Ask in Confidence

last week if you remember we we spoke about having confidence in God and having confidence and where we stand and how we approach God and last week if you remember listening to it or you're able to and when just reminders again that you know, we didn't know what the weather was going to do last week. We have a lot of equipment that we can't afford to get wet or ruined. So we erred on the side of caution probably could have had service. We understand that folks. That won't be the last time we're going to have to keep doing that for a while. But we are what we said last week was the way that we have confidence isn't obedience. We can be confident before God. We don't have to have a condemned heart when we find ourselves looking after the needs of fellow Believers that's simple obedience. And while John has been focusing his letter so much on understanding who these false Christians are. I think that's an important idea is knowing that we can have confidence if we are obedient. That's so simple isn't and it's so real but yet so many people that you're going to come into contact with are going to want to know what it means to know. And they're going to want to know where do I stand before God. Maybe you have that same question. Where do I stand before God? How do I stand before God? What does it mean to know God? What does it mean to be in relationship with God? And John goes to Such Great Lengths to show us the very practical ways. We know that we are in God that we can be confident that we can have insurance as we staying up two weeks ago the way that we have that Assurance first and foremost start by believing the message that John first preached. He says that which was from the beginning which we have heard which we have seen with our eyes which we have looked upon in our hands have handled of the word of life or the life was manifested and we have seen it and bear witness and showing to you that eternal life which was with the father and was manifested unto us that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you that you also may have fellowship with us and truly our fellowship is with the father with his son Jesus Christ. Knowing god Temple and being in fellowship with him and with his son begins with believing the testimony of men who walk with Christ. Faith that he was the son of God does not mean that we don't have proof. He was the son of God surely. Jesus was surely Jesus was the Messiah and we can have a shirts we can have fellowship with him. But the mark of one who has fellowship with God is obedience. John wants us to note that obedience to God means we have a sincere desire to love one another by looking after each other's needs. Steven goes on a little bit. And this is what I want to talk about today because why we have relationship with God and why we have this fellowship with other believers that pushes outward to love each other unconditionally to seek to fill needs. Even if the Christians are you like man? I really don't want to sit next to them in the Pew when there's covid-19 when there's not coping right what when you want to help each other love each other unconditionally, it means it doesn't matter your feelings towards that person. And the same can be very true of our relationship with God. specifically and how he answers prayer When we look at prayer and whatever you're the health and condition of your prayer life, maybe I think there are some real Hallmarks of someone that has a healthy prayer life. Now there can be a whole series on just what does it mean? What does it look like to pray and I'm not going to get too deep into that right now because John doesn't get too deep into that right now. He has more of a focus if we read his letter. We're going to be in chapter 3 again verses 22 and 23. And as we look at just these two short versus what they're telling us is that fellowship with God gives us confidence to boldly ask what we desire. That's John's message. But we have to beware of is when we desire things that God doesn't desire. Now those Hallmarks of prayer, how do we know that? We have a healthy prayer life? I'll say this one of the first marks is that you pray the promises of God, that means you got to know those promises but praying and asking God to keep his word will always be answered or Brandon doesn't that seem kind of silly for me to pray the things that God is already set are going to happen. No and do you want to know why because that means that you are now Desiring the things God is Desiring. Cuz here's the conflict and if I read this verse I want you to think back on your own life and think about your own prayer request. It says verse 22 and whatsoever. We ask we receive of him because we keep his Commandments and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And some of you are sitting here and saying Brandon I have obeyed God. I have sought him diligently and I have asked things of him with a heart that believes he could do it and my prayer was not answered. As we looked earlier in Chapter 2 of this conflict in Chapter 3 of this this conflict between a sinless life and a life that is saved and still struggling with sin. We have another seemingly a problem. There are no conflicts or contradictions in scripture is what we first have to believe in a suit that this is the inerrant word of God. John didn't make John knew what he was saying and she knew your experiences were real because they haven't changed since the time began. It is no surprise to God or to the author of this letter that you have made prayers and have lived a life of faithfulness and your prayers were not answered.

What you understand that? But it is no surprise and it does not make God a liar.

