About This Sermon
Jarrett Stephens teaches from Luke 10:21, where Jesus rejoices in the Holy Spirit and thanks the Father for revealing kingdom truths to the humble rather than the proud. Jarrett begins by acknowledging that prayer is difficult and that we often wish for an easy button. But Spirit-led prayer does not mean easy prayer. Jesus Himself was full of the Spirit yet led into the wilderness to be tempted.
The message shows Jesus redirecting the disciples' joy from their own power to what God has done. Jesus then prays with thanksgiving for who God is and for how God works in unexpected ways. Jarrett encourages believers to keep praying, to ask for more of the Holy Spirit when joy is absent, and to let the Spirit shape them to trust God more deeply.
Scripture: Luke 4:14-18; Luke 4:1; Galatians 5; Luke 10:17-20; Luke 10:21; Luke 11:9-13; Psalms 50:8-23; Isaiah 55:8-9
Study Guide
A few ideas to carry with you, discuss with your group, or revisit during the week.
Practical Takeaways (5)
- Spirit-led prayer shapes us to trust the Lord.
- Spirit-led living and praying does not mean easy.
- The greater the revelation, the greater the accountability.
- Joy should be based on what God has done, not on our own accomplishments.
- When joy and gratitude are absent, ask the Father for more of the Holy Spirit.
Discussion Questions (5)
- What does Jesus' prayer of thanksgiving in Luke 10:21 teach us about the kind of prayers that please God?
- Why do you think Jesus redirected the 72's joy from casting out demons to having their names written in heaven?
- What makes prayer difficult for you right now, and how does the Holy Spirit help rather than remove the struggle?
- How can thankfulness change your perspective when you do not understand what God is doing?
- What would it look like for you to ask God for more of His Holy Spirit this week?
From the Series
Pray Like Jesus
Prayer was never an afterthought in the life of Jesus. It was the foundation of everything He did. Before the crowds, before the miracles, before the cross, Jesus continually met… Read morePrayer was never an afterthought in the life of Jesus. It was the foundation of everything He did. Before the crowds, before the miracles, before the cross, Jesus continually met with His Father. In Pray Like Jesus, we’ll journey through the Gospels to discover how Jesus prayed in every season of life. We’ll see His pattern of daily dependence, His prayers for others, His surrender in suffering, and His unwavering trust in the Father. More than learning about prayer, we’ll be invited to experience the same relationship with God that shaped every moment of Jesus’ life. Whether your prayer life feels vibrant or you’ve struggled to know where to begin, this series will help you grow in confidence, intimacy, and dependence on God as you learn to pray like Jesus. Show less
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