A Christian Must Know How to Pray Effectively - John 16:25-33

1:12The title of today's message is Praying in Jesus' Name. Something that we need to learn how to do, something that we need to grow in. Praying in His name. In fact, new year is upon us, a new decade is upon us. us and there are two things that every Christian should know two things that every Christian should be able to do and do well two musts I would say for the coming year and I plan to take a couple of weeks to describe and discuss those two musts the first must is that you need to know how to pray effectively every Christian ought to know how to pray effectively second you need to know how to find peace you need to know how to find peace in a very troubled world so I want to spend our time on the first one today praying effectively we'll look at the second one next week but here we are back in John chapter 16 we have been in the upper room or maybe they left the upper room but the conversation that began in the upper room is still going on we've been there for several chapters they actually entered it in chapter 13 we'll go really through the end of 16 we'll finish this at chapter next week Lord willing and then go into 17 as they make their way over to Gethsemane but look at Verse 16 or chapter 16, verse 7.

3:05Jesus has been talking to them, coming to the end of these discussions. And he says, But I tell you, it is to your advantage that I go away. I go away. It is your advantage that Jesus departed. It is to the disciples' advantage, as he was talking to them in that conference. It's to your advantage that I go away. He had told them I'm leaving. They're sorrowful. They're troubled. He says, but don't let your heart be troubled. He says, it's to your advantage that I go away. And it's hard to understand why it would be to our advantage, even today, and certainly to the advantage of the disciples at that time, why it would be to his disciples' advantage that he depart.

3:48Well, we've got to remember several things. The way that he was departing, his departure, he was going to the Father, and he wanted to make sure they understood where he was going. In fact, look at verse 5. He says, But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me where are you going. In other words, he says, I want you to be thinking, yes, I'm leaving, and I want you to be thinking about where I am going. I am going to the Father. And he wants them to understand that. And he specifically, this is the way he is going to the Father. He's going to go to his Father by suffering deep humiliation, by going to the cross, going to the cross. Through the grave, coming out of the grave, and being and ascending into heaven. That's to their advantage. So, all the advantages of Christ's departure come into play. Second, another advantage of Jesus' departure is the ministry of the Holy Spirit. And he spends a lot of time in John chapter 14. In fact, I just look at that. John 14, he says, I'm sorry, John 16 verses going on there.

5:04Yeah, well, really, yeah, you can start in John 14, 16. I will ask the Father, and he will give you another helper, that he may be with you forever. That is the Spirit of truth, who the world cannot receive, because it does not see him or know him, but you know him because he abides with you. There's also 26, 14, 26, but the helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance what I said to you. In verse 15, 26, he says, When the helper comes, who I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will testify of me. Then going on in chapter 16, he just said in verse 7, but I tell you the truth, it's to your advantage I go away immediately. For if I do not go away, the helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And what will He do. Verse 8, he will convict the world of sin. Verse 13, he will guide you, the disciples, into all the truth. Verse 14, he will glorify me. So one of the advantages of Jesus' departure is the ministry of the Holy Spirit, major theme of this upper room discourse. But another and equally important theme throughout John chapter 14, 15 and 16 is the theme of answered prayer. The theme of answered prayer. Look at chapter 14, verse 12. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me, the works that I do, he will do also. And greater works than these he will do, because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. Jesus wants his disciples to experience answered prayer. God wants his disciples to experience answered prayer. He wants those prayers specifically in Jesus' name. In fact, Jesus in 1413 says, whatever you ask in my name, and pay attention to this, I will do.

7:29I will. Do it. If you ask in my name, I will do it. Then go on in John chapter 15, verse 7. Just flip over there. If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. Hard to believe these words. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples. Part of being his disciples is knowing what to pray for and receiving that. Answered prayer is a huge theme through this whole discourse. Look at chapter 15, verse 16. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give to you. Interesting. If you notice in chapter 14, verse 13, whatever you ask in my name, Jesus says, I will do. And here he is in chapter 15, 16, saying, whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you. See, the problem with so many of us is much of our prayer life is for things.

