Connection Fellowship
Sunday, April 19, 2009
It Really Happen…Now What?
John 20:19-21
When I finished the worship guides this week, my father (who was visiting from Ohio) sat in my office and began to fold them. My mother has done their church bulletin for as long as I can remember, so my father has proofed well over 1,000 of them. And as he folded ours, he began to proof read my work. He found two errors. (Now I’ve fixed it, so don’t go looking for them.) But one of them was a simple typo. The other was in the schedule for Sunday. I forgot to remove the word, “EASTER” from the morning service.
I did what any good son would do…and that is to rationalize it. Then I did what any good pastor would do…and that is to spiritualize it. I said, “It fits with my sermon. By the way, do you only celebrate the resurrection one day a year? Our church is more spiritual than yours. We at least give it two weeks.”
I really made the error. But there is a point to it. Do we only celebrate Easter one day a year…and then just go on with our lives? Or does it really make a difference in our everyday life? This morning we come to the Gospel of John 20:19-21. Jesus had already appeared to a few, but now makes a public appearance to a whole group of His followers. He answers the question:
“It really did happen…but now what?”
TEXT: [John 19:19-21]
19 So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”
Why were they afraid? First of all, their leader had been killed because of the message He spread and they were identified as His followers. Second, now that He was not in the tomb, they were being blamed for stealing the body. And third, as if that were not enough, some of them had seen Jesus alive…the One most of them had abandoned or denied. Let’s give them a bit of a break about having a lack of courage.
Let’s look at the rest of the text. What does Jesus teach them?
UNDERSTANDING
First, in verse 19, Jesus declares PEACE to be with them. What does that mean? Jesus wants His disciples to know that because of His death and resurrection, the peace of Holy God is now with them individually. A lack of peace resulting from their sin and separation from God has now been dealt with on the cross.
Because of His holy sacrifice, Jesus had a legitimate right to declare judgment on all of them (and all of us). But He instead declares that the way of perfect peace – a right relationship with the Father – was accomplished for them. Peace is a certainty.
Second, in verse 20, Jesus displays His PERSON to be with them. Jesus had died…they watched Him. Jesus had been buried…they saw that too. Even if it was Him, certainly things would never be the same. No one had ever done this before. But Jesus took the time to reassure the ones that He loved that the same Savior they had followed for 3 years was still their friend.
Third, in verse 21, Jesus reassures them of His declaration of PEACE, but in a different tone. It is as if He says to them, “I don’t want you to hear me say it, I want you to experience it.” Just as they were again experiencing His person, His peace could be known in the same way…and with the same personally touch. But notice that in the same statement, Jesus says, “as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”
Finally, we see that Jesus teaches His followers that with His Peace and His Person comes His PURPOSE. The purpose of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not end with a cross, a tomb, and a coming back to life party with a few guys who had hung out with Him. No…it was to be the launching point for the entire world to hear about and experience of that same peace.
Would Jesus have died for just His disciples? I believe that the character of God displayed throughout history – especially in the case of Noah – says the answer to that question is “YES”. However, John 3:16-17 tells us that God loved the entire world and that His Son did not die to save a few and declare judgment on the rest.
No! Thanks be to God, the good news says He did it for all of us.
I don’t think that there is a more clear word picture that explains the content of this text better than 2 Corinthians 5. In verse 14:
14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. 16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
It is saying that we now live in the PEACE of that right relationship with God. And it changes us. In fact, the PERSON of Christ now lives through us. And His PURPSE of making known His available peace and reconciliation is our purpose…as His ambassadors.
I’m not sure if the disciples really knew what this would hold in store for them. As for us, we may not know all that being sent in the same way as Jesus was sent will hold in store for us. However, there are two key things about every ambassador:
(1) They represent the person and purpose of the one sending them.
(2) They cannot represent that person by staying at home.
CONCLUSION
A few minutes ago, I mentioned NOAH. In just a few moments, as we take time to respond to this message, we will commission our NOAH team that will leave Sunday for New Orleans, exhibiting their response to ‘so send I you.”
But each of us…right where we are on our journey…need to answer the question: Jesus has risen, now what? So here are some possible responses based on where you are personally:
(1) Know His peace…believe and be reconciled to God
(2) Know His person…experience letting Christ live in and through you.
(3) Experience His peace…by not allowing fear to hold you back.
(4) Answer the call to be sent…across the street or around the world.
Jesus is risen from the dead. It really happened…now what?
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Did It Really Happen?
