Jesus' Prayer part 3 - John 17

Good morning and happy New Year family.

Turn to John 17 if you would.

It has been truly an amazing year so far and I am just so thankful for God's faithfulness

to us.

We as a family have gone through quite a bit in growth and still more things to come.

I will tell you we are excited about the business meeting coming up and I will tell you the

Constitution team is working diligently to work through that document and everything

in that document will be supported with the scripture.

So I think you are going to be very pleased with it, the diligence and the work that we

have been putting in.

So be prayerful about that, it has to be biblical, it has to be consistent with God's word.

It will not supersede the word of God but it will absolutely support the word of God

and help us to govern as a church the way the word says we should.

In addition to that we have gone through six weeks on prayer and we are finally at the

end and I will tell you I really enjoyed this message and really enjoyed just reading through

and studying this.

I hope that when it is all said and done you will walk away with a deeper understanding

of prayer and the importance of it.

So let's pray and let's jump in.

Father I want to thank you so much for your faithfulness and goodness.

Thank you Lord for your word.

To you be honor and glory forever, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Lord you have given us and have prayed for us all that we need and Lord I pray that as

we walk through the ending of this prayer that we get the importance of what you are

saying through it.

There is a common theme, a heartbeat of this prayer and it reveals your heart for your

people and it reveals the heart of your purpose.

And Lord we praise you and we thank you in Jesus name, Amen.

Alright so we are going to go through a little bit just to kind of refresh you since we have

been off this for a little bit two weeks now.

The doctrine of prayer is a means of grace offered according to the will of God expressed

in accordance with his word.

Prayer is the language of the soul and opening of our hearts before God, John Calvin.

Prayer reveals our hearts.

Prayer is about aligning ourselves with God's will, Matthew 26, 36.

Ukamai is the word used, cross meaning to come near or to come before, ukamai means

to pray or to will.

Praying is not an isolated spirit of exercise as if we pray and we live in two different

components.

The truth of the matter is we live as we pray and we pray as we live, Dr. Sinclair Ferguson.

As I've said previously that this prayer in chapter 17 is broken up into three divisions.

It's divided into three parts.

The first part of the prayer, chapter 17, one through five, Jesus prays for his glory

and the glory of the father.

These five verses are about the dox adzo, to make, renown, render illustrious, to cause

the dignity or work of a person or thing to become manifest and acknowledged, specifically

to dox adzo of the Godhead.

In John 17, six through nine, Jesus prayed for the disciples who were given the task

to continue the ministry of reconciliation.

He prays that they will dox adzo him, which in turn dox adzos the father, that they will

make him renown through the gospel and that they will continue in the word and deed of

the gospel.

And that is verses eight, 14 through 19.

In John 17, 20 through 26, Jesus prays for the believers all to come after the disciples,

which we are among them.

The same promises given to those who walk with him are ours also.

The same dox adzo that Christ prays for himself, the father, the disciples, and all those after,

for all of you and for those to come is your dox adzo.

Christ is made renowned through our lives and as a result, we bring him glory as he

glories in us.

So I want us to oversee this little bit of John 17, 13 through 19 so we can kind of understand

why he says what he says in 23, 26.

So verse 13 says, but now I am coming to you and these things I speak in the world that

they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

I have given them your word and the world has hated them.

The world has pursued them with hatred and the world detests them.

And the same hatred and the test that the world had for the disciples, the world has

for me.

Now this word that's coming up, I want you to pay attention to it.

It says, because they are not of the world just as I am not of the world.

Pretty simple.

This is not your home.

This is your journey.

Then he says in verse 15 with an absolute negative, I do not ask that you take them

out of the world, but that you keep, that you tend carefully, that you guard, that you

shepherd them, he's talking to the father, from evil.

That's the translation there.

Translation, van Eras is not evil one.

There are a couple commentaries that say based on a, I think historical, based on some references

to the evil one and how they use the word evil, that some of the commentaries would

say that it's talking about Satan, the evil one.

The problem is it doesn't fit the context of the prayer.