9:00Or from a heart that would actually bring shame upon the name of Jesus, or certainly not give him the glory that is due to his name. Many times in prayer, we look at this more as an interaction or exchange in a way we can get from God exactly what we want. And it is elevating ourselves and our names is why our prayers often are go unanswered. In fact, let me read to you a portion of James chapter 4, verses 1 through 4.

9:49James says, What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? What is the source of conflicts? Where do conflicts come from? Where do conflicts come between in where do conflicts come in the home? Where do conflicts come in society? Where do they come from? Where do wars come from? Well, he says the source of these is your pleasures that wage war in your members. You lust and you do not have, so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not have. Ask. You ask and do not receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Oftentimes, our prayers are so in lockstep with the world and with the world system and with the elevation of ourselves. And yet, prayer is to be something that is to be exalting and glorifying Christ and glorifying Jesus' Father.

11:18You see, when we don't receive what we ask for, you know what we'll do? Instead of reassessing our prayers, and maybe instead of reassessing God's character or reassessing ourselves, we'll just stop praying. Say, God doesn't answer prayer. But you know what prayer is fundamentally, as we've already looked at? Prayer is a call to know God. Prayer is a call to get swept up in this love relationship between Father and Son, and to be able to know the difference between good and evil, and to be able to know the will of God and know the person of Christ to such a degree. Degree that you can ask, and you ask those things that the Father is pleased to give, or Jesus is pleased to do, so that His Father is glorified, and the Father is pleased to do it so that His Son is glorified.

12:16We got to remember that prayer is a call to know the mind of God. And when you experience unanswered prayer, guess what? That is also a call to know God. When you experienced unanswered prayer, or things didn't turn out the way you thought they should go or wanted them to go, start re-evaluating the character of your prayer. Start re-evaluating the character of God. Start asking the question, God, how may you be most exalted in this situation?

12:51Even unanswered prayer is a call to know God more. Don't quit. Re-evaluate. Well, the topic of prayer is one of the major teachings of this whole discourse. And then, chapter 17 is one big example of what prayer should be. We see the Lord Himself praying before His Father. So I look forward to the coming weeks and months as we go deeper this semester into prayer. But you need to know how to pray effectively. And already it's very clear that what is effective prayer? It's prayer that's in Jesus' name. So, then the question: how do we pray in Jesus' name? I'm glad you asked. What does it involve? Well, these are the basic questions we're going to have to answer, and that you must know. And if you know anything about Christianity, you really need to know how prayer is answered and what kinds of prayers are answered.

14:08Well, some really appreciate Jeff's first installment on the book of Malachi, speaking about the name, exalting the name. I encourage you to see, to come out and listen to the second installment, whenever that should be. But the name. What is praying in Jesus's name not? Well, I can give you a few examples of what it's not. There's a lot of examples of what it's not, but appreciated what Jeff said. It's not an incantation, it's not something you just tack on to something, it's not something, some kind of magical words, it's not some phrase that, ah, if you say this phrase, all of a sudden it's like you've got golden. Handcuffs or golden chains that wrap around God and make him do your bidding. Kind of like, here, Jeannie, I just rubbed the lamp. Now you have to do what I say. As if the very words, in the name of Jesus, binds God to do your bidding. No, it's not anything like that. So, what is praying in Jesus' name involved? Well, involve. Well, by looking at our text this morning, I want you to understand three truths about praying in Jesus' name. And I want you to see these. And they escalate, they're really, when you get to the third truth, you're really dealing with what praying in Jesus' name involves, certainly. But I want you to understand these truths so that your 2020, your next year, will be a year of growing in your ability to effectively pray. And why is effective prayer important? So that you will experience the joy of answer prayer. Look at verse 24. Looked at this last time. Until now, you have asked for nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full. So there are three. Three truths about praying in Jesus' name that I want you to see. First of all, Jesus taught his disciples is that there would be a time to pray in Jesus' name, a time to pray in Jesus' name. It is coming. In fact, before I jump right into verse 25, let's just back up to verse 22.

