(JOHN 17)JESUS’ INTERCESSORY

PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH

By Ps Philips Koh

First Baptist ChurcFirst Baptist Churchh7 June 2009

First Baptist ChurcFirst Baptist Churchh7 June 2009

NOTHING REVEALS A PERSON’S HEART MORE

THAN HIS OR HER PRAYER LIFE

JESUS’ INTERCESSORY PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH

THE PRAYER OF JESUS…THE PRAYER OF JESUS…

IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSAMANEReveals Jesus’ willingness to subordinate his own will to the Father’s will

IN JOHN 17Reveals his love for true believers by his faithful intercession for them

A. JESUS AND GOD THE FATHER (VERSES 1-5)

JESUS PRAYED FOR HIS GLORIFICATION

* Key word in this passage – ‘glory’

Art by James J. Tissot Source: www.joyfulheart.com/easter/tissot-passion.htm

THEOLOGICAL ISSUES

• Not when He was about to sacrifice His life on the Cross for sinners

• Not when He was only taking back the glory which was His in the first place

Was Jesus uttering a selfish prayer by asking the Father to glorify Him (verse 5)?

THEOLOGICAL ISSUES (cont)

• His authority to grant eternal life (verse 2)?

• His claim to pre-existence (verses 5 & 24)?

One cannot take a neutral stand regarding the person of Jesus.

- Is Jesus God or is He the greatest liar?

What special claim was Jesus making for Himself by…

APPLICATION POINT 1APPLICATION POINT 1

What does it imply for us to

possess eternal life (verse 3)?

APPLICATION POINT 1 (cont)APPLICATION POINT 1 (cont)

• The emphasis does not fall on the duration of endless existence, but on the experiential knowledge of God the Father and Jesus.

• A qualitative relationship with God rather than a quantitative life in heaven

* See Matthew 7:21-23

B. JESUS AND HIS DISCIPLES (VERSES 6-19)B. JESUS AND HIS DISCIPLES (VERSES 6-19)

JESUS PRAYED FOR THEIR PRESERVATION-Jesus knew that his disciples would face implacable opposition from the world

* Key word in this passage – ‘kept’

FIRST KEY TRUTHFIRST KEY TRUTH

If Jesus prays for our protection and preservation

all the time, then true believers will never lose

their salvation

FIRST KEY TRUTH (cont)FIRST KEY TRUTH (cont)

•Jesus talks about those whom the Father has given to him (verse 6)

•Jesus talks about losing none to perdition, except for Judas Iscariot (verse 12)

* A serious theological issue here - Was Judas an ‘automaton’ in God’s scheme

of redemption?

SECOND KEY TRUTHSECOND KEY TRUTH

Our salvation depends on God’s keeping power, rather than our weak

and feeble faith

•See Luke 22:31-32.

THIRD KEY TRUTHTHIRD KEY TRUTH

Jesus’ heavenly ministry is that of interceding for his earthly followers

•See Hebrews 7:25-26.

David Pawson David Pawson

“Even if there is no one is praying for you on this earth, there is always

someone praying for you in heaven.”

APPLICATION POINT 2APPLICATION POINT 2

Do you and I draw a lot of comfort that Jesus is still praying for

each one of us that our faith might not fail?

C. JESUS AND THE CHURCH (VERSES 20-26)C. JESUS AND THE CHURCH (VERSES 20-26)

JESUS PRAYED FOR THEIR UNITY- Jesus knew that he would have worldwide followers through the missionary efforts of his disciples (verse 20)

• Key word in this passage – ‘one’

KEY SPIRITUAL QUESTIONSKEY SPIRITUAL QUESTIONS

Q1. What was Jesus’ paramount concern for the church?

A1. Prayed for their complete unity (verse 23)

KEY SPIRITUAL QUESTIONSKEY SPIRITUAL QUESTIONS

Q2.How does the church maintain its unity?

A2. By…•Obeying the Word of God (verse 6)

•Imitating the unity of the Trinity (verse 22)

KEY SPIRITUAL QUESTIONSKEY SPIRITUAL QUESTIONS

Q3. How can the members of the Holy Trinity enjoy perfect unity?

A3. Remember that..• There is no envy or jealousy in the

Godhead. • They accord the highest honour to

one another

a) The Father glorifies the Son (John 17:1)b) The Son glorifies the Father (John 17:4)c) The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus (John

16:14)

APPLICATION POINT 3APPLICATION POINT 3

How do we maintain unity

with one another?

1. What is the end goal of church unity?

2. An evangelistic dimension (see verse 23)

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION