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About-Him.Com Devotional 02-18-2006
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My Thoughts on the Life of Christ, from His Baptism to His Ascension.

211b: Jesus’ Parting Words (con’t) John 14:12-31

  Jesus had established to the disciples, just who He was. Simply put: The One Eternal Invisible God, manifest in flesh for the benefit of all. He would be suffering the agonies of Calvary soon , but would ascend to heaven to prepare a place there for all believers. Therefore we should not be troubled or afraid. He promised to come again and take us to be with Him. The discourse continues:  

12 ¶  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
13  And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
 

Jesus had done many marvelous works.  John 21:25, in perhaps a bit of hyperbole, states that Jesus did so many things that the world itself would not be able to hold all the books that would be written about His works here on earth. And yet, Jesus said that believers would do greater works because He was leaving and going to His Father. There of course He dwells at the throne in His glorified humanity, where He constantly intercedes for us (Romans 8:34), and is ever present to help us carry on the work of the kingdom.  

14  If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.  

The key to heaven is asking in the name of Jesus. The name is not some magic incantation, but it carries all the authority of heaven because the name of God is inseparable from the person of God (See The Name of Jesus). God’s name in this dispensation is Jesus and that name denotes all that God has been, all that He is and all that He will be. He name cannot be separated from His suffering and His resurrection. When we call on the name of Jesus for salvation , we are simply saying that we are looking to Calvary and claiming the blood that He spilled there when He was wounded for our transgressions. When we pray in His name for healing we are recognizing that we are healed by the stripes of Calvary.  When we are confronted with evil, we know that the devils will flee, at the mention of His name.  

We do not ask to fulfill our own lust (James 4:3). There are several qualifications to asking and receiving in the name of Jesus . We must ask believing (Matthew 21:22),while  abiding in Christ (John 15:7) and keeping His commandments (I John 3:22). We must ask according to the Lord’s will and it is best to ask in agreement with others (Matthew 18:19).  

15 ¶  If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17  Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18 ¶  I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
 

While God’s invisible Spirit is indivisible, He is not limited in His manifestations to us. He came to us in the flesh of a totally human man who promised to return and empower us  for service as a life giving Spirit (II Corinthians 3:17, Ephesians 4:4).  

19  Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
20  At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
21  He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
 

After we are empowered by the Spirit we become one with the perfect unity of Father and Son, and we walk together in blessed fellowship. As we keep the Lord’s commandments, Jesus has promised to manifest Himself to us. This being by the indwelling Holy Ghost (Romans 8:10).  

25 ¶  These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
 

Thank God for the indwelling Christ who constantly prods us on and who quickens our spiritual memories to recall all that He commanded.

  27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  

Thanks also for the peace of God that passes all understanding. In the midst of the storm we rest in the peace of God, which was purchased for us on Calvary (Isaiah 53:5).  

Conclusion and Application:  

In the book of Acts, the Holy Ghost came upon believers when they received the teaching concerning the  death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (Acts 2:22-36, 8:12). That has not changed. We must bow at the cross before we can enter the upper room.  

Also, in the book of Acts, the Holy Ghost came upon believers after their initial conversion. The Spirit fell at Samaria after the folks had believed on Jesus and had even been baptized in His name. They had great joy, but they did not receive the Holy Ghost(Acts 8:15) until Peter and John prayed for them with the laying on of hands (Acts 8:16). The Holy Ghost came in some visible manifestation which was recognised by Simon the Socerer as the receiving of the Holy Ghost (Acts 8:18-19).  

We see the same thing with  John's disciples in Acts 19:5-6. We note that Paul preached Christ and baptized these men in the name of Jesus. The Holy Ghost did not come upon them until  Paul also laid his hands on them.  

Jesus told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father(Luke 24:47-49). After receiving the  Spirit they would be empowered to witness of and for Jesus (Acts 1:8) . When the Spirit fell at Pentecost, the assembled crowd thought that those in the upper room were simply drunk. They were indeed! They were drunk on the Spirit. After Peter preached the death and resurrection of Christ, the crowd was convicted and cried for instructions as to what they must do. Peter responded that they must repent, be baptized in water in the name of Jesus and that they could also have this precious gift of the Holy Ghost. It wasn't just for these folks, because Peter stated that the promise was to them, to their children and to all who were afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call (Acts 2:37-41). That's us folks!  

Links applicable to this  devotional:  

Bible Study: The Birth of the Water and the Spirit

Bible Study: Ask, Seek and Knock

Audio Sermon: Have You Received the Holy Ghost Since You Believed?   

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Humor
The junior executive had been complaining to his wife of aches and pains. Neither one could account for his trouble. Arriving home from work one night, he informed her, "I finally discovered why I've been feeling so miserable. We got some ultra-modern office furniture two weeks ago and I just learned today that I've been sitting in the wastebasket."

Somebody Has Said
"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." - Corrie, Ten, Boom

Keep Looking Up!

Don and Marie Spooner
About Him! Ministries

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