Untitled Sermon (7)

THE BIBLICAL THEOLOGY OF PRAYER

(MOSES’ PRAYERS)

1 TIMOTHY 2:1—I EXHORT THEREFORE, THAT FIRST OF ALL, SUPPLICATIONS, PRAYERS, INTERCESSIONS, AND GIVING OF THANKS BE MADE FOR ALL MEN;

INTRODUCTION

Paul, without a doubt shows from the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that intercessions is needed.

As we study on the Life of Moses, we see how he became a intercessor for the Children of God.

LOOK AT EXODUS 32:1-10 ( read it)

The Overwhelming tone of Moses’ praying was totally unselfish. It was concerned primarily with Israel’s relationship with God. This concern for Israel is especially evident in his prayers in Exodus 32.

1. INTERCEDING FOR TRANSGRESSORS

The first of Moses’ prayers for Israel occurred while he was still on Mt. Sinai, holding the Ten Commandments.

God revealed to Moses that the children of Israel had committed a gross sin of idolatry.

LOOK AT EXODUS 32:10—NOW THEREFORE LET ME ALONE, THAT MY WRATH MAY WAX HOT AGAINST THEM, AND THAT I MAY CONSUME THEM: AND I WILL MAKE OF THEE A GREAT NATION.

At that moment Moses faced a painful dilemma.

One hand he was the advocate—(one who pleads another’s cause before a tribunal or judicial court.)

The word advocate occurs in 1 JOHN 2:1—MY LITTLE CHILDREN, THESE THINGS WRITE I UNTO YOU THAT YE SIN NOT. AND IF ANY MAN SIN, WE HAVE AN ADVOCATE WITH THE FATHER, JESUS CHRIST THE RIGHTEOUS.

The Greek word translated “advocate” is also found four times in the Gospel of John, all referring to the Holy Spirit.

John 14:16, John 14:26, John 15:26, John 16:7 --- the comforter which means helper.

Christians need an Advocate because of the Adversary, the devil or Satan, who accuses us before God ( 1 Peter 5:8, Rev. 12:10)

If Satan in the prosecuting attorney, Christ and the Holy Spirit are the legal advocates, the defense attorneys, who helps, defend, counsel, and comfort us.

They will plead the Christian’s case before God day and night, Intercessory prayer.

Let’s try to get a concept of intercession so we can understand intercessory prayer.

Before I define Intercession let’s look at intercessory prayer.

1. God’s plan for humankind at the time of the Creation.

2. The disruption of that plan by the Fall

3. God’s solution.

According to Webster, intercede means to go or pass between; to act between parties with a view to reconcile those who differ or contend; to interpose; to mediate or make intercession; mediation.

One more word—mediate means between two extremes: to interpose between parities as the equal friend of each; to negotiate between persons at variance with a view to reconciliation; to mediate a peace; intercession.

These two words are hand and hand, and both have everything to do with intercession.

The concept of intercession can be summarized as mediating, going between, pleading for another, representing one party to another for, but not limited to, legal situations.

So it boil down to representation--- my definition of representation—to represent means to re-present, or present again.

Intercession creates a meeting:

The word for intercession in Hebrew ( paga) which means to meet.

Intercession is not primarily a prayer a person prays, but something a person does that can be done through prayer.

Intercession creates a meeting. Intercessors meet with God; they also meet with the powers of darkness.

We become the go-between. Our meetings with God is to effect another meeting ( reconciliation) . We meet with Him asking Him to meet with some else.

LOOK AT PS. 85:10—MERCY AND TRUTH ARE MET TOGETHER; RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PEACE HAVE KISSED EACH OTHER.

God shows a dilemma here in these four words, mercy, truth, righteousness, and peace.

God is a God of mercy (lovingkindness, which means kindness, love, forgiveness), but God is also a God of truth (which represent His integrity and justice).

He also represent peace (safety, wholeness and rest), He is also represent righteousness (holiness and purity) without which there can be no peace.

This is the dilemma: A truly holy, righteous, just and true God cannot simply forgive, grant mercy to or bestow peace on a fallen humanity without compromising His character.

Sin cannot be excused. It must be judged and with it the sinner.

So, how can this holy, yet loving, God marry the two: The cross:

On the cross lovingkindness and truth met. Righteousness and peace kissed each other. And when they did, so did God and humanity!

Now let’s go back to MOSES

Moses was facing a painful dilemma. On one hand he was the advocate for a people who had flagrantly offended divine justice, on the other hand he was the advocate for divine integrity and justice.

We should understand that God was neither commanding nor instructing Moses to allow divine justice to run its course.

But God was provoking Moses to that kind of intercession which would justify His sparing Israel and preserve His integrity in the eyes of the Egyptians.

The true intercessor can be an instrument to influence the final outcome.

LOOK AT EXODUS 32:14—AND THE LORD REPENTED OF THE EVIL WHICH HE THOUGHT TO DO UNTO HIS PEOPLE.