Picture of Alex Adegboye

Alex Adegboye

Senior Pastor: Word Alive Ministries International

The Torn Veil 2 (Draw Near To God)

Pastor Alex Adegboye

Text: Matthew 27:50

The torn or the rent veil represents a call to a reinvigorated prayer life. It’s a call to a more fervent prayer. I want to talk about the principles that undergird a disciplined prayer life because this event ensued in order to reveal a truth that is very relevant to us in many ways. It happened and it had three great implications to the Jews:

  1. The Old Testament and its priesthood come to an end. It meant the discarding of the Old Testament. The law and all its ordinances came to an end with Jesus Christ ushering in a new testament and laws.
    Hebrews 7:12 (KJV)
    For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
  2. The high priest loses his job. When the veil was turned, there was no need to have the high priest appear on behalf of the people. He was the only one who could access the presence of God once every year but not anymore.
  3. Religion comes to an end. Religion is a search for God but God is saying now I come looking for you, the gospel grants us access to God to fellowship with Him. The veil is removed for all to come in.

Now let us consider the practical applications of the torn veil as it applies to prayer:

1. It is an open invitation by God to all. God beckons to everyone.

Matthew 11:28 (KJV)  
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

2. The torn veil says to us there is no need for mediator except Jesus Christ.

1 Tim. 2:5 (KJV)  
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 
Hebrews 12:24 (KJV)  
And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

3. Prayer responsibility is yours exclusively. No high priest needed anymore because the barrier to God is opened for all.

4. As a result of the relationship and fellowship that we have with God, it brings huge benefits.

1 Cor. 1:30-31 (KJV)  
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: [31] That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

5. Intercessory prayer is the primary responsibility of the Church. A Christian must not live for himself alone. God blessed Solomon so much because he chose to serve God’s people, he looked beyond himself. 1 Kings 3:5-13, Heb 7:25

6. There is no more barrier between you and God, except you. God is a Spirit. It is only our flesh that can bar us from God’s presence. The flesh doesn’t impress God. God would not do anything except somebody somewhere asks Him. He wants us to come. All impediments to miracles are man-made not God-made.

Romans 10:12-13 (KJV)  
    For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. [13] For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 
The flesh must come under the influence and control of the spirit to access God because God is a Spirit. The flesh must be torn i.e. the veil must be torn in order to approach God. The flesh is the source of fear, doubt, unbelief, laziness, idleness and lukewarmness- these are enemies of faith. If you don’t pray, all these things will shut you out and give you a shortchanged life.

We are the generation called to make spiritual sacrifices unto God. No carnal sacrifices but spiritual sacrifices. You must step up. Our prayers must not be filled with fleshly requests and carnal desires. It should be effectual and fervent prayer of a righteous man.
1 Cor. 14:15 (KJV)  
    What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. 
Galatians 5:16 (KJV)  
    This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 
1 Peter 2:5 (KJV)  
    Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 
We must be in the spirit. The veil is torn and we must approach God in the spirit. This is the order to follow and we must not break the protocol.
Hosea 14:2 (KJV)  
    Take with you words, and turn to the Lord: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips. 
The “calves of our lips” there are our spiritual sacrifices. It must not be done by the agency of the flesh. The veil i.e. the flesh has been torn by the blood of Jesus.
Hebrews 10:19-23 (KJV)  
    Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, [20] By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; [21] And having an high priest over the house of God; [22] Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. [23] Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 

We ought to provoke one another unto good works through the broken flesh. That is talking about prayer, our fellowship and services unto God.

Paul admonishes us in Rom 12:11-12 “not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.”
Luke 18:1. Jesus says “men always ought to pray and not to faint.”
There is nothing God has that He is not willing to give to us, those who would take advantage of the access which He has granted unto all. “Heaven belongs to the Lord but the earth has He given to the children of men.”

Psalm 115:16 (KJV)  
    The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men. 
God said we should ask Him. Matt 7:7. God says in Ps 2:8 that “we should ask Him of the heathens and nations.”

Going to God and asking from Him is a proclamation that power is not in your hands, you need divine help. It means you admit you cannot do it on your own. We are powerless but He alone strengthens us to do exploit for Him through the recognition of prayers. Let us learn the discipline of prayers. Let us turn the words and prophecies that we have received into prayers.

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