Ringing Heaven's Bell

Date: 19 July, 2021

Text: Psalm 86

Title: Ring Heaven's Bell

 

Introduction:

 

I've recently enjoyed reading some diary's and journals of some godly men.

 

ill. David Brainard - used of God as a young man to see revival among the American Indians.

exp. Tuesday, 29 September, 1747 (Jonathan Edwards records), he would die on 9 October

quote "We sang a part of the One Hundred Second Psalm. This seemed much to refresh and revive him, and gave him new strength' so that, though before he could scarcely speak at all, now he proceeded, with some freedom of speech, to give his dying counsels to two young gentlemen, relating to their prepartion for and prosecution of that great work of the ministry they were designed for. In prticular,, earnestly recommended to them frequent secret fasting and prayer; and enforced his counsel with regard to this, from his own experience of the great comfort and benefit of it; which (said he) I should not mention, were it not that I am a dying person."

note: As you read his journal, you realize the more he prayed the more God's work prevailed.

 

ill. Andrew Bonnar 

Great man of God who continually wanted to be and do more for God.

1890, "May 30th, yesterday I finished my 80 years! I have today begun my eighty-first. O that like Moses this new period of my life may be full of the Lord's interviews with me! And perhaps some more blessing to the Church through me, just becuase I am' the worm.' wondrous grace thus to spare me! Increasingly solemn to know how near I am advancing to Eternity."

As he entered into the year 1890 he wrote "A calm day amid a great many meetings. But the stream of life flows on, and I seem borne down to the ocean without very much concern. Holy Spirit, fill me!

More carefully  than ever I hope this year to give two hours before going out every day, to meditate on the Word and prayer. And in this way there shall go out of me heavenward 'rivers of living water' that will bring down refreshing rain showers."

 

- In his 80th year he mentions reading David Brainard's journal. (Just like you and I can read....)

 

WHEN YOU READ STORIES OF WHERE GOD HAS WORKED YOU READ ABOUT PRAYING PEOPLE.

 

note: Prayer is not only for men of ministry.

 ill. I've shared before that my grandma Shore was a great person of prayer. Her children would speak of grandma out in the woods praying. I personally was greatly moved by the prayers of my grandma as she wept for God to work in the lives of her grandchildren.

 

 ill. Last year - we visited the church where I got saved - we had a bell - I remember some adults lifting me up to help me ring the bell.

note: If prayer was a ladder, these men and woman of God 

climbed that LADDER OF PRAYER and rang the bell of Heaven.

ARE YOU RINGING THE BELL OF HEAVEN? GOD HELP US. 

WE NEED BELL RINGERS.

Text: Psalm 86 

v.1 begins with the statement "A Prayer of David."

exp. David was a man whom God greatly used and David was a great man of prayer. 

(We are going to look at David's prayer ladder this morning.)

 

GET TO THE TOP OF THE PRAYER LADDER AND RING THE BELL OF HEAVEN.

 

I. Get on the rung of helplessness.

1 ...Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy.

exp. King David was rich and powerful. But, he didn't forget his position before God.

Psa 34:6  This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

exp. David didn't come to God like a demanding rich man. He came to God as a beggar.

ill. A beggar is poor and needy. 

He can't complain about the cooking or the restaraunt service.

He can't order whatever he likes. 

He is completely dependent on the kindness of strangers to supply his need.

exp. David had no power of himself to acquire anything from God.

note: The first run on the prayer ladder is helplessness. 

(Poor and Needy people can get on the first rung and be on sure footing with God.)

Isaiah 66:2  For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

Isaiah 41:17  When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.

 app. What is your position in prayer towards God? Do you understand that God is not required to give you anything and that you have no means by which to barter with Him.

 

II. Get on the rung of hopefulness.

2  Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.

exp. David was helpless, but he was not hopeless. All that He needed His God would supply.

 ill. Israel's Exodus from Egypt

Exodus 14:10  And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD.

11  And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?

exp. Israel was helpless (of themselves) - they were POOR AND NEEDY. The first prayer rung was below them but they refused to step up to hopefulness.

12  Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.

question: Are you willing to step up to hopefulness? Israel SHOUL HAVE hoped in the LORD.

13  And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

14  The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

15  And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:

app. Are you hopeless today in prayer or hopeful? 

