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Sunday Sermon Outline STUDIES IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN
–PART 75
Chapter
14, verses 13-18- having given a promise of great (and greater) works
to be done, Jesus further expands the principle of prayer-“whatever you ask in my
name, that I will do…”
The name of Jesus is not a mystical mantra to obtain blessing, but simply
that God’s goodness of blessing is now based on our relationship with His Son,
not on obedience to the covenant law of Christian Prayer is not predicated on
the covenant with the Fathers (Neh.9:8, 13, 14, 32, 34). Rather, it
is predicated upon an individual walk of obedience to the Son and on the security that
believers have in Christ. “that the
Father may be glorified in the Son”- expresses this new truth how God
is now glorified in Christ-centered relationship and
prayer. “in my name” narrows the answered prayer to
that which matches the identity of Jesus Christ-- prayer is to be presented in
the value and merit of Christ! This
is His role as Mediator- see vs.6 and I Tim.2:5. Vs.14 expands the challenge for us to
use this value & merit. His
value (inherent in “his name”) opens the door of prayerful opportunity much
wider than under the old covenant.
As sole Mediator, all prayer must be based on Christ and His
righteousness. While God’s general
grace may touch those outside of Christ, specific answers to prayer are required
to be based on Christ and obedience to His service. “if you love me, keep my commandments”—Jesus moves
His disciples to turn attitude into action. Love is witnessed in concrete examples-
Lk.10:27-37. Jesus secures love in behavior—the
verse is not “if you say that you love me, keep my commandments”. Rather, love requires compliance to
divine direction. Vs. 16 turns attention to Jesus’
promise of the One that will come from Him that will be a Helper (paraclaton). The word means “one called
alongside to assist”— But can also refer to a counselor,
legal guide or intercessor. This
One is referred to as “he” and can
be none other than God, the Holy Spirit. In vs. 17 alone, note the language
(1) “Spirit of
truth”= one who imparts truth
(2) “whom the world cannot receive”- He is antithetical
to the evil cosmos system (3) “because it neither sees Him nor knows Him”- the
world system is estranged from this Comforter and Guide,
refusing His authority (4) “but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in
you” His work is solely that on behalf
on believers and works internally in them. We should also carefully note the
last phrase of vs.16- “He may abide with you
forever”-
this would be the doctrine of the permanent indwelling and
presence of the Holy Spirit in church age believers. In contrast, the Holy Spirit came upon
Old Testament saints, but did not abide with them
permanently. Page 2 Supportive verses in this permanent
indwelling
would include: I
Cor.2:12-16- where Paul distinguishes believers as having been
given the Holy Spirit as a Teacher in order
to judge spiritual matters and thus, experience the Mind of
Christ. I
Cor.6:15-20- where Paul teaches the permanent value of the
human Body since it serves as a
I Cor.12:13- where Paul points out the work of
“baptism” by the Holy Spirit which places each believer
permanently into the Body of Christ II
Cor.3:17-18- where Paul expresses the transformational power of
the Spirit of God in a believer’s life
as a progressive action by on permanency II Cor.5:5- where Paul speaks of the
indwelling of the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of future
blessings Galatians
3:3- where
Paul uses a question as “to having begun in the
Spirit will believers be perfected or matured
by the flesh?” The answer is
“no”. This supports permanent indwelling
in order to achieve maturity. Galatians
6:8- where
Paul uses “sowing & reaping” to express the daily
life lived through the ministry of the
permanent indwelling Spirit in a believer Ephesians
1:13-
where Paul speaks of being “sealed by the Holy
Spirit” to show permanent ownership by
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