Without salvation we are unprepared to face our own trial much less anyone else s.

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1 Session 8 Supreme Court of Heaven Series Presenting Cases in Heaven s Courts I. Presenting Cases in the Court A. Pre-trial 1. Self-Evaluation i. Born Again 1 Corinthians 2:14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. Romans 8:9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. Salvation begins with the revelation of the absence of a personal relationship with Christ and the awareness of our personal sin before a perfect God. Without salvation we are unprepared to face our own trial much less anyone else s. ii. Faith in God As children of God we spend time with our Father. We begin to know Him as He really is not as we have supposed Him to be. A person who knows the Judge and how He tends to rule has an advantage. Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? There are lots of children in the neighborhood, but it is those children who are yours that you really know. Doesn t God know everybody? Yes in a creative sense; but not in a relational sense. Matthew 7:22 23 Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles? 23 And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS. 2 Timothy 2:19 The Lord knows those who are His, iii. Know your position in Christ If we are to be effective we must know our position in Christ.

2 We must know more than what scripture says about the case we plead, we must know what it says about us. A pastor asked a church member, How are you doing. The reply was, I am doing fine under the circumstances. The pastor answered, what are you doing under your circumstances? Matthew 5:13 I am the salt of the earth. Matthew 5:14 I am the light of the world. Mark 11:23 What I say in faith without doubt I get. John 3:36 I have eternal life. John 5:24 I have passed from death into life. John 8:31 The truth has set me free. John 14:14 If I ask anything in Jesus name, He will do it. John 14:20 I am in Christ, and Christ is in me. John 14:27 I have peace. John 15:9 I am loved by Jesus. John 16:27 I am loved by the Father. John 17:9 I belong to God. John 17:13 I have the full joy of Jesus. John 17:15 I am protected from the evil one. Romans 8:11 I have life in my mortal body Through His Spirit who indwells me. iv. Developing Intimacy with God We have a Core Value of developing intimacy with God. We use the Song of Solomon to exemplify it. Remember when tests come the silence of God often accompanies it. Remember the teacher never talks during the test. When the Lord is silent it doesn t mean we are faithless, or it is sin, or that God has put us on the shelf. Father is just monitoring our desire for a deeper relationship with Him. 2. Qualities of a good advocate i. Dedication. Committed to the task ii. Reliability Are we committed and serious beyond the prayer meeting? Are we committed enough to not leave until we get an answer? God isn t looking for our ability but our availability. Ezekiel 22:30 I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one. iii. Integrity 2

3 the quality of possessing and steadfastly adhering to high moral principles or professional standards iv. Objectivity and empathy v. Kind These two must be present and kept in balance. All empathetic intercession leads us to emotional overload. All objective then we cannot feel the needs grow stale and dry up. When your boss is rude, traffic is backed up or the grocery clerk is angry kindness will win the day. Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. vi. Discipline vii. Leadership Ability the ability to guide, direct, or influence people,, viii. High moral character ix. A team player Corporate intercession can be individual intercession in a corporate setting but praise to the Lord that the church is learning to corporately approach God as one person. 3. Our case should be ordered before God It is best to approach the throne of the King of Kings with premeditation and preparation, knowing what we are about, where we are standing and what it is we desire to obtain. 4. Know what your arguments are Not filling your mouth with words or good phrases or Christian expressions but filling it with arguments. He requires us to plead with Him bring strong reasons. When a man searches for strong arguments it is because he believes what he is seeking is important. B. A Model for Defense We are to seek the purposes of God in every issue Uncover the plans of the enemy State the evidence 3

4 Refer to the law of God Petition heaven for mercy Ask for a definite answer 1. The facts the conditions as we see them If we do not know the facts we are likely to pray amiss. It is the facts that are on trial and we must be honest about the facts. Satan has made an accusation What is it? Is the accusation true?. Satan brings totally bogus accusations because he doesn t think we will answer the accusation by showing up in court. Satan brings factual accusations because he is counting on us being unwilling to repent. I have too much month and not enough money. Or is it that I have no discipline when it comes to spending? Malachi 3:8 12 Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, How have we robbed You? In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you! 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. 11 Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of the ground; nor will your vine in the field cast its grapes, says the LORD of hosts. 12 All the nations will call you blessed, for you shall be a delightful land, says the LORD of hosts. I have been diagnosed with a lung disease. Or is it that I smoke cigarettes? 1 Corinthians 6:19 20 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. I am sick all the time or is it that you are bitter/jealous toward someone? Proverbs 14:30 A tranquil heart is life to the body, But jealousy is rottenness to the bones. James 3:14 16 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 4

5 We must first ascertain the facts and ask God to reveal any deception before we petition Heaven for results. Spiritual Mapping is the art of researching a city s past to learn the historical facts that may have empowered the enemy and given him legal rights. What if someone spiritually mapped you? Before The Judge who knows all we MUST come clean 2. The evidence proof that it is as the facts state What is the purpose of God and what is the plan of Satan? God s ways are not our ways Isaiah 55:9 We need to seek His heart for understanding before going forward. God is always at work even in the circumstances motives often point to the true facts. I need help, but I would never ask my family (parents) for it. I keep running into the same conversations with various people. 3. The law what God s Word says about the issue When we approach God with His Word we are assured He is listening. Scripture is the language of the Court. A working knowledge of scripture tells the Judge you are familiar with the law. 4. Court precedent what has God done in the past 1 Chronicles 16:12 Remember His wonderful deeds which He has done, His marvels and the judgments from His mouth, Psalm 77:11 I shall remember the deeds of the LORD; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. Acts 10:34 Opening his mouth, Peter said: I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, 5. The Judge s character plead your case based on His character 5

6 Because of Your abundant mercy (James 2:13) I ask You Amazing grace (John 1:14). I request that Tender love (John 3:16). please Great faithfulness (Ps 89:1) would You God s intentions are always pure. 6. The prayer state the decision you are asking the Judge to make Write out your request as an attorney would write out his argument. Be specific not vague. Repentance should be included in your argument especially if you are guilty as determined by the facts and evidence. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Do not just talk to God about the situation, ask Him for something. Ask the Judge specifically what decision you want Him to make. Ever heard the term she didn t have a prayer? At the end of every lawsuit filed in Texas the final subtitle is called The Prayer. It is here where the attorney is supposed to specify what he is asking of the court. A lawsuit filed without this section is nothing more than an argument. An argument without a request! She didn t have a request. 7. The decision the Judge s conclusion on the matter Write down what the Judge says! His judgment might come immediately or some time might pass. Moving from years 6

7 Case Preparation Checklist The facts both the spiritual and physical facts as you see them _ The evidence reasons to believe the facts. Things you have seen, heard, experienced, revelation from God. The law what God s Word says about the issue Court precedent what has God done in the past on your or others behalf that He is likely to do again

8 The Judge s character plead your case based on His character The prayer state the decision you are asking the Judge to make. On the basis of the evidence, the law, and what You have done in the past, I am asking You to.. The decision Record the Judge s conclusion on the matter The Appeal sometimes after God denies a request, we may resubmit it. See Exodus 32:7-14; 2 Samuel 24; Psalm 107:6-31, 44-45; Jeremiah 26:10-19; Luke 11:5-13, 18:1-8 8