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What We Learned Together This Sunday July 30, 2023
INTRODUCTION Our message this morning in John chapter sixteen “A Promise of Answered Prayer for The Disciples of Jesus” verses 23-24. We continue to study these chapters being disciples making disciples as we learn together what discipleship means for each of here at New Life Fellowship. Throughout these chapters the many themes for us as disciples of Jesus: humbly serving, sacrificially loving, faithfully abiding, and personally believing. In this Upper Room discourse given to us here in the Gospel of John the words of the Lord Jesus for His own disciples are filled with promises for faithful believing, blessings for fruitful abiding, and prophecies for hopeful living. Here again we see the humble service, sacrificial love, and personal obedience by the Savior as He comforts His disciples at the time when He is going to the cross & die for them. Last week we saw A Word By Jesus About Present Misunderstandings [16:16-18]. There was An Announcement by Jesus of His Resurrection. Today Some Promises By Jesus About Blessed Understandings [16:19-24]. Both Having Joy & Praying to The Father. Here are Some Encouragement by Jesus Because His Resurrection. In verse 19-22 For His Disciples His Promise Grief Will Become Joy. Last week we defined Joy as a deep, abiding inner thankfulness and gratitude to God which is not interrupted when undesirable life circumstances intrude. We have emphasized the three parts for joy: confidence in the promise of God, assurance of the power of God, and reliance on the plan of God. One unknown author represented joy as the royal banner flying from the flagstaff of the heart, signaling that the King is in residence. Jesus repeats the word joy through these verses [vv. 20,21,22, 24]. C. S. Lewis “The Weight of Glory”: If we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased. Next Jesus speaks about answered prayer and joy for His disciples. For His Disciples His Promise of Answered Prayer [16:23-24]. First, His Promise Declared For His Disciples Who Do Ask and Will Receive [16:23a]. This is confidence for His disciples in His words. “In that day you will not question Me about anything. Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you . . .” His words emphasize certainty, reliability, and truth to His disciples. Second His Promise Described for His Disciples Who Believe Jesus & Know the Father [16:23b] This is assurance for His disciples in His words. Jesus says, “if you ask the Father for anything in My name,He will give it to you.” Most translations written “whatever you ask the Father in My name . . .” This means what is consistent with the character of Jesus What a promise by Jesus! See John 16:19. The relationship with the Father through asking in prayer with Jesus as the ground and access. Reality of a relationship with the Father through the Son taught by the Spirit. Asking in His name is that Which Is Done for & Because of Jesus [cf. 14:13] Remember in the Gospel of John Jesus is revealed as the Son of God, the Savior of the World, and the Resurrected Lord. As in the Old Testament the Name of God because of Who He Is and What He does is displayed in His guidance, His deliverance, and His existence. This phrase by Jesus “in My Name” used in several places already used in this Upper Room Discourse [John 14:13-14; 15:16; 16:24, 26 cf. Matthew 7:7-9]. Think about the first time praying out loud with others as you are called upon and look around and see, “you mean me?” This promise by Jesus so important for us as His disciples. “Our Lord here sums up the prerogatives and privileges of His servants in the day that was about to dawn and to last till He came again. There is nothing absolutely new in the words; substantially the promises contained in them have appeared in former parts of these discourses under somewhat different aspects and connections. But our Lord brings them together here, in this condensed repetition, in order that the scattered rays, being thus focused, may have more power to illuminate with certitude, and to warm into hope. These are the jewels which He