WEBVTT 00:00:00.880 --> 00:00:07.179 Well, last week we heard from the Apostle Paul about how we are to pray all kinds of 00:00:07.179 --> 00:00:11.400 prayers for all people or all kinds of people. 00:00:12.800 --> 00:00:19.080 And sooner or later, as we get about to doing that, as a matter of first importance in this 00:00:19.080 --> 00:00:24.820 coming year, we'll run up to the question, what do I pray for people? 00:00:25.140 --> 00:00:28.859 What should I ask God to do for people? 00:00:28.859 --> 00:00:35.619 And so this morning, we're going to be looking at the Apostle John's answer to that question, 00:00:35.820 --> 00:00:37.820 what should we pray for people? 00:00:38.140 --> 00:00:46.140 So we're going to be looking at his first letter, 1 John 5, verses 14 and 15. 00:00:46.239 --> 00:00:49.480 If you have your Bibles, please open them up and turn there. 00:00:51.719 --> 00:00:56.079 1 John 5, verses 14 and 15. 00:00:56.079 --> 00:00:58.859 John says there, 00:00:58.859 --> 00:01:28.859 00:01:28.859 --> 00:01:32.980 those promises, those beautiful statements. 00:01:37.280 --> 00:01:42.879 The gist of what John is saying there could be summed up like this. 00:01:42.879 --> 00:01:53.739 We can have confidence that God hears us and will give us what we ask for when we ask according 00:01:53.739 --> 00:01:54.519 to his will. 00:01:56.979 --> 00:02:02.239 And when we say it just like that, hope rises in our hearts. 00:02:02.239 --> 00:02:09.000 But I'm willing to bet that for some of us, there's a bit of question that we have lingering 00:02:09.000 --> 00:02:09.740 as well. 00:02:10.519 --> 00:02:12.879 That almost sounds too good to be true, doesn't it? 00:02:13.759 --> 00:02:22.680 Whatever we ask, does God really give us whatever we ask when we ask according to his will? 00:02:22.680 --> 00:02:23.719 How does that work? 00:02:24.080 --> 00:02:27.939 Are there times when there are exceptions to that? 00:02:28.099 --> 00:02:30.879 Or is it really that true? 00:02:32.020 --> 00:02:37.319 And so we're going to dig into what John says this morning and look more closely at it. 00:02:37.540 --> 00:02:39.900 But first, as we do, a couple details. 00:02:41.319 --> 00:02:42.860 Who is John writing to? 00:02:42.860 --> 00:02:49.300 Is he just writing to about himself and the other apostles? 00:02:49.620 --> 00:02:51.660 He says, this is the confidence we have. 00:02:51.720 --> 00:02:52.300 Who's we? 00:02:53.020 --> 00:02:56.020 He actually tells us right before this in verse 13. 00:02:56.920 --> 00:03:02.640 He says, I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God. 00:03:03.620 --> 00:03:06.680 So that you may know that you have eternal life. 00:03:07.520 --> 00:03:10.420 And this is the confidence we have. 00:03:10.419 --> 00:03:18.519 This confidence when it comes to prayer, when it comes to approaching God, is a confidence 00:03:18.519 --> 00:03:22.359 that those who believe in Jesus have. 00:03:23.719 --> 00:03:27.879 It's not a confidence that everyone has. 00:03:28.579 --> 00:03:35.959 And the reason why is because Jesus has changed everything about our relationship as those who 00:03:35.959 --> 00:03:37.659 believe with God. 00:03:38.560 --> 00:03:39.719 He's changed everything. 00:03:39.719 --> 00:03:42.259 We talked last week about how we were rebels. 00:03:42.740 --> 00:03:44.879 We're enemies of God at odds with him. 00:03:44.960 --> 00:03:52.039 And Jesus came and he did what was necessary to restore that relationship, to bring us together. 00:03:52.599 --> 00:03:57.539 And John has been reminding those that he's writing to, even in this letter, that we are 00:03:57.539 --> 00:03:59.079 now children of God. 00:04:00.280 --> 00:04:03.039 He is our loving, heavenly Father. 00:04:03.039 --> 00:04:06.919 And this changes everything. 00:04:06.919 --> 00:04:08.519 This changes prayer. 00:04:09.780 --> 00:04:14.959 Because the relationship between him and us has changed. 00:04:14.960 --> 00:04:19.340 We can now have confidence. 00:04:19.340 --> 00:04:24.460 This confidence is not just for the apostles or the super-Christians. 00:04:25.240 --> 00:04:29.199 It's for us, who believe in the name of the Son of God. 00:04:29.980 --> 00:04:36.420 The second detail that we notice is the kind of prayer that John is referring to here. 00:04:36.519 --> 00:04:38.699 Three times he uses the same word. 00:04:38.699 --> 00:04:42.719 This is the confidence we have in approaching God. 00:04:42.779 --> 00:04:46.240 If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 00:04:47.379 --> 00:04:52.420 Whatever we ask, we know that we have what we asked of him. 00:04:52.420 --> 00:04:56.699 Last Sunday, Paul gave us four different words for prayer. 00:04:57.319 --> 00:05:00.100 And we talked about all kinds of prayer. 00:05:01.439 --> 00:05:06.800 This morning, John is drawing our attention specifically to one kind of prayer. 00:05:07.060 --> 00:05:07.840 Asking prayer. 00:05:08.580 --> 00:05:10.480 Or requesting prayer. 00:05:11.660 --> 00:05:14.700 And if we stop and think just for a moment about the word ask, 00:05:15.660 --> 00:05:21.800 we also get a little bit of a glimpse of the attitude that we should have in prayer. 00:05:22.420 --> 00:05:26.259 I've had this conversation with my own kids several times. 00:05:27.500 --> 00:05:30.259 What is the difference between demanding, 00:05:31.080 --> 00:05:33.680 Dad, get me some milk. 00:05:34.980 --> 00:05:38.300 Telling, Dad, I want milk. 00:05:39.580 --> 00:05:43.819 And asking, Dad, could I please have a glass of milk. 00:05:44.680 --> 00:05:49.400 As a parent, I can feel the difference between each of those. 00:05:49.399 --> 00:05:54.859 And when we ask, God feels the difference as well. 00:05:56.479 --> 00:05:58.659 Who is it that we are talking to? 00:05:59.120 --> 00:06:03.060 This is the Almighty, the Holy God. 00:06:04.879 --> 00:06:07.279 Telling him what to do for us. 00:06:07.759 --> 00:06:08.919 Demanding from him. 00:06:09.759 --> 00:06:10.439 Are out of line. 00:06:10.439 --> 00:06:19.060 And so this confidence that we have in prayer is for those who believe in the name of the Son of God. 00:06:19.139 --> 00:06:26.019 But it's also for those who come humbly and ask for him to do something. 00:06:27.079 --> 00:06:29.720 We easily slip into bad habits in prayer. 00:06:29.720 --> 00:06:36.580 And I think two things that we can do to just help break some of those. 00:06:37.360 --> 00:06:43.740 The first is to remember when we pray, right at the beginning, before we begin asking for anything, 00:06:44.320 --> 00:06:46.340 who is it that we're talking to? 00:06:47.800 --> 00:06:49.520 Who is it that we're talking to? 00:06:49.519 --> 00:06:58.659 The second, as we phrase our prayers, and I'll admit that this is something that I need to work on as well. 00:06:59.240 --> 00:07:03.000 Instead of saying, give me this, do this, give me that. 00:07:04.199 --> 00:07:05.319 Phrase it with a question. 00:07:07.319 --> 00:07:11.039 Would you help me in this situation? 00:07:11.040 --> 00:07:17.700 It might feel a little awkward to ask a question like that sometimes to God, 00:07:17.819 --> 00:07:19.920 but there's a certain beauty to that. 00:07:20.000 --> 00:07:21.420 We're just leaving it hanging. 00:07:21.780 --> 00:07:25.340 It reminds us that we're in relationship with him in this moment. 