Revelation 4

From the Message…

So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.

This is our corporate scripture for 2018- Keep Focused - Keep Committed - Keep Going

We have been talking and learning about prayer, GOD’S purpose and plan for it.

-There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel(purpose)—that will stand.

21 There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.

Prayer is about God’s plan not yours.

Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.

We have learned the original intent for prayer by “Let Them”

Who is them? Man - what is man? Spirit and what is a human? Spirit in a dirt body.

God gave humans only legal authority over the earth.

- 16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s; But the earth He has given to the children of men

16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s; But the earth He has given to the children of men

And God said “Let Them “ have dominion, rulership over all the earth.

But the earth He has given to the children of men

So prayer is , “Earthly license for heavenly interference. “

God will always need the co-operation of man to move or interfere here on earth because He gave man the responsibility.

God will never interfere on earth without the permission of man, because God will never violate His word.

Thats why we are told in to “Pray without stopping” Why? because when we stop praying heaven stops responding, in other words when we stop praying , heaven shuts down.

Remember God has the power but we have the authority.

Prayer is NOT about us, it is always about the will of the father

If you don’t know the will of the father then stop praying your wasting your time.

- 10 Your kingdom come.Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

10 Your kingdom come.Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

It never says, ours which includes you and me.

Your will be done

God wants us to be heavenly minded here on earth because God’s original plan was the structure of heaven to be here on earth.

On earth as it is in heaven.

You are trying to leave here(earth) so you can go to heaven and you think that this is the goal it is NOT!

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away

Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven

The New King James Version Chapter 21

Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven

Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God

5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

6 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End

God’s original plan… and He will finish it

God sent you from heaven to earth, quit trying to go where you want to be but God needs you here on earth to be an ambassador of Christ, which is the son God’s representative.

1 Thes 4:13

13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord

Why, if God wants us in heaven?

Why Jesus?

, talks about new heavenly bodies, why? So we can see what God’s original plan was that’s why

Jesus has the authority, has the keys of death the grave and hell

So we will all see the original plan and purpose, cause God’s purpose prevails.

You need to understand all of this in order to know How to pray God’s way so we can be effective here on earth, doing His will

The disciples asked Him “Lord teach us how to pray.”

Prayer isn’t automatic it is learned, Jesus didn’t say pray what’s on your heart, or just say what you feel.

The disciples were jewish men who grew up in and around synagogues had prayed many times before, but there was something different by the way Jesus prayed.

Jesus laid out a pattern, known as the “Lord’s Prayer” we will get to that next week because before we pray we need to know how to have the right keys to unlock God’s will

What do keys do?

And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Keys open and lock things...

18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Prayer isn’t what you think…

Matthew 6:5

5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him

Pray to God and not for men to see and hear you.

Don’t keep repeating it and you don’t need to make it long

It’s having the key that unlocks, you don’t need to shout or scream, like the prophets of baal. Just have the key

Like a someone in a car, making all the noises but doesn’t go anywhere opposed to one who has the keys and says nothing but turns and moves forward

So before we turn the key we need to focus today on the...

POSITION OF PRAYER

How to Enter God’s Presence

We are going to be looking at a passage in the Old Testament book of Leviticus to illustrate New Testament principle

17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.

5 who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” 6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

Why is this important?

5 who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” 6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

Moses saw what God wanted when it was time to get into the presence of God.

When we pray we go into communication, common union with God, He is a holy God so we can’t just enter in.

14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:

8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.

For they shall see God.

When you are pure in heart your mind is set on God and His ways.

Holiness, means to sanctify or set apart… Having the mind of Christ not your own.

And you shall be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine.

26 And you shall be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine.

We need to have a pure holy mind set on God’s will

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

We need to have the mind of Christ

10 steps to preparedness in prayer

Appropriate God’s Grace

We need a clear appropriation of God’s grace in our lives, says…

Thus Aaron shall come into the Holy Place: with the blood of a young bull as a sin offering, and of a ram as a burnt offering

The next verses talk about atonement for sins and the sacrifices that need to be offered

Similarity, God says to us” If you desire to enter into my presence, your sin has to be dealt with.”

Rather than starting with petitions, we need to ask , “Am I in a position to approach God in His holiness?”