16:55As Jesus is just saying, okay, you're going to have trial, like a woman in labor, it's going to come upon you. Verse 22, you're going to have grief now, but I will see you again. Verse 22, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy from you. I love how he says that there. I will see you again. He doesn't just say, you will see me again, but I will see you again. Speaking of resurrection, it's very different, okay? Yeah, you're going to see me again, not just cart it off. I am going to see you again post crucifixion. And your heart's going to be rejoiced. You're going to come away understanding my power, who I am. You're going to understand me to a much deeper level. And you're going to understand that I am alive, and no one's ever going to be able to change that. So your joy is going to not be taken away. Verse 23, in that day you will not question me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in my name, he will give it to you. Until now, you have asked for nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full. Different relationship. You used to come and ask me questions. Now you're going to be coming directly to the Father and ask in that day. So Jesus wants his disciples to experience the joy of effective prayer. And so he tells them, a time to pray in his name is coming. Look at verse 25. We'll pick it up in our text. This morning, these things I have spoken to you in figurative language. An hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but will tell you plainly of the Father.

18:53And in that day you will ask in my name. Now stop. So he's referencing these things he's spoken, referencing back to the language about his departure, to the reference, woman and labor. These things are figurative language or veiled language is probably a better way to say it. He was speaking in veiled language. It wasn't clear. It wasn't frank. But he says, but a time is coming when I will speak very frankly. With you about the Father, I will tell you.

19:34And in that day, that day, it also refers back to verse 23: in that day, that day when they see him again, and it is settled in their mind who Jesus is, what he went through. And it's going to be when they understand, when they have grown in their confidence about the program and person of Christ and where he is. And I think that is certainly going to follow his humiliation, the cross, the grave, the resurrection, and the ascension. And certainly that settles in their minds at Pentecost. But it's a growing confidence. They're understanding more and more, and that joy which they initially saw on day, Resurrection Day, just was permanent and just grew more and more as they understood more and more.

20:32I'm not going to talk to you in veiled language anymore. But it's important to understand that Jesus' way to the Father was through humiliation, through the cross, through the grave, through the resurrection, and through the ascension, and that Jesus' way to the Father prepared the way for his disciples to go to the Father. And it's the same for us today. How do we go to the Father? Through the humiliation, through the cross. Through death, through resurrection, and one day glorification with Him.

21:06Listen, the cross. He went to the cross, but think of the humiliation he had to put up with. You and I are called to just own our sin that we have rightfully done and be, and to humble ourselves before God. Listen, a repentantless gospel is no gospel at all. The way to the Father is you must humble yourself before the Father. You must confess your sin. Yes, I did what was shameful. I confess, and I own it. I'm not going to excuse it. I'm not going to deny it. That's what creates the need for the cross. That's why we come to the cross. That's why the Holy Spirit's ministry is to convict the world, because we need convicting.

22:03We're no longer at peace with our sin. And so the Holy Spirit convicts. But listen, all of us must get accustomed to the way of humiliation. Own that sin in your life. Confess that sin. Run to the cross. He with joy endured the humiliation, and he had done nothing wrong. Love the thief on the cross. We're getting what we deserve. Now, that's humility. Become skilled in owning your own sin. Humble, that's the way to the Father. That's the way. His way is our way, though it's a little different from our perspective. We must go to the cross, where the righteous one was given payment. Our sins must be carried away.

23:02We must be raised from the dead. It's a way. But the time of praying in Jesus' name is after they have been granted this confidence of his position and authority. And it continues till this day. Now, 2020, and always forevermore, it's time to pray in Jesus' name. There is no other individual, there is no other mediator, there is no other way. So, Jesus taught that there is a time to pray in Jesus' name, He Himself. So, we need to be praying, we need to understand, we need to be praying in Jesus' name. Next true. I want you to see. It comes in verse 26. If you keep going here, Jesus taught what praying in Jesus' name is not.

24:12Look back. Jesus tells us what it's not. It's not Jesus praying for us. Praying in Jesus' name is not Jesus praying for us. There's a distinction. Make sure that's clear in your mind. When you pray in Jesus' name, it's not Jesus praying for you. Look at verse 26. In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say, he says, I want you to make sure you get this, and I do not say to you that I will request the Father on your behalf.

24:46He's saying, make sure this is clear in your mind. I am not asking. On this day, you are going to ask in my name, and I am not going to request the Father on your behalf. And what Jesus is basically saying is, there is going to be no need for me to ask things on your behalf. This is not mediation in our modern sense. He's saying, I mean, look at him. This is what he says, I am not requesting things of the Father on your behalf. It's clearly what he's saying.