00:07:25.520 --> 00:07:28.320 We're in need of what he can do for us. 00:07:29.200 --> 00:07:31.220 We're not just praying through a checklist. 00:07:32.480 --> 00:07:34.540 We're waiting for him to respond. 00:07:35.920 --> 00:07:38.960 And so phrase your prayers with questions. 00:07:38.960 --> 00:07:40.240 Try that this week. 00:07:41.040 --> 00:07:49.480 With those few details noticed, let's consider the whole of what John is saying here. 00:07:50.640 --> 00:07:53.760 This is the confidence we have in approaching God, 00:07:54.300 --> 00:08:00.660 that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 00:08:01.460 --> 00:08:05.280 And if we know that he hears us, whatever we ask, 00:08:05.820 --> 00:08:10.780 we know that we have what we asked of him. 00:08:11.840 --> 00:08:14.040 There's kind of a logical flow here. 00:08:14.180 --> 00:08:19.700 I kind of refer to this as God's confidence chain, 00:08:20.540 --> 00:08:22.620 or John's confidence chain. 00:08:23.980 --> 00:08:26.379 There's ask according to his will. 00:08:26.379 --> 00:08:29.920 If we do that, he hears us. 00:08:30.420 --> 00:08:34.340 If we know that he hears us, then we know that we have what we asked of him. 00:08:34.399 --> 00:08:35.879 It's like a three-linked chain. 00:08:35.879 --> 00:08:44.539 And this is the confidence that we have when it comes to prayer, when we approach God. 00:08:44.539 --> 00:08:49.939 Out of these chains, I'm going to call these pieces links. 00:08:50.899 --> 00:08:53.779 The most important link is the first link. 00:08:53.779 --> 00:08:58.019 If we ask anything according to his will. 00:08:58.019 --> 00:09:03.220 The rest of the links in this chain hang from this one link. 00:09:03.779 --> 00:09:08.519 If we don't ask according to his will, there's no guarantee that he hears us. 00:09:08.639 --> 00:09:10.839 It says that he hears us when we do that. 00:09:10.840 --> 00:09:19.480 And there's no confidence that we will receive what we asked unless we also know that he hears us. 00:09:19.480 --> 00:09:22.759 It all goes together. 00:09:23.639 --> 00:09:27.860 Without that first link, there is no second link or third link. 00:09:27.940 --> 00:09:29.080 There is no confidence. 00:09:30.580 --> 00:09:33.680 And so we're going to focus in on that. 00:09:36.180 --> 00:09:39.300 As we do, maybe we'll even start with the third link. 00:09:39.659 --> 00:09:41.300 We'll go right to the end of the chain. 00:09:41.299 --> 00:09:46.039 The end of verse 15, he says this. 00:09:46.159 --> 00:09:46.459 He says, 00:09:46.599 --> 00:09:51.859 Whatever we ask, we know that we have what we asked of him. 00:09:52.699 --> 00:09:54.639 Whatever we ask. 00:09:55.859 --> 00:09:57.899 Whatever means whatever. 00:09:58.859 --> 00:10:01.099 Does that sound almost too good to be true? 00:10:02.039 --> 00:10:03.699 Does that sound like a blank check? 00:10:04.879 --> 00:10:05.779 It is. 00:10:06.559 --> 00:10:08.139 That's what whatever means. 00:10:08.139 --> 00:10:11.559 But it's a blank check with one condition. 00:10:12.519 --> 00:10:13.220 What does he say? 00:10:13.340 --> 00:10:15.080 Starting at the beginning of verse 15. 00:10:15.779 --> 00:10:22.600 If we know that he hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have what we asked of him. 00:10:22.699 --> 00:10:31.720 So being confident that we will receive whatever we ask of him is dependent upon us knowing that God hears us. 00:10:33.100 --> 00:10:34.299 Well, what does that mean? 00:10:34.919 --> 00:10:37.460 What does it mean for God to hear us? 00:10:38.139 --> 00:10:45.199 Without going into all the details, I'd like to suggest that John means here more than just ordinary hearing. 00:10:46.279 --> 00:10:52.600 More than just that he hears the words of our prayer, that our voices, that he's aware of what we are saying. 00:10:52.840 --> 00:10:54.980 Because, of course, God hears everything. 00:10:55.500 --> 00:10:56.419 He sees everything. 00:10:56.639 --> 00:10:57.919 Nothing escapes his attention. 00:10:58.179 --> 00:11:01.500 Nothing can hide from his notice. 00:11:01.500 --> 00:11:06.919 And so I think John means more than just ordinary hearing. 00:11:08.259 --> 00:11:17.259 Even just the way that John uses that phrase, God hears, in connection to these other links, would suggest that this is more. 00:11:17.259 --> 00:11:27.360 It's a kind of hearing that God has specifically when this condition is met, when we ask according to his will. 00:11:27.360 --> 00:11:35.940 And this kind of hearing that John describes is virtually synonymous with us getting what we asked for. 00:11:37.039 --> 00:11:39.320 Let me read it again and see if you hear that. 00:11:39.320 --> 00:11:43.820 This is the confidence we have in approaching God. 00:11:44.140 --> 00:11:48.740 That if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 00:11:49.420 --> 00:11:56.280 And if we know that he hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have what we asked of him. 00:11:56.360 --> 00:11:59.360 And so I'd suggest that this isn't just ordinary hearing. 00:11:59.360 --> 00:12:06.320 What John means is that when we ask according to God's will, we have God's special attention. 00:12:07.680 --> 00:12:13.480 He hears us and is inclined to act in response. 00:12:16.200 --> 00:12:27.940 How can we ever be confident that we have God's special attention and that he is ready and inclined to act in response to something that we ask? 00:12:27.980 --> 00:12:29.180 How can we ever know that? 00:12:29.360 --> 00:12:33.240 John's answer is the first link of the chain. 00:12:34.320 --> 00:12:38.519 He says, this is the confidence we have in approaching God. 00:12:38.600 --> 00:12:45.220 That if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 00:12:46.300 --> 00:12:53.139 This is the ultimate condition of this blank check from God. 00:12:54.480 --> 00:12:57.420 You can ask for whatever you desire. 00:12:57.419 --> 00:13:00.500 And I will do it for you. 00:13:00.500 --> 00:13:04.939 If you ask according to my will. 00:13:05.740 --> 00:13:07.339 And this is not a new thing. 00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:10.019 This is not a new teaching of John. 00:13:10.120 --> 00:13:12.839 This is something that John learned from Jesus. 00:13:12.840 --> 00:13:19.940 Do you remember that time when the disciples went to Jesus and they said, Lord, teach us how to pray. 00:13:20.500 --> 00:13:21.820 What did Jesus say? 00:13:22.660 --> 00:13:28.960 One of the phrases in his model prayer was, may your will be done. 00:13:28.960 --> 00:13:34.019 Father, may what you desire come to pass. 00:13:34.019 --> 00:13:40.200 May what you want to see happen, happen here on earth. 00:13:40.200 --> 00:13:47.320 John is teaching us to pray the way Jesus taught him to pray. 00:13:47.320 --> 00:13:51.220 Many times in prayer. 00:13:53.780 --> 00:14:00.379 When we're going to ask God for something, the first thing that pops into our minds is what we desire. 00:14:01.460 --> 00:14:04.300 What we want from God. 00:14:04.299 --> 00:14:10.259 And there's nothing wrong with asking God for what we desire. 00:14:10.359 --> 00:14:13.659 For telling him what we long for. 00:14:14.039 --> 00:14:16.259 He loves to hear our hearts. 00:14:16.259 --> 00:14:22.659 But what John is teaching us here is that we must move beyond that. 00:14:23.279 --> 00:14:31.299 Confidence that we will receive what we ask for only comes when we ask according to his will. 00:14:31.379 --> 00:14:34.799 When we submit our will to his. 00:14:35.799 --> 00:14:38.819 Our desires to his. 00:14:39.379 --> 00:14:43.200 What we want to what he wants. 