Myth Busters - Week 1: Ask Anything

New Series: MythBusters

MythBusters: is a science entertainment TV program created and produced by Australia's Beyond Television Productions for the Discovery Channel. The show's hosts, special effects experts Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman, use elements of the scientific method to test the validity of rumors, myths, movie scenes, adages, Internet videos, and news stories.

Myth Quiz (SLIDES)

There are other MYTHS around the Bible and misused verses:

Money is the root of all evil. The love of...

Money is the root of all evil.

Week 1 - May 28

Myth - Ask Anything

Money is the root of all evil.

Week 1 - May 28

Myth - Ask Anything

Most misused verses: Judge, Plans Prosper

Money is the root of all evil.

3. Money is the root of all evil.

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. — (NIV)

Judge not, lest ye be judged.

1. Judge not, lest ye be judged.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. — (NIV)

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Some Scripture myths include verses not in the Bible:

Verses not in the Bible; God didn’t say that.

"God helps those who help themselves.” 1 Americanians 17:76

The so-called American Dream means that almost anyone can be born into or come to the country with nothing, work hard, gather a loan payment or three, and die with enough to leave to children. And this “verse” (which may go back all the way to Aesop of fable fame) fits nicely with that American ethic.

Verses not in the Bible; God didn’t say that.

But it’s definitely not biblical.

In the Bible, the help always comes from one place, which the Psalmist lays out succinctly in , "My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” When the Israelites stared down the crashing waves of the Red Sea and the crushing horses of Pharaoh’s army, God didn’t have the people build boats. He did the helping:

"The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” ()

"This, too, shall pass.” Wisdomonius 4:11

When desperate people came begging Jesus for help, He never had them prove their mettle. After all, He knows the sinfulness in us. Instead, He helped them because of His own compassion.

Does that mean we can just float through our Christian walk? Not at all. In fact, it’s because of our salvation through Christ that God has provided everything we need to “abound in every good work” (). We’re saved to do good because God provides the tools and power to get it done.

2. "This, too, shall pass.” Wisdomonius 4:11

Whenever something bad happens, this “verse” pops up. It certainly sounds biblical, and some have even quoted it on TV as being from God’s Word. But it’s not, and it’s not even necessarily true.

Sure, we’ll usally move beyond the debilitating pain of loss or find another job or heal from an accident. But not every pain will pass away while we’re here on earth and in this body.

“Yea, verily, God wants you to be happy.” Oprah 1:1

In fact, some pains don’t pass because God has a bigger purpose for them. When Paul struggled with a thorn in his flesh, he begged Jesus to remove it. You’d think that Paul, who saw many miracles as he preached the gospel, would see this pain “pass.” But he didn’t:

"But [Jesus] said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.” ()

We can be sure that God provides comfort, but that doesn’t mean He will necessarily take away the source of the pain.

3. “Yea, verily, God wants you to be happy.” Oprah 1:1

This popular verse floats to the top every so often and gets thrown around on talk shows and magazines. We like to think that our happiness is God’s highest goal because that fits our consumer-focused, instant-access, you-deserve-it world. It’s a verse that allows people to skirt other biblical mandates because, as is often claimed, happiness trumps everything else.

But none of these false verses does more damage than this one. So, let’s just be blunt here: your happiness is not God’s intent nor your reason for existing. We are here to praise God—not to accumulate wealth, be comfortable, have a great relationship, feel satisfied, or reach our personal goals.

“If you work hard enough, you’ll be successful.” 2 Jobs 4:04

Here’s how Paul puts it:

"And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” ()

Why are we saved? So that God can forever point to us as evidence of His love and His glory. That in itself is enough to make us happy and to give us joy. But happiness is not the goal.

In fact, if we put our happiness ahead of everything else, we’re completely disobeying what Jesus said are the most important commands: Love God; love people (). Elevating our own happiness as the ultimate goal gets in the way of both of those. We love God by obeying Him. We love our neighbor by serving.

4. “If you work hard enough, you’ll be successful.” 2 Jobs 4:04

“Just follow your heart and believe, and you can do anything.” Song of Disney 20:15

Is hard work good? Yes. In fact, we’re told over and over in Proverbs that we’re supposed to work hard (12:11, 13:4, 14:23, etc.). Jesus kept a tireless pace during His life on earth, and you’ll never hear Paul condemn someone who works hard (in fact, he condemns those who don’t in ).