In all of the prayer, he says we're not of the world just as he's not of the world.

The world hates us, the world detests us, and then all of a sudden he just out of the

blue says keep them from the evil one.

That's not, that makes no contextual sense whatsoever.

But there are some translations in and some of the other commentaries that say it's actually

evil, which makes sense because when you read the Lord's prayer, it means the same thing,

that he would keep us from hardship and harassment and trouble and perils of faith.

So that's where it is, keep them from evil, not keep them from the evil one.

How do we know that?

Because not only does he say we're not of the world, then turns around in the very next

statement after he says keep them from evil, they are not of the world just as I am not

of the world.

So context clearly states that this is evil, not Satan.

Sanctify them in the truth, the word is truth, which is interesting and supports my idea

continually in this idea of it being evil.

Why?

Because the only way to overcome harassment and hardships and trouble and perils of faith

is to be in the truth.

Verse 18, as you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world and for their

sake I consecrate myself that they also may be sanctified in truth.

The only way to go into the world with confidence is to know that God has your back.

So as we move into the last part of this wonderful, beautiful prayer, you kind of understand why

he says this for those to come.

This is that part where he's praying for those after the disciples, for us and for those

to still come.

First principle number one, the electing work of Christ is for the gospel alone.

I want you to get this very important statement.

The election, the doctrine of election, there is no gospel.

You're like, well, that's a definitive statement.

It is.

Because the whole point of grace is to give unto a person something they do not deserve

nor can they earn.

Has nothing to do with your ability or your thought or your brain or your free will.

It has everything to do with God and God alone.

But the work of the gospel of Christ concerning the electing work of God, it's for the gospel.

It makes the gospel sure.

Jesus prays for his own so that the world may know that he alone is the savior of his

people.

John 17, 23, 21 says this, I do not ask for these only, meaning the disciples, but for

those who will believe in me through their word.

How do we know that?

For faith comes from hearing and hearing that of the word of Christ.

That's what this means.

That the gospel being preached will bring the gift of faith to the heart of the elect.

Now verse 21 says that they may all be one just as you, Father, or in me and I in you.

And they also may be in us so that the world may believe that you sent me.

So there it is.

The electing work of God is a direct result of the gospel alone.

So I think you're going to start to see the theme here.

What's interesting about verse 20 says I do not ask for these alone, but for those who

will believe.

I like to clarify by taking out a definitive statement and showing you another definitive

statement within this.

I do ask for those who will believe in me through their word.

So not only does he not ask for the disciples only, but he specifically asks for you.

Interesting.

Verse 22 and 23.

Principle number two, Jesus prays for our conformity in him and our unity of faith.

He prays for our conformity in him and our unity of faith.

Just as Jesus and the Father are perfectly united, he prays that we too will be united

together in him, in his glory for the gospel.

How do you see all that?

Here it is.

Verse 22.

The glory that you have given me, I have given to them that they may be one even as we are

one.

First thing you need to notice here, this word glory is daksa.

It's the root word for daksa, but this word is daksa.

This word daksa literally means perfect inward or personal excellency of Christ.

The perfect excellency of Christ or the personal excellency of Christ.

The majesty of Christ.

Now let's read that a little differently so we can kind of understand what he's talking

about here.

Because ultimately what we do know is that he has predestined us before the foundation

of the world to be conformed into the image of his son.

That's the whole point.

That's why he's praying this.

That the daksa of Christ will be in us because he is actually the glory that you have given

me, the personal excellency, the perfect inward excellency, the majesty that I have that has

been given to me, I give to them.

That they may be one even as we are one.

That the whole point of the glory of Christ in us is so that we would be united together

with him according to his word and his gospel.

Here we go.

That they may be one as we are one.

I in them and you in me.

I want you to hear this, that they may become perfectly one.

I in them and you in me.

What scripture is this?

What doctrine is this?

This doctrine is called eternal security.

That if we are in Christ, in Christ as in the Father, there is nothing that can separate

us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

Neither death nor life nor anything else.