sets in a cluster, the juxtaposition making each brighter, and gives to us for a parting keepsake.” [Alexander McClaren] And finally third, His Promise Detailed For His Disciples Who Pray and Have Joy [16:24]. Th is obedience for His disciples in His words. Jesus says, “Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.” Remember what Jesus said in John 15:11 and 16:26. This a command by Jesus using the present active imperative form of this verb with continuing and repeating action. So as His disciples we are commanded to ask in prayer in His name! “Of all the list of Christian duties there is none to which there is such abounding encouragement, as prayer . . . It is worth noticing here how very frequent and full are the encouragements to prayer which our Lord holds out to His disciples.” [ J. C. Ryle] This means Seeing the Work of God, Having the Supply of God, and Knowing the Grace of God. Consider also Paul’s prayer in Colossians 1:9-12. Charles Spurgeon on Joy “There is a marvelous medicinal power in joy. Most medicines are distasteful; but this, which is the best of all medicines, is sweet to the taste, and comforting to the heart. This blessed joy is very contagious. One dolorous spirit brings a kind of plague into the house; one person who is wretched seems to stop all the birds from singing wherever he goes . . . [But] the grace of joy is contagious. Holy joy will oil the wheels of your life’s machinery. Holy joy will strengthen you for your daily labor. Jesus concludes, “so that your joy may be made full.” [16:24] CONCLUSION One commentator wrote about this joy. “It is His joy that we are to pursue (see John 15:11). This is not the “joy” that the world seeks. The world seeks for a “joy” that is rooted in the absence of trials and suffering, that delights in the promotion of self-interest, and often in the downfall of one’s rivals. First and foremost, our joy is knowing for certain that Jesus is alive, risen from the dead (see Matthew 28:8; Luke 24:41, 52). Our joy is in the abasement of self, in the exaltation of Jesus Christ (see John 3:29), and in sacrificial service (Philippians 2:17). Our joy is in the Lord, in His salvation, and His working in the lives of others (Acts 15:3; Romans 15:13; 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20; 1 John 1:4; 3 John 4).” Whatever failures, challenges, fears, disappointments, struggles, losses, bad reports, bad news that each of us would testify in the face of these with the testimony of joy in the presence of others. So are you missing joy in your life? Do you have half cup joy because not asking and not praying? Our message today from the words of Jesus in John chapter sixteen. "A Promise of Answered Prayer for the Disciples of Jesus" John 16:23-24. As we give some application from these words of Jesus let us read these words again and again. There would the great expression of confidence, assurance, and reliance in our joy as disciples of Jesus. That we would see the blessed understandings giving to us in the words of Jesus. Being a disciple of Jesus who acts upon these promises of Jesus in devoting yourself to prayer because of His words. Make this My Christian Ministry. Being a disciple of Jesus who is asking in prayer and receiving from the Father so that your joy may be made full. Make this My Christian Testimony. “And there is this marvelous new promise of answered prayer. Those answered prayers will bring a note, and an experience, and a disposition of joy that will make a Christian life worth living, and vital and marvelous. May we all have this joy.” [S. Lewis Johnson] Make this My Christian Joy. (a) In general, in our relying on the Lord Jesus only for the success of our prayers in heaven. Consider that we are in this matter to rely on Him only for access to God in our prayers (Ephesians 3:12; John 14:6). For acceptance of our prayers (Ephesians 1:6). For the gracious answer of prayer, and consider how we are to eye Christ as the object of this reliance — viz., as our great High Priest (Hebrews 4:15, 16). And here we find the infinite merit of His sacrifice (Romans 3:25), and His never-failing intercession to rely on (Hebrews 7:25).
