Loopholes In the Great Controversy? Part 3
Great Controversy • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 12 viewsWhy are some prayers unanswered? How does prayer impact the Great controversy? We will go over some specific prayers and healings in the bible.
Notes
Transcript
Celeste Sibley, a columnist for the journal, Atlanta Constitution, took her three children to a diner for breakfast one morning.
It was crowded and they had to take separate seats at the counter.
The youngest Mary was seated at the far end
when her food was served
she called down to her mother in a loud voice,
“Mother, don’t people pray in this place?”
A hush came over the entire diner
and before Mrs. Sibley could figure out what to say,
the counterman said,
“Yes, we do.
You say it.”
All the people at the counter bowed their heads.
It’s a good question:
“Don’t people pray in this place.”
Today we talk
more about prayer
in the cosmic conflict.
We all tell our children
all prayers get answered
some yes
some no
some wait.
Let’s be honest
it doesn’t feel
like that sometimes.
It feels like
we are hurting
and in need
and God is silent...
Last week I tried to explain
theory, theology
behind why God
may say no...
Today,
we discuss the praxis
stories in the Bible.
Examples.
God Says Yes
God Says Yes
Hannah’s Prayer
Hannah’s Prayer
10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. 11 And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant
--
and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”
For sake time,
had to skip
backstory of
verbal abuse from
her sister-wife Peninnah.
I don’t have time
to elaborate on
shame of a barren
wife in the ANE.
After some time
of significant hardship
God answers her prayer.
Questions:
If he was going to answer.
Why didn’t he answer sooner?
Why make her go through that?
Some of this “growth”
feels a little abusive
at times.
As Christians we
overuse the pat answers.
“good for character.”
“God is growing us.”
Last Week...
More complex answers.
Satan’s rulership
Rules of Engagement
His government must fail.
God’s Ideal Will vs. Remedial Will
Hagar’s Prayer
Hagar’s Prayer
15 When the water in the skin was gone, she put the child under one of the bushes. 16 Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot, for she said,
--
“Let me not look on the death of the child.” And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept. 17 And God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar?
--
Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. 18 Up! Lift up the boy, and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make him into a great nation.” 19 Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water...
Being at the point of death
Hagar prays
The boy cries
God answers her prayer.
If God was going to
save them...
Why wait until then?
Could be
Rules of engagement
People have free will.
Mt. Carmel
Mt. Carmel
Similar story...
Evil king Ahab
Wicked Queen Jezebel.
Leading nation astray.
God finally intervene
Stop the rain.
3.5 years.
Comes to climax
on mount Carmel.
And you call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the Lord, and the God who answers by fire, he is God.” And all the people answered, “It is well spoken.”
In response
to simple prayer...
36 And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word.
--
37 Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.”
--
38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
God sends Fire from heaven
900 wicked prophets put to death.
To vindicate His name
Elijah prays for Rain...
… The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain,
--
and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.
Elijah runs before chariot
to Jezreel.
But here is the rub
Elijah feels it
clearly and painfully.
But Ahab and Jezebel
are not changed!!!
Threaten to kill him!
Fire come does
from heaven
Rain is sent by prayer.
But many hearts are not Changed!!!
Last sermon,
there are some things
God cannot do!
He cannot be
God of love
and force people to
Choose His ways.
Once again,
God does not get
what he wants
in the the universe.
IDEAL VS. REMEDIAL WILL
God Says No
God Says No
Other scriptures
God says no.
And I don’t understand...
Paul’s Prayer Request for Healing
Paul’s Prayer Request for Healing
7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.
--
8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Paul had
thorn in the flesh...
(eye sight).
Paul healed other
raised some to life.
Prays for himself
not healed...
God’s answers?
No...
My grace is sufficient...
Stop asking...
Why?
Paul says,
to keep him humble...
If I must be honest,
there seems to be
more to the story
behind the veil.
