SERMON OUTLINE Sunday Jan 31st, 2021
Pastor David Cooke – Being People of Prayer
““Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on
seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be
opened to you.
For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to
everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
“You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a
stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of
course not!
So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how
much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask
him.” (Matthew 7:7–11, NLT)
• Unshakeable
– What are you anchored to?
1. What brings stability to your life in crisis?
2. “You can’t ask crisis or opportunity to come back at a more
convenient time. You’re either ready or you’re not.”
3. Crisis and opportunity reveal our anchor
– The Habit of Prayer keeps us anchored in times of trouble and
blessing.
• Is God Approachable?
A. The God of “Yes”
B. The God of “NO!”
C. The God of “Maybe…”
D. The God of Crickets
E. In Jesus, you are the Beloved of God.
– Your Heavenly Father loves you and is the giver of good gifts.
• YOUR PART, God’s Part
– Persist in Prayer (Matthew 7:7, NLT)
– Keep on. God shapes our faith and character through persistent
prayer.
• Dance In Faith
– God leads, you follow
– Psalm 37:1–9 (NLT)
• Your Part, GOD’S PART
“For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to
everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matt 7:8, NLT)
– This is a powerful promise of Jesus.
– When scripture makes promises, we can lean into those promises as
prayers back to God.
– But remember, prayer is first of all relationship.
– Sometimes God’s answer is simply greater revelation of himself to you
in your situation.
• Prayer Blocks
A) Selfishness (James 4:1–3, NLT)
B) Faithlessness (James 1:5–8, NLT)
– Don’t give up – “Lord I believe! Help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)
• When God Takes You The Long Way
(Exodus 13:17–18, NLT)
• God leads, we follow
• God loves you. The long way can be an expression of God’s loving
care for you. He sees around the corners, you don’t.
• The question remains, will you trust Him?
• Let’s Be People of Prayer
• Get Ready…
1. Choose A Time
2. Choose A Place
3. Make A List
4. Set A Timer
• Get Going…
• Do it – Pray.
1. Every day
2. For ________ days.
3. Use the Bible App reading plans to help you.
4. Listen – the last minute
5. Watch for God to move
6. Share how God is answering prayer
• Surrender – Follow – Listen – Do
SERMON STUDY GUIDE
We meet in Life Groups to Connect…
Deeper with God and each other through prayer and relationship. The Bible to
life. With our community through serving.

ICE BREAKER: What is an unexpected way God answered a prayer of yours?
PRAYER: God is worthy to be sought – take time to pray together in your group.
LECTIO 365.24-7 PRAYER https://www.24-7prayer.com/dailydevotional
Lectio 365 is a free daily devotional resource that helps you pray the Bible on
your computer, phone or tablet. It is written in real-time by leaders from the 24-7
Prayer movement, so it is truly pertinent to our times. This resource helps you
engage with Scripture to inspire prayer and shape your life.
YOU VERSION BIBLE APP bible.com
The Bible App is a free resource. Choose from more than 1,200 Bible versions
on your computer, phone, or tablet – with many available as audio Bibles. This
resource also allows you to connect with friends. Many of our Life Groups are
finding that the shared experience of doing devotionals together is a great way
to keep in touch, while encouraging each other with real-life applications and
insights.
For free tips and resources on what is in the Bible and how to read it, visit
www.thebibleproject.com. The Bible Project creates free videos that show the
Bible as a unified story that leads to Jesus. To find out more about this ministry,
check out this short video: https://youtu.be/vFwNZNyDu9k.
SERMON SERIES: “Unshakeable: Living The Words of Jesus”
In this sermon series we explore how to live according to Jesus’ teachings in
Matthew chapters 5-7. This is the Gospel of the Kingdom. It is something we
are not only to know, but to do, to live. And when we do that, we are immoveable, unshakeable because the foundation is Jesus and he is the Rock of our
salvation that is immoveable and unshakeable.Series Reference: The Essence:
Unpacking Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (2020). Winslade. Wipf Stock Pub.
THIS WEEK: Being People of Prayer Matthew 7:7-11
Watch the weekend’s sermon here: www.coldspringschurch.net/sermons.html.
EXPLORING TOGETHER
There is value in sharing perspectives about the weekend message in
community. With dialogue around God’s truths, perspective broadens and
impacts transformation.
1. What is something from this weekend’s message that stood out to you? How
so?
2. How would you describe the perception or understanding of God in your
circles of acquaintance (work, neighborhood, family, etc.)?
3. How has your understanding or expectations of God altered the more you
have gotten to know him?
4. Share experiences you have had of “asking” or “knocking” or “seeking” God
that have been responded to?
5. Does God always answer prayers?
6. What does the phrase “in my name” mean when it is applied to prayer? See
also John 14:13-14.
7. What does the concept of God as Father mean to you personally? How can
Hebrews 4:16 impact your perspective?
WEEKLY REFLECTION
Throughout his ministry, Jesus introduced God as someone who welcomes and
invites relationship with us. God shapes our faith and character through
persistent prayer… Keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knocking.
Surrender – Follow – Listen – Do (Romans 12:14, John 8:36, Luke 19:10)

8. In light of this week’s message, what do you need to surrender, follow, listen
or do to increasingly become (or help someone else become) a person of
prayer?