No angel nor demon.

We are in Christ forever.

And Christ says not only are you in me but you are in the Father which I am in because

you are in me, I am in him.

That's like a double lockdown.

I mean it's kind of hard to get rid of that isn't it?

So why do we avoid this issue of eternal security?

This is not a statement of once say, no he said.

This is a statement of once truly converted, you will stay converted and you are his forever.

There is a difference between once say, no he said.

It's a Baptist statement, how do you know?

Because I was a Baptist.

Where I got ordained.

And then God taught truth.

There it is.

So I in them and you in me.

And they may become perfectly one.

How in the world can God's people be perfectly one when they can't even agree on anything

now?

Well here's the answer.

This is what causes us to be perfectly one as he and the Father are one.

So that the world may know that you sent me and love them even as you love me.

What's that called?

The Gospel.

You wonder why the church today is not united?

Why we're not one?

We can't even agree on the simple reality of the Gospel.

That the God of all creation put on flesh, died on the cross, was buried and rose again

on the third day.

No, we got a message of say this prayer, welcome to the family.

We can't agree on anything.

To be honest with you, I listened to a message.

You know how to say something.

I listened to a message this week and the Gospel was narrowed down as a hallmark meeting.

Like if it was a romance.

I'm like are we serious?

Have we really lost the point of Christ?

The God who created you and died on the cross is not a romance.

It's not a hallmark meeting.

I mean, let me get off the sofa.

Oh boy.

We wonder why we can't be united.

We can't be united because we can't unite on one thing.

The importance of the Gospel which is the most important thing.

Because you know why?

We're not being conformed into the image of Christ.

We're trying to make the church in the image what we want it to be.

We're conforming the church into their own image.

One of the reasons why I'm so thankful for the men that we serve with, that I serve with.

As believers, brothers, for the Gospel.

Christ paid for his church, not my church, it's his church.

Principle number three.

Jesus prays that his people will be with him where he is.

Let not your hearts be troubled.

Believe in God.

Believe also in me.

In my Father's house are many rooms.

If we're not so, I would have told you that I go to prepare a place for you.

And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself

that where I am, you may be also.

John 14, one through three.

Listen to this statement.

In one verse, Jesus in one statement in his prayer summarizes everything that I just read.

Where I desire that they also whom you have given me may be with me where I am.

To see my glory that you have given me because you love me before the foundation of the world.

Man, that's literally one verse, one statement, and what do we get?

A whole mess of doctrine.

The doctrine of election, the doctrine of eternal security, the doctrine of the perseverance

of the saints, the doctrine of sanctification, the doctrine of the second return of Christ

or the coming of Christ.

Sorry.

The second coming of Christ.

Oh my goodness.

So much here in this one little verse.

This word desire, first of all, I want to clarify here.

Thilo or thilo, this word is not desire as you guys would think desire to be.

This is not something like I desire.

This word desire literally means to be resolved, determined, or to purpose.

Now father, I resolve, determine, and purpose that they, meaning us, whom you have given

me, meaning he gave us to him, not that you gave yourself to Jesus.

Maybe with me where I am, that where he is, that we will go also.

Why?

So that we may see his glory, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me

before the foundation of the world.

What an amazing statement.

Can you see all those doctors that I just mentioned in one statement?

That his resolve, his determination, he has determined, he has purpose that we will be

with him.

Wow.

It reminds me of Bible verse in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 concerning our gathering together

2 Thessalonians 2 · chapter mention

to him and the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I know you, I have no need to write you.

No, the resistance is a guarantee.

Father, I have no need to write you.

Father, I have no need to write you.

Know the love of the great God and King, John 17, 25, 26.

Where means father.

I'm so scared to say it.

It's going to ruin it.

Dekias.

Dekias.

I think that's how you say it.

Dekias.

I'm hoping I said it right, Lord, please forgive me if I didn't because it totally lost my

brain and I can't even remember how to say it.

It's so terrible.

Okay, this word literally means, oh, righteous father, the father who is the perfect judge.

