Sermon: Firstfruit Fundamentals
by Chris Cumming
As of May 1st, we have a new project in the works at the ICG Las
Vegas site. It is called, “Firstfruit Fundamentals.” It is a posted resource
where you get answers to your questions. Each question is answered in 1-3 pages
of text and five to fifteen minutes of audio.
Take a look at a copy of the Firstfruit Fundamentals homepage.
Today, we are going to test the program by answering some questions I have
already received. The first subject we are going to cover today is Prayer.
When a firstfruit comes to this page, he/she can click on Prayer and go to a
page where each question will link to a text document and a MP3 audio.
Let us begin.
Prayer
Question 1] How do I know God is listening?
If you are a firstfruit, you have God’s Holy Spirit. That Spirit binds us to
God and makes us His chief focus, especially at moments we make direct contact
with Him. For a firstfruit, the question is rarely about whether God is
listening. The question is, are you talking to Him? God is always listening.
Notice.
John 9:31
Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God,
and doeth his will, him he heareth.
Psalm 34:15
The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their
cry.
Proverbs 15:29
The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
1 Peter 3:12
For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto
their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
Proverbs 15:8
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the
upright is his delight.
This is overwhelming proof that God is listening to the righteous. Who are the
righteous? Firstfruits in the Salvation Process and with the Holy Spirit in
them.
Now someone is probably looking at John 9:31 and the statement, “Now we know
that God heareth not sinners” and thinking they qualify as a sinner because they
might have sinned in the last thirty days. The sinner of John 9:31 is a
unrepentant sinner and one well down the process of sin. Firstfruits, by
definition, repent and are repentant. Therefore, they could never be labeled
sinners.
Consult most any Bible commentary on John 9:31 on the meaning of sinners and you
get, “heathen” or individuals outside of the Salvation Process.
Bottomline? God is hearing your prayers.
Question 2] Sometimes it feels awkward to when I pray. Why?
There could be several reasons for a person feeling awkward when they pray. Let
us list a few in no particular order of occurrence or importance.
a] you’re tired.
b] you are not prepared.
c] you suffer from low self-esteem and/or you are currently being down on
yourself. You do not feel worthy to come before His throne.
d] you lack spiritual knowledge and you know/feel it.
First of all, know this: All firstfruits feel awkward in prayer at one time or
another. How would you feel if you got a surprise invitation to come to the
White House or to the corporate offices of Microsoft’s Bill Gates? Wouldn’t you
feel just a bit awkward? Well, the President of the United States and Mr. Gates
have nothing on God when it comes to power, prestige or position. God, the
Father is the President of the Universe and retains all power and knowledge.
Now I might understand feeling weird about having to go meet with the President
or some corporate CEO but I am a firstfruit and there is no need to feel awkward
coming before Almighty God. Notice what the CEO of the Universe is saying to
you:
Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy,
and find grace to help in time of need.
Somehow I do not believe the President of the United States would send you this
kind of message [coming boldly before him].
Does God use this idea of being bold somewhere other than Hebrews 4:16 which
seems to be the primary verse used in this discussion? Yes he does.
Hebrews 10:19-23
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood
of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil,
that is to say, his flesh;
21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our
hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is
faithful that promised;)
When it comes to the President of the United States or some powerful corporate
head, I have no real idea who their most important visitor might be. I do know
who the most important visitor to God is…you. Not only that, but you can come
before Him any time, 24 hours a day and continue that visit for as long as you
want,,, “in full assurance.”
Verse 23 urges us to hold fast our faith without wavering. Do not allow any
feeling of awkwardness to make you waver. Go to God full of hope rather than
despair.
Notice three more scriptures.
Ephesians 2:18
For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Ephesians 3:12
In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
Romans 8:15-17
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have
received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children
of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so
be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
You are a child and heir of God. You are a join-heir with Christ, so replace
the awkwardness with boldness and confidence.
Question 3] I’m praying about a certain problem or person and not
seeing/getting a clear answer. Why? This question might also read: I seem to
be having one problem after another. Does this mean that God is not listening?
