1. The Gospel in Practice: Pursuit & Prayer
Romans 15:8-13

2. Today’s message is a call to C&YA to renew our mandate to pursue the wayward and to pray for one another.  

3. Are We Willing to Pursue?

4. Pursuit begins with Self Denial…
Romans 15:3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.

5. But pursuit is so much more…
Romans 5:8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises [made] unto the fathers9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for [his] mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. 10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. 11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. 12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.

6. KEY POINT #1
Christ’s PATTERN of pursuit MUST become our PRACTICE of pursuit

7. What is the pattern?
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

8. What is the pattern?
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Gal 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that hangeth on a tree:

9. What is the pattern?
Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

10. What is the pattern?
1Pe 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

11. How are you practicing pursuit?
Where differences exist are you pursuing forbearance?
Where divisions exists are you pursuing unity?
Where lies exist are you pursuing truth?
Where weakness exists are you pursuing strength?

12. KEY QUESTION:
What if C&YA took the command to pray as seriously as we took the command to study?

13. 1 Timothy 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
C&YA must must be praying for one another.

14. 1 Timothy 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

15. Praying for One Another
13 Now the God of hope...

16. Praying for One Another
13 Now the God of hope...
When circumstances seem impossible we pray to the God of Hope.

17. Praying for One Another
13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

18. Praying for One Another
13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
C&YA is in need of being filled with godly character.

19. KEY POINT #2
A yielded person is a person prepared to be endowed with the character of God.

20. Praying for One Another
13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. 14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

21. 2Th 3:11 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have [free] course, and be glorified, even as [it is] with you: 2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all [men] have not faith.

22. KEY POINT #3
Our prayers promote the free course of the Lord in the lives of the saints