But the popular idea that hard work necessarily equals abundant earthly blessings has no basis in Scripture. In fact, for all His hard work, Jesus sometimes had nowhere to even sleep at night (). Paul, the tireless tentmaker, spent much of his time running from mobs, swimming from shipwrecks, and singing in jail.

"God moves in mysterious ways" Hogwarts 9 3/4

As a Christian, we are supposed to work at everything as if we were doing it for Jesus. But our reward is in knowing we did our best for Him, not in seeing our bank accounts bloom. While we may receive tangible blessings for our hard work, the bigger blessing is knowing that our Father who sees everything is pleased (). That’s a huge reward in itself.

"Cleanliness is next to godliness" Ivory 3:1

"Blessed and highly favored"

5. “Just follow your heart and believe, and you can do anything.” Song of Disney 20:15

"Blessed and highly favored"

"Touch your neighbor"

The first MYTH we will look at is a MYTH surrounding PRAYER - Verse: And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Main Point - Prayer is not about getting what I want, it is about getting to know God.

13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

CBS - Dean

Questions - Extremes

13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Questions - Extremes

Main Point - Prayer is not about getting what I want, it is about getting to know God.

people of extremes; importance of balance

leafs vs canadiens

God doesn’t answer prayer - God answers every prayer

Prayer

What is prayer?

Does it work?

Questions - Extremes

people of extremes; importance of balance

leafs vs canadiens

God doesn’t answer prayer - God answers every prayer

Prayer can be difficult concept to understand and a difficult practice to develop.

Some of us have lots of questions around prayer:

What is prayer? That thing we do be we eat?

Does it work? Does it really have any impact?

If God is sovereign does it really matter what I pray?

Why does God answer some prayers and not others?

Prayer doesn’t have to be a MYTH or a MYSTERY but something that MOVES US and something that MOVES GOD!

people of extremes; importance of balance

leafs vs canadiens

Charles Spurgeon – “Prayer moves the arm that moves the world.”

God doesn’t answer prayer - God answers every prayer

Main Point - Prayer is not about getting what I want, it is about getting to know God.

13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Key Text -

New Living Translation Chapter 14

12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!

So that tells me if I pray in Jesus name I will get top job, marry the model, win the lottery! Right? Wrong! Prayer is much more complex. We say prayer is simply “talking to God” but it is so much more; Prayer can be hard to understand;

So… I will get job, Marry the model, Win the lottery!

Amazing lady—Curable cancer—Died

ILL - pastor with cancer; Albert Parmenter - prayers; no relief

Albert Parmenter - prayers

ILL - Pop Harris - prayers

So—Obviously the verse isn’t true—Or have we just twisted it.

So when prayer is not answered obviously the verse isn’t true—Or have we just adopted a myth around it. Help you bust the myth.

So when that prayer is not answered obviously the verse isn’t true—Or have we just adopted a myth around it. Help you bust the myth.

BIBLE STUDY - 2 Methods:

· Exegesis—Drawing truth out of the text. (ex—out of)

Exegesis—Drawing truth out of the text. (ex—out of)

· Eisogesis—Reading into the text what you want to see.

Eisogesis—Reading into the text what you want to see. Never truly come to the scriptures without some sort of bias, cultural interpretation, or perspective but if we come with a preconceived notion about God or theology we can find ourselves in a dangerous place of speaking for the Scriptures instead of letting the Scriptures speak to us.

BIBLE STUDY - KEY PRINCIPLES

1) Understand the context. Before, after, who wrote, whom, msg.

Understand the context. Before, after, who wrote, whom, major theme. Pull a verse and apply it;

ILL - Promise Box - Judas went out and hanged himself; go thou and do likewise, what thou does do quickly.

Not a heretic if you pull a verse but not a good practice. we should be diligent students of the Word.

2) Interpret scriptures with other scriptures. Not experience—Bible.

Interpret scriptures with other scriptures.

This is really important. In other words, the best way to understand the Bible is with the Bible. We're not going to take 1 verse and build a life theology around 1 verse. We're going to take a verse, and we're going to look at what other verses say about that similar theme, and we're going to build our theology over the consistency of 66 different authors writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and we're going to interpret scripture with scripture.

Apply what you learn.

3) Apply what you learn. Not a text to be studied—Letters lived.

The Bible is not a book just to be studied it is God's letter to be lived. We want to apply it to our lives, so that's what I want to do today as we look at , the words of Jesus. You can have whatever you ask for in my Name. I want to understand the context, interpret the Bible with the Bible, and then learn to apply it.