(b) More particularly, praying in the name of Christ, and for His sake consists in renouncing all merit and worth in ourselves, in point of access, acceptance, and gracious answer (Genesis 32:10); believing that however great the mercies are, and however unworthy we are, yet we may obtain them from God through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:15, 16). In seeking in prayer the mercies we need of God for Christ's sake accordingly (John 16:24). In pleading His merit and intercession (Psalm 84:9); in trusting that we shall obtain a gracious answer for His sake (Mark 11:24). chs_prayers.pdf (spurgeongems.org)
O THOU who art King of kings and Lord of lords, we worship Thee. Before Jehovah's awful throne, we bow with sacred joy. We can truly say that we delight in God. There was a time when we feared Thee, O God, with the fear of bondage. Now we reverence, but we love as much as we reverence. The thought of Thine omnipresence was once horrible to us. We said, "Whither shall we flee from His presence?" and it seemed to make hell itself more dreadful, because we heard a voice, "If I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there." But now, O Lord, we desire to find Thee. Our longing is to feel Thy presence and it is the heaven of heavens that Thou art there. The sick bed is soft when Thou art there. The furnace of affliction grows cool when Thou art there and the house of prayer, when Thou art present, is none other than the house of God and it is the very gate of heaven. Come near, our Father, come very near to Thy children. Some of us are very weak in body and faint in heart. Soon, O God, lay Thy right hand upon us and say unto us, "Fear not." Peradventure, some of us are alike and the world is attracting us. Come near to kill the influence of the world with Thy superior power. Even to worship may not seem easy to some. The dragon seems to pursue them and floods out of his mouth wash away their devotion. Give to them great wings as of an eagle, that each one may fly away into the place prepared for him, and rest in the presence of God today. Our Father, come and rest Thy children now. Take the helmet from our brow, remove from us the weight of our heavy armour for awhile, and may we just have peace, perfect peace, and be at rest. Oh! help us, we pray Thee, now. As Thou hast already washed Thy people in the fountain filled with blood and they are clean, now this morning wash us from defilement in the water. With the basin and with the ewer, O Master, wash our feet again. It will greatly refresh. It will prepare us for innermost fellowship with Thyself. So did the priests wash ere they went into the holy place. Lord Jesus, take from us now everything that would hinder the closest communion with God. Any wish or desire that might hamper us in prayer remove, we pray Thee. Any memory of either sorrow or care that might hinder the fixing of our affection wholly on our God, take it away now. What have we to do with idols anymore? Thou hast seen and observed us. Thou knowest where the difficulty lies. Help us against it and may we now come boldly, not into the Holy place alone, but into the Holiest of all, where we should not dare to come if our great Lord had not rent the veil, sprinkled the mercy seat with His own blood, and bidden us enter. Now, we have come close up to Thyself, to the light that shineth between the wings of the cherubim, and we speak with Thee now as a man speaketh with his friends. Our God, we are Thine. Thou art ours. We are now concerned in one business—we are leagued together for one battle. Thy battle is our battle and our fight is Thine. Help us, we pray Thee. Thou who didst strengthen Michael and his angels to cast out the dragon and his angels, help poor flesh and blood that to us also the word may be fulfilled, "The Lord shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly." Our Father, we are very weak. Worst of all we are very wicked if left to ourselves and we soon fall a prey to the enemy. Therefore, help us. We confess that sometimes in prayer when we are nearest to Thee at that very time some evil thought comes in, some wicked desire. Oh! what poor simpletons we are. Lord, help us. We feel as if we would now come closer to Thee still and hide under the shadow of Thy wings. We wish to be lost in God. We pray that Thou mayest live in us, and not we live, but Christ live in us and show Himself in us and through us. Lord, sanctify us. Oh! that Thy spirit might come and saturate every faculty, subdue every passion, and use every power of our nature for obedience to God. Come, Holy Spirit, we do know Thee. Thou hast often overshadowed us. Come, more fully take possession of us. Standing now as we feel we are, right up at the Mercy Seat, our very highest prayer is for perfect holiness, complete consecration, entire cleansing from every evil. Take our heart, our head, our hands, our feet, and use us all for Thee. Lord, take our substance, let us not hoard it for ourselves, nor spend it for ourselves. Take our talent, let us not try to educate ourselves that we may have the repute of being wise, but let every gain of mental