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Ask Anything In My Name, John 14:13-14 | Archive 2025

D A OLIVA/07/21/2021

Introduction-

  A. One of the most misunderstood and misapplied statements of Jesus is our text in this lesson.

  1. Used by many in teaching about Holy Spirit Baptism, Miraculous Healings and Financial Prosperity

  2. Let us find out the meaning of our text for Jesus said, " You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free," John 8:32

 B. The approach in this lesson shall be as follows:

  1. Context of John 14:13-14

  2. Mis applications and misuses of these verses

  3. Lessons from Jesus' statements

Discussion

 A. Context and Background of John 14:13-14

  1. Jesus was a traveling evangelist so His words and teachings must leave a great impact on His audience

  2. Hence, He used parables and hyperboles ( exaggerations) to impress His teachings on the disciples and others

  3.John 14:1-4 express " words of comfort as He would leave them later physically

  4.So His statements in John 14:13-14 are promises of continuous presence and help to His disciples

 B. Misapplications and misuses of the above statements

  1. In teaching that the Holy Spirit baptism can be obtained by using John 14:13-14 statements

  2. That miraculous healings can be performed until today

  3. That financial prosperity can be realized through John 14:13-14 statements

  Answers to the  above claims of modern day preachers:

  1. Holy Spirit Baptism was promised only to the 12 apostles, John 14:26 and Acts 1:8

   - Fulfilled in Acts 2:6, 14 and 37 where the 12 spoke and preached in 17 languages

   - Only the 12 apostles could transfer " miraculous powers" to others by the laying on of hands, Acts 8:14-17

  2. Miraculous Healings ended in the latter part of the First Century A.D.

  - I Corinthians 13:8-10 Paul wrote that " prophecies, speaking in tongues and knowledge will all be gone when the PERFECT comes, James 1:25, John 8:32 and Romans 8:2

  -  Perfect refers to the completion of the writings of the New Testament, not to the unchanging Christ, Hebrews 13:8

  3. Financial Prosperity by praying according to John 14:13- 14

   - If true- all Christians would rich and there would no poor among them

    - But Paul raised funds for the poor saints in Jerusalem, I Corinthians 16:1-2

 C. Lessons from Jesus' statements in John 14:13-14

  1. Christ told His disciples the following conditions when praying:

   - It must be in His name or authority, Matthew 28:18

    - It must bring glory to the Father, Matthew 5:16; 6:33 and John 14:13

   - It must be according to God's will, Matthew 7:21

   - It must fulfill God's mission of salvation to all men, John 3:16

  2. Rhetorical Questions and Answers

    a. Are prayers really effective? God's answers are three fold: Yes, No or Wait

   - The prayers of a righteous man ( Elijah, the Prophet) " availeth much," James 5:16-18

   - our weapons are not carnal but mighty through God, 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

   - the power is not in us or in the prayer itself, but in the Omnipotent God

- Pray