1 00:00:01,400 --> 00:00:10,900 45. Well, it's certainly good to be 2 00:00:10,900 --> 00:00:14,400 with you this evening, and I pray, of course, that the things 3 00:00:14,400 --> 00:00:17,000 that I prepared will be beneficial to the body of 4 00:00:17,000 --> 00:00:18,900 Christ. This after this evening, rather, 5 00:00:19,600 --> 00:00:22,500 I've written on the board are topic of for consideration this 6 00:00:22,500 --> 00:00:23,700 evening. We're going to talk a little bit 7 00:00:23,700 --> 00:00:26,500 about the Great and the sweet power of prayer. 8 00:00:26,900 --> 00:00:29,900 When you talk about this idea or the subject of prayer, there are 9 00:00:29,900 --> 00:00:31,700 great. Many verses of scripture. 10 00:00:31,700 --> 00:00:35,900 You can consider and a great many ideas that we can turn to 11 00:00:36,000 --> 00:00:39,300 in studying how we as Christians are to pray. 12 00:00:39,800 --> 00:00:43,200 And how we pray properly. And how what the things are that 13 00:00:43,200 --> 00:00:46,000 we can pray for. But I've chosen these three 14 00:00:46,000 --> 00:00:47,700 passages of scripture. We're going to take an 15 00:00:47,700 --> 00:00:51,100 expository look at them today and hopefully glean something 16 00:00:51,100 --> 00:00:53,100 from God's word. First, we're going to look at 17 00:00:53,600 --> 00:00:56,600 what John talks about that spraying with confidence and 18 00:00:56,600 --> 00:00:59,000 compassion. We're going to look at the 19 00:00:59,000 --> 00:01:03,000 Hebrew writers can thoughts concerning, how we are to come 20 00:01:03,000 --> 00:01:05,900 boldly to the throne of grace, how we're to do that, and why we 21 00:01:05,900 --> 00:01:08,500 should do that. And then we're going to end up 22 00:01:08,500 --> 00:01:11,300 in the book of James. Is where James gives us a call 23 00:01:11,300 --> 00:01:14,500 to both prayer and praise. But first, we're going to look 24 00:01:14,500 --> 00:01:18,100 at this passage here in 1st John, the 5th chapter and I'll 25 00:01:18,100 --> 00:01:21,600 start by simply reading first John chapter 5 verses 14 through 26 00:01:21,600 --> 00:01:25,500 17. The new King James translation 27 00:01:25,700 --> 00:01:28,900 translates this way. Now this is the confidence that 28 00:01:28,900 --> 00:01:32,500 we have in him that if we ask anything according to his, will 29 00:01:32,600 --> 00:01:36,000 he hears us? And if we know that he hears us, 30 00:01:36,000 --> 00:01:39,500 whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have 31 00:01:39,500 --> 00:01:42,900 asked of him. If anyone sees a brother sending 32 00:01:42,900 --> 00:01:46,900 a sin, which does not lead to death, he will ask and he will 33 00:01:46,900 --> 00:01:49,700 give him Life For Those who commit sin, not leading to 34 00:01:49,700 --> 00:01:52,200 death, there is sin leading to death. 35 00:01:52,200 --> 00:01:53,600 I do not say that we should pray about. 36 00:01:53,700 --> 00:01:58,600 That all unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin, not leading to 37 00:01:58,600 --> 00:02:01,800 death. So as we rapidly approached, the 38 00:02:01,800 --> 00:02:03,900 end of this epistle, written by John. 39 00:02:04,100 --> 00:02:06,900 John gives us a few words on the subject of prayer. 40 00:02:07,400 --> 00:02:09,900 This is not the first time that John has mentioned prayer. 41 00:02:09,900 --> 00:02:14,100 In his writings, John talks about the value of confessing 42 00:02:14,100 --> 00:02:18,500 our sins, which is done in prayer over in first, John 1:9, 43 00:02:18,800 --> 00:02:20,600 John talks about our advocate in prayer. 44 00:02:20,600 --> 00:02:23,600 Jesus Christ, the righteous over in Chapter 2 and verse 1. 45 00:02:24,100 --> 00:02:26,900 And John also talks about one reason, why we receive what we 46 00:02:26,900 --> 00:02:32,300 ask for in prayer in 3:22, but in his final words on this 47 00:02:32,300 --> 00:02:36,500 subject, John does two things. I think really here, he expands 48 00:02:36,500 --> 00:02:39,700 upon the theme and prayer that it's already introduced which is 49 00:02:39,700 --> 00:02:43,300 praying with confidence but he also brings in another theme 50 00:02:43,300 --> 00:02:46,000 that is really in harmony with much of John's writing in this 51 00:02:46,000 --> 00:02:49,300 first epistle which is that of Brotherly Love when he talks 52 00:02:49,300 --> 00:02:51,700 about praying with compassion as well. 53 00:02:52,300 --> 00:02:53,700 So we're going to look at these two separate. 54 00:02:53,900 --> 00:02:56,500 Ideas, starting first with praying with confidence, 55 00:02:57,100 --> 00:03:00,600 firstly, praying with confidence requires asking according to 56 00:03:00,600 --> 00:03:02,900 God's will. This is the point that is 57 00:03:02,900 --> 00:03:08,100 emphasized in verses 14 and 15 confidence in our, in prayer is 58 00:03:08,100 --> 00:03:11,000 not based on some assumption that whatever we ask for. 59 00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:14,500 We're going to get no matter what some may improperly, 60 00:03:14,500 --> 00:03:17,800 conclude the words of Jesus, over in John chapter 14 and 61 00:03:17,800 --> 00:03:20,200 verses 13 and 14. And we're going to turn, and 62 00:03:20,200 --> 00:03:22,000 we're going to read the words of Jesus there. 63 00:03:23,200 --> 00:03:28,200 Over in John chapter 14 and we're going to read verses 13 64 00:03:28,200 --> 00:03:39,100 through 14 as I said. Jesus says, That's chapter 13. 65 00:03:39,300 --> 00:03:43,600 Jesus says here, and whatever you ask in my father's name that 66 00:03:43,600 --> 00:03:46,600 I will do that, the Sun. That the father may be glorified 67 00:03:46,600 --> 00:03:49,700 in the son. If you ask anything in my name, 68 00:03:49,800 --> 00:03:53,200 I will do it. But even Jesus is own examples 69 00:03:53,200 --> 00:03:57,500 of prayer illustrate, the answer to prayer, depends on whatever 70 00:03:57,600 --> 00:03:59,800 the thing is. And if it is in harmony with 71 00:03:59,800 --> 00:04:03,600 God's will looking at examples of Jesus prayer in Matthew, 26 72 00:04:03,600 --> 00:04:06,600 and verse 39. And also in verse 42 of the The 73 00:04:06,600 --> 00:04:10,600 same chapter Paul learned the same lesson when he prayed about 74 00:04:10,600 --> 00:04:13,000 his Thorn In the Flesh over in 2nd. 75 00:04:13,000 --> 00:04:15,800 Corinthians chapter 12 verses 7 through 9 there. 