Examples of Christ's Intercession

A preacher holding out choice pearls from Scripture to a congregation whose swinish nature snorts and tramples them into the mud — the agony of ministering these glories to indifferent hearers.

May I say that as I turn to this passage, I feel that I am almost violating a commandment of Scripture. That commandment of Scripture is one in which Jesus said, Cast not your pearls before swine. And I realize as I turn to this passage, there are some of you who will treat this passage like a swine treats a handful of pearls. You come to the swine and say, look at these beautiful pearls.

9:36 - 10:10 Read in full sermon

A previously dishonest and disinterested worker goes back to his job and works so diligently his coworkers ask if he thinks he owns the business — illustrating the visible reality that makes the world believe Christ was sent.

When that person who's been dishonest and disinterested goes back to his job. And people say, what are you doing, trying to show us all up? You work around here like you own the business. And he says, well, the Lord saved me.

23:25 - 23:38 Read in full sermon

Driving home: The continued existence of grace in a believer's heart is a great standing miracle.

The word 'eclipse' (from the Greek of Luke 22:32) pictures the moon coming between the sun and earth — Christ prays that Peter's faith not be utterly blotted out, though its strength may be temporarily dimmed.

but here is a case where the meaning of the word comes through very clearly in its English transliteration our word eclipse you know what an eclipse of the sun is where the moon comes in the direct path and you can't see the sun at all I have prayed for thee that thy faith be not eclipsed utterly blotted out oh yes its strength may be lessened and you may see that little maid and her threatening words as bigger than your God your faith, the eye of faith may become so myopic that everything's out of perspective and you may be guilty, Peter, of temporary spiritual nearsightedness and you get all...

35:42 - 36:27 Read in full sermon

God's redemption does not work like a pre-programmed computer feeding out impulses automatically — every blessing is conferred personally and vitally through the living activity of Christ's intercession.

God's work of redemption is not like a pre-programmed computer in which everything is bound up in the tape and it just feeds out at the right time creating the right impulses to bring the right results.

40:52 - 41:04 Read in full sermon

Driving home: There is no gift that comes to us apart from Christ.

A clerk counting change by hand may make mistakes, but it is nice to see a living human being add up a column — the computer age is cutting the nerve of interpersonal relationships.

The clerk may make a mistake in counting and change, but it's at least nice to talk to a clerk and to see a living human being trying to add up the column. Now just...

42:12 - 42:21 Read in full sermon