A Commitment to Prayer

June 1, 2014 ()

Bible Text: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 |

Series:

God has commanded the local church to be engaged in fervent and persistent prayer (1 Tim 2:1-7; Luke 18:1-8). As a loving Father, he desires to answer the prayers of his children (Matt 7:7-11). Therefore, the church should be committed to regular times of corporate prayer (Acts 1:14; 2:42; 4:23-31; 13:1-3), to caring intercession for fellow believers (Phil 1:9-11), and to praying for the advancement of the gospel and salvation of the lost (2 Thess 3:1; Rom 10:1).



The Trellis and the Vine

A trellis is a physical structure made of wood or metal that supports the growth of a vine. A trellis can be elaborate that you can walk under or scale great heights and intricate shapes and patterns. The ministry of the church can be likened to a trellis and a vine. That is, the task of the church is the make and mature disciples of Jesus Christ who are becoming like him and fulfilling his mission. That is vine work. That growth (discipleship/vine-working) needs support and structure. We have a building, committees, finances, budgets, leadership, bulletins and much more that is acting as a trellis—support the vine, the work of making and maturing disciples. What can easily happen is that a church shifts its focus and pours all of its effort into trellis work, into building and maintaining structures and the vine is neglected. Committees can continue to run and be filled with people but it’s original purpose may be lost or can be achieved today in better ways. We need to constantly be focused on the work of vine growing, the work of making and maturing disciples and add support as necessary.

Tim Stephens

Tim Stephens is the senior pastor of Fairview Baptist Church. Tim grew up on a farm in Eastern Ontario and has graduated with a Computer Engineering degree from Queen’s University, a Masters of Divinity degree from Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary, and is currently pursuing his Doctor of Ministry in Expository Preaching at the Master’s Seminary. He is happily married to Raquel and they have eight children.