WEBVTT 0 00:00:04.920 --> 00:00:07.286 Welcome to the Willow Ridge Sermons podcast. 1 00:00:07.430 --> 00:00:11.094 This is where you can find audio from Sunday morning, messages and more. 2 00:00:11.254 --> 00:00:14.350 Make sure you're subscribed so that you don't miss future episodes. 3 00:00:14.422 --> 00:00:15.914 And thanks for listening. 4 00:00:21.974 --> 00:00:23.114 Well, good morning. 5 00:00:23.894 --> 00:00:29.224 If you have your bibles, and I hope you do, I want to invite you to join me in John, chapter 17. 6 00:00:30.924 --> 00:00:38.984 So Colby sent Joel a video of him bench pressing 315 pounds. 7 00:00:40.484 --> 00:00:55.404 And I want to be honest with you, I was a little offended that Joel shared that, because I sent Joel a video recently of me lifting 315. 8 00:00:58.904 --> 00:00:59.644 Close. 9 00:01:01.664 --> 00:01:09.200 I went to Sheely's recently, and that plate was three pounds and 15oz of barbecue loaded up on that. 10 00:01:09.232 --> 00:01:09.736 Right. 11 00:01:09.880 --> 00:01:10.672 That's impressive. 12 00:01:10.728 --> 00:01:14.224 That just hurt every part of my body to think about that. 13 00:01:14.264 --> 00:01:14.704 Right. 14 00:01:14.824 --> 00:01:16.576 But good for him, right? 15 00:01:16.640 --> 00:01:17.424 There we go. 16 00:01:17.544 --> 00:01:23.064 Well, man, we've taken a little bit of a break from John, and, I'm sorry, from Genesis. 17 00:01:23.104 --> 00:01:28.352 And we've been looking at John in a little different way in this Easter season. 18 00:01:28.488 --> 00:01:32.880 And I always like to not end Easter with, like, now. 19 00:01:32.912 --> 00:01:45.680 We've kind of ended our Easter series, but I love carrying it over into the week after because there's so much that we can learn and that keeps us thinking about all of the events that surrounded that day. 20 00:01:45.712 --> 00:01:48.684 I mean, the week leading up and the days after. 21 00:01:49.064 --> 00:02:05.168 And this year, if you've been with us the last couple weeks, what we've done is we've looked at the Easter story kind of through a little bit of a different narrative than looking just solely at the passage that deals with the crucifixion and the resurrection. 22 00:02:05.216 --> 00:02:17.328 And instead, what we've done is we've gone and we've looked at these conversations that Jesus has with groups or with individuals leading up to the crucifixion. 23 00:02:17.496 --> 00:02:38.704 And what we can do is we learn about the work of the cross and the power of the resurrection right from the very words of Christ and the days, in some instances, the hours leading up to this event that the son of man will go through and experience. 24 00:02:39.644 --> 00:03:02.684 And to me, what is just remarkable about Christ in these moments leading up to this betrayal, the trials, the beatings, the carrying of the cross, the being nailed to the cross is his heart, right? 25 00:03:02.724 --> 00:03:14.504 His heart for those whom he loves, his heart for the disciples, his heart even for Judas, who would betray him. 26 00:03:15.444 --> 00:03:29.974 And so, as I was looking in John very specifically about some of the passages that really revealed this, I wasn't planning on this passage of scripture, but as I was reading through, I came to John, chapter 17. 27 00:03:31.114 --> 00:03:44.014 And I want to be honest with you, with what we're able to do this morning does not scratch the surface of all that we find in John chapter 17. 28 00:03:44.594 --> 00:03:55.164 But I want to give you a little bit of the setting and the impact of what we know about as the high priestly prayer of Christ. 29 00:03:56.224 --> 00:04:03.484 Most biblical historians believe that this prayer is offered in the upper room. 30 00:04:04.224 --> 00:04:05.848 This is where the last supper was. 31 00:04:05.896 --> 00:04:08.832 This is where Jesus washed the disciples feet. 32 00:04:08.928 --> 00:04:13.684 This is where Jesus tells them that I'm the way, the truth and the life. 33 00:04:14.504 --> 00:04:28.013 And most believe that this was the last thing that Jesus did before he left the upper room to go to the garden of Gethsemane. 34 00:04:28.993 --> 00:04:42.213 And what we see in John 17, I mean, the gospel, the whole bible, all right, the Bible is filled with explaining to us the person of who Christ is and the work that he's going to do. 35 00:04:42.854 --> 00:04:54.622 The gospel is even more so as we see his personal interactions, we see his care for his mother, we see his care for his friends, we see his care for those that he doesn't even know. 36 00:04:54.758 --> 00:05:08.354 But very specifically, I would argue that when you read John chapter 17 in this prayer, it reveals to us the most of this innermost being of who Christ is. 37 00:05:09.214 --> 00:05:12.214 It reveals his heart more. 38 00:05:12.254 --> 00:05:23.382 So it reveals his personality through this, his passion, his commitment in all that he is going to face, in all that he is going to do. 39 00:05:23.438 --> 00:05:30.726 So my challenge for you is I hope to be first faithful to what we have in this time this morning. 