The Source of Jesus’ Strength and the Source of the Disciples Boldness

Pastor Ed RiddickSeptember 13, 2013

Review

1. Everyone is welcome2. Following Jesus begins with sitting and

listening3. Following Jesus will bring you to honesty

about your need for Christ

Review 4. Those who want to follow Christ must count the cost. Are you a fan or follower?

5. Following Christ will eventually bring you to the place where you rely on Christ alone for security and meaning and purpose.

6. Following Christ will eventually bring youinto disfavor with our culture

Today…

7. Following Christ to a quiet place where your relationship with Christ will grow and in that relationship you will find strength and transformation.

I. What is a Quiet Time? - Let Jesus Show Us

Luke 4:42-44 // Mark 1:35-39

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.”

Luke 5:15-16 “Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”

Luke 6:12-13 “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:”

Luke 9:18 “Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?””

Luke 9:28 “About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray.”

Luke 11:1 “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.””

Luke 21:37-38 “Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.”

Luke 22:39-41 “Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed”

Observations – What mattered most

1. He had a plan. He was proactive!2. He made sacrifices “while it was still

dark”3. Prayer was the center piece4. His energy, motivation and focus for

work flowed out of His time alone with God.

Observations – What mattered most

5. Jesus’ priorities were straight. The demands of people that matter most to him came first.

6. He was flexible but determined. Prayer was the center piece.

II. How to Have a Quiet Time

1. You have to come to the end of yourself.

2. You have to develop the conviction that walking with God is the most important thing in your life.

II. How to Have a Quiet Time

3. Select a time and place.4. Start with prayer. 5. Read a passage of scripture6. Reflect7. Make notes to conserve the

results

II. How to Have a Quiet Time

8. Keep it interesting 9. End with prayer.

How to unleash the power of God in your life

Remember

Walking with God is more than having a consistent quiet time.