Get Connected - Prayer is the Lifeline of the Believer

This evening we are going to look at a passage out of the Gospel of Mark. Mark chapter 1 we will be looking at or reading through verses 32 through 39. As you find Mark chapter 1 in your Bibles, let me take a moment to say thank you for not leaving when you realize Pastor Chris was not preaching this evening. Thanks for hanging in there with me. All jokes aside, Sarah and I come from a church that was, I guess what you would classify as a large church and we would run two services every Sunday morning and the people coming in for second service if they realized that the senior pastor was not preaching it would be like a mass exodus.

Similar to what you just saw with the children. So thanks for hanging in there with us this evening. Seriously, we do love our church family. I think it's appropriate just to take a moment just to say thank you for your kindness, your generosity, your love. Most of all, thank you for all your prayers as we recently welcomed Lucas into this world. We are super excited and tired but more excited and glad to be settling into a new sort of normal for our family. So all that being said, let's look at Mark chapter 1. Join me in the reading of God's Word this evening. Mark chapter 1 verses 32 through 39.

Starting in verse 32, "That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick are oppressed by demons and the whole city was gathered together at the door and he healed many who were sick with various diseases and cast out many demons and he would not permit the demons to speak because they knew him and rising very early in the morning while it was still dark he departed and went out to a desolate place and there he prayed and Simon and those who were with him searched for him and they found him and said to him, "Everyone is looking for you." And he said to them, "Let us go on to the next towns that I may preach there also for that is why I came out." And he went throughout all Galilee preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

So question for you this evening as we begin to unpack the text that we just read through. Ask Christians, here's the question, ask Christians should we implement or use the same tactics as Jesus? Ask Christians should we implement or use the same tactics as Jesus? If you recall last Wednesday we looked at Acts chapter 1 verses 1 through 11. We talked about Holy Spirit power or ability, strength in the empowerment from the Holy Spirit of God and how this was critical for the unfinished work that is before us, before God's church. We heard Pastor Chris talk a little bit about praying and waiting.

On Sunday morning Pastor Chris talked about Jesus as the Great High Priest. Hebrews 6 13 through 20 the certainty of God's promise and there was mention about coming into his presence. Are we doing this regularly or when it is convenient? All this ties in well with the text we just read. To fully understand the power of this text Mark chapter 1 verses 32 through 39, let's take a moment to examine the context around this passage. The Gospel of Mark is action-packed and moves at a rapid pace. It does not begin with the earthly birth of Jesus like we see in Matthew and Luke. The Gospel of Mark begins with John the Baptist preparing the way.

Then it moves quickly to the baptism of Jesus in verse 9. From there the Mark's Gospel tells us briefly about the temptation of Jesus over the span of 40 days while in the wilderness. As the Gospel moves into verses 14 and 15 we see that Jesus's earthly ministry is up and running. We see him coming into Galilee doing what? Preaching the Gospel. Look at verses 14 and 15 real quick. Now after John was arrested Jesus came into Galilee proclaiming the Gospel of God and saying the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the Gospel.

A similar message that we'll see Peter preach probably in a few weeks in Acts chapter 2. He establishes a clear purpose in verses 14 and 15 with a simple but challenging message. Repent and believe. Repent and believe. Next we see Jesus call his first disciples. Then in verse 21 we gain insight into a day in the life of Christ. As we see in verses 21 and 22 he begins his day by teaching on the Sabbath. He didn't just teach in the synagogue on this Sabbath day. The Bible tells us that he taught as one with authority. Verse 22 tells us that those that heard him teach were astonished.

Then in verse 25 as soon as Jesus was done teaching on this Sabbath day we see him casting out a demon from a man with a unclean spirit. Verse 27 tells us that at this point the people were all amazed. Immediately after this Jesus leaves the synagogue and visits the house of Simon, Peter, and Andrew with John and James. Upon arrival Jesus was informed that Simon or Peter his mother-in-law lay ill with a fever. So what does Jesus do? He goes in, grabs her by the hand, and heals her. She responded to this, get this, she responded to this by beginning to serve him. Just think about that for one second.

What if all of us that were healed by Jesus may knew through his precious blood would respond to his healing in our lives by serving him? It's just a thought, completely different message. Now as we continue through chapter one finally we come to verse 32 which reads, "That evening at sundown." Let's pause here and think about all of this for one second. Up to this point this one day Jesus has preached in the synagogue pouring out everything he had into this time and we know this because everyone was taken back by his teaching. Jesus didn't just go into the synagogue and go through the motions if you will.

As we might say today he brought the house down. Next he spent some time casting out a demon. He fought this spiritual battle and conquered the demon with a rebuke that drove the demon out and away. He utilized his power and authority to drive out this demon. Then he was attempting to go hang out with his buddies but this visit turned into a ministry event because upon arrival he found Peter's mother in law ill so he poured out more energy, more power again when he healed her. I don't know about you but that sounds like a jam-packed day. I can only imagine that Jesus was tired and exhausted at this point.

