TEXT: John 16:23-27
INTRO: What does it mean to pray in the name of Jesus?
I. THE PROMISE OF PRAYER IN JESUS’ NAME.
A. Jn. 16:23b. “Truly, truly, (verily, verily; without a doubt) I say to you (I promise), if you shall ask the Father for anything (we will address that momentarily), He will give it to you (the prayer will be answered) in My name.”The Father is going to answer prayer for the sake of Jesus’ name.
B. Vs.24a, “Until now you have asked for nothing in My name.” Jesus had taught the disciples how to pray in the “Model Prayer,” but never before had He encouraged them to pray in His name.
II. THE MEANING OF PRAYER IN JESUS’ NAME.
A. The most practiced and wrong application of this promise of Jesus.
1.) Praying in “Jesus’ name” is not a magical formula that can be used by any person for any request, even if it is an ungodly request, and expect it to be granted. WHY WOULD A RIGHTEOUS, HOLY, LOVING GOD give anyone unrighteous, unholy, unloving things??
Is. 1:11-14, saying God is tired of the worship and sacrifices of evil men. vs. 15, “So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you. Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.”
B. Probable meanings: 1.) To pray through Him is to pray with Him in His mission.
2.) To pray in His name, because He paid for our sins, is to claim the victory He achieved.
3.) To pray in Jesus’ name is to pray for real justice and mercy, which Jesus showed and promised to bring to God’s kingdom.
4.) To pray in His name is to trust God to meet your every true need because Jesus is your Lord and you are living to obey and honor Him.
III. THE POWER OF THE NAME OF JESUS.
Heb. 10: 19-22, “Since therefore, brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”
Jn. 16:26-27, “In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I will request the Father on your behalf.” Jesus is not telling them they must come to Him and ask Him to convince the Father to answer their prayer, “for the Father Himself loves you. Because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from the Father.”
1 Jn. 2:1, Jesus is our Advocate with the Father to make sure our sins are forgiven. But, because He has come down to bring us forgiveness and the Father accepted His sacrifice, we can go directly to the throne.
CONCLUSION