Bend God's Ear - Part 2

Hebrews 5:5-10 So also Christ did not glorify Himself so as to become a high priest, but He who said to Him, “You are My Son, today I have begotten You”; just as He says also in another passage, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.” In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

Continuing Pastor Herk’s sermon on “Fervent Prayer” that bends God’s ear, stating (2) we must pray fervently because Jesus’ compassion is boundless because he’s been there. God has a holy hatred of sin. Everyone that seeks God in prayer knows the feeling of sin disqualifying us from seeking Him. Isaiah 59:2 tells us, “your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.” Only the One who finishes the race know the fullness of the struggle and that is Jesus. Before temptation can max out, we tend to give up, so we cannot sympathize with everyone’s struggles. But, Christ finished the race and His sinlessness increased His sensitivity to our sin.    

Thirdly, (3) we must pray fervently because Jesus unleashes mercy and grace. Common people are not supposed to approach powerful kings because the throne is a sacred place, entitled to reverence and unapproachable. But, God’s throne, While remaining pure and holy, has become the source of grace and mercy. Jesus allows us to approach the throne of Heaven. When we feel guilty and unworthy, fearing God’s holy hatred of sin, we may be tempted to put off prayer or bend His ear, but Hebrews 4:16 “Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need”, pleads with us to do just the opposite. Those of us who are full of failure and sin should be marked by passion and fervent prayer. 

Fourth, (4) we must pray fervently because Jesus is appointed by God. This intercessory High Priesthood of Jesus was God’s idea. IF we refuse Christ, we offend God. In the same way, we offend God when we cower from praying fervently. Show the glory of His provision and the power of His Son by asking anything in His name. Honor His Christ! Fifth, (5) we must pray fervently because Jesus Himself prayed. People in distress may say “You don’t know how I feel”, but Jesus knows and promises that He will extend comfort. And Jesus prayed to His death for us.

Lastly, (6) we must pray fervently because Jesus suffered to save. We may be nervous on what to say in prayer, but God wants to hear from you and I. He calls us to prayer and listens to his children. He has made all the preparation for us to come and bend His ear. Jesus is the source of eternal salvation to those who repent, believe by faith in the gospel, He saved us by going to the Cross in our place and He saves us forever. The atoning sacrifice has been accepted by holy God for our sins. Behold, the Lamb of God that takes away our sin, once and for all! He tore the curtain in the Holy of Holies Top to bottom and the Son came out. Child of God, boldly approach God’s throne with fervent prayer.

Why fear? Bend God’s ear.

In Christ, Brian