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  OUR EVER LIVING INTERCESSOR
  by A.W. Tozer
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Summary: A.W. Tozer explores the significance of Christ's intercessory
role and its implications for believers in his sermon 'Our Ever Living
Intercessor'.

Topics: "Intercession", "Christ as High Priest"
Scripture References: Exodus 28:29, Leviticus 16:15, Isaiah 53:12, Matthew 26:28, John 10:14-15, John 17:9, Romans 8:34, Hebrews 4:14-16, Hebrews 7:25, 1 John 2:1

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DESCRIPTION
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A.W. Tozer emphasizes the significance of Christ's high priestly prayer
in John 17:9, where Jesus states He prays specifically for His
followers, not the world. Tozer clarifies that this does not imply
Christ never prays for sinners, but rather highlights the context of His
intercession as the High Priest who advocates for those who accept His
atonement. He draws parallels to the Old Testament high priest, whose
intercessions were limited to Israel, underscoring that Christ's prayer
is for those who trust in Him. This sermon invites believers to
understand the depth of Christ's intercession and the assurance it
brings to those who are His own.

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CONTENT
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Christ in His high priestly prayer specifically states, "I am not
praying for the world, but for those you have given me" (John 17:9).
That is what He said; it only remains to learn by reverent comparison
with other Scripture just what the words mean.

To insist that by these words Christ meant that He never prayed for
sinners would be to read into the words more than is there. We must
remember that these words were spoken in a particular context; the great
High Priest was appearing before the throne of mercy as Advocate and
Intercessor and could at that time include in His prayers only those who
were His own.

When a high priest of the Old Testament appeared before the mercy seat
to offer blood for the sins of Israel, his intercessions extended to
Israel only. They were the only ones for whom that atonement was made.
They were the only ones who trusted in Him and looked to Him for help.
Christ came in fulfillment of the Old Testament type, and it may safely
be assumed that the prayer of John 17 was made only for those who accept
Christ's atonement and avail themselves of the protection it affords.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/aw-tozer/our-ever-living-intercessor/
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