Your Prayer Might

1

• Your Prayer Might
• Be Answered
• Ezekiel 143-4

2
Ezekiel 143-4

• 3 "Son of man, these men have set up their idols
  in their hearts, and put before them that which
  causes them to stumble into iniquity. Should I
  let Myself be inquired of at all by them? 4
  Therefore speak to them, and say to them, 'Thus
  says the Lord God "Everyone of the house of
  Israel who sets up his idols in his heart, and
  puts before him what causes him to stumble into
  iniquity, and then comes to the prophet, I the
  Lord will answer him who comes, according to the
  multitude of his idols

3
The Text

• Idol Anyone or anything which has a higher
  priority and place than God.
• Men set up idols in their heart
• God's answer God will answer them according to
  their idols
• WARNING God may give you what you ask for and
  have your heart set upon.

4
Examples in the Bible

• Baalam wanted to curse Israel
• Begged and pleaded
• Tried to curse but blessed Israel
• Finally got his desire Israel in adultery

5
Examples in the Bible

• King Saul
• Saved King Agag
• Sacrficed witout Samuel present
• Went to witch of Endor
• In one day he lost all his sons, his army, his
  kingdom
• And he killed himself in dispair

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Examples in the Bible

• Rich Young Ruler
• Wanted eternal life
• Was obedient to the law of Moses
• What else was needed?
• Sell possessions and give to the poor
• His wealth was his idoland he could not let go

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Doctrinal Application

• Faith only
• Infant baptism
• Instrumental music in worship
• Pray the sinner's prayer

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Doctrinal Application

• Once Saved, Always Saved
• Keep the 10 commandments
• Morality is good enough
• Jesus will return to set up His kingdom

9
Garth Brooks Song

• Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
• Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs
• That just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean
  he don't care
• Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered
  prayers

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Conclusion

• Idols
• Immoral activity
• Doctrinal error
• Material possessions
• Our dreams, goals, ambitions

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Conclusion

• WARNING
• When we set up an idol in our heart
• Then ask God to help us - - -
• God may answer us according to our idol.