40 00:05:30.870 --> 00:05:36.486 But also I hope that in the power of the Holy Spirit, it kind of wets your appetite a little bit. 41 00:05:36.590 --> 00:05:48.358 And if you're kind of looking for somewhere to land for a season of time in your quiet time, I'll give you a little outline that you can read through this in some ways here in just a little bit. 42 00:05:48.486 --> 00:05:52.342 But I want you to really focus in on this prayer of Jesus. 43 00:05:52.518 --> 00:05:58.514 There's so much that is there as Jesus winds down. 44 00:05:59.494 --> 00:06:08.494 What we think of traditionally as his earthly ministry, you know, as you think through of what of Jesus earthly ministry. 45 00:06:08.954 --> 00:06:17.894 You think of his miracles, you think of his teachings, you think of the relationships that Jesus has formed. 46 00:06:19.034 --> 00:06:20.534 Think about his miracles. 47 00:06:21.394 --> 00:06:23.298 He's turned water into wine. 48 00:06:23.346 --> 00:06:28.054 He's fed thousands with a few pieces of bread and fish. 49 00:06:29.294 --> 00:06:31.314 He's caused the blind to see. 50 00:06:32.374 --> 00:06:44.434 He's caused those who have been socially outcast because of their medical conditions that they struggle with to experience healing and bring them back into society. 51 00:06:46.054 --> 00:06:49.474 He's made the dead come alive. 52 00:06:51.014 --> 00:06:59.464 He's given big sermons like the sermon on the mount, but he's also narrowed it down and brought in and taught in small groups and taught the parables. 53 00:07:00.524 --> 00:07:01.904 We see the teachings. 54 00:07:02.524 --> 00:07:04.624 We see him form relationships. 55 00:07:05.364 --> 00:07:12.316 We see him form long lasting relationships, like the relationship he has with John, like the relationship that he has with Peter. 56 00:07:12.500 --> 00:07:17.372 We see continued on relationships within his own family, with his mother. 57 00:07:17.428 --> 00:07:22.784 We see him form instant relationships, like we see with the woman at the well. 58 00:07:24.024 --> 00:07:28.844 We see him develop deep friendships, like with Lazarus. 59 00:07:31.144 --> 00:07:34.552 We see the work of the crucifixion of the cross, with the pain and. 60 00:07:34.568 --> 00:07:36.004 The suffering that he endured. 61 00:07:36.904 --> 00:07:38.360 We see the glory and the goodness. 62 00:07:38.392 --> 00:07:40.124 And the power of the resurrection. 63 00:07:40.984 --> 00:07:43.008 And when we think of the earthly. 64 00:07:43.056 --> 00:07:47.684 Ministry of Jesus, at least in my mind, these are the things that I go to. 65 00:07:48.184 --> 00:07:51.264 If you're having a list out, like, what did jesus do when he was on the earth? 66 00:07:51.304 --> 00:07:53.782 This, these events, these things that I. 67 00:07:53.798 --> 00:07:57.394 Just described would be what often filled the pages. 68 00:07:58.174 --> 00:08:00.590 But, but oftentimes we forget that the. 69 00:08:00.622 --> 00:08:03.726 Prayer ministry of Jesus and that the. 70 00:08:03.750 --> 00:08:11.274 Prayer ministry of Jesus, that while it happened here on the earth, and we're going to look at that, but it also is continuing on today. 71 00:08:12.694 --> 00:08:15.294 We see Jesus teaches about prayer. 72 00:08:15.374 --> 00:08:16.726 He teaches us how to pray. 73 00:08:16.790 --> 00:08:19.162 That's where the, that's where the Lord's prayer comes from. 74 00:08:19.258 --> 00:08:21.694 He says, when you pray, pray like this. 75 00:08:22.514 --> 00:08:32.454 But we also see that prayer isn't just something that Jesus taught about, that Jesus, that that prayer was something that Jesus within his own life, it's something that he practiced. 76 00:08:33.114 --> 00:08:38.850 But in Jesus prayer life, oftentimes we don't see like what we're gonna see in John chapter 17. 77 00:08:39.042 --> 00:08:49.154 Instead, what we see are verses like Luke 516, where it says this, but he would withdraw to desolate places and pray. 78 00:08:50.414 --> 00:08:57.870 So Jesus fully God fully man, would withdraw from the groups that he was. 79 00:08:57.902 --> 00:09:04.874 Around for extended periods of time, for rest and for prayer. 80 00:09:08.054 --> 00:09:16.654 But we also know that Jesus still has a present work of intercession that he does today. 81 00:09:17.354 --> 00:09:20.854 Paul talks about this in Romans 834. 82 00:09:21.514 --> 00:09:25.654 He says, who is to condemn Jesus Christ is the one who died. 83 00:09:25.994 --> 00:09:34.454 More than that, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 84 00:09:35.514 --> 00:09:38.074 And so right now, as we gather. 85 00:09:38.154 --> 00:09:42.906 In here today, as we pray, as we sing, as we study his word. 86 00:09:43.090 --> 00:09:45.974 Jesus is interceding for us. 87 00:09:46.514 --> 00:09:49.250 The writer of Hebrews also talks about this. 88 00:09:49.282 --> 00:10:00.730 In Hebrews 725, he says, consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. 89 00:10:00.922 --> 00:10:11.042 So we see this work of Jesus, the prayer life and the ministry of Jesus was present and strong during his earthly ministry, and present and strong still. 