Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. The Lord Jesus had modelled for His disciples what it means to live a life of prayer

a. Rising a long while before daylight to pray

b. Praying over the selection of the Apostles

c. Teaching them how men ought to pray

d. Watching and praying as He prepared to die on the cross

2. The question now is this:

Will the disciples be able to follow the example of the Lord Jesus, and pray as He did?

3. Turning to the Book of Acts

a. It is a record of the Acts of the Apostles

b. It shows how they became witnesses of the Lord Jesus to every place

c. It reveals how they embodied the teachings and example of the Lord Jesus

PRAYER – IT MARKED A CHANGE IN THE APOSTLES

These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

Acts 1:14

1. Compare what the Apostles were like before, as recorded in the Gospels

a. They could not watch and pray for one hour
Even at a time of great importance   (Matthew 26:40)

b. They gave in to the weakness of the flesh

c. They were also frequently divided, each seeking to be the “greatest”   (Matthew 20:20-28)

2. The Apostles in the time of Acts

a. They were obedient to the Lord’s command
To wait patiently in Jerusalem for the Promise of the Holy Spirit   (Acts 1:4)

b. But they were not idle; they continued

i. With one accord

ii. In prayer

iii. And supplication

c. The word “continued” (Greek: proskartereo)

i. Denotes the idea of strength, steadfastness, attentiveness

ii. Illustrates how the Apostles went about in prayer and supplication

PRAYER – IT BECAME CHARACTERISTIC OF THE APOSTLES

24 And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen 25 to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.”

Acts 1:24-25

1. There arose the issue of who would take the place of Judas Iscariot

2. It was Peter who took the lead as he raised it up

a. No longer did he speak out of turn

b. He was guided by the Scriptures

c. He spoke with wisdom and authority

3. Though they shortlisted two men (Barsabas and Matthias), they committed the final decision to the Lord in prayer

4. Prayer had become a characteristic of the Apostles

a. It was no longer just a practice – it had become part of who they were

b. They committed all things to God in prayer

5. This mark of prayer extended beyond the Apostles

Prayer became the hallmark of all who followed Christ   (Acts 2:42)

PRAYER – IT PREPARED THE APOSTLES FOR THE CHALLENGE AHEAD

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Acts 1:8

1. The work the Apostles were called to accomplish

a. To be witnesses of the Lord to the ends of the earth

b. To undertake the immense task of developing the first church

i. Establishing leadership

ii. Laying the foundations of doctrine

iii. Making disciples

iv. Attending to the needs of believers

2. What enabled them to meet such a challenge?

a. God’s part
He gave to them the Power of the Holy Spirit

b. Their part
They prayed – and they supplicated!

c. The idea of supplication:
It is to make earnest requests to God

d. The Apostles’ requests may well have included

i. Strength

ii. Boldness

iii. Wisdom and discernment

iv. Enlightenment

v. Unity

LESSONS FOR US TO TAKEAWAY

1. We can look forward to a deeper, changed prayer life

2. Let us endeavor to make prayer a characteristic of our lives

3. Let us not be afraid the challenges ahead, but seek the Lord’s help in prayer