Relying on Christ's Ongoing Priestly Work for Daily Living & Prayering
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Dear Congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Jason Grey not afraid to talk about his doubts and struggles. On a tour bus - concert paid - if “lost faith” would h still keep singing those words of the faith? Then he thinks to himself, maybe t is no God no Jesus, like Beetles need no religion too. Maybe its all just self-talk therapy. But you know what brings him back? Too things really - the person of Jesus - real person in history confronts all of us - really God really man , and thing that makes Christianity so unique as well among all the therapies, philosophies, ideologies, and religions, that God in Christ working - and that working is Grace. For Jason that very real person working very real grace , in history - that brings him back.
It really was like that for CS Lewis coming back to Christ’s church and embracing Christ with faith - Tolkien and Dyson… said to him one evening - this world in battle and he myths and fairy tales - trying to capture truths to deal with it. but after reading gospel again and again - it clicked this story - with all the truths, all the grace - all victory and the hope. It is the myth the story that became fact. If ever story needed to come true it was this one, and that’s what the gospel the life and work t Person of Christ is - not just bare facts - bu God did this history and is His real work that brings all his grace to us - changes our relationship with God, change us and our world!
For both Jason Gray picking up the pieces after a disastrous and painful divorce, and Lewis still making sense of he despair of the wold that WWI , for both of them, this is what makes their faith not just general belief about God and therapy or nice ideas or high moral thoughts. Lewis writes 12 days later to his closest friend Arthur Grieves, an unbeliever: I have just passed on from believing in God to definitely believing in God and in Christianity!
If Lewis just stayed with the story as interesting beneficial but not the one that is fairy tale that’s true in fact, He would never have begun a new life of actually trusting Christ. He may have understood ideas of grace, forgiveness, justice, holiness - but he wouldn't have embraced the Christ, the Living Son of God who did all this accomplished all this, been united to Him - and then as our text in Romans 5 puts it - having this peace, having been reconciled by Christ’s past work, having been saved from the wrath of God - he wouldn’t have begun to actually live in Christ, as Romans 5:2 describes it:
Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
For both Jason and Lewis, the Holy Spirit had revealed to them Christ all his work and trusting in Christ as that living and great high priest - they were ushered into a standing in grace - in which the living Christ who did all that history, in just as real actions to them Has to be the Living One who continues His Priestly Work from heaven - so they continue their Xn life and persevere and grow in it to the end. That is the key truth of our confession tonight:
Key Truth: The Living Christ’s ongoing priesthood from heaven is the foundation of Christian living.
Key Truth: The Living Christ’s ongoing priesthood from heaven is the foundation of Christian living.
We are talking now not about the foundation of our salvation - justification - we’re not talking about Christ’s once for sacrifice that makes us at-one with God , ground of our acceptance. Nor are we talking about the infused life that yo and I get from Christ when we have been joined to Him in faith - the fruit of justification - holy living enabled by the Spirit according to the law. But this is talking about after the things happen and are continuing to happen, how do you relate to the living Christ now. Can’t be just a bunch of ideas or human traditions that you live the rest of your Christian life by - we’ve got to start going our Christian living by His life and work right now from heaven. Well what is that life and work, that flows from His and work on he Cross?
A) Defining Christ’s Work as One & Only Mediator & Intercessor
A) Defining Christ’s Work as One & Only Mediator & Intercessor
The Scripture is clear, Jesus work as Saviour wasn’t done by presenting Himself as that sacrifice and rising again. He ascends into heaven to continue to minister - he’s like the early OT priests - you make the sacrifice, then you present it to God, but then before the Holy Place you speak with God fellowship and intercede. What is Jesus doing in heave right now. Reigning, and He is preparing a place. But that’s all related to his ongoing work in interceding for us down here below. That’s why our confession quotes Hebrews 7:24-25
but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
Christ always lives to pray for those who have put their trust in Him. He lives on in heaven now not just to justify us, get us to heaven, but to save to the uttermost - every part of our lives renewed and refined, He won’t stop interceding to the Father; He won’t stop ruling the nations and the circumstances of this world a your life - to get you to that goal - to be completely saved in every way a every part.
Right there in the middle of this verse if the secret to Christian living - yes Christ will do all this ongoing saving and interceding, but who does he do it for? Those who draw near to God through Him. Do you do this in your day to day Christian living and praying? You see its not just I trusted Jesus work on the Cross, and I received the Holy Spirit and I’ll try to be a good Christian on my own steam until heaven. NO, now I have received reconciliation, like our text says, now I live through Christ each day, with Him in Him, using this access I have into this grace. Well access into what? What is this grace that the Christian life is to be lived from?