You know some might argue that and say well he was God in flesh. Yes he was. He never stopped ceasing. He never ceased being God. He was a hundred percent God but he also was a hundred percent man. I know for me I can confidently say that he had to be tired and exhausted. I say that because while I have obviously never had a day like what we see here in Mark chapter one I have had some jam-packed days. I'm sure you have as well. I know in my life there is nothing more draining than preparing to preach and then preaching. I'm sure Jared, Pastor Chris, Anthony, I'm sure all of you guys can relate to that. It completely drains you.

It's exhausting. Similarly preparing for a big presentation at work or any of the big events you encounter in life, the big tests, the big meeting, it's draining completely exhausting. All that being said in spite of everything that took place this day in Mark chapter one, Jesus' day was not over. His day was not over. Look at verses 32 and 33 again with me. "That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick are oppressed by demons and the whole city was gathered together at the door." Verse 32 tells us that at sundown people started bringing all that were sick to Jesus. See, sundown marked the end of the Sabbath.

At this time people were permitted to move about so they came to Jesus with their needs. John MacArthur explains it this way and I quote, "The report of Jesus' healing of the demon-possessed man in the synagogue and Peter's mother-in-law created a sensation in Capernaum and aroused the hopes of other sufferers." Verse 33 states that the whole city was gathered. So much for rest, right? But Jesus did what he did and begins to heal many and cast out many more demons. Look at verse 34. "And he healed many who were sick with various diseases and cast out many demons.

And he would not permit the demons to speak because they knew him." So he continued to do what he did. He healed many. He casted out many more demons. Now, I can only imagine at this point that Jesus was really, really exhausted. What a day. Seriously. And that brings us to verse 35. As I begin to read, please do not forget the context of this passage, the things that just took place in the life of Jesus on this Sabbath day. Here's Mark chapter 1 verse 35.

"And rising very early in the morning while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place and there he prayed." I don't know about you, but that verse really convicts me, really challenges me. Think about what Jesus did the following morning, even though he spent himself the previous day doing all types of kingdom activity. Look at the four verbs found in verse 35 describing the actions of Jesus. Here they are. "Rising, departed, went, prayed." These four verbs emphasize Jesus's resolve to have fellowship with his father, his need, his dependence on connecting with the father. Catch the significance here.

"Rising very early in the morning while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place and there he prayed." Jesus does this in an attempt to find some peace and quiet where he could be alone with the father. Notice where he went. He went to a desolate place. He did not want to be interrupted. He understood that if he was to be prepared for the battle, prepared to complete his mission, prepared to finish the work that was before him, he had to tap into the one true source of strength, power, and victory, and that was the father. The father.

Regardless of the fact that he did some amazing things the previous day and was likely completely exhausted. Think about that. He taught as one with authority. He healed many and casted out many demons during the day and into the night, and regardless of those amazing things, Jesus knew he needed to tap into the father or connect with the father if he was to continue on with his marching orders. He didn't sit back and think to himself, "Man, I did a whole lot for the kingdom yesterday.

Maybe I'm the only one in this room this evening that is convicted and challenged by this verse." How often do we think things like, "Well, I came to church today, so I'm good. I taught a Sunday school class, so I did my part. I paid my tithe today, so God is pleased with me. I checked in on someone from church today. I told someone I would pray for them today, so now I can check that activity off the list." I believe if we all were to get honest with ourselves, the truth is we get comfortable at times in our walk. And forget that just because we are doing ministry or doing the things that are expected of us as Christians, that we are good.

The whole time never really connecting with the father or tapping into his endless well of strength, tapping into his most profound wisdom, tapping into his wonderful and much needed direction for our lives. So how did Jesus tap into the father's presence in verse 35? "He spent time away in a desolate place in prayer." Prayer. What a novel idea. Yet so many of us walk around claiming to be Christian, but never spending any uninterrupted time with the father. We see Jesus in this passage modeling a sacrificial prayer life, a prayer life that is not restricted or limited because of boundaries. What do I mean by that?

I think so many of us today, if we do pray, have restrictions placed on our prayer life. We limit our prayer life to things such as, "Let's give thanks for this meal real quick." I know one thing I try and make a focused effort on is saying, eliminating that phrase from my vocabulary as it relates to praying. I really try not to say, "Let's pray real quick," especially when my kid's around. I never want them to think it's a forced activity or we need to rush through this. Prayer is too important. It's how we connect to the father.

"Let's give thanks for this meal real quick." Or, "God, you have 30 minutes right now because I have to get out the door." Or, "God, all you have right now is 10 minutes while I drive to work." Or, "Maybe even we fall asleep while praying to the father." Jesus was fully aware of the battle that was taking place. He just healed many. He just casted out many demons. He knew the battle that was taking place. He was fully aware of his mission, his directive.

He knew that if he was to teach with authority, heal the sick and the lame, cast out demons, he knew he needed to be alone with the father without any restrictions, without any distractions, without any interruptions. So, what about you this evening? What about me this evening? Do we have a prayer life? If you would say yes, is your prayer life just giving him the time you have left? Do you pray real quick? Or, do you really tap into his presence and power by utilizing sacrificial uninterrupted prayer time? Now that we have seen how Jesus prepared for the battle for his mission, let's look at how he executed the strategy.