90 00:10:11.138 --> 00:10:13.574 Today is what he continues to do. 91 00:10:14.354 --> 00:10:28.134 And what John 17 gives us is it gives us an insight you could argue into the most pressure packed moments of his life. 92 00:10:30.114 --> 00:10:45.244 Knowing what awaits, knowing what he'll go through, knowing what he will experience, knowing who will betray him, knowing who will deny him, knowing who will desert him. 93 00:10:46.424 --> 00:10:49.244 Jesus offers this prayer. 94 00:10:49.824 --> 00:10:57.804 So what I want to do is I want to read the entirety of Jesus prayer, which is all of John chapter 17. 95 00:10:58.384 --> 00:10:59.648 And then we're going to look at. 96 00:10:59.736 --> 00:11:01.284 Three different things from this. 97 00:11:02.564 --> 00:11:11.144 It says, when Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, father, the hour has come. 98 00:11:11.844 --> 00:11:25.424 Glorify your son, that the son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 99 00:11:25.964 --> 00:11:35.184 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 100 00:11:36.444 --> 00:11:42.744 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 101 00:11:43.324 --> 00:11:46.660 And now, father, glorify me in your. 102 00:11:46.692 --> 00:11:49.684 Own presence with the glory that I. 103 00:11:49.724 --> 00:11:53.424 Had with you before the world existed. 104 00:11:55.624 --> 00:11:56.644 Verse six. 105 00:11:57.864 --> 00:12:02.924 I've manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. 106 00:12:03.664 --> 00:12:05.368 Yours, they were. 107 00:12:05.536 --> 00:12:08.816 You gave them to me, and they. 108 00:12:08.840 --> 00:12:10.244 Have kept your word. 109 00:12:10.824 --> 00:12:15.164 Now they know that everything you have given me is from you. 110 00:12:15.784 --> 00:12:17.712 For I have given them the words. 111 00:12:17.768 --> 00:12:22.558 That you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know. 112 00:12:22.606 --> 00:12:24.674 In truth that I came from you. 113 00:12:25.294 --> 00:12:28.474 And they have believed that you sent me. 114 00:12:29.014 --> 00:12:31.074 I am praying for them. 115 00:12:31.694 --> 00:12:33.630 I am not praying for the world. 116 00:12:33.782 --> 00:12:36.926 But for those whom you have given me. 117 00:12:37.030 --> 00:12:38.394 For they are yours. 118 00:12:39.014 --> 00:12:44.074 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 119 00:12:44.694 --> 00:12:59.934 I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you, holy father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one even as we are one. 120 00:13:00.474 --> 00:13:05.066 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. 121 00:13:05.250 --> 00:13:16.454 I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction that the scripture might be fulfilled. 122 00:13:17.194 --> 00:13:19.494 But now I am coming to you. 123 00:13:19.794 --> 00:13:27.334 And these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 124 00:13:28.194 --> 00:13:37.014 I've given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 125 00:13:37.714 --> 00:13:43.604 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 126 00:13:44.424 --> 00:13:47.684 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 127 00:13:48.224 --> 00:13:50.536 Sanctify them in the truth. 128 00:13:50.720 --> 00:13:52.244 Your word is truth. 129 00:13:52.664 --> 00:13:56.896 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 130 00:13:57.080 --> 00:14:03.336 And for their sake I consecrate myself that they also may be sanctified in truth. 131 00:14:03.440 --> 00:14:04.324 Verse 20. 132 00:14:06.604 --> 00:14:22.624 I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word that they may all be one, just as you, father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us. 133 00:14:23.284 --> 00:14:26.944 So that the world may believe that you have sent me. 134 00:14:27.284 --> 00:14:34.264 The glory that you have given me, I have given to them that they may be one even as we are one. 135 00:14:34.784 --> 00:14:38.096 I in them, in you, in me. 136 00:14:38.280 --> 00:14:41.004 That they may become perfectly one. 137 00:14:41.424 --> 00:14:48.924 So that the world may know that you sent me and love them even as you loved me. 138 00:14:49.224 --> 00:15:03.144 Father, 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. 139 00:15:03.684 --> 00:15:08.944 O righteous father, even though the world does not know you, I know you. 140 00:15:09.404 --> 00:15:12.344 And these know that you have sent me. 141 00:15:12.764 --> 00:15:15.420 I have made known to them your name. 142 00:15:15.612 --> 00:15:27.132 And I will continue to make it known that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them in this one prayer. 143 00:15:27.268 --> 00:15:29.028 Here's the outline that I would encourage. 144 00:15:29.076 --> 00:15:31.044 If you want to use this this week. 145 00:15:31.084 --> 00:15:32.220 And this can be the outline that. 146 00:15:32.252 --> 00:15:34.396 We work through this morning. 147 00:15:34.540 --> 00:15:38.628 In this one prayer, there are three different prayers that Jesus prays. 148 00:15:38.756 --> 00:15:44.184 The first that Jesus prays in verses one through five, Jesus prays for himself. 149 00:15:44.724 --> 00:15:51.964 Very interesting dialogue that Jesus the son has with God the father in this moment that's there. 