June 14: The Second Sunday after Pentecost
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. –John 15:7-8
“By this” my Father is glorified. What is “this”? The answer is glorious: by your asking him for things and his giving them to you! “By this” points back to what he has just said. God gets the glory as the one who is rich and good enough to answer your prayer.
Of course this can sound a little name-it-and-claim-it, but the condition is clear from the start: his words must abide in us. When we are word-saturated the desires of our heart cease to be merely desires for our domain, but desires for his kingdom. Then we pray accordingly and he answers and is glorified in it. Too often we forget that our prayers are his idea and his goal and for his glory. We did not choose him, but he chose us and appointed us that we should go and bear fruit (John 15:16). That’s the gospel!
Come hear it preached and enacted in the Supper on this second Sunday after Pentecost Sunday.
The related hymns we’ll sing are:
Praise Ye the Lord the Almighty
Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah, O My Soul (Psalm 146)
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Sunday school for children (on Acts and the Early Church) and adults (on Reformed eschatology) is up and running! Coffee and other treats are served at 9:15, teaching begins at 9:30, and we break to get ready for worship at 10:15.
Visitors are always welcome!