So, how do we deal with that? How do we have confidence in going to God and asking things of the supreme ruler? of the heavens in here and then furthermore, what should we ask? Couple places that I want to take you in scripture here. first places in the same authors hand John chapter 16 Says in that day, you will ask nothing of me. Truly. I say to you whatever you ask the father in my name he will give it to you until now. You've asked nothing in my name and you will receive that your joy may be full earlier and John chapter 14. He says this whatever, this is Christ telling his Apostles, whatever you ask in my name this I will do that. The father may be glorified in the son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it in Matthew crisis ask it will be given to you seek, you will find knock and will be open to you. This is a common theme that God is a God who answers prayers? And he does so for this purpose that Jesus may be glorified. Every answer to prayer you've ever had was not for your benefit. I want you to understand that every answer to prayer is only for the purpose of glorifying the sun Christ now do we receive benefits and blessings by God seeking to glorify the sun? Yes, we do. When Jesus is lifted up all of the world benefits, all of the world comes to see that there is goodness and that we can partake in life and in fullness in the very blessings that Jesus is given by the father. Kind of confusing isn't it to think about it that God is seeking to glorify the Sun but we being good trinitarians. We believe that God is three persons in one God therefore. If God were to ever do something for your benefit alone. He would be an idolator. Forgot to try to bless you alone. He is an idolater. He is lifting up then the creation and not the Creator. So the only thing that makes sense when we go to God In Prayer is that God will answer every prayer that glorifies himself and praise be unto God that he does that because I know some of the prayers I have made and it would be damning if God answered them.

And maybe those have been some of your prayers to. Maybe some of those prayers that you have made. Are just as equally damaging if you really think about that because you pray for your benefit and not so the sun might be lifted up and glorified.

They may be good prayers Church. They may be God save my family member. They may be God, please heal me. They may be God take this concern away. But my friends we have to remind ourselves that if we're seeking our own kingdom. First there's no reason that won our that prayer would be answered and to how would you go into the throne room of God seeking your own kingdom? How would you go in and approached God on his throne in majesty and Splendor and in righteousness and Holiness seeking your own kingdom?

How dare we? How can we? Why doesn't it make sense? That God wouldn't hear that prayer. Righteous and holy God knowing the hearts and being greater than our hearts knowing and being able to pierce between bone and Marrow Soul and Spirit knowing our innermost motivations. No, we can disguise it. We cannot hide from God. Kind of funny how what people actually calling social distancing. People are actually calling. Nope. We haven't been anywhere except the doctor the store to our friends house my cousin but he's not sick if it's funny, isn't it? You've heard it, right? No, we haven't been anywhere. We haven't done anything. We haven't been close to anybody. But the truth is they have you know, if you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear right like it one or the other. We do the same thing. Where did the exact same thing in our prayer life know this is a good thing. This is a righteous thing. This is a holy thing because they've got obviously want them to get well and Bebe Buell Blast. That's what that's what God wants right every good and perfect gift comes down from the father of lights and there is no Shadow or variance in it. We just reading John. Jesus says ask will be given to you. Whatever you ask in my name there is a key. Whatever you ask in my name, how can we seek to advance Our Kingdom in our name? If God says I will hear your prayer if you ask in the son's name.

Do you have confidence in God? Confidence in God means that we want what he wants. We desire that the prayers answered are the things that he himself prays for Unity in the church that all the world would come to know him. The father be lifted up.

That all men would come to repentance and a fellowship and to love one another. Those are the prayers that they will be answered Our Father who art in heaven Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come all my friends that will come. Thy will be done on Earth. She here on Earth the gospel has come and now all of his church are seeking to make Jesus king of all creation. That his will would be done here on Earth as it is in heaven because Before the Throne of God you and I cannot say my will be done. Even if it's good. Even if it seems good. My friends if our prayers are just disguises. And we might saturate them in Flowery language and we might seem to think no, this is a good thing. I'm not praying God strike down Vengeance on that man who cut me off meds Street went for his car but not kill him.

We might slip make it seem really really good. We make that prayers seem really really good and holy and disguise the sinful callous nature meanest sheer meanness of our heart. in Flowery religious language You want to know what Jesus called the righteous prayer? You want to know a prayer that Jesus hears and answers every time it's the prayer of the sinner Who falls on their face beats their chest and says God have mercy on me a sinner.