150 00:15:52.084 --> 00:15:55.868 Then, secondly, we see that Jesus prays for his disciples. 151 00:15:55.956 --> 00:15:59.300 Those are the ones that are currently with him. 152 00:15:59.372 --> 00:16:02.698 All right, in verses six through 19. 153 00:16:02.866 --> 00:16:07.426 And then Jesus prays for all believers in all time. 154 00:16:07.530 --> 00:16:10.994 In verses 20 through 26, you and. 155 00:16:11.034 --> 00:16:12.090 I make the list. 156 00:16:12.162 --> 00:16:12.538 Amen. 157 00:16:12.586 --> 00:16:14.842 All right, so in these prayers, here's what I want to do. 158 00:16:14.898 --> 00:16:19.802 I want us to look at as we journey through, and we're going to understand two questions. 159 00:16:19.858 --> 00:16:23.934 What does this prayer teach me about Jesus? 160 00:16:24.474 --> 00:16:26.490 What does this teach me about Jesus? 161 00:16:26.602 --> 00:16:39.716 When my grandmother passed away three years ago, one of the things that I was entrusted with was her notes that she had stuck in her Bible throughout the time that she had had that particular bible. 162 00:16:39.820 --> 00:16:45.996 And so I found sermon outlines that she had taken, notes that were there, Bible studies that she had been a part of. 163 00:16:46.060 --> 00:16:51.340 But one of the great things that I found in my grandmother's Bible was. 164 00:16:51.372 --> 00:16:55.428 There was a handful of prayers that she had written out. 165 00:16:55.476 --> 00:16:58.152 These were her prayers that she had prayed. 166 00:16:58.268 --> 00:17:09.160 And I don't know if this was a one time prayer that she had prayed, and she jotted it down as she prayed, or I don't know if these prayers were consistent prayers that she liked to pray. 167 00:17:09.232 --> 00:17:16.824 So she'd go to her Bible, grab one of these prayers for her family, and then she would read that prayer, say that prayer to the Lord. 168 00:17:16.944 --> 00:17:24.262 I'm not sure what she did with them, but I do know this, that when I read my grandmother's prayers, it was a woman who. 169 00:17:24.288 --> 00:17:25.882 Who I knew deeply. 170 00:17:25.978 --> 00:17:35.494 But when I read her prayers, I knew her at a deeper level because it revealed her heart as she became. 171 00:17:36.554 --> 00:17:39.574 Before her lord, who knew all. 172 00:17:40.314 --> 00:17:42.466 And I love this, that in this. 173 00:17:42.530 --> 00:17:44.594 Prayer, what we see and what we. 174 00:17:44.634 --> 00:17:47.690 Understand even more is the heart of Jesus. 175 00:17:47.802 --> 00:17:49.354 But then also this is. 176 00:17:49.394 --> 00:17:55.820 How does this prayer, hearing these words, impact how I live every single day. 177 00:17:55.852 --> 00:17:57.404 As a believer and follower of Jesus. 178 00:17:57.444 --> 00:18:01.024 Christ in the light of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. 179 00:18:01.324 --> 00:18:01.660 Right? 180 00:18:01.692 --> 00:18:03.344 What we've been talking about with Easter. 181 00:18:04.244 --> 00:18:07.664 How do we make the crucifixion? 182 00:18:08.524 --> 00:18:11.788 How do we make the resurrection not. 183 00:18:11.836 --> 00:18:30.134 A moment in history, not a historical truth, but an event that penetrates and permeates every part of our life as we go to live for his name and for his glory. 184 00:18:31.194 --> 00:18:32.210 So think about this. 185 00:18:32.242 --> 00:18:35.330 Think about where Jesus is in his earthly life. 186 00:18:35.362 --> 00:18:35.914 All right? 187 00:18:36.034 --> 00:18:37.346 The preaching is done. 188 00:18:37.490 --> 00:18:41.218 No more sermons, no more journeys to small towns. 189 00:18:41.386 --> 00:18:43.180 All is winding down. 190 00:18:43.362 --> 00:18:45.084 And what awaits him as death? 191 00:18:45.664 --> 00:18:47.124 What awaits him in his death? 192 00:18:48.944 --> 00:18:50.896 We're not going to read all of. 193 00:18:50.920 --> 00:18:52.644 Chapter 17 again, okay? 194 00:18:53.424 --> 00:19:00.804 But I do want to read Jesus words about himself, as this is what he focuses on. 195 00:19:01.224 --> 00:19:01.964 Right? 196 00:19:02.304 --> 00:19:03.564 He knows it all. 197 00:19:04.744 --> 00:19:07.964 Peter will deny, Judas will betray. 198 00:19:09.044 --> 00:19:11.624 He knows the pain of the death that is there. 199 00:19:12.204 --> 00:19:14.544 He knows the loneliness that he'll feel. 200 00:19:16.004 --> 00:19:17.464 But here are his words. 201 00:19:19.004 --> 00:19:23.624 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven. 202 00:19:24.684 --> 00:19:26.224 Picture that taking place. 203 00:19:28.844 --> 00:19:32.344 Father, the hour has come. 204 00:19:33.844 --> 00:19:51.994 Glorify your son, that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him all authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom have given him. 205 00:19:52.074 --> 00:19:55.854 You have given him and this eternal life. 206 00:19:56.834 --> 00:20:03.774 They know you, the only true God in Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 207 00:20:04.654 --> 00:20:11.794 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 208 00:20:12.334 --> 00:20:38.054 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed for the fools of this world who would say, not even Jesus himself claimed to be God. 209 00:20:38.914 --> 00:20:47.934 How can you look at these verses and not draw from this who he is? 210 00:20:49.634 --> 00:20:50.634 I love in this. 211 00:20:50.674 --> 00:21:07.314 What we see is that Jesus focus is on the glory of the Father, in the glorification of the Son, in all that will happen, in all that will take place. 