76 00:04:16,300 --> 00:04:20,000 However, the more we learn about God's revealed will through the 77 00:04:20,000 --> 00:04:23,700 word of God. The more likely we are to pray 78 00:04:23,700 --> 00:04:27,000 according to his will and that's really the Crux of the position 79 00:04:27,000 --> 00:04:30,700 here that John when he talks about praying with confidence 80 00:04:31,300 --> 00:04:34,700 and praying in accordance to God's will we have to know God's 81 00:04:34,700 --> 00:04:38,600 will before we can pray. In God's will we have to know 82 00:04:38,600 --> 00:04:43,200 what it is by studying his word and that is the the main way 83 00:04:43,200 --> 00:04:47,500 that we understand and we gain knowledge of the will of God 84 00:04:47,500 --> 00:04:50,800 that's by studying his word and that's how we can pray in 85 00:04:50,800 --> 00:04:54,800 harmony with God's will. Another reason we can pray our 86 00:04:54,800 --> 00:04:56,700 another way to pray with confidence. 87 00:04:56,800 --> 00:05:00,900 Another requirement is that of keeping God's Commandments, this 88 00:05:00,900 --> 00:05:04,900 is stressed in first, John chapter 3 and verse 22 and I'll 89 00:05:04,900 --> 00:05:08,200 read that very quickly. First John chapter 3 verse 22, 90 00:05:08,200 --> 00:05:12,400 says, and whatever we ask, we receive from him because we keep 91 00:05:12,400 --> 00:05:15,700 his Commandments and do those things that are pleasing in his 92 00:05:15,700 --> 00:05:17,900 sight. So even if we're asking for 93 00:05:17,900 --> 00:05:20,600 something that's necessarily or normally would be found within 94 00:05:20,600 --> 00:05:24,500 the will of God, how can we, as Christians expect to receive 95 00:05:24,500 --> 00:05:26,100 that thing that we're praying for? 96 00:05:26,300 --> 00:05:29,800 If we're not living, right? If we're not living, right? 97 00:05:29,900 --> 00:05:34,100 Even if we know the will of God, how is God going to give us 98 00:05:34,100 --> 00:05:36,200 those things? Which were required to live our 99 00:05:36,200 --> 00:05:39,900 daily lives here. On this Earth it would be a 100 00:05:39,900 --> 00:05:45,200 contradiction to God for God to Grant those things to people who 101 00:05:45,200 --> 00:05:47,300 are not living in accordance with his word. 102 00:05:47,800 --> 00:05:51,400 So another stipulation to pray with confidence, it requires us 103 00:05:51,400 --> 00:05:56,200 to keep God's Commandments as Peter quoted from Proverbs for 104 00:05:56,200 --> 00:05:58,400 the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous. 105 00:05:58,600 --> 00:06:01,300 And his ears are open to their prayers. 106 00:06:01,300 --> 00:06:05,000 First Peter chapter 3, Verse 12. The righteousness of course, are 107 00:06:05,000 --> 00:06:07,600 those who do things that are pleasing in his sight. 108 00:06:07,800 --> 00:06:10,900 According to what we just read over and first, John chapter 3 109 00:06:10,900 --> 00:06:14,700 and verse 22, especially in regard, to believing in Jesus 110 00:06:14,700 --> 00:06:17,600 and loving the Brethren two Commandments given to us. 111 00:06:17,700 --> 00:06:21,900 By John, in the following verse where he said, in chapter 3, 112 00:06:22,200 --> 00:06:24,400 where he says, and this is the Commandment that we should 113 00:06:24,400 --> 00:06:27,200 believe on the name of the son of Jesus Christ, the son, Jesus 114 00:06:27,200 --> 00:06:32,300 Christ and love one another and he gave us commandment Another 115 00:06:32,300 --> 00:06:35,500 requirement, I believe for praying with confidence, it 116 00:06:35,500 --> 00:06:41,100 requires us to choirs requires abiding in Jesus and his words 117 00:06:41,100 --> 00:06:43,700 abiding in us, which of course, go along with the things we've 118 00:06:43,700 --> 00:06:46,800 already mentioned. This was taught by Jesus himself 119 00:06:46,800 --> 00:06:51,500 recorded and by John in John chapter 15 and verse 7, this 120 00:06:51,500 --> 00:06:55,000 should also help to clarify any misunderstanding in that 121 00:06:55,000 --> 00:06:59,200 passage, we read over in John chapter 14, we can't isolate 122 00:06:59,200 --> 00:07:02,800 that one separate quote by Jesus and Assume that anything we ask 123 00:07:02,800 --> 00:07:07,500 for, we're going to get things must be done in a proper fashion 124 00:07:07,600 --> 00:07:11,800 and one of those is abiding in Jesus, and his words must abide 125 00:07:11,800 --> 00:07:13,200 in US confidence. In prayer. 126 00:07:13,200 --> 00:07:15,800 Depends upon asking a court, according to God's will. 127 00:07:16,200 --> 00:07:20,000 But if Jesus words don't abide in us, well, how will we know 128 00:07:20,000 --> 00:07:22,900 God's will, of course, as we've already mentioned? 129 00:07:25,400 --> 00:07:30,400 Praying with compassion the first idea and praying with 130 00:07:30,400 --> 00:07:33,000 compassion is of course to pray for a brother. 131 00:07:33,600 --> 00:07:37,400 The Epistle of John has been one which has stress Brotherly Love. 132 00:07:37,400 --> 00:07:40,400 Is we've already mentioned. He told us that we ought to lay 133 00:07:40,400 --> 00:07:43,400 down our lives for the Brethren and first John chapter 3 and 134 00:07:43,400 --> 00:07:48,000 verse 16 he said that if one sees a brother in need and shuts 135 00:07:48,000 --> 00:07:51,600 his heart from him, how does he love God, how does the love of 136 00:07:51,600 --> 00:07:54,300 God abide in him? First John chapter 3 and verse 137 00:07:54,300 --> 00:07:58,700 17 So certainly, then we should be willing and ready to pray for 138 00:07:58,700 --> 00:08:04,100 our Brethren especially when we see them sinning, a sin, uh, not 139 00:08:04,100 --> 00:08:09,300 unto death, okay? Now this is a really, a complex 140 00:08:10,800 --> 00:08:16,100 statement here by John one that required great study on my part, 141 00:08:16,100 --> 00:08:17,700 to make sure that I had full understanding. 142 00:08:17,700 --> 00:08:19,800 But I'm pretty sure that I have a grasp on it. 143 00:08:20,200 --> 00:08:23,900 The difference of sinning, a sin, not unto death and sending 144 00:08:23,900 --> 00:08:28,200 a sin unto death. Let me read a few notes that I 145 00:08:28,200 --> 00:08:31,100 jotted down. So I'll read them word for words 146 00:08:31,100 --> 00:08:36,100 that don't mess them up. We have to consider the present 147 00:08:36,100 --> 00:08:40,100 tense of the verb here, which is sinning does sending necessarily 148 00:08:40,100 --> 00:08:43,600 imply that the brother is still engaged in the Sin. 149 00:08:43,900 --> 00:08:48,100 Why don't believe that it does? What is sin unto death versus 150 00:08:50,300 --> 00:08:52,500 excuse me? Okay, once again I got to read 151 00:08:52,500 --> 00:08:55,300 it. Does the present tense of the 152 00:08:55,300 --> 00:08:58,100 verb sinning necessarily imply that the brother is still 153 00:08:58,100 --> 00:09:01,700 engaged in the Sin. When we are not to pray for him, 154 00:09:02,000 --> 00:09:04,300 what is sin? Not unto death and sin unto 155 00:09:04,300 --> 00:09:05,800 death? What is meant by? 156 00:09:05,800 --> 00:09:10,300 He will give him life. What conclusions, whatever 157 00:09:10,300 --> 00:09:13,400 conclusions we draw. Must be in harmony with other 158 00:09:13,400 --> 00:09:16,600 passages of scripture. So, when you talk about the idea 159 00:09:16,600 --> 00:09:18,900 of sinning unto death and sitting not unto death, I 160 00:09:18,900 --> 00:09:21,100 believe there's really only one conclusion that you can come 161 00:09:21,100 --> 00:09:26,400 too, we know that sin It is fully grown produce is death. 