2016-05-29
Pastor Jonathan Falwell
Memory Verse:
John 17:26
“And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”
Today, we’re going to finish up taking a look at Christ’s prayer from John 17. A prayer offered just before His arrest, His trial and His crucifixion. It’s a prayer that should encourage us, but also push us forward in our faith walk with Him.
John 17:20
“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. 22 I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. 24 Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began! 25 O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. 26 I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”
Two weeks ago:
* We have authority
* We have a future
* We can make an everlasting impact
* The answer is Christ
Last week:
* The message is clear
* We must stand in unity
* Standing on His Word
* Only in Christ we have hope
Let’s put it all together. How can we do this? How can we be successful?
1. Know that Jesus is praying for you
v20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.”
– It should be incredibly empowering to us all to know that Jesus is praying for us
– He knew then about what you face now
Romans 8:34
Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.
2. Jesus is with us every step of the way
v23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.
– Every day, He is present in our lives, in every situation
– When it seems as if we’re neglected, all alone, He is there
– If we embrace this truth, we will be strengthened in unity
3. We have the answer
v25 “O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me.”
– Knowing Christ makes all the difference
– It should transform our thinking
– It should push us to share this truth
4. So let it shine!
v26 “I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”
– Let this be a catalyst for you share and show Christ’s love to the world
Ephesians 5:8
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.