Again, there could be many reasons why you are not seeing or getting a clear
answer. Let me borrow a portion of my three-part sermon on prayer with the
title, “Your
Best Communication.”
Recognizing God’s Answers to Prayer
God has a plan. Everything that happens in this world is part of that plan.
God is in charge and He has reasons for things happening the way they do. When
we ask for something that falls in line with His plan and His goals for us RIGHT
NOW, He'll give us what we ask RIGHT NOW.
When we ask for something that we DON'T NEED RIGHT NOW, He may wait until the
time is right. God is seldom early, but never late.
How God Answers Prayer
Depending on what we ask, when we ask, and what God is doing, He will answer our
prayers in different ways.
His answers will generally be:
Yes
Yes, and I'll give you even more than you asked for
Yes, but not now
Yes, but not as you expect
No
No, but I'll give you something else instead
Nothing, silence, no answer
As we build our relationship with God, we'll learn to know His voice. We'll
learn to know what answer He gives us. A yes, no, or wait will be clear.
1 ) Yes
When what we ask is in God's will for us Now, we get what we ask. It may not be
right under our noses, but it will be there.
1 John 5:14
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing
according to his will, he heareth us:
2) Yes, and I'll give you more than you asked for
When we're right with God, and we ask according to His will, AND we can be good
stewards of what He has for us, He sometimes gives us even more than we ask.
2 Chronicles 1:11-12
11 And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not
asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast
asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou
mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king:
12 Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and
wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before
thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.
Matthew 25:20-21
20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents,
saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained
beside them five talents more.
21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast
been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter
thou into the joy of thy lord.
Verse 29
For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but
from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
3) Yes, but not now
Sometimes God makes us wait. Maybe the time isn't right. Maybe we're not yet
ready for what He wants us to have.
Maybe He's waiting for us to decide that His INVOLVEMENT in our lives is more
important to us than His actual ANSWER.
Maybe we just need a patience lesson. Whatever the case, we sometimes wait.
Job 30:20
I cry unto thee, and thou dost not hear me: I stand up, and thou regardest me
not.
Job 42:12
So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had
fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen,
and a thousand she asses.
Luke 18:7-8 (ff)
7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him,
though he bear long with them?
8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily…
Psalm 40:1 SAYS
I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
4) Yes, but not as we expect
Often we pray, and don't see the answers He gives us, because we're looking in
the wrong places. We look for the fruit and not the tree, we want to KNOW
without having to LEARN:
We want Patience without learning how to Wait
We want Strength without learning how to Overcome Difficulties
We want Wisdom without learning how to Solve Problems
We want Prosperity without learning how to Work
We want Courage without learning how to Face Danger
We want Favors without learning to Recognize Opportunities
When we ask for these things, God answers by exposing us to situations that
TEACH us what we need to know.
The old adage "be careful what you ask for, you may get it" is useful here.
If you ask God for PATIENCE, He'll make you WAIT, which develops patience.
If you ask for more COURAGE, you'll face DANGER, which develops courage.
If you ask for Wisdom, you'll have PROBLEMS to solve, which develops wisdom.
God is concerned with CHARACTER more than COMFORT. If God needs to put us in
uncomfortable situations to teach us what we need to know, He will.
5) No
Sometimes God says no. It may be that we're asking for something we can't
handle. It may be that we are asking with wrong motives.
James 4:3
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your
lusts.
It may be that He just has other plans for us and our friends.
Sometimes He doesn't heal.
Sometimes He lets someone die. Sometimes He allows us to go through trouble to
strengthen us. Sometimes
His purposes and plans are better served by not doing what we ask, even when we
plead with tears.
Matthew 26:39
And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my
Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I
will, but as thou wilt.
Verses 45-46
45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take
your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the
hands of sinners.
46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.
6) No, but I'll give you something else instead
We might be "in love" and pray desperately to have a certain person who, by
divine intervention, isn't the one we end up with, and we praise Him in
hindsight.
