11-17-02 Sermon - Baldwin Christian Church

John 17

John 17 is the real Lord's Prayer, given at the end of a sermon that began way back in chapter 13. This is the end of three years of public ministry for Jesus. The hour of suffering was upon Him. His arrest was imminent. What we get from this chapter is a peek into the Holy of Holies, into the presence, and the very heart of God. It was prayed out loud for the disciples' benefit, for our benefit, not for His. This is not just a prayer of intercession for His disciples. Jesus knew He would die in a matter of hours, so this is also a report to His Father of what He had done in this life. It apparently takes place during the walk that Jesus and the eleven disciples took from the Passover feast in Jerusalem, down into that little valley called Kidron. It would be a good idea for us to read this chapter every now and then as a reminder of how much we are loved, as a reminder of what God expects from us in this life, and to help us confront our own mortality. If you only get one thing out of this chapter today, I hope you remember that these are God's instructions on how you can succeed in this life, eight steps to success straight from the mouth of our Maker. Not the world's idea of success. Not big houses, shiny cars, and fancy clothes, no, it's spiritual success. The kind of success that endures and ensures you will be remembered here on earth long after your time is through, and this kind of success reaps rewards in heaven. For you note-takers, these eight steps are very useful in evaluating your ministry to your families, friends, co-workers, and to other members in the body of Christ. To get the flow of chapter 17 started, let's begin with the last verse of chapter 16.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

When tribulations confront you, meet them with a cheerful heart. Count them all glory for the sake of Jesus, because He overcame the world, and so can we. He has given us the power and authority to defeat death and the devil, just as He did. Chapter 16 was the message of victory, and now chapter 17, the battle plan for success.

John 17:1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

He seeks glory on this earth SO THAT His Father may be glorified. Successful prayers are the ones that align with God's will. They don't ask for our will to be done in heaven, but for His will to be done on earth. I can only see a few days or weeks ahead at best, but God is all-sovereign, and He sees everything past, present, and future. When I finally grasp hold of the "the big picture," knowing that I cannot tell God what to do, that I must first seek to glorify Him, even if it means the cross, then I have reached the threshold of mature prayer, and I've passed a major hurdle in my relationship with the Father. Later this same night, Jesus again gives us the example: Matthew 26:39 (He)...fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. That's mature prayer, and it has the power to move mountains.

v.2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

v.3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

It seems that He's so caught up together with the Father in prayer, that for just a moment He sees Himself apart from His earthly body, from the vantage point of heaven. Speaking in the third person is an excellent teaching tool, and the most excellent teacher is revealing the plan of our salvation. He had to become the first fruit of the resurrection, so that many would see Him risen from the grave, and from this the world then might believe there is only one true God. Those who do believe, "As many as thou hast given him," are the elect of God, those that are drawn to Him by the inward compelling power of the Holy Spirit. As Jesus said in chapter 6, verse 44, "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day." He's just about to defeat death, to prove that only He can offer us eternal life.

v.4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

Here are the first two steps to evaluating our lives. Step one to success: Does my life glorify God? When people saw the works that Jesus did, they marveled at God. But, you might say; "That's fine for Jesus. He had supernatural powers, but how could anyone marvel at God when they see my life?" Paul gives us the answer in 1 Corinthians 1:26~29 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in his presence. It seems that God rarely uses people on the Who's-Who list to do the work that glorifies Him, but He delights in using the Who's-That type of person. So you see, we all do have the power that causes other folks to marvel at God. It all starts when you completely give yourself over to Him. When they see your works, they'll look at you, then look again at your works, and then look back at you with a puzzled conviction in their hearts. You may never even realize it's happening, but they'll know there is no way you could have done something like that on your own. There's no way you could have been that kind and considerate to that person. No way you could have responded the way you did in that situation, unless there was some help from above. That's glory to God!

Step two: Have I finished the work God has called me to do? Aren't you glad that Noah finished all the work God called him to do? If Noah had been more like me, he probably wouldn't have finished putting the roof on the ark, and we would all be sunk. King Saul was a good example of not finishing the work that God gives you. He was given the order to utterly destroy that old enemy of Israel, the Amalekites, but Saul didn't finish the job, and years later the sword which actually killed him was thrust by a young Amalekite. Is there something God told you to do that you haven't finished? If I knew I was going to die tomorrow, could I say I have finished the work God has laid out for me? What would this life be like if Jesus hadn't been able to say "It is finished" on the cross? You will never finish the work that people heap on you. Remember the words of Jesus, "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light." When I'm feeling too busy, with too much burden, that's when I start to worry. That's the moment I realize that I'm probably under the burden of men, and I'm not doing the work God wants me to do. Jesus was accused of a lot of things: profaning the Sabbath, blasphemy, having a devil, being a glutton, a winebibber, a friend to publicans and sinners, and my personal favorite, of having said that He could destroy the man-made temple of God, and build it up again in three days, but He was never accused of being busy. Again, He's our example. He paced Himself through life peacefully doing the will of God, even though multitudes of people were seeking after Him (Mk 1:37).

v.5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

If this verse tips over your apple cart, the opening verses of John chapter one should help tidy it up for you.

v.6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.

