"The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7:23-25

Christ does not exist passively from afar, having completed his assignment (note: the world’s “worst sermon illustration ever!"), but remains actively engaged in vanquishing all the powers hostile to God until the end. He accomplishes this task in the life of a believer by the ministry of advocating/praying for believers as he sits in his heavenly session at the right hand of God the Father, where he continually pours out the Holy Spirit upon the church.

New City Catechism: Question 55

Q: How does Christ make intercession for us?

A: Declaring his will to apply to all believers, ANSWERING ALL ACCUSATIONS AGAINST THEM AND SECURING FOR THEM QUIET OF CONSCIENCE (DESPITE THEIR DAILY FAILINGS) access with boldness to the throne of grace, and acceptance of themselves and their acts of service.

Heidelberg Catechism: Question 116

Q: Why do Christians need to pray?

A: Because prayer is the most important part of the thankfulness God requires of us. And also because God will give his grace and Holy Spirit (in power) only to those who continually and with heartfelt longing ask God for these gifts and thank him for them.

“Since Christ is praying for us, I infer that believers should not rest at the cross for comfort; justification they should look for there; but, being justified by his blood, they should ascend up after him to the throne (in heaven). At the cross you will see him in his sorrows and humiliations, in his tears and blood; but follow him to where he is now, and then you shall see him in his reigning in majesty... you will see Jesus as he now appears in the presence of God for you; what work he makes against the devil and sin, and death and hell, for you.” John Bunyan, Christ a Complete Savior

BECAUSE OF THE RISEN, ASCENDED, REIGNING CHRIST WHO POURS OUT HIS HOLY SPIRIT UPON THE CHURCH:

1. “When I am weak, then I am strong” 2 Corinthians 12:10 – When I look outside of myself, my energy, my abilities, and plead for the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit poured out in my life by Christ, then I can experience the ongoing power of the Lord.

New City Catechism, Q. 36

Q: What do we believe about the Holy Spirit?

A: That he is God, coeternal with the Father and the Son, and that god grants him irrevocably to all who believe.

2. Because Jesus saves me to the uttermost, my faith will not fail.

"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6

3. Satan is powerless in seeking to condemn and bring accusation against the child of God.

"Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us." Romans 8:33-34

4. I am being transformed.

“God unites the individual to the risen Lord in such a way that the dispositional drives of Christ’s perfect human character – the inner urgings, that is, to honor, adore, love, obey, serve and please God, and to benefit others for both their sake and his sake – are now reproduced at the MOTIVATIONAL CENTER of that individual’s being. And they are reproduced, in the face of the contrary egocentric cravings of the fallen nature, in a dominant way, so that the Christian, though still troubled and tormented by the urgings of indwelling sin, is no longer ruled by those urgings in the way that was true before.” J.I. Packer, Serving the People of God, p. 259

5. Christ-centered disciples (in spite of daily failings and struggles) experience the goodness and the mercy of God by the power of the Holy Spirit, and in turn, build and bless others.

 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32.

6. We walk in gospel-based, Holy Spirit anointed confidence, expectation, and hope.