212 00:21:08.134 --> 00:21:16.822 Jesus knows that this has been the journey from the garden of Eden and has been building to these moments. 213 00:21:16.998 --> 00:21:25.790 And what happens as he is lifting his eyes to the Father is the fulfillment of the prophecy. 214 00:21:25.902 --> 00:21:27.846 The Messiah has come. 215 00:21:27.990 --> 00:21:30.070 The messiah has made a way. 216 00:21:30.182 --> 00:21:32.646 The messiah has paid the price. 217 00:21:32.790 --> 00:21:40.754 The Messiah will live again and as his blood will be spilled. 218 00:21:41.214 --> 00:21:48.754 What he sees in this moment is the glory of God in his glorification. 219 00:21:49.254 --> 00:22:03.914 Because every tribe, every tongue, every people, every man, every woman and every child will have hope and salvation because of Christ and Christ alone. 220 00:22:04.534 --> 00:22:11.554 It will be through this act and this act alone that salvation is possible. 221 00:22:12.214 --> 00:22:18.182 Jesus says, through this single work, through his life, I glorified you on earth. 222 00:22:18.278 --> 00:22:23.324 Having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 223 00:22:23.904 --> 00:22:34.724 You cannot look at the life of Jesus and simply chalk it up as a moralistic example of how to live your life. 224 00:22:35.384 --> 00:22:59.490 When you look at the life of Christ, it will point you fully to his work and the necessity of the gospel for each and every woman and each and every man and each and every child, every single one of us, and that we identify in his crucifixion. 225 00:22:59.642 --> 00:23:00.906 Galatians 220. 226 00:23:01.010 --> 00:23:04.674 The apostle Paul writes, I've been crucified with Christ. 227 00:23:04.794 --> 00:23:11.618 It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me, in the life I now live in the flesh. 228 00:23:11.746 --> 00:23:23.344 I live by faith in the son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me the glorification of the Son. 229 00:23:24.404 --> 00:23:28.748 Jesus prays for himself, but Jesus also the next. 230 00:23:28.796 --> 00:23:31.624 And the majority of this. 231 00:23:32.244 --> 00:23:34.424 Jesus prays for his disciples. 232 00:23:35.044 --> 00:23:36.844 Jesus prays for his disciples. 233 00:23:37.004 --> 00:24:02.454 The prayer that Jesus offers specifically for this group of individuals whom he called, who have followed him and during his ministry, have been those that are the closest with him, and in this moment in history are still with him in this room, not a large room, hearing these very words. 234 00:24:02.794 --> 00:24:08.946 And here's what Jesus says, among others, that we want to focus on, that we want to look at, that he's done for them. 235 00:24:09.010 --> 00:24:12.926 He said, God, I've manifested my name to them. 236 00:24:12.950 --> 00:24:14.670 I manifested your name to them. 237 00:24:14.742 --> 00:24:18.126 He said, I've shown them who God is. 238 00:24:18.310 --> 00:24:20.194 And they followed. 239 00:24:21.214 --> 00:24:24.434 They've seen God, they've seen Christ. 240 00:24:24.774 --> 00:24:29.174 He says, I've given them the words that you gave me. 241 00:24:29.254 --> 00:24:34.694 And it's not just that I've given them that, I've told them this isn't an in one ear and out the other. 242 00:24:34.774 --> 00:24:38.110 It's they've received, they believe these. 243 00:24:38.182 --> 00:24:40.590 Jesus says, I've given them the truth of your word. 244 00:24:40.662 --> 00:24:47.766 I've given them the gospel and they know this, they've received it and they believe your truth. 245 00:24:47.950 --> 00:24:56.354 And then here though is the tension that the disciples are facing, that Jesus is going to be leaving them. 246 00:24:56.694 --> 00:25:15.584 Remember, they're trying to walk through earthly situation with an earthly perspective while they've believed, not fully understanding, or even have the developed faith that they will need in order to live in the power of the truth of the gospel. 247 00:25:15.664 --> 00:25:22.404 And so what Jesus offers them, he says, lord, keep them, keep them. 248 00:25:23.624 --> 00:25:25.284 Hold on to them. 249 00:25:26.264 --> 00:25:30.754 You've given them to me, they are yours. 250 00:25:31.454 --> 00:26:10.614 And then he says this in your keeping them, here's what happens in this and all that they're going to face and all of the trials and all of the circumstances and in those moments, most of whom will be executed for their work in ministry, jesus says, though, they'll experience joy because you've kept them, because they're found in your hand, because they're wrapped up in your arms, because their salvation is set, that's where their joy will be. 251 00:26:10.694 --> 00:26:16.634 You see, for them, following Jesus will not be just about the good times. 