Message Notes

4th YAG RETREAT – THE FRUITFUL LIFE
Session #2
Saturday, 21 October 2006
Morning Session #2
Text: Romans 1
A Fruitful Life is a Result of Praying
INTRODUCTION

1. Planning has its own inherent dangers

a) One may end up excluding God

b) One may be very caught up with Planning

c) Success in planning can consume you          (Cf. James 4:13-17)

2. Praying must be carefully included

a) Praying as a humble act of acknowledging our need for God’s hand of blessing

b) Praying as an Interactive activity

c) Praying- many facets to be mastered

i) Faith

ii) Discernment

iii) Wisdom

A. PRAYING TO BE FRUITFUL (Lessons from the Life of the Apostle Paul)

For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the Gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, Making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established – That is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles

Romans 1:9-13

1. Description of a fruitful ministry “among the other Gentiles”
A quick survey of Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles

a) In Antioch, Pisidia          Acts 13:42-52

b) In Iconium, Lystra          Acts 14:1-28

c) Philippi          Acts 16:6-40

d) Thessalonica          Acts 17:1-9

e) Berea          Acts 17:10-15

f) Athens          Acts 17:16-34

g) Corinth          Acts 18:1-17

h) Ephesus          Acts 19:1-41

2. Desire to bear fruit among the Romans

a) To impart some spiritual gift          Romans 1:11

b) To establish the brethren          Romans 1:11

3. Discerning the will of God in Prayer

a) Ceaseless effort in prayer          Romans 1:9

b) Maintaining a Prayerful concern          Romans 1:9

c) Seeking the will of God          Romans 1:10

d) Expressing a desire to minister in Rome          Romans 1:10

4. The Ministry of Prayer

a) Prayers of Thanksgiving

i) Corinthian Church

I thank my God always concerning you…

1 Corinthians 1:4

ii) Ephesian Church

Do not cease to give thanks for you, Making mention of you in my prayers

Ephesians 1:16

iii) Philippian Church

Always in every prayer of mine making request for you…

Philippians 1:4

b) Supplication for Ministry

i) In the context of spiritual battle

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, Being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints

Ephesians 6:18

ii) Striving in prayer for Special deliverance

Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, And through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me In prayers to God for me, That I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, And that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints

Romans 15:30-31

5. Praying for Fruitfulness in life and ministry

a) Because of hindrances

i) From human beings

ii) From the Evil One

b) Because of God’s way of seeing things done and accomplished

i) Prayer must first be offered

ii) Prayer will be answered according to God’s will and time

B. THE PROBLEM OF PRAYERLESSNESS

1. Lack of a deep relationship with the Lord
2. Lack of deep knowledge of God
3. Lack of mature faith
4. Lack of experience
5. Lack of discipline
6. Lack of perseverance
7. Lack of trust

C. OVERCOMING THE PROBLEM OF PRAYERLESSNESS

1. Renew relationship with God
2. Revival of faith in God
3. Deepening faith and trust in God
4. Reading of the Scriptures
5. Memorising God’s word
6. Exercising our faith consciously
7. Giving thanks to God
8. Remembering how God hears and answers prayer
9. Cultivating the habit of praying
10. Strengthening our prayer efforts

D. THINGS THAT ENCOURAGE AND ENHANCE PRAYERFULNESS

1. Cultivate good habits of praying
2. Strengthen consciousness of God answering prayer
3. Training ourselves to be responsive to the Lord
4. Finding Prayer partners
5. Keeping a catalogue of answers to prayer
6. Reading biographies
7. Cultivate friendships with godly and prayerful people