Glorify the Father
Pastor Ben Kirkman
“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13
We find this verse in an incredibly powerful conversation between Jesus and His disciples. I can only imagine them trying to keep up with what He is telling them, “One of you will betray me. I am going away. I am in the Father and the Father is in me.” This is so much to try to grasp and deal with. Remember, Jesus is talking to real people with real opinions and emotions, and He is saying some hard stuff.
In John 14:12 He tells them, “Whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do.” I picture the disciples raising their hands at this point: “Jesus, we have seen you do the impossible. You have healed people, provided thousands with food with only a little bit of bread and a couple of fish, turned water into wine, cast out demons, and even brought the dead back to life! You are telling us we will be able do that stuff and more? How is that possible? You are God in the flesh, we are retired fisherman!” I doubt anyone really verbalized that, but how many of them were thinking it?
In John 14:13, Jesus clears up some of the questions they may have: “How are you going to be able to do such incredible things? It is all going to be possible through me and my power. The key to the great work is doing exactly what I have for you to do, the way I have called you to do it.” This promise was not a “genie-in-a-bottle” situation for the disciples to make all of their wildest dreams come true. The promise was to propel the Gospel throughout the world. The guideline for its effectiveness was that what they asked for was according to the will of Jesus and through His name. You can see a glimpse in the book of Acts of their obedience to operate according to those parameters and how effective it was.
Jesus also answered the question of why He would allow them to do such great things. His purpose in using them in such a way was ultimately about God being glorified. All praise, honor, and glory for the amazing things that would happen would point back to the Father. People would be able to see His amazing love and power on display.
Matthew 5:16 says, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” I would like to encourage you to walk through every part of your day looking for opportunities to point praise back to God. He is worthy of all praise!
Pastor Ben Kirkman
“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13
We find this verse in an incredibly powerful conversation between Jesus and His disciples. I can only imagine them trying to keep up with what He is telling them, “One of you will betray me. I am going away. I am in the Father and the Father is in me.” This is so much to try to grasp and deal with. Remember, Jesus is talking to real people with real opinions and emotions, and He is saying some hard stuff.
In John 14:12 He tells them, “Whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do.” I picture the disciples raising their hands at this point: “Jesus, we have seen you do the impossible. You have healed people, provided thousands with food with only a little bit of bread and a couple of fish, turned water into wine, cast out demons, and even brought the dead back to life! You are telling us we will be able do that stuff and more? How is that possible? You are God in the flesh, we are retired fisherman!” I doubt anyone really verbalized that, but how many of them were thinking it?
In John 14:13, Jesus clears up some of the questions they may have: “How are you going to be able to do such incredible things? It is all going to be possible through me and my power. The key to the great work is doing exactly what I have for you to do, the way I have called you to do it.” This promise was not a “genie-in-a-bottle” situation for the disciples to make all of their wildest dreams come true. The promise was to propel the Gospel throughout the world. The guideline for its effectiveness was that what they asked for was according to the will of Jesus and through His name. You can see a glimpse in the book of Acts of their obedience to operate according to those parameters and how effective it was.
Jesus also answered the question of why He would allow them to do such great things. His purpose in using them in such a way was ultimately about God being glorified. All praise, honor, and glory for the amazing things that would happen would point back to the Father. People would be able to see His amazing love and power on display.
Matthew 5:16 says, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” I would like to encourage you to walk through every part of your day looking for opportunities to point praise back to God. He is worthy of all praise!
Posted in Upper Room
Recent
Archive
2023
January
Reach • Devotion 1Reach • Devotion 2Reach • Devotion 3Reach • Devotion 4Reach • Devotion 5Reach • Devotion 6Gather • Devotion 1Gather • Devotion 2Gather • Devotion 3Gather • Devotion 4Gather • Devotion 5Gather • Devotion 6Grow • Devotion 1Grow • Devotion 2Grow • Devotion 3Grow • Devotion 4Grow • Devotion 5Grow • Devotion 6Giving • Devotion 1Giving • Devotion 2Giving • Devotion 3Giving • Devotion 4Giving • Devotion 5Giving • Devotion 6Galatians 1Galatians 2
February
Galatians 3Galatians 4Galatians 5Galatians 6God’s Design in Marriage • Devotion 1God’s Design in Marriage • Devotion 2God’s Design in Marriage • Devotion 3God’s Design in Marriage • Devotion 4God’s Design in Marriage • Devotion 5God’s Design in Marriage • Devotion 6Sex: The Word vs. the World • Devotion 1Sex: The Word vs. the World • Devotion 2Sex: The Word vs. the World • Devotion 3Sex: The Word vs. the World • Devotion 4Sex: The Word vs. the World • Devotion 5Sex: The Word vs. the World • Devotion 6Dangers: Little Foxes • Devotion 1Dangers: Little Foxes • Devotion 2Dangers: Little Foxes • Devotion 3Dangers: Little Foxes • Devotion 4Dangers: Little Foxes • Devotion 5Dangers: Little Foxes • Devotion 6Delights • Devotion 1Delights • Devotion 2
March
Delights • Devotion 3Delights • Devotion 4Delights • Devotion 5Delights • Devotion 6Final Class • Devotion 1Final Class • Devotion 2Final Class • Devotion 3Final Class • Devotion 4Final Class • Devotion 5Final Class • Devotion 6A Place for You • Devotion 1A Place for You • Devotion 2A Place for You • Devotion 3A Place for You • Devotion 4A Place for You • Devotion 5A Place for You • Devotion 6The Helper • Devotion 1The Helper • Devotion 2The Helper • Devotion 3The Helper • Devotion 4The Helper • Devotion 5The Helper • Devotion 6True Vine • Devotion 1True Vine • Devotion 2True Vine • Devotion 3True Vine • Devotion 4True Vine • Devotion 5
April
True Vine • Devotion 6The World • Devotion 1The World • Devotion 2The World • Devotion 3The World • Devotion 4The World • Devotion 5The World • Devotion 6Peace • Devotion 1Peace • Devotion 2Peace • Devotion 3Peace • Devotion 4Peace • Devotion 5Peace • Devotion 6Focus on Jesus • Devotion 1Focus on Jesus • Devotion 2Focus on Jesus • Devotion 3Focus on Jesus • Devotion 4Focus on Jesus • Devotion 5Focus on Jesus • Devotion 6The Church at Ephesus • Devotion 1The Church at Ephesus • Devotion 2The Church at Ephesus • Devotion 3The Church at Ephesus • Devotion 4
Categories
Tags
no tags