We may plead to continue the work we've been doing for Him, when He needs us
somewhere else.
We may desperately seek Him to remove a situation in our lives that is teaching
us something we need to teach people about next year.
Whatever the case, sometimes God has something else better or more important for
us, and we need to recognize His will and submit to His direction.
Deuteronomy 3:25-27
25 I pray thee, let me go over, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan,
that goodly mountain, and Lebanon.
26 But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the
LORD said unto me, Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter.
27 Get thee up into the top of Pisgah, and lift up thine eyes westward, and
northward, and southward, and eastward, and behold it with thine eyes: for thou
shalt not go over this Jordan.
2 Corinthians 12:8-9---Paul’s affliction
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made
perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my
infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
7) Nothing, dead silence from God
This is different from a NO.
When God says No to something, we still feel His presence in our lives.
Silence from God is the hardest answer of all. We plead and beg, but feel like
God's not there.
When God is turning His face from us, there is something wrong on our end.
Maybe it's a commitment problem, maybe it's a sin we haven't confessed and
repented of, maybe we're just trying so hard to solve the problem we're not
letting God solve it for us.
We need to let go and let God.
When someone is drowning, a lifeguard will sometimes have to wait until the
person is completely out of strength from flailing around trying to save himself
before coming to the rescue, else the drowning person takes them both down.
Similarly, God waits patiently for us to stop fighting so He can take care of
us.
Psalm 68:19
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our
salvation. Selah.
Isaiah 59:2
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have
hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
Proverbs 28:9
He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be
abomination.
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must
believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Getting to know God's answers takes time and commitment.
We learn to hear His voice by spending time with Him in prayer, and in His word.
The more we rely on Him, the more He answers.
The more He answers, the more we recognize His answers. The better we know Him,
the easier it will be to Know what He's doing.
Finally, some words of encouragement,
Turn to Jude 1:20
Jude 1:20
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the
Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 6:18
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching
thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
Pray in the name of Jesus Christ
It is your BEST COMMUNICATION
Question 4] Where do I pray?
For those with Google Earth or Google Maps go there at your next opportunity.
The rest of you can consult any World Atlas. Take a look at the entire planet,
including the cities, the mountains, the valleys, the deserts and the entire
surfaces of the seven seas. Any of these locations work. You can pray to God
anywhere, at any time and for any reason.
You may pray at home and at work. You may pray to God in a bathroom, a public
restroom or the outhouse out behind the barn. You may pray in the locker room
at work, in your car at a stop light or from you seat on the airplane at 33,000
feet. You may pray in the dark or the light at noonday. Firstfruits can pray
in the football huddle, a crowded elevator or at the bottom of a coal mine.
Notice these locations of these prayers:
In Battle:
2 Chronicles 13:14
And when Judah looked back, behold, the battle was before and behind: and
they cried unto the LORD, and the priests sounded with the trumpets.
On a Stake:
Luke 23:42
And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
Jesus at a tomb of Lazarus
John 11:41-43
41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And
Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard
me.
42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand
by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
In the wilderness:
Matthew 4:1-2
1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the
devil.
2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an
hungred.
Clearly Jesus was praying in the wilderness.
We see Jesus praying in many different locations within scripture. Follow His
example and pray anywhere and everywhere.
Question 5] Do I have to pray on my knees?
How one prays will be according to both scripture and belief, including personal
elements of belief. If you feel that all prayer by you must be on your knees,
then do so. As a general question, it is not so much about the position of the
body as it is about the attitude and reverence of the heart.
In Question 4 in this section on Prayer that asks the question of where we can
pray, we saw clearly that firstfruits can pray virtually anywhere. We see
examples in scripture of praying in the heat of battle or nailed to a stake.
There are many places and situations where getting on one’s knees is not
possible or practical.
The way you pray is important. The most important aspect of the prayer is the
heart-to-heart communication between you and God. How you pray will be a unique
procedure that is all your own, based on your knowledge of scripture, your
experience, your beliefs and the Holy Spirit that is in you.
