'Where Are You?'
Christians who neglect prayer are in spiritual danger and must quickly return to the secret closet of prayer to experience God's presence and meet their needs.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the critical importance of prayer for Christians, warning that neglecting this vital connection with God can lead to spiritual death, much like the church in Sardis. He highlights that while believers may still be saved, a lack of prayer can result in a defiled and careless spiritual life. Wilkerson draws parallels between Adam's hiding from God in the Garden of Eden and modern Christians who fail to seek fellowship with their Father. He urges believers to recognize the cost of their access to God, which was paid by Jesus' sacrifice, and to return to their secret place of prayer to restore their spiritual vitality.
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Christians who fail to pray don't realize the danger they are in. You may argue, "So what if some Christians don't pray? They are still believers -- forgiven and going to heaven."
Our heavenly Father realizes we live in a busy age, with many demands on our time and energy, and Christians are as caught up in busyness and activities as anyone else. Yet, I cannot believe God takes lightly our rejection of our access to him, which cost his only Son his very life.
It pained the Father to send Jesus to be mocked and crucified so that we would be able to come to him freely. But day after day passes and many of his children do not approach him until they attend church on Sunday. When Adam hid from the Lord in the Garden of Eden, God asked him, "Where are you?" (Genesis 3:9). Of course, God knew where Adam was but he was really asking Adam why he had neglected having fellowship with him.
Christians who fail to appropriate their access to the Father end up in the condition of the church in Sardis. The Lord instructed John, "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write ... 'I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead'" (Revelation 3:1). Jesus is saying, "You may be a good person who will do anything for anybody, but an element of death has crept into your life because of your negligence. Something of the world has defiled you."
What is the defilement referred to here? Lack of prayer! The believers in Sardis had not been watching in prayer, waiting on the Lord and seeking him as they once had. They had grown careless but the Lord tells them in Revelation 3:4: "A few of you are worthy and you don't want to lose my presence."
Quickly now, go to the secret closet of prayer. He has provided you with access to him and he promises to meet your every need.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Dangers of Neglecting Prayer
- A. Christians who fail to pray are in danger
- B. They may be forgiven but still be in a state of spiritual death
- II. The Father's Desire for Fellowship
- A. God wants us to come to him freely through Jesus
- B. He is pained by our rejection of this access
- III. The Consequences of Neglect
- A. We can become like the church in Sardis, dead despite our outward appearance
- B. Lack of prayer leads to defilement and spiritual death
- IV. The Call to Return to Prayer
- A. We must quickly return to the secret closet of prayer
- B. God promises to meet our every need
Key Quotes
“Christians who fail to pray don't realize the danger they are in.” — David Wilkerson
“It pained the Father to send Jesus to be mocked and crucified so that we would be able to come to him freely.” — David Wilkerson
“Quickly now, go to the secret closet of prayer.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- We must prioritize prayer in our lives to avoid spiritual death and maintain a close relationship with God.
- Neglecting prayer can lead to defilement and spiritual death, even if we are outwardly good people.
- Returning to the secret closet of prayer can bring us back into fellowship with God and meet our every need.