25:24But we remember so many times in Scripture, we see other scriptures saying, That Jesus is a mediator and he is an intercessor. So, what's going on here? You remember Hebrews 7:25, where it says he always lives to make intercession for us. 1 John 2:1 says, We have an advocate with the Father. 1 Timothy 2:5 says, There is one mediator between God and men. And so, when we come to our verse here, Jesus is saying, In that day, I do not say that I'm going to request the Father on your behalf. How do we understand these two teachings? Well, glad you asked, because there's a profound difference here.

26:12Jesus is not talking about mediation in our modern sense, or what might first come to your mind. You know, in a modern, like if we have mediation, and even in the ancient sense, mediation is for resolving parties that are in conflict with each other. You can think of mediation as a dynamic, a structured, interactive process where an impartial third party is assisting these two parties. They're at war with each other. It's so bad that they can't even talk to each other. In fact, if you've been in legal settings, you know, sometimes you have to go through mediation. You can't even talk to each other. And so, you've got this mediator that's talking. And the purpose is that the conflict is so. Strong that they can't even talk to each other, so you have to have somebody going between them to settle some kind of conflict. So, you can think of a mediator as one who manages the interaction, but that's only for parties that are in conflict with one another, which doesn't apply on this day when Jesus is talking about your parties aren't in conflict. I'm going to the cross. I am not mediating in the sense that I've got man and God just in because in the disciples' case, there is no conflict between the Father and them because of what Jesus has done. So, Jesus is clearly what he's speaking about here is direct access. He is not in any way limiting access to the Father.

28:01I think Calvin really helps to clarify this distinction. Let me just read to you his comment on this verse: When Christ is said to intercede with the Father for us, let us not indulge in carnal imaginations about him as if he were on his knees before the Father, offering humble supplication in our name. So, you get the picture here. Don't think that. Jesus, when he's saying that when he's an intercessor, when the scripture talks about him being an intercessor, that he's sitting there on his knees making humble supplication for us. What Calvin goes on to say is, but the value of his sacrifice by which he once pacified God towards us is always powerful and efficacious. The blood by which he atoned for our sins, the obedience which he rendered, is a continual intercession for us.

29:10So what he's saying is, this blood, the sacrifice, is continually crying out, continually interceding on our behalf, justified, clean, righteous. That's why there is no conflict between Christ's followers and Christ's father. It's because of his sacrifice. Calvin goes on to say, this is a remarkable passage by which we are taught that we have the heart of the heavenly Father as soon as we have placed before him the name of his son. That's what Father's about. He loves his son.

29:56In fact, when you're thinking about these intercessory Passages. Let me read to you a little more from Hebrews 7:25. Therefore, he is able to save forever those who draw near to him through him, since he always lives to make intercession for him for them. In other words, it's the context of sacrifice. What is the intercession? 1 John 2:1, John says this, My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins. Again, it's in the context of His sacrifice. That's what's interceding, in fact, when you go on to 1 Timothy 2:5, for there is one God and one mediator also between God and men, the man Jesus Christ, who gave himself as a ransom for all.

30:54Again, that testimony of that interceding blood that cries out for the well-being of his people. You know, blood cries out. In fact, you don't get very far into the Bible and you realize that blood cries out, doesn't it? Remember in Genesis chapter 4, what happens there? Cain kills Abel, right? And what does God say? Cain, where's your brother? What have you done, Cain? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground. Blood cries out.

31:43But there is blood that cries out for another. There's blood that cries out against another, case of Abel's blood crying out against his brother. But then there is blood that cries out for, on behalf of another, and that's the blood of Christ for his people. Let me just read, finish reading Hebrews 10, where I left off. We read a little bit of it earlier in the service, but picking up in 10:14, listen to what words. For by one offering, verse 14, he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. That's what continually intercedes. And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us after this, saying, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord. I will put my laws upon their heart, and on their mind I will write them. He then says, And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more. Now, where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin. Therefore, brethren, since 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. There has been a perfect sacrifice that has been made that has forever settled the conflict, the hostility that exists between man and God, certainly Christ's Father and Christ's followers.