Some answers to
questions within this
cosmic conflict
won’t be know until heaven.
(1000 years).
Another weird story:
This kind only come out by prayer and fasting
This kind only come out by prayer and fasting
17 And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. 18 And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.”
Disciples healed others...
Previously they said:
“even the demons are subject to us in your name!”
Now,
they can’t!
What happened?
28 And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” 29 And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”
Why?
are some demons
more powerful?
Why would it require more?
Rules of engagement?
Daniel
Jesus (Michael)
hindered by Satan
(Prince of Persia)
3 weeks.
Questions
How?
Isn’t God stronger?
Why?
God’s remedial will
allows Him to be
prevented at times.
Another story of
casting out demons
gone wrong:
Seven Sons of Sceva
Seven Sons of Sceva
13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.”
--
14 Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. 15 But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?”
--
16 And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
Rules of engagement
conditions...
faith.
This is not magic.
Not a spell
say right words...
Jesus is not a Genie.
Work of God
on behalf of
believing ones.
Why was he born blind?
Why was he born blind?
1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
--
3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.
For the glory of God???
What does that mean???
Few verses later,
Jesus heals him.
What does Jesus mean?
God allowed
him to be born blind
to be healed???
Is God so evil
that he allows man
born blind
childhood blind
now adult, blind
just to prove to people
“look what I can do?”
I’m sorry but
I can’t believe
in a God like that.
Like Lazarus death.
I know the answer
is more complex.
We live in the
“domain of darkness.”
While Satan rules
to some extent
evil must rule!
God Says Maybe
God Says Maybe
Other stories
God says maybe...
Conditions of Prayer
Conditions of Prayer
14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Conditions… if...
humble
pray
seek
repent
Then I will...
Other conditions:
Faith
Faith
God's action may be
impeded by lack of
genuine faith.
When visiting Nazareth:
57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.” 58 And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.
Jesus wanted to do more
but could not
because of lack of faith.
Another example:
28 When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” 29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.”
The men are healed
“according to their faith”...
This presumes,
if they had not faith
they would not have been!
Remember
this is not only condition
other rules of engagement.
Sometimes healings
don’t happen
for other reasons.
When Hudson Taylor sailed to China, he heard an urgent knock on his stateroom door. He opened it, and there stood the captain of the ship. “Mr. Taylor,” he said, “we have no wind. We are drifting toward an island where the people are heathen, and I fear they are cannibals.”
“What can I do?” asked Taylor.
“I understand that you believe in God. I want you to pray for wind.”
“All right, Captain, I will, but you must set the sail.”
“Why that’s ridiculous! There’s not even the slightest breeze. Besides, the sailors will think I’m crazy.” But finally, because of Taylor’s insistence, he agreed. Forty-five minutes later he returned and found the missionary still on his knees. “You can stop praying now,” said the captain. “We’ve got more wind than we know what to do with!”
Persistence
Persistence
Parable of wicked judge...
And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.
At times,
Persistence is
condition of prayer.
Right Living
Right Living
Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
Paul is clear,
disrespect to others
could hinder our prayers.
Clean living
is a condition to
answered prayer.
Repentance
Repentance
If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.
God will not answer
the unrepentant.
Think of book of Judges...
cycle...
Judge
Judge dies
everyone does what is right in their own eyes
God allow enemy to oppress them
They cry out
Judge
Is God playing games?
Is it possible,
they didn’t meet
conditions of answered prayer.
Meeting the Conditions
Meeting the Conditions
Sometimes we can fulfill
all the conditions.
Repentance,
faith,
fasting,
etc
and still not get
the answer we seek.
And sometimes
God wants to give
the answer we seek.
But because of
Rules of engagement
issues of great controversy
he cannot.
Because God does not always get what he wants!
Be careful
not to shame anyone
for not fulfilling
certain conditions!
What About Selective Miracles?
What About Selective Miracles?