00:14:43.200 --> 00:14:47.820 And Jesus is one of the most amazing examples of this. 00:14:48.840 --> 00:14:50.100 Do you remember those words? 00:14:51.360 --> 00:14:53.280 Take this cup from me. 00:14:55.420 --> 00:14:57.640 Yet not my will. 00:14:58.460 --> 00:14:59.259 But yours. 00:15:00.120 --> 00:15:00.640 Be done. 00:15:03.700 --> 00:15:04.560 And so. 00:15:04.860 --> 00:15:06.860 As we think back on last Sunday. 00:15:08.620 --> 00:15:12.360 We were encouraged to pray all kinds of prayers. 00:15:12.360 --> 00:15:13.759 For all kinds of people. 00:15:14.500 --> 00:15:15.340 This year. 00:15:15.340 --> 00:15:17.779 As we endeavor to pray all kinds of prayers. 00:15:17.779 --> 00:15:18.940 For everyone. 00:15:19.240 --> 00:15:21.120 For all kinds of people. 00:15:21.740 --> 00:15:23.500 The most important question. 00:15:23.500 --> 00:15:26.180 That we should ask ourselves at the beginning. 00:15:27.120 --> 00:15:27.460 God. 00:15:28.159 --> 00:15:30.519 What do you want here? 00:15:31.399 --> 00:15:34.320 What do you desire in this situation? 00:15:34.460 --> 00:15:36.740 What do you desire for this person in my life? 00:15:37.039 --> 00:15:38.800 What do you desire for me? 00:15:38.940 --> 00:15:39.740 And my life? 00:15:39.740 --> 00:15:43.419 What do you want to see happen in my family? 00:15:44.560 --> 00:15:47.580 What do you long for in our church? 00:15:49.120 --> 00:15:53.460 What are your overarching plans and purposes for this world? 00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:55.980 And how can we participate in that? 00:15:55.980 --> 00:16:05.820 All of this drives us to a couple questions. 00:16:07.080 --> 00:16:07.519 First. 00:16:07.639 --> 00:16:09.320 How do we know what God's will is? 00:16:09.759 --> 00:16:12.539 If we're to pray and ask according to God's will. 00:16:12.659 --> 00:16:14.879 How do we know what his will is? 00:16:16.180 --> 00:16:16.960 And second. 00:16:17.720 --> 00:16:20.060 How confident can we be? 00:16:20.059 --> 00:16:23.199 That if we ask according to his will. 00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:25.559 We will receive what we asked for. 00:16:25.659 --> 00:16:28.399 I think that's rolling around in the back of our minds. 00:16:30.219 --> 00:16:31.979 Let's deal with the first one first. 00:16:32.519 --> 00:16:35.139 How do we know what God's will is? 00:16:35.139 --> 00:16:38.319 This is kind of a. 00:16:39.819 --> 00:16:41.179 A short version. 00:16:41.360 --> 00:16:42.299 A simple answer. 00:16:44.679 --> 00:16:45.439 Right here. 00:16:47.899 --> 00:16:49.279 That's what this is. 00:16:49.819 --> 00:16:50.840 Cover to cover. 00:16:51.879 --> 00:16:53.000 This is. 00:16:54.580 --> 00:16:55.460 God's word. 00:16:55.460 --> 00:16:57.600 This is what he has given to us. 00:16:57.600 --> 00:16:58.500 To tell us. 00:16:58.860 --> 00:17:00.340 What he's up to. 00:17:00.580 --> 00:17:02.180 In making this world. 00:17:02.840 --> 00:17:04.519 And in everything he does. 00:17:04.579 --> 00:17:05.259 In our world. 00:17:05.380 --> 00:17:06.100 This reveals. 00:17:06.759 --> 00:17:08.000 Who he is. 00:17:08.340 --> 00:17:10.059 This reveals his heart. 00:17:10.299 --> 00:17:11.200 What he desires. 00:17:11.420 --> 00:17:13.079 It reveals what he longs for. 00:17:13.180 --> 00:17:14.600 For his people. 00:17:15.100 --> 00:17:17.340 And for even people who don't believe in him. 00:17:18.059 --> 00:17:19.740 Everything that we could possibly. 00:17:20.480 --> 00:17:21.440 Need to know. 00:17:21.759 --> 00:17:22.720 About God. 00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:24.180 And what he desires. 00:17:25.460 --> 00:17:26.519 For prayer. 00:17:27.740 --> 00:17:28.579 Is here. 00:17:29.960 --> 00:17:31.039 This whole book. 00:17:31.220 --> 00:17:31.779 Is a prayer. 00:17:32.140 --> 00:17:32.620 Manual. 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:34.279 It's not just an instruction manual. 00:17:34.279 --> 00:17:34.900 For how to live. 00:17:34.980 --> 00:17:35.940 It's a prayer manual. 00:17:37.220 --> 00:17:38.539 He means for us. 00:17:38.640 --> 00:17:39.579 To read. 00:17:39.819 --> 00:17:40.980 What he has given us. 00:17:41.400 --> 00:17:43.059 What he's spoken through the prophets. 00:17:43.279 --> 00:17:44.019 What he spoke. 00:17:44.519 --> 00:17:45.539 Through Moses. 00:17:45.880 --> 00:17:47.279 And penned on the tablets. 00:17:47.279 --> 00:17:48.160 At Mount Sinai. 00:17:48.180 --> 00:17:49.180 It's all here. 00:17:50.460 --> 00:17:51.559 He means for us. 00:17:51.620 --> 00:17:52.160 To read it. 00:17:52.779 --> 00:17:54.160 And to connect the dots. 00:17:54.340 --> 00:17:55.259 From what he has. 00:17:55.460 --> 00:17:56.019 Said. 00:17:56.660 --> 00:17:57.779 To our lives. 00:17:59.220 --> 00:18:00.140 And then to. 00:18:00.340 --> 00:18:01.259 To pray. 00:18:01.420 --> 00:18:02.380 According to that. 00:18:03.079 --> 00:18:04.460 To what he desires. 00:18:04.579 --> 00:18:05.559 To what he wills. 00:18:08.519 --> 00:18:09.840 The second question. 00:18:10.579 --> 00:18:12.019 How confident can we be. 00:18:12.160 --> 00:18:13.319 That God will give us. 00:18:13.700 --> 00:18:14.759 What we ask. 00:18:15.460 --> 00:18:16.519 When we ask. 00:18:16.759 --> 00:18:17.860 According to his will. 00:18:17.859 --> 00:18:20.719 This is a really important question. 00:18:21.519 --> 00:18:21.879 Maybe. 00:18:22.079 --> 00:18:23.179 You're here this morning. 00:18:23.179 --> 00:18:23.979 And you have read. 00:18:24.079 --> 00:18:25.099 A verse like this. 00:18:25.099 --> 00:18:25.579 Or another. 00:18:25.979 --> 00:18:26.679 Similar verse. 00:18:27.099 --> 00:18:28.059 Where it seems like. 00:18:28.139 --> 00:18:29.159 Well God will just give you. 00:18:29.279 --> 00:18:30.399 Whatever you ask for. 00:18:30.839 --> 00:18:32.539 If you ask according to his will. 00:18:32.539 --> 00:18:34.859 And you prayed for something. 00:18:34.859 --> 00:18:35.680 That you were sure. 00:18:35.680 --> 00:18:36.460 Was his will. 00:18:36.859 --> 00:18:39.159 But it seemed like God didn't give you. 00:18:39.279 --> 00:18:40.099 What you asked for. 00:18:41.139 --> 00:18:42.379 Well what's the deal with that? 00:18:43.420 --> 00:18:45.000 Is there something wrong with. 00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:48.420 My understanding of this passage. 00:18:48.420 --> 00:18:51.160 Or did I just not get God's will. 00:18:51.160 --> 00:18:51.980 Right there. 00:18:52.360 --> 00:18:53.300 What's going on? 00:18:53.420 --> 00:18:54.700 Why is it that sometimes. 00:18:54.700 --> 00:18:56.060 We seem to. 00:18:57.000 --> 00:18:58.440 We have a clear sense. 00:18:58.440 --> 00:18:59.600 Of what God wants to do. 00:18:59.680 --> 00:19:00.380 And we pray. 00:19:00.560 --> 00:19:01.740 And it doesn't happen. 00:19:04.779 --> 00:19:06.039 I'd like to suggest. 00:19:06.180 --> 00:19:07.259 In this morning. 00:19:07.259 --> 00:19:09.380 That this is still. 00:19:09.480 --> 00:19:10.660 A wonderful promise. 00:19:11.259 --> 00:19:12.120 From John. 00:19:12.380 --> 00:19:13.400 That gives us confidence. 00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:15.060 But that the reason. 00:19:15.240 --> 00:19:15.920 Why that happens. 