Pastor Mac and Lynne Hammond | April 18, 2021

Recap:
Knowledge of God’s will comes to us in two ways: through the Word of God (His generic will for everybody) and through the Holy Spirit (His specific will for individuals). This weekend, Pastor Mac talked about God’s will for unity within the body of Christ and how vital it is for us to leave behind disagreements and focus on the mission God has given us to reach the world. Then, not only did we get a tag-team teaching on praying in tongues from Pastors Mac and Lynne, but we got to practice it during a time of prayer for our city.

Dive Deeper:
Knowing how to pray for our polarized society can be difficult. In fact, the more we focus on what divides us, the further schism can be perpetuated in our own lives. It’s time that we stop allowing division to be our focal point, particularly in the body of Christ. God’s will is for His Church to be united, not divided.

We do play a part in this. When we see the enemy working to divide us from each other, we can choose not to participate to the furthering of this separation. Choose forgiveness over animosity. Seek to understand before being understood. See brothers and sisters in the Lord as friends, not enemies.

Focus less on the feelings that arise as you look online. Focus more on God’s Word. Pray for our society, our leaders, and our fellow believers.

There’s something important God expects the body of Christ to do—and part of it includes prayer. Pray for our city. Pray for social justice—but know it will never be found outside of the Lord. You don’t need to know how to pray for it, except that you can allow the Holy Spirit to pray through you. Praying in tongues is a way to pray about what we don’t know how to pray about.

Because we don’t know, we can let the Holy Spirit pray through us, for He knows, how to best address the situations about which we are praying.

Read More:
Romans 8:26-28 KJV
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

1 Corinthians 2:6-13 KJV
Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual..

1 Corinthians 2:13 Amp.
And we are setting these truths forth in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the [Holy] Spirit, combining and interpreting spiritual truths with spiritual language [to those who possess the Holy Spirit].

Discussion Questions:
1. Have you received the baptism of the Holy Spirit? If no, we’d love to pray with you to receive it. Contact our Care and Counseling Department at 763.315.7000, come forward after a service, or click on the “I need prayer” icon if you are online.

2. What should you do when you disagree with someone in the body of Christ? If you need ideas, head over to John 13:34; Matthew 5:9; Ephesians 4:1-4, 31-32; Romans 12:17-21; and Colossians 3:13.

3. How can we trust God for His justice to be done?

4. How does praying in tongues help address the division we see in society today?

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