Have I examined my own life, and have I searched my heart?

God can’t answer prayer when there is disobedience present, knowing and unknowing.

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness

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2. Put on Righteousness

4 He shall put the holy linen tunic and the linen trousers on his body; he shall be girded with a linen sash, and with the linen turban he shall be attired. These are holy garments. Therefore he shall wash his body in water, and put them on.

The priest needed to wear the right clothes- the clothes God said to wear-

The priest had his own clothing- but God said in effect “If you want to come in here, you need to put on what I say” Ephesians 6

18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

This is in essence in preparation to prayer

Put on righteousness, is being right with God not by your acts but by what Jesus has already done for you.

Why? linen? Linen is a fabric that breathes , and there is no perspiration sweating in God’s presence

Sweat represents rebellion against God it is part of the curse God gave to Adam by the sweat of your brow...

Sweat represents your trying to reach God by your merits and by your way and methods

We can’t work ourselves into God’s presence by our own efforts

21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

3. Put on Truth and Honesty

Linen sash- the sash covers the most delicate areas of your life, the parts you don’t like to talk about, the secret or private areas you try and hide. Ephesians 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth,

What are you not talking to or ignoring in your life that will stop your prayers?

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth,

4. Cleanse with the Word

Wash your body… Before we enter into God’s presence we must be cleaned

Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word

David understood this… 9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. 10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! 11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. 10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! 11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

By taking heed according to Your word. 10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! 11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! 11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

God’s word aligns you with His motives and attitudes.

Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! 11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

Put’s the right frame of mind in you, let this mind be in you which was in Christ, Jesus

5. Worship and Praise

That I might not sin against You.

12 Then he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from the altar before the Lord, with his hands full of sweet incense beaten fine, and bring it inside the veil

In the Bible incense is the symbol of worship.

This is the pattern god desired for us to enter in… God is saying that when your sins are covered and your heart is pure, when you are being honest and pure in heart and your being cleansed by His word, you are now ready to worship

You must worship God in spirit and honest motives, which is truth

6. Separate Yourself

17 There shall be no man in the tabernacle of meeting when he goes in to make atonement in the Holy Place, until he comes out, that he may make atonement for himself, for his household, and for all the assembly of Israel

We need to get out of our normal environments our normal activities and give Him our full attention

17 There shall be no man in the tabernacle of meeting when he goes in to make atonement in the Holy Place, until he comes out, that he may make atonement for himself, for his household, and for all the assembly of Israel

12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

Are you in the right place? This is where fasting can also come in here but we will talk about that later.

Getting yourself ready in many ways, physically and spiritually

7. Believe

18 And he shall go out to the altar that is before the Lord, and make atonement for it, and shall take some of the blood of the bull and some of the blood of the goat, and put it on the horns of the altar all around. 19 Then he shall sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times, cleanse it, and consecrate it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel.

There was a time when they had to believe that the process manifested and that their sins were forgiven.

18 And he shall go out to the altar that is before the Lord, and make atonement for it, and shall take some of the blood of the bull and some of the blood of the goat, and put it on the horns of the altar all around. 19 Then he shall sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times, cleanse it, and consecrate it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel.

Do we believe the finger of God by sending His son, Jesus to wash our sins away has been enough?

11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

Wow, what an amazing statement!

8. Give God the Glory

25 The fat of the sin offering he shall burn on the altar

God told them to collect the fat but not to eat it to place it on the altar and burn it to Him

25 The fat of the sin offering he shall burn on the altar

Fat is a symbol of glory because fat is excess.

The glory belongs to God alone. The extra, what are you doing with the extra God has given you?

11 For My own sake, for My own sake, I will do it; For how should My name be profaned? And I will not give My glory to another.

For how should My name be profaned? And I will not give My glory to another.

Glory belongs to God alone

9. Wash in the Word

And I will not give My glory to another.

26 And he who released the goat as the scapegoat shall wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and afterward he may come into the camp

Why wash again?

First time was for cleansing and the second time is for appropriating God’s promises.

So now you have done everything correct so tell me my promises, His word that you want.

10. Remain in the Anointing

In a right relationship with God

We need to continually dwell with Him

Stay in the right frame of mind and heart and purpose

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