AGENTS OF GLORY: Jesus prays for his disciples so they can build his church

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ONE INCREDIBLE PRAYER

Rev. D. Johns Sunday May 23 2010 Pentecost Sunday
Part #1: AGENTS OF GLORY
Jesus Prays For His Disciples So They Can Build His Church
John 17:6-19

Context: Verses 1-5 = Jesus prays for himself
Verses 6-19 = Jesus prays for his disciples
Verses 20-26 = Jesus prays for future believers

Key verse: John 17:18 (see also John 20:21)
“As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.”

• So how was Jesus sent into the world? John 1:14 = to live with us and reveal His glory: John 3:17 = to save, not condemn; Hebrews 1:1-3 = as a way for God to speak (note verse 8 = “for I [Jesus] gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them”

• So how was Jesus received by the world? John 1:5,9,10 = Jesus was light but not understood or recognized by darkness;

Yes, ministry into the world is dangerous! (hate – John 17:14; arrest, flogging, interrogation, persecution, death – Matthew 10:16-33)

This one exceptional prayer builds the courage of the disciples as they enter the world as God’s agents: Let the 5 courage builders found in every other odd numbered verse build your courage too!

Verse 9: I pray for them
Verse11: Protect them by the power of Your Name
Verse 13: that they may have the full measure of my joy
Verse 15: Protect them from The Evil One
Verse 17, 19: sanctify them

GLIMPSES OF GLORY: Jesus prays for us so we can be his church

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Sunday May 30 2010 Trinity Sunday
ONE INCREDIBLE PRAYER Part #2: GLIMPSES OF GLORY
Jesus Prays For Us So We Can Be His Church
John 17:20-26, Isaiah 6:1-8

Introduction:
1. Three parts to this prayer: self, disciples, future believers
2. 20 % emphasis on self, 80% on others
3. This is a divine conversation – and we get to eavesdrop!
4. Max Lucado writes in And the Angels Were Silent “He chose to pray for us!” … “as Jesus stepped into the garden, you were in his prayers. As Jesus looked into heaven, you were in his vision. As Jesus dreamed of his day in glory, he saw you there.”

What did Jesus pray?
• Unity: based on living in Christ (23), experiencing love and fellowship (26), separation from world (14-16), sanctification in truth (17,19), receiving & believing & obeying the Word (6,8,17), desire to share our faith (21,23) … NOTE: This unity is not powered by human energy or human ingenuity; spiritual realities must be in place. It does not come from discussion or diplomacy as much as it comes from love, worship, repentance, and prayer.
• Glory: verse 24 = “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me and to see my glory” (see also John 14:3 & Hebrews 2:9,10, Isaiah 6:1-8)

Conclusion: An assumption/presupposition must not go unnoticed! Jesus prays for future followers. Therefore he never intended his people to be content with what was or is. It behooves us to always think about how the Kingdom of God is going to keep marching forward after we are gone. Jesus saw far beyond the lifespan of his present day disciples!