“You Do Not Know What You Ask” Matthew 20:20-22

Matthew 20:20-22 “Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.” But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.”

Matthew 20:20-22 “Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.” But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.”

“You Do Not Know What You Ask” Kingdom to Come

Some Ask for the Kingdom to Come 1) The words of Jesus. “And He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power” (Mark 9:1).

Some Ask for the Kingdom to Come 2) Christians are transferred into the kingdom. “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14).

Some Ask for the Kingdom to Come 3) John was in the kingdom. “I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:9).

“You Do Not Know What You Ask” Kingdom to Come Baptism of Holy Spirit

Some Ask for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit 1) This was a promise not a command. “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). “And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now” (Acts 1:4-5).

Some Ask for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit 2) The household of Cornelius. “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God…” (Acts 10:44-46).

Some Ask for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit 3) Peter’s remarks about what had occurred. “And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?” (Acts 11:15-17).

“You Do Not Know What You Ask” Kingdom to Come Baptism of Holy Spirit Baptism of Fire

Some Ask for the Baptism of Fire 1) John’s statement about Jesus. “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matthew 3:11).

Some Ask for the Baptism of Fire 2) Definition of “fire.” “of the fire of Divine judgment upon the rejectors of Christ” (Vine, p. 442). “The Baptist portrays judgment in terms of fire in Matt. 3:11” (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament). “‘Fire’ is so frequently connected with the final destruction of the wicked” (H. Leo Boles, Commentary on Matthew, p. 85).

Some Ask for the Baptism of Fire 3) The text. “His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire” (Matthew 3:12).

“You Do Not Know What You Ask” Kingdom to Come Baptism of Holy Spirit Baptism of Fire A Miracle Performed

Some Ask God to Perform a Miracle 1) Miracles have ceased. “Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away” (1 Corinthians 13:8-10).

Some Ask God to Perform a Miracle 2) The perfect has come. “But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does” (James 1:25). “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).

“You Do Not Know What You Ask” Kingdom to Come Baptism of Holy Spirit Baptism of Fire A Miracle Performed Save Me – In Rebellion

Some Ask to be Saved While Living in Rebellion to the Law 1) Notice the wisdom of Solomon. “One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination” (Proverbs 28:9).

Some Ask to be Saved While Living in Rebellion to the Law 2) What the jailer was told to do. “And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized” (Acts 16:30-33).

“You Do Not Know What You Ask” Kingdom to Come Baptism of Holy Spirit Baptism of Fire A Miracle Performed Save Me – In Rebellion Bless Me – Let Me Choose

Some Ask to be Blessed While Choosing For Themselves 1) My own beliefs. “‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men’” (Matthew 15:8-9).

Some Ask to be Blessed While Choosing For Themselves 2) My own church. “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4:4). “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all” (Ephesians 1:22-23).

Some Ask to be Blessed While Choosing For Themselves 3) It is not about us!!! “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him” (2 Corinthians 5:9).

“You Do Not Know What You Ask” Kingdom to Come Baptism of Holy Spirit Baptism of Fire A Miracle Performed Save Me – In Rebellion Bless Me – Let Me Choose