Peter Delivered from Prison
Peter Delivered from Prison
James and John the Baptists
are martyred...
(The don’t even believe )
(when their prayer )
(is answered. )
Why is God allowed to
work miracle in one case
when he doesn't work a miracle
in a different case
that seems similar?
It could be
didn’t meet conditions
(this case, seems unlikely).
rules of engagement.
Another detail,
history tells us,
Peter was later martyred.
Saved from one martyrship
died in another?
Why?
God’s broader plan.
Strengthen small church.
Show God’s power.
Pray Always
Pray Always
pray without ceasing...
I’ve begun to realize
partially why verse says
pray without ceasing.
In the cosmic conflict
we don’t know
God’s Ideal vs. Remedial Will
will prevail.
Remember
it’s possible
even likely
your prayer is
withing God’s ideal will.
But your prayer goes unanswered...
In this case
remember
that God cares...
God Hears Our Prayers
God Hears Our Prayers
Scripture tells us
God sees our pain.
Then the Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings...
and...
“Turn back, and say to Hezekiah the leader of my people, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears...
God hears your cry.
God sees your tears.
He longs to answers.
Possible
Yes
No
Maybe
Wait.
Your pain
gives Him pain.
If he could
He would answer
every cry for help.
Inaccurate Picture of God
Inaccurate Picture of God
For centuries
christian pastors
presented fasle pictures
of God’s character.
Platonic God - Unmoved Mover
Entirely Immutable
Prayer is pointless.
if you pray
or not
it can’t change God’s will.
Just accept
and move on.
So wrong!!!
Accurate Picture of God
Accurate Picture of God
God is compassionate
and...
He undergoes
“emotional changes"
Whenever the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge, and he saved them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge.
--
For the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who afflicted and oppressed them.
The passage is clear,
God’s was moved
to compassion by
their cry for help.
Does that mean
he didn’t have pity before?
If you see
someone cry out for help,
it impacts you...
Ellie shot in spine
God's character
does not change
but
His emotional and relational
state does change...
Job’s Friends
Job’s Friends
Last sermon
discussed why
God allowed suffering
in Job’s life.
During crisis
Job couldn’t see this...
Friends
talked with him.
Why did this happen?
God is angry at you.
You have sinned...
etc.
They blamed Job
by extension
they blamed God.
God was not pleased...
After the Lord had spoken these words to Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.
God is hurt,
when we scar
His name...
Misrepresent His Character.
Missionaries Dick and Margaret Hillis were caught in China during the Japanese invasion. The couple lived with their two children in the inland town of Shenkiu. The village was tense with fear, and every day brought terrifying reports of the Japanese advance. At the worst possible time, Dick developed appendicitis, and he knew his life depended on making the long journey by ricksha to the hospital. On January 15, 1941, with deep foreboding, Margaret watched him leave.
Soon the Chinese colonel came with news. The enemy was near and townspeople must evacuate. Margaret shivered, knowing that one-year-old Johnny and two-month-old Margaret Anne would never survive as refugees. So she stayed put. Early the next morning she tore the page from the wall calendar and read the new day’s Scripture. It was Psalm 56:3—“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.”
The town emptied during the day, and the next morning Margaret arose, feeling abandoned. The new verse on the calendar was Psalm 9:10—“Thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.”
The next morning she arose to distant sounds of gunfire and worried about food for her children. The calendar verse was Genesis 50:21—“I will nourish you and your little ones.” An old woman suddenly came to their house with a pail of steaming goat’s milk, and another straggler arrived with a basket of eggs.
Throughout the day, sounds of warfare grew louder, and during the night Margaret prayed for deliverance. The next morning she tore the page from the calendar to read Psalm 56:9—“When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back.” The battle was looming closer, and Margaret didn’t go to bed that night. Invasion seemed imminent. But the next morning, all was quiet. Suddenly, villagers began returning to their homes, and the colonel knocked on her door. For some reason, he told her, the Japanese had withdrawn their troops. No one could understand it, but the danger had passed. They were safe.