So this word, Dekias, means perfect judge, passing just judgment on all.

Now when you see, when you read this, oh, righteous father, what it means is the father

who judges rightly.

Now think about that because right after that statement, he says, even though the world

does not know you, I know you.

And these know that you have sent me.

You are the one who judges perfectly.

Even though the world has rejected you, doesn't know you, doesn't want you.

You in your righteous judgment have given me people that do know you.

Why?

Because these know that you sent me.

Who?

Us.

How do we know?

How do we know that Christ was sent?

How do we know the father?

How has Jesus made the father known to us through the gospel?

Here it is, verse 26.

I made known to them your name and will continue to make it known.

Isn't that interesting?

How is Christ going to make the father's name known and continue to make the father's name

known through the work of the gospel?

Look at this word, the word that.

This word that means intent or the purpose of or the result of.

How does he make the name of God known?

Through the love with which you have loved me may be in them and I in you.

The gospel here.

What's the theme here?

What is the common theme of the end of this amazing prayer?

His final declaration is that the world may believe, verse 21, that the world may know,

verse 23, that I made your name known and that I will continue to make it known, verse

26.

For the gospel is why he prayed.

For the gospel is for and to whom he prayed.

For the gospel is what he prayed.

His prayer of where he is and others and where we are going is a direct result of the gospel.

How he prayed was for the gospel.

The whole purpose of his prayer is not only to declare all the things that he just finished

teaching them from chapter 13 all the way to 16.

But to declare his purpose for them, the gospel.

There is no other purpose for the church.

That is her purpose.

That is your purpose individually.

So let me clarify what I read to you earlier.

Prayer is a means of grace offered according to the will of God expressed in accordance

with his word.

Prayer was the language of his soul, an opening of his heart before the Father.

Prayer reveals his heart or revealed his heart.

Prayer was about aligning himself with the Father's will.

Cross bukhumi to come near and to pray according to the will of the Father was his purpose.

Prayer is not an isolated spiritual exercise as if we pray or we live in two different

components.

The truth of the matter is we live as we pray and we pray as we live.

Jesus did pray as he lived and lived as he prayed.

Wonder why we struggle with our prayer life.

We made prayer out to be a ritual instead of a moment of worship and aligning ourselves.

It's one thing to go and pray and just say things because we feel like we have to.

It's another to come before our holy God and go, Lord, I just want to be in line with you.

I want to know you and your will according to your word.

I want the words that I speak be according to your word, not what I want, what you want.

Prayer is so very important.

What do we remember out of all this past six weeks?

That when we look at the model of prayer, we see Jesus' model even in John 17, except

for one part.

He gave us in the model that's just for you and I.

Let me explain it to you.

Exultation in prayer, praise, verse one through five, surrender.

The I am in you and you are in me.

The kingdom comes is the idea.

Ask, he prayed for his disciples and prayed for you.

He calls us to repent.

Jesus didn't need to repent.

So when you read the Lord's prayer, it's not really the Lord repenting.

This is God's model prayer.

It's the only thing in this particular prayer that is for you and you alone because you

cannot align your will with God's will until you deal with the issue of your sin.

Petition.

We would be kept guarded from evil.

Petition.

Lastly, it's all according to your name.

God is exalted and praised.

There is that beautiful little model that Jesus did in every prayer.

Very simple way to pray.

So I pray that you have enjoyed this series of prayer that you will commit to aligning

your will and your heart according to his word.

I know that if you do, you will be blessed.

Last statement.

Jesus prayed.

Jesus did pray as he lived and lived as he prayed.

Father, I want to thank you so much for your favor for this.

Thank you Lord for your word.

Thank you for your goodness.

Thank you that you are the God of all creation and there is none like you.

Thank you for these amazing doctrines.

The truth that is saturated through your prayer.

The beauty of your prayer for your people.

Not only the disciples, but for the people who work to come and even for those who are

going to come after us.

Help us Lord to walk intimately in your word.

Be consistent in prayer and to honor you in all things in Jesus name.