Topical Sermons - Executable Outlines

Private Devotions
Mark A. Copeland
INTRODUCTION
1. Great men of God were noted for engaging in private devotions...
a. Isaac meditated in the field at evening - Gen 24:63
b. David prayed three times daily, meditated on his bed at night - Psa 55:17; 63:6
c. Daniel’s custom was to pray three times daily - Dan 6:10
2. Private devotions is encouraged by the Son of God...
a. Jesus sought solitary places at early morn and late night - Mk 1:35; Lk 6:12
b. He counseled His disciples to pray in secret - Mt 6:6
[You may faithfully attend public worship with God’s people, but do you also take the time to engage in
daily, private devotions...?]
I. WHY HAVE PRIVATE DEVOTIONS
A. TO DRAW NEAR TO GOD...
1. God is found by those who seek Him
a. As David advised his son Solomon - 1 Chr 28:9
b. As Azariah told the king Asa - 2 Chr 15:2
2. God draws near to those who draw near to Him - Ja 4:8
-- Do you want a closer walk with God?
B. TO RECEIVE SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT...
1. We need spiritual nourishment in our lives - Mt 4:4
a. Man cannot thrive on physical food alone
b. We need spiritual food that nourishes the soul
2. Spiritual growth comes from the Word of God - 1 Pe 1:23; 2:2
a. We are born again through the incorruptible seed
b. We continue to grow by the Word of God
3. God’s Word provides spiritual strength - Ep 6:10-17; cf. Psa 119:7-11
a. We need God’s help to fight our spiritual battles
b. The Word of God provides such help!
-- Do you want a stronger, spiritual life?
C. TO FIND PEACE AND STABILITY...
1. We live in a world filled with anxiety; prayer provides the antidote - Ph 4:6-7
2. We live in a world filled with pitfalls; God’s Word keeps us from falling - Psa 119:105,165
-- Do you want inner peace and outer stability?
[More than ever, we need to take the time to draw near to God, to receive spiritual nourishment, to find
peace and stability. The habit of daily, private devotions can go a long way...]
II. HOW TO HAVE PERSONAL DEVOTIONS
A. FIND A TIME AND PLACE...
Topical Sermons 282