252 00:26:18.174 --> 00:26:31.014 Following Jesus for them is not going to be them getting together once a year to recap all the cool stuff that happened when we walked around with Jesus, following Jesus will not be. 253 00:26:31.094 --> 00:26:34.590 Well, guys, do you just remember when Jesus did that thing? 254 00:26:34.662 --> 00:26:35.518 Oh, that's great. 255 00:26:35.566 --> 00:26:37.754 And now let's just go back to our life. 256 00:26:38.814 --> 00:26:54.650 He says, no, following Jesus means that what awaits them is a life of struggle, is a life of being rejected, is a life of beatings. 257 00:26:54.842 --> 00:26:58.414 But Jesus says, your joy is possible. 258 00:26:59.074 --> 00:27:03.494 And not only is your joy possible, your joy is certain. 259 00:27:04.194 --> 00:27:08.454 Because they're in your hand. 260 00:27:08.874 --> 00:27:12.654 You have kept them. 261 00:27:13.634 --> 00:27:17.242 The apostle Paul writes in romans 838. 262 00:27:17.258 --> 00:27:37.144 And 39, for I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all of creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 263 00:27:38.444 --> 00:27:41.504 This is what they have and this is what they hold on to. 264 00:27:42.004 --> 00:27:45.734 All that they will face, in all that they will do. 265 00:27:45.854 --> 00:27:52.678 God will be working in them and sanctifying them in the truth while the world will be tearing them down. 266 00:27:52.806 --> 00:27:59.654 God is using them to, God is using it to build them up and that God is keeping them from the evil one. 267 00:27:59.774 --> 00:28:01.514 Satan's not winning. 268 00:28:02.454 --> 00:28:03.554 God is. 269 00:28:04.334 --> 00:28:05.474 God is. 270 00:28:07.174 --> 00:28:13.024 And this, this is how weak cowards. 271 00:28:14.004 --> 00:28:20.756 Can in one moment hide in rooms and deny the name of Christ and. 272 00:28:20.780 --> 00:28:23.860 Will one day stand before councils and. 273 00:28:23.932 --> 00:28:26.824 Governments and proclaim the name of Jesus. 274 00:28:27.844 --> 00:28:33.796 Not because they're tough, not because they've got all the words to say, but. 275 00:28:33.820 --> 00:28:36.224 Because they're kept and held in the hand of God. 276 00:28:36.874 --> 00:28:46.854 And it's him who's working in them because they've believed as they've received the word of God. 277 00:28:47.394 --> 00:28:51.534 Charles Spurgeon said, I read this quote this week and just love this quote. 278 00:28:52.354 --> 00:28:56.974 The more truth you believe, the more sanctified you will be. 279 00:28:57.554 --> 00:29:03.794 The operation of truth upon the mind is to separate a man from the world into the service of God. 280 00:29:04.974 --> 00:29:09.634 The more truth you believe, the more sanctified you'll be. 281 00:29:10.174 --> 00:29:18.114 The operation of truth upon the mind is to separate the man from the world into the service of God. 282 00:29:19.734 --> 00:29:22.354 And this service of God is to be sent into the world. 283 00:29:23.094 --> 00:29:24.874 To be sent into the world. 284 00:29:25.374 --> 00:29:27.632 And so Jesus prays for the fulfillment of. 285 00:29:27.718 --> 00:29:28.904 Of the great commission. 286 00:29:30.004 --> 00:29:34.380 As Jesus prays for all believers, Jesus prays for all believers. 287 00:29:34.492 --> 00:29:35.904 Jesus prays for us. 288 00:29:36.364 --> 00:29:46.824 I do not ask for these only, John 1720 says, but also for those who will believe in me through their word. 289 00:29:47.724 --> 00:29:49.372 I heard a pastor say one time. 290 00:29:49.428 --> 00:29:51.864 Long ago, before I was a believer. 291 00:29:53.424 --> 00:29:58.844 But in Jesus journey to the cross, he had you on his mind. 292 00:30:01.104 --> 00:30:02.484 I thought, no way. 293 00:30:04.344 --> 00:30:05.324 No way. 294 00:30:06.104 --> 00:30:07.084 Not me. 295 00:30:08.504 --> 00:30:09.484 Not me. 296 00:30:11.584 --> 00:30:13.504 If he is who you said he. 297 00:30:13.544 --> 00:30:19.724 Is, there's no way a person like me would be on his mind. 298 00:30:21.574 --> 00:30:30.874 John 1720 I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word. 299 00:30:31.494 --> 00:30:38.314 As Jesus journeyed to the cross, he prayed for all of us whose sins cost him his life. 300 00:30:39.174 --> 00:30:39.954 Wow. 301 00:30:42.294 --> 00:30:43.594 It's our fault. 302 00:30:44.974 --> 00:30:46.234 It's our fault. 303 00:30:47.034 --> 00:30:48.214 We're the reason. 304 00:30:49.234 --> 00:30:56.854 And in that, it's not the shaking the fist like it would be if it were me instead. 305 00:30:58.154 --> 00:31:14.634 I do not ask these things only, but for those who will believe in me through their word, Jesus prays for the unity of the people, in the unity of the mission. 306 00:31:15.254 --> 00:31:16.990 You and I, we have a hard. 307 00:31:17.022 --> 00:31:19.034 Time seeing past five minutes from now. 308 00:31:19.934 --> 00:31:20.834 We do. 309 00:31:21.814 --> 00:31:23.142 We have a hard time knowing what. 310 00:31:23.158 --> 00:31:24.434 Tomorrow is going to hold. 311 00:31:25.414 --> 00:31:28.234 We can have an idea, we can have a thought, we can have a preference. 