It is very good to be able to be with you for this week's edition of the Weekend Sermon. I hope that everyone is having a good day. I would like to thank all of you for taking the time to read the posts and sermons.
This past week has been filled with work for me. I've been taking care of two lawns, working on writing and working at my job. Next week, I am going to be getting a new supervisor at work. Please pray that this goes well. I am always nervous when a new person comes in. You never know what to expect. I've been feeling pretty good, so thank you for all your prayers in this area.
As we go to prayer this week, let us continue to focus our prayers on the Zika virus. Let us pray that this virus can be eradicated. Also, let us pray for those suffering from the effects of the war in Syria. Pray for peace in this troubled land, and pray for peace in Iraq, Afghanistan and Ukraine. I heard on the news that there might be a peace agreement among some of the parties in Libya. Hopefully, this country will know peace.
This week, I read a report on the nations that have the smallest percentage of Christians. I want us to focus on two countries from this list of 20 nations each week. This week, let's pray for the nations of Maldives and Somalia.
In last week's message, we focused on the portion of the Apostles' Creed that stated, "He ascended in Heaven." We focused on the importance of this doctrine in the life of the church. Today, we will focus our attention on the next phrase of the Creed which states, "He sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty." This phrase focuses our attention on the present work of Jesus Christ in Heaven.
Hebrews 1:3 tells us that after Jesus had completed the work of the purification of our sins, He sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. This same idea is also expressed in Hebrews 8:1 and Ephesians 1:20.
In Acts chapter 7 we read the story of Stephen who was the first Christian martyr. As Stephen was being stoned to death, he looked up and saw the throne room of Heaven. There, he saw Jesus on the right hand of the Father.
Why is it important to say that Jesus is seated at the Father's right hand? There are two important aspects of this. First of all, the act of sitting down designates that work has been completed. Jesus is seated because He finished the work that was set before Him by the Father. He came to redeem us from sin and to deal with the consequences of sin.
In the culture in which the Bible was written, to be seated at the right hand of a powerful king or ruler meant that you had a position of power and favor. The Father accepted the work of the Son in His death and resurrection. He exalted the Son to sit at His right hand. At this very moment, Jesus is ruling and reigning with the Father over all of creation and over the Heavenly realms. I Peter 3:22 speaks about the rule of Jesus in Heaven. Jesus is truly the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. One day, every being will acknowledge this and bow the knee to Jesus Christ.
Because He is seated at the Father's right hand, Jesus is currently performing certain ministries on behalf on His followers. Romans 8:34 tells us that Jesus is at the Father's right hand interceding for us. What does this mean? What I believe this means is that Jesus is making requests to the Father on our behalf. Jesus wants good things for those who follow Him. When we pray in the name of Jesus, Jesus acts on our behalf. Jesus is our great High Priest who has been touched by the feelings of our infirmities. When we pray, He can help us and comfort us because He had been where we are.
I also believe that Jesus is interceding for us in regard to judgment. When we sin, Jesus stands in our place. His righteousness covers us and cleanses us from sin. The judgment of the Father is not brought against us for our sins because Jesus has interceded for us by His righteousness.
I John 2:1 tells us that Jesus is our Advocate with the Father. He is the one who pleads our case. What does this mean? The Bible says in the book of Revelation that Satan is the accuser of the brethren. He is always trying to bring accusations against us to God when we sin. However, Jesus stands as our representative. Those of us who are in Christ Jesus have Jesus stating to the Father that we are in Christ. There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. When we are in Jesus, the devil's accusations are worthless.
Jesus Christ is on our side. He loves us and He cares for us. He will be with us for all of eternity. There is one other thing that Jesus is now doing that I wanted to emphasize. Jesus told His disciples in the Upper Room Discourse, that He was going to prepare a place for them and for us. He was doing this because He wanted His followers to be with Him forever and forever. I believe that right now, Jesus is making a wonderful place for us in Heaven, where we will enjoy happiness and joy beyond our wildest imagination when we see Jesus face to face.
Jesus has done and is doing so much for us. We should give Him all the praise and glory all the time.
For those who know Jesus as Savior and Lord, Jesus also lives in our hearts. He guides us and leads us throughout our lives. He is our Friend. If you don't know Jesus as Savior and Lord, I pray that you will ask Him to forgive your sins and be your Savior. I pray that you will invite Jesus to take control of your life today. Thank you Jesus, for all that you have done and for all that you are doing and for all that you will do.
Next week, I will post the verses on Monday. I will have a review on Wednesday and the sermon will appear on Friday. May God bless you all. Amen.
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