162 00:09:26,500 --> 00:09:29,600 So what about Sin that hasn't quite come to that full growth 163 00:09:29,600 --> 00:09:32,100 yet? Well, simply as Sin that does 164 00:09:32,100 --> 00:09:36,200 not lead to death, is a sin that has been repented of a sin that 165 00:09:36,200 --> 00:09:39,800 does not lead to death. Is a sin that has been confessed 166 00:09:39,800 --> 00:09:43,900 by a brother or sister in Christ and has ribbon repented of but 167 00:09:43,900 --> 00:09:46,300 perhaps has not yet been forgiven. 168 00:09:47,000 --> 00:09:51,000 So when John tells us we are to pray for a brother who has 169 00:09:51,000 --> 00:09:56,200 sinned or sinning or Them's not unto death. 170 00:09:56,500 --> 00:10:01,200 That is to pray for one who has repented of that sin certainly 171 00:10:01,200 --> 00:10:04,500 and John points out. How can we pray for a brother 172 00:10:04,500 --> 00:10:08,900 who is sinning a sin unto death? How can we pray for a brother 173 00:10:08,900 --> 00:10:11,900 who is still sinning? Well, that just wouldn't make 174 00:10:11,900 --> 00:10:14,500 any sense. What it, how could we pray for 175 00:10:14,500 --> 00:10:18,500 someone who is still engaged in that sinful act and expect them 176 00:10:18,500 --> 00:10:20,500 to be forgiven? That's just impossible. 177 00:10:20,900 --> 00:10:25,100 So, when you talk about the idea of in verse 17, when he says, 178 00:10:25,100 --> 00:10:28,600 all unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to 179 00:10:28,600 --> 00:10:32,600 death, I believe simply that it is a sin that has been repented 180 00:10:32,600 --> 00:10:35,500 of sin, which is not produced or lead to death. 181 00:10:35,700 --> 00:10:38,800 Would therefore be sin. Repented of sin, leading to 182 00:10:38,800 --> 00:10:42,800 death producing spiritual death, and separation from God would be 183 00:10:42,800 --> 00:10:45,900 a sin. Unrepented of, we cannot expect 184 00:10:45,900 --> 00:10:48,700 God to forgive one who refuses to repent. 185 00:10:49,000 --> 00:10:51,400 And as John writes with some understatement. 186 00:10:51,400 --> 00:10:54,800 I believe, I do not say that we Should pray about that and 187 00:10:54,800 --> 00:11:00,900 that's inversed verse number 16. God will give him life as quoted 188 00:11:00,900 --> 00:11:04,700 in verse 16. If the Death In this passage is 189 00:11:04,700 --> 00:11:08,400 obvious spiritual death. It is natural to assume the life 190 00:11:08,400 --> 00:11:12,000 is spiritual life, the life, which God will grant our 191 00:11:12,000 --> 00:11:16,000 penitent brother in answer to our prayers, could also be 192 00:11:16,000 --> 00:11:20,800 described as forgiveness. When John says here, that that, 193 00:11:20,800 --> 00:11:23,600 that, that the prayer that the sin that is not leading to 194 00:11:23,600 --> 00:11:27,500 death, which is a sin that has been repented of is prayed about 195 00:11:27,700 --> 00:11:31,800 the life that he is given, is that life of forgiveness that 196 00:11:31,800 --> 00:11:36,100 Mercy from God, forgiveness of sins, that Christians have after 197 00:11:36,100 --> 00:11:38,000 they've obeyed. The gospel. 198 00:11:39,900 --> 00:11:44,300 This is the promise offered in first, John 1:9 to the child of 199 00:11:44,300 --> 00:11:48,700 God, who penitently, confesses his own sin and prayer also 200 00:11:48,700 --> 00:11:51,400 offered and John first John 5 verse 16. 201 00:11:51,400 --> 00:11:55,100 As we read to The Penton brother, when prayer is made on 202 00:11:55,100 --> 00:11:58,800 his behalf, by another member of the family of God. 203 00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:02,200 So one might ask why bother to pray for a brother? 204 00:12:02,200 --> 00:12:06,100 If his sins will be forgiven anyway as taught in chapter 1 205 00:12:06,100 --> 00:12:10,600 and verse 9, well one answer might be found in James chapter 206 00:12:10,600 --> 00:12:13,300 5 and verse 16 which we're going to get to in a little bit. 207 00:12:13,600 --> 00:12:16,900 Where James says, the effective fervent prayer of a righteous 208 00:12:16,900 --> 00:12:20,600 man avails much and more on that in just a little while. 209 00:12:21,100 --> 00:12:24,000 So in conclusion to this idea of praying with confidence and 210 00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:27,300 compassion, the privilege of prayer is a wonderful blessing. 211 00:12:27,300 --> 00:12:32,400 We know that, especially, especially when we do with 212 00:12:32,400 --> 00:12:35,600 confidence and with compassion, are we fulfilling the 213 00:12:35,600 --> 00:12:39,300 requirements to be able to pray with confidence or we abiding in 214 00:12:39,300 --> 00:12:41,600 Jesus? Are we letting his words abide 215 00:12:41,600 --> 00:12:44,000 in us? Are we keeping his Commandments? 216 00:12:44,000 --> 00:12:47,500 And doing the things pleasing in his sight asking according to 217 00:12:47,500 --> 00:12:50,000 God's will? Are we praying with compassion? 218 00:12:50,500 --> 00:12:54,300 Praying, not only for ourselves, but for our brothers and sisters 219 00:12:54,300 --> 00:12:59,100 who are in need praying for Brethren overtaken by sin, but 220 00:12:59,100 --> 00:13:02,700 who's who have demonstrated that their sin is one, that is not 221 00:13:02,700 --> 00:13:06,400 leading to death. That is repented of, as we all 222 00:13:06,400 --> 00:13:09,800 need the fullness of God's blessings in our lives. 223 00:13:09,900 --> 00:13:11,700 ABS. Let's make sure we encourage 224 00:13:11,700 --> 00:13:14,900 each other to do whatever we can to be able to pray with both 225 00:13:14,900 --> 00:13:18,800 competence and compassion. We're going to turn over to the 226 00:13:18,800 --> 00:13:20,400 book of Hebrews. Now, we're going to look at our 227 00:13:20,400 --> 00:13:24,500 second idea. Hebrews chapter 4 as written on 228 00:13:24,500 --> 00:13:28,100 the board and we're going to read their verses 14 through 16. 