The Bible is not a book to be studied as much as it is to be God's letter to us to be lived. We want to apply it to our lives, so that's what I want to do today as we look at , the words of Jesus. You can have whatever you ask for in my Name. I want to understand the context, interpret the Bible with the Bible, and then learn to apply it.

The Bible is not a book just to be studied it is God's letter to be lived. We want to apply it to our lives, so that's what I want to do today as we look at , the words of Jesus. You can have whatever you ask for in my Name. I want to understand the context, interpret the Bible with the Bible, and then learn to apply it.

What is the context of ? It starts out and Jesus essentially says, "Do not be afraid. I'm going away to prepare a place for you. Do not worry. I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. When I go away, I'm going to send the Holy Spirit who will dwell within you. John writes to prove that Jesus is the Son of God. The disciples, as they were full of grief to think of parting with their Master, so they were full of care what would become of themselves when he was gone; while he was with them, he was a support to them, kept them in countenance, kept them in heart; but, if he leave them, they will be as sheep having no shepherd, an easy prey to those who seek to run them down. Now, to silence these fears, Christ here assures them that they should be clothed with powers sufficient to bear them out. As Christ has all power, they, in his name, should have great power, both in heaven and in earth.

The disciples, as they were full of grief to think of parting with their Master, so they were full of care what would become of themselves when he was gone; while he was with them, he was a support to them, kept them in countenance, kept them in heart; but, if he leave them, they will be as sheep having no shepherd, an easy prey to those who seek to run them down. Now, to silence these fears, Christ here assures them that they should be clothed with powers sufficient to bear them out. As Christ has all power, they, in his name, should have great power, both in heaven and in earth.

What's the big theme of ? It's not actually prayer. The big theme is the preparation that Jesus is going to make. God is the main character in the text. Not us and our wants or wishes.

If you look at the main theme of , Jesus is really talking, not about prayer, but about the preparations he's making for you. What's the context of John? To prove that Jesus is the Son of God. What's the big theme of ? It's not actually prayer. The big theme is the preparation that Jesus is going to make. With that understanding, let's re-read a portion of the verse, and this time let's do it from the perspective of not making ourselves the main character in the text, but let's remember and respect who is always the main character in the text, and that is who? God. Not us. God is always the main character in the Bible. Not us.

What's the context of John? To prove that Jesus is the Son of God. What's the big theme of ? It's not actually prayer. The big theme is the preparation that Jesus is going to make. With that understanding, let's re-read a portion of the verse, and this time let's do it from the perspective of not making ourselves the main character in the text, but let's remember and respect who is always the main character in the text, and that is who? God. Not us. God is always the main character in the Bible. Not us.

So let's read it with that context in understanding . Jesus said, "I will do whatever you ask in my Name." Then what does he say? He says, what? "So that ... " What's the purpose? Why is he going to do this? Why? Why? "So that the Father may be glorified in the Son." Do you see what just happened? The reason God answers prayers is not so that our life would be better, so we would have more money, and you could always have the kitchen you've always dreamed of. Do you recognize that?

With that context in mind read . Jesus said, "I will do whatever you ask in my Name." Then what does he say? "So that ... " Here’s the purpose… Not what God does for me…but "So that the Father may be glorified in the Son." The reason God answers prayers is not so that we would have our wish-list complete. The reason God answers prayers is so that the Father may be glorified in heaven. There is a much different purpose for our prayers than what many of us often realize.

What's the context of John? To prove that Jesus is the Son of God. What's the big theme of ? It's not actually prayer. The big theme is the preparation that Jesus is going to make. With that understanding, let's re-read a portion of the verse, and this time let's do it from the perspective of not making ourselves the main character in the text, but let's remember and respect who is always the main character in the text, and that is who? God. Not us. God is always the main character in the Bible. Not us.

The reason God answers prayers is so that the Father may be glorified in heaven. When we read this not as seeing ourselves as the main subject of the Bible, but in seeing God is the main subject of the Bible, we recognize there is a much different purpose for our prayers than what many of us often realize.

Why is this important? Many people have walk away from faith in God when they prayed for it, believed in it but He didn't do it. So God can’t be real, He doesn't care, or He's not good. Many people walk away from faith in God because God did not do what they wanted God to do.

Why are we dealing with this today? I'll tell you why we're dealing with this. Because as a pastor, I would argue that perhaps this is at least [inaudible 00:12:44] to, maybe the number 1 reason why I've seen people walk away from faith in God. I prayed for it. I believed in it. He didn't do it. Therefore, He isn't real, He doesn't care, or He's not good. Over and over again I've seen people walk away from faith in God because God did not do what we wanted God to do.

