Month: April 2025

Preamble:

The subject of prayer is an ancient principle and practices across many religions, including Christianity.

Our focus today is to understand the sufficiency of prayer to the children of God, and  we are being encouraged to believe in the efficacy of prayer so as to embrace it.

Many dimensions to prayer do exist today:

• The prayer of the righteous is important to God, but He detests that of the sinner – James 5:16; Psalm 34:17; Proverbs 28:9; John 9:31.

John 9:31 (KJV)- Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

James 5:16 NKJV-Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

• This implies that the earnest, fervent prayers of a person who is in right standing with God are highly effective and powerful
• Many believe that prayer works, but may be not for all

Redemption is a precursor of access to God:

• One of the key assets we received following the perfect work of redemption is access to Christ.

Ephesians 2:18-19 (KJV)- For through him, we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

• The death and resurrection of Jesus give us unhindered access to approach the throne of grace as many times as any children of God desires – Hebrews 4:16 (KJV)

Hebrews 4:16- Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 10:19-22- “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus… let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings…”

• The onus is now on His children to come- Psalm 65:2.
• This scripture highlights God’s willingness to listen to and respond to the prayers of His people( Jeremiah 33:3; Matt. 11:28

The Prayer That Works Vs Failed Attempt Matthew 17: 14-18 & 19-21:

The encounter here affirms the efficacy and the essentials of prayer as demonstrated by Jesus, the master.

No doubt there are results of prayer that filled the pages of the Scripture and are still happening till today, namely

Communication with God- Philippians 4:6-7, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”; 1 Thessalonians 5:17: “Pray continually.”

Seeking Guidance- Proverbs 3:5-6; James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

Experiencing God’s Power- Matthew 21:22: “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Mark 11:24*: “

Deepening Relationship –Psalm 119:145-146; John 15:7:

Spiritual Growth– 2 Peter 3:18: “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 1 Timothy 4:7-8:

Comfort and Peace- Philippians 4:7*: “

But the disciples didn’t experience answered prayer – Why?-

Let’s examine Jesus’ response and draw lessons from it.

1. Learning to seek and enquire of Him pays- vs 19 . Isaiah 45:15

2. Faith is Essential: Faith is crucial for effective prayer and spiritual ministry. (Matthew 17:20). Diverse dimensions of faith apply to our lives as children of God. Little faith, growing faith, a daring faith, etc

3. Persistence in Prayer is Necessary: Prayer is essential for daily living to overcoming challenges (Matthew 17:21).

4.  Fasting Enhances Spiritual Power Fasting, combined with prayer, can enhance spiritual power and effectiveness (Matthew 17:21). The essence of fasting is discipline .

Fasting must be an acceptable one- Isaiah 58:1-11.

5. Come to Him in totality Heb.5:7; Heb.10:22-23

EMBRACING THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE CROSS (PART 2)

THE CROSS: POWER FOR DAILY LIVING.

TEXT: GALATIANS 2:20

INTRODUCTION

The cross is not only about salvation. It’s about transformation! The same cross that saves us also sustains us by its power. The power of the cross transforms us.

The cross is not a one-time event. It is the fountain of ongoing power. Because of the cross, we are equipped (empowered) for daily living.

Galatians 2:20 shows how the power of the cross transforms our identity, energizes our lifestyle, and gives us faith to live every day with victory and purpose.

UNDERSTANDING THE CROSS AS THE POWER FOR DAILY LIVING

1. Identity Shift

Through the cross, we have a new identity. “I have been crucified with Christ.” (Galatians 2:20a).

To be crucified with Christ means our old self (the sinful nature, the flesh, the self-will, self-efforts, guilt, shame) was put to death on the cross.

▪︎ Through the cross, we have a new identity. We are not the same person. (2 Corinthians 5:17. We are no longer our old self.

▪︎ This is the foundation of daily victory- the old life is no longer in control!

▪︎ Daily living begins with understanding that our sinful past and our sinful nature no longer have power over us because they were nailed to the cross (Colossians 3:3).

▪︎ The cross breaks the power of sin and through the cross, we have daily power to overcome sin (Romans 6:6-7, 11).

2. The Cross Enables a New Life.

“Nevertheless, I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20b).

▪︎ Christianity is not behaviour modification. It is Christ living through us. Our life reflects Christ.

▪︎ The Christian life is not about trying harder, but surrendering to the One who lives within (2Corinthians 13:5).

▪︎ We are not alone in our walk. Christ is alive in us.

3. The Cross Transforms Ordinary Living into Extraordinary Living.

“The life  which I now live in the flesh” (Galatians 2:20c).

▪︎ The cross affects not only our spiritual life but the totality of our life: how we live at home, at work, in our relationships, in trials, and in choices.

▪︎ The cross doesn’t remove us from the world, it equips us with power to live in it.

4. The Cross Establishes a New Way of Living (by faith)

“I live by faith of the Son of God” (Galatians 2:20d).

▪︎ Faith is the daily connection point to Christ’s life and power.

▪︎ Since we are saved by faith, we have to live by the same faith. “The just shall live by faith” (Hebrews 10:38).

