Sermon nuggets Mon Oct 27
Theme- Praying for believers
Verses John 17:20-21"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
Intercession
As we have been mindful of Jesus prayer, we saw in the first part of this chapter the intimacy He had with the Father. There is love in the relationship with the Divine. God didn’t need to create mankind because He was lonely. In this unique and mysterious relationship between Father, Son and Holy Spirit God was complete. But to display His glory He chose to create mankind in His own image. Creation didn’t come from loneliness it came from love.
As Adam and Eve enjoyed their intimacy in the Garden of Eden with God and one another, Satan did what he could to interrupt that. The temptation to sin led to the fall and broke spiritual and human relationships. Jesus came to restore us to the Father. He came to make what is unholy and sanctify us to be holy before His throne. The purchase of our redemption was the goal of displaying His glory to all the universe.
But be assured this role that Jesus played was not only in His sacrifice but also as high priest. The job of the priest was to act on behalf of the seekers of God. Hebrews tells us 7:25-26 “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. 26 Such a high priest meets our need-- one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.”
Jesus demonstrated to Peter personally that the Son of God was praying for Him and bringing Him before the throne in prayer when He prayed that Peter’s faith may not fail.
In this marvelous truth of intercession Jesus is not the only one who prays for us, but Romans 8:26 informs us, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” The third member of the Trinity is also involved with this ministry of intercession.
Today you and I are being prayed for by Jesus and the Holy Spirit. But further teaching in the New Testament also gives each believer the task of interceding for others. 1 Tim 2:1-6 “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men-- the testimony given in its proper time.”
Jesus prays for all believers, His church. But take comfort as each hair on our head is numbered, so each member of the body of believers is on the mind and heart of our Lord.
How does the reminder that Jesus is praying for you today affect you? There is spiritual work going on now on your behalf as you go about your day.
We have a wonderful savior.
Pastor Dale.