So understanding the context, let's unpack the scripture with scripture. In other words, what else does the Bible say about what God cares about when we pray?

13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

: Don’t freak—Prepared place for you—I am way—HS coming.

Not prayer—preparation!

13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

Not what God does for me—but that God would be glorified.

—but that God would be glorified.

1) YOUR RELATIONSHIPS MATTER.

24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

God I want a pony—Hate my brother!

(John) Cannot say you love God and hate your brother

Kids fighting (touched me)—Not having a friend over—apologize.

7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

55Help me win the lottery and I’ll tithee----------------------------55------------------------

2) YOUR MOTIVES MATTER.

3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives…

Pharisees—Praying to be seen!

Pray for cute girl to become a Xian so I can date her

Help me win the lottery and I’ll tithe

2 All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.

3) YOUR FAITH MATTERS.

6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

Child like faith—Poison Ivy

29 Then [Jesus] touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; 30 and their sight was restored.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So—if relationships are good, motives, faith—God will do what I want.

See it—Be it. Name it—Claim it. Blab it—Grab it!

4) GOD’S WILL MATTERS.

14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do itt.

Roger—Ring guy (Use my name)

Privilege and responsibility

Why is this important? Many people have walk away from faith in God when they prayed for it, believed in it but He didn't do it. So God can’t be real, He doesn't care, or He's not good. Many people walk away from faith in God because God did not do what they wanted God to do.

So understanding the context, let's unpack the scripture with scripture. In other words, what else does the Bible say about what God cares about when we pray? WHAT MATTERS TO GOD WHEN YOU PRAY?

1) RELATIONSHIPS MATTER.

1) YOUR RELATIONSHIPS MATTER. Mark 11:24-25

New Living Translation Chapter 11

24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. 25 But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.*”

V. 24 Amazing promise. But Verse 25. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, what are you to do? You are to ... Forgive them. Why? So that your Father in heaven may forgive your sin!

24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

When you're praying, if you're ticked at somebody, deal with that relationship before you keep on praying. Evidently, your relationships matter to God.

God I want a pony—Hate my brother!

(John) Cannot say you love God and hate your brother

Kids fighting (touched me)—Not having a friend over—apologize.

7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

2) MOTIVES MATTER.

55Help me win the lottery and I’ll tithee----------------------------55------------------------

3 And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.

Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2013), .

you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. 3 And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.

And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure. Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2013), .

3 And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.

2) YOUR MOTIVES MATTER.

Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2013), .

Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2013), Jas 4:2–3.

This was common in the day of Jesus. The Pharisees often had the wrong motives. They wanted to be seen. They wanted to be heard. They'd stand on the street corners and pray these fancy prayers: "Dear God, Father in heaven, I thank you, O God, I'm not like the Gentiles, and I am holy and pray long prayers," and God's saying that's the wrong motive. Jesus said you're a hypocrite when you do this.

3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives…

Pharisees—Praying to be seen!

ILL - pray with wrong motives

Pray for cute girl to become a Xian so I can date her

Help me win the lottery and I’ll tithe

e.g. Help me win the lottery and I’ll tithe; Proverbs 16:2

Help me win the lottery and I’ll tithe

New Living Translation Chapter 16

2 People may be pure in their own eyes,

but the LORD examines their motives.

Evidently, there are some things that matter to God when you pray. Your relationships appear to matter to God when you pray. Your motives appear to matter to God when you pray.

2 All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.

Second thing is, your motives matter to God. James, the brother of Jesus, said this in chapter 4 verse 3. He said, "When you ask, you do not receive" becomes sometimes, what are you doing? You're asking with what? The wrong motives. This was common in the day of Jesus. The Pharisees often had the wrong motives. They wanted to be seen. They wanted to be heard. They'd stand on the street corners and pray these fancy prayers: "Dear God, Father in heaven, I thank you, O God, I'm not like the Gentiles, and I am holy and pray long prayers," and God's saying that's the wrong motive. Jesus said you're a hypocrite when you do this.

said all a person's ways seem pure to them, but the what? Say it aloud. But the motives are weighed by the Lord. Evidently, there are some things that matter to God when you pray. Your relationships appear to matter to God when you pray. Your motives appear to matter to God when you pray.

