Sermon Summary — “Jesus the Great Intercessor”   Main Theme:Jesus Christ stands eternally as the Great Intercessor — the one who steps between humanity and judgment, taking our place, wrapping Himself in our condition, and offering access to God through His continual intercession. 1. Defining Intercession Pastor Denis begins by distinguishing intercession from ordinary prayer. All prayer is not intercessory, though intercession may happen during prayer. The Greek roots of “intercession” convey two ideas: To come between or to obstruct/prevent something harmful. To be wrapped up in — implying full personal involvement. An intercessor steps into the gap—on behalf of others—to obstruct harm or judgment and to bring about God’s will, not personal desires. Example: Esther interceded for her people, risking her life to stand between them and destruction. True intercessors, like her, are willing to “wrap themselves” into a situation regardless of cost. 2. The Nature of True Intercession True intercession is not “safe” or comfortable, but rooted in faith and obedience. It is not motivated by emotion or pity, but by alignment with the will of God. It involves risk without fear, because “to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Pastor Denis uses a story of a mayor taking his mother’s punishment to illustrate substitution — a reflection of what Jesus does for us. 3. Biblical Examples of Intercessors Job 9:32–33 – Job longs for a “mediator” (daysman) to stand between him and God — a foreshadowing of Christ. Elijah (James 5:17–18) – Elijah prayed for drought and then rain, aligning his intercession with God’s word, even though it brought hardship upon himself too. True intercession seeks spiritual restoration above physical comfort. Moses – Offered his own life for Israel’s forgiveness (“If you destroy them, destroy me too”). Shows intercession as willingness to bear another’s burden or consequence. 4. Modern Application — Interceding with God’s Will Sometimes God calls believers to pray difficult prayers, not just “bless them” prayers — to ask for repentance, breaking, and surrender. True intercessors pray for God’s will, not people’s preferences. Intercession might require standing against popular opinion or suffering personally for the sake of truth. 5. The Great Intercessor: Jesus Christ Hebrews 2 reveals that Jesus is the ultimate mediator who: Took on flesh and “tasted death for everyone.” Fully identified with humanity, walking through temptation, pain, and rejection. Now “lives to make intercession” for us continually before the Father. Jesus is the only one who: Stepped between judgment and humanity to absorb sin’s penalty. Wrapped Himself in human weakness to redeem it. Now stands as our refuge, mediator, and hope. Key Insight: Saying “I can’t overcome” or “I can’t change” is not humility — it denies the power of Christ’s intercession. Every believer must personally step into what Jesus has already provided. 6. Call to Action Seek Jesus first, before friends, family, or social support. Develop a personal relationship with Him — He’s awake at every hour, listening and interceding. Make Him the center, not a part, of your life. Everything else should revolve around Him. Understand that Jesus’ intercession is ongoing, not a one-time act — He is continually standing in the gap for us. Closing Message Jesus, the Great Intercessor, has already obstructed judgment, absorbed our punishment, and secured eternal life for those who believe.Now, He calls us to reflect His nature — to stand in the gap for others, to align with His will, and to give ourselves wholly to the purposes of God. “He lives to make intercession — not because He must be convinced, but because that’s who He is.”