attainment be still that we may serve Thee better. May every breath be for Thee, may every minute be spent for Thee. Help us to live while we live, and while we are busy in the world as we must be, for we are called to it, may we sanctify the world for Thy service. May we be lumps of salt in the midst of society. May our spirit and temper as well as our conversation be heavenly. May there be an influence about us that shall make the world the better before we leave it. Lord, hear us in this thing. And now that we have Thine ear, we would pray for this poor world in which we live. We are often horrified by it. O, Lord, we could wish that we did not know anything about it for our own comfort. We have said, "Oh! for a lodge in some vast wilderness." We hear of oppression and robbery and murder, and men seem let loose against each other. Lord, have mercy upon this great and wicked city. What is to be done with these millions? What can we do? At least help every child of Thine to do his utmost. May none of us contribute to the evil directly or indirectly, but may we contribute to the good that is in it. We feel we may speak with Thee now about this, for when Thy servant Abraham stood before Thee and spake with such wonderful familiarity to Thee, he pleaded for Sodom, and we plead for London. We would follow the example of the Father of the Faithful and pray for all great cities, and indeed for all the nations. Lord, let Thy kingdom come. Send forth Thy light and Thy truth. Chase the old dragon from his throne, with all his hellish crew. Oh! that the day might come when even upon earth the Son of the woman, the Man-child, should rule the nations, not with a broken staff of wood, but with an enduring sceptre of iron, full of mercy, but full of power, full of grace, but yet irresistible. Oh! that that might soon come, the personal advent of our Lord! We long for the millennial triumph of His Word. Until then, O Lord, gird us for the fight and make us to be among those who overcome, through the blood of the Lamb and through the word of our testimony, because we "love not our lives unto the death." We lift our voice to Thee in prayer, also, for all our dear ones. Lord, bless the sick and make them well as soon as it is right they should be. Sanctify to them all they have to bear. There are also dear friends who are very weak, some that are very trembling. God bless them. While the tent is being taken down, may the inhabitant within look on with calm joy, for we shall by-and-by "be clothed upon with our house that is from heaven." Lord, help us to sit very loose by all these things here below. May we live here like strangers and make the world not a house but an inn, in which we sup and lodge, expecting to be on our journey tomorrow. Lord, save the unconverted and bring out, we pray Thee, from among them those who are converted, but who have not confessed Christ. May the Church be built up by many who, having believed, are baptized unto the sacred name. We pray Thee go on and multiply the faithful in the land. Oh! that Thou wouldst turn the hearts of men to the Gospel once more. Thy servant is often very heavy in heart because of the departures from the faith. Oh! bring them back. Let not Satan take away any more of the stars with his tail, but may the lumps of God shine bright. Oh! Thou that walkest amongst the seven golden candlesticks trim the flame, pour forth the oil, and let the light shine brightly and steadily. Now, Lord, we cannot pray any longer, though we have a thousand things to ask for. Thy servant cannot, so he begs to leave a broken prayer at the Mercy Seat with this at the foot of it, we ask in the name of Jesus Christ Thy Son. Amen. What We Learned Together Sunday April 16, 2023
INTRODUCTION We return to John Chapter Fourteen seeing Jesus teaching His Disciples. These words by Jesus are unique to the Gospel of John in this Upper Room discourse. Here is the teaching by Jesus for His disciples. Through Chapter fourteen Jesus teaches us about The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The words from Jesus for His disciples because of His departure in this section of the Upper Room discourse in John 13:31-14:31. Jesus speaks departing words of comfort and care. Jesus gives His words of instruction and direction. Let us remember John 13:19 and see John 14:29 and know John 20:30-31. We are to be believers in Jesus hearing His words. In this chapter Jesus teaches three important truths for His disciples: 1) A Place Where He Goes & Prepares for Them To Be With Him, 2) The Promise Which He Gives & Proclaims to Them To Be About Him, and 3) The Person Who He Sends & Describes To Them To Be From Him. In this Scripture passage this morning we hear truths given to His disciples by Jesus Himself in four main areas: Knowing Him, Believing Him, Praying to Him, and Loving Him. First, Have Completely in Jesus The Personal Knowledge of God [14:7-9] In verses seven to nine these words emphasize knowing the truth about Jesus. In verse seven we see In Jesus Knowing and Understanding The Father [14:7] “ . . . now you know Him and have seen Him.” [John 1:18; 14:1] Who He Is