We're all susceptible to this. I was. I became a brand new Christian in college, and I wanted a Christian girl, but not just a regular Christian girl, but a smokin' hot Christian girl. When I couldn't find one, I just picked a smokin' hot wild girl and started praying that she'd get saved. Oh, glory to God. Now there's a good prayer. Save her, Jesus, save her. Mm, mm, mm. Save her. Sounds right. Wrong motives. Your motives matter when you pray.

said all a person's ways seem pure to them, but the what? Say it aloud. But the motives are weighed by the Lord. Evidently, there are some things that matter to God when you pray. Your relationships appear to matter to God when you pray. Your motives appear to matter to God when you pray.

3) FAITH MATTERS. James 1:6-7

New Living Translation Chapter 1

6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

Faith Matters; In fact, when 2 blind men came to Jesus and said, "Have mercy on us, Jesus," in , he did this. The scripture says he touched their eyes and he said, "according to your" what? Somebody? According to your faith, let it be done unto you, and their sight was restored. Your faith matters to God.

Child like faith—Poison Ivy

ILL - Child like faith -Jennifer prayer, age 6 for Kelly’s colitis, no issue since.

So, if you're taking really good notes, here's what you can conclude right now. If my relationships are all good, and if my motives are pure, and if I have enough faith, then God has got to do whatever I ask Him to do.

29 Then [Jesus] touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; 30 and their sight was restored.

So—if relationships are good, motives, faith—God will do what I want.

So—if relationships, motives, & faith are good—God will do what I want?

When we believe that, we slip into what some have kind of called a prosperity gospel, or name it and claim it, blab it and grab it, see it and be it. In other words, it's up to me. It's up to my faith. It's up to me.

So—if relationships are good, motives, faith—God will do what I want.

See it—Be it. Name it—Claim it. Blab it—Grab it!

ILL - Name it and claim it; no cold; to will be healed; no logic/sense

See it—Be it. Name it—Claim it. Blab it—Grab it!

I love when Jesus talked about a childlike faith. Some of you, if you've had a young child or a grandchild who really trusted in Jesus, there's something beautiful, something powerful when you see this childlike faith. I saw this with Katie, my oldest daughter who's now married. You go way back to when she was a little girl. She got a massive case of poison ivy all over her. We took her to the doctor because she was our first child. Now, a kid gets poison ivy, we're like, "It sucks to be you."

First child is like, is she going to die? What's going on? The doctor's like, "Yeah, it's bad poison ivy. It's just going to be bad for a few days. She's not going to die, but it's going to be bad for a few days." We went home and we're saying bedtime prayers, and Katie prays, "Dear Jesus, I love you and you love me, and I thank you you're going to heal me. When I wake up in the morning I'm not going to have any poison ivy, Jesus, because I love you and you love me. Amen."

In fact, when 2 blind men came to Jesus and said, "Have mercy on us, Jesus," in , he did this. The scripture says he touched their eyes and he said, "according to your" what? Somebody? According to your faith, let it be done unto you, and their sight was restored. Your faith matters to God.

ILL - Child like faith - girls prayers

Childlike faith. Pastor Craig, her dad, started trying to help her understand why God was not going to answer that prayer. You see the irony here. Childlike faith. Pastor Craig. Now God might not do this, and so I don't want you to be devastated. She looked at me confused like, well, I asked Him and He would.

Next morning she comes in. The sun's not even up yet. She flips the lights on. She's wearing nothing by Barney panties. She comes into the room in her Barney panties, and she just goes, "Ta da!" Like, what are you doing, naked girl? She went, "Ta da! Look!" There was no sign whatsoever anywhere on her body. The poison ivy was completely gone, and God honored a childlike faith even when Pastor Craig tried to talk her out of her naïve faith of believing that God could do anything. Because evidently to some degree, and I can't fully explain it, but our faith matters to God.

So, if you're taking really good notes, here's what you can conclude right now. If my relationships are all good, and if my motives are pure, and if I have enough faith, then God has got to do whatever I ask Him to do. Now. When we believe that, we slip into what some have kind of called a prosperity gospel, or name it and claim it, blab it and grab it, see it and be it. ILL - Name it and claim it; no cold; to will be healed

In fact, when 2 blind men came to Jesus and said, "Have mercy on us, Jesus," in , he did this. The scripture says he touched their eyes and he said, "according to your" what? Somebody? According to your faith, let it be done unto you, and their sight was restored. Your faith matters to God.

In other words, it's up to me. It's up to my faith. It's up to me.

