prayer: the measure of a man heb 12:1-2; rom 11:33; 12:1-2 07/20/2008 dr. dane boyles

Prayer: The Measure of a ManHeb 12:1-2; Rom 11:33; 12:1-2

07/20/2008Dr. Dane Boyles



Prayer: The Measure of a ManPrayer: The Measure of a Man

Introduction1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Heb 12:1, NIV)

Introduction1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Heb 12:1, NIV)


2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, (Heb 12:2, NIV)

2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, (Heb 12:2, NIV)


– Have you ever wondered how you ended up where you are right now?

– I finally came to the conclusion that God has uniquely equipped each of us to run our own race and He promises to help us every step of the way.

– But He hasn’t promised to help us run races He doesn’t want us to run.

– Have you ever wondered how you ended up where you are right now?

– I finally came to the conclusion that God has uniquely equipped each of us to run our own race and He promises to help us every step of the way.

– But He hasn’t promised to help us run races He doesn’t want us to run.


• How do we know in which race to run?

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. (Rom 12:1)

• How do we know in which race to run?

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. (Rom 12:1)


2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2, NIV)

2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2, NIV)


– The cause (James 1:14).12 sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned—(Romans 5:12)

– The cause (James 1:14).12 sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned—(Romans 5:12)


– Who maintains it.

• It means we’re important.

• We’re the source of meaning and whatever we say, think, and do is important.

– Who maintains it.

• It means we’re important.

• We’re the source of meaning and whatever we say, think, and do is important.


8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. (Col 2:8, NIV)

• Paul warns us here against the humanization of God.

8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. (Col 2:8, NIV)

• Paul warns us here against the humanization of God.


• An pagan version of reality:My abilities + experience + training +

my past + my expectations of others + my personality and appearance = my evaluation and my understanding of my life.

• An pagan version of reality:My abilities + experience + training +

my past + my expectations of others + my personality and appearance = my evaluation and my understanding of my life.


• An inspired version of reality:My willingness & weakness + God’s

will and supernatural power = my evaluation and my understanding of my life.

• Two distinct versions of reality:

– One pagan--natural

– One inspired--non-natural

• An inspired version of reality:My willingness & weakness + God’s

will and supernatural power = my evaluation and my understanding of my life.

• Two distinct versions of reality:

– One pagan--natural

– One inspired--non-natural


– Do you see how vital it is that we know in which race to run?

2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2, NIV)

– Do you see how vital it is that we know in which race to run?

2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2, NIV)


– In order to know God’s will, that is, in which race to run, we have to renew our minds!

33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! (Romans 11:33)

– In order to know God’s will, that is, in which race to run, we have to renew our minds!

33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! (Romans 11:33)


• These four statements speak of a reality that is unseen, beyond the human rational scope.– So what’s the solution?

• These four statements speak of a reality that is unseen, beyond the human rational scope.– So what’s the solution?


• We must make a recognition: human beings don’t measure up.

41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” (Matthew 26:41)

• We must make a recognition: human beings don’t measure up.

41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” (Matthew 26:41)


• Watching and praying protect our minds.

2 Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2, NIV)

• How do we run the race?

• Watching and praying protect our minds.

2 Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2, NIV)

• How do we run the race?


– Hebrews 12:1b-2 says, 1b …let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, (Heb 12:1-2, NIV)

– Hebrews 12:1b-2 says, 1b …let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, (Heb 12:1-2, NIV)


20 But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. (1 Peter 2:20-21)

20 But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. (1 Peter 2:20-21)


6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. (Phil 2:6-7)

6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. (Phil 2:6-7)


8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! (Phil 2:8)

8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! (Phil 2:8)


– Jesus didn’t rob God of His reality, His mind, His power, & His place in the scheme of things.

– This brings us finally to prayer.

– Jesus didn’t rob God of His reality, His mind, His power, & His place in the scheme of things.

– This brings us finally to prayer.


• Prayer is the measure of a man or a woman.

• The more you pray, the more you depend on God.

• The more you depend on God, the more God can work through you.

• Prayer is the measure of a man or a woman.

• The more you pray, the more you depend on God.

• The more you depend on God, the more God can work through you.


Most of us go through life praying a little, planning a little, jockeying for position, hoping but never being quite certain of anything, and always secretly afraid that we will miss the way. This is a tragic waste of truth and never gives rest to the heart. There is a better way. It is to repudiate our own wisdom and take instead the infinite wisdom of God. (A.W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy)

Most of us go through life praying a little, planning a little, jockeying for position, hoping but never being quite certain of anything, and always secretly afraid that we will miss the way. This is a tragic waste of truth and never gives rest to the heart. There is a better way. It is to repudiate our own wisdom and take instead the infinite wisdom of God. (A.W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy)


Conclusion• An inspired version of reality:

My willingness & weakness + God’s will and supernatural power = my evaluation and my understanding of my life.

Conclusion• An inspired version of reality:

My willingness & weakness + God’s will and supernatural power = my evaluation and my understanding of my life.


– Commit yourself to know the truth, the core doctrines of the faith.

– Don’t ever be some wimpy man or woman who doesn’t know his/her God.

– Be strong in your knowledge of the truth and secure in God’s love and provision for you.

– Commit yourself to know the truth, the core doctrines of the faith.

– Don’t ever be some wimpy man or woman who doesn’t know his/her God.

– Be strong in your knowledge of the truth and secure in God’s love and provision for you.

prayer: the measure of a man heb 12:1-2; rom 11:33; 12:1-2 07/20/2008 dr. dane boyles

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