* You can now watch a video of this message at: https://new.livestream.com/rickpina/live.
Note: Before I get started, I want to tell you that the reason the messages are going out a little later than normal this week is because I am on vacation. I will be back to my normal routine next week.
(John 14:13 NLT) “You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!”
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing to teach on “Minimizing Your Humanity and Maximizing Your Divinity.” After studying the way Jesus operated with the Father, in order to perform the supernatural acts He did, we learned yesterday that Jesus said that we could do the same. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.” We will pick it up from there today. Jesus went on to say, “You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. Getting to the point where you can ask for “anything”. Please don’t misunderstand Jesus when He said, “You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it.” Don’t mistake that to mean that God is at your beck-and-call and that He will perform your desires like a Genie in a bottle. No, remember the context. Jesus had taught, over and over again, that He only said what He heard the Father say and He only did what He saw the Father do. Jesus then said that we could do what He did. It is within this context that we get to ask. When you die to self, and you only seek to do what you believe the Father is leading you to do, then yes, you can ask, in the name of Jesus, in faith, with full expectation that God will bring it to pass. I will teach more about this when we get to the next chapter, where Jesus said, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!” (John 15:7).
2. Jesus gave us the authority to use His name. This is yet another wonderful act of God’s undeserved grace. I am in the military and I know the power behind someone’s name/rank. When a higher ranking person sends out a subordinate and gives them the authority to use his/her name, the subordinate is then able to do what he/she could not do without the authority of the name. This is what Jesus did for us by grace. We do not deserve the right to use His name. But He gave it to us by His amazing grace. Not only can we hear from the Father, like Jesus heard from the Father, but Jesus has given us the authority to use His name, here in the earth, to accomplish whatever the Father leads us to do.
3. Jesus is glorified when we exercise divine authority in His name. Jesus gave us the authority to use His name, and when we do, “the Son can bring glory to the Father.” When the Father leads us to do something that is beyond our human ability, and we have the audacity to ask for and pursue what He is leading us to do, in the name of Jesus, not only is God glorified through us, but we also bring glory to Jesus, because we operated in His name. I see God’s grace in every aspect of this. God gave us His Spirit by grace, He willingly speaks to us and leads us by grace, and we then get to use the name of Jesus by grace, to perform the will of God in the earth. Amazing!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for Your amazing and undeserved grace. You have taken the time to teach me about Jesus and how He performed supernatural acts in the earth. The secret to Jesus success was His willingness to surrender. I learn from Jesus. I die to self, so You can freely live through me. I crucify the flesh daily. My mind is continually being renewed so I can think that way you think and desire what You want me to have. By faith I declare that I get to the point where I abide in You and Your words abide in me. When I get there, I will be able to ask for whatever I want, because at that point what I want will be what You want for me. I fill my heart with Your Word. I tune my ears to Your voice. I hear what You want me to say, and I say it. I see what You want me to do, and I do it. Not by my power, but by Your grace. Not even in my name, but in the name of Your Son Jesus. I am overwhelmed by the fact that Jesus gave me the authority to use His name. I will use His name carefully and prayerfully. As You lead me Father, and I as I seek to do what You lead me to do in the name of Jesus, Jesus will be glorified through me. I bring Jesus glory through my life and living. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