Step three: Jesus manifested God's name to the disciples. That means God was revealed to them by the very way that Jesus lived. It means they saw God in Jesus like they had never seen before. This is not preaching or declaring God's name, it's about what people see when they see you. Are you shining forth God's character? When Moses came down from the mountain of God, from being in the presence of the Lord, he didn't know his face was shining, but everybody around him did. He was so bright he had to wear a veil over his face. If my face is glowing from being in the presence of the Lord, I can be a successful witness for Jesus. If they can't see the glow, they'll rebel against me and leave as fast as they can. What do people say about me? Do they want to go camp up on that mountain with me? Do I want the people to see Jesus in me? This is so very important. In western culture, children are often given their name based on how it sounds, if it sounds good when said with the last name. In the Hebrew culture, names reveal a person's character, and sometimes a life-changing event will change that person's name. The Hebrew word for heel is 'aqeb (aw-kabe'). When the youngest twin being birthed by Rebekah was seen to be holding onto the heel of his slightly older but much hairier brother, his parents named him Jacob (Ya-ak-obe'), or "heel-holder." Many years later, God gave Jacob the name Israel, which means "one who prevails with God," which he earned after an all-night wrestling contest with an angel. Saul, whose name means "the desired one," was on his way to persecute Christians in Damascus when he had a life-changing confrontation with Jesus. His name became Paul, which means "small or little." It would be very difficult to name any person who has lived a more fruitful life than the Apostle Paul. He laid down the "desired one" title to become "small or little," and count everything in this life to be a waste, except for the excellency of the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Every day I come in contact with people who are learning about the character, and the name of God by how He is manifested in me. What a responsibility! For Him to be manifested by me, I have to become small and little. I have to get rid of all that stuff that I've been hanging on to, and let God move His stuff in. Ladies, the word "men" here in verse six has no gender.

v.7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. v.8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

Step four: "I have given them the words which thou gavest me." In the New Testament, there are two very different Greek words that were translated into English as "word," or "words." In verse 8, the Greek word "rhema" was translated as "the words" (the words which thou gavest). In verse 14 it is "logos" ("thy word" was translated from "sou logos"). Also, in the New Testament there are two very different Greek words translated as "sword." In Ephesians chapter 6, we are told to put on the whole armor of God, and the only offensive weapon we carry is the "sword of the Spirit," the "machaira" of the Spirit. "Machaira" is a small sword, actually a large knife, and it's used to make precision cuts. Ephesians 6:17 states that "the sword of the Spirit is the word of God," and this is the same word, "rhema," used here in verse 8. What Jesus is referring to in this verse is not the broad, heavy double-edged battle sword of Revelations 1:16, the "rhomphaia," the complete word of God. Here in verse 8, He's referring to the right words we can offer to people at the right time, and in the right way, being sensitive to the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. These "rhema" do not wound, they're surgical, and meant for healing. It's not thumping people over the head with Bible doctrine. Again let's use Jesus as our example. In chapter 4, when the Samaritan woman who was drawing water at Jacob's well told Jesus she had no husband, His reply to her was "Thou hast well said, I have no husband: For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly." The sword of the Spirit is administered tenderly and creatively. It's specific to each situation. It doesn't offend. In your ministry to your family, friends, and co-workers, do you ask for the Holy Spirit to give you the "rhema", the exacting word that will tenderly make the needed cut?

v.9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

v.10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.

v.11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

v.12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

Psalm 41:9 was being fulfilled at this very moment in time. "Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me." And in John 6:70, Jesus didn't mention him by name, but He was referring to Judas when He asked the disciples: "Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?" Judas is that familiar friend, that son of perdition, and he is lost because he was never a believer at all. Ironically, the word "perdition" means "waste," but who was it that chastised Mary Magdalene for being wasteful when she used expensive oil to anoint the feet of Jesus?