Our confession quotes Hebrews 10:19
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,
United to Christ, seated with Him in the heavenly places - we can go into the direct presence of the throne room of God- so important for worship - but why else would you do this every day with the Living Jesus? What is the focus of this intercession with the Father? Look at Heb 4:14-16
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Our confession makes much of how qualified the Living Christ is not only to save us on the Cross, but afterwards, to totally know our struggles, suffering, our sin, our temptation, He has felt them and know them - not just sympathy from a distant not really knowing what its like - but like a fellows cancer sufferer says I’ve been there too, in very way but without sin, but he became each one of our sins, suffered its effects - and loved us while still stuck in our sins, gave himself, - that Saviour isn’t don with dealing with your weakness suffering and sin and temptation - he lives now says Romans 5:10 to b saved in ongoing way by His life too, not just by His death on the Cross.
For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
And this works as we turn to Him as an intercessor, mediator in heaven for us now, and what did Heb 4 say we do “we draw near and we receive new mercy and find grace to help in time of need! Jesus is such an understanding intercessor, Bruised reed won’t snap, flickering wick not snuff out - come to me - Gentleness - Yet fully God with all power and with cleansing effective blood - able to exercise the perfect compassion of God himself. Won’t lose a single one of us, wouldn’t persevere wouldn’t keep on -without this ministry. But Hebrews 1 tells us after he made purification, where did he sit down? Not lay down to take a nap, but ascends to be seated in an office, a high job now able to do - at the right hand of God the Father he lives to intercede for His people!
Isn’t that what Jesus promised all believers in John 17:6-9. Father I am not just praying for the world in general, listen to Jesus ministry as ongoing intercessor for us:
“I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.
Is’t that what he promised Peter in the most wonderful way: Satan has desired to sift you, but I have prayed for you! What will you being praying for me for - Son of God, Saviour of the World - Peter -praying stand, when fall get up , praying perfectly equipped to go on -restore others - praying for work I have for you each day!
I wonder if you rely on Your Ongoing High Priest, Your Intercessor for such prayers for yourself? Do you believe he not only died to save you, but he knows your name, even has a special one for you? Do you believe, like high priests written on his heart, and his hands, do you believe Jesus moved with compassion at your struggle and temptation - not ashamed of you at all, ready to do to the utmost - become holy and happy and helpful - fruitful. Has prayers and that He invites you to go directly through Him to God with such requests and prayer!
Do yo know how much money is spent on counseling - why more than any other generation n history of world - don’t ha ti for one another, don’t have relationships really speak honestly and from the heart… good thing we have con selling and will be over run. But in the same way, perhaps why we aren’t more holy, more helpful and fruitful, why we feel misunderstood and lonely. Because we don’t spend time, with our Intercessor - don’t on the basi of our reconciliation feel worthy to come in to God’ presence and live with that kind of intimacy. And yet this is why Jess says, I’m no twiddling my thumbs in heaven, I live to give you this kind of access!
That is why, while we still need friends, Christian fellowship essential, built in to the body of Christ, look what Paul says: 1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
Why 1 John 1 says, we have an Advocate. We don’t need to seek or invent any others means to get close to God. Maybe tonight you are seeking the counsel, the comfort, the help you need from a hundred and one earthly sources, but don’t live turning to the one and only Mediator.
And that brings us to the second part of this article. Why must we turn to Jesus alone for this kind of help and comfort and guidance and assurance?
B. Live with Christ as Your Only Mediator,
B. Live with Christ as Your Only Mediator,
Well, in the time DeBres was writing, people so used to thinking that they could never be worthy enough in themselves to really pray directly to God to come to Jesus, so in their Christian living - they didn’t really seek access with God, the help, mercy, the prayer, the guidance - comes from Ministering Jesus to His people wasn’t sought.
No where were people seeking access? Where did they think they could find comfort, mercy, understanding, and guidance? Back then it was through the saints, and particularly the Virgin Mary.
