1. Desert Church of Christ Pahrump, NV We welcome you to our assembly! Our assemblies: Sunday morning Bible study: 10:00 AM Sunday morning worship: 11:00 AM Sunday evening Bible study: 5:00 PM Wednesday Bible Study: 6:00 PM Evangelist: David F. Sims

2. God’s Abundant Grace “abundant grace was upon them all” Acts 4:33

3. Grace and Prayer Please open your Bible & follow along in Hebrews 4:16! God’s Abundan t Grace Acts 4:33

4. Outline: Grace and Prayer – The Privilege of Prayer – Essential Attitudes in Prayer – Approaching the Throne of Grace God’s Abundan t Grace Acts 4:33

5. The privilege of prayer – God does not give heed to all prayers “He who turns away his ear from listening to the law, even his prayer is an abomination” (Prov. 28:9) “So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.” (Is. 1:15) “your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear” (Is. 59:1-2) “The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people…” (Lk. 18:11) “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites” (Matt. 6:5-7) Hindered prayers of husbands who dishonor their wives (1 Pet. 3:7) He who asks with wrong motives (Jms. 4:3) God’s Abundan t Grace Acts 4:33

6. The privilege of prayer – Prayer is the privilege of communication from man to God, from child to Father, from servant to Master. Prayer is essential for us to sustain our relationship with God. – God heeds the prayers of those who seek & submit to Him “ I gave my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications” (Dan. 9:3) Cornelius (Acts 10:1-4,31), a sinner who sought God God hears the prayers of the righteous – Prov. 15:29; Jms. 5:16; 1 Pet. 3:12; 1 John 3:22 – “If one expects the Lord to hear and respond to his prayer, he must live in harmony with God’s will, living a just life in righteousness and keeping His commandments. Otherwise, we are rejecting His will and asking Him to be subject to ours.” (H. Hailey, Prayer and Providence) God’s Abundan t Grace Acts 4:33

7. Essential Attitudes in Prayer (Luke 18:10-14) – Faith (Jms. 1:6) – Humility (Jms. 4:6,10) – Gratitude (Col. 4:2) – Confidence (Eph. 3:11-12) – Submission: “Your will be done” (Matt. 6:10; 26:42) – Piety (Heb. 5:7) (reverence) – If we approach God with these attitudes, we can be confident that He hears and will answer! God’s Abundan t Grace Acts 4:33

8. Why we pray – Because we believe God hears, cares, and answers 1 John 5:14-15 Matt. 7:7-8 – To give thanks and praise for God’s gracious gifts (Col. 4:2) – To request blessings for ourselves and others (Phil. 4:6) – Because sometimes there is just no one else you can talk to, and really open up to, with all your deepest needs. – What a wonderful gift of grace that we have the privilege of taking everything to the Lord in prayer! God’s Abundan t Grace Acts 4:33

9. Approaching the Throne of Grace (Jms. 4:8) – Approaching God in the O.T. At Mt. Sinai, the people were afraid to approach the mountain (Ex. 20:18-21)…they stood at a distance while Moses approached God. Once a year, the high priest made atonement for sins, and was allowed to draw near to God in the Most Holy Place, to approach the Mercy Seat of the Ark. – Confidence in approaching God today (Heb. 12:18-24) Remember that God claims us as His children (1 John 3:1) Remember that God promised to hear us (1 Pet. 3:12) Remember that God wants to bless us (Matt. 7:9-11) Remember that God gives generously (Jms. 1:5) Therefore let us approach the throne of grace (Heb. 4:16) God’s Abundan t Grace Acts 4:33

10. Summary – Prayer is the privilege of communication from man to God, and God answers the prayers of those who seek and submit to Him. – Our attitude in prayer must be right with God, not in selfish intentions or ignoring God’s will. – We can approach God’s throne in prayer, not in fear, but in confidence, because we enjoy God’s favor. – Pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17), because grace is unceasing! God’s Abundan t Grace Acts 4:33

11. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age… (Titus 2:11-12) God’s Abundan t Grace Acts 4:33

12. Sinners can seek the Lord today while He may be found! Believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died for our sins and was raised up. Repent of your sins…commit yourself to holiness. Confess your faith in Christ to save you. Be baptized into Jesus for forgiveness of your sins…this marks the moment when grace saves the sinner. Continue in the blessed relationship of His favor by remaining faithful in godliness, and nourish that relationship by constant prayer. God’s Abundan t Grace Acts 4:33

13. God’s Abundant Grace “abundant grace was upon them all” Acts 4:33