THE GREATEST NEED OF THE CHURCH: INTERCESSION
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
Text:
DEFINE SAD DAY?
Ezekiel 22:30 (KJV) And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge,
and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
Ezekiel 22:30 (NIV) "I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand
before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.
Ezekiel 22:30 (MSG) "I looked for someone to stand up for me against all this, to repair the
defenses of the city, to take a stand for me and stand in the gap to protect this land so I
wouldn't have to destroy it. I couldn't find anyone. Not one.
*IF YOU TRULY LOVE PEOPLE WE WILL DESIRE FOR THEM FAR MORE THAN
*IT IS IN OUR POWER TO GIVE THEM, AND THIS WILL LEAD US TO PRAYER.
*Richard J. Foster
I. THERE ARE SEVERAL NECCESARY ELEMENTS TO FIND FOR GOOD INTERCESSION.
1. FAITHFULNESS
2. Continual
3. To be in the TRENCHES and know the needs.
4. To honest know the needs of people are greater than your ability to fix.
5. To trust completely that God has a plan and purpose.
6. We must accept IN THE PROCESS OF TIME, Divine Timing...
7. We must have faith that our PRAYERS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE...
8. We must come to God broken hearted and repent...
9. We must pray until we PRAY THROUGH...
10. We must stand in the gap for our family, church, our nation, and the world...
II. WE MUST BELIEVE AND TRUST THAT GOD IS ABLE TO DO WHATSOEVER WE ASK...
Ephesians 3:20 (KJV) Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we
ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Ephesians 3:20 (NIV) Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or
imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
Ephesians 3:20 (MSG) God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine
or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working
within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.
A. In May 1996 VALUJET FLIGHT 592 crashed into the swampy Florida everglades, all 110
people on board this jet was killed in the crash.
The NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD need to have the BLACK BOX from the
crash to understand what had happened. The crash had left debris scattered over a large
area. Finding the black box was like searching for a needle in a haystack. Hundreds of people
searched through the mud, muck, and water for many days.
They called in the Navy experts to help with all the latest gadgets and technology, there was
no success.The searchers held a rope with a person every three feet apart and combed the
area.
B. There was jet fuel and hydraulic fluid on top of the waters. Each searcher had to wear
several layers rubber/latex ... The heat was over 90* --- the heat index was even greater.
The humidity and heat in the outfits was almost unbearable. Many people suffered from
dehydration, but the black box had to be found.
For 14 days the search started at dawn until darkness. There was a searcher from
THE METRO-DADE POLICE FORCE that was in the search each day. After the 14th
day OFFICER --- SERGEANT FELIX JIMENEZ PRAYED... THE 110 FAMILIES
WERE SUFFERING AND NEEDED THE BODIES AND BLACK BOX TO BE FOUND.
Jimenez prayed much of the night, seeking God, he knew God knew where the Box
was and he sought God to lead someone to the BLACK BOX. So he sought God in
prayer.
C. The 15th day Sergeant Jimenez ask the Holy Spirit to guide him. He had a pole
in his hand and he kept prayfully sticking the pole in the muck, BANG, HE HIT
SOMETHING METAL, HE PULLED THE BLACK BOX out of the muck.
D. Guideposts interviewed Jimenez:
AT THE END OF THE DAY---I THOUGHT HOW MANYDAYS WE SPENT SEARCHING
FOR THE FLIGHT RECORDER, HOW WE MUST HAVE TROMPED OVER IT MANY
TIMES, AND I WONDERED WHY ITS RETRIEVAL HAD TAKEN SO LONG?
AMID THE RUSTLE OF SAW GRASS AND THE GREAT CALL OF THE WHITE
HERON, WHY SO LONG?
I HEARD A RESPONSE: "WHY DID IT TAKE SO LONG TO ASK?"
III. FOUR MEN ARE SITTING AROUND TALKING, THEY HAVE A FRIEND WITH
PALSY... HE WAS A GOOD MAN, BUT HE WAS SO SICK... SOME ONE GETS
A BETTER IDEA... HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT JESUS?
A. Every miracles starts some where in a man's eyes and his heart.
B. THIS MIRACLE IS GOING TO REQUIRE MUCH EFFORT...
Mark 2:2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no
room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word
unto them.
3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.
C. THE WILL BE OBSTACLES AND PROBLEMS TRYING TO HINDER THE
INTERCESSION'S MIRACLE...
D. NOW HERE WE ARE AND WE CAN'T SEE JESUS?
Mark 2:4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the
roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the
sick of the palsy lay.
5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be
forgiven thee.
E. WOULD WE CARRY A FRIEND TO A MIRACLE?
The first seat belt? Tie him to the bed, we came this far, we refuse to go home
without our miracle.
F. THIS MIRACLE REPORT WOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED WITH OUT
FOUR INTERCEEDER!
IV. THEN WE HAVE FAMILIES THAT NEED SOMEONE TO INTERCEDE FOR THEM...
A. Job must have seen beyond the eye's focus, he prayed...
Job 1:5 And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and
sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to
the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God
in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.
V. WE HEAR THE CRY WHY? WHY? WHY?
GOD SAYS: TRUST ME!
THE WORD MUST BE HOW CAN I TOUCH GOD?
A. SIN IS EXPENSIVE, PRAYER MOVES THE HAND OF GOD...
2 Samuel 12:16 David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in,
and lay all night upon the earth.
B. DAVID KNOWS HOW TO PRAY...
Psalm 109:4 For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer.
C. DAVID KNOWS THE POWER OF PRAYER AND INTERCESSION...
DAVID LEARNED HOW TO WORSHIP GOD... (BEFORE THE ARK)
1 Chronicles 29:17 I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in
uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these
things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly
unto thee. 18 O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever
in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee:
19 And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies,
and thy statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for the which I have made
provision. 20 And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the LORD your God. And all
the congregation blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and
worshipped the LORD, and the king.
VI. PARENTS PLEADED FOR MERCY FOR THEIR CHILDREN...
THERE WERE NO PILLS, BABY ASPIRINS, OR SHOTS...
A. GOOD PARENTS KNOW HOW TO GET A PRAYER TO JESUS...
Mark 5:22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name;
and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,
23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee,
come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.
24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.
B. DO NOT PAY ATTENTION TO THE NEGATIVE.
MARK 5:35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain
which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?
36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue,
Be not afraid, only believe.
40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and
the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.
41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted,
Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.
.
VII. SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO SEEK YOUR OWN MIRACLE!
MARK 5:25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,
26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was
nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.
28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.
CONCLUSION:
1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
WE NEED INTERCESSORS IN THE CHURCH TO:
* 1. LIFT THE HANDS THAT HANG DOWN
* 2. TO STOP THE ATTACK ON THE FAMILY
* 3. TO SEEK MERCY FROM THE JUDGMENTS OF SIN
* 4. TO BRING SPIRITUAL REVIVAL AND RESTORATION
* 5. TO PRAY FOR OUR GOVERNMENT AND SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP
* 6. TO SEEK SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND KNOW GOD'S PLAN, PURPOSE
* 7. THERE ARE PEOPLE IN GREAT DANGER, STAND IN THE GAP...
Will we heed the call of the Holy Spirit to PRAY WITH CEASING...
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
Enlarge my hands and tell another of my work?