Prayer and the Great Controversy
Prayer and the Great Controversy
The platonic
and neo-platonic
christian philosophers
are plain wrong.
Our prayer do impact
how God.
Numerous Passages
showing our prayers
can impact how
God acts...
Abraham’s Intercession
Abraham’s Intercession
Then Abraham drew near and said, “Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it?
--
Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?”
God welcomes
discussion about
how many righteous
would save the city.
Abraham intercedes
on behalf of God’s
reputation and character.
What will the people
onlooking universe
believe about you?
Moses’ Intercession
Moses’ Intercession
Moses uses similar language
interceding for Israel
after Golden Calf sin:
11 But Moses implored the Lord his God and said, “O Lord, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?
--
12 Why should the Egyptians say, ‘With evil intent did he bring them out, to kill them in the mountains and to consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from your burning anger and relent from this disaster against your people.
Moses asks
what will everyone
think about You...
Did God need
Moses to help Him
“cool off?”
Maybe not,
but God does clearly
change His mind
after Moses prayer.
First, God says:
3 Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people.”
After further intercession:
14 And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
God relents,
sends His presence with them...
Many have interpreted
this entire passage as
God testing Moses.
This may be
partially true.
But,
I think it is
more complex than that.
It appears
Moses prayer
impacted God’s plan.
What would have happened,
had Moses not prayed?
Certainly,
different outcome.
Our prayers
make a difference.
Your Intercession
Your Intercession
It appears,
God is often more willing
to work for His people
(even in their sin)...
But,
He is seeking for
an intercessor among them:
And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none.
Today,
God is looking for those
who will stand in the breach
pray for His people.
Will you be one of them?
Often God will act
when it involves
His name:
22 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came.
--
23 And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes.
Why did God act?
For His name’s sake.
To answers questions
of the Great Controversy.
Perhaps this
should be
more commonly found
in our prayers!
God Fixed My Truck
I will give you glory!
Jacob Wrestles with God
Jacob Wrestles with God
In another story
God wrestles with a man...
Esau coming to kill him.
scouts saw his army.
send family across rive.
Sends gift ahead.
left alone.
in the dark.
praying to God.
man grabs him.
wresting for his life!!!
Wrestle until daybreak.
26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
Why did God wrestle with Jacob?
Shows that God
welcomes engagement.
Show that the outcome
is different
after having been persistent.
Paul suggests
the same idea:
He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.
Paul is clear,
the believers are
helping in Paul’s deliverance
thought their intercessory prayer.
This means
there is special
power in prayer.
Supernatural Power!
Pray needs to be
more greatly appreciated.
Review and Herald December 8, 1904: The Privilege of Prayer
The darkness of the evil one encloses those who neglect to pray. The whispered temptations of the enemy entice them to sin; and it is all because they do not make use of the privileges that God has given them in the divine appointment of prayer.
--
Why should the sons and daughters of God be reluctant to pray, when prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven’s storehouse, where are treasured the boundless resources of Omnipotence?
--
Without unceasing prayer and diligent watching, we are in danger of growing careless, and of deviating from the right path. The adversary seeks continually to obstruct the way to the mercy-seat, that we may not by earnest supplication and faith obtain grace and power to resist temptation.
Early African converts to Christianity were earnest and regular in private devotions. Each one reportedly had a separate spot in the thicket where he would pour out his heart to God. Over time the paths to these places became well worn. As a result, if one of these believers began to neglect prayer, it was soon apparent to the others. They would kindly remind the negligent one, “Brother, the grass grows on your path.”
Source: Today in the Word
Appeal
Appeal
Have you
under-appreciated
the power of prayer?
Would you like to
experience a deeper
prayer life?
Christ is waiting
to answer the door.
Why not begin
knocking
knocking more earnestly
today.
