Preaching The Grace Of God
From The King James Bible – Dispensationally Delivered
Berean Bible Church – Edgewater, Florida – Doug Dodd s.b.g. Pastor
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Introduction
There is a great deal of confusion about prayer. I get questions all the time about the subject. The
questions can be boiled down to two. 1. For what can I or should I pray? 2. What can I expect in answer
to my prayer.
Admittedly these are tough questions for several reasons. 1. People, not just believers, have been
raised in this country to think of God as some sort of "Santa Clause" or "genie"
that will grant your wishes if you have been deserving or good enough or willing to do right etc., etc.,
etc. 2. Religious people have been taught through denominationalism and tradition that the "church"
is nothing more than some kind of hold over from Israel's program. They see the physical blessings given
to the nation of Israel and expect to receive the same while not encountering any of their cursings.
This is brought about by a failure to rightly divide the word of truth.
In the following lessons we will look at the prayer issue and in the end discover the Pauline prayer
pattern that we are to follow in the dispensation of the grace of God.
Prayer for most is superstition, as is all religion.
Text: Acts 17:22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive
that in all things ye are too superstitious. 23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions,
I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him
declare I unto you.
Webster’s 1828 Dictionary - SUPERSTI'TIOUS, a. [L. superstitiosus.]
- Over scrupulous and rigid in religious observances; addicted to superstition; full of idle fancies
and scruples in regard to religion; as superstitious people.
- Proceeding from superstition; manifesting superstition; as superstitious rites;
Comes from 2 Greek Words…
Strong’s Hebrew & Greek Dictionary - 1174. deisidaimonesteros, dice-ee-dahee-mon-es'-ter-os;
the comp. of a der. of the base of G1169 and G1142; more religious than others:--too superstitious
Strong’s Hebrew & Greek Dictionary - 1169. deilos, di-los'; from deos (dread); timid,
i.e. (by impl.) faithless:--fearful.
Mat 8:26 & Mark 4:40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is
it that ye have no faith?
Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers,
and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which
burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Fearful = faithless = religion
= doing something to please God that he never told you to do.
Strong’s Hebrew & Greek Dictionary - 1142. daimon, dah'-ee-mown; from daio (to distribute
fortunes); a daemon or supernatural spirit (of a bad nature):--devil.
Daimon = Devil = Devil's bring temptation = To draw from the path of rectitude with the promise
of physical delight.
Mat 8:31 So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away
into the herd of swine.
Rev 16:14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth
unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of
God Almighty.
So a Bible definition of superstitious
might be … Demonically inspired religious activity not based in faith with the promise of physical reward.
What we learn from right division
2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth.
What we learn from right division
is to give to Israel what belongs to Israel and to give to the body of Christ what belongs to the body
of Christ.
Prayer & Superstition
There is much superstition concerning prayer.
Much of this confusion can be attributed to a failure to rightly divide the word of truth.
True signs, miracles, healing, circumstantial manipulation, and wonders belong in and to a past age.
( I say true because Satan too can do signs, healing, etc.)
The reason for signs, miracles and wonders is twofold
1. God when dealing with the nation of Israel dealt with them on a physical level with signs etc.,
following to prove the testimony was coming from God. Moses and the burning bush would be an example
of this.
2. God used signs, miracles and wonders to validate his word until the completion of canon scripture.
Tongues, Prophesy, Knowledge 1Cor.13 for example.
We do not want to approach prayer from a
superstitious viewpoint
Some expect God to do in or by prayer that which he will not do….
He will not violate the will of man, any man
It is painfully obvious from any kind of a objective approach to these verses that man has a choice.
God will not violate that ability to make a choice.
Mark 3:35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister,
and mother. - How about those who do not, will God force them?
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your
mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. -
What about those who will not prove his will?
2 Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness;
but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should
come to repentance. - Peter is not a universalist he is a volitionist.
1 Tim 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. -
Will all men be saved? I think not! God will not violate the will of man as a free moral agent.
Therefore in our prayers we
should not think that he will violate the will of another human being in favor of our will.
He will not manipulate circumstances, any circumstances
2 Cor 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect
in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may
rest upon me. - God wants us to go through the circumstances of life - with grace, i.e. His provision.
2 Cor 11:25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck,
a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of
robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils
in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 In weariness and painfulness,
in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. - God did not deliver
that great apostle who is our pattern.
Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory
of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of
God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
To expect God to do things he is not doing is superstitious and dangerous
The Pauline Prayer Pattern For Today
Here we want to ask 2 questions:
1. For what did Paul pray?
2. What did he expect?
Eph 1:15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all
the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God
of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation
in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened;
What does Paul pray for here?
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom
and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened
Paul was praying that the believer would be educated, edified and empowered by the word of God through
the grace of God.
- spirit = mental disposition
- wisdom = application of knowledge
- revelation = uncovering of truth
Important phrase = "in the knowledge of him"
Qualified by verse = 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened;
Webster’s 1828 Dictionary - ENLI'GHTENED, pp. Rendered light; illuminated; instructed;
informed; furnished with clear views.
Prayer then, Pauline pattern
prayer, has something to do with knowing more about the Lord Jesus Christ! It has something to do with
knowing him better!
Phil 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his
sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
2 Tim 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for
I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto
him against that day.
Prayer is much more than getting things you think you need from God.
It is more than mere superstition.
It is getting to know God the father and God the son on a personal level
To be continued…