So, if you're taking really good notes, here's what you can conclude right now. If my relationships are all good, and if my motives are pure, and if I have enough faith, then God has got to do whatever I ask Him to do. Now. When we believe that, we slip into what some have kind of called a prosperity gospel, or name it and claim it, blab it and grab it, see it and be it. The girl walked into the singles group. I claimed her. I claimed her before you, Bert. She's mine in Jesus' Name. She's mine. Name it and claim it. Blab it and grab it. See it and be it. If I just have enough faith, it's got to be done. If I just kind of only say good things. In other words, it's up to me. It's up to my faith. It's up to me.

If I just have enough faith. If I had the pure motives. If I do this, God's got to ... He's my magic genie. I put the money and I pushed the button. I got to get out what I ordered. No!

The girl walked into the singles group. I claimed her. I claimed her before you, Bert. She's mine in Jesus' Name. She's mine. Name it and claim it. Blab it and grab it. See it and be it. If I just have enough faith, it's got to be done. If I just kind of only say good things. In other words, it's up to me. It's up to my faith. It's up to me.

One more thing that matters...

What I'm doing right now is I'm making some of you really, really mad because you've been raised in this, and you're about to write me off. Hang with me. Hang with me, because this is really serious. If I just have enough faith. If I had the pure motives. If I do this, God's got to ... He's my magic genie. I put the money and I pushed the button. I got to get out what I ordered.

4) GOD’S WILL MATTERS.

New Living Translation Chapter 5

14 And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. 15 And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.

14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

God's will matters. His will. His sovereign nature. His goodness. His character. His eternal plan. God's will matters. John, the very same John who said you can have anything you pray in the Name of Jesus, also said this in I John. The very same John who said that also said this. He said, "This is the confidence that we have in approaching God. That if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have what we ask of Him if we ask it according to His will."

14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do itt.

This is not a cop-out for unanswered prayer; I guess it was God’s will. It is a faith acknowledgement that His purposes and plans are greater than ours and our trust will be implicitly in Him!

Roger—Ring guy (Use my name)

Privilege and responsibility

we need to understand that God's will matters. His will. His sovereign nature. His goodness. His character. His eternal plan. God's will matters. John, the very same John who said you can have anything you pray in the Name of Jesus, also said this in I John. The very same John who said that also said this. He said, "This is the confidence that we have in approaching God. That if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have what we ask of Him if we ask it according to His will."

Number 4, we need to understand that God's will matters. His will. His sovereign nature. His goodness. His character. His eternal plan. God's will matters. John, the very same John who said you can have anything you pray in the Name of Jesus, also said this in I John. The very same John who said that also said this. He said, "This is the confidence that we have in approaching God. That if we ask anything," let's all say this aloud, all of our churches, somebody in Albany help me out, Ft. Worth, Texas, help me out, in Tennessee, help me out. "If we ask anything according to His will," say it again. "If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have what we ask of Him if we ask it according to His will." We cannot ask it according to His will.

We cannot ask Him for just whatever we want and demand that He does it for us. That makes us God, not Him God. It's not according to our will. It's according to His will. If we understand that, suddenly our main text, , might make a little more sense to us when we read it again. Jesus said, you may ask me for anything in what? He said, in my Name, and I will do it. In my Name. In other words, if we're going to the Father and we're using the Name of Jesus, then we need to ask something according to the will of God, or we are discrediting Him as using the Name of Jesus.

When you go before God and you use the Name of Jesus, you have access to the Creator of the universe, because Jesus gave you permission. Because of what Jesus did, He gives you the right to speak to the God that you do not deserve to speak to. Suddenly, you recognize using the Name of Jesus is a massive responsibility and privilege. I have the privilege to enter into the Throne of Grace because of who Jesus is and what he did. Therefore, this is not the key that unlocks the lock to get me what I want. I come in honoring Jesus who gave me access to the Father.

Privilege and responsibility

Let me explain it this way. This is not a perfect illustration, but it may help. When I was dating Amy, before I was in ministry, I had a really short time selling security systems. I walked into a ring store called Rings, Etc., and met a guy named Roger and was trying to sell him a security system. Suddenly I noticed he had Christian music coming on. He didn't know I was a Christian. I said, "What's up with the music?" The next thing you know is he's sharing his faith with me, and he's crying telling me how Jesus changed his life.

