240605 BITES: Q30 What is the intercession of Christ?

Q30 What is the intercession of Christ?

A30: The intercession of Christ is His continuous prayer for believers before the Father; a work enabled by His sacrifice and motivated by His sympathy (Hebrews 4:16)

INTERACTION:

Have you ever heard the story of when Moses kept several million people from being destroyed by God just by praying? LET THEM SPECULATE ON WHEN THIS WAS

The story is actually in Exodus 32:7–14. You remember the story of the golden calf right? Tell me about it LET THEM PULL THE DETAILS TOGETHER

After the calf was built while Moses was on the mountain getting the 10 Commandments God sent Moses down. God planned to destroy the whole nation

What did Moses do then? What did God do then?

This is the idea of intercession, something Jesus does for believers now. He is asking His Father for good things on the believer’s behalf right now.

TRANSITION TO CONCEPT

Tonight we are looking at the concept of Christ’s Intercession - how and why He is praying for those that believe in Him

Question/Answer

So here is tonight’s question: Q30 What is the intercession of Christ? A30:The intercession of Christ is His continuous prayer for believers before the Father; a work enabled by His sacrifice and motivated by His sympathy

Hebrews 4:16“Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Ask if anyone has questions then define terminology

Breakdown of Terms from Catechism Question:

Continuous - Unending, not stopping Example: This is like the earth rotating around the sun Psalm 117:2“For His lovingkindness prevails over us, And the truth of Yahweh is everlasting. Praise Yah!”

Enabled - That which makes another thing or activity possible Example: My mouth makes it possible to eat ice cream Psalm 51:15“O Lord, open my lips, That my mouth may declare Your praise.”

Sacrifice - Something given up to please God Example: Christ gave Himself as a sacrifice on Calvary as the Lamb of God John 1:29 “On the next day, he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

Motivated - The reason or drive that makes us want to do something Example: Talking to someone about the Gospel because of our desire to please God Romans 10:1“Brothers, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation.”

Sympathy - The feeling of understanding and caring for another’s pain or feelings Example: When Jesus wept over the death of Lazarus John 11:34–35“and said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept.”

What do you think Christ is asking the Father for on your behalf and is He getting it? LET THEM MULL THIS OVER

Why does this matter to us?

Jesus’ intercession is so compassionate He too was tempted as we are but unlike us never sinned - He is perfect but cares Hebrews 4:15“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things like we are, yet without sin.”

Christ knows that we are so frail, small and weak and yet He still loves us Psalm 103:14“For He Himself knows our form; He remembers that we are but dust.”

Christ is doing this work for believers because He is our Brother and He ministers on our behalf before our Father John 20:17“Jesus said to her, “Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brothers and say to them, ‘I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.’””

Christ doesn’t take any breaks Psalm 121:4“Behold, He who keeps Israel Will not slumber and will not sleep.”

Christ uses His authority and power and access to the Father to raise people from the dead John 11:41–44“So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. “And I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the crowd standing around I said this, so that they may believe that You sent Me.” And when He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.” The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.””

Q30 What is the intercession of Christ? A30: The intercession of Christ is His continuous prayer for believers before the Father; a work enabled by His sacrifice and motivated by His sympathy

Hebrews 4:16“Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

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SPG 33. Q. What is adoption?

A. Adoption is an act of God’s free grace (1 Jn. 3:1), whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges of the sons of God (Jn. 1:12; Rom. 8:17).

WSC Question 34 What is adoption?

Adoption is an act of God’ s free grace, (1 John 3:1) whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges of the sons of God. (John 1:12, Rom. 8:17)

WLC Question 74 What is adoption?

Adoption is an act of the free grace of God, (1 John 3:1) in and for his only Son Jesus Christ, (Eph. 1:5, Gal. 4:4–5) whereby all those that are justified are received into the number of his children, (John 1:12) have his name put upon them, (2 Cor. 6:18, Rev. 3:12) the Spirit of his Son given to them, (Gal. 4:6) are under his fatherly care and dispensations, (Ps. 103:13, Prov. 14:26, Matt. 6:32) admitted to all the liberties and privileges of the sons of God, made heirs of all the promises, and fellow-heirs with Christ in glory. (Heb. 6:12, Rom. 8:17)

Mark Initial Draft: Q30 What is intercession?

As during His earthly ministry Christ prays for His people and as believer’s great His priest He stands in God’s presence on our behalf. He can do this because His perfect sacrifice makes it possible for Him to plead on our behalf. As on earth He is still merciful and sympathizes with our weaknesses. Because of His intercession we have access to the Father.

Mark Second Draft: Q30: What is intercession? (restructured with ChatGPT and addition of Hebrews 4.16)

A30: Intercession is Christ's ongoing work for His people. During His earthly ministry, Christ prayed for His followers, and now, as our great High Priest, He stands in God's presence on our behalf. Because of His perfect sacrifice, He is able to plead for us, showing mercy and sympathy for our weaknesses. Through His intercession, believers have continuous access to the Father.

Hebrews 4:16“Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Mark Third Draft: Q30 What is intercession? (Trim and reposition first sentence)

As during His earthly ministry, Christ prays for believers; but now He stands in God’s presence. His humiliation and sacrifice enable Him to sympathize for our weaknesses. Believers now have, through Him, continuous access to their Father.

Hebrews 4:16“Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Other Revisions

The intercession of Christ is His prayer for believers. Motivated by mercy, Christ’s mediation is continuously before the Father.

Intercession means that Christ prays for believers. Now, He stands in God's presence, understanding our weaknesses because of His sacrifice. Through Him, believers have continuous access to the Father. (Hebrews 4:16)

Intercession is Christ praying for believers. He did this work while on earth and continues it today. His sympathy for our weakness enables believers in God’s presence because He sympathizes with our weaknesses.

Intercession is Christ praying for believers. As during His earthly ministry, Christ prayed for believers but now He stands exalted in God’s presence doing the same.

His humiliation and sacrifice enable Him to sympathize in His intercession for believer’s weaknesses and it is through Him believers are granted access to the Father.

Hebrews 4:16“Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Mark Final Draft: Q30 What is the intercession of Christ?

A30: The intercession of Christ is His continuous prayer for believers before the Father. This work is enabled by His sacrifice and motivated by His sympathy

Hebrews 4:16“Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”