(Post #400)
Pastor Daniel Ho, 09/07/2011
Joh 17:1-26 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. (2) For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. (3) Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. (4) I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. (5) And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. (6) I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. (7) Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. (8) For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. (9) I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. (10) All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. (11) I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name--the name you gave me--so that they may be one as we are one. (12) While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. (13) I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. (14) I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. (15) My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. (16) They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. (17) Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. (18) As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. (19) For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. (20) My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, (21) that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. (22) I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: (23) I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (24) Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. (25) Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. (26) I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."
The Person in intercession
1. That Jesus in intercession shows His relationship with the Father (v1-5)
· Father and Son in Mutual Glorification Society.
· Jesus brings glory to the Father by imparting life to men (v 2-4, Jn 1:4)
Joh 1:4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
· The Father brings glory to Jesus by making known the glory Jesus originally had.
Joh 8:54 Jesus replied, "If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me.
When we come to church, our concern is always to glorify God.
2. That Jesus in intercession shows His relationship with His own disciples (v 6-19)
· He taught clearly to them the Father (v 6-8a)
We must thank God for the privileged to have good pulpit ministry. When people are transformed by the message from the pulpit, they will in turn help to transform the people around them. The pulpit is to touch hearts and change lives.
· They knew increasingly His uniqueness (v8 cf Jn 16:29,30)
Joh 16:29-30 Then Jesus' disciples said, "Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. (30) Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God."
Jesus reveals himself gradually to his disciples.
· He prays for their protection. (v11,12, 15)
There are many forces at work to cause us to fall. We do not compromise. Jesus knows we are not fighting against flesh and blood.
· He prays for their sanctification. (v17)
It is important to read the Word of God on a daily basis. Journal daily (Scripture, Observation, Application, Response.)
· He comes to offer fullness of joy (v13)
Happiness depends on circumstances. Joy does not.
3. That Jesus in intercession shows His relationship with believers to come (v20-26)
· His concern for unity in the body (v21-23)
The unity of the Church reflects the unity between the Father and the Son and shows that Jesus is sent by the Father. The best way to show unity in the church is to gather together for prayer. Above anything else, prayer will draw people together. When we are concerned about prayer, we are concerned about unity in the body of Christ.
· That believers will increasingly see Christ’s glory (v24)
· That Jesus’ revelation , presence and love will continue in them (v26)
The power of intercession
· There is increasing unity in the body of Christ worldwide
This not a structural or organizational unity but an organic one. There is no other movement like the church where we can have fellowship wherever we gp in the world.
The privilege of intercession
· The privilege of participation (Eze 22:30)
Eze 22:30 I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.
This month (Jul 2011) has 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays and 5 Sundays. (That means 5 cell meetings and 5 celebrations.)
There are also many 1’s this year. 01/01/11, 11/01/11, 11/01/11 and 11/11/11.
Age this year + last digit of birth year = 111. If we add that, everyone in the auditorium will end up with 111. Everyone in the whole world will get 111 too.
We participate in the history of the world when we gather to pray. Prayer is participation.
· The opportunity to exercise faith (Heb 11:6)
Heb 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
· The expectancy of answers to come (2 Chron 7:14)
2Ch 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
· The joy of celebration ahead.
You and I have a serious mission. We need to stand in the gap for the land. We need to lay hold of the gates of heaven and rattle it.
Prayer is important. Prayer is central. We stand confident no matter what happens.
Questions for discussion
1. Jesus says, “Sanctify them by the truth, your word is truth.” (Jn 17:17). In what ways have you found the truth of god’s word vital, relevant and cutting? How have you been sanctified by the truth of God’s word and what consequence does it have on the people and environment around you?
2. Jesus prays for unity in the body of Christ (Jn 17:21-23). Why is this unity in the body so important and in what ways have you contributed towards it? How is this unity in the body best expressed?
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