229 00:13:30,100 --> 00:13:34,100 The Bible says in Hebrews beginning in verse 4:14 seeing 230 00:13:34,100 --> 00:13:37,500 that seeing then that we have a great high priest, who has 231 00:13:37,500 --> 00:13:40,700 passed through the heavens. Jesus, the son of God, let us 232 00:13:40,700 --> 00:13:43,400 hold fast. Our confession for we do not 233 00:13:43,400 --> 00:13:46,500 have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, 234 00:13:46,700 --> 00:13:51,200 but was it all points tempted? As we are yet without sin, Let 235 00:13:51,200 --> 00:13:54,400 Us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may 236 00:13:54,400 --> 00:13:59,100 obtain mercy and find Grace to help in time of need in our 237 00:13:59,100 --> 00:14:01,300 study of the book. Of Hebrews that we recently went 238 00:14:01,300 --> 00:14:04,800 through in our Wednesday night services, we saw many different 239 00:14:04,800 --> 00:14:08,700 themes talked about here. One of the main points was that 240 00:14:08,700 --> 00:14:12,300 the Jewish Christians remain steadfast and firm in their 241 00:14:12,300 --> 00:14:17,100 faith, they were encouraged not to make that same mistake that 242 00:14:17,100 --> 00:14:21,000 many of their ancestors made, which was departing from God and 243 00:14:21,000 --> 00:14:24,400 his method of operation has been twofold. 244 00:14:24,400 --> 00:14:29,000 I believe both to illustrate the superiority of Jesus which is a 245 00:14:29,000 --> 00:14:32,900 reoccurring A theme in this book, i.e. his superiority to 246 00:14:32,900 --> 00:14:37,400 the prophets, two angels to Moses, and the law of Moses, but 247 00:14:37,400 --> 00:14:40,700 also to exhort them to be faithful in the light of these 248 00:14:40,700 --> 00:14:43,600 comparisons. So when the Hebrew writer, told 249 00:14:43,600 --> 00:14:46,600 them, how much better it was with Jesus. 250 00:14:46,900 --> 00:14:50,100 He also told them. So let's be faithful to Jesus. 251 00:14:51,100 --> 00:14:54,000 Some of these ideas can be looked at in Hebrews chapter 2 252 00:14:54,000 --> 00:14:57,300 and verses 1 through 4 where he said, give the more Earnest heed 253 00:14:57,300 --> 00:14:59,700 to the things we have heard he says to it. 254 00:14:59,900 --> 00:15:04,000 Or one another daily in chapter 3 verse 12 through 14, and 255 00:15:04,000 --> 00:15:05,200 really, to put it in another way. 256 00:15:05,200 --> 00:15:08,900 We must remain faithful and diligent and in our study of the 257 00:15:08,900 --> 00:15:12,600 word of God and an exhorting, one another daily other things 258 00:15:12,600 --> 00:15:16,200 are necessary like prayer, which we're going to talk about in 259 00:15:16,200 --> 00:15:19,700 chapter 4 here. The man thought of this passage, 260 00:15:19,700 --> 00:15:22,100 as we're going to look at is to come boldly to the throne of 261 00:15:22,100 --> 00:15:23,800 grace. So what does it mean? 262 00:15:24,300 --> 00:15:26,600 When he says come boldly to the throne of grace? 263 00:15:26,600 --> 00:15:28,400 Well what is the throne of grace? 264 00:15:29,000 --> 00:15:31,300 Well this is simply. Another way of saying the Throne 265 00:15:31,300 --> 00:15:35,000 of God, other passages emphasize that God's Throne is one of 266 00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:39,100 righteousness, Justice, mercy, and Truth. 267 00:15:39,900 --> 00:15:43,900 God is known for and is the source of these things, Hebrews 268 00:15:43,900 --> 00:15:49,700 4:16 emphasizes God's mercy and benevolence to be found there. 269 00:15:50,100 --> 00:15:52,600 This expression. Let us come which is also 270 00:15:52,600 --> 00:15:57,300 translated as drawn near. This is a really one of a 271 00:15:57,300 --> 00:16:01,700 Priestly. Priestley expression that was 272 00:16:01,700 --> 00:16:05,900 used in the Book of Leviticus to describe to tell the those of 273 00:16:05,900 --> 00:16:08,700 the Old Testament preaches, how they were two were approached 274 00:16:09,000 --> 00:16:13,300 God and to approach his throne, it denotes approaching God, for 275 00:16:13,300 --> 00:16:17,100 worship and prayer and it is used here and it suggests that 276 00:16:17,100 --> 00:16:21,300 the Priestly privileges of access to God, which under the 277 00:16:21,300 --> 00:16:23,600 Old Law, you the only access to God. 278 00:16:23,600 --> 00:16:25,100 You had were through the priests. 279 00:16:25,300 --> 00:16:28,100 This is something that is now available to everyone to 280 00:16:28,100 --> 00:16:31,500 Christians everywhere. But now in Christ we can all 281 00:16:31,500 --> 00:16:34,200 draw near to God in worship and prayer. 282 00:16:35,000 --> 00:16:37,800 This is something that we must do as the Hebrew writer says 283 00:16:37,800 --> 00:16:41,400 boldly. This word boldly means literally 284 00:16:41,400 --> 00:16:47,500 translated with confidence from the Greek word Parisa which also 285 00:16:47,500 --> 00:16:50,800 means full story in ancient Greece. 286 00:16:51,000 --> 00:16:54,600 It was used to describe the right of a citizen to speak. 287 00:16:54,600 --> 00:16:57,700 His mind on any subject in a town assembly. 288 00:16:57,700 --> 00:17:01,200 According to Lightfoot only. All citizens had this right 289 00:17:01,200 --> 00:17:04,800 slaves did not have the right to speak their mind as the citizens 290 00:17:05,000 --> 00:17:08,000 and used here in the book of Hebrews, it stands for our 291 00:17:08,000 --> 00:17:12,099 freedom to approach, god, without hesitation without 292 00:17:12,099 --> 00:17:14,300 inhibition. And of course, this made 293 00:17:14,300 --> 00:17:19,099 possible by the blood of Jesus. So this, this passage speaks of 294 00:17:19,099 --> 00:17:21,900 the wonderful privilege, Christians have through prayer 295 00:17:21,900 --> 00:17:25,099 to approach. God with full confidence again, 296 00:17:25,500 --> 00:17:28,800 which is in correlation with what John wrote and of course it 297 00:17:28,800 --> 00:17:31,000 is important to you. Eli's this privilege. 298 00:17:31,400 --> 00:17:34,300 Let's talk about a few reasons why we ought to come boldly to 299 00:17:34,300 --> 00:17:37,400 the throne of grace. Number one, we ought to come 300 00:17:37,400 --> 00:17:40,200 boldly to the throne of grace because we have been given that 301 00:17:40,200 --> 00:17:43,200 privilege to do. So just as we have been given 302 00:17:43,200 --> 00:17:46,000 the privilege to worship. God, we have been given the 303 00:17:46,000 --> 00:17:48,600 privilege privilege to talk to him in prayer. 