John 17.20-26
There was a lot of prayer going on in those hours before the arrest of Jesus by Jesus.
The Garden of Gethsemane
John 17 The High Priestly Prayer
Luke 22:31-32 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” This was before they left for the Garden. Jesus was pastoral. He was a shepherd at heart.
A number of years ago my youngest daughter, Tina, bought me a book for my birthday. It had an intriguing title, "Jesus, The Pastor'. The LORD is my shepherd/ The LORD is my pastor.
Each ordination service we hear about the pastor, he must be an example in prayer.
Jesus prayed often.
Satan was working hard that night. He had entered Judas and was asking for Peter. Prayer was necessary. Jesus told to watch and pray. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. (Mark 14.38)
He told them to watch and pray in reference to His Second Coming. Each of you need to be part of a prayer group which meets regularly. Our weekly Bible Studies provide that. With what is coming you need to be in prayer. With what is here now you need to be in prayer.
We are told in Romans 8:34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Jesus is praying for us now! It appears that He entered that ministry of intercession as He prayed this prayer.
Not that He had not interceded before- I love this story:
Mark 6:45-51 Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray. Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified.Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed,
He said that He would build His church. He prays for His church.
He prayed for us 2,000 years ago:
1. That We Would Be One with other Believers.- v.21
Like the Father and He- indescribable oneness.
This includes all here in Bay Shore- we are not competing! We are on the same team!
This is all across our country and around the world! Haiti- banner- God loves this stuff!
This includes mystically all who have died.
Yet she on earth hath union with God the Three in One,
and mystic sweet communion with those whose rest is won.
The Church Triumphant
The Church Militant
v.11 As to their spirit and purpose, they are out of the world, but as to their bodily presence and influence they are still in the world.
Giving out light, sent out into the world v.18
It includes every language, nation, tongue and tribe.
Revelation 14:6-7 Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people. He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come. Worship Him Who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”
2. This Oneness is in part so that the world would believe Jesus is God's Son and was sent by Him -v.22-23
Unity in the church reflects the unity of God.
The essence of God is to be the essence of the church.
Jesus prayed for our unity. We are His representatives in the world.
When your personal opinions bring disunity to the body (I'm not talking about essentials) you need to keep your mouth shut. Knowledge puffs up.
1 Corinthians 8:1-3 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. But whoever loves God is known by God.
If you are putting yourself in a special class of people who know more than others you are really behind others who love fully. Love is the greatest!
To the Jew first- letting them see that He is the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Also to the Greek (non-Jew) Letting them experience the church. We are the Body of Christ.
The church brought these two groups together. Jesus brings people together throughout the world that would never have been united if not for Him.
The unity in diversity is a strong witness to the world. I love the fact there right here in this fellowship we have many nations represented. Many whose first language was not English. We have come from the Caribbean, from Europe, from the East, from South America.
3. Jesus is praying for us to come to heaven. v.24
He wants to get us there. He is longing for us
We are part of his bride.
We often think of when we get to heaven. It has been a longing of mine as far back as I can remember but far greater than any longing we have is our LORD's longing to have us there.
Want= resolved or being determined, delight or taking pleasure in
The LORD Jesus is determined to get us to heaven.
It is something He will get pleasure from.
We seldom think of the LORD delighting in us, but He does.
Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior Who saves.He will take great delight in you; in His love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
Jesus desires for us to be with Him.
Here on earth with other believers in fellowship.
From heaven He came and sought her
To be His holy Bride;
With His own blood He bought her,
And for her life He died.
Christ will soon appear to catch His Bride away
Marriage will be between Christ and His Church.
Mark 12:25 When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.
Matthew 22:30 At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.
The LORD sets an example in prayer for us. We often pray for those who are ill and that is right but not enough. Our prayers ought reflect the heart of God for His church. Jesus' prayer in this chapter gives us some insight on how to pray that way.
The closer we grow to the LORD the more our prayers will be reflective of His desire for His church.
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