Asking, Receiving and Abundant Joy
John 16:23-24
Rob Verdeyen
We’re currently studying the last 24 hours of Jesus’ earthly life!
John 13-17 The Upper Room Discourse
It’s so INSIGHTFUL to listen to the things that were MOST IMPORTANT for Jesus to impart to His followers this last night before He was crucified.
John 16:23-24 And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
This is now the third time Jesus teaches his disciples about prayer the night before He was crucified.
The FIRST time – John 14:12
John 14:12-14 Most assuredly, 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 My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
According to Jesus, Prayerfulness is directly connected to the followers of Jesus carrying out great works!
Jesus left behind NOT a (cowering) but a VICTORIOUS church, NOT an (idle) but a WORKING church, NOT a (weak) but a POWERFUL PRAYING church. By PRAYER and the PERSON and POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT the church would carry out GREAT WORKS reaching the whole world!
The SECOND time – John 15:7
John 15:7-8 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
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- Prayerfulness is directly connected to great works!
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- Prayerfulness is directly connected to our fruitfulness!
The THIRD time – Our text John 16:23-24
John 16:23-24 And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
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- Prayerfulness is directly connected to great works!
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- Prayerfulness is directly connected to our fruitfulness!
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- Prayerfulness is directly connected to our joyfulness!
(The opposite of each point is TRUE also!)
John 16:24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
John 16:24 (NLT) Ask and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.
John 16:24 (MSG) And your joy will be a river overflowing its banks!
Stories of answered prayer
1. A prayer Susie and I prayed in 1994.
Lord, we don’t care where you send us. East coast, West coast, deserts, mountains, rain or shine. We just want to go where You are doing a work.
Wow!!! Such a joy! True – just as Jesus taught!
John 16:24 Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa Prayer Meeting / Carol M. (talking and listening)
Worship at Calvary Chapel Corvallis – Again such joy! Ryan Smith
2. Real Life – an ANSWER to our prayers!
Represents 25 years of prayer! The Joy! A 25 year revival!
John 16:24 (MSG) Your joy will be a river overflowing its banks!
3. Our house – my prayer. I’d love to live here.
The realtor story!
John 16:24 Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. (Abundant Joy!)
4. Prayer and our church property (50 Acres)
For 10 years we prayed. Answer (Isaac or Ishmael).
Prayer often involves waiting on Gods timing!!!
Easy vs. Hard! Now vs. Waiting! The things we WAIT for are often the things that brings us the most joy!
Laying in the amphitheater – such Joy!
John 16:24 Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. (Abundant Joy!)
5. The Nations Prophecy @ the prayer meeting!
Christmas Eve – such a Joy for me!
Students in front row at Christmas Eve 2019 service, 10 nations represented:
- India 🇮🇳
- Myanmar 🇲🇲
- Korea 🇰🇷
- Tunisia 🇹🇳
- Indonesia 🇮🇩
- Japan 🇯🇵
- Jamaica 🇯🇲
- China 🇨🇳
- Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬
- Russia 🇷🇺
Christmas Eve – prayer LINE! 85 year old lady saved! Joy!
6. Prayers for my kids (No Greater Joy!)
- My children
- My marriage
Closing
What is the Greatest prayer a person can pray to God? An unsaved person?
Ask the Father to SAVE you! Ask the Father in the Name of Jesus to SAVE you!
If your saved – I think one of the most powerful prayers you could pray going into the new year is – Not MY will be done but THY will be done!