Prerequisites related to the Work of Christ
III. PREREQUISITES FOR PRAYER – What is required for effective dialogue with God?
Given the vast separation between an absolutely holy God and an absolutely sinful man, who can we expect to carry on any kind of dialogue with God? What gives us the audacity to approach God? What makes us think we can dialogue with God and survive?
The Old Testament paints a frightening picture of relationship with God.
What are some of the Biblical images?
The writer of Hebrews summarizes the sentiment of the Israelites.
For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word be spoken to them. For they could not bear the command, "IF EVEN A BEAST TOUCHES THE MOUNTAIN, IT WILL BE STONED." And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, "I AM FULL OF FEAR and trembling." Hebrews 12:18-21
Smoke, fear, trembling, fire, earthquakes, ground opening up, lightening, struck with leprosy, death, distance, barriers, blazing light, flaming swords.
The law contained some elaborate rituals of purity and sacrifice required to approach God.
All this was symbolized in the time of Jesus by the thick veil that separated the holy place from the holy of holies.
The general feeling concerning relationship with God was fear and distance.
Only a privileged few enjoyed close relationship with God i.e. Abraham, Moses, Elijah, the prophets, David.
Jesus came to change all that. He came to demonstrate a side of God not generally understood; the love, mercy and grace of God who longed for intimate relationship with His creatures. That change is what the Gospels is all about.
Meaningful dialogue with God is affected by Christ’s work, our walk and the Father’s will. We will spend some time on each of those areas.
A.Requirements related to the WORK OF CHRIST
Jesus fulfilled three important requirements for dialogue with God. A.S K. We first need someone to get us access to the throne room. God’s holiness blocks access to those without proper clearance. Once in the throne room we need standing or reputation or status. Access and standing may allow us to present our case but kinship will determine intimacy and response to those petitions. Jesus makes all three a reality.
We will explore a few key Scripture passages related to each of these important truths.
1.Access – through the blood of Christ
And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split. Matthew 27:50-51
But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13
And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. Ephesians 2:17-18
This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. Ephesians 3:11-12
Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:19-22
Until Jesus, we could not enter God’s presence. His death on the cross gave us confident access to God’s throne.
Therefore, since 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 cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16
Implications?
2.Standing – through the righteousness of Christ
It is one thing to gain access to God’s presence; it is another to have standing. It is not enough to have our criminal record cleared. We need a record of positive righteousness. None of us could do enough good works to merit standing before God who is pure righteousness. There is only one place to get that kind of righteousness. Christ gives us His righteousness. His perfect record of righteousness has been deposited in our account.
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21
Now not for his sake (Abraham) only was it written that it (righteousness) was credited to him, but for our sake also, to whom it (righteousness) will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification. Romans 4:23-25
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2
Implications
You don’t have to get cleaned up. You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to earn an audience.
You have standing with Christ because of Jesus who present before the Father holy and blameless.
And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach. Colossians 1:21-22
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. Jude 1:24-25
3.Kinship – through the name of Christ
Now we have access and standing to approach the throne. We need relationship.
We need connection if we are to get results from our dialogue.
It is not what you know but who you know. Connection, networking.
Not everyone who says to Me, ’Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. "Many will say to Me on that day, ’Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ’I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’ Matthew 7:21-23
It is the power of His name that gives us the connection.
We are authorized to use the credit card.
We come in His name.
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17
We are connected to the Father through Christ.
Because of Jesus we have at least four levels of connection with the Father.
a)Legal Connection – High priest, lawyer, intercessor
Jesus is our mediator, high priest, lawyer and intercessor.
…since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith… Heb 10:19
For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. 1 Timothy 2:5-6
(We have come) to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant… Hebrews 12:24
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; 1 John 2:1
Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:24-25
Implications?
b)Family Connection – joint heir, brother, friend
The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Chris... Rom 8:16-17
But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:31-32
Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. John 14:13-14
In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I will request of the Father on your behalf; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father. John 16:26-27
Implications?
c)Marital Connection – bride of Christ
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. Ephesians 5:25-27
Implications?
d)Spiritual Connection – Holy Spirit
In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26-27
for through Him(Christ) we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. Ephesians 2:18
Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. Galatians 4:6-7
With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, Ephesians 6:18
But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. Jude 1:20-21
Implications?
Any hesitation to dialogue with the Father is eliminated because of the Work of Christ.
He provides Access through His blood (death on the cross).
He grants Standing through His righteousness (resurrection.)
He establishes Kinship and connection through His name (ascension)
There is NO reason for us not to talk to God.
Our sin cannot block access.
Our sin does not affect standing.
Our sin does not break connection – we are His children who come in the name of His Beloved Son.
His door is always open to us.
His arms are always open for us.
His heart is always inclined to us.