33:38And so, direct access is given because Christ's blood mediate cries out on our behalf forever. That's the basis of the relationship between us and God. And so, in verse 26, he's saying, I'm not saying that I'm going to go and be a mediate between you as if God can't hear your prayers. Raw, I have purchased a way for you to come into the very presence of the Father. Look back at what he says: In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will request of the Father on your behalf. And the reason is because they have direct access. Look at what he says in verse 27.

34:30For the Father himself loves you. Jesus gives direct access, and then the reason for this direct access is because the Father Himself loves you. See what he's doing? See, the Father Himself is the one who sent Jesus in the first place. The Father Himself is the one who sent Jesus to go to the cross in the first place for us. We have access, relationship with God the Father through Jesus the Son, by the redeeming and regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. Thank you. Sorry, Jesus' Father deeply loves Jesus, and he deeply loves Jesus' true followers, one and the same.

35:26His blood cries out for the righteous cleansing of his people. And the Father is there. Listen to, let me just give you Romans 8:31. This truth is so sprinkled throughout the New Testament. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but delivered him over for us all, how will he not also with him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God's elect? Who? Is of a mightier voice in this intercessory blood of the new covenant that forever cries out on our cleansing behalf.

36:17Who can bring a charge against that? God is the one who justifies. Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is he who died, yes, rather, he who was raised, who is at the right hand of God the Father, and is also interceding for us. You know what Jesus wanted? Jesus wanted his people to have direct access. He wanted his people, he delights to see his people have the favor of God. I love this picture about Christ. It's very opposite of the devil, right? I want the glory mine.

37:00He wants the glory for himself. And here's Jesus on the complete, and I want you to have the complete access to my Father. And that's what I'm going to provide for you. He delights to see the Father's favor upon his disciples. Totally contrary to fallen man, isn't it? We want the glory. Want the, we'd even like Jacob, we want that favor, we want that, we want to own that, right? Not Jesus, he loves to share it, give it. Well, three thoughts: a time to pray in Jesus' name was coming, too. It's not Jesus praying for us, and the third truth I want you to see this morning is that praying in Jesus' name involves love for and faith in Jesus. Love for and faith in Jesus. And this is where you start really getting to the heart of what praying in Jesus' name is about. Look at verse 27. For the Father Himself loves you. Why? Because you have loved me and have believed that I came forth from the Father. I came forth from the Father and have come into the world, and I am leaving the world again and going to the Father.

38:29Jesus definitely wants his disciples to know where he's going. That's why he reiterates what he's saying in verse 28. But why does the Father love the disciples? Look in verse 27, because you have loved me. That's where the Father's love is. His Father's love is upon his Son, and if you love His Son, guess what? You and the Father have something eternally in common: absolute delight. In his Son. They loved Jesus and they believed. They believed. We do believe you've been sent from God. We believe you have come from Him. And we understand, and they will come to understand this more: that you're going to the Father.

39:20So praying in Jesus' name comes out of a love for him, a belief in him, belief in all that he has to say, belief in where all the testimony the Father took them, the works, the fulfilled prophecies, all this spoke, hey, you have come from the, well, we believe. And so, who is the one who loves the Son? I'm glad you asked, because Jesus has already been talking about this, right? Look back at 15, 7. The ones who love his Son are the ones who obey Jesus. In fact, more specifically, if you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. Abiding. Do you love Jesus? Do you abide in his word? Do his words abide in you? That is, are you thinking about him? How much time do you spend reading his words? How much time do you spend in the Bible? How much time do you spend thinking about those words? How much time do you spend interacting and conversing over those words?

40:21What is going on in your mind? That tells you whether or not you love Christ. When's the last time you opened your Bible and how much time? Spend in there. Jesus is saying, Look, listen, if you don't read these, if you don't spend time, and if you don't think through it, if you don't rearrange your schedule for meaningful time in study and meditation and conversing and interaction through a community over these words, guess what? You don't love him. There's going to be growing in this area if there's growth in love. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. So you can think about praying in Jesus' name. It involves his words abiding in you, a love for him, thinking about his words, thinking about the words of Scripture, and also proving to be his disciples.

