Sunday Morning Series - Having Faith in Your Prayers - Is Favor Lacking?

Text:  2 Samuel 12:1-25

When was the last time one of your prayers wasn't answered? Today, we're looking at David's fervent prayer that didn't get the desired results.

We're jumping in the middle of this story. David has already had an affair with Uriah's wife and involved others in getting him killed in battle. God speaks to the prophet, Nathan, and sends him to  David. In going to David, Nathan is taking his life in his hands. The king can have him put to death.

Nathan tells David a story about two men. One is rich, and one is poor. The poor man has a ewe that is like a pampered pet. A stranger comes to visit  the rich man. Instead of taking a sheep from his flock, he takes the poor man's ewe, kills it, and serves it to his company.

David is outraged that anyone should do such a thing. His  anger shows there is still a passion for righteousness and justice. He pronounces judgment on the man. Nathan looks at him and declares, "You're the man."

God pronounces the sword would not depart from David's house. Bathsheba is referred to twice as Uriah's wife not his widow.

David says, "I have sinned." He doesn't try to hide it or make excuses. God warns David that he's  given occasion to the enemy by his action or sin. Sin opens the door to destruction. God tells him that the child Bathsheba is carrying will die.

The child is born, and scripture says, "The Lord struck the child." Is this God's judgment? The Hebrew mentality is: If God doesn't stop it, God did it.

David fasts and prays for the child in hopes God will change His mind. If God's Word doesn't give us assurance, we are wrong to get our hopes high. We can learn from David's approach. God told David the child would die, and it happened.

No matter what we may wish  to believe, sin has a price that cannot always be altered by favor. David wasn't listening to God in this matter, so God sent someone to confront him. Don't hope for something theWord doesn't  promise. Faithcomes from what we know through His Word.

To hear the entire message, please go to our website and click on the Listen Tab. You can listen online, download it to your MP3 player, of podcast.

If you're visiting in the area or looking for a church home, we invite you to our Sunday Morning Service at 10:00 AM. Children's Church also begins at 10:00 AM. Zoe Christian Fellowship is located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Route 611), in Warrington, PA.  We look forward to  meeting you!

Quotable Quotes

"Thunder is good, thunder is impressive;  but it is the lightening that does the work." - Mark Twain

This Week at Zoe

MIDWEEK SERVICE - On Wednesday, 10/11/17, at 7:30 PM, Pastor Steve will continue teaching the series on the book of Hebrews.

WORSHIP TEAM PRACTICE:  On Thursday, 10/12/17, at 7:00 PM, the Worship Team will meet in the sanctuary for practice.

SUNDAY SERVICE - On Sunday, 10/15/17, at 10:00 AM, we'll gather for our Sunday Morning Worship Service. Super Church for kids will also begin at 10:00 AM. 

Zoe Christian Fellowship is located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Route 611), in Warrington, PA. If you're visiting in the area or looking for a church home, we hope you'll stop by. We'd love to meet you.

Sunday Morning Series - Having Faith In Your Prayers - Our Presentation

Text:  Nehemiah 1 and 2

Nehemiah heard about the terrible conditions back in his homeland. He mourned many days and fasted and prayed. He asked God to grant him mercy in the sight of the king.

This man was the king's cupbearer - the guy who made sure no one was trying to poison the king's food. One day, the king notices Nehemiah isn't his usual cheerful self and questions him. Nehemiah is afraid because the king can throw him in prison or even kill him. After all, he's a captive in the land even though he has what we'd consider a good job.

He shares what's on his heart, and the king responds with kindness. He asks Nehemiah to make a request. Nehemiah is wise in how he phrases his request: "If it pleases the king and if I have found favor in your sight..." He goes on to request permission, time off, safe passage, and materials for the rebuilding of the wall. The king grants his requests and gives him even more.

Nehemiah kept the matter to himself. He didn't share what God had put on his heart to do. When it came to light, people laughed at him, made false accusations, and threatened him. Just because you have the favor of God doesn't mean you won't face opposition.

We've noted in past sessions that favor is something we grow into rather than something that's given to us. When we behave wisely, both God and man respond with favor. Here are five ways to walk in favor:

1.  Be joyful
2.  Be faithful
3.  Be humble
4.  Be thankful
5.  Be loving

To hear the entire message, please visit our website and click on the Listen Tab. You can listen online, download it to your MP3 player, or podcast.

If you're visiting in the area or looking for a church home, we invite you to our Sunday Morning Service.  Zoe Christian Fellowship is located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Route 611), in Warrington, PA.  We look forward to meeting you.

Quotable Quote

"The Scripture teaches that popularity with the world means death. Satan's most effective tool is conformity and compromise." - Billy Graham

This Week at Zoe

MIDWEEK SERVICE - Wednesday, 9/27/17, at 7:30 PM. Pastor Steve is teaching on the book of Hebrews.

WORSHIP TEAM PRACTICE - On Thursday, 9/28/2017, at 7:00 PM, the Worship Team will meet for practice in the sanctuary.

 PRAYER AND PRAISE NIGHT - Friday, 9/29/17, at 7:00 PM.

SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE - Sunday, 10/2/17, at 10:00 AM.
CHILDREN'S CHURCH - 10:00 AM.
COVERED DISH DINNER IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE SERVICE. Please bring enough food for you and your family and some to share.

Zoe Christian Fellowship is located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Route 611), in Warrington, PA. If you're visiting in the area or looking for a church home, we invite you to our Sunday Morning Service. You're also welcome to stay for the Covered Dish Dinner. There's always plenty of food.

Having Faith in Your Prayers - Well, That Didn't Go Well!"

Text:  Daniel 3:1-30


Favor is not something for which you pray. It is something you grow into. This is the story of the three Hebrew children, Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego. They, along with Daniel, found favor with the King and received promotions. At the time of this story, Daniel was probably out of town on business. Otherwise, he would have been caught up in this situation.

Now, you have these captives getting promotions and much honor from the King. Certain Chaldeans came forward and accused them. There may have been others who did not bow down to the King's image, but they focused on these three men. They informed the King that the three Hebrews did not pay due regard to him. Note: There was nothing in the decree about worshiping Chaldean gods. The King was fully aware the Hebrews worshiped Jehovah.

It's an easy thing to stir up some people's flesh if you tell them they are not getting something they deserve to have. The King is enraged.

How do you know you're in the flesh or the Spirit? Check your thoughts: 1) I should have..., 2) I should get..., 3) I deserve... No place in the Bible says you can break  the law and escape its penalties whether or not the law is right or wrong.

The three Hebrew children were given a second chance to bow down before the image, but they refused. They broke the King's law, and they recognized there would be a price to pay. God vindicated them and turned the situation around. They came out of the furnace without even the smell of smoke on  their clothes.

Application:  Proverbs 16:7 - Do the things that please God FIRST. In the end you will have favor with men.

To hear the entire message, please visit our website and click on the Listen Tab. You can listen online, download it to your MP3 player, or podcast.

If you're visiting in the area or looking for a church home, we invite you to our Sunday Morning Service at 10:00 AM. Zoe Christian Fellowship is located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Route 611), in Warrington, PA. We look forward to meeting you!