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Hanover Baptist Church
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PRIESTHOOD OF BELIEVERS
INTRODUCTION 1. Quote: "In ancient times it was held that men in general could not have access to God, that any approach to Him must be mediated by some member of the class of priests, who alone could approach God, and who must be accordingly employed by other men to represent them before Him. This whole concept vanishes in the light of Christianity. By virtue of their relation to Christ all believers have direct approach to God, and consequently, as this right of approach was formerly a priestly privilege, priesthood may now be predicated of every Christian. That none needs another to intervene between his soul and God; that none can thus intervene for another; that every soul may and must stand for itself in personal relation with God -- such are the simple elements of the NT doctrine of the priesthood of all believers." (ISBE) 2. Definition of the doctrine of the priesthood of believers: Every believer may pray directly to God without a human intercessor through Jesus Christ the High Priest.
I. THE MEANING OF PRAYER 1. Prayer is communing with God. (relate, talk, worship, fellowship) 2. There are types of prayer. 1Ti 2.1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men · supplications: asking for definite needs · prayers: a general word · intercessions: making requests for others · giving of thanks: an integral part of prayer 3. There is only one Mediator. 1Ti 2.5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. 4. There is private prayer. Mat 6.6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 5. There is public prayer. Act 4.23-31
II. THE BASIS OF PRAYER 1. The Priesthood of Christ: Jesus Christ is not only the believer's Savior but also his High Priest; therefore we call upon the Father in Jesus' Name. 2. Heb 4.14-16 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 3. Rev 1.5-6 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 4. 1Pe 2.5,9 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.
III. THE MINISTRY OF PRAYER 1. Pray for personal peace. Php 4.6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 2. Pray for Christian service. · 2Co 1.11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf. · 2Th 3.1-2 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. · Eph 6.18-20 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 3. Pray for God's Glory · 2Co 4.15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. · Heb 13.15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
IV. THE HINDRANCES OF PRAYER 1. Sin: Psa 66.18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me. 2. Stinginess: Mal 3.10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 3. Wrong attitudes: Eph 4.30-32 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. 4. Neglect: Jam 4.17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. 5. Unhappy homes: 1Pe 3.7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. 6. Doubt: · Rom 14.23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. · Jam 1.6-7 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. |