Whatsoever Ye Ask

Whatsoever Ye Ask

(Three Conditions for Power in Prayer, Chip Ingram)

1 John 3:18-24

1 John 3:21-22 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. 22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. (3 Conditions)

· A condemning Heart– hinders condition 1 (Psalm 66:18)

1. Confidence toward God

2. Keep His commandments

3. Do what pleases Him

The 3 Things: (working backward through 19, 18, looking at “herby” and “deed and truth”

1. A Clear conscience that leads to confidence in God – V.21

a. Come boldly Hebrews

2. Obedient lifestyle – V.22 keep his commandments

a. We’re asking over here but not obeying over there

b. V.23 “And this is his commandment…”

i. Believe on the name of Jesus Christ

ii. Love one another – a continual command

1. V.16 – Love is a sacrificial choice

a. V.17 – Love expounded upon

3. A Yearning Heart – a heart that longs to please God

a. Psalm 101:1-3 (BUT, is it duty or is it delight?)

i. Address what you allow through your eye gate – V.3

ii. Address who you associate with – V.5

b. Micah 6:8 (Many of us try to see just how close we can walk to sin without sinning)

c. Psalm 143:10 David also says, “Teach me to do thy will.”

d. V.24 Sums it up – “And he that kepteth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him.”

e. (A. W. Tozer) - O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need of further grace.

I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still.

Show me Thy glory, I pray Thee, that so I may know Thee indeed, Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, “Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.” Then give me grace to rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I have wandered so long. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Without meeting these conditions, this promise (whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, ) doesn’t apply to us. When we do the work asked of us, we qualify to receive of GOD all that HE desires to give us. SO, it’s not that GOD is unwilling to answer our prayers, it’s that a great majority of us have failed to meet the minimum requirements.

· A clear conscience

· An obedient lifestyle

· A yearning heart for God

Additional notes: Ended up starting here and preaching through.

1 John 3

V.1 Behold – the transition from chapter 2 to chapter 3

V.2 You are a child of God

V.3 This hope of being like Christ

Purify himself

· James 4:8

· 2 Corinthians 7:1

V.4 Defines sin

V.5

V.6 has to be read with V.9

V.7 Deceived

· Eve was deceived, Adam made a choice; which one are you being?

V.8 He that committeth sin considered with 2:22

· 1 John 20:18-19 – the many antichrist; those that left the faith

· Who’s working in your life? Are you unsaved or are you backslidden?

· The devil

· God

Your Birthmark – The two natures of man, flesh and spirit; sin and divine. The birthmark you wear indicates the life you are living.

V.9

· Is the sin continual or singular? If continual, you remain in your sin refusing the victory Christ has purchased for you – latter part of V.8 / If it is singular what is the sin? Departing from the faith – 1 John 2:18-19.

V.10 Which one you are, is defined for you

The word “sin” is mentioned by John 24 times in his first epistle, if I am not mistaken.

1 John 2:22 Defines the ultimate sin – John 3:18

V.6 & 9 go hand in hand in the not sinning process. If you are born of God, you cannot deny His Son.

I feel John identifies in 2:22 and 3:23 the sin he is speaking of.