Jn.16:23,-24 Truly, truly,
I say to you, whatever you ask the Father for in my name, he will give it to
you. “Until now you have not asked for
anything in my name; keep asking and you will receive, in order that your joy
may be made full.”
Jesus is in the upper room giving last
minute instructions and truth to His disciples.
He is preparing them for a mean ugly world that will not accept them or
wish them to succeed. He is giving them
the means and knowledge how to succeed and win over this world. This is a great verse for us to ponder and
consider. Today I want to talk about the
most important thing you can do. It is
the most important ministry because it is what Jesus is doing right now, this ministry
and the power of prayer.
1. There are five things that
Jesus said here I want to focus on this morning. Truths in prayer.
Jesus said, “Truly
truly I say to you.” These are the words of Jesus. He is God, His integrity, nature and
character absolutely refuse Him to lie.
Remember Jesus said in John 14:6, “He was the way, the truth and the
life. Jesus is truth, He proved it by
rising from the dead. So what He says
from this scripture is absolute truth.
It is the law and word of God. It
cannot and will be broken and all heaven is going to back it up. Paul states in Roman that every man may be a
liar but the word of God is true.
2. First truth, whatever you ask the Father for in my name. When you ask in Jesus name you are praying
His authority. Remember His name is
above every name. At His name every knee
will bow and every tongue will confess. Praying
in Jesus’ name reminds us rely on His power and His will. Praying in Jesus’ name reminds us to glorify
Him, not ourselves. James even warns us
against praying for things just for our selfish desires. Jesus is our avenue, conduit and channel to
the Father. We can only come to Him
through Jesus. He is our Father because
of Jesus. Paul says we can call Him,
Abba Father because of Jesus. I love
this quote. The child asks of the Father
whom he knows. Thus, the essence of Christian prayer is not general adoration,
but definite, concrete petition. The right way to approach God is to stretch
out our hands and ask of One who we know has the heart of a Father.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Talk about Frank Foglio and Hey God.
3. Second truth, when you ask in Jesus name He will give it to
you. This is the promise of prayer. This phrase is the guarantee. This is written contract or word that cannot
be broken and must be honored by God.
John clarifies one thing in 1 John 5:14, by stating that we have
confidence that when we ask according to His will God do it. How do we know the will of God? Matt 22:37-40, Matt 6:33 and the foundational
verses. When you align your will,
desires, dreams and destiny with God you will know what He wants and you will
want to do it. Jesus only wanted to do
the will of His Father. That must be
your aim. Paul puts it concisely to the
point in Rom 12:1-2, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of
God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to
God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of
this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be
able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect
will. Remember every good and perfect
gift comes from the Lord.
4. Third truth about prayer is to keep asking. Do not give up. Remember the story about the widow woman who
wanted justice from the unjust judge.
She never gave up and finally her request was answer. Remember they who wait on the Lord will soar,
run and win. Cam Floria says, “Waiting
is often providential discipline to those who have been given a great task.” Many times our feelings don’t reflect
facts. Daniel learned that before the
request was out of his mouth the answer was on the way. Just because God is silent that does mean he
is absent. God is always working in ways
you do not see. Remember prayer is
bigger than petitions and request. Faith
and trust is involved. Remember timing
is as well. God always arrives on
time. I found this little thought.
Prayer is not a means of
coercing God to do what we want. It is a process of recognizing His power and
plan for our lives. In prayer we yield our lives and circumstances to the Lord
and trust Him to act in His time and in His way. As we rely on God’s grace not only for the
outcome of our requests but for the process as well, we can keep coming to the
Lord in prayer, trusting His wisdom and care for us. Our Lord’s encouragement to us is clear:
Always pray and don’t give up!
5. You will receive. What a
great promise. Our God wants to bless
you. He wants to give you eternal and
abundant life. Just receive. This is what grace is all about. It is God’s riches at Christ’s expense. I sometimes think of serving the Lord as
Christmas and birthdays all the time.
Prayer is the avenue of asking and receiving. You stand upon God’s word and promises and
then by grace your receive. There is an
old song about a man who gave his wife a daisy a day. God gives because he loves us. Our part is to receive, walk and be healed by
that love. God gives because the world,
the devil and the flesh has damaged us.
Only God’s love can truly restore, heal and make us whole. Just receive.
All the benefits of salvation and heaven are yours because of
Jesus. Just receive. Have the people lift their hands and receive
it.
6. This last truth is so beautiful, wonderful and powerful. All because the Lord wants to see your joy be
full. God wants to fill your life with
His joy. Joy is that deep seated
contentment. The dictionary says joy is
a state of well being. It is a place of
delight. A foundation for success,
abundance and freedom. God is the source
of this. He wants to impart it to you so
you in turn can give it to others.
Prayer in Jesus name brings total joy.
Abundance beyond imagination.
Remember God can do exceedingly abundantly beyond you could ask or even
imagine. This is the power of
prayer. Think of the greatest place of
joy or bliss you have ever had a times it by a billion and you are still not
close to what God gives you in Christ.
Out of your inner being will flow rivers of living water. Can I state something,” I believe that so many of us live so below our
potential it hurts God and us. Today I
dare you to dream in prayer and then go ask for it because of what Jesus said
here.
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