304 00:17:49,000 --> 00:17:52,200 Not everyone has this opportunity as we know during 305 00:17:52,200 --> 00:17:55,000 the period of the old laws. We've already mentioned, only 306 00:17:55,000 --> 00:17:57,700 the high priest, could enter the holiest of holies. 307 00:17:58,000 --> 00:17:59,600 Now, that is something that has been made. 308 00:17:59,800 --> 00:18:03,700 Possible to for all of us. And as Christians, we have our 309 00:18:03,700 --> 00:18:08,200 high priest to whom we can direct our prayers through and 310 00:18:08,200 --> 00:18:11,800 all those in his church have access through prayer. 311 00:18:11,900 --> 00:18:15,600 According to Revelation, chapter 1, and verse 6, we ought to come 312 00:18:15,600 --> 00:18:19,100 boldly to the throne of grace because we have yet to enter 313 00:18:19,700 --> 00:18:24,200 quote, the rest that remains As seen earlier in this chapter, 314 00:18:24,200 --> 00:18:27,300 there is still a promised rest for God's people. 315 00:18:27,300 --> 00:18:32,900 We need to fear and respect less become short of it. 316 00:18:32,900 --> 00:18:37,700 We need to be diligent. And this being true, we need as 317 00:18:37,700 --> 00:18:41,200 much mercy and Grace as we can get along the way we ought to 318 00:18:41,200 --> 00:18:44,400 come boldly to the throne of God, because we need that mercy 319 00:18:44,400 --> 00:18:49,700 and Grace that is only available through God, because of the high 320 00:18:49,700 --> 00:18:52,500 priest that we have is another reason we should come boldly to 321 00:18:52,500 --> 00:18:56,200 To the throne of grace. In Jesus, we have a great high 322 00:18:56,200 --> 00:18:59,100 priest as this passage points out. 323 00:18:59,100 --> 00:19:01,800 We have a high priest who has passed through the heavens. 324 00:19:01,800 --> 00:19:05,700 Hebrews chapter 9 verse 24, having ascended to the right 325 00:19:05,700 --> 00:19:09,200 hand of God, he has become higher than the heavens in 326 00:19:09,200 --> 00:19:10,800 Jesus. We have a sympathetic, high 327 00:19:10,800 --> 00:19:16,500 priest, verse 15 and this word. Sympathy, I love this this word. 328 00:19:16,500 --> 00:19:19,400 Sympathy literally means to suffer with. 329 00:19:19,400 --> 00:19:23,800 We have a high priest who suffered just just as we do. 330 00:19:25,500 --> 00:19:30,300 How can we not understand that there is a reason, he is our 331 00:19:30,300 --> 00:19:32,900 high priest. There's a reason that Jesus is 332 00:19:32,900 --> 00:19:37,500 our high priest today because he suffered just as we do today, 333 00:19:37,900 --> 00:19:42,400 even greater, And we have the ability to pray to God through 334 00:19:42,400 --> 00:19:44,700 him. The word, sympathy as I said 335 00:19:44,700 --> 00:19:48,400 literally means to suffer with the Greek word here suggests a 336 00:19:48,400 --> 00:19:52,700 real intensity which is kind of lost in our English word. 337 00:19:52,700 --> 00:19:57,100 Sympathy it's much more intense than a sympathy to suffer with 338 00:19:58,000 --> 00:20:01,700 Westcott, describes it as the feeling of one who enters into 339 00:20:01,700 --> 00:20:05,300 the suffering and makes it his own who enters into our own 340 00:20:05,300 --> 00:20:09,000 suffering and makes it. His own Jesus is sympathy is due 341 00:20:09,000 --> 00:20:11,000 to being tempted. Today, as we are yet without 342 00:20:11,000 --> 00:20:15,100 sin, and this qualifies him to be both both merciful and 343 00:20:15,100 --> 00:20:17,800 faithful, a merciful and faithful high priest. 344 00:20:17,800 --> 00:20:21,300 That is one, who is able to Aid, those who are tempted according 345 00:20:21,300 --> 00:20:23,400 to Hebrews chapter 2 and verse 18. 346 00:20:23,700 --> 00:20:26,700 And with such a high priest interceding for us, we 347 00:20:26,700 --> 00:20:29,700 definitely need to take advantage of every opportunity, 348 00:20:29,700 --> 00:20:33,300 we have in prayer for this mercy and Grace. 349 00:20:33,600 --> 00:20:36,600 As I mentioned earlier, we ought to come boldly to the throne of 350 00:20:36,600 --> 00:20:39,700 grace, because of the mercy and the grace and grace that away. 351 00:20:39,900 --> 00:20:44,200 Us Christians continue to need two things, no matter what, you 352 00:20:44,200 --> 00:20:48,900 know, no matter what state of your life, you're in, no matter 353 00:20:48,900 --> 00:20:52,800 what your spiritual condition is, and no matter how you stand 354 00:20:52,800 --> 00:20:55,100 with God, you always need mercy and Grace. 355 00:20:55,200 --> 00:20:59,100 Always those are two things that every Christian needs every day 356 00:20:59,100 --> 00:21:03,600 of our lives without Mercy, how can we have the Forgiveness that 357 00:21:03,600 --> 00:21:08,100 we have for? We do sin and to deny to deny 358 00:21:08,100 --> 00:21:09,700 that we do. Of course is calling God. 359 00:21:09,800 --> 00:21:14,600 God, a liar, Grace, to help us in the time of need, but listen 360 00:21:15,300 --> 00:21:19,500 God's favor to help us in time. Of need is one of a providential 361 00:21:19,500 --> 00:21:22,900 protection, Divine strength. According to Romans chapter 8, 362 00:21:22,900 --> 00:21:26,900 and verse 13, the Christian finds these things and prayer 363 00:21:27,300 --> 00:21:30,900 and an answers to Prayer by confessing our sins To God In 364 00:21:30,900 --> 00:21:32,800 Prayer. There is Mercy first John 365 00:21:32,800 --> 00:21:36,300 chapter 1 and verse 9 again, and by praying for strength from 366 00:21:36,300 --> 00:21:41,200 God's forgot, from God, there is Grace to help us in time of need 367 00:21:41,200 --> 00:21:44,500 Ephesians chapter 3 verse 16 and verse 20. 368 00:21:45,500 --> 00:21:48,300 Listen and conclusion to this portion of our study. 369 00:21:48,500 --> 00:21:51,700 We need to make sure that we are diligent and coming boldly to 370 00:21:51,700 --> 00:21:55,200 the throne of grace, a graceful, God and a sympathetic high 371 00:21:55,200 --> 00:21:58,500 priest is what it was. What awaits us mercy and Grace 372 00:21:58,500 --> 00:22:01,800 to help us in time of need. And that means, we must as one 373 00:22:01,800 --> 00:22:06,400 translation puts it draw near to God diligent study. 374 00:22:06,400 --> 00:22:09,300 Each of the word is also something that helps us to come 375 00:22:09,300 --> 00:22:12,100 boldly. As we've already mentioned, we 376 00:22:12,100 --> 00:22:14,700 must add diligent prayer for going to find that mercy and 377 00:22:14,700 --> 00:22:15,400 Grace. Ice. 378 00:22:15,500 --> 00:22:19,100 Which is necessary to hold the beginning of our confidence 379 00:22:19,100 --> 00:22:22,700 steadfast to the end. We should be thankful for the 380 00:22:22,700 --> 00:22:25,300 Avenue of prayer we have. And for the great high priest 381 00:22:25,500 --> 00:22:28,900 who makes that possible, we need to make sure we're utilizing 382 00:22:28,900 --> 00:22:30,700 again. The opportunities we have to 383 00:22:30,700 --> 00:22:32,700 come boldly to the throne of grace. 