PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM
1. Genesis 12: 1 The Lord had said to Abram, Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.
2. Psalm 122 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. 7 Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.
INTRODUCTION: PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM (PART 1) TEACH
1. Fast & Prayer: Gratitude To All. Thanks For My Trip Also.
2. Illustration: Mother-In-Law Dies In Israel
3. Ayatollah: “Israel Is A Cancer That Must Be Removed From The Middle East.”
4. Go Through Presentation: Then Flow (Don’t Have To Finish).
One Cannot Read The Bible Without Noticing The Importance God Places Upon Israel And Jerusalem. Psalm 48:2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. Zion is another name for Jerusalem. Song: We are marching to Zion, beautiful, beautiful Zion, we're marching upward to Zion, the beautiful city of God. Psalm 132:13-14 For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. 14 This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it. Ezekiel 5:5 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: This is Jerusalem, which I have set in the center of the nations, with countries all around her. Psalms 22:6 “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. They shall prosper that love thee.”
The First Mention Of Jerusalem Is In Genesis 14:18 Where It Is Referred To As Salem (Peace) in reference to Melchidesec, King of Salem. When David captured the city of Jerusalem from the Jebusites in 2 Kings 5, he declares it the political and religious center for Israel. However, down through the centuries, Jerusalem has experienced little peace. Because of Israel's sin, Jerusalem has been attacked and laid waste many times. Since the destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD by the Roman Emperor Titus, this city has been captured & destroyed by the Persians, the Muslims, the Crusaders from Europe, the Egyptians, the Ottoman Turks and the British. Finally, in 1948, Israel was given back to the Jews by British Mandate and became a state against all odds.
That Was A Miracle. Isaiah 66:8 Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Can a land be born in one day? Can a nation be brought forth all at once? As soon as Zion travailed, she also brought forth her sons. 9"Shall I bring to the point of birth and not give delivery?" says the Lord. "Or shall I who gives delivery shut the womb?" says your God. Israel resurgence as a nation is all over the Bible – Ezekiel 37. However, as soon as Israel was granted statehood, then her neighboring Arab enemies attacked her. The nation is still in conflict. Both the late Yasser Arafat and current Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas claim claimed Jerusalem as capitol city of the Palestinian State. This is not possible. This is why God commanded us to "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem?"
FOUR (4) THINGS I OBSERVE ABOUT ISRAEL FROM THESE PASSAGES.
1. Ezekiel 36 28 You will live in the Land that I gave to your fathers; and you will be My People, and I will be your God.
2. Numbers 14: 15 Now if You kill these People as one man, then the Nations that have heard of Your fame will say, 16 Because the Lord was not able to bring these people into the Land which He Promised to give them, therefore He slaughtered them in the wilderness.
3. Genesis 17: 8 I Will Give to you and to your Descendants after you, the Land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.
4 THINGS ABOUT ISRAEL & CHRISTIANS
1. People: God Chose A People.
2. Promise: God Gave His Word To Abraham, Isaac, Jacob.
3. Property: Arid And Dry But Turns Green When They Till It.
4. Presence Of God: God Will Always Be There.
FOCUS ON THE PRECIOUS PROMISES OF GOD!!!
Just How Many Of These Great And Precious Promises Do You Think Are In The Bible? 100? 1000? 10,000? There are approximately 30,000 promises in the Bible! Peter calls these “Precious” promises. What makes these promises so great and precious? Certainly because they come from a great God who can do the impossible. There are promises regarding anger, belief, love, children, comfort, contentment, God’s discipline, Courage, Death, Enemies, Fear, Food and Clothing, Forgiveness, Fruitfulness, suffering, etc. Can a Mother Forget Her Nursing … / They that sow in tears… / The Steps of a Good Man … / Heaven and earth may pass away … / Be not deceived … / Touch not my anointed … / Seek Ye first … Though you go through the fire … / Of all of these promises, the ones that appeal to me most are the ones that tell me it will be alright even in the darkest hour. There are 2 – one in the Old Testament and one in the New Testament.
1. Job 23:1-10: Then Job Replied: 2 "Even today my complaint is bitter; his hand is heavy in spite of my groaning. 3 If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling! 4 I would state my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments. 5 I would find out what he would answer me, and consider what he would say. 6 Would he oppose me with great power? No, he would not press charges against me. 7 There an upright man could present his case before him, and I would be delivered forever from my judge. 8 "But if I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find him. 9 When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him. 10 But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
2. I Peter 2:19 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 20But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. I Peter 5:10 10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, will perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
AS WE ANOINT AFTER FAST & PRAYER, REMEMBER HIS PROMISES; COMMIT TO THEM
1. Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?
2. Joshua 21:45: Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to the house of Israel failed; everyone was fulfilled.
3. Matthew 16:18: Jesus said: I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. It has been in existence for 2000 years and will remain until the end. The church has faced attacks without and within. Satan continues to try to destroy it, but God protects her.
4. Matthew 28:20: Jesus said: “I will be with you always.” God makes this promise always. To Joshua (Jos. 1:5): “No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” To Paul (2 Tim. 4:16-17): “At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength.”