312 00:31:29.254 --> 00:31:31.514 But Jesus knows, and Jesus has set. 313 00:31:32.454 --> 00:31:41.644 And as Jesus is doing, and as Jesus prays and as Jesus is acting out on every moment leading up to the cross and leading after the resurrection. 314 00:31:42.504 --> 00:31:46.524 There's a moment, there's a destination. 315 00:31:47.784 --> 00:31:52.152 There's a peace in the future which we can hear about. 316 00:31:52.248 --> 00:31:53.764 But Jesus knows. 317 00:31:55.744 --> 00:32:01.208 And John, who writes this, will record this in revelation 7910. 318 00:32:01.336 --> 00:32:22.370 After this, I looked and behold a great multitude, a multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the lamb, clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands, carrying out a loud voice. 319 00:32:22.482 --> 00:32:29.454 Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the lamb. 320 00:32:30.374 --> 00:32:35.878 What Jesus could see and what Jesus could know, and what Jesus could call us to. 321 00:32:35.966 --> 00:32:43.710 And so the gospel will go from this moment, from cowards who hide in rooms and will penetrate across the globe. 322 00:32:43.782 --> 00:32:59.456 And the gospel will be given to men and women today all over this world, to take it to the dark places where people don't know, in homes, in neighborhoods, in offices, to other states, to other nations, to other tribes, to other people. 323 00:32:59.600 --> 00:33:18.280 What we will see in the work of the gospel coming from this moment, after the resurrection, continuing on in acts, what's written about in the epistles, what's fulfilled in revelation seven, and what is still happening today, is that the gospel will go out from this moment, cross ethnic lines from Jews to gentiles. 324 00:33:18.472 --> 00:33:22.996 The gospel will cross cultural lines from village to village. 325 00:33:23.160 --> 00:33:25.652 The gospel will cross language lines. 326 00:33:25.748 --> 00:33:33.980 What we see in acts from these who were cowards but are now powered men of God, living in the power of the Holy Spirit. 327 00:33:34.052 --> 00:33:38.980 To see men and women come to know Christ is that the gospel will go from Jerusalem. 328 00:33:39.052 --> 00:33:53.364 It will go to Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India, because in the power and the unity of God, the gospel will cross socioeconomic lines from masters to slaves. 329 00:33:55.464 --> 00:34:02.804 And while we all remained different as defined by the world, we'll be unified in the message and the work of the gospel. 330 00:34:04.024 --> 00:34:09.484 And Jesus prays for his people to be marked by his glory. 331 00:34:10.384 --> 00:34:12.764 This is the glory you have given me. 332 00:34:13.184 --> 00:34:14.644 I have given to them. 333 00:34:15.054 --> 00:34:24.954 Jesus prays that we would be marked by the evidence of him in our life, and that they, upon seeing that, would believe in God. 334 00:34:26.534 --> 00:34:27.914 Matthew 516. 335 00:34:29.294 --> 00:34:42.943 In the same way, let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your father who is in heaven. 336 00:34:43.283 --> 00:34:49.023 The purpose of every moment of your life, every moment of your life. 337 00:34:50.043 --> 00:34:51.943 And lastly, we close with this. 338 00:34:52.723 --> 00:35:03.303 Jesus prays for his people to show his love, the love with which you have loved me, Jesus says, may be in them and I in them. 339 00:35:04.363 --> 00:35:05.103 Right. 340 00:35:06.864 --> 00:35:10.024 The great commandment given in mark 1230. 341 00:35:10.104 --> 00:35:13.040 31, and you shall love the Lord. 342 00:35:13.072 --> 00:35:16.964 Your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, with all your strength. 343 00:35:17.384 --> 00:35:22.272 Basically, this is in all that you do, in all that you are, let an embodiment the love of God. 344 00:35:22.448 --> 00:35:23.964 And the second is this. 345 00:35:24.824 --> 00:35:27.164 And you shall love your neighbor as yourself. 346 00:35:27.944 --> 00:35:30.604 There is no other commandment greater than these. 347 00:35:31.564 --> 00:35:41.944 Aaron and I are teaching a parenting class on at our 09:00 hour in our discipleship time. 348 00:35:42.844 --> 00:35:48.424 And we're talking about building and establishing a kingdom culture in your home. 349 00:35:49.284 --> 00:35:51.436 And today was how to set a. 350 00:35:51.460 --> 00:35:54.744 Kingdom mindset for your kids. 351 00:35:56.244 --> 00:35:59.004 And we started off, Doctor Tony Evans does a video. 352 00:35:59.044 --> 00:36:00.740 So we watch his video, then we have some discussion. 353 00:36:00.772 --> 00:36:01.210 And we. 354 00:36:01.292 --> 00:36:03.994 We started off by saying this, that. 355 00:36:04.574 --> 00:36:08.134 The culture that you set for an. 356 00:36:08.174 --> 00:36:15.394 Expectation needs to match the culture that you set in your home. 357 00:36:16.614 --> 00:36:36.174 Meaning this, the gospel expectation that I set for Emma and that I set for Grayson needs to match the gospel expectation that Aaron and I set for ourselves as well. 358 00:36:37.074 --> 00:36:40.170 What we expect of them from our. 359 00:36:40.202 --> 00:36:46.094 Home needs to match what we expect of all of us in our home. 360 00:36:47.274 --> 00:36:55.234 Jesus is giving a commandment in mark twelve, and he says, this is what you were to do. 361 00:36:56.214 --> 00:37:07.234 But if what Jesus is saying in his life is, this is what I've done, this is who I am. 362 00:37:08.214 --> 00:37:22.074 And if you're in me and my spirit lives in you, then this is who you go to be to live for my name in my glory. 