Step five: "Those that thou gavest me I have kept." This is a tricky one. To "keep" sounds so selfish, and selfishness is not in the heart of God, so what does this mean? From chapter 10, we know that no man can pluck us out of the Father's hand, and in Ezekiel 18, God says, "All souls are mine." He is the Shepherd of the flock, and we are the sheep. It's His part to keep those who know His name. It's our part to keep them in our heart, and in our prayers. Is there a relationship in your past that went sour, someone that you lost? You can't keep that person, except in your heart and in your prayers. Do you know of someone in pain or in trouble? Keep them in your heart and in your prayers. I must not selfishly guard any relationship on this earth, but I can keep them in my heart and in my prayers. Bear each other's burdens unselfishly in prayer, even those you cannot reconcile in the flesh. For an example of how to keep people in your prayers, read the greetings of the Apostle Paul. Even if you harbor bitterness from a relationship that went sour, that person might be your next-door neighbor when you get to heaven. Try to reconcile it now, but if you can't, then keep them in your heart and in your prayers as a ministry of intercession.

v.13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

v.14 I have given them thy word (sou logos); and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

v.15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

v.16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

v.17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

He has given us three truths we can lean on. The word of truth is a book that we can learn. The person we can love on who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, the Son. From 1 John 5:6, the power we can live by, the Spirit is truth.

v.18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

Step 6 to success in this life: "I have sent them out." Not just manifested Thy name and glorified Thee, not just given them Your word and finished the work You have given me, not just kept them in my heart, but I have given them genuine opportunities to serve You. Earlier He said they are not of this world, but here He is sending them out into the world. We're not to be isolated from the world. We're not to love the world. It's important to get away, but don't stay away. Come back down from the mountaintop and minister. We shouldn't be insulated from the world either, as the parable of the Good Samaritan teaches us. Again, Jesus is our example. He was in the world, but not of the world. He became a man, but retained His deity. We're living amongst the world, but we're eternally linked to heaven. We're here, let's get the job done, and let's go home. Do you think Peter, John, Matthew and the boys were as prepared and ready as they would like to be? I doubt it, but He sent them out anyway. You're being sent out to your children, your families, friends, workplace, and into the world. He gave them God's word and sent them out. Are you opening doors for people, or are you saying, "No, you're not ready. No, not yet?" Are you taking risks with people?

v.19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

v.20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

Now He is praying for the rest of the world, and for us.

v.21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

Our unity with the Father, with the Son, and with each other, depends on truth. Our growth and strength as a body depends on the truth administered in love as it is written in Ephesians chapter four. The truth without love is like a fire that gives light, but no warmth. Love without truth is like a warm fire that gives no light. The truth in love is not always easy, but it's necessary. In the Old Testament, some sins could be forgiven, an atonement, a covering could be made, but the blood of bulls and goats had to be shed. In this chapter, Jesus is hours away from offering the final atonement on the cross. It's often called at-one-ment. By receiving the Holy Spirit, we can be at one with the Godhead.

v.22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

v.23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

God knew you from before the beginning of time. He knew you would love Jesus, and if you will only let Him, He will help you become more like Jesus. Until we let God do this work in our lives, we have no realistic hope of ever being fulfilled, completed or made perfect. Is God calling you today? Romans 8:29~30 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. This is how much God loves you. He frees you, gives you righteousness, then bestows honor to you. In 2 Corinthians chapter 5, Paul says "henceforth know we no man after the flesh," because "if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature."

Step seven to success: "I have given them the glory which thou gavest me." We can become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. He gave us glory when He died for our sins. If He sees me this way it's a mystery and an incredible story of love, but if He sees me this way, then I must be willing to see and treat other people the same way, as glorified spiritual beings, not seeing them in their fleshly state. Contrary to the popular saying, love is not blind. Love sees more, and is willing to see less. Love sees the good in everything, and is willing to look past faults. When I dwell on people's shortcomings, it only brings me misery. Give them the glory that God has given you, speak the truth in love, keep those who are a part of your life in your heart, manifest the name of God, and give them the word. Do these things, and people will remember you when you're gone, and you may hear "well done, good and faithful servant."

v.24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

v.25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.

Oh, this verse, verse 24. This PRAYER is one of many reasons I know we will be together in heaven. Another reason is the PROMISE that Jesus gave us in chapter 14. He's going to prepare a mansion for you in His Father's house. From 1 Thessalonians 5:9,10, I know we are going to heaven to be with Him because of the PRICE He paid.

v.26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

This is step eight to succeed in this life: Have I declared God's name to others? This is different from step three back in verse 6. This is not just shining forth His name by the way you live. Here we are to declare His name. Declare exactly who the Father is by looking at His Son. He is the advocate, the bread of life, the carpenter, the door of the sheep, Emmanuel, the first fruit, God with us, I could go on and on. Have I spoken of the character of God? Have I shared His name?

In this prayer Jesus is saying, Father, these 8 basic things I have done. These are the ultimate tasks of our life, of our ministry. They're so different from what we usually think is important in life. They're totally strange to anyone who is living for the things of this world, but Jesus felt these eight tasks were important enough to include in a prayerful report to His Father. These eight tasks were important enough to be included in God's word. Salvation, eternal life, a gift borne in love and free to us, but paid for with the highest price. What can I ever do to repay Jesus for what He has done? In this prayer, John 17, He gives us eight ways.