Jesus Christ Our Intercessor

Introduction

One of my favorite stories about prayer comes, unsurprisingly, from the life of George Muller.

George Müller (1805-1898) was a Christian missionary evangelist and a coordinator of orphanages in Bristol, England. Through his faith and prayers (and without asking for money) he had the privilege of caring for over 120,000 orphan children. He also traveled over 200,000 miles (by ship) to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in 42 countries and to challenge believers about world missions and trusting God. In his journals, Müller recorded miracle-after-miracle of God’s provision and answered prayer. Allow me to share one of those with you.

One morning, all the plates and cups and bowls on the table were empty. There was no food in the larder and no money to buy food. The children were standing, waiting for their morning meal, when Müller said, “Children, you know we must be in time for school.” Then lifting up his hands he prayed, “Dear Father, we thank Thee for what Thou art going to give us to eat.”

There was a knock at the door. The baker stood there, and said, “Mr. Müller, I couldn’t sleep last night. Somehow I felt you didn’t have bread for breakfast, and the Lord wanted me to send you some. So I got up at 2 a.m. and baked some fresh bread, and have brought it.”

Mr. Müller thanked the baker, and no sooner had he left, when there was a second knock at the door. It was the milkman. He announced that his milk cart had broken down right in front of the orphanage, and he would like to give the children his cans of fresh milk so he could empty his wagon and repair it. - https://harvestministry.org/muller

Prayer is powerful.

Throughout Scripture there is an assumption that God's people will pray.

A child of God has a desire to communicate with the Father.

Our Scripture reading this morning was in Romans 8:26-34.

This passage of Scripture provides instruction and comfort.

READ v. 26

Anyone else ever felt like they were facing a situation where they didn’t even know how to pray?

The Holy Spirit, who lives inside of us, takes our guttural groanings and turns them into prayers! He intercedes for us!

READ v. 27

Christ takes the prayers the Holy Spirit translates and intercedes before the throne!

READ vv. 28

The intercession of Christ and the Holy Spirit make everything work together for good.

READ vv. 29-30

We are foreknown, predestined, called, justified, and glorified.

READ vv. 31-33

God is for us!

He freely gave us His Son. He will provide for us.

No charge can be brought against us because God has declared us righteous on the basis of Christ’s sacrifice and our faith in Him.

READ v. 34

We will never face condemnation because the judge is our defense attorney. He intercedes for us!

What does all this mean?

When charges are brought against us, God the Father declares us righteous.

When sin ought to condemn us, Jesus Christ intercedes.

When we don’t know what to pray for, the Holy Spirit intercedes.

When we pray, God the Holy Spirit brings our request to God the Son who then brings it before the Father.

Prayer is powerful.

We must pray always for all things.

This morning we will spend time in prayer.

I will present a topic and explain a little about it.

I will then take a sanitized microphone to anyone who would like to pray for that topic.

If you have prayer requests or praises, we will have a time to share those at the end.

Topic #1…

1. Prayer For The World’s Political Climate

1 Timothy 2:1–4 NKJV

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

1 Timothy 2:1-4

Hong Kong

Freedoms being restricted.

Yet I personally know people who are there serving Christ!

Russia

The leadership structure is crumbling.

Spiritually dark. Only 2% of the population attends church.

Yet I heard this week how a pastor named Eugene is leading people to Christ!

He even led a retired officer to Christ!

Their church has doubled in size every 2 years!

N. Korea

Some scary things are happening.

Yet, people in neighboring S. Korea are floating gospel tracts into the country on balloons!

America

We are struggling with a virus, racism, and a contentious presidential election.

We need prayer.

But according to Paul in 1 Timothy 2, we are to pray for salvation.

This includes praying for our governor and even those whose party and platform we would oppose.

PRAY

#493 “It Is Well With My Soul”

Topic #2…

2. Pray For The World’s Moral Climate

1 Corinthians 6:9–11 NKJV

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11

The world around us is full of what Paul describes here.

However, He gives us hope.

Some of the Corinthian believers, used to be that way too!

What happened? They met Jesus!

When you meet Jesus you are washed, sanctified, and justified!

