Prayer Partners Series
By
Elmer Towns
Lesson 6: Praying with Jesus
A. INTRODUCTION
1. The Intercession of Jesus: to keep us from sin. “But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:24,25 KJV).
2. The Advocacy of Jesus: to forgive us our sin. “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our’s only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (I John 2:1,2 KJV).
B. WHAT IS THE BASIS OF JESUS’ INTERCESSION
1. Jesus prayed often. What was Jesus’ prayer pattern on earth? “A place which was called Gethsemane, . . . sit ye here, while I shall pray” (Mark 14:32). “Jesus often resorted there” (John 18:2).
HOW JESUS PRAYED
a. Teach us to pray, Luke 11:1. Example.
b. “Glorify Thou me” John 17:5. Petition.
c. “Keep them from the Evil One” John 17:15.
Protection.
d. I pray . . . for them which shall believe on me, John 17:20. Evangelism.
e. “Father forgive them” Luke 23:34. Forgiveness.
2. Jesus did not sin. What was Jesus’ qualification to be an intercessor? “For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens” (Heb. 7:26).
Holy = pure nature
Harmless = never hurt anyone
Undefiled = did not sin
Separate = never gave into temptation
3. Jesus is a man forever. Did Jesus give up his human qualification? When he returned to Heaven? “But this man, because he continueth ever” (Heb. 7:24).
4. Jesus prays now as he did on earth. Has Jesus’ intercession changed since He went back to Heaven? “Hath an unchangeable priesthood” (Heb. 7:24).
5. To be our intercessor. What was one of the main purposes of Jesus’ return to Heaven? “He ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:25).
6. To keep us from sin and make us godly. What is the purpose of Jesus’ intercession for us? “To save them to the uttermost, that come to God by Him” (Heb. 7:25).
7. His sacrificial death. What is the basis of Jesus’ intercession? “Who needeth not daily . . . to offer up sacrifice first for his own sin . . . for this he did once, when he offered up himself” (Heb. 7:27).
C. WHAT IS THE BASIS OF JESUS’ ADVOCACY?
1. The sinning saint. For whom does Jesus the advocate pray? “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not” (I John 2:1).
2. The righteousness of Jesus. What is the basis of Jesus’ advocacy? “If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous” (I John 2:1).
3. We all sin. Will all Christians sin? “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves” (I John 1:8). Sin nature. “If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar” (I John 1:10). Sin actions.
4. He satisfied our punishment. What does Jesus do about our sins? “If any man sin . . . he is the propitiation for our sins” (I John 2:2).
5. In the past at Calvary. When are our sins forgiven? “He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also, for the sins of the whole world” (I John 2:2). Propitiation is a completed action at the cross.
6. Jesus reminds the Father. If our sins have been forgiven what is Jesus’ task in praying for us. “My little children” (v.1).
7. The Father expects us not to sin. “My little children, these things write I unto you, that you sin not” (I John 2:1).
8. We should try to be victorious over sin. ‘If we walk in the light” (I John 1:7).
9. The Father knows we will sin. “If we say we have not sinned” (I John 1:10).
10. The Father allows us to confess. “If we confess our sins” (I John 1:9).
11. The Father restores us to fellowship. “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9).
THE EARTHLY FAMILY
1. Father says do not scratch the car.
2. Son tries his best to be a good driver.
3. Father knows accidents happen.
4. Father wants honesty and to do his best.
5. Father pays the repair bill.
D. HOW CHRIST IS PRAYING FOR YOU
1. He is interceding for you not to sin.
2. He is interceding for you to live to the uttermost.
3. He is reminding the Father of the blood that covers your sin.
E. HOW YOU CAN PRAY WITH CHRIST?
1. Remember you have access to God through Christ because of the blood.
2. Plead the blood for moment by moment cleansing.
3. Pray boldly because your sins are forgiven.
4. Come to the Father through the perfection of Jesus.
5. Remember even when you cannot/do not pray, Jesus is praying for you.
6. You can have anything if you pray in Jesus’ name.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at eltowns@liberty.edu and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.
**PowerPoint files have been created to coordinate with this lesson. If you would like the file emailed to you, contact eltowns@liberty.edu.