in His Identity as the Son of God! To know Jesus means you know the Father! At the beginning of the Gospel of John we read, “No one has seen God at any time; God the only Son, who is in the arms of the Father, He has explained Him.” [John 1:18] Here is teaching for His disciples as learners and followers. In verse eight we see From Jesus Having and Showing the Father [14:8]. As Philipp requests of Jesus “Lord, show us the Father . . .” In verse nine we see With Jesus Revealing and Seeing The Father [14:9] In another place in the Gospel John, Jesus also stated His relationship with the Father directly. In John 12:45 He says, “The one who believes in Me, does not believe only in Me, but also in Him who sent Me. And the one who sees Me sees Him who sent Me.” And in John 13:20 Jesus said, Truly, truly I say to you, the one who receives anyone I send, receives Me; and the one who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” As one commentator wrote, “In Jesus God has made Himself known.” This means Jesus is the revelation of God. He is teaching that He Himself is the perfect revelation of God. Knowing Him means personal knowledge of God. Therefore, someone who claims to know God must know Jesus. And if one does not know Jesus then they do not know God for Jesus is God! Such knowledge of God in Jesus is the basis for what Jesus says in this passage of Scripture filled with promises! Second, Believe Fully in Jesus The Personal Work of God [14:10-11]. In verses ten to twelve these words emphasize believing the truth about Jesus [cf. 3:32; 7:16; 8:28; 10:25, 38; 12:49]. In ten we see In Jesus Believing & Hearing the Words of God [14:10]. In His own words Jesus in the Father and The Father in Jesus. Jesus’ words demonstrate that the Father spoke through Him and that is the basis for believing His claim to be in the Father and the Father in Him. A divine relationship between the Father and the Son. With Jesus claiming the proclamation of God in His words. In verse eleven we see In Jesus Believing & Understanding the Works of God [14:11]. Here The Father abiding and working in Jesus. Jesus commands again, “Believe Me . . . believe because of the works themselves.” [cf. John 5:16-20 and John 10:24-33]. In verse twelve we see In Jesus Believing & Doing the Works of God [14:12]. Again the words of Jesus, “Truly, truly, I say to you . . .” Here John places attention on the words of Jesus as Jesus teaches His disciples. The important place His words have in our believing Him and understanding Who He is according to His words. The present active participle describes the present character of “he who believes in Me . . .” The repeated emphasis on believing in the words of Jesus. And His promise “ . . . he will do also . . . these he will do . . .” The words of Jesus in this context speaking to His disciples about the future plans because of His work. Does this promise cause you to do greater things for Jesus? This is going to happen “ . . . because I go to the Father.” His crucifixion, His resurrection, and His ascension causes a new ministry for His disciples. Greater ministry not in power nor in kind but extent. For no disciples would do or could miracles greater than Jesus! The sign gifts of miracles were also only for authenticating the ministries of the apostles and the prophets. Consider all that would be accomplished in the Name of Jesus because He is resurrected from the dead and that the Holy Spirit has been sent. Third, Live Faithfully in Jesus The Personal Relationship With God [14:13-15]. In verses thirteen to fifteen these words emphasize praying the truth about Jesus. In verses thirteen and fourteen In Jesus Asking and Praying [14:13-14] “And whatever you ask in My name this will I do.” What a promise by Jesus! Asking in His name means that Which Is Done for & Because of Jesus. In these verses what He does and His ability as the Son of God being taught to His disciples. With the purpose of praying in Jesus’ name “so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” As in the Old Testament the Name of God on display in His guidance, His deliverance, and His power. So, praying thinking Is the Father glorified in this? How are you pursuing the glory of the Father in the Son in your praying? What are you asking to be done in the name of Jesus? In prayer Jesus promises to answer with His personal guarantee! And then in verse fourteen says, “If anything you ask Me in My name, I Myself will do it.” [cf. 10:25; 14;26; 15:16; 16:23-24] Some points to make with these words of Jesus. Being Such Ones Who these words of Jesus Direct Us As His Disciples. See His words “And whatever anything you ask in My name that will I do.” Believing these words of Jesus means you will be a person of prayer. And holding these words of Jesus means you will pray to Him as God. In verse fifteen we see With Jesus Loving and Obeying [14:15]. Here Jesus gives a third-class conditional sentence which examines the truth of this matter for each of us. This is true for some and not true for others. So, these words of Jesus cause us to look at our lives in light of His words seeing if these things are true