In a powerful sermon, Apostle Alan Adams emphasizes the importance of turning away from negative news and focusing on faith and prayer. Using the story of King Hezekiah from Isaiah 38, he illustrates how to confront despair with hope and faith, encouraging believers to seek God's intervention in their lives.
In a recent sermon delivered during an annual prayer conference, Apostle Alan Adams laid a spiritual foundation for the year ahead, focusing on the theme of turning away from negative reports and embracing faith. Drawing from the biblical account of King Hezekiah in Isaiah 38, he encouraged attendees to confront despair with hope and to seek divine intervention through prayer.
The sermon began with a reading from Isaiah 38, where King Hezekiah is faced with a dire prophecy from the prophet Isaiah, stating that he would die from his illness. This moment serves as a pivotal point in Hezekiah's life, as he is confronted with the reality of his situation versus his hopes for recovery.
Apostle Adams explained the significance of prophets in the Old Testament, particularly how they served kings by providing divine insight. He highlighted that Isaiah was a royal prophet who served multiple kings, including Hezekiah. This relationship was crucial for the kings, as they sought to understand God's will for their leadership.
Upon receiving the grim news from Isaiah, Hezekiah did not succumb to despair. Instead, he turned his face to the wall and prayed earnestly to God, reminding Him of his faithfulness and good deeds. This act of turning away from the negative report symbolizes a refusal to accept defeat.
Apostle Adams emphasized the importance of turning one’s back on negative news. He encouraged the congregation to reject despair and instead focus on their faith. Hezekiah’s response serves as a model for believers facing challenges. The message was clear: do not let negative circumstances dictate your faith or hope.
Apostle Adams stressed that prayer must be coupled with faith. He referenced Hebrews 11:1, which defines faith as the substance of things hoped for. He encouraged attendees to approach God with their needs, mixing their requests with faith, which acts as a currency in the spiritual realm.
The sermon highlighted that faith is essential for effective prayer. Without faith, prayer becomes ineffective, akin to window shopping without purchasing anything. Hezekiah’s faith in God’s ability to heal him was crucial in his prayer, and it ultimately led to God’s response.
After Hezekiah’s heartfelt prayer, God responded through Isaiah, promising to extend Hezekiah’s life by fifteen years and to deliver Jerusalem from the Assyrians. This outcome illustrates the power of turning to God in faith, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds.
Apostle Adams concluded the sermon with a powerful call to action, urging attendees to turn their backs on negative reports and to trust in God’s promises. He encouraged everyone to bring their challenges before God, declaring that with faith, nothing is impossible. The message resonated deeply, reminding believers that they have the power to change their circumstances through faith and prayer.
In summary, the sermon by Apostle Alan Adams serves as a reminder that while negative news may confront us, our response should be one of faith and prayer, turning our backs on despair and seeking God’s intervention in our lives.
