Sermon Outlines

By Frederick F. Schwindt, Evangelist

WITH CHRIST IN THE SCHOOL OF PRAYER

1. Whatever the shortcomings of the early disciples may have been, the petition of one of them is indicative of progress with Christ in the school of prayer:
   1. The prayer life of Christ made a definite impression upon them.
   2. It created a desire in their hearts to learn to pray.
2. The petition indicates further:
   1. That John was a man of prayer.
   2. And that he taught his disciples how to pray.
3. Best of all, our text shows:
   1. That prayer is an art that must be learned from Christ in the school of prayer.
   2. For we know not how to pray - Rom. 8:26

1. He, who was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, was truly a man of prayer:
   1. To Him prayer was a channel through which a constant flow of divine power flowed into His life.
   2. So it is with those who follow in His steps; they, too, use the prayer life as the great arsenal of their spiritual strength.
2. Let us note, briefly, some of the high points of the prayer life of Christ:
   1. His habit and habitat of prayer -
      1. He spent much time in solitude, in prayer to God - Matt. 14:23; Mark 1:35; 6:46; Luke 3:12
      2. He blended thanksgiving and prayer - Matt. 11:25; Luke 10:21; John 11:41
      3. He made prayers of intercession for his friends - Luke 22:32; for his enemies - Luke 23:34
      4. His prayers indicated his complete submission to God - Matt. 26:39; Mark 15:34; Luke 22:42; John 12:27
   2. Here is the study on the art of true prayer for all who want to walk in His steps.
   3. There is still another inspiring and thought provoking side to the prayer life of the man of prayer -
      1. The Lord's prayer at his baptism and its effect - Luke 3:21
      2. His prayer, preceding the ordination of the apostles; He prayed all night - Luke 14:22, 23
      3. His prayer in the garden of Gethsemane before He made known His passion to His disciples - Luke 9:18-27
      4. His prayer at his transfiguration - Matt. 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36

1. We, like the Master, must make prayer our first business of the day:
   1. "Early will I seek thee" - Ps. 63:1; 78:34
   2. That is what the Master did.
2. In this He lived His own teaching:
   1. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God" - Matt. 6:33
   2. There is a special blessing in making prayer our first business of the day -
      1. Our body is rested; our mind is clear.
      2. We are most susceptible to listening to God in prayer - "Lord, speak; for thy servant heareth" - 1 Sam. 3:10
3. Our prayers should always be mixed with prayer and thanksgiving to God:
   1. Too many prayers are mixed with too much selfishness; they have too little gratitude; that is why they are not heard from in heaven.
   2. There are so many things for which we have good reason to be thankful for, that our hearts should be full of praise and thanksgiving.
   3. The art of prayer begins with the impelling desire of reverent thanksgiving to God, the giver of all good gifts.
4. "Lord teach us to pray":
   1. Help us to better understand the meaning of prayer, what it includes, and what it should not include.
   2. Give us the grace to use every opportunity to make prayer our first business of the day.
   3. To not only make our petition to thee, but to live our prayers.