A. Get on the rung of hopefulness - God is omnipotent.

8  Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.

exp. No gods like Thee. They are either idols or puppet kings of the defeated prince of this world.

question: Can they do anthing works like unto the works of God?

ill. Misty morning spider web water droplets - beauty, design, pest control, food chain....

 exp. The same God that taught the spider to hang it's web, hung the stars in their places.

 note: He is the God of minutiae and grandeaur. He did it all.

 app. God will both take care of the little details of your life and the big problems. 

B. Get on the rung of hopefulness - God is sovereign.

9  All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.

 ill. In our upstairs bathroom - sign - 

"You don't have to brush all your teeth, just the ones you want to keep."

note: Hint - brush all your teeth.

exp. In this verse, only the nations that God has made will bow before Him.

 note: Hint - all nations are going to bow the knee.

 app. Are you weary of a world that is trying to idenitfy itself outside of TRUTH? It's ok. Get on the rung of hopefulness - God is sovereign.

C. Get on the rung of hopefulness - God is awesome.

10  For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.

 ill. Times change - my dad's generation carried a comb and a hankerchief in their back pocket. My generation carried a comb. This generation doesn't carry either (masks)

exp. My grandpa always carried a tape measure - among other things.... upholsterer

exp. YOU KEEP IT IN YOUR BACK POCKET SO THAT IT IS HANDY WHEN YOU NEED IT.

question: Do you need a verse to keep in your back pocket? Here it is! The one solution to all problems.

10  For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.

 app. When your God is awesome, sovereign, and omnipotent - you had better find yourself in prayer on the rung of hopefulness. Are you standing by faith on Him?

transition: WE ARE CLIMBING THE LADDER OF PRAYER TO RING HEAVEN'S BELL.

The first rung is helplessness (inability to help yourself.)

The second run is hopefulness (God's ability to help you.)

 

III. Get on the rung of persistance.

Ill. Mac is hoping that we are going to go camping. He's been sweet about it - but asked so much about it that I finally told him - we will decide - when we do - we will let you know.

 question: Why has he been persistant - he really wants to go camping.... we'll see if that works out.

GET ON THE RUNG OF PERSISTANCE

Pray every day - 3  Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. 

exp. David didn't just pray once a day....but continually.

Psa 55:17  Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

Pray out loud - 6  Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.

exp. Jesus said when you pray to enter into a closet - get alone with God - pray out loud, daily!

WHAT DOES THIS PSALM TEACH US TO PRAY DAILY ABOUT?

A. Pray daily for victory.

14  O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them.

Exp. Historically David had proud enemies who were the enemies of God. 

Prophetically the Messiah would have proud and violent enemies who would oppose Him. 

Certainly - the church has had proud violent assemblies against her.

THOSE WHO DO NOT FEAR GOD - OPPOSE GOD AND HIS PEOPLE.

question: Have you noticed that the world does not like Christians? 

ill. Some of you younger Christians are realizing this - do evangelism with me and you will see it.

ill. Reading through 1 John in our family devotions

1 John 3:13  Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

 app. Are you ready to stand and claim victory? You had better persist in prayer for victory.

B. Pray daily for strength. 

16  O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.

ill. I read of Jesus crucifixion this past week. Jesus didn't go to the cross in His own strength. He battled in prayer for God's strength and God gave it.

Luk 22:43  And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

exp. The strength you and I need in Christianity is not natural - it is supernatural.

Isaiah 40:28  Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.

29  He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

30  Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:

31  But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

app. Are you fainting this morning? Have you persistently cried out in prayer for God's strength?

C. Pray daily for blessing.

17  Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.

exp. I like this prayer. They say you don't like me. Show them otherwise and make them ashamed.

 ill. Like the story of the Lame man healed by Peter in Jesus' name. 

Acts 4:13  Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

14  And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

exp. They wanted to criticise, but they couldn't because it was obvious God had BLESSED them.

 app. Are you persistently crying out for God's blessing upon your life, family, church, community!

 transition: How far up the ladder are you this morning? Are you close to ringing Heaven's bell?

the rung of helplessness (poor and needy)

the rung of hopefulness (trusting God)

the rung of persistence (crying out daily)

 

IV. Get on the rung of dependence.

4  Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

exp. King David wasn't his own man. He was God's man, God's servant.

ill. James, half brother of Jesus Christ, was a servant of the Lord. James 1:1  James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

note: Servanthood is a great place to be in prayer. Why? Because prayer is now about God not us!

model prayer - Luke 11:2  And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

question: How can you stand on the rung of dependence in prayer.

