Have you ever wondered how Jesus was able to minister to multitudes without collapsing from the stress and pressure of it all?
Luke 5:16 – “ But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.”
Jesus habitually withdrew for prayer!
Jesus experienced supernatural strength!
This kind of supernatural strength was seen in the life of man named Paul in the Bible.
He faced grueling ordeals yet never seemed to wane in strength as he faced each trial bravely and victoriously.
What was the secret of Paul’s supernatural strength?
Philippians 1:19– “For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,”
Supply- (Greek) epichoregeo– this is a very ancient word that means “on behalf of the choir.”
Epi- “on behalf of”
Choregeo- “choir or a choral presentation
This is where we get our word choreography
Thousands of years ago in classical Greece, a huge choral and dramatic company had practiced for an important theatrical performance. After putting in all their time and effort and energy it was time for the show to go on the road.
But there was one major problem: they ran out of money!
They had worked hard and given their lives for tis production and committed themselves to see it succeed. But because they were out of financing it was washed-up for them.
Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever given yourself to something so completely that you didn’t have anything else to give?
IT SEEMS HOPELESS!
We all come to a place in our spiritual lives that we have no more to give. We begin to wane both physically and spiritually!
EVEN PEOPLE WITH GOOD INTENTIONS AND A STRONG DESIRE EVENTUALLY COME TO ONE OF THOSE DEAD END’S IN THEIR LIVES.
That’s what happened to the choir in this story; they had come to this very place. No funds meant no show. It seemed that all their energy and resources had been expended in vain!
From all natural appearances it was the end of the dream. In reality, this dead-end place in their lives was the beginning of victory!
AT THAT MOMENT OF DESPAIR A WELTHY MAN STEPPED INTO THEIR LIVES. HE HAD HEARD ABOUT THEIR COMMITMENT, HE HAD HEARD ABOUT HOW THEY HAD WORKED ON THIS PROJECT FOR SO LONG.
AND BECAUSE HE WAS SO IMPRESSED WITH THEIR DEDICATION HE MADE A SIZABLE CONTRIBUTION “ON BEHALF OF THE CHOIR.”
In fact the contribution was far more than what they needed. It was far more than they knew how to spend. It was an excessive amount.
And this is where we get the word “SUPPLY”
WHEN YOU HAVE GIVEN YOUR ALL AND YOU DON’T SEEM TO HAVE ANY MORE TO GIVE, THAT IS WHEN JESUS CHRIST STEPS INTO YOUR LIFE TO MAKE AN OVERWHELMING CONTRIBUTION OF THE SPIRIT’S GRACE AND POWER ON YOUR BEHALF.
You may be at a dead end right now at some place in your personal life. That is the moment we usually learn how to truly live!
When we have no more to give, Jesus Christ-through the ministry and power of the Holy Spirit picks up where we left off and makes an overwhelming contribution of the Spirit on our behalf. HE PAVES THE WAY TO FINISH WHAT HE STARTED.
Philippians1:6 -“ being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;”
If you will make time to fellowship with Him and allow the Holy Spirit to become your cherished partner and friend, He will fill you with strength you need right now!
THE SECRET OF SUPERNATURAL STRENGTH
You’ve decided it’s high-time to get into physical shape, so you investigate a health club. When you walk in the door you’re greeted by a staff member and they bring you through the gym showing you the state of the art equipment and how it functions.
At the end of your tour the guide ask you, “Would you like for us to set up a routine for you?”
At this point you’re tempted to back out. Playing on exercise equipment is one thing, but following an established regimen is another.
Seeing your hesitation the staff member explains, “You need a routine in order to work all the muscle groups properly and consistently, to keep track of how many repetitions you’ve done at which weight, to chart your progress and to avoid becoming imbalanced.
Health-club instructors know that without a carefully structured plan, we’re not going to accomplish our goals.
So if you’re going to get into good physical shape you need a pattern of work-outs that helps you remain balanced in your approach.
The secret of sustaining supernatural strength then is what I call “A PATTERN OF PRAYER!”
DEVELOPING PRAYER FITNESS IS LIKE DEVELOPING PHYSICAL FITNESS: WE NEED A PATTERN TO AVOID BECOMING IMBALANCED.
Without a routine, we will probably fall into the “Please God, Please God, give me, help me God.”
TODAY I’M GOING TO OFFER YOU A PATTERN OF PRAYER THAT I BELIEVE WILL HELP YOU WALK IN THE SUPERNATURAL STRENGTH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
All you have to do is remember the word ACTS. It’s an acrostic!
- Adoration
In my opinion, it is absolutely essential to begin times of prayer with adoration and worship.
Adoration sets the tone for the entire prayer! It reminds us whom we are addressing, whose presence we have entered, whose attention we have gained.
It gets our focus on God and off other things!
I am praying to a tremendous God and that motivates me to continue praying!
GOD IS WORTHY OF ADORATION!
1 Chronicles 29:11 – “Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things.”
Our Heavenly Father is worthy of our worship so in this pattern of prayer let’s begin with ADORATION!
- Confession
Naming our faults. Confession is probably the most neglected area in personal prayer.
If we really desire to repent for our sins we need to pull them out of the pile one by one and confess them to the Lord and ask for forgiveness and cleansing.
What are the benefits of confession?
First of all you’re honest before God and you’re not playing games anymore.
Next you’ll be flooded with relief that God has a forgiving nature. Knowing that “as far as the east is from the west, so far He removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12)
Psalm 51:1 -“ Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.”
My pattern of prayer for supernatural strength. “Heavenly Father I adore you. I worship you with all of my heart. Father I confess my sins to you and I ask you to forgive me and cleanse me.”
- Thanksgiving
Expressing Gratitude
Psalms 103:2– “Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18- “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
Parents you know how it feels when one of your children spontaneously thanks you for something!
Supernatural strength! Establish a pattern of prayer! Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving,
- Supplication
Asking for help
Philippians 4:6– “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”
If you have adored Him, confessed your sins and thanked Him for all His good gifts now you’re ready to tell Him what you need.
Nothing is too big for God to handle or to small for Him to be interested in!
CONCLUSION:
A pattern for prayer. A pattern for daily communicating with the Holy Spirit and receiving strength from Him.
Have you come to the end? The Holy Spirit wants to give you supernatural strength! “On behalf of the choir!”