41:19Are your prayers characterized by the desire to make sure other people know that you are his disciples? I mean, many times our prayer goes something like this. And we've got people who are sick and suffering through some very significant things right now, going through some major trials. And oftentimes our prayers are, Lord, get me out of this trial. Lord, change the circumstances, right? I don't think there's anything wrong with that. But maybe another kind of prayer that needs to go along with that is, Lord, regardless.

42:00I want others to know that I follow you, or that through this circumstances, this child who follows you may be known. May you may use this person to exalt your name so that others will know that you are a disciple of Christ. Disciples of Christ, God is glorified when we go through trials and we honor him and glorify him through those trials. So oftentimes our prayers need to be aimed at the faith. Father, whatever the circumstances prove to be, may you use this to exalt your name. Just as the Father has loved me, verse 9 of 15, I have also loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love. Jesus is not speaking about a doctrine of works here, he's talking about a change that has been brought in the heart. A heart that loves Jesus is a heart that the Father loves. You see that? And it's a work of the Father. It's a work of his Spirit. It's a work of God in man.

43:18I'd love to say more about this, but to bring it to this, the Father intrinsically loves Jesus. Why? Because Jesus. Jesus intrinsically obeys the Father. Likewise, people who love Jesus will pray prayers that honor his name. They make their prayers about him, not about themselves. For his sake, for his honor, and for the joy that comes out of that relationship. The Father loves those who love to obey Jesus. So praying for Jesus, or praying in Jesus' name, is to pray for the things that honor him, pray for the things that honor his Father, and demonstrate true discipleship.

44:19Well, it's my hope that as we look forward to the new year, that it will be a time of great growth in effective prayer. Look forward to the prayer meeting we're having here, not this Wednesday, but next Wednesday. And I hope you'll come out. I hope you will grow in your desire to pray in Jesus' name and to understand what that means and to be growing in understanding how Jesus' name is the name above all names. In fact, as we close, let me just take your attention.

45:01Matthew 28. I'm going to read to you a very familiar passage. This is the Great Commission. You remember in verse 16, the 11 disciples, they go to Galilee. When they saw Jesus, verse 17, they worshiped him. Jesus came and spoke to them, said, All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Pretty striking moment. Then listen to what he says in verse 19. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Wow. When all is said and done, okay, this is what I want you to do after all that they had gone through. Go and baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Now I want you to turn over to Acts chapter 5. Acts chapter 2. I'm sorry. And I want you to see something.

45:58Remember in Acts chapter 2, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit has come. Peter has preached this incredibly convicting sermon. Because the Holy Spirit came. He said he would convict the world of their sin, right? Well, you see it played out right here in Acts chapter 2. And so then in verse 37, as Peter has finished, or Acts, verse 36, therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made him both Lord. In Christ, this Jesus, whom you crucified. Verse 37. Now, when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of his apostles, Brethren, what shall we do? Peter said to them, Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Is that what it says? It's not what it says. What does it say?

46:58Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus. Incredible. We would expect that be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. That's what Jesus committed. Did they get it wrong? No. They so associated the name of Jesus as God with us. They did what Jesus said. God with us. God the Father, the Son, the Spirit with us. Jesus is a great name. There is no other name higher because Jesus is the name of God Himself.

47:50And so when you're invited to learn how to pray in His name, you're invited into this beautiful love relationship between the Father and the Son. Son, the wisdom and power of the Spirit of God, you are swept up into this beautiful relationship so that you may know God Himself. That was His gift to us. May we learn to pray in His name. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, just thank you for giving us your Son. What a wonderful name.

48:34What a marvelous name. Father, as we see your flesh, as you walked among us, we're reminded of the writer of Hebrews who says that your flesh was the veil. And as we see the physical flesh and the way you interacted, the things we could see and touch with our eyes, that they were actually giving us a window into the spiritual, to the unseen. And Father, when you caused him to suffer and be humiliated for our sins and our shame, Father, you made the way for us to know you. And that veil which stood in the temple was torn so that we might have direct access. And I just thank you for Jesus. I thank you that he loves.

49:31To share your favor, he didn't want a monopoly on it, but he so wanted to give it to us. Help us, Heavenly Father, to truly know what it all means to pray in His name and to be swept up in this beautiful love relationship that you have with your Son. May we have it too. In Jesus' name, Amen.