A. Pray for your Master's commands.

11  Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

exp. David said,  God I want - YOUR WAY, YOUR TRUTH, YOUR FEAR.

 question: Can you pray this today and mean it from your heart?

ill. Hymn "I surrender all, I surrender all, all to Jesus, I surrender, I surrender all."

app. If you want to stand on the rung of dependence, you stand where Jesus stood - "Nevertheless, not as I wilt, but as thou wilt." 

B. Pray to your Master's praise.

12  I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.

exp. The rung of dependence is a rung that firmly declares praise to God's name!

 ill. I haven't met those who run the Bill Rice Ranch. But, if I do, you can be certain that I will thank them for what they have done for my kids and give them praise for a well run camp season.

note: It's appropriate to give praise to those who are worthy when you are in their presence.

Revelation 4:11  Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

 app. You are on the 4th rung of the ladder, the rung of dependence, declare praise to God.

C. Pray for your Master's glory.

13  For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.

exp. David gave testimony to the mercy of God in saving his soul. He gives God glory!

question: When is the last time you shared your testimony with someone? When is the last time you thanked God for your salvation? 

 app. Can you stand on the rung of dependence forgetting how it is that you stand there? Give glory to the Master for saving you!

 transition: Are you getting up these rungs this evening?

The rung of helplessness (poor and needy)

The rung of hopefulness (trust in God)

The rung of persistence (crying out daily)

The rung of dependence (your will be done to your praise and your glory)

 

V. Get on the rung of confidence.

 exp. Confidence is the basis of faith.

ill. Sitting in your chair exercising faith - but it is because you are confident it will hold you up.

question: WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT GOD THAT WILL HOLD US UP IN PRAYER?

A. Confidence in the goodness of God.

5  For thou, Lord, art good, 

exp. Many people in our world aren't good and we struggle to trust them. We wonder if politicians are good or not? Do they have an agenda? Are they really seeking our best interest?

 note: God is good. He has a good plan for you, if you'll trust Him.

 ill. Jesus said about God's goodness to answer prayer - Matthew 7:9  Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

10  Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

11  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

 app. Are you on the rung of confidence tonight? Trusting in the goodness of God.

B. Confidence in the forgiveness of God.

5 ...and ready to forgive; 

ill. If you got into an argument with someone and you wanted their forgiveness, they may unkindly say, "I'm not ready to forgive you yet." 

 exp. God isn't like that this evening. He is ready to forgive.

 app. Often in prayer you are going to have to step on the rung of confidence in God's forgiveness. God will support you there. 1Jn 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

C. Confidence in the mercy of God.

5 ....and plenteous in mercy 

15  But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

 ill. Some houses have well water. Sometimes a well will run dry because you used up all of the supply. If you can't find a supply, you must move to another source.

 app. Aren't you thankful today that God's mercy well is perpetually overflowing? You shouldn't have ANY DIFFICULTY standing on this rung as long as you don't listen to the devil. It will hold you up FOR SURE.

D. Confidence in the availability of God. 

5 ...unto all them that call upon thee.

exp. There are no exclusions to this - it is for ALL - the only requirement is that you call.

 ill. Back in the day - you would ask the operator to dial up for you - letters and numbers.

 exp. The number to call in this case is - Romans 10:13

Rom 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

app. We've reached the rung of confidence, are nearly there - the bell is within reach.

E. Confidence in the accessibility of God

7  In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.

 exp. He's going to answer your call.

ill. I keep my phone on vibrate all of the time. It's in my pocket and I usually don't miss phone calls. My wife occassionally puts her phone on vibrate and puts it into her purse. I've had times where I really wanted to get ahold of her (costco carrot cake or something else important) I she didn't answer.

 exp. If there was a really emergency, I'd like to know that she isn't going to miss my call.

 app. God isn't going to miss your call. If you are standing on that rung of confidence (GOD WILL ANSWER YOUR CALL.

 

CONCLUSION:

MEN AND WOMEN OF GOD HAVE BEEN GREAT MEN AND WOMEN OF PRAYER.

 

WE NEED SOME MEN AND WOMAN WHO CLIMB THE PRAYER LADDER 

AND RING HEAVEN'S BELL.

 

 transition: Are you getting up these rungs this evening?

The rung of helplessness (poor and needy)

The rung of hopefulness (trust in God)

The rung of persistence (crying out daily)

The rung of dependence (your will be done to your praise and your glory)

The rung of confidence (God's goodness, forgiveness, mercy, availability, accessibility)