00:19:16.060 --> 00:19:17.700 Is because we misapply it. 00:19:17.940 --> 00:19:18.380 Sometimes. 00:19:19.220 --> 00:19:19.480 And. 00:19:19.660 --> 00:19:20.600 I think that there's. 00:19:20.700 --> 00:19:22.060 At least three different ways. 00:19:22.380 --> 00:19:23.539 That we misapply. 00:19:23.840 --> 00:19:24.960 His promise here. 00:19:25.660 --> 00:19:26.400 The first. 00:19:26.519 --> 00:19:26.940 Is that. 00:19:27.380 --> 00:19:28.160 We assume. 00:19:28.580 --> 00:19:29.600 That God's will. 00:19:30.180 --> 00:19:30.820 Is always. 00:19:31.160 --> 00:19:31.480 Simple. 00:19:32.759 --> 00:19:33.980 Let's take for example. 00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:35.400 What we talked about last week. 00:19:36.060 --> 00:19:36.820 God says. 00:19:37.580 --> 00:19:38.860 That he desires. 00:19:39.060 --> 00:19:39.740 He wills. 00:19:39.840 --> 00:19:40.680 For all people. 00:19:40.840 --> 00:19:41.539 To be saved. 00:19:42.279 --> 00:19:42.779 Saved. 00:19:43.960 --> 00:19:44.800 To come to a knowledge. 00:19:44.800 --> 00:19:45.420 Of the truth. 00:19:46.279 --> 00:19:46.759 God. 00:19:46.860 --> 00:19:47.519 You said that. 00:19:47.600 --> 00:19:48.400 You desired that. 00:19:48.400 --> 00:19:49.360 And I prayed. 00:19:49.360 --> 00:19:50.280 For my friend. 00:19:50.759 --> 00:19:51.220 And he. 00:19:52.019 --> 00:19:52.460 Died. 00:19:53.000 --> 00:19:54.300 Without giving his life. 00:19:54.380 --> 00:19:54.700 To you. 00:19:55.940 --> 00:19:57.180 I asked you to do. 00:19:57.320 --> 00:19:58.380 What your will was. 00:19:58.560 --> 00:19:58.759 And. 00:19:59.080 --> 00:19:59.980 According to this. 00:20:00.080 --> 00:20:01.480 You're supposed to give me. 00:20:01.580 --> 00:20:02.400 What I asked for. 00:20:02.460 --> 00:20:03.160 When I do that. 00:20:03.880 --> 00:20:04.880 Isn't that the guarantee? 00:20:04.880 --> 00:20:07.020 How come my friend. 00:20:07.019 --> 00:20:07.519 Wasn't saved. 00:20:07.519 --> 00:20:08.079 Wasn't saved. 00:20:10.279 --> 00:20:11.119 Either there's. 00:20:11.619 --> 00:20:12.279 A problem. 00:20:12.940 --> 00:20:13.799 With you. 00:20:13.900 --> 00:20:14.180 God. 00:20:14.180 --> 00:20:15.139 And you didn't honor. 00:20:15.139 --> 00:20:15.859 Your word. 00:20:16.400 --> 00:20:16.779 Or. 00:20:17.000 --> 00:20:17.859 There's a problem with me. 00:20:17.920 --> 00:20:19.000 And I just don't understand. 00:20:19.000 --> 00:20:20.220 What you've said here. 00:20:20.339 --> 00:20:21.579 Even though it seems like it. 00:20:21.839 --> 00:20:22.200 It. 00:20:22.579 --> 00:20:24.160 Makes perfect sense to me. 00:20:24.160 --> 00:20:27.200 This is a really big question. 00:20:29.040 --> 00:20:31.220 And this passage is all about confidence. 00:20:31.700 --> 00:20:32.259 In prayer. 00:20:33.640 --> 00:20:34.019 And yet. 00:20:34.620 --> 00:20:36.279 Some of these kinds of situations. 00:20:36.279 --> 00:20:37.660 Have brought us to a place where. 00:20:37.900 --> 00:20:39.060 Instead of having confidence. 00:20:39.200 --> 00:20:40.000 We've got doubts. 00:20:41.000 --> 00:20:42.000 We've got doubts. 00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:43.080 As to whether this. 00:20:43.500 --> 00:20:44.240 Is really. 00:20:44.779 --> 00:20:45.080 True. 00:20:45.079 --> 00:20:47.399 And I think one of the reasons. 00:20:47.919 --> 00:20:49.519 Is because we assume. 00:20:50.199 --> 00:20:51.960 That God's will is always simple. 00:20:54.099 --> 00:20:55.039 There are many. 00:20:55.699 --> 00:20:56.259 Situations. 00:20:56.839 --> 00:20:57.500 Many times. 00:20:57.740 --> 00:20:58.439 In God's word. 00:20:58.559 --> 00:20:59.720 Where he lets us know. 00:21:00.419 --> 00:21:01.579 That his will. 00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:02.740 Is complex. 00:21:03.339 --> 00:21:04.539 It's multifaceted. 00:21:05.299 --> 00:21:06.720 And the most important. 00:21:07.039 --> 00:21:08.659 The biggest example of this. 00:21:09.279 --> 00:21:10.059 That there is. 00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:10.579 Is. 00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:12.699 The death of his own son. 00:21:13.879 --> 00:21:14.299 Jesus. 00:21:15.799 --> 00:21:16.819 We know. 00:21:17.419 --> 00:21:17.960 That is. 00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:19.000 Jesus was being. 00:21:19.639 --> 00:21:20.519 Mocked. 00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:21.359 And beaten. 00:21:21.720 --> 00:21:22.799 And spit on. 00:21:23.679 --> 00:21:24.539 And tortured. 00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:26.019 And murdered. 00:21:27.259 --> 00:21:28.099 That everything. 00:21:28.099 --> 00:21:29.500 Inside the heart of God. 00:21:29.980 --> 00:21:30.500 Desired. 00:21:31.139 --> 00:21:32.419 To put a stop to that. 00:21:34.220 --> 00:21:35.659 Jesus is God's. 00:21:35.819 --> 00:21:36.699 Beloved son. 00:21:37.859 --> 00:21:39.939 God is a God of great love. 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:40.740 And compassion. 00:21:41.179 --> 00:21:43.359 How dare they treat my son that way. 00:21:43.359 --> 00:21:45.859 How dare they. 00:21:47.539 --> 00:21:48.699 He willed. 00:21:48.919 --> 00:21:51.099 That his son should not go through that. 00:21:51.619 --> 00:21:52.919 That was a real will. 00:21:53.159 --> 00:21:53.979 Real desire. 00:21:55.419 --> 00:21:56.279 And yet. 00:21:57.279 --> 00:21:59.199 Coming back to Isaiah 53. 00:21:59.200 --> 00:22:01.940 What did he say. 00:22:01.940 --> 00:22:03.080 Through the prophet Isaiah. 00:22:03.299 --> 00:22:03.600 Yet. 00:22:03.840 --> 00:22:05.340 It was the Lord's. 00:22:05.460 --> 00:22:06.019 Will. 00:22:06.700 --> 00:22:07.559 To crush him. 00:22:08.019 --> 00:22:09.319 And cause him to suffer. 00:22:13.140 --> 00:22:15.059 God's will is not always simple. 00:22:16.059 --> 00:22:16.840 There are. 00:22:17.259 --> 00:22:18.340 Many situations. 00:22:18.340 --> 00:22:19.319 Where God. 00:22:20.180 --> 00:22:20.700 Desires. 00:22:21.059 --> 00:22:21.500 One thing. 00:22:21.640 --> 00:22:21.920 And yet. 00:22:22.039 --> 00:22:22.620 Decides. 00:22:23.120 --> 00:22:23.559 That another. 00:22:24.140 --> 00:22:24.660 Should happen. 00:22:24.660 --> 00:22:26.300 Jesus. 00:22:26.660 --> 00:22:28.160 In the garden of Gethsemane. 00:22:28.259 --> 00:22:29.740 We've already talked about that. 00:22:30.360 --> 00:22:30.840 He was. 00:22:31.080 --> 00:22:31.600 He is. 00:22:31.820 --> 00:22:32.200 God. 00:22:32.680 --> 00:22:33.320 And yet. 00:22:33.400 --> 00:22:33.920 He prayed. 00:22:34.000 --> 00:22:34.840 In the same prayer. 00:22:35.060 --> 00:22:35.960 Take this cup. 00:22:36.120 --> 00:22:36.620 From me. 00:22:36.840 --> 00:22:38.019 I don't want. 00:22:38.019 --> 00:22:39.300 To go through this. 00:22:40.400 --> 00:22:40.920 Yet. 00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:41.400 Not. 00:22:41.519 --> 00:22:42.380 What I want. 00:22:43.440 --> 00:22:43.700 What. 00:22:43.779 --> 00:22:44.480 What you want. 00:22:45.480 --> 00:22:45.960 Jesus. 00:22:46.100 --> 00:22:46.320 Had. 00:22:46.920 --> 00:22:47.360 Conflicting. 00:22:47.519 --> 00:22:47.840 Wills. 00:22:48.080 --> 00:22:48.560 Conflicting. 00:22:48.840 --> 00:22:49.240 Desires. 00:22:49.360 --> 00:22:49.940 Right there. 00:22:49.940 --> 00:22:53.440 Those are just two examples. 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:53.840 Out of. 00:22:54.200 --> 00:22:54.720 Countless. 00:22:54.960 --> 00:22:55.500 In scripture. 00:22:56.019 --> 00:22:56.980 Where we see that. 00:22:57.320 --> 00:22:57.660 God. 00:22:58.299 --> 00:22:58.960 Will. 00:22:59.120 --> 00:23:00.059 Is not always. 00:23:00.299 --> 00:23:00.620 Simple. 00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:01.519 And theologians. 00:23:01.620 --> 00:23:02.940 Have tried to describe this. 00:23:03.039 --> 00:23:03.920 With different labels. 00:23:04.160 --> 00:23:05.720 That there are two wills of God. 00:23:05.799 --> 00:23:06.320 You have his. 00:23:06.860 --> 00:23:07.620 Moral will. 00:23:08.080 --> 00:23:08.559 And his. 00:23:08.680 --> 00:23:09.360 Sovereign will. 00:23:09.900 --> 00:23:10.420 Or his. 00:23:11.140 --> 00:23:11.960 Revealed will. 00:23:12.059 --> 00:23:12.580 And his. 00:23:12.820 --> 00:23:13.539 Secret will. 00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:15.360 Or his will of decree. 00:23:16.039 --> 00:23:16.799 Versus his. 00:23:17.460 --> 00:23:18.299 Pleasurable will. 00:23:18.420 --> 00:23:19.140 His wish will. 00:23:19.140 --> 00:23:20.140 Um. 00:23:20.820 --> 00:23:21.460 Doesn't matter. 00:23:21.540 --> 00:23:22.460 Whether you're Arminian. 00:23:22.580 --> 00:23:23.060 Or Calvin. 00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:24.360 Or anything in between. 00:23:24.500 --> 00:23:25.800 Everybody has seen this. 00:23:25.880 --> 00:23:26.460 In the scriptures. 00:23:27.580 --> 00:23:28.340 I mean. 00:23:28.620 --> 00:23:29.780 God doesn't desire. 00:23:29.960 --> 00:23:30.520 That anybody. 00:23:30.520 --> 00:23:31.220 Should sin. 00:23:31.800 --> 00:23:32.880 That anybody. 00:23:32.880 --> 00:23:34.020 Should suffer. 00:23:35.000 --> 00:23:35.640 Especially. 00:23:35.840 --> 00:23:36.420 The righteous. 00:23:37.360 --> 00:23:38.520 That anybody. 00:23:38.520 --> 00:23:39.560 Should perish. 00:23:41.540 --> 00:23:42.360 And yet. 00:23:42.560 --> 00:23:43.460 People are permitted. 00:23:43.460 --> 00:23:44.060 To sin. 00:23:44.660 --> 00:23:45.580 To do evil. 00:23:46.140 --> 00:23:47.080 In his world. 00:23:47.079 --> 00:23:49.279 And we simply. 00:23:49.279 --> 00:23:50.039 Have to trust. 00:23:50.279 --> 00:23:50.339 That. 00:23:50.579 --> 00:23:51.619 His understanding. 00:23:52.179 --> 00:23:52.699 And his. 00:23:53.059 --> 00:23:53.559 Purpose. 00:23:54.139 --> 00:23:55.000 Is so far. 00:23:55.059 --> 00:23:55.299 Beyond. 00:23:55.399 --> 00:23:56.379 What we can understand. 00:23:56.519 --> 00:23:57.480 And he would never. 00:23:57.480 --> 00:23:57.980 Allow. 00:23:58.419 --> 00:23:58.799 Anyone. 00:23:58.960 --> 00:23:59.619 To do anything. 00:23:59.759 --> 00:24:00.099 Evil. 00:24:00.740 --> 00:24:01.359 Or sin. 00:24:01.740 --> 00:24:02.539 Or hurt. 00:24:02.599 --> 00:24:03.299 Another person. 00:24:03.439 --> 00:24:04.039 Or suffer. 00:24:04.659 --> 00:24:05.359 If there wasn't. 00:24:05.419 --> 00:24:06.059 A perfect. 00:24:06.839 --> 00:24:07.639 And just. 00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:08.819 And righteous. 00:24:09.399 --> 00:24:09.839 Fully. 00:24:09.960 --> 00:24:10.599 Justifiable. 00:24:10.599 --> 00:24:11.539 Reason for it. 00:24:11.539 --> 00:24:14.259 Sometimes. 00:24:14.460 --> 00:24:14.720 We must. 00:24:15.079 --> 00:24:15.700 Just simply. 00:24:16.019 --> 00:24:16.720 Bow the knee. 00:24:18.279 --> 00:24:19.119 And admit. 00:24:19.420 --> 00:24:20.420 That we don't understand. 00:24:21.680 --> 00:24:22.839 I had a professor. 00:24:23.339 --> 00:24:23.819 From. 00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:24.559 Bible. 00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:25.460 College. 00:24:25.740 --> 00:24:26.359 Coming back. 00:24:26.420 --> 00:24:27.259 To this passage. 00:24:27.619 --> 00:24:28.279 We're to pray. 00:24:28.359 --> 00:24:29.440 According to God's will. 00:24:31.319 --> 00:24:32.319 I had a professor. 00:24:32.319 --> 00:24:32.879 From Bible. 00:24:32.879 --> 00:24:33.299 College. 00:24:33.399 --> 00:24:34.379 That he wrestled. 00:24:34.379 --> 00:24:34.879 With this. 00:24:35.220 --> 00:24:35.859 He had. 00:24:36.059 --> 00:24:36.879 He was married. 00:24:36.879 --> 00:24:37.579 And his wife. 00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:38.839 Had a terminal illness. 00:24:38.839 --> 00:24:40.240 And he prayed. 00:24:40.559 --> 00:24:41.959 That she would be healed. 00:24:42.659 --> 00:24:43.659 And she died. 00:24:44.839 --> 00:24:45.919 He remarried. 00:24:46.539 --> 00:24:47.439 And the same thing. 00:24:47.439 --> 00:24:48.159 Happened again. 00:24:48.319 --> 00:24:49.159 His second wife. 00:24:49.259 --> 00:24:50.139 Had a terminal illness. 00:24:50.240 --> 00:24:50.839 And he prayed. 00:24:50.839 --> 00:24:51.759 That she would be healed. 00:24:51.819 --> 00:24:52.919 That God would spare her. 00:24:53.240 --> 00:24:54.119 And she died. 00:24:54.859 --> 00:24:55.459 And finally. 00:24:56.419 --> 00:24:57.839 He just threw up his arms. 00:24:57.899 --> 00:24:58.220 And said. 00:24:58.279 --> 00:24:58.519 God. 00:24:58.599 --> 00:24:59.740 I don't know. 00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:01.319 What your will is. 00:25:01.859 --> 00:25:03.399 And I don't want to be found. 00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:04.939 Praying against. 00:25:05.359 --> 00:25:05.959 Your will. 00:25:06.679 --> 00:25:07.159 And so. 00:25:07.160 --> 00:25:09.600 I'm only going to pray for things. 00:25:09.600 --> 00:25:11.060 That I'm a hundred percent sure. 00:25:11.840 --> 00:25:12.500 Are your will. 00:25:13.700 --> 00:25:14.259 And so. 00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:15.540 He would take prayer requests. 00:25:15.540 --> 00:25:16.680 At the beginning of class. 00:25:16.700 --> 00:25:17.480 And we would say. 00:25:18.740 --> 00:25:19.900 I'd like prayer for this. 00:25:19.960 --> 00:25:20.680 And he would pray. 00:25:20.779 --> 00:25:21.779 So generally. 00:25:21.940 --> 00:25:22.580 About everything. 00:25:22.680 --> 00:25:23.519 That there's no way. 00:25:23.600 --> 00:25:24.259 God could ever. 00:25:24.560 --> 00:25:25.840 Say no to any of that. 00:25:26.900 --> 00:25:28.019 We kind of were wondering. 00:25:28.120 --> 00:25:28.980 At the end of the request. 00:25:29.120 --> 00:25:29.720 The prayer. 00:25:29.840 --> 00:25:30.000 Like. 00:25:30.140 --> 00:25:31.540 Did you actually ask God. 00:25:31.640 --> 00:25:32.420 For anything there? 00:25:33.200 --> 00:25:34.019 Or did you just. 00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:34.680 Tell him what. 00:25:34.880 --> 00:25:35.640 Some options are. 00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:35.880 And. 00:25:35.880 --> 00:25:38.040 Just leave that with you. 00:25:39.480 --> 00:25:41.480 That's not what John's talking about here. 00:25:41.540 --> 00:25:42.340 He's talking about. 00:25:42.880 --> 00:25:43.360 Confidence. 00:25:43.360 --> 00:25:44.540 That God will give us. 00:25:44.660 --> 00:25:45.540 What we ask for. 00:25:46.820 --> 00:25:47.660 That to me. 00:25:47.780 --> 00:25:48.300 Sounds like. 00:25:48.900 --> 00:25:49.300 Doubt. 00:25:50.900 --> 00:25:52.620 If you don't ask for anything. 00:25:53.320 --> 00:25:54.100 You'll get. 00:25:54.260 --> 00:25:55.240 What you ask for. 00:25:55.780 --> 00:25:57.500 That's not what John's talking about here. 00:26:00.820 --> 00:26:01.860 One of the mistakes. 00:26:01.980 --> 00:26:02.920 I think that we make. 00:26:03.040 --> 00:26:03.560 Is that we. 00:26:03.559 --> 00:26:04.480 Assume. 00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:04.519 Assume. 00:26:04.519 --> 00:26:05.379 That when he says. 00:26:05.379 --> 00:26:06.319 We should pray. 00:26:06.319 --> 00:26:07.440 According to God's will. 00:26:07.440 --> 00:26:08.119 That we pray. 00:26:08.119 --> 00:26:08.819 According to. 00:26:08.980 --> 00:26:09.899 His sovereign. 00:26:10.539 --> 00:26:11.019 Secret. 00:26:11.579 --> 00:26:11.879 Will. 00:26:12.579 --> 00:26:13.000 As in. 00:26:13.779 --> 00:26:14.859 Try to figure out. 00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:16.139 What's going to happen. 00:26:16.240 --> 00:26:16.759 In the future. 00:26:16.879 --> 00:26:17.679 And then ask God. 00:26:17.779 --> 00:26:18.399 To do that. 00:26:20.419 --> 00:26:21.279 But I don't think. 00:26:21.319 --> 00:26:21.960 God intends. 00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:22.399 For us. 00:26:22.480 --> 00:26:23.099 To try to. 00:26:23.480 --> 00:26:23.759 To. 00:26:23.940 --> 00:26:24.819 To understand. 00:26:25.220 --> 00:26:25.579 Exactly. 00:26:25.700 --> 00:26:26.899 What's going to happen. 00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:27.919 What he has decided. 00:26:27.919 --> 00:26:28.919 Is going to happen. 00:26:29.119 --> 00:26:30.460 And ask him to do that. 00:26:30.919 --> 00:26:31.839 That doesn't make sense. 00:26:31.839 --> 00:26:33.259 Why would he want us to do that? 00:26:33.939 --> 00:26:35.199 He wants us to pray. 00:26:35.199 --> 00:26:36.119 According to. 00:26:36.119 --> 00:26:37.379 His revealed will. 00:26:37.939 --> 00:26:39.199 This has his heart. 00:26:39.859 --> 00:26:40.279 In it. 00:26:41.019 --> 00:26:42.039 This tells us. 00:26:42.099 --> 00:26:43.019 What God wants. 00:26:43.559 --> 00:26:43.980 Generally. 00:26:44.220 --> 00:26:44.619 To do. 00:26:44.740 --> 00:26:45.759 In people's lives. 00:26:45.759 --> 00:26:46.359 In it. 00:26:47.359 --> 00:26:47.659 His. 00:26:48.039 --> 00:26:48.480 Purpose. 00:26:48.539 --> 00:26:49.019 And plan. 00:26:49.139 --> 00:26:49.819 For the world. 00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:50.859 Generally. 00:26:51.079 --> 00:26:51.740 Is in it. 00:26:52.619 --> 00:26:52.839 Pray. 00:26:52.959 --> 00:26:53.819 According to that. 00:26:54.619 --> 00:26:55.379 Ask God. 00:26:55.799 --> 00:26:56.659 To do that. 00:26:56.660 --> 00:26:57.840 And when you ask him. 00:26:57.840 --> 00:26:58.620 To do that. 00:26:59.120 --> 00:27:00.320 You can be sure. 00:27:00.320 --> 00:27:01.279 That you have. 00:27:01.400 --> 00:27:01.640 His. 00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:02.900 Special attention. 00:27:03.580 --> 00:27:04.700 And that he desires. 00:27:05.420 --> 00:27:06.300 To give you. 00:27:06.440 --> 00:27:07.220 What you ask for. 00:27:09.500 --> 00:27:10.920 But we must always. 00:27:11.840 --> 00:27:12.320 Always. 00:27:13.700 --> 00:27:15.200 Even with that confidence. 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:16.440 Remember. 00:27:16.600 --> 00:27:17.560 That there are times. 00:27:17.940 --> 00:27:18.740 When God. 00:27:19.140 --> 00:27:19.540 Knows. 00:27:19.880 --> 00:27:20.140 Better. 00:27:20.820 --> 00:27:21.400 He knows. 00:27:21.620 --> 00:27:22.259 What is best. 00:27:22.620 --> 00:27:23.360 He may say. 00:27:23.680 --> 00:27:23.980 No. 00:27:24.500 --> 00:27:25.360 And in those moments. 00:27:25.359 --> 00:27:26.159 We need to be willing. 00:27:26.159 --> 00:27:26.599 To say. 00:27:26.599 --> 00:27:27.699 Not my will. 00:27:29.219 --> 00:27:30.399 But yours be done. 00:27:31.879 --> 00:27:32.859 The second way. 00:27:33.059 --> 00:27:33.379 That we. 00:27:35.359 --> 00:27:35.839 Misapply. 00:27:36.019 --> 00:27:36.579 This passage. 00:27:36.779 --> 00:27:37.359 Is we limit. 00:27:37.519 --> 00:27:38.500 How God can answer. 00:27:40.959 --> 00:27:42.119 If you live in the city. 00:27:42.119 --> 00:27:42.679 And you need. 00:27:43.879 --> 00:27:45.139 You want a bicycle. 00:27:45.139 --> 00:27:46.319 So you can get to work. 00:27:46.399 --> 00:27:47.619 God give me a bicycle. 00:27:47.619 --> 00:27:49.039 So that I can get to work. 00:27:49.079 --> 00:27:50.319 And God gives you a car. 00:27:50.419 --> 00:27:50.859 Instead. 00:27:51.579 --> 00:27:52.279 Does that count. 00:27:52.339 --> 00:27:52.819 As the answer. 00:27:52.819 --> 00:27:53.419 To your prayer. 00:27:55.359 --> 00:27:56.039 Is God allowed. 00:27:56.159 --> 00:27:57.019 To one up. 00:27:57.719 --> 00:27:58.039 You. 00:27:58.459 --> 00:27:59.500 Does that still count. 00:27:59.539 --> 00:28:00.199 As him giving you. 00:28:00.319 --> 00:28:00.979 What you asked for. 00:28:01.079 --> 00:28:01.899 It does for me. 00:28:02.099 --> 00:28:02.679 I hope it does. 00:28:02.759 --> 00:28:03.299 For you too. 00:28:04.339 --> 00:28:05.099 But what if it's. 00:28:05.199 --> 00:28:05.959 The other way around. 00:28:07.419 --> 00:28:08.219 What if you say. 00:28:08.279 --> 00:28:08.479 God. 00:28:08.579 --> 00:28:09.759 I want a car. 00:28:09.879 --> 00:28:10.799 To get to work with. 00:28:11.019 --> 00:28:11.979 Please give me a car. 00:28:12.459 --> 00:28:13.039 And instead. 00:28:13.179 --> 00:28:13.539 He says. 00:28:13.599 --> 00:28:14.000 Well I know. 00:28:14.079 --> 00:28:14.859 You need exercise. 00:28:15.139 --> 00:28:15.379 So. 00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:16.819 Here's a bicycle. 00:28:17.979 --> 00:28:18.839 Does that count. 00:28:18.899 --> 00:28:19.639 As him giving you. 00:28:19.740 --> 00:28:20.459 What you asked for. 00:28:20.460 --> 00:28:24.160 Your need for transportation. 00:28:24.160 --> 00:28:24.680 Is met. 00:28:24.740 --> 00:28:25.400 And even your need. 00:28:25.400 --> 00:28:25.960 For exercise. 00:28:25.960 --> 00:28:26.680 Is now met. 00:28:26.779 --> 00:28:27.420 So technically. 00:28:27.420 --> 00:28:28.000 He did. 00:28:28.200 --> 00:28:28.880 One up. 00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:29.700 The prayer too. 00:28:31.180 --> 00:28:32.200 It makes us think. 00:28:32.200 --> 00:28:33.600 About what we ask God for. 00:28:34.100 --> 00:28:35.140 If we're going to ask. 00:28:35.299 --> 00:28:36.039 So specifically. 00:28:36.319 --> 00:28:37.200 Are we open. 00:28:37.319 --> 00:28:38.360 To his amendments. 00:28:39.360 --> 00:28:40.600 Before he answers it. 00:28:41.920 --> 00:28:42.819 And if we're not. 00:28:42.940 --> 00:28:43.660 Maybe we should pray. 00:28:43.720 --> 00:28:44.340 More generally. 00:28:45.059 --> 00:28:45.319 Lord. 00:28:45.420 --> 00:28:46.079 Please give me. 00:28:46.380 --> 00:28:46.740 Transportation. 00:28:48.340 --> 00:28:49.480 That's a good prayer too. 00:28:50.460 --> 00:28:51.200 That leaves it open. 00:28:51.200 --> 00:28:52.079 For him to meet it. 00:28:52.319 --> 00:28:52.980 In any way. 00:28:53.319 --> 00:28:54.240 Maybe you'll get an offer. 00:28:54.240 --> 00:28:55.259 From some co-worker. 00:28:55.400 --> 00:28:55.559 Hey. 00:28:55.620 --> 00:28:56.579 I'll pick you up every day. 00:28:56.600 --> 00:28:57.360 And take you to work. 00:28:58.460 --> 00:28:59.039 Never know. 00:28:59.039 --> 00:28:59.740 What his purpose. 00:28:59.740 --> 00:29:00.079 Would be. 00:29:00.160 --> 00:29:01.039 In something like that. 00:29:03.799 --> 00:29:04.600 The third way. 00:29:04.680 --> 00:29:05.539 That we misapply. 00:29:08.140 --> 00:29:09.019 And I totally. 00:29:09.019 --> 00:29:10.000 Understand this. 00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:11.120 Myself. 00:29:11.200 --> 00:29:12.079 I've wrestled with this. 00:29:12.440 --> 00:29:13.319 This seems like. 00:29:13.319 --> 00:29:14.019 Such a clear. 00:29:14.019 --> 00:29:14.620 And straightforward. 00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:16.120 Guarantee. 00:29:17.120 --> 00:29:18.299 If we ask anything. 00:29:18.420 --> 00:29:19.279 According to his will. 00:29:19.700 --> 00:29:20.440 He hears us. 00:29:20.860 --> 00:29:22.400 If we know that he hears us. 00:29:23.340 --> 00:29:24.340 Whatever we ask. 00:29:24.420 --> 00:29:25.180 We know that we have. 00:29:25.240 --> 00:29:26.039 What we asked of him. 00:29:26.860 --> 00:29:27.480 It sounds like. 00:29:27.559 --> 00:29:28.079 A straightforward. 00:29:28.799 --> 00:29:29.079 Guarantee. 00:29:29.480 --> 00:29:30.000 Doesn't it? 00:29:31.380 --> 00:29:32.240 No exceptions. 00:29:34.680 --> 00:29:35.519 So I prayed. 00:29:35.579 --> 00:29:36.120 And I asked. 00:29:36.200 --> 00:29:36.680 For the Lord. 00:29:36.779 --> 00:29:38.079 To save my friend. 00:29:38.799 --> 00:29:39.620 He says. 00:29:39.700 --> 00:29:40.259 He desires. 00:29:40.259 --> 00:29:40.700 All people. 00:29:40.700 --> 00:29:41.360 To be saved. 00:29:41.360 --> 00:29:41.759 And yet. 00:29:41.860 --> 00:29:42.759 My friend died. 00:29:43.759 --> 00:29:44.940 Never giving his life. 00:29:45.000 --> 00:29:45.440 To the Lord. 00:29:46.319 --> 00:29:47.039 He died. 00:29:47.400 --> 00:29:48.319 Shaking his fist. 00:29:48.360 --> 00:29:48.779 At God. 00:29:48.779 --> 00:29:48.859 God. 00:29:50.859 --> 00:29:51.599 How come God. 00:29:51.599 --> 00:29:52.680 Didn't answer my prayer. 00:29:52.680 --> 00:29:53.359 When he says. 00:29:53.359 --> 00:29:53.920 Right here. 00:29:53.920 --> 00:29:54.599 That he will. 00:29:54.599 --> 00:29:55.200 When I pray. 00:29:55.319 --> 00:29:56.240 According to his will. 00:29:59.240 --> 00:29:59.819 Some of you. 00:29:59.940 --> 00:30:00.700 May have a hard time. 00:30:00.700 --> 00:30:01.500 With my. 00:30:02.460 --> 00:30:03.160 Thought here. 00:30:03.299 --> 00:30:04.240 My understanding. 00:30:04.240 --> 00:30:04.599 Of this. 00:30:04.660 --> 00:30:05.299 And if you do. 00:30:05.299 --> 00:30:06.759 That's okay. 00:30:06.759 --> 00:30:07.680 And I want you to know. 00:30:07.680 --> 00:30:08.159 That I. 00:30:08.680 --> 00:30:09.399 Hold this. 00:30:09.599 --> 00:30:10.079 Openly. 00:30:10.079 --> 00:30:11.099 If God wants to change. 00:30:11.200 --> 00:30:11.980 My mind on this. 00:30:12.440 --> 00:30:13.180 He can. 00:30:13.899 --> 00:30:14.940 And I'm willing for that. 00:30:15.899 --> 00:30:16.980 Is it possible. 00:30:17.519 --> 00:30:18.720 That we have pressed. 00:30:19.220 --> 00:30:19.619 This. 00:30:20.180 --> 00:30:20.659 Promise. 00:30:20.879 --> 00:30:21.039 This. 00:30:21.700 --> 00:30:22.859 Statement of confidence. 00:30:23.079 --> 00:30:23.419 Beyond. 00:30:23.639 --> 00:30:24.279 What it was meant. 00:30:24.399 --> 00:30:25.319 To assure us of. 00:30:27.019 --> 00:30:28.119 Is it possible. 00:30:28.119 --> 00:30:28.799 That we have. 00:30:29.339 --> 00:30:29.819 Pushed it. 00:30:30.319 --> 00:30:30.899 Too far. 00:30:30.900 --> 00:30:30.980 Prayer. 00:30:31.860 --> 00:30:32.620 And that it. 00:30:32.720 --> 00:30:33.480 Never was meant. 00:30:33.480 --> 00:30:34.240 To be taken. 00:30:34.540 --> 00:30:35.640 Like a mathematical. 00:30:35.960 --> 00:30:36.360 Formula. 00:30:37.580 --> 00:30:37.800 Pray. 00:30:37.900 --> 00:30:38.980 According to God's will. 00:30:39.460 --> 00:30:39.980 Always. 00:30:40.180 --> 00:30:40.700 Equals. 00:30:41.080 --> 00:30:41.860 You get exactly. 00:30:41.860 --> 00:30:42.759 What you asked for. 00:30:45.840 --> 00:30:46.840 Is it possible. 00:30:46.840 --> 00:30:47.460 That we've. 00:30:48.180 --> 00:30:48.660 Reduced. 00:30:48.860 --> 00:30:49.180 Prayer. 00:30:49.620 --> 00:30:50.300 In the way. 00:30:50.300 --> 00:30:50.740 That we've. 00:30:50.820 --> 00:30:51.380 We've treated. 00:30:51.380 --> 00:30:52.080 This statement. 00:30:52.400 --> 00:30:52.620 To. 00:30:53.460 --> 00:30:54.100 Kind of like. 00:30:54.120 --> 00:30:54.900 A vending machine. 00:30:55.560 --> 00:30:56.720 I put in a prayer. 00:30:56.780 --> 00:30:57.860 According to God's will. 00:30:58.380 --> 00:30:59.259 I dial up. 00:30:59.320 --> 00:30:59.800 What I want. 00:30:59.799 --> 00:31:01.259 And whatever it is. 00:31:01.279 --> 00:31:01.940 That I ask for. 00:31:02.059 --> 00:31:02.859 That's what I get. 00:31:02.980 --> 00:31:03.559 Every time. 00:31:06.519 --> 00:31:07.319 Let me give you. 00:31:07.399 --> 00:31:08.039 Another example. 00:31:08.539 --> 00:31:09.039 That may. 00:31:09.500 --> 00:31:10.180 Help illustrate. 00:31:10.339 --> 00:31:10.819 What I mean. 00:31:12.099 --> 00:31:13.319 Psalm 121. 00:31:13.839 --> 00:31:14.980 Is a beautiful psalm. 00:31:15.859 --> 00:31:16.319 In it. 00:31:16.839 --> 00:31:17.519 It says. 00:31:17.639 --> 00:31:18.079 The Lord. 00:31:18.200 --> 00:31:19.200 Watches over you. 00:31:20.119 --> 00:31:20.919 The Lord. 00:31:20.919 --> 00:31:21.839 Will keep you. 00:31:22.119 --> 00:31:23.559 From all harm. 00:31:24.519 --> 00:31:25.379 He will watch. 00:31:25.460 --> 00:31:26.180 Over your life. 00:31:27.919 --> 00:31:28.899 Does that mean. 00:31:28.900 --> 00:31:29.660 That God. 00:31:29.660 --> 00:31:30.519 Will never let. 00:31:30.519 --> 00:31:31.420 Anything bad. 00:31:31.420 --> 00:31:32.660 Happen to his people. 00:31:32.660 --> 00:31:33.300 It says. 00:31:33.300 --> 00:31:33.780 The Lord. 00:31:33.780 --> 00:31:34.420 Will keep you. 00:31:34.420 --> 00:31:35.259 From all harm. 00:31:37.940 --> 00:31:38.380 No. 00:31:39.220 --> 00:31:40.280 It doesn't mean that. 00:31:40.360 --> 00:31:40.620 We know. 00:31:40.680 --> 00:31:41.460 It doesn't mean that. 00:31:41.519 --> 00:31:41.840 Because. 00:31:42.120 --> 00:31:43.460 That's never been true. 00:31:43.840 --> 00:31:44.820 Even in Jesus. 00:31:45.100 --> 00:31:45.620 The one. 00:31:45.759 --> 00:31:46.540 Who had nothing. 00:31:46.540 --> 00:31:47.720 To disqualify him. 00:31:47.800 --> 00:31:48.440 From the Lord's. 00:31:48.500 --> 00:31:49.180 Watchful care. 00:31:49.280 --> 00:31:49.600 Ever. 00:31:50.640 --> 00:31:51.280 He suffered. 00:31:51.440 --> 00:31:52.200 He was harmed. 00:31:54.580 --> 00:31:55.420 Terrible things. 00:31:55.420 --> 00:31:56.160 Happened to him. 00:31:56.160 --> 00:31:58.200 It's because. 00:31:58.279 --> 00:31:59.019 It was never meant. 00:31:59.100 --> 00:32:00.160 To be taken that way. 00:32:01.240 --> 00:32:02.820 It's a general principle. 00:32:02.960 --> 00:32:03.560 The Lord. 00:32:03.860 --> 00:32:04.340 Generally. 00:32:04.700 --> 00:32:05.200 Watches. 00:32:05.259 --> 00:32:06.279 Over his people. 00:32:07.440 --> 00:32:08.980 He protects them. 00:32:09.660 --> 00:32:11.259 And if he should decide. 00:32:11.259 --> 00:32:12.460 In any moment. 00:32:14.380 --> 00:32:14.940 Nothing. 00:32:15.300 --> 00:32:15.759 Nobody. 00:32:16.180 --> 00:32:17.180 Can lay a finger. 00:32:17.700 --> 00:32:18.580 On my child. 00:32:20.100 --> 00:32:21.440 No power in hell. 00:32:22.540 --> 00:32:23.440 Or heaven. 00:32:23.440 --> 00:32:26.220 Not the devil. 00:32:26.779 --> 00:32:27.220 Nobody. 00:32:28.080 --> 00:32:29.200 That's what it means. 00:32:29.360 --> 00:32:30.660 It's a general principle. 00:32:30.860 --> 00:32:31.500 It's a statement. 00:32:31.740 --> 00:32:32.019 God. 00:32:32.180 --> 00:32:32.620 Watches. 00:32:32.660 --> 00:32:32.940 Over. 00:32:33.240 --> 00:32:33.960 His people. 00:32:34.660 --> 00:32:35.740 He protects them. 00:32:36.559 --> 00:32:37.620 You think of the Proverbs. 00:32:38.279 --> 00:32:39.080 Many of them are. 00:32:39.440 --> 00:32:40.019 Are really. 00:32:40.400 --> 00:32:40.799 Wonderful. 00:32:40.799 --> 00:32:41.799 Sayings of wisdom. 00:32:41.799 --> 00:32:42.140 That. 00:32:42.680 --> 00:32:43.160 Generally. 00:32:43.360 --> 00:32:43.900 Do apply. 00:32:44.059 --> 00:32:44.860 To a situation. 00:32:45.519 --> 00:32:46.240 But it doesn't mean. 00:32:46.240 --> 00:32:47.019 That they're law. 00:32:47.180 --> 00:32:48.039 Without exception. 00:32:49.720 --> 00:32:50.539 They're wisdom. 00:32:51.460 --> 00:32:51.920 And I think. 00:32:52.000 --> 00:32:52.460 That's the way. 00:32:52.460 --> 00:32:53.000 That we're meant. 00:32:53.319 --> 00:32:53.900 To take. 00:32:54.240 --> 00:32:54.660 This. 00:32:55.039 --> 00:32:55.240 To. 00:32:56.600 --> 00:32:57.579 On the whole. 00:32:57.920 --> 00:32:58.420 Generally. 00:32:59.380 --> 00:33:00.480 When we ask. 00:33:00.480 --> 00:33:00.779 God. 00:33:00.900 --> 00:33:01.680 To do something. 00:33:02.400 --> 00:33:02.680 That. 00:33:03.160 --> 00:33:03.319 He. 00:33:03.440 --> 00:33:04.539 Has already told us. 00:33:04.579 --> 00:33:05.720 He desires to do. 00:33:05.960 --> 00:33:06.900 He longs for. 00:33:07.420 --> 00:33:08.200 It's his will. 00:33:08.860 --> 00:33:09.539 We have his. 00:33:09.720 --> 00:33:10.059 Special. 00:33:10.240 --> 00:33:10.720 Attention. 00:33:11.480 --> 00:33:12.380 We can be. 00:33:12.480 --> 00:33:12.960 Confident. 00:33:13.079 --> 00:33:13.480 Of that. 00:33:15.240 --> 00:33:16.380 And generally. 00:33:16.860 --> 00:33:17.420 He will. 00:33:17.579 --> 00:33:18.019 Give us. 00:33:18.140 --> 00:33:18.980 What we ask for. 00:33:20.640 --> 00:33:21.480 He will. 00:33:21.480 --> 00:33:21.519 No. 00:33:22.120 --> 00:33:22.900 And he does. 00:33:23.900 --> 00:33:24.759 His default. 00:33:24.940 --> 00:33:25.420 Answer. 00:33:25.799 --> 00:33:26.120 Is. 00:33:26.559 --> 00:33:26.940 Yes. 00:33:28.259 --> 00:33:29.160 He is. 00:33:29.160 --> 00:33:29.579 Our. 00:33:29.960 --> 00:33:30.259 Heavenly. 00:33:30.259 --> 00:33:30.799 Father. 00:33:30.799 --> 00:33:31.980 And he loves us. 00:33:32.039 --> 00:33:32.920 He delights in us. 00:33:33.000 --> 00:33:33.599 He wants. 00:33:33.599 --> 00:33:34.299 To give us. 00:33:34.460 --> 00:33:35.140 Good things. 00:33:35.140 --> 00:33:35.700 And. 00:33:36.059 --> 00:33:36.980 When we ask him. 00:33:36.980 --> 00:33:37.940 For the very thing. 00:33:37.940 --> 00:33:39.279 That he's already told us. 00:33:39.279 --> 00:33:40.360 He wants to do. 00:33:40.779 --> 00:33:41.779 His default. 00:33:41.860 --> 00:33:42.180 Answer. 00:33:42.180 --> 00:33:42.440 Is. 00:33:42.599 --> 00:33:42.960 Yes. 00:33:42.960 --> 00:33:49.160 Sometimes. 00:33:49.940 --> 00:33:51.140 He says no. 00:33:51.400 --> 00:33:51.720 Though. 00:33:52.319 --> 00:33:53.660 But it's only. 00:33:54.279 --> 00:33:55.319 Because he knows. 00:33:55.440 --> 00:33:56.039 What is best. 00:33:57.779 --> 00:33:58.700 It's only. 00:33:58.700 --> 00:33:59.840 Because he knows. 00:34:00.299 --> 00:34:00.579 Better. 00:34:01.140 --> 00:34:01.940 What we need. 00:34:04.039 --> 00:34:06.019 I think that's how we're meant to take this. 00:34:06.220 --> 00:34:07.819 We can have confidence. 00:34:07.819 --> 00:34:10.659 That God will give us what we ask for. 00:34:10.739 --> 00:34:11.460 When we ask. 00:34:11.679 --> 00:34:12.860 According to his will. 00:34:12.960 --> 00:34:14.559 And if he doesn't. 00:34:15.179 --> 00:34:16.500 It's only because. 00:34:17.239 --> 00:34:18.480 He knows what is best. 00:34:23.480 --> 00:34:24.500 I'm willing to bet. 00:34:25.039 --> 00:34:26.299 That at the end of the story. 00:34:26.299 --> 00:34:27.500 We will get to heaven. 00:34:27.500 --> 00:34:30.860 And we will look back on that. 00:34:31.059 --> 00:34:32.320 Certain prayers that we prayed. 00:34:32.380 --> 00:34:33.000 And we will say. 00:34:33.159 --> 00:34:33.880 Thank you. 00:34:34.119 --> 00:34:34.519 God. 00:34:35.159 --> 00:34:37.099 That you didn't answer my prayer. 00:34:37.920 --> 00:34:39.280 I had no idea. 00:34:39.280 --> 00:34:41.039 What the consequences would have been. 00:34:41.360 --> 00:34:42.820 If you had said yes to me. 00:34:46.360 --> 00:34:47.360 Isn't it amazing. 00:34:48.059 --> 00:34:48.860 That we. 00:34:50.820 --> 00:34:51.659 As sinners. 00:34:52.079 --> 00:34:53.340 With what we deserve. 00:34:53.480 --> 00:34:55.599 Can have a relationship with God. 00:34:55.820 --> 00:34:56.719 Like this. 00:34:57.500 --> 00:34:59.880 That when we ask. 00:35:00.000 --> 00:35:00.840 What he desires. 00:35:01.539 --> 00:35:03.460 He gives us what we ask for. 00:35:04.519 --> 00:35:05.059 Generally. 00:35:05.300 --> 00:35:05.960 On the whole. 00:35:06.860 --> 00:35:07.280 Yes. 00:35:08.719 --> 00:35:09.659 That we. 00:35:10.320 --> 00:35:11.760 As undeserving as we are. 00:35:12.500 --> 00:35:13.719 Can have confidence. 00:35:14.320 --> 00:35:15.199 Before him. 00:35:16.019 --> 00:35:16.780 Like that. 00:35:17.780 --> 00:35:18.639 What a gift. 00:35:20.179 --> 00:35:20.900 Let's pray. 00:35:24.440 --> 00:35:25.239 Father in heaven. 00:35:25.420 --> 00:35:26.320 Thank you so much. 00:35:27.500 --> 00:35:28.300 Thank you. 00:35:28.300 --> 00:35:28.320 Thank you. 00:35:28.360 --> 00:35:28.500 That. 00:35:28.659 --> 00:35:30.159 As we've celebrated this morning. 00:35:30.340 --> 00:35:31.860 You have changed everything. 00:35:32.099 --> 00:35:32.920 For us. 00:35:33.039 --> 00:35:34.179 You are our father. 00:35:34.460 --> 00:35:35.639 We are your children. 00:35:36.420 --> 00:35:37.739 And you love us. 00:35:39.420 --> 00:35:39.940 Lord. 00:35:40.039 --> 00:35:40.380 Thank you. 00:35:40.400 --> 00:35:41.340 That you're not cheap. 00:35:41.539 --> 00:35:42.880 You're not stingy. 00:35:43.039 --> 00:35:43.860 With us. 00:35:43.860 --> 00:35:45.599 Your answer. 00:35:45.599 --> 00:35:45.660 Your answer. 00:35:45.900 --> 00:35:46.780 Is yes. 00:35:47.740 --> 00:35:48.480 Help us. 00:35:49.380 --> 00:35:50.340 Increase our faith. 00:35:52.140 --> 00:35:53.019 Restore to us. 00:35:53.099 --> 00:35:53.880 The confidence. 00:35:54.380 --> 00:35:55.559 If we've lost it. 00:35:55.620 --> 00:35:55.780 Lord. 00:35:55.880 --> 00:35:56.740 That we should have. 00:35:56.840 --> 00:35:57.620 According to this. 00:35:58.579 --> 00:36:00.160 The faith in your goodness. 00:36:00.480 --> 00:36:01.680 And in your wisdom. 00:36:02.519 --> 00:36:03.620 And in your great. 00:36:03.920 --> 00:36:04.920 Sovereign power. 00:36:05.920 --> 00:36:07.200 We ask in Christ's name. 00:36:07.900 --> 00:36:08.220 Amen. 00:36:08.220 --> 00:36:08.320 Amen. 00:36:08.320 --> 00:36:08.360 Amen. 00:36:08.360 --> 00:36:08.380 Amen. 00:36:08.460 --> 00:36:08.480 Amen. 00:36:08.480 --> 00:36:08.519 Amen. 00:36:08.519 --> 00:36:10.420 Amen. 00:36:10.420 --> 00:36:10.440 Amen. 00:36:10.440 --> 00:36:12.380 Amen. 00:36:12.380 --> 00:36:12.480 Amen. 00:36:12.480 --> 00:36:12.960 Amen. 00:36:12.960 --> 00:36:13.420 Amen.