once said, “Work, work, from morning until late at night. In fact, I have so much to do that I shall have to spend the first three hours of the day in prayer.”

Time and busyness are always about priorities, aren’t they? Where is prayer on our priority list? I wonder if we might actually accomplish more by working less and praying more!

3.) We don’t feel any need for prayer!

Another reason why people don’t pray is that they don’t feel a need to pray. When our bodies are healthy, our families are happy, our country is safe, our economy is stable, and our jobs are secure, why in the world would we need to pray. I believe that this is the number one reason why Americans don’t pray. We are so secure that we don’t feel the need to pray. Our addiction to self-sufficiency negates our need for prayer. We would rather just figure things out for ourselves than to ask God for help.

This is evidenced by the fact that America saw a 25% rise in church attendance in the weeks following the September 11th terrorist attacks. When our country was unstable and fear filled the air, people prayed and went to church. Even more significantly, only a month after the attacks, church attendance went right back to where it was before.

It is easy to feel the need to pray when our security is threatened, but what about now? Everyone wants God when things go wrong, but what about when things are going well. Do you feel the need to pray? Do you feel the need to pray every day?

Unceasing Corporate Prayer

When Paul tells us to “pray continually”, he means that we should be praying together faithfully. Remember, he wrote this letter to the whole church! God’s church should have consistent times of prayer together.

This starts with our prayer times together during Sunday morning worship, but it should be much more than that. I believe this is one of our church’s weaknesses. We don’t pray with each other enough. In the coming months I am going to work to change this. Our church’s ministry will never be maximized without a heartfelt and faithful commitment to prayer.

Not long after I became a Christian I began participating in a Wednesday evening men’s prayer meeting at my home church in Josephine, PA. There were never more than seven or eight men there, but we were faithful. Those men taught me how to pray and we saw incredible miracles at that little country church. That church was poor in resources, but it was rich in prayer. I believe that is why God blessed its ministry so greatly!

Unceasing Personal Prayer

In addition to unceasing corporate prayer, “pray continually” means unceasing personal prayer. I already mentioned this does not mean that we are supposed to quit our jobs and just pray all day for God to feed us, but it does mean to spend time in formal and informal prayer every day. We can have a constant conversation with God in the quietness of our own hearts and minds.

Brother Lawrence, a seventeenth-century French monk, dedicated himself to practice the presence of God at all times. Prior to becoming a monk he was known as Nicholas Herman of Lorraine. As a young man he was a soldier, but after becoming a monk he lived a quiet life performing various domestic chores for his monastery.

When talking to individuals, Brother Lawrence shared information about his own repeated efforts to keep his attention riveted on God no matter what business was occupying him. He reports that eventually this continual recollection of God became effortless and filled him with peace and joy.

The Practice of the Presence of God is a collection of documented conversations and letters that reveal the heart of this humble man. He wrote, “The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer, and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen…I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the blessed sacrament.”

Brother Lawrence’s wisdom and spiritual insights have helped bring people closer to God for more than three centuries. Maybe it will help us follow in his footsteps and practice the presence of God throughout the day. Maybe it will help us to cultivate that habit to pray without ceasing!

The apostle Paul really did want the Thessalonian church to pray without ceasing. God really does want us to be people who pray continually! Let me conclude by reading you this provocative poem about prayer!

The Poem

I knelt to pray but not for long, I had too much to do.
I had to hurry and get to work, For bills would soon be due.

So I knelt and said a hurried prayer, And jumped up off my knees.
My Christian duty was now done, My soul could rest at ease.

All day long I had no time, To spread a word of cheer.
No time to speak of Christ to friends, They’d laugh at me I’d fear.

No time, no time, too much to do, That was my constant cry,
No time to give to souls in need, But at last the time, the time to die.

I went before the Lord, I came, I stood with downcast eyes.
For in his hands God held a book; It was the book of life.

God looked into his book and said “Your name I cannot find.
I once was going to write it down… But never found the time”