Bible Studies

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The Gospels
John 14:8-17, (25-27) – Answered Prayers

Key Verses: (NRSV)

• 8: “Philip said to Him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’” – Sitting in the Upper Room and preparing for Jesus’ departure, each disciple struggles with the meanings of Jesus’ final words. This time it is Philip who speaks up.
  
  
• 9: “Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father?’” – Philip had probably been present when the Pharisees had posed a similar question and, yet, Philip still did not understand.
  
  
• 11: “Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves.” – There are many ways to come to a belief in Christ. Jesus tells Philip to open and his eyes and see.
  
  
• 12: “Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.” – Jesus underscores the importance of this statement with the phrase ‘verily’. ‘If you haven’t listened to this point, Philip, take heed to what I have to say next.’
  
  
• 13: “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” – This is not a formula for granting three wishes as a genie might offer. Whatever is asked that gives glory to God will be fulfilled through Jesus Christ.
  
  
• 26: “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.” – “The Holy Spirit can help us as well. As we study the Bible, we can trust Him to plant truth in our mind, convince us of God’s will, and remind us when we stray from it.”¹
  
  
• 27: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let you hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” – John, again emphasizes that Jesus fills His believers with a peace that surpasses all understanding – a peace that allows us to set aside our worries and fears.
  

Points to Contemplate:

• Are you satisfied? Have all your questions been answered? Philip had been involved in Jesus’ ministry for three years. He had followed wherever Jesus led, had listened to His teachings, and had experienced His miracles first hand, and yet, he still asked for evidence of Jesus’ connection to God. Are you uncertain of where God is leading you or if you are actually doing the things He is calling you to do? Do you need proof? After years of ministry are you, like Philip, seeking reassurance and affirmation? Do you need a sign that God is actively involved in your life?
  
  
• Are you performing miracles? In the midst of your daily life, do you lose sight of the miracles God is performing in and through your life? Do you wonder at times if the time and effort you spend in ministry is really having an impact on the world? Do you accept that your influence in the lives of others can be as dramatic and important as any miracle Jesus performed? Do you realize that people come to know and experience God through you even when you are not aware of it happening?
  
  
• Do you believe in the power of prayer? Does God respond to any request you have as long as you pray in Jesus’ name? Is Jesus providing a formula for assuring success and fulfilling wishes? Or does the phrase “so that the Father may be glorified in the Son” play an important role in prayer? Is Jesus saying that through Him all prayers that point to the Glory of God and fulfill God’s plan will be answered?
  
  
• Do you rely on the Holy Spirit? Do you fully realize that God lives within you? Are you constantly aware of His presence and your connection with Christ? Are you able to turn to Him for guidance, teaching, and remembrance? Does He open your heart to new insights and lead you to new opportunities? Do you feel Him filling your heart with a peace that subdues your fears and calms your troubled thoughts?
  

Promises of the Gospel:

The air hung heavy in the Upper Room with Jesus’ final words of farewell and prediction of death. The disciples desperately clung to every word, attempting to wring out every last morsel of understanding. Three years of ministry for nothing? What did it all mean? How could they continue without Jesus leading the way? Philip’s question was a grasping attempt to know the truth. It was a simple question, one that he probably wished he hadn’t said as soon as it left his lips. But there it was and Jesus responded. Yes, He was leaving but the disciples were not being left alone. This Upper Room was not the end but, instead, it was the beginning of something far greater than they could imagine. It was the beginning of the salvation of the world and we all play an important role. Knowing that the Holy Spirit is the very presence of God living within all believers, Jesus promises to answer prayers, help us live and work towards the building of His kingdom, and achieve the glory that God envisions in our lives.

¹”Life Application Bible, NRSV”, notes for verse 14.26 pp1856.

FUMC Devotionals

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