Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Father Himself Loves You (LS76)

          'Last Sermon of Jesus'

John 16:26-27 "In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God."
    With the indwelling of the Helper, we will comprehend the ways of God. By earning Christ's trust, all our prayers in His name will be directed to God uncensored. This is the direct line to the Father.
    In the book of Acts, we find that His disciples with this direct line to the Father could perform miracles and healing. They ministered while bearing the fruit of the Spirit, bringing glory to God. 
John 14:21 "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him."

Act 4:29-31 "Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus." And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
    These were the types of prayers that are pleasing to our Father in heaven, the prayers that He will be delighted to answer. When the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit, they preached the gospel boldly. Healing, miracles, signs and wonders followed them in Jesus' name. Many Jews, followed by Gentiles, believed and were baptized into the body of Christ.

Act 4:31-35 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
    The disciples were not only filled with the powers and gifts of the Holy Spirit, but they were also filled with the fruit of the Spirit. They loved one another and sacrificed all they had in order to share, feed and care for one another.

1John 3:17-18 But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
    Do you think that those covetous, rich and multimillionaire pastors, prophets and televangelists have direct lines to the Father in heaven? Beware of these wolves, for they will destroy you with their heresies and distorted doctrines.

Luke 11:13 "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"
    Brethren, our Lord is waiting to give us the Spirit of Truth if we love Him and keep His commandments.
John 14:15-17a "If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth..."