Tag Archives: Ttiba Talks

10 Theses on Intercession

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  1. Intercession means praying for other people. 

The English word “intercede” comes from two words meaning to “go between”. The Greek word means to speak to someone on behalf of another. Intercession is one of the four central kinds of prayer, remembered by the acronym ACTS. In adoration, we praise God in our prayers (Ps. 34:1-3). In thanksgiving, we express gratitude to him (Ps. 9:1-2). In confession, we acknowledge our sins (Ps. 41:4). In supplication, we make requests, either for ourselves or for others—which is intercession. 

Scripture is filled with intercessory prayers. Abraham prayed that God would spare the righteous in Sodom and Gomorrah (Gn. 18). Moses prayed for the people of Israel, that God would turn his burning anger away from them (Ex. 32:11; Ps. 106:23). While the angel was striking Israel, David prayed for them (2Sm. 24:17). Paul prayed for others “constantly”, “night and day” (2Tm. 1:3). Jesus often prayed for others, including little children (Mt. 19:13). 

Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer is the greatest example of intercessory prayer. In this prayer, Jesus interceded for those who believed in him (v. 20), with requests such as: (1) Knowledge of Christ (v. 3). (2) Eternal security (v. 11). (3) Unity (v. 11). (4) Joy (v. 13). (5) Protection from Satan (v. 15). (6) Sanctification (v. 17). (7) Seeing God’s glory (v. 24).

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10 Theses on Creation

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  1. The Triune God is the creator of everything in the universe. 

In the beginning (Gn. 1:1), God made “the earth and all that is in it” (Neh. 9:6). He made his creation perfect, “good” (1Tm. 4:4), “very good” (Gn. 1:31), and “everything beautiful in its time” (Ecc. 3:11). “Good” precludes anything evil in creation before the Fall. The living God created the world ex nihilo, out of nothing (Gn. 1:1), without any pre-existing materials (Gn. 3:21). 

He did so by a “word” (Hb. 11:3). He “spoke and it came to be” (Ps. 33:9); he “commanded” and the world was created (Ps. 148:5). The creation of the world was immediate, similar to the way Jesus instantly turned water into wine (Jn. 2:1-11) and fed the five thousand (Mt. 14:13-21). God also created the world with maturation, such as fully grown trees and Adam and Eve with the appearance of age. 

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10 Theses on Suffering

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  1. Suffering should be expected and embraced by Christians. 

Jesus promised believers they would be “hated by all” for his sake (Mt. 10:22), delivered up to courts, flogged (Mt. 10:17), betrayed by friends (Lk. 21:16-17), and thrown into prison (Rv. 2:10). Paul said we must enter into the kingdom of God “through many tribulations” (Ac. 14:22). 

Jesus warned Paul that he would suffer much (Ac. 9:16). “Do not be surprised,” John said, “that the world hates you” (1Jn. 3:13). “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2Tm. 3:1

2. Suffering began at the Fall and lands upon everyone. 

Death is the only way to avoid suffering. Adam and Eve were created posse non peccare (able not to sin) but were told that if they ate of the wrong tree, they would die (Gn. 2:17). They disobeyed, bringing immediate spiritual death. Their sin also brought other forms of suffering, like pain in childbirth to women (Gn. 3:16), difficulty in labor to men (Gn. 3:17-19), and eventual death to all people (Gn. 5:5; Rm. 5:12). 

Today, suffering is universal, as common as sparks that drift upwards (Job 5:7). Job, who lost all of his children, possessions, and health, said he was “few of days and full of trouble” (14:1). Jesus said: “In the world you will have tribulation” (Jn. 14:33). 

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