Thresholds Week 1
Part of Thresholds
January 5, 2025

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1/5 Thresholds Week 1 A Place of Transition

Pastor Dwayne Smith

  • Faith we KNOW God and Please God – Hebrews 11: 6, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
  • John 14:12, “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.”
  • Jesus answer: PRAYER (Matthew 17:21)
  • Luke 11:1, “Teach us how to pray.”
  • Matthew 6:7-8, “when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”
  • Matthew 6:25, “do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

  • Matthew 6:33,“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”


Lord’s Prayer, Matthew 6:9-13

“‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Prayer KEY 1: Recognize WHO God is - Our Father

  • The name that Jesus taught us to use: “Our Father”

“HALLOWED be Thy name”:
1. to render or acknowledge, or to be venerable or hallow
2. to separate from profane things and dedicate to God
3. to purify

  • Exodus 3:4-6, “4 When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” 5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 6 Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.”

  • Hebrews 10:19-21 (The Message), “So, friends, we can now—without hesitation—walk right up to God, into “the Holy Place.” Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God. The “curtain” into God’s presence is his body.

  • Hebrews 10:22-25 So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.”

Prayer KEY 2: Seek to know His will - His Kingdom

  • Mark 11:22-25, “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
  • “I learned that we shouldn’t seek answers as much as we should seek God. We get overanxious. We try to microwave our own answers instead of trusting God’s timing. But here’s an important reminder: If you seek answers you won’t find them, but if you seek God, the answers will find you.” - Mark Batterson, The Circle Maker.

  • These 2 KEYS: Fatherhood and Seeking HIS Kingdom – are the foundation for EVERYTHING else:

    1. Provision: “give us our daily bread.”
    2. Forgiveness: “forgive us our sin…”
    3. Relationship: “as we forgive others…”
    4. Protection: “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

  • “Prayers are prophecies. They are the best predictors of your spiritual future. Who you become is determined by how you pray. Ultimately, the transcript of your prayers becomes the script of your life.” - Mark Batterson, Circle Maker

Reflection Questions:

  1. How am I viewing God?
  2. What is my motivation in Prayer? Getting Help, knowing God, seeking His Kingdom…


Benediction

Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)

24 The LORD bless you and keep you;
25 The LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
26 The LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.

Go and Live for Jesus!

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