384 00:22:33,500 --> 00:22:35,600 For our last section tonight, we're going to flip over to the 385 00:22:35,600 --> 00:22:39,200 Book of James. This book that we are studying 386 00:22:39,200 --> 00:22:41,400 currently on our Wednesday night services. 387 00:22:41,700 --> 00:22:44,400 I'm jumping ahead a couple of chapters from where we are. 388 00:22:44,600 --> 00:22:47,700 We're going to look at James chapter 5 verses 13 through 18 389 00:22:47,700 --> 00:22:51,900 and I'll read those. The Bible says, is anyone among 390 00:22:51,900 --> 00:22:54,200 you suffering? Let him pray. 391 00:22:54,600 --> 00:22:57,400 Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing songs. 392 00:22:57,800 --> 00:23:01,200 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the Elders of 393 00:23:01,200 --> 00:23:03,400 the church and let them pray over him. 394 00:23:03,400 --> 00:23:07,600 Anointing him with oil, in the name of the Lord, and the prayer 395 00:23:07,600 --> 00:23:10,700 of faith will save the sick and the Lord will raise him up. 396 00:23:11,000 --> 00:23:13,600 And if you have committed sins, he will be forgiven. 397 00:23:13,900 --> 00:23:17,400 Confess your trespasses to one another and pray for one another 398 00:23:17,600 --> 00:23:21,100 that you may be healed. The effective fervent prayer of 399 00:23:21,100 --> 00:23:25,000 a righteous man avails much Elijah was a man with a nature 400 00:23:25,000 --> 00:23:28,600 like ours and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain 401 00:23:28,700 --> 00:23:32,300 and it did not rain in the land for three years and six months 402 00:23:32,700 --> 00:23:35,900 and he prayed again that the heavens gave rain and the Earth 403 00:23:35,900 --> 00:23:41,100 produced its fruit As is common, I think with many New Testament 404 00:23:41,100 --> 00:23:44,600 Epistles as the writers draw their letters to a close, it 405 00:23:44,600 --> 00:23:48,200 seems like they try and get as many ideas and at the end as 406 00:23:48,200 --> 00:23:52,500 possible and that, of course, is no different here in the Book of 407 00:23:52,500 --> 00:23:57,600 James here, we find various commands and exhortation 's and 408 00:23:57,900 --> 00:24:02,300 we find a call to both prayer and to praise with, with 409 00:24:02,300 --> 00:24:05,400 guidance. As we do, what those things are 410 00:24:05,400 --> 00:24:07,900 that we do in times of suffering. 411 00:24:07,900 --> 00:24:11,100 He tells To pray. So what kind of suffering is 412 00:24:11,100 --> 00:24:14,900 James referring to hear the word used refers to the suffering, 413 00:24:14,900 --> 00:24:18,100 really of any kind of any type of suffering, sickness 414 00:24:18,100 --> 00:24:22,200 bereavement disappointment, Perhaps persecutions, Perhaps 415 00:24:22,200 --> 00:24:25,000 loss of health. And of course, James in a few 416 00:24:25,000 --> 00:24:27,000 verses deals with sickness specifically. 417 00:24:27,000 --> 00:24:29,600 What are those things that we should pray for? 418 00:24:29,600 --> 00:24:33,500 Well, for the removal of the suffering, if we are suffering? 419 00:24:33,500 --> 00:24:38,200 Let's pray that we are, the suffering is removed from our 420 00:24:38,200 --> 00:24:39,100 lives. Lives. 421 00:24:39,900 --> 00:24:43,200 If it's in the Lord's will of course as we've talked about for 422 00:24:43,200 --> 00:24:46,300 the strength to endure the suffering, if it is, the Lord's 423 00:24:46,300 --> 00:24:50,000 will for the strength that we are given. 424 00:24:50,000 --> 00:24:53,100 Once we overcome those sufferings is perhaps something 425 00:24:53,100 --> 00:24:55,500 that we can't see, but that God can see. 426 00:24:55,900 --> 00:24:58,600 God may not always remove the source of the suffering and 427 00:24:58,600 --> 00:25:01,800 that's important for us to understand but he will help us 428 00:25:01,800 --> 00:25:04,300 to endure it. There's no promise that. 429 00:25:04,300 --> 00:25:08,700 God says, if you pray for the removal of a suffering that The 430 00:25:08,700 --> 00:25:12,300 suffering will be gone, but there is a promise that God will 431 00:25:12,300 --> 00:25:16,000 help us through the suffering. And as we know from our study in 432 00:25:16,000 --> 00:25:19,600 the first first chapter of the Book of James one thing that we 433 00:25:19,600 --> 00:25:23,100 gain from enduring trials, and sufferings is patients. 434 00:25:23,600 --> 00:25:26,600 And as we grow older and as we endure more things and we gain 435 00:25:26,600 --> 00:25:29,800 more patients, well, that helps us to live our Christian life, 436 00:25:29,800 --> 00:25:34,400 doesn't it? For whom should we pray will 437 00:25:34,400 --> 00:25:40,000 certainly for ourselves but also for others, but also we can do, 438 00:25:40,000 --> 00:25:44,600 we can also for those who may be a, the source of suffering, 439 00:25:44,600 --> 00:25:48,000 maybe pray for those. If individuals are the source of 440 00:25:48,008 --> 00:25:52,900 suffering, pray for our enemies. As Jesus taught doing this can 441 00:25:52,900 --> 00:25:56,500 greatly help to endure any suffering and prayer is always a 442 00:25:56,500 --> 00:26:01,500 way to help us get through it. And I think prayer is one of the 443 00:26:01,500 --> 00:26:03,400 greatest tools. We Have is Christians, 444 00:26:03,400 --> 00:26:06,700 especially, when in, during trials, because that means that 445 00:26:06,700 --> 00:26:09,900 when we pray to God and he will help us do those things if it's 446 00:26:09,900 --> 00:26:13,300 in his will. And, and that is a blessing that 447 00:26:13,300 --> 00:26:15,600 no one in the world has and no one in the world has been 448 00:26:15,600 --> 00:26:20,600 promised, save, God's people. He also says, in times of cheer 449 00:26:20,700 --> 00:26:23,900 or cheerful, let us sing praises. 450 00:26:23,900 --> 00:26:27,800 The word cheerful here, denotes a pleasantness or agreeableness, 451 00:26:28,100 --> 00:26:31,100 it suggests, a state of mind, that is free from trouble. 452 00:26:31,300 --> 00:26:34,300 It's the opposite of a Chin. It's really when we're happy 453 00:26:34,900 --> 00:26:37,800 when we're happy in, such a state of Happiness. 454 00:26:37,800 --> 00:26:41,900 One should sing for singing? Praises is becoming of God's 455 00:26:41,900 --> 00:26:44,900 people. Consider the attitude of David. 