363 00:37:23.214 --> 00:37:24.554 Would you pray with me? 364 00:37:27.334 --> 00:37:29.182 God, I thank you for this powerful. 365 00:37:29.238 --> 00:37:33.038 Prayer of Christ, Lord, to know all. 366 00:37:33.086 --> 00:37:35.714 That awaits and all that he will face. 367 00:37:39.414 --> 00:37:45.474 Lord, and in honesty, he comes praying for himself. 368 00:37:48.744 --> 00:37:50.008 Praying that the glory of. 369 00:37:50.056 --> 00:37:57.124 God will be shown, the work of God will be fulfilled, and people will know. 370 00:37:58.264 --> 00:37:58.576 God. 371 00:37:58.600 --> 00:38:00.364 He prays for the disciples. 372 00:38:04.424 --> 00:38:05.884 God in their flesh. 373 00:38:07.864 --> 00:38:15.264 Lord, I don't say this is a criticism, because I would probably find myself writing the same situation, but God, cowards. 374 00:38:17.084 --> 00:38:17.944 Cowards. 375 00:38:21.204 --> 00:38:31.184 1 minute they're arguing who's the greatest among them, the next is saying, well, I would never do that, Jesus. 376 00:38:33.524 --> 00:38:36.904 And then in the next, they run. 377 00:38:37.404 --> 00:38:40.424 They deny, they hide. 378 00:38:42.484 --> 00:38:47.384 But God, you chose them. 379 00:38:48.244 --> 00:38:56.624 You called them, they answered, you equipped them, they walked in faith. 380 00:38:58.204 --> 00:39:00.104 And, Lord, you grew their faith. 381 00:39:02.884 --> 00:39:05.064 You empowered them with your spirit. 382 00:39:07.294 --> 00:39:07.630 And. 383 00:39:07.662 --> 00:39:15.554 Your work continued and your work continues. 384 00:39:19.574 --> 00:39:38.074 Lord, may these faithful men and women of past be faithful examples to us of what it means to live in the grace and love truth of your word. 385 00:39:39.614 --> 00:39:41.154 God, you pray for us. 386 00:39:42.374 --> 00:39:45.394 Every single one of us. 387 00:39:46.934 --> 00:39:48.554 God, I thank you. 388 00:39:49.774 --> 00:39:51.674 I thank you that you prayed for me. 389 00:39:53.094 --> 00:40:12.614 I thank you that you prayed for my wife, for my son, and my daughter, I thank you that you prayed for Elizabeth and Christy, Keslyn and Colby, I thank you that you prayed for everyone who would come to know you. 390 00:40:13.994 --> 00:40:24.210 And that God, we are held and we are kept in your hand, and we have life with purpose and mission to celebrate the fact that the tomb is empty. 391 00:40:24.322 --> 00:40:25.140 To live. 392 00:40:25.242 --> 00:40:28.072 And the reality, Lord, that your spirit lives in us. 393 00:40:28.088 --> 00:40:42.204 That God, that right now you are not just present in this space, but, God, you are present in the lives of every single one of us who know you, who have called upon the name of Christ, who is faithful to save us. 394 00:40:46.584 --> 00:40:53.504 And God, in that calling and in that power, may we live for your name and for your glory. 395 00:40:55.404 --> 00:40:57.824 To sing praises to your name. 396 00:40:58.244 --> 00:41:01.004 To testify to those who do not know. 397 00:41:01.164 --> 00:41:05.624 To serve those who are broken and hurting. 398 00:41:06.244 --> 00:41:12.864 To love our neighbor as ourself or to love as you have loved. 399 00:41:14.964 --> 00:41:25.524 And God, as we prepare to take the Lord's supper, Lord, may we be reminded of what it represents. 400 00:41:26.704 --> 00:41:29.044 It's not just a cracker and some juice. 401 00:41:29.984 --> 00:41:31.604 It represents more. 402 00:41:33.064 --> 00:41:41.888 It represents the body of Christ given on our behalf to take the death and the punishment that we deserved. 403 00:41:42.016 --> 00:41:44.628 It represents the blood that was spilled. 404 00:41:44.736 --> 00:41:52.900 But from that blood there comes life, there comes forgiveness, there comes newness, there comes hope, there comes joy. 405 00:41:53.052 --> 00:41:59.464 And God, we stand here as those unworthy, but made worthy by the blood of the lamb. 406 00:42:02.284 --> 00:42:14.042 May this not be a religious act that we just do, but may this be a declaration of our lives as sons and daughters of the living. 407 00:42:14.098 --> 00:42:18.214 God, in response to your sacrifice. 408 00:42:20.954 --> 00:42:21.242 And. 409 00:42:21.258 --> 00:42:28.094 God, I pray, if there is anyone here who does not know you, Lord, that today would be the day of their salvation. 410 00:42:29.554 --> 00:42:35.922 As they confess Jesus Christ as their Lord and savior, it's in your name we pray. 411 00:42:36.058 --> 00:42:36.814 Amen. 412 00:42:41.614 --> 00:42:46.134 Thanks again for listening, and be sure to check back next week for another episode. 413 00:42:46.254 --> 00:42:53.814 In the meantime, you can visit us@willowridgechurch.org or by searching for Willowridge Church on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.