I. Depravity of Man
We have strayed from our created purpose – to bring God glory.
Isaiah 43:7, Gen 1:27, 2 Cor. 3:18, Gen. 3:7, Romans 3:23
The origin of man’s wickedness of following Satan in his pride.
Ezekiel 28:17, James 3:14-16, 1John 2:15-17, Col. 3:1-2
Pride is an abomination to God.
Prov 6:5, 16-19, James 4:6, Luke 18:9-14, Phil. 2:3
There is no goodness (light) inside of man.
Matt 6:22-23, Romans 3:9-18, Jeremiah 17:9, James 1:13-15
All men and women are born in sin.
Rom. 5:12, Gen. 6:5, 8:21, Ps. 51:5, 2 Timothy 3:1-5
Apart from God, man is dead in sin unable to do good.
Eph. 2:1-3, John 15:16, John 9:39–10:1, Luke 18:19
Any and all exaltation of man only comes through God’s work.
Luke 14:11, Eph. 2:1-10
II. Character of God (Holiness)
Holiness is foremost of God’s attributes.
Isaiah 6:3, Revelation 4:8
God is uniquely distinct from all others, different from all creation.
Isaiah 46:5-9, Psalm 50:2
God is superior to man in every way especially in His goodness.
Isaiah 55: 8-9, Psalm 145:13-17, Deut. 4:32-40, Isa. 46:10,
Romans 11:33-36
God acts perfectly right and true in all of His actions.
Genesis 18:25, Deut. 32:3-4, Psalm 18:30, Daniel 4:37,
Revelation 15:3-4
God cannot stand to look at evil and so, He avenges evil deeds and destroys evil people.
Habakkuk 1:13: Deut. 31:17, 1:42, Matt. 25:41, Matt. 7:23,
Revelation 21:1-8, 21:27
Proper response to God’s holiness is utter humility.
Isaiah 6:1-7
1. The uniqueness of God produces in us fearful awe and wonder.
2. The superior Goodness of God produces in us adoration, from which we praise and worship Him.
3. The purity of God produces in us the fear of His judgment.
Luke 12:4-7
Rom. 11:33, 2 Peter 1:3, Romans 8:28-30, 1 Peter 1:5, 2 Peter 1:4,
1 Cor. 2:12, John 14:25-26, Eze. 36:27, John 14:2-3, 1 Cor. 2:9
How shall we then live?
1 Peter 1:14-21
III. The Work of Christ
Phil. 2:5-11
Christ accomplished God’s eternally planned work.
Acts 4:27-28, Acts 2:23
Christ reveals the Father to us. (Prophet)
Deut. 18:18-19, Heb. 1:1-3, John 14:6, John 1:14-18
Christ’s death declares us righteous by taking our sins. (Priest)
Isa. 53:4-12, Rom. 3:21-26, Phil. 3:8–11, Rom. 4:22-25
Christ’s death saves us from God’s wrath. (Priest)
Heb. 10:1-14, John 3:16-18, Col. 1:19-20, John 10:11-18
Christ stands as our eternal High Priest. (Priest)
Heb. 2:14-18, 1John 2:1-2, Rom. 8:34, Heb. 7:25, 1 John 2:1
Christ reigns as King. (King)
Luke 1:31-33, Col. 1:17-18, Phil. 2:9-11
Christ’s death and resurrection gives us new life.
Gal. 2:19-21, 1John 4:10-11, 2Tim 2:11-13, Rom. 6:5-10
Christ’s death enables us to live in righteousness. (King)
Rom. 8:3-4, 2Cor. 8:8-9, Titus 2:14
Christ’s death and resurrection frees us from bondage.
Rev. 5:9-10, Rom. 8:1-2
IV. Prayer
We pray to worship God.
Matt. 5:9; 1 Chron. 16:29; 1 Sam. 2:1-10
We pray to confess our sins to God.
1 John 1:9; Psalm 32:5; Acts 3:19
We pray to thank God for what he’s done.
Ps. 100:4; Ps. 136:1–26; Dan. 6:10; Jon. 2:9; Phil. 4:6
We pray to ask God for help and healing.
Matt. 14:30; James 5:14-16; Gen. 32:11; Ps. 25:16-22; Jonah 2:1–9; Ps. 119:133; Matt. 6:13; Phil. 4:6
We are commanded to pray.
1 Chr. 16:11; Is. 55:6; Matt. 6:6; Luke 18:1; Eph. 6:18; Col. 4:2;
1 Thess. 5:17; 1 Tim. 2:8
Prayer is conditional.
a whole and pure heart: Deut. 4:29; Jer. 29:13; 2 Tim. 2:22; Ps. 119:145
humility: 2 Chr. 7:14;
2 Chr. 33:12–13; Ps. 10:17; Dan. 10:12; Luke 18:13–14
in accordance with His will:
1 John 5:14
a righteous life: Ps. 34:15;
Prov. 15:8 & 29; James 5:16
faith: Ps. 37:5; Matt. 21:22; Mark 9:23–24; Heb. 11:6; James 1:6; Matt. 9:29
fear of YHWH: Ps. 145:19
perseverance: Matt. 7:7–8;
Luke 11:5–10; 18:1–8
Our prayers can be hindered.
by disobedience: Prov. 28:9;
Mic. 3:4; Zech. 7:12–13
by unconfessed sin: Ps. 66:18;
Is. 1:15; 59:1–2
by no fear of YHWH: Prov. 1:28–29
by ignoring the poor: Prov. 21:13
by doubt: James 1:6-7
by wrong motives: James 4:3
We are commanded to pray daily without ceasing.
Eph. 6:18; 1Thes. 5:17; Ps. 5:3; 88:13; 119:147; Mark 1:35;
Ps. 119:62
There are ways we are commanded not to pray.
Eccl. 5:2; Matt. 6:7; Matt. 6:5;
Mark 12:40; Luke 18:11-12
