From Bill Dayton... “To Pray Or Not to Pray!”

“To Pray Or Not to Pray!”

1 John 5:14-17; Jer. 11:13,14

7/7 13 PM

Introduction.

A. Is there ever a time that we should not pray for someone? (1 John. 5:16,17)

B. The passage says, "if anyone sees his brother sinning..." We may have heard rumors or we may have suspicions.

This is about what is visible in the behavior of our brethren: "If anyone sees..."

C. A brother may be guilty of sin, and the sin is not visible to us. We cannot detect it; we cannot see it; no

knowledge of it. Only God has perfect ability to see and know all sin. So whatever this verse is about, it relates

only to what is visible: "If anyone sees..."
I. Two kinds of sin are identified (1) sin that does not lead to death, and (2) sin leading to death.

A. First, consider sin that does not lead to death. Sin that does not lead to death is sin we repent of!

1. 1 Jn. 1:9. So sin that does not lead to death is sin we confess; sin we forsake and ask God to forgive.

2. When we see a brother commit a sin not unto death (repents), ask God to give that brother life.

B. Second, "Sin leading to death" would obviously be sin we see the brother continues in; does not repent of!

1. "I do not say that you should pray about that." Why? Because God will not give life to one who continues in sin.

2. "Sin leading to death; "willful rejection of God's grace and persistence in sin, that one will not repent of.

C. Verse 16 illustrates what verses 14 and 15 teach: Asking according to His will.

1. If you ask God to overlook sin a brother continues in, you are not asking according to His will.

2. If you ask God to give spiritual life to one who sins unto death, you are not asking according to His will.

3. We should never ask God to do something we know is against His will.

D. It is true and John grants that "all unrighteousness is sin," but there is "sin not leading to death."

1. Every form or kind of unrighteousness is sin. John isn't saying there is some unrighteousness that is not sin; it is

sin - but if the sinner turns from the sin in repentance, it is sin "not leading to death."

2. Sin is sin, but does not lead to (spiritual) death, when it is dealt with honestly, with repentance, confession and

request to God for forgiveness in Christ.
II. Jeremiah & John agree on this question.

A. Jer. 7:16. Why? Look at their transgressions in verses 6-11. The people were guilty of oppression, shedding

innocent blood, theft, murder, adultery, lying, idolatry and other sins.

B. While practicing all this sin they would "come and stand" before God in His house and claim they were permitted

to do such things (see verse 10).

1. God spoke to them about their rebellion, but they did not listen or answer (verse 13).

2. God said to them, "I will cast you out of My sight." Thus God said, "do not pray for this people." They were

continuing in sin, leading to their own destruction.

C. Jeremiah 11:13,14; 14:10,11

Our prayers to God should always be in harmony with His will. We should never ask God to compromise; to overlook sin people continue in. We should never ask Him to do something He has said is against His will.