Roger gave me the best customer service you've ever ... You couldn't imagine. He spent so much time with me. He prayed for me. I was so moved. I just told him at the end of this deal, and I didn't even know what it meant at the time, and I wasn't Pastor Craig at the time. I just said, "Listen. I will buy every piece of jewelry for my wife, my future children, my mom, anybody, for the rest of my life from you," which I have, and "Every time I meet someone who's getting married, I'm going to tell them, 'go see Roger,' as long as you treat them the way you treated me, if you continue with that kind of service for the rest of my life, I will send people to you, and I'm always going to tell them, tell them Craig sent you. Nothing. I don't want anything back, but I'm going to do that."

Here's what happens. We pray, and sometimes God does a miracle, and we pray, and sometimes it doesn't go like we want. The tragedy is too many people walk away from God because God didn't do exactly what they wanted Him to do.

I didn't know I was going to become a single adult pastor. I probably did more weddings than any 10 pastors combined over 4 lifetimes. I did weddings 3 a weekend. I sent them all to Roger. Go see Roger. Go see Roger. Go see Roger. He continued to take great care of them. I asked him for permission this week, hey, can I tell this story about you? He said, well, what you need to know is, when someone comes in and uses your name, I go into a different gear because I see this as a ministry to represent the goodness of God. I give them the best deal possible. I take as good of care of them as I did you, and when someone uses your name, I take it really, really seriously.

When I give someone my name, here's the deal. You go in and you treat Roger with respect, because it's a privilege and a responsibility to use my name. In other words, what I'm doing is I'm taking a 26-year relationship and I'm giving you access to that relationship even though you do not have it. It's a privilege and responsibility. I'm giving you something you did not earn.

When you go before God and you use the Name of Jesus, you have access to the Creator of the universe, because Jesus gave you permission. Because of what Jesus did, He gives you the right to speak to the God that you do not deserve to speak to. Suddenly, you recognize using the Name of Jesus is a massive responsibility and privilege. I have the privilege to enter into the Throne of Grace because of who Jesus is and what he did. Therefore, this is not the key that unlocks the lock to get me what I want. I come in honoring Jesus who gave me access to the Father.

Here's what you need to know. This is what I believe. I believe He can and I believe He will. But even if He doesn't, I still believe. I still believe. Why? Because my faith in God does not rest on what He does or does not do for me. My faith in God rests on what Jesus already did for me on the cross and the empty tomb. It's already settled. I am unwavering.

Here's what happens. We pray, and sometimes God does a miracle, and we pray, and sometimes it doesn't go like we want. The tragedy is too many people walk away from God because God didn't do exactly what they wanted Him to do. My daughter Anna, 2-1/2 years after slipping on water, lost her dancing career as of today, surgery, rehab, doctor, doctor, doctor, doctor, specialist, specialist, specialist, specialist, on and on and on and on. Still pain. Still swelling. Still hurts. We're still praying. Every single day we pray and every single day I believe this is the day we'll go to the right doctor, we'll get the right report, God will do a miracle. Every day we pray. Every day we pray. God has not yet answered the prayer.

If prayer is only a tool for me to get what I want, that is an insult to our God. I am not the main character in scripture. God is the main character in scripture. If He doesn't do what I want Him to do, that doesn't lessen who He is. It doesn't wreck my faith, because my faith is not based on Him doing what I demand Him to do. My faith is based on His love when He sent Jesus to give his life for me, and suddenly that changes everything.

Here's what you need to know. This is what I believe. Today when I prayed, I believed God can heal her. Today when I prayed, I believed God would heal her. But even if He doesn't, I still believe. I still believe. I still believe. I believe He can and I believe He will. But even if He doesn't, I still believe. I still believe. Why? Because my faith in God does not rest on what He does or does not do for me. My faith in God rests on what Jesus already did for me on the cross and the empty tomb. It's already settled. I am unwavering.

If prayer is only a tool for me to get what I want, that is an insult to our God. Imagine if I only went to my earthly father, "Dad, give me this. Dad, give me this. Dad, give me this. In the Goeschel name, give me this. Give me this. Give me this. Give me this." What does it do? That makes my dad my servant, and God is not my servant. I am His servant. I am not the main character in scripture. God is the main character in scripture. If He doesn't do what I want Him to do, that doesn't lessen who He is. It doesn't wreck my faith, because my faith is not based on Him doing what I demand Him to do. My faith is based on His love when He sent Jesus to give his life for me, and suddenly that changes everything.

If I have anything I ask in His Name, it'll be done unto me. Why? So that my Father in heaven may be glorified. It's more about Him. Prayer isn't just for me to get my wish list accomplished by God. Prayer is the avenue through which I get to know God and give Him glory. It's the avenue through which I get to know God and give Him glory. It's not just getting him to do what I want Him to do, it's me getting to know Him. It's me hearing from Him and getting to bring Him glory.