Connection Fellowship
Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009
Did It Really Happen?
Matthew 28:1-15
Two weeks ago, I attended a funeral. A friend of mine was presiding over the casket of his mother. As he read the passage of comfort from John 14, I thought to myself, “This is the time when you find out if you really believe what you say you believe.”
Today, I want you to know that I do not consider myself an apologist. I no longer thrive on making an argument to convince people of anything. But this morning we come to a critical text and we will deal with the question:
“Did It [The Resurrection] Really Happen?”
TEXT: [Matthew 28:1-15]
1 Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. 2 And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. 3 And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. 6 “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. 7 “Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.” 8 And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me.” 11 Now while they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. 12 And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers,13 and said, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’ 14 “And if this should come to the governor’s ears, we will win him over and keep you out of trouble.”15 And they took the money and did as they had been instructed; and this story was widely spread among the Jews, and is to this day.
It is a story recorded in all four (4) of the New Testament Gospels. It is proclaimed multiple times in the Book of Acts and in 1st Corinthians chapter 15. In verse 14, the Apostle Paul, in one of the most pointed statements says, “…if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.” He goes on to say, (v. 17-19), “and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished…we are of all men most to be pitied.”
It’s been argued that Jesus did not really die on the cross. It has been argued that Jesus was not really buried in the borrowed tomb of Joseph of Arimethea (John 19). It has been argued that Jesus’ body was stolen or that the women came to wrong tomb. It has also been argued that the appearances of Jesus Christ were really hallucinations.
Honestly, I have heard all of these arguments made and refuted by atheists and theologians for quite a few years. I could even make the arguments. But for the first time, in preparation for today, I researched the evidence for myself. And if you want to read it in a concise place, I would suggest: Lee Strobel’s – “The Case for Christ”
For today, I want to focus on just one argument that is pervasive in our culture as I did some personal searching. As we just read the account here in Matthew’s Gospel, you can read the accounts of the other 3 and they are not exactly the same. Let’s look at the text.
One key example is found in verse 1. It says that Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. Mark 16:1 says that Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James, and Salome came to anoint the body of Jesus. Luke records the name of Joanna as well. John’s Gospel only records Mary Magdalene. So who was right?
Some argue that the accounts of angel, or angels, or the ‘young man’ are inconsistent. So who was right? Some argue that some accounts say the women were silent because of fear and others say that they ran to tell the disciples. So who is right?
Some argue why Matthew is the only writing of the Guards’ interaction with the priests and the false story. Why do the others leave it out? Is the Bible really true?
You may be thinking, as I did on many Easter Sunday mornings, “I don’t really care about all of that. Let’s sing ‘Victory in Jesus’ and go have some dinner.” But I want to challenge you with 2 thoughts: First, when you are standing over the casket of someone you love dearly or in bed with an incurable disease or in an overturned car that’s on fire…you will care if it’s true.
So who is right?
The answer is, “All of them”. What would be questionable is if all of them were identical. Watch a major news story on all four of our local networks and they will each cover it from a different perspective. This week, a small plane crashed in Spartanburg Co. Each network included different details, but all included the two most important facts: (1) a plane crashed and (2) the pilot died. In case you still doubt it, I personally saw the wreckage on Wednesday.
In the most memorable moments of history, the best, most credible sources commonly recorded different details. In our case all of the key factors are unanimously reported: (1) Jesus was crucified and died; (2) He was buried in a tomb; (3) He was raised from the dead; and (4) Many people actually saw Him.
We looked at 1 Cor. 15. Paul is commonly accepted as the writer and it has been dated only a few years after the events.
3. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4. and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5. and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 7. then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 8. and last of all, as it were to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. [though I had even persecuted the church of God].
Paul is not focusing on the reported surrounding details, but on key facts. He says plenty of people could verify the story. The details are important in helping us understand the dynamic of the story and to helping us understand how people responded to the events. But remember that the key to the Gospel message is found in the death, burial, and resurrection of the Savior.
Finally, there are people all around us - here and all around this globe – asking legitimate questions like this that we need to answer so that they may believe. There are a lot of ‘theological’ or ‘church’ or ‘behavior’ types of questions that may or may not be worth spending time to answer. But this one is most critical.
I read a true story this week that helped me understand this point:
In 1990, a brilliant man - Mike Bryan [who considers himself an atheist] was led by his curiosity to Dallas, TX and Criswell College for the purpose of living within an evangelical community and writing about his experience. His book was entitled