456 00:26:45,400 --> 00:26:51,100 Well, if you look at Psalms chapter 92, 96 10, 11, 11, 113, 457 00:26:51,100 --> 00:26:56,500 146, 147 and 149. We find many examples of the 458 00:26:56,500 --> 00:27:00,000 songs of David. David was a man after God's Own 459 00:27:00,000 --> 00:27:02,000 Heart. So shouldn't we be as well? 460 00:27:03,900 --> 00:27:07,500 Singing praises has the power to make a good situation, even 461 00:27:07,500 --> 00:27:10,600 better. When we sing with our hearts to 462 00:27:10,600 --> 00:27:15,500 the Lord and we are cheerful, it makes that situation that were 463 00:27:15,500 --> 00:27:18,600 in our lives even better. So when were cheerful, we ought 464 00:27:18,600 --> 00:27:21,100 to sing. And when we are suffering, we 465 00:27:21,100 --> 00:27:23,600 ought to pray in times of sickness. 466 00:27:23,600 --> 00:27:28,700 He says, let us pray this passage can really go in a 467 00:27:28,708 --> 00:27:31,000 couple of ways. So I'm going to talk about both 468 00:27:31,000 --> 00:27:33,500 of them questions abound concerning. 469 00:27:33,600 --> 00:27:36,700 This passage is the sickness that of a physical or a 470 00:27:36,700 --> 00:27:40,300 spiritual nature. Is the anointing with oil? 471 00:27:40,800 --> 00:27:42,800 Is it really for medicinal purposes? 472 00:27:42,800 --> 00:27:46,300 Or was it more of symbolic? Purposes is the healing through 473 00:27:46,300 --> 00:27:50,300 providential means or miraculous is the healing spiritual or 474 00:27:50,300 --> 00:27:51,900 physical? Well how do we know? 475 00:27:51,900 --> 00:27:54,800 Well, let's look at all of them and hopefully we'll be able to 476 00:27:54,800 --> 00:27:59,000 draw our own conclusion first. I believe that the, the sickness 477 00:27:59,000 --> 00:28:01,900 and the healing In this passage is physical. 478 00:28:04,200 --> 00:28:07,200 Those spiritual needs are taken into consideration. 479 00:28:07,200 --> 00:28:11,200 I believe this is in view of the phrase and if he has committed 480 00:28:11,200 --> 00:28:14,100 sins, he will be forgiven and that phrase implies that the 481 00:28:14,100 --> 00:28:17,900 sickness is physical, though. It may be accompanied by a 482 00:28:17,900 --> 00:28:21,900 spiritual sickness as well. And I think it can go either way 483 00:28:22,100 --> 00:28:24,700 and I think it's applicable in our lives, either way. 484 00:28:26,800 --> 00:28:34,000 But if the conditional, if as said there makes it makes it 485 00:28:34,000 --> 00:28:38,400 clear that the illness may not be accompanied by sin, which is 486 00:28:38,400 --> 00:28:41,100 true. Well, then that would mean that 487 00:28:41,100 --> 00:28:43,700 the illness is probably not spiritual but most likely 488 00:28:43,700 --> 00:28:45,500 physical. But again, I believe that it can 489 00:28:45,500 --> 00:28:49,100 go either way when we make the application to our lives. 490 00:28:49,300 --> 00:28:52,000 So with the assumption, that the physics that the physical 491 00:28:52,000 --> 00:28:55,000 illness is being discussed, there are really two 492 00:28:55,100 --> 00:28:58,700 Alternatives. I believe this passage refers to 493 00:28:58,800 --> 00:29:02,600 miraculous healing and the elders were called because they 494 00:29:02,600 --> 00:29:05,700 possess The gift of the Holy Spirit, that's one alternative. 495 00:29:06,200 --> 00:29:08,500 The anointing with oil was symbolic. 496 00:29:08,500 --> 00:29:11,900 If we go this route, which is representing of the influence of 497 00:29:11,900 --> 00:29:17,400 the Holy Spirit or this passage refers to providential healing 498 00:29:17,700 --> 00:29:21,100 in which the elders were called because they most likely were 499 00:29:21,100 --> 00:29:23,200 the righteous. Most righteous of the content of 500 00:29:23,200 --> 00:29:25,800 the congregation because he says, the effective fervent 501 00:29:25,800 --> 00:29:29,800 prayer of the righteous man. Avails much the anointing with 502 00:29:29,800 --> 00:29:32,900 oil was midi medicinal in this going. 503 00:29:33,100 --> 00:29:36,400 On this Lane and was commonly practiced in know that those 504 00:29:36,400 --> 00:29:39,600 days and that is true. And those times they didn't have 505 00:29:39,600 --> 00:29:41,900 the hospitals and medical care that we have today. 506 00:29:41,900 --> 00:29:46,400 So many times, the anointing of oil was perhaps to make those 507 00:29:46,400 --> 00:29:49,800 who were sick, physically more comfortable in their situation 508 00:29:49,800 --> 00:29:53,600 and was commonly used as a medicinal in medicinal ways. 509 00:29:53,600 --> 00:29:56,900 So whichever way you want this passage to go. 510 00:29:56,900 --> 00:30:00,600 As far as the healing is miraculous or the healing is, is 511 00:30:00,600 --> 00:30:04,800 more providential. Its Applicable both ways I 512 00:30:04,800 --> 00:30:09,300 believe. But so, common practices of the 513 00:30:09,300 --> 00:30:15,000 day we're, as I said, medicinal anointing with oil and I lean 514 00:30:15,000 --> 00:30:17,300 towards the latter. I believe that the healing is 515 00:30:17,300 --> 00:30:21,300 that of providential nature. The first explanation, if you 516 00:30:21,300 --> 00:30:24,800 assume that the elders were the ones that had the spiritual gift 517 00:30:24,800 --> 00:30:26,400 of healing. Well then you assume that every 518 00:30:26,400 --> 00:30:29,500 Elder in that time had that spiritual gift and that wasn't a 519 00:30:29,500 --> 00:30:32,600 requirement of Elders. So perhaps that wasn't, that's 520 00:30:32,600 --> 00:30:35,200 not The Sara Lee, the case because we have no example of it 521 00:30:35,200 --> 00:30:38,100 in the New Testament and the qualifications that I said for 522 00:30:38,100 --> 00:30:40,700 elders did not require the gift of healing. 523 00:30:41,200 --> 00:30:44,900 So, in illustrating, the effectiveness of prayer, James 524 00:30:44,900 --> 00:30:48,300 uses an example of God providentially answering prayers 525 00:30:48,600 --> 00:30:50,500 and he uses the example of Elijah. 526 00:30:51,200 --> 00:30:54,300 When Elijah prayed that there would be no ran, this is back in 527 00:30:54,500 --> 00:30:59,800 First Kings, chapter 18, God used nature itself as a way to 528 00:30:59,800 --> 00:31:03,000 answer Elijah's prayer. God stop train. 