5. Isaiah 41:10: God Promised: “I Will Strengthen You.” “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” 2 Thes. 3:3 “But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” Philip. 4:13: “I can do all things through him who gives me strength.”
6. John 14:1-3: Jesus Said: “I Will Come Again.” “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
7. Read: Psalms 91:1-16 / Psalms 27:1-6 / Psalms 23
8. Isaiah 43:2: When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you; when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle you.
9. Luke 12:32: Fear not little flock or children, for it is your father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
10. Acts 1:8: 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
11. Matthew 10:28: Do not fear those who kill the body, but cannot harm the soul.
12. Psalms 46:1: God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble.
13. Gal. 3:6-11 6 So Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. 7 Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. 8 Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: All nations will be blessed through you. 9 So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
4 WAYS WE RECEIVE GOD’S PROMISES
1. We Must Do Prayerful Study Of Our Bibles. 2 Cor. 1:20 In Christ all the promises of God are yes. But we must search the Scriptures to find and claim each one.
2. We Must Patiently Wait To Receive God’s Promises. Hebrews 6:15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. Abraham waited 25 years - until he was 100 years old - between God’s original promise and the birth of Isaac.
3. We Need To Live In Obedience To God’s Will. Hebrews 10:36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.
4. We Must Receive God’s Promises By Faith. Heb. 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we don’t see. This is what the ancients were commended for. Heb. 11:6 Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Walk by faith, not sight.
CONCLUSION: WHY PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM? “IT’S COMPLICATED”
1. God Promised Abraham Those Who Blessed Him Would Be Blessed and those who cursed him would be cursed (Genesis 12:2-3).
2. Pray For The Countries Where The Jewish People Have Been Scattered: Hardly a country on the face of the earth has not had some Jewish inhabitants at one time or another. Furthermore, history records that in times of national distress or unrest, Jews become scapegoats in countries in which they live. Why? Divine cosmic struggle between God and Satan.
3. Pray For The Countries Where Christians Live: When the Temple at Jerusalem was destroyed, the early Jewish believers in Jesus knew that there was no longer a need for the Temple with its sacrifices because the Messiah had come as the final sacrifice for sin. Although there is no longer a Temple structure in Jerusalem, we Christians are the temples of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, as the Psalmist prayed for Jerusalem's peace for the sake of the Temple of God, we ought to pray for the well-being of those nations where Christians live.
4. Pray For Unhindered Proclamation Of The Gospel: Pray that many people of many nations might come to know the God of Israel. Pray especially that many Jewish people might come to know their Messiah. Only then will they know true peace, as Jesus Himself said when He wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:42): "...If thou hadst known...in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! But now they are hidden from thine eyes".
5. Jerusalem Is The Center Of The Universe: Ezekiel 5:5 This is what the Lord God says: I have set this Jerusalem in the center of the nations, with countries all around her. Medieval maps called her the Umbilicus Mundi (Navel of the World). Aside from geographical considerations, we see Jerusalem as the "center" for it is central in God's plan for the human race. Isaiah 62:7 And give God no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
6. To Pray For The Peace Of Jerusalem Is To Pray For The Kind Of Peace That Only God Can Bring: Peace which produces an end to wars and strife. Only Jesus can bring this peace.
7. To Pray For The Peace Of Jerusalem Is To Weep Over Her With The Lord Jesus: Agree with Jesus in Luke 19:42: "If thou hadst known...the things which belong unto thy peace!" These things are hidden from Israel as a nation right now, though they are being discovered and received by individual Jews. It is our privileged duty to tell them - until the prophecy of Zechariah 12:10 be fulfilled. Then God will pour out His Spirit upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and they will recognize the Messiah. Romans 11:26 "...all Israel shall be saved."
8. God’s Protection Of Israel, The Jewish People, Their Friends And Allies. The destruction of any plots to remove leaders who stand against separating the Land of Israel.
9. America To Be A True Ally To Israel. Nations are blessed for standing with Israel.
10. Perhaps You Need The Promise Of Victory Over Temptation. 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
11. Maybe You Require The Wisdom To Deal With The Trials In Your Life. Claim James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”
12. If You Are The Victim Of Slander, Divorce, Or Disease You May Wonder If Anything Good Can Come Out Of It. Take hold of 1 Peter 5:10: "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
13. Perhaps You Are Shouldering A Tremendous Burden Of Guilt. You would give anything to wipe out your past sins.
14. Receive This Promise: 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Whatever it is that we need, God is able to keep His promises. Learn to trust Him according to His promises. Your lives will change.
WE WILL NOW ANOINT!!!
1. Ezekiel 37: 3 And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord God, thou knowest. 4 Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. 5 Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live. (Judean desert)
2. Ezekiel 11: 17 Therefore say: This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will gather you from the nations and bring you back from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you back the land of Israel again.
3. Isaiah 10:27 And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.
PRAYER: BREAK EVERY YOKE AND REPLACE IT WITH FRESHNESS.
PSALM 92: 12 The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. 13 Those who are planted in the house of the Lord Shall flourish in the courts of our God. 14 They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing.