Look at verse 36, "And Simon and those who were with him searched for him." Look at verse 37, "And they found him and said to him, 'Everyone is looking for you.'" Verse 38, "And he said to them, 'Let us go on to the next towns that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.'" And he went throughout all Galilee preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons. We see in verse 36 that Simon and those with him were searching for Jesus. It is likely that the crowd had gathered again that next morning and was waiting on Jesus to come out and begin healing and casting out demons. Jesus was gaining popularity, if you will.

When they find Jesus, they say to Jesus in verse 37, "Everyone is looking for you." I love this. It's like you can hear Peter and the others. They only see, they only recognize the immediate needs. They do not understand why Jesus went away. You can almost sense some panic, some anxiety, some excitement in their response to finding Jesus in this verse. It's like, "Come on, hurry up. Everyone is looking for you." But we see how Jesus responded in verse 38.

"He said to them, 'Let us go on to the next towns that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.'" Jesus states again his purpose, which was to go into the next town or all the towns and preach the gospel. What is interesting about this is that if you look back at verse 36 and 37, everyone was looking for him because of what he had done. Everyone was looking for him, Jesus. Jesus had hit celebrity status. Seemingly, it was for all the right reasons that they were looking for him. If you remember what he did on that Sabbath day leading into the evening, he could have stayed idle and have been welcomed and loved.

But Jesus knew there was a fight, there was a battle before him, a mission to complete. So he continued to march on from town to town, fulfilling his purpose and mission, which was to preach the gospel to all people making the glory of his father known. He knew his purpose. He knew his mission. He knew this because he was connected to the father. I'm sure Peter and the others must have been surprised. I can only imagine that they would have been surprised. Wanting him to capitalize on his fame and return to Capernaum, Jesus said, "Nope, time to move on." I know if I was in that group, it probably would have been a head scratcher moment.

William McDonald provides the following reasons for Jesus not returning to Capernaum. He lists out five reasons. I'm quoting from him. The first reason he listed, he calls out, he had just, he being Jesus, Jesus had just been in prayer and had learned what God wanted him to do. See, he was connected. That's what we've been talking about. He was connected, church. It's where it all starts. The second thing he calls out, he realized that the popular movement was shallow.

If you study, now this is my own words, if you study Jesus's ministry, I think it's hard to make an argument that would convince anyone that Jesus was looking or seeking out the large crowd. My opinion, he was never about the large crowd. He was never a large crowd kind of guy. While he clearly had some large crowd moments, I think it's fair to argue that for Christ, it was more about, or maybe even always about, the one, the one. William McDonald calls out this third point. He says, "Jesus knew the peril of popularity." He knew the peril of popularity.

The fourth thing he calls out, he consistently avoided any superficial emotional demonstration that would have put the crown before the cross. And the fifth thing that McDonald calls out, his great emphasis, Jesus's great emphasis, was on preaching the word, preaching the word. I love the points made by McDonald, related to verse 35 and Mark chapter 1. But don't lose sight of what, in my opinion, is the most important point, and that's point number one. Prayer. Jesus was connected. The starting point was prayer. The question we must ask and reconcile is this, am I connected? Am I connected to the Father? Here's another quote from McDonald.

He says, "Notice too that he, Jesus, prayed when it cost him something. He rose and went out a long while before daylight. Prayer should not be a matter of personal convenience, but of self-discipline and sacrifice. Does this explain why so much of our service is ineffective?" Now, I am not saying that you should rise early and pray in the morning. But what I would suggest is that there should be a pattern of self-discipline, a routine, if you will, regarding your personal prayer life. You must be connected. Think about what we have right in front of us as a church.

Pastor Chris mentioned just a few moments ago that he is going to laurel for revival, renewal services. They're at Trinity Baptist Church. We have Trunkertree closing in on us. Outside of those big events or activities, we have weekly services on Sunday and Wednesday. Within the body, we have many needs in the church. And yes, there are times that collectively we come together and pray about what is in front of us. But what about you? And what about me individually? Are we connected? Am I connected? Think about McDonald's last quote that I read.

He closed that comment by saying this, "Does this explain why so much of our service is ineffective?" Remember the initial question we opened with this evening. Ask Christians, should we implement or use the same tactics as Jesus? Ask Christians, should we implement or use the same tactics as Jesus? Well, if you answered yes to yourself, perhaps we should model this type of sacrificial prayer life as we prepare for the mission that is in front of us both individually and as a body. Now listen, for many of us sitting in here, maybe this is just a reminder. Maybe this is just something maybe to shake you and get you back into a routine.

Maybe to some of you in here, it sounds very cliche, very Sunday schoolish. But the truth is that it all starts and ends with our connection to the Father. To McDonald's point, how much more effective could we be in our own mission to live out the Great Commandment and the Great Commission if we were connected to the Father? How much more effective would we be as a body in accomplishing the work of the church if we individually are connected to the Father? It starts and ends with that connection. It starts and ends with that connection. Let me go ahead and pray, close this out, and then I'll turn it back over to Pastor Chris.