That is the prayer of the righteous. Because you and I have no reason or confidence to go before God. You and I have nothing to claim. to go confidently before. And when we make prayers to advance our kingdoms. Though they may seem good and truly you desire them. Honestly, my dear friends if we are seeking our kingdoms and our comfort and not Jesus. That he be lifted up. Because Paul has the same thoughts that you do but Brandon I desire him. It's hurting. It's a concern. It's a worry. It's something that I really want God to answer. And it doesn't matter if I just convinced my mind. No, I need to pray that Jesus be glorified. That concern is still in my heart, you know Paul dealt with the same thing and here is my prayer for you. And here is my hope that you understand one of my favorite passages of all scripture. Paul says unless I should both beyond measure. I was sent this Thorn In the Flesh this messenger of Satan three times. I prayed that God would remove it and he answered and said my grace is sufficient for you. Do you understand that? That the concerns and the desires for somebody to remember how many times they pray for it the weight of that concern God looked at it and says even if I don't answer that prayer, I want you understand I'm giving you something far better than an answer to that prayer. I am giving you my grace and his grace is enough though. You pray someone off a deathbed is your wish and they should go to be with the Lord his grace allows you to see them again. Should they be found in him? Whatever the thorn in your flesh is believed that his grace is better. Believe that the grace of God is better. Then whatever your concern is. Bring your cares to him. Tell him honestly. Lord I Need Your Grace on this situation I need your grace here. And understand that though, that's seemingly answer to that prayer is no. His grace is always enough. in every situation his grace is magnified in your weakness in your struggle and your pain. His grace is enough. Think about how dangerous it would be if you got everything you ever wanted.

Think about how dangerous it would be if you got everything you ever wanted.

I didn't think about how dependent. God saying no to your prayers has made you and thank him for it. Because if you believe you can approach the throne of God without his grace my friends you are in a scary place. You are in a horrifying position.

whatsoever we ask We receive of him why because we keep his Commandments. What what does that mean? Does that mean if I'm found not keeping his Commandments God won't hear my prayers. Well, one of his Commandments is to obey him. Joyfully. But you don't find his commands a bird.

Whatever we receive John's going to go on later in his letter in first John in chapter 5.

He's going to say this or sorry chapter 4.

You know, I lost my place. I believe it's chapter 5 here it is. First John chapter 5 verse 14 and this is the confidence that we have toward him that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us? If we ask anything according to his will isn't that what Jesus doesn't get simony? He prays honestly God not my will but yours be done.

Our Father who art in heaven Hallowed be thy name thy kingdom come thy will be done That's what we're seeking. And when we keep his Commandments then that means we joyfully will be obedient and we will joyfully desire the things that he desires because we are in his may we are in Christ being in God being in Christ means that you find joy and Desiring the things that he desires.

And we will seek those things. You see death is not a big deal to my God. Sickness is not a big deal to my God. Does he want like yes, so I came that. We may have life more abundantly, but please church don't think God is limited.

By the life that we see in this 70 year span. My God is outside of time there for there is nothing my God cannot do he rose from a grave. There is nothing that can stop my God.

And there is no prayer that you can make. That if you ask for his will and desire the things that he desires there is no prayer. He will not answer. prettiest word to him desire the things that God desires and you will be unbelievably amazed. at the strength of your prayer life Find yourself reading go to his word. His promise. I will never leave you nor forsake you. Put the David who said I've seen a billion times are prosperous times of famine, but I've never seen God's people in need. You know why cuz God asked his people to be obedient and look after the needs of his people.

But that's the answer to prayers the church. We scorn and we might can we laugh at if we get mad at him we get tension between us. But do you realize that some of your answers to prayer is me? Haha. Do you realize that sometimes the answer to your prayers are the people that you just get so frustrated with?

That's what God does.

Sometimes your answers to prayer. Are not going to come in this 70 year span. Sometimes the guilt or the struggle that you carry with you. all throughout your life You're just going to have to carry that and realize this that his grace is sufficient. But when you wake up in his presence, I assure you they will not be a struggle any longer. Why? Because God glorified in that. He's a guy that forgets. He's a guy that restores. He's a god of life. So keep struggling keep seeking to be obedient. But you can have confidence before God when you desire the things he desires you have confidence because of the blood of Jesus alone and no other reason you may approach the throne only because of the work of Christ. but in that you can know that your father will hear your prayers when we desire what he desires when we seek his kingdom and not our room.