Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:10-12.

Therein we find the SOURCE, the TRUE SOURCE of the authority under which we, as followers of Christ, can operate: In Jesus' name, just like John 14:13 said: And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. IN HIS NAME. Now look at the second half of that verse, a VERY VITAL PART: THAT THE FATHER MAY BE GLORIFIED in the Son. Jesus, Himself, sought not "the glory"--E-V-E-R-Y thing He did, He did to GLORIFY HIS (our) FATHER. So I ask you, is that which you are praying for GLORIFYING TO GOD? If we are to get what we ask for from God, we MUST ask it in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY! Jesus told Thomas in the sixth verse of this same chapter, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.


I can sign a check with my own name and present it at any bank in this city. The requirement of asking in MY name is that I must have money in an account from which to cash that check. However, if I present a check signed by someone else on THEIR account, I do NOT have to have any money in any bank--I am asking in THEIR name. I don't have to have any claims on any bank: I am authorized, by their signature on that check, to walk out of that bank with money in my hand.

So it is with The Bank Of Heaven. None of us have any claims on God or the bank of Heaven (riches of Glory)! I don't care how long we've been a church member, deacon, elder--I don't care how much we've "given to the church"--I don't care how long we've warmed a pew--I don't care how high, loud or long we can sing. Not a one of us has any claims on God, nor on the riches of glory! Remember? For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8,9. We don't have any claim on the riches of Glory by our works, either! BUT, we serve a risen Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord, the Only Begotten Son of God, Who has ALL rights and privileges to ALL of Glory. Therefore, we can ask, ON HIS AUTHORITY, IN HIS NAME. If we EVER get past thinking how great WE are and get to remembering how great GOD is, we'll be getting somewhere!


There is absolutely NO USE in us trying to get to God by any other route than THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. I tell you now, it WILL NOT happen! Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:1,9.10.


In closing, I want to share this with you:

During the Civil War, the only son of a mother and father from Columbus, Ohio enlisted in the army. He wrote home regularly; his letters brought good cheer and joy to his parents. But then the time came when no letters arrived. Weeks passed--the parents worried--then one day a letter came. It was from the government, informing them of their son's death. The cheer and brightness that had once been in that home turned to sorrow and lingering grief.

Years passed and the war ended. Early one morning as the parents were eating breakfast, there was a knock on their door. Outside, stood a ragged fellow who wished to speak to them, but the maid would not allow him to enter. He gave her a note for the parents. The dad opened the dirty, crumpled paper and read: "Dear Dad and Mom: I have been shot and have only a short time to live. I am writing you this farewell note. Kneeling beside me in prayer is a faithful friend I made when I first joined this company. When the war is over, he will bring you this note. When he does, be kind to him for your Charlie's sake. Your Son, Charles."

From that moment, there was nothing in their home that was too good for that poor tramp who had brought the note. You see, he didn't show up on his authority. He had no claims on his own. On the authority of the boy he had befriended during the war, he was welcomed into that home and assistance was rendered to him.


So now we know:

1. We must study and learn the written Word of God to know what it is the Lord wants us to do (His commandments to us);
2. Do as the Lord Jesus Christ has instructed us, which means that anything we do WILL GLORIFY GOD (not ourselves);
3. Whatsoever we ask of God, we will ask on the authority of Jesus Christ because we have no claims, no authority, but He does.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And WHATSOEVER YE SHALL ASK IN MY NAME, THAT WILL I DO, THAT THE FATHER MAY BE GLORIFIED IN THE SON. If ye shall ask any thing in MY name, I will do it. IF ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:12-15.