529 00:31:03,100 --> 00:31:07,000 Or some over three years check, make sure that's accurate back 530 00:31:07,000 --> 00:31:10,000 in my notes. But when there was no rain, 531 00:31:10,100 --> 00:31:13,300 what's most interesting about that is that there was no rain. 532 00:31:13,300 --> 00:31:17,900 And there was no do when God stopped the water, he stopped 533 00:31:17,900 --> 00:31:21,800 the water and he use nature as his means of answering Elijah's 534 00:31:21,800 --> 00:31:24,800 prayer. Then, when Elijah after that 535 00:31:24,800 --> 00:31:29,000 confrontation, with the worshipers of Baal upon Mark, 536 00:31:29,000 --> 00:31:32,300 Mount Carmel after that, went the way it went. 537 00:31:32,300 --> 00:31:36,300 And God Oh, that he was the true God and the children of Israel 538 00:31:36,300 --> 00:31:41,200 then believed Elijah once again prayed to God for rain, and he 539 00:31:41,200 --> 00:31:44,000 gave that rain again, using nature. 540 00:31:44,400 --> 00:31:46,800 So, I believe because of this example, is one of a 541 00:31:46,800 --> 00:31:49,200 providential nature, so is the healing. 542 00:31:49,300 --> 00:31:54,100 But as I said, by no means can be ruled out, the healing of a 543 00:31:54,100 --> 00:31:58,600 miraculous nature in this, In this passage of scripture. 544 00:31:59,100 --> 00:32:02,900 So with this understanding or more or less, let's go. 545 00:32:03,100 --> 00:32:06,400 Make an application in times of physical sickness. 546 00:32:06,800 --> 00:32:09,200 We have to call for the righteous or Elders. 547 00:32:09,200 --> 00:32:12,600 If it's applicable, you want the prayers of the righteous working 548 00:32:12,600 --> 00:32:15,900 on your behalf, you were to notice your to call for them and 549 00:32:15,900 --> 00:32:19,200 not wait for them to call you. I find that interesting In this 550 00:32:19,200 --> 00:32:22,000 passage that when you want someone to pray for you, when 551 00:32:22,000 --> 00:32:25,100 you're seeking the prayers of the righteous, will you have to 552 00:32:25,100 --> 00:32:27,300 do something? You have to ask for it, you 553 00:32:27,300 --> 00:32:31,000 can't just expect those Elders, if it's applicable and the 554 00:32:31,008 --> 00:32:34,300 congregation or those who are Are righteous in the in the 555 00:32:34,300 --> 00:32:36,600 congregation. You can't just expect them to 556 00:32:36,600 --> 00:32:39,700 know what your needs are. If you have need, you must ask 557 00:32:39,700 --> 00:32:42,800 for it. Have those members of the 558 00:32:42,800 --> 00:32:45,700 congregation, pray with you, praying in faith. 559 00:32:45,700 --> 00:32:50,200 Praying with fervent, with a fervent prayer, and they should 560 00:32:50,200 --> 00:32:54,200 not just pray, but see also, after the appropriate medical 561 00:32:54,200 --> 00:32:57,900 needs. We now live in a time where the 562 00:32:57,900 --> 00:33:01,400 medical field has advanced to such a state where we can go to 563 00:33:01,400 --> 00:33:05,300 doctors and when we are sick, they can help us. 564 00:33:05,700 --> 00:33:08,000 So I believe it is. Also the charge of the 565 00:33:08,000 --> 00:33:11,000 congregation to look after those who are sick, not only by 566 00:33:11,000 --> 00:33:14,400 praying for them, but by making sure they are getting the 567 00:33:15,200 --> 00:33:18,200 medical attention, that is appropriate for their 568 00:33:18,200 --> 00:33:23,100 situations. However, one interprets this 569 00:33:23,100 --> 00:33:26,200 passage again, as I said, there's no dispute over the main 570 00:33:26,200 --> 00:33:30,500 thrust of the passage, which is prayer and praise our special 571 00:33:30,500 --> 00:33:34,100 privileges for the Christian. And there is not a time in our 572 00:33:34,100 --> 00:33:37,600 life when we shouldn't be doing one or the other, we must be 573 00:33:37,600 --> 00:33:40,400 careful not to underestimate the importance of prayer, the power 574 00:33:40,400 --> 00:33:44,100 of prayer. But to truly benefit from either 575 00:33:44,100 --> 00:33:47,200 of these two spiritual exercises, we, of course, have 576 00:33:47,200 --> 00:33:49,200 to be in a role in the right relationship. 577 00:33:49,700 --> 00:33:52,900 With God. How can we expect God to hear 578 00:33:52,900 --> 00:33:56,000 our prayers or our songs? If we're not right with him? 579 00:33:56,200 --> 00:34:00,600 If there's something that's standing between us, he that 580 00:34:00,600 --> 00:34:03,500 turneth away his ear from the hearing of the law. 581 00:34:03,700 --> 00:34:06,300 Even his prayer shall be Abomination. 582 00:34:06,300 --> 00:34:10,800 That's Proverbs 28 and verse 9, and being a doer of God's will 583 00:34:12,199 --> 00:34:15,400 Matthew 7 chapter 21, says not everyone that saith unto me. 584 00:34:15,400 --> 00:34:16,699 Lord. Lord shall enter into the 585 00:34:16,699 --> 00:34:19,600 kingdom of heaven but he that doeth, the will of the father. 586 00:34:20,100 --> 00:34:24,800 Which is in heaven. So when in every application of 587 00:34:25,199 --> 00:34:29,000 these three separate passages of scripture, we find evidence that 588 00:34:29,000 --> 00:34:30,900 in order for our prayers, to be heard. 589 00:34:31,100 --> 00:34:33,400 We must know. The will of God, we must pray 590 00:34:33,800 --> 00:34:35,600 that the things in our lives happen. 591 00:34:35,699 --> 00:34:38,500 In accordance to the will of God, we have to know the will of 592 00:34:38,500 --> 00:34:41,600 God, and it has to be applied in our lives, and we have to follow 593 00:34:41,600 --> 00:34:43,199 it. And I think that's one of the 594 00:34:43,199 --> 00:34:46,400 most applications that I want us to understand this evening is 595 00:34:46,400 --> 00:34:49,500 that prayer isn't something that's just happenstance. 596 00:34:49,900 --> 00:34:54,199 It's not something that's so it's not something that should 597 00:34:54,199 --> 00:34:59,200 be made into a novelty prayer, is a tool. 598 00:34:59,200 --> 00:35:03,100 We have to endure trials and to help those who were in need and 599 00:35:03,100 --> 00:35:05,200 to Avail ourselves to this privilege. 600 00:35:05,200 --> 00:35:06,900 We have to make sure that we're living, right? 601 00:35:08,000 --> 00:35:10,700 We thank you for listening to our podcast, put on by the 602 00:35:10,700 --> 00:35:16,400 Church of Christ at 22:15 plans. Road in Bakersfield, if you 603 00:35:16,408 --> 00:35:19,500 would like any additional information, or you would like 604 00:35:19,500 --> 00:35:22,700 to receive a free Bible correspondence, course by mail. 605 00:35:23,400 --> 00:35:27,200 Please email us at info at her Church of Christ 606 00:35:27,200 --> 00:35:31,100 Bakersfield.com. Our service times are on Sundays 607 00:35:31,100 --> 00:35:36,800 at 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. and Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. 608 00:35:37,400 --> 00:35:40,900 Please make plans to join us. We would love for you to be our 609 00:35:40,900 --> 00:35:41,800 honored guest.