Go 'In the Spirit'
Through intercession, individuals can touch entire nations and change the course of history.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the power of prayer and intercession, illustrating how one person's prayers can impact entire nations. He reflects on Abraham's negotiation with God regarding Sodom, highlighting that God is willing to spare cities for the sake of a few righteous individuals. Wilkerson also cites Ezekiel's prophecy, where God sought just one person to stand in the gap for Israel, demonstrating the profound effect of a single intercessor. He encourages believers to engage in prayer, even from their secret closets, to support those who are physically going to spread the Gospel. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a collective effort in prayer to reach the unreached and transform nations.
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You can go "in the Spirit" to any nation on earth. You can touch an unreached people while on your knees. Indeed, your secret closet may become the headquarters for a movement of God's Spirit over an entire nation.
I think of Abraham's example. He prayed over godless, wicked Sodom. The Lord answered him, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes" (Genesis 18:26).
When Abraham heard this, he began to negotiate with the Lord. He asked, "(If) there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five?" (18:28). Abraham was asking, "Lord, what if there are forty-five righteous people among those fifty believers? What if only that many are praying seekers? Or, what if there are only ten upright people who seek you? If only ten call on you, will you spare the city?" God answered Abraham, "I will not destroy it for ten's sake" (18:32).
This passage tells us something about the Lord. He is willing to save entire societies if he can find a band of righteous people within them. This speaks of people who seek his face for the sake of their nation.
God goes even further on this issue than he did with Abraham. In Ezekiel 22, God speaks of finding just one praying believer who will stand in the gap: "I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none" (Ezekiel 22:30).
At the time of Ezekiel's prophecy, Israel was polluted spiritually. The prophets were profane, violating God's law left and right. And the people were oppressed, vexed on all sides, full of lust, robbing one another. Not one person among them cried out to the Lord. Nobody stood in the gap to intercede. Yet God would have saved the entire nation for the sake of just one intercessor.
If you cannot physically go to the nations, you can be part of the support body of intercessors. And we are to assist those who have given themselves to go to the nations. When Paul writes of his journeys, he mentions not only Timothy and Titus as his helpers, but also Lydia and the other precious women who aided him. These were all devoted servants whose assistance helped touch entire nations with the gospel.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Power of Intercession
- A. Intercession can reach entire nations
- B. Intercession can change the course of history
- C. Intercession is a key to unlocking God's power
- II. Abraham's Example
- A. Abraham prayed for Sodom, showing the power of intercession
- B. Abraham's negotiation with God shows the importance of persistence
- C. God's willingness to save entire societies for the sake of a few righteous people
- III. Ezekiel's Prophecy
- A. God sought for one righteous person to stand in the gap
- B. The importance of intercession in preventing national judgment
- C. The role of intercessors in supporting those who go to the nations
Key Quotes
“You can touch an unreached people while on your knees.” — David Wilkerson
“Indeed, your secret closet may become the headquarters for a movement of God's Spirit over an entire nation.” — David Wilkerson
“If you cannot physically go to the nations, you can be part of the support body of intercessors.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- As an intercessor, you can play a crucial role in supporting those who have given themselves to go to the nations.
- Intercession can be a powerful tool in changing the course of history and unlocking God's power.
- You can be part of the support body of intercessors, praying for and assisting those who have given themselves to go to the nations.