about us. In these chapters we have seen commands by Jesus for His disciples [13:14-15, 34-35; 14:1, 11]. Different aspects of our personal relationship with Jesus and therefore our personal relationship with God. Moreover, these words by Jesus describing more works to be done with His testimony of believe and do. Also, a real relationship continues as we pray and Jesus will do. And present love remains with our love and obedience because of Him and what is His requirements for us as His disciples. The great commission summarized in these words of Jesus asking and praying, believing and doing, loving and obeying. CONCLUSION In even fuller measure with ministry of the Spirit in John 14:16-24 our study for next week. Here are some thoughts for remembering these truths about Jesus. The truth about Jesus is our dependence upon Jesus for having personal knowledge of God and believing the personal work of God. Being such a one who is asking and praying with understanding according to the words of Jesus as His disciples because of changes coming. May we go to Jesus asking in His name to accomplish His work. May each of us in knowing and believing also be praying that the greater things promised by Jesus for “the one who believes in Me” be accomplished in and through New Life Fellowship. May we seek to be His disciples by seeing the Gospel going forth through our teaching and proclaiming of His words and His works. These great truths from our Savior encourage our hearts as His disciples in these days as we seek to serve Him through the ministry, He has called us in these days of our lives and as His people here at New Life Fellowship. Jesus, I my cross have taken, all to leave and follow Thee.
Destitute, despised, forsaken, Thou from hence my all shall be. Perish every fond ambition, all I’ve sought or hoped or known. Yet how rich is my condition! God and heaven are still mine own. Let the world despise and leave me, they have left my Savior, too. Human hearts and looks deceive me; Thou art not, like them, untrue. And while Thou shalt smile upon me, God of wisdom, love and might, Foes may hate and friends disown me, show Thy face and all is bright. Go, then, earthly fame and treasure! Come, disaster, scorn and pain! In Thy service, pain is pleasure; with Thy favor, loss is gain. I have called Thee, “Abba, Father”; I have set my heart on Thee: Storms may howl, and clouds may gather, all must work for good to me. Man may trouble and distress me, ’twill but drive me to Thy breast. Life with trials hard may press me; heaven will bring me sweeter rest. Oh, ’tis not in grief to harm me while Thy love is left to me; Oh, ’twere not in joy to charm me, were that joy unmixed with Thee. Take, my soul, thy full salvation; rise o’er sin, and fear, and care; Joy to find in every station something still to do or bear: Think what Spirit dwells within thee; what a Father’s smile is thine; What a Savior died to win thee, child of heaven, shouldst thou repine? Haste then on from grace to glory, armed by faith, and winged by prayer, Heaven’s eternal day’s before thee, God’s own hand shall guide thee there. Soon shall close thy earthly mission, swift shall pass thy pilgrim days; Hope soon change to glad fruition, faith to sight, and prayer to praise. Heavenly Father, we come before you today on behalf of those who are fainthearted and discouraged. We ask that you lift up their heads and fill their hearts with hope and joy.
Lord, we acknowledge that life in this fallen world can be difficult and challenging. We pray for those who are struggling with sickness, financial problems, family issues, and other trials. Please strengthen them in their inner being and give them the courage to persevere. We know that you are the God of all comfort and that you are close to the brokenhearted. We pray that those who are feeling discouraged and despairing would sense your loving presence and know that you are with them in the midst of their suffering. Lord, we ask that you give them the grace to persevere in faith. May they hold fast to you and find their hope and strength in you alone. May they be reminded of the promises in your Word and know that you are faithful to fulfill them. We pray that they would find encouragement and support from their brothers and sisters in Christ. May the body of Christ surround them with love and care, and may they experience the power of community in times of trial. Lord, we ask that you renew their minds and hearts with your truth. May they be reminded that in Christ, they are more than conquerors, and that nothing can separate them from your love. May they find peace and rest in you, and know that you are their refuge and strength. Above all, we pray that they would fix their eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of their faith. May they be filled with his love and grace, and find comfort and hope in his sacrifice on the cross. We ask all these things in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who has overcome the world. Amen. Scripture Verse: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 |
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