This is what our world needs.

Our world needs to be washed, sanctified, and justified through the gospel of Jesus Christ!

The evidence of this is all around us.

Ireland’s Abortion Law Change

The law was struck down last year and went into effect in March.

Yet I now have family there shining as lights for Christ.

Britain's Pending Divorce Law Change

No fault divorce will probably be coming soon.

Yet missionaries are there, proclaiming the gospel

Supreme Court Decisions In The U.S.A.

Several decisions have been made in recent weeks that we are not thrilled with.

Yet our hope is not in people wearing robes.

Our hope is in the one who was mockingly dressed in a purple robe 2,000 years ago.

We have hope because Christ is in the business of transformation!

Some of us were once fornicators, idolaters, adulterers and all the rest.

But we are washed, sanctified, and justified in Jesus Christ!

PRAY

“Lord I Need You”

Topic #3…

3. Pray For The World’s Spiritual Climate

2 Corinthians 4:3-6

2 Corinthians 4:3–6 NKJV

But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

This is one of those passages where we are presented with both a problem and a solution.

The problem is that the gospel is hidden to those blinded by unbelief.

The solution to the problems of the world is the proclamation of Christ Jesus our Lord!

He brings light to sin-darkened eyes. He shines the knowledge of God into us.

While there is blindness in the world, we will face trials.

Persecution

Persecution Report: UGANDA

A 24-year-old Ugandan woman named Rehema was traveling with her father, a Muslim sheikh, on a business trip to the eastern part of their country this past March. Because of the travel restrictions of the Covid-19 virus, they were required to extend their stay in the Mbale District. On May 4, 2020, Rehema found a Christian radio program, and as a result of listening to it, she came to faith in Christ!

However, Rehema's Muslim father was so angry about her conversion that he beat her, poured gasoline on her, and set her on fire. Rehema’s aunt intervened and took her to the hospital for treatment, but she is expected to be hospitalized for at least a month until her extensive wounds heal. Please pray for Rehema’s recovery, that she would grow in her new faith in Christ, and that God would open her father’s heart to the Gospel.

Openness

India is opening. There are several IFCA churches there.

Started and pastored by nationals. They are reaching children who have been abandoned in the streets.

I know missionaries headed to more closed countries.

Indifference

I would suggest that this is the biggest issue we face.

Many who claim to be Christians in the US have no desire or ability to share the gospel.

Many who are unbelievers profess no interest in Spiritual things.

What do we do about this?

We faithfully proclaim Christ!

We live the gospel before our neighbors and friends.

We preach Christ Jesus the Lord and trust Him to give light.

PRAY

Please share your prayer requests and praises.

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#371 “Have Thine Own Way Lord”

Turn with me to 1Corinthians 11:23-32. This is a time for believers to remember the price that was paid. To be reminded of the penalty of sin. Taking part of communion does not save you. This is simply a way for us to be reminded of what Christ has done. If you know the Lord as savior this morning, please join us in bread and juice as we remember Jesus Christ. These are only symbols, they represent the body and blood of our Savior. Examination – verses 26-32

OBSERVANCE OF COMMUNION

The Bread (His Body) vv. 23-24 #372 “Living For Jesus” (Chorus Only)

The Cup (His Blood) v. 25 #385 “Near The Cross” (Chorus Only)

Conclusion

Conclusion

Am I having a consistent prayer time?

Who am I regularly bringing before God’s Throne?

Is God’s command to pray always being lived out through me?

Areas of Application

Personal: This could be a commitment to pray over my struggles, victories, and desires.

Friendship: We could commit to praying for the needs of friends both physical and spiritual.

Marriage: I could commit to praying for my spouse specifically and intentionally. We could start having a weekly or daily time of prayer together.

Parenting: Commit to praying for your children. Their salvation, growth, future spouse, career ect. Pray with them as well. Let them hear what you pray for them. Teach them to pray.

COMMITMENT: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Prayer is powerful.

We must all develop consistent, persistent, and passionate lives of prayer.

When we prayer, every member of the Godhead prays with us.

May we be reminded daily of the power and necessity of prayer.

#41 “God Is So Good”