The scriptures where you see coming to your knees are these: 2 Chronicles 6:13;
Daniel 6:10; Acts 7:60; Acts 9:40; and Acts 21:5. Let me read one.
Acts 7:60 …the stoning of Stephen
And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to
their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Clearly one reverent way of praying. There are others. The key here is to love
God, reverence Him and do all things to the glory of God.
Question 6] What if I fall asleep during my prayer in bed?
First, this has happened to virtually every firstfruit in the history of
firstfruits.
Second, This does not mean that God is necessarily angry or that you just lost
your salvation. You may be guilty of falling asleep but you are not to feel
guilty. Let us go back to the example in Question 2 in this section regarding
being invited to the White House to meet with the President of the United
States. Be honest with yourself and answer the question, “How would you
prepare?” If it were me, I can tell you that among a myriad of preparations,
that I would make sure I was fully alert. We must do the same when preparing to
meet with God in the throne room, which is virtually where you go in prayer.
Some tips and recommendations for your official times and places for prayer:
1] Prepare a special place for prayer. Make it a place and time where you will
be fully alert.
2] When choosing a place, consider somewhere other than the bedroom, if falling
asleep is a problem for you. Bedrooms and beds are inherently designed to
suggest and/or bring on sleep.
3] Consider doing your formal times of prayer just after you have slept and even
after you have had a morning shower. Choose your most alert time of the day for
prayer. Some of you are night people and others morning people. Choose
appropriately.
4] Use natural stimulants in preparation for these formal times of prayer,
including coffee, cold water on the face and hands or even after some
stimulating exercise, such as a walk around the block or a brisk swim in the
pool.
5] Write your prayers out or have a subject outline on paper or card stock.
Hold them and focus on them throughout the prayer.
Question 7] How long or short should my prayers be? Does God get mad if I
pray for the same things over and over [not speaking of repetitions here]?
Prayers may last a total of one second and consist of just one word or utterance
[Help! or Please]. They may also last for hours or days. There is no limit,
one way or the other. Having said this, one needs to be circumspect in his/her
preparation for the prayer. You are the steward of your prayer life to include
how you will conduct the prayer period and what topics you bring. Be ready for
prayer. Reference my sermon, “Silence”
Parts 1 and 2 where we speak to coming before Almighty God in silence.
There are examples of short prayers in the Bible such as those of Hezekiah and
Stephen. Remember that God has full knowledge of what your desires and needs
are before you even ask.
Matthew 6:7-8
7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think
that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye
have need of, before ye ask him.
This verse is speaking to a practice of the heathen [non-firstfruit] who brings
chanting and conjured up repetitions. This is different than us coming before
God for the same reasons on a regular basis. If one is sick and continues to be
sick for weeks and months, it is perfectly fine to pray about this over and over
to God. In addition, no problem or desire remains static in this life, so your
prayers, though for the same subject will modify themselves as you move through
time.
Romans 8:26
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.
The Spirit of God in us helps us with our prayers.
Question 8] I know that I am sinning and it seems
that I am making little progress. In a situation like this, Does God even want
to hear from me?
Absolutely He does!! We have already discussed how important firstfruits are to
God and the fact that if you are in the Salvation Process, you have the Holy
Spirit that connects you to God. You are in the Salvation Process and this
makes you God’s property. You are therefore sanctified and justified. There is
no higher level of importance that these.
Overcoming sin is a process and you are overcoming sins and making progress in
these areas continually from baptism to death.
Romans 8:30
Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them
he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Titus 3:7-8
7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the
hope of eternal life.
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm
constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain
good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
2 Timothy 2:21
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto
honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good
work.
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace,
with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
You are justified and sanctified as long as you are a firstfruit in the
Salvation Process. Clearly you have work to do all your adult life in this
process but God is never going to forsake you.
Let me end with these words. They are the words of Paul to the Philippians but
let them today be my words to you…
Philippians 1:2-6
2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus
Christ.
3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in
you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: