Lesson Fourteen

The Name of Jesus and Prayer of Agreement

 

I. The Name of Jesus

            John 15:1-17

 

So many people try to use the name of Jesus as some “magic formula” for getting what they want from God. When you look at the whole counsel of God, a different picture takes shape. Let’s look at the picture given from God’s Word.

 

a. Abide in Jesus Vs. 1-8

Here Jesus is laying down some basic foundations that MUST be a part of our lives. He illustrates that Christian life as a branch and a vine. We must understand that everything the branch is and has is from the vine, not from itself. Everything that the vine is and has flows to the branch. In the same way, everything that Jesus is MUST flow into the Christian. We must deeply draw from the character of Jesus until our character is lost in His.

 

The only way true fruit can be developed is by Christ’s life and character flowing through us. THEREFORE, A PRAYER LIFE THAT IS ANSWERED (OR PRAYED IN JESUS’ NAME) IS A PRAYER LIFE THAT FLOWS FROM THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST WITHIN THE CHRISTIAN.

 

b. Obedience, Joy and Love Vs 9-14

 

The natural affect of abide and flowing in the character of Christ is to know the Father’s love and to experience Jesus’ love in new and greater depths. It also brings a life that is characterized by obedience to God. Both in what is written in His Word and what He speaks in our hearts.

 

Abiding in the love of God and obedience brings a supernatural joy to our lives. In fact, Jesus said that we would receive His joy. IN doing so, our joy would be full. ( In other words, His joy is so big that we almost do not have enough room to contain it!)

 

The natural result of abiding in God’s love, being obedient and having His joy is that for the first time we can really love on another. Notice this progression:

 

• Abiding in His character and then love 
• Produces obedience
• Which produces joy
• Which enables us to love one another

 

 

 

c. Being Jesus Friends, Producing Fruit and Answered Prayer Vs. 14-17

 

Our obedience to Jesus moves us from servant hood to friendship. We did not choose Jesus, but He chose us. And He chose us to bear fruit. And so that our fruit would remain, He has given us access to the Father in His name. There fore, whatever we ask in the character, love, obedience and joy of Jesus will be given to us.

 

NEW LIGHT: There fore the name of Jesus is not something I can use to get all these things out of God to fulfill the desires of my flesh, but to fulfill the desires and dreams of God in my life!

 

II. The Prayer of Agreement

          Matthew 18:19-20

 

There are three dynamics involved in these two verses. The first is that two or more members of the Body of Christ come into agreement of something in prayer. Second is that they have gathered in Jesus’ name, not their own. Thirdly, Jesus is in the midst of them. Let’s bring them into perspective:

 

            1. Gathered in Jesus’ Name

 

            This means that they have gathered for the cause of Jesus, in the character of

 Jesus and to promote His desires. ( This should happen every time we have a

Christian gathering.)

 

            2. Jesus is in Their Midst

 

Because they have gathered in Jesus’ name (in His character and to promote His desires), Jesus is being glorified in the midst of His people and He is there!

 

            3. Agree upon and it is granted

 

With these first two dynamics in operation, those gathered will agree in prayer on those things that Jesus would ask thus coming in line with His character and promote His desires. Our Father in Heaven says “It will be done for them!”

 

Balance:

 

Does this mean that I cannot use these things to pray for lost loved ones to be saved, for someone to be healed or for my needs to be met? That is not what I am saying. We know from the Word that God wants all to come to Jesus, God wants all to be healed and wants our needs met. What I am saying is that these are powerful when we are seeking Jesus’ desires, not the desires of our flesh!

 

Assignment Questions:

 

1. What does it mean to “abide in Jesus?”

2. How will abiding in Christ affect us?

3. What does it mean to pray “in the name of Jesus?”

4. What dynamics are involved in the prayer of agreement?