We Are Family
We can claim the power of Christ's name by fully trusting that Jesus takes up our cause and brings it to the Father, who never denies his own Son.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the simplicity and profound truth of praying in Jesus' name, explaining that when believers make requests in His name, it is as if Jesus Himself is asking the Father. He highlights the intimate relationship believers have with God, being adopted into His family and sharing in the rights and resources of heaven through Christ. Wilkerson reassures that God hears and answers prayers made in Jesus' name because of the spiritual union believers have with Him, underscoring that the power lies in trusting Jesus as our Advocate before the Father.
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Claiming the power that is in Christ's name is not some complicated, hidden theological truth. In my library are books written solely on the subject of Jesus' name. The authors wrote them to help believers understand the deep implications hidden in Christ's name. Yet, most of these books are so "deep," they go right over readers' heads.
I believe the truth we're meant to know about Jesus' name is so simple, a child could understand it. It's simply this: When we make our requests in Jesus' name, we're to be fully persuaded that it's the same as if Jesus himself were asking the Father. You ask, How could this be true? Let me explain.
We know that God loved his Son. He spoke with Jesus and taught him during his time on earth. And God not only heard but answered every request his Son made. Jesus testified to this, saying, "He heareth me always." In short, the Father never denied his Son any request.
Today, all who believe in Jesus are clothed in his Sonship. And the heavenly Father receives us as intimately as he receives his own Son. Why? It's because of our spiritual union with Christ. Through his crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus has made us one with the Father. "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us...I in them, and thou in me" (John 17:21-23).
Simply put, we are now family--one with the Father, and one with the Son. We've been adopted, with the full rights of inheritance possessed by any child. This means all the power and resources of heaven are made available to us, through Christ.
Praying "in the name of Jesus" is not a formula. It is not the phrase that has power in simply speaking it. The power is in believing that Jesus takes up our cause and brings it to the Father on his own merits. He is the Advocate--he is doing the asking for us. The power is in fully trusting that God never denies his own Son and we are the beneficiary of the Father's utter faithfulness to his Son.
Sermon Outline
- Claiming the Power in Christ's Name
- Understanding the Power of Jesus' Name
- The Father's Faithfulness to Jesus
- Our Spiritual Union with Christ
Key Quotes
“When we make our requests in Jesus' name, we're to be fully persuaded that it's the same as if Jesus himself were asking the Father.” — David Wilkerson
“He heareth me always.” — David Wilkerson
“That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us...I in them, and thou in me” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- We must fully trust in Jesus' ability to bring our requests to the Father.
- Our spiritual union with Christ gives us access to the Father's resources and power.
- We are now family with the Father and the Son, with all the rights and privileges that come with it.