First of All

Follow Along with the Message

A great challenge to the way we do church.

First (not a number) is a preposition.  Means, "before, in front of."  Superlative form.  "Firstest"

Prayer Meeting rather than private prayer.

Entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings.  All plurals.

"My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples."--Isaiah 56:7

Repentance from pride and privacy and shame.

Why should prayer be first at Hunters Glen?

--A Call to LIVE LARGE

     Scope--ALL men (1)  ALL authorities (2)  ALL godliness and dignity (2)  ALL to be saved (3)

     Subject--salvation and sanctification (4)

     Three reasons to pray huge.

          --Monotheism--just one God

         --Incarnation--just one Mediator

         --Atonement--just one paid Ransom

--A Call to LEARN PATIENCE

     "The testimony given at the proper time." (6)

     "He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart. . .will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them?"--Luke 18:1, 7

--A Call to PURSUE HOLINESS

     "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me."--Psalm 66:18.

     Lift up HOLY hands.

     "First be reconciled to your brother."--Matthew 5:24

     Aggression.  Appearance.  Neither violence nor vanity.

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     "These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. . .When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place, and suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting."--Acts 1:14, 2:1-2