They didn't feel like the Living Jesus was an option for them why? Look what our confession says:
We should not plead here that we are unworthy - for it is not a question offering our prayers on the basis of our own dignity but only on the basis of the excellence and dignity of Jesus Christ, whose righteousness is ours by faith. Belgic Confession Art. 26
It was so sad, they said, Jesus is way too holy and far away for me to draw near to Him. Some great distant figure - way out there at Judgment day, Far to busy and uninterested in me. And besides I know how unholy I am, why would he even give me the time of day, let alone allow me to draw near. No, I won’ bother him. I will go to someone who gets me better than Jesus - these saints - I will pray to them who aren’t so holy and get me better. Or I will ask them to pray for me to Jesus. I will use them who have a surplus of grace - to give me some of that grace and help me through. The idea was like the political structure of the Roman Empire. Little old you and me can’t go directly to Caesar with our need or grievance. But like a great big pyramid with Caesar at the the top and you and I at the bottom, you just pass your plea or request or need up tot he next level of the pyramid. So I have a buddy who can ask the prefect …
And the most accessible and most grace-filled in this Roman Catholic scheme was the Virgin Mary - even immaculate conception. She has excess of personal grace o give to you and me. Think even of religious art of medieval period - though see pictures of Christ on the Cross -so focused on physical pain - not very approachable. But who is approachable - there is Mary and the Christ-Child - pray to mother Mary . And third most popular medieval subject of Art - is Christ -as Judge on Great Day. Can’t go to him.
And our confession asks the question, OK did Christ throw wide the everlasting doors to the holy place, or not? Do you have access and will you live with that access, or return to living with the door firmly shut to you? Just think of how the apostles approached his situation. Peter by Cornelius miraculous healing, bows to him as a god, .. must not do that. Think of Paul and Barnabas at Lystra - heals lame man - the whole city calling them Zeus and Mercury cry - about to make sacrifices to them - no.. .only one mediator real way to Living One.
But this evening you, maybe you think don’t have this controversy don’t need this as longest questions along with Lord’s Supper & Baptism in my confession. Well let me ask they question quite pointedly. When do you get miffed with the message POOR CONNECTION - not fun when internet tells you that - frustrated by a busy signal, who or what do you run too to deal with life, to … We may not turn to the saints in prayer - but we may spill our guts out on Facebook, we may expect others to validate our concerns, and achievements. We may turn to the nanny state of he government, thinking they are the solution to the problem I will hound them. Our intercession may not be with saints, but it may be with mere humans, Dr Phil or your favourite author with fixes you need. It may be idolatrous attachment to friends or spouse -
If you are turning there, if that is who you spend your time spilling out your need your confusion, your achievements to get their approval. Listen to our OT text: Jeremiah 17:5-6
Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.
That’s not talking about having great friendships and fellowship of believers, that’s talking about turning people into what God alone can be the perfect mediator:
Listen to our confession:
Since it has pleased God to give us his Son as our Intercessor, let us not leave him for another - or rather seek, without ever finding. Belgic Confession Art. 26
Do you see it God give Himself in Jesus to us, not just to be the Sacrificial Lamb, but also the Lamb is the perfect and ongoing High Priest you and I need. And we need him way more than Facebook, family, friends, He alone able and interested to totally care for us and transform us. To comfort us and to carry us!
And so the rest of our OT text, shows the blessing of what happens when we start living with Jesus not only as our Saviour, but also as our On-going day by day intercessor with God. Jer 17:7-8
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
Do you see it the fruitfulness of your life, its health and joy, is dependent on what? Your trusting into Christ. That is what is at stake as to whether you live with Christ as your intercessor, whether daily through Him you gain access to stand in the grace of God’s Presence and plead and ask.
And that brings us to the last of living with Jesus as your Intercessor as the foundation of you Christian living. And that is the blessing of having Christ as your Intercessor. Its
C. Join Christ in that Place of Grace in True Prayer
C. Join Christ in that Place of Grace in True Prayer
What ought we to do if we have liberty to go into the Most Holy Place in Heaven with Jesus? Listen to what Jesus says the blessing of that reality is: John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Christ’s expectation in offering the perfect sacrifice and taking up the role of being your priest forever - is that you will come to the Father. Just be in his presence, worship in spirit and truth there. But the exercise of faith is prayer. Freely ask your Father seeking His will and believing His goodness.
If it is pure lack of trust that we turn to others be it they saints or be they friends or be it Facebook or Dr. Phil. Guess what? It is pure faith to simply pray through Jesus in the Father’s presence - true prayer modeled after the Lord's Prayer. Do we do that? Eph 3:12 says:
in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
We don’t need other priests or rituals or saints. All her meditations set aside. Listen to 1 Peter 2:5
you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
use of Christ perfect priestly work and because of his ongoing mediation as priest in prayer, when we step into God’s presence with him - we all get to share in His priesthood. When we worship and pray we are bringing sacrifices to God, spiritual sacrifices - and they are pleasing to God. Not pleasing worship or pleasing prayer based on how pure e can make them, but only because purified and offered in Christ.
This means no matter how eloquent beatified our prayers or worship may be if they are not offered o God through this mediation of Christ and in the power of his Spirit - just empty words -but each one of us in our frail, some time inarticulate prayer & worship - when in Christ trusting in His work - it is heard and indeed answered even before we offer it in Christ.