The Confidence that We Have in Him

1 John 5:14–15 KJV 1900

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Pre-Sermon Ice Breaker

A Facebook poster writes, “I asked my daughter to give me the phone book. She laughed at me, called me a dinosaur and lent me her iPhone. So the spider is dead, the iPhone is broken and my daughter is furious!.

Introduction

What do you have confidence in?

Julie Andrews in the sound of music famously sang, “I have confidence in Sunshine, I have confidence in rain, I have confidence that spring will come again. Besides, which you see, I have confidence in me.”

One of the greatest challenges in prayer is that most Christians have more confidence in themselves than they do in Christ. They spend much of their prayer time plotting plan B.

Our theme for 2022 is “Pray First” On the first Sunday of each month our message will focus on prayer. This morning I want to take a look at a promise that is repeated from God’s word again and again. A Promise that if we will embrace it will give us confidence not in ourselves, but in God.

The Apostle John walked with Jesus. He wrote the Gospel of John, 3 Epistles or Letters and the book of Revelation. 1st John Chapter 5 is essential the summary, the conclusion, the Bodpostscript, if you will, to the whole epistle. And in this section John focuses on Christian certainties. Christian certainties are things of which we can be absolutely sure of.

31 Times in 1 John the author uses the word Know, Eido (I-do) in the Greek. In verse 13 he writes.

1 John 5:13 KJV 1900

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

This is a certainty, you can know that you have Eternal life.

In verses 14-15 we find a second certainty - God hears the prayer of a believer. Lets look at this passage and explore this certainty and the implications of it upon us.

Body

I. The Promise of a God who hears

1 John 5:14 KJV 1900

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

Notice the sentence structure. Notice the commas. You can read the sentence like this. “And this is the confidence that we have in him, he heareth us.

John 9:31 KJV 1900

Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

The scripture not only states this truth, but it gives examples to us. Luke 1:13

Luke 1:13 KJV 1900

But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

2 Kings 20:5 KJV 1900

Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord.

2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV 1900

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

We have a God who hears.

Isaiah 59:1 KJV 1900

Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; Neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

II. The Parameters of a God who Hears

1 John 5:14 KJV 1900

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

Charles Ryrie in the notes of the Ryrie Study Bible writes, “A gracious limitation, because God’s will is always best for his children.”

John 9:31 KJV 1900

Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

Another certainty, we know. To ask according to his will, you must be in his will, you must be born again.

John 14:13 KJV 1900

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

For the Commander:

John 16:23 KJV 1900

And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

III. The Petitions of a God who Hears

1 John 5:15 KJV 1900

And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Matthew 21:22 KJV 1900

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

1 John 3:21–22 KJV 1900

Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

Psalm 37:4 KJV 1900

Delight thyself also in the Lord; And he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Conclusion

What do you have confidence in?

Maybe you have confidence in sunshine, maybe you have confidence in rain, maybe you have confidence that Spring will come again.

But the Bible says,

1 John 5:14 KJV 1900

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

and because we know that he hears us...

1 John 5:15 KJV 1900

And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

This is a great, and precious promise.

Will you embrace it today.