The purpose of God answering my prayers isn't so I get what I want, a better life, my best life today. The purpose of God answering prayers is so that He would get glory.

Then he went on to say, "I'm hurting right now. I don't know what to do, so I'm going to listen to some of your messages. Pray for me, and maybe I might just need that Jesus you told me about." 28 years later, God may answer that prayer I prayed, but He may answer it in a way that I never expected, in a way that brings Him the glory.

The purpose of God answering my prayers isn't so I get what I want, a better life, my best life today. The purpose of God answering prayers is so that He would get glory. The reason I pray is not to get Him to do what I want, but it's to submit my will to what He wants. Your will be done, God, on earth as it is in heaven. With that understanding, I hope your faith is built. I hope you pray for big things. I hope you believe God can. I hope you trust that He will.

But even if He doesn't, I know you will still believe, because your faith does not rest on God doing what you tell Him to do. Your faith rests on His goodness, of the empty tomb, that Jesus died and rose again so that we could live, and for that reason, we put our faith in Him.

Anna—Believe he can—believe he will—even if he doesn’t—still believe.

Prayer isn’t about getting what I want—Prayer is getting to know God.

My faith isn’t based on him answering prayers—Jesus is Son of God.

Prayer isn’t about getting what I want—Prayer is getting to know God.

Wrap around tennis story: Who knows—may meet Jesus after all.

ILL - Prayer Nadine’s Dad

Believe he can—believe he will—even if he doesn’t—still believe.

My faith isn’t based on him answering prayers—Jesus is Son of God.

Prayer isn’t about getting what I want—Prayer is getting to know God.

Though he slay me…yet will I trust him - Daniel?

ILL - Toy Smoke Gun (conclusion); thought that’s what I needed; missed Christmas; terrible christmas; and post-christmas didn’t get my toy.

Prayer isn’t about getting what I want—Prayer is getting to know God.

Mother Teresa – “More tears are shed over answered prayers than unanswered ones.” “Prayer enlarges the heart until it is capable of containing God’s gift of himself.”

ASK ANYTHING

Tennis story:

You said, “You will do whatever I ask in your name.”

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So… I will get job, Marry the model, Win the lottery!

Amazing lady—Curable cancer—Died

So—Obviously the verse isn’t true—Or have we just twisted it.

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· Eisogesis—Reading into the text what you want to see.

1) Understand the context. Before, after, who wrote, whom, msg.

2) Interpret scriptures with other scriptures. Not experience—Bible.

3) Apply what you learn. Not a text to be studied—Letters lived.

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: Don’t freak—Prepared place for you—I am way—HS coming.

Not prayer—preparation!

13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

Not what God does for me—but that God would be glorified.

WHAT MATTERS TO GOD WHEN YOU PRAY?

1) YOUR RELATIONSHIPS MATTER.

24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

God I want a pony—Hate my brother!

(John) Cannot say you love God and hate your brother

Kids fighting (touched me)—Not having a friend over—apologize.

7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

55Help me win the lottery and I’ll tithee----------------------------55------------------------

2) YOUR MOTIVES MATTER.

3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives…

Pharisees—Praying to be seen!

Pray for cute girl to become a Xian so I can date her

Help me win the lottery and I’ll tithe

2 All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.

3) YOUR FAITH MATTERS.

6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

Child like faith—Poison Ivy

29 Then [Jesus] touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; 30 and their sight was restored.

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So—if relationships are good, motives, faith—God will do what I want.

See it—Be it. Name it—Claim it. Blab it—Grab it!

4) GOD’S WILL MATTERS.

14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do itt.

Roger—Ring guy (Use my name)

Privilege and responsibility

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Main Point - Prayer is not about getting what I want, it is about getting to know God.

John R.W. Stott – “Prayer is not a convenient device for imposing our will upon God, or bending his will to ours, but the prescribed way of subordinating our will to his.”

Questions - Extremes

people of extremes; importance of balance

leafs vs canadiens

God doesn’t answer prayer - God answers every prayer

My faith isn’t based on him answering prayers—Jesus is Son of God.

Prayer isn’t about getting what I want—Prayer is getting to know God.

Wrap around tennis story: Who knows—may meet Jesus after all.

Myth Busters - Week 1: Ask Anything

Me

1.) “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

We

God

God

You

We

We

We

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