▪︎ Every day, we have to rely on Jesus (not on ourselves, our strength, our ability, or our technical Knowhow).

▪︎ Not just for salvation but for every step and every decision.

5. The Power of The Cross is Rooted in Personal Love.

“Who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20e).

▪︎ Christ’s sacrifice was out of deep, personal love (Romans 5:8; John 15:13).

▪︎ Knowing we are personally loved by Jesus gives us the strength to keep going, even when life is tough.

▪︎ Jesus didn’t just die for the world, He died for you as a person, because of His love for you.

▪︎ Understanding this love fuels obedience, devotion and inner strength. When life feels heavy, rest in His love. That’s where your strength flows from.

LIFE APPLICATION/ CONCLUSION

Embrace the power of the cross, it is sufficient for your total daily living.

•Temptation to sin? – Remember you are crucified with Christ!

▪︎ Confronted with failure?- Trust in Christ living in you!

▪︎ Stressed and under pressure?

Live by faith in the Son of God!

▪︎ Lonely?

Remember the One who loves you and gave His life for you is always with you.

▪︎ Daily Routines?

Let Christ express Himself through your words, actions, and attitude.

THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE CROSS (PART 1)

THE CROSS: GOD’S COMPLETE SOLUTION FOR SIN.

TEXT: HEBREWS 10:10-14

INTRODUCTION

Our starting point today is in the form of a question:

WHY THE CROSS?

THE PROBLEM OF SIN

The problem of sin began in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s direct command- Genesis 2:16-17; 3:1-6

This first act of disobedience, often called “The Fall” introduced sin into the world and separated humanity from God.

This act of disobedience came with consequences:

▪︎ Pain, toil, relational strife, and physical death entered the human experience- Genesis 3:16-19.

▪︎ Separation from God. Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden, symbolizing spiritual separation- Genesis 3:23-24.

▪︎ Adam’s Sin And Universal Impact- Romans 3:23.

Adam’s sin affected all humanity. Every person inherits a sinful nature and stands guilty before God.

This problem of sin and its consequences set the stage for the need for salvation through Christ.

▪︎ The need for salvation through Christ was met on the cross, when and where Jesus Christ sacrificed His life to pay for man’s sin and thereby obtained salvation for humanity.

▪︎ The cross is therefore a significant symbol of  Christ’s finished work of man’s salvaton and deliverance from sin and death.

Many believers still struggle with guilt, fear, or performance-based faith. But Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is enough!

IMPLICATIONS OF THE CROSS AS GOD’S COMPLETE SOLUTION FOR SIN

1. The Cross Paid it All- Hebrews 10:11-12.

▪︎ No more sacrifices are needed. Old Testament Priests stood daily, offering repeated sacrifices but Jesus, the High Priest, offered one sacrifice for all time.

2. Finality And Completeness

▪︎ Jesus’ work on the cross is not partial but complete and final- John 19:30 (“It is finished”)

▪︎ No any other work by any other being is needed again.

▪︎ He paid in full. Redemption accomplished and nothing can be added to it- Romans 3:23-26.

▪︎ Our previous position- Vs 23 “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

▪︎ He redeemed us by His blood and justified us freely by His grace- Vs. 24-26.

3. Freedom From Guilt And Condemnation – Romans 6:23; Isaiah 53:4-6; Romans 8:1.

▪︎ He cancelled the written code and nailed it to the cross- Colossians 2:13-15.

▪︎ We are not just forgiven. We are declared righteous!

▪︎ God is no longer seeing us through our own righteousness (Isaiah 64:6) but through the righteousness of Christ.

▪︎ God is seeing us as perfect and complete because Christ has made us complete in Him- Colossians 2:10.

▪︎ When we are in Christ, guilt is not from God but from our conscience. But the Holy Spirit is there to help us tap into the grace available in Christ, for our restoration.

4. Access To God Is Now Open

▪︎ The veil is torn- Matthew  27:51.

▪︎ The veil symbolized separation but its tearing signifies unhindered access.

▪︎ We now have bold access, not fearful distance- Hebrews 4:16.

▪︎ We no longer need any intermediary-Priest because we are all Priests by the reason of His finished work on the cross- Revelation 1:6; 5:10.

LIFE APPLICATION

1.  Stop striving to earn God’s favour. Rest in Christ’s finished work, not your efforts.

2.  Let go of guilt from past sins. Christ has paid for them fully on the cross.

▪︎ Stop revisiting what God has removed.

3.  Return to the presence of God and approach Him with boldness and confidence, knowing you are fully accepted.

▪︎ Sin does not remove us from the Father-son relationship we have with God, but can deny us the enjoyment of the benefits of that relationship, until we return to Him- Luke 15:24, 21 (The Prodigal son).

▪︎ If Christ’s one-time sacrifice did not cover our future sin, it means Christ would have to die again to remove the sins we commit after our salvation and believing on Him.

CONCLUSION

Are you living as if the cross is not enough?  If the cross was enough for God, why would it not be enough for you?

Let us pray…

He paid the debt He did not owe

I owed the debt I could not pay

I needed someone to wash away my sins

Now I can sing a brand new song

Amazing grace!

Lord Jesus paid the debt that I could never pay