BIG | A Bigger Heart For His Big World

How To Pray Again

Jon Fredricks

Today’s Scripture: Luke 19:45-48 NIV

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Proverbs 16:25 NIV

There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

Luke 19:45-48 NIV

Jesus at the Temple

45 When Jesus entered the temple courts, he began to drive out those who were selling. 46 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”

47 Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. 48 Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.

Ephesians 2:22 NIV

And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Isaiah 56:1-7 NIV

This is what the Lord says:

“Maintain justice
and do what is right,
for my salvation is close at hand
and my righteousness will soon be revealed.
2

Blessed is the one who does this—
the person who holds it fast,
who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it,
and keeps their hands from doing any evil.”

3

Let no foreigner who is bound to the Lord say,
“The Lord will surely exclude me from his people.”
And let no eunuch complain,
“I am only a dry tree.”

4 For this is what the Lord says:

“To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths,
who choose what pleases me
and hold fast to my covenant—

5

to them I will give within my temple and its walls
a memorial and a name
better than sons and daughters;
I will give them an everlasting name
that will endure forever.

6

And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord
to minister to him,
to love the name of the Lord,
and to be his servants,
all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it
and who hold fast to my covenant—

7

these I will bring to my holy mountain
and give them joy in my house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and sacrifices
will be accepted on my altar;
for my house will be called
a house of prayer for all nations.”

Luke 4:8 NIV

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”

Deuteronomy 4:24 NIV

For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.

Mark 11:17 NIV

17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”

Mark 12:31 NIV

The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

1 Corinthians 11:17 NIV

17 In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good.

1) BE SLOW TO CRITIQUE

Luke 19:47 NIV

47 Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him.

2) BE SOFT TO JESUS' REBUKE

Luke 19:48 NIV

48 Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.

3) BE QUICK TO RESPOND

John 13:17 NIV

Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

BIG | A Bigger Heart for His Big World

Maintaining a Soft Heart in a Hard World

Jon Fredricks

Today’s Scripture: Luke 19:41 NIV

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Luke 19:41 NIV

41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it

Hebrews 3:8 NIV

do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness,

Proverbs 28:14 NIV

Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.

Matthew 13:15 NIV

For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’

Proverbs 4:23 NIV

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Ezekiel 36:26 NIV

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

1) S: STILLNESS

Luke 5:16 NIV

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Psalm 46:10 NIV

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

2) U: UTILIZE GOD'S WORD

Matthew 4:4 NIV

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

John 6:63 NIV

The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.

3) G: GIVE FORGIVENESS

Luke 23:34 NIV

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

4) A: ALLOW FAILURE

John 2:24 NIV

But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people.

5) R: REFUSE ISOLATION

Hebrews 10:25 NIV

not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

John 21:15-17 NIV

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep."

Ezekiel 36:26 NIV

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.