THE TREK TO THE THRONE
Hebrews 4:16 "Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
One angle to tie these attributes, these qualities together is to relate it to a backpacking trip. People who do backpacking for several days or more at a time, plan for the journey. If they are climbing K2 or Mount Everest, they make sure they have everything they need to approach the mountain and to summit successfully. The Bible instructs us about ‘approaching the throne of grace’ with the right gear, or heart attitude. As we examine the Word of God there is spiritual equipment we’ll need for our trek to the very throne of God. Do we have what it takes in your spiritual backpack for your trek to the very throne of God? (These can be taught in a different order.)
As you discover different helps to the approach to the summit, you will discover some come naturally to you and others are much more challenging. One suggestion would be to thank God for your natural approach and ask God to impress just one piece of equipment that would assist you in your approach to the Throne and ask God for growth in that area.
TODAY, LET'S APPROACH THE THRONE OF GOD...
1> INTENDED for God's glory…
[Our supreme purpose]
1 Kings 18:37 "…'Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God.'"
Luke 19:10 "For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
John 14:13 "You can ask for anything in My name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father."
John 17:1 "When Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you."
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 "We always pray for you, that our God may . . . fulfill every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you."
"It is the answer to prayer which makes praying a power for God and for man and makes praying real and divine. Unanswered prayers are training schools for unbelief, an imposition and a nuisance, an impertinence to God and man." - E.M. Bounds
2> IN AWE, Worship, God Most High...
[Bring binoculars – to see the grand perspective]
John 4:23 "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks."
1 Timothy 1:17 "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen."
Revelation 4:8b "Day and night they never stop saying: "'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,' who was, and is, and is to come."
"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." -A.W. Tozer
3> IN LOVE, Adoration, God Most Nigh...
[Bring Food, Water, the raw energy that fuels the body and soul.]
Psalm 42:1 "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God."
2 Corinthians 5:14 "For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died."
Ephesians 2:13 "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ."
Psalm 27:4: One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple."
4> INTIMATE, Reveal, Raw, Honest, Transparent…
[Bring Socks – underwear is messy and personal but necessary]
Psalm 139:1-3 "Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me."
2 Chronicles 16:9 "For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him."
Psalm. 62:8 "Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us."
"Untutored, we tend to think that prayer is what good people do when they are doing their best. It is not. Inexperienced, we suppose there must be an “insider” language that must be acquired before God takes us seriously in our prayers. There is not. Prayer is elemental, not advanced, language. It is the means by which our language becomes honest, true, personal." - Eugene Peterson
5> IN NEED, Desperate, Humble, Selfless, Contrite, Yielded, Surrendered, Dedicated, Available
[Focus on The Summit, the Goal]
2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Ezra 8:23 "So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer."
Luke 18:14 ““I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Psalm 50:15 “and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”
Isaiah 66:2 "Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?" declares the LORD. "These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word."
“God does not answer prayer. God answers desperate prayer.” - Preacher and author Leonard Ravenhill
6> INNOCENT, Condition, Clean, Corrected Conflict...
[Bring Soap, it’s a long trip and things happen]: 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Ephesians 2:13 ""But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ."
Romans 5:20 "The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,"
** Isaiah 59:1-2; sin
** James 1:5-7; skeptic, doubting
** James 4:2; slothful, have not asked
** James 4:3; Luke 18:14 selfishness
** 1 Peter 5:6-7; James 4:10; self-regard, pride
** Mark 12:40; Matt. 6:7; showy, sham
** Ezekiel 14:3; Isa. 44:17-20; supreme service, idols
** Proverbs 21:13; Luke 8:38, stinginess
** Mark 11:25; 1Peter 3:7, strife, conflicts
2 Corinthians 2:14 "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place."
7> IN GOD’S WILL, Purpose, Plans, Ways, In the Spirit, Truth, According to The Word...
[Bring a Compass & Map, GPS]
1 John 5:14 "And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us."
John 15:7 "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you."
Romans 8:28 amp “And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.
"From the very beginning it was God's plan and purpose that out of the riven side of His Son should come an eternal Companion to sit by His side upon the throne of the universe, to share with Him His sovereign power and authority over His eternal kingdom." ... "To be given the kingdom is more than to internalize kingdom principles and ethics. That's only one phase of it. To be given a kingdom is to be invested with authority over a kingdom." - Paul E Bilheimer
8> IN CHRIST’S NAME, In Christ, Identity & Position & Permission, Our Authority, Co-Heir...
[Bring an ID, a driver’s License, Park Pass, camp site permit, Fishing License, you need authority to walk there.]
John 14:13-14 "Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it."
John 15:16 "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask?"
Matthew 28:18 "Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me."
Luke 12:32 ""Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.
Revelation 19:7 ""Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready."
"The great people of the earth to-day are the people who pray. I do not mean those who talk about prayer; nor those who say they believe in prayer; nor yet those who can explain about prayer; but I mean these people who take time and pray. They have not time. It must be taken from something else. This something else is important. Very important and pressing than prayer. There are people that put prayer first and group the other items in life's schedule around and after prayer. These are the people to-day who are doing the most for God;" - S.D. Gordon
9> IN FAITH, Confident, Expectant, Hopeful, Believing...
[Bring a Pocket Bible, keep grounded in reality]
Mark 11:24 "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Matthew 17:20 "He replied, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
2 Corinthians 5:7 "For we live [walk, pray] by faith, not by sight."
"God will do nothing but in answer to believing prayer." - John Wesley
T - Trust. Turning over all to God
R - Realizing He has a perfect plan A for me.
U - Understanding I may not understand.
S - Seeking His will His way.
T - Thanking Him at all times.
10> INTREPID, Audacious, Courageous, Brash, Bold, Shameless, Generous...
[Bring a Fishing Pole, a Climbing Rope – let’s go beyond what we can do in our own abilities.]
Luke 18:1 "Now He was telling them a parable to show [how] that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart," ... Luke 11:8 "I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need."
Matthew 7:7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."
Luke 11:8 “I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.
Ephesians 3:20-21 "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, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
"Beware in your prayers, above everything else, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do. Expect unexpected things ‘above all that we ask or think." - Andrew Murray
A.S.K. Pray Audaciously without limits. Shamelessly looking to Christ.. Kindly / Generously without judging.
11> INSIST, Persistent, Always, Allocate, Every, All, Continually, Disciplined, Devoted, Ask, Seek, Knock...
[Bring Boots, you have to be able to handle tough terrain]
Heb. 13:15 "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that openly profess his name."
1 Thessalonians 1:2 "We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers."
2 Thessalonians 1:11 "With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith."
"Our spiritual gifts, money, talents, efforts, personality, unity, ... None of these things is enough. Our resources are not enough. Prayer in faith alone releases God's power and working in our lives and the lives of others. We need to develop a heart that says, "You (God) are the most important person in my life. I dare not and will now neglect YOU, regardless of the urgency and pressure of other things." - Hershel Martindale
"Spiritual work is taxing work, and men are loath to do it. Praying, true praying, costs an outlay of serious attention and of time, which flesh, and blood do not relish." -EM Bounds
P.U.S.H - Pray Until Something Happens
12> INFORMED, Intent, Listening, Waiting, Watching, Alert, Abiding...
[Bring a Tent – you'll need time out of the elements, time to recover and rediscover.]
Psalm 40:1 "I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me and heard my cry."
John 10:27 "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."
Isaiah 64:4 "Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him."
Psalm. 5:3 "In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly."
Isaiah 50:4 "The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of disciples, That I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning; He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple."
"God speaks in the silence of the heart. Listening is the beginning of prayer." - Mother Teresa
13> INTENSE, Fervent, Violent, Tough, Warfare...
[Bring a Knife – things can get ugly. You’ll have to defend yourself.]
2 Corinthians 10:4 "The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds."
Acts 12:5 "So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God."
Luke 22:44 "And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground."
Romans 15:30 "Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in fervent prayers to God on my behalf."
Matthew 6:13 "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'"
"What the Church needs to-day is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use -- men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men -- men of prayer." - EM Bounds
14> IN AGREEMENT, Community, Partnered...
[Bring at one Partner, Hiking Poles – you'll need support.]
Matthew 18:19 ""Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven."
Acts 12:5 "So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him."
Acts 16:25-26 "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose."
1 Timothy 2:1-2 "First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered on behalf of all men for kings and all those in authority, so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity."
Luke 9:28 "About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray."
Acts 2:42 "But we (united group of elders) will give ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word."
2 Corinthians 1:11 "You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many."
15> ENJOYING, Thankful, Grateful...
[Bring Smores, Song Book – it is so much fun to scale a summit.]
Philippians 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
Jeremiah 30:19 "'From them will proceed thanksgiving and the voice of those who celebrate; And I will multiply them and they will not be diminished; I will also honor them and they will not be insignificant.
Psalm 16:11 "You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever."
Psalm 27:4: One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple."
Romans 8:28 amp “And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.”
"I saw more clearly than ever, that the first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day was, to have my soul happy in the Lord. The first thing to be concerned about was not, how much I might serve the Lord, how I might glorify the Lord; but how I might get my soul into a happy state, and how my inner man may be nourished...I saw that the most important thing I had to do was to give myself to the reading of the Word of God and to meditation on it." -George Muller
"God has given us prayer in order that we may learn the joy of having fellowship with Him. Prayer was never intended as a means of gaining things to delight in apart from God. The intention of prayer is to enable us to delight in God." - John Piper
"Joy in prayer comes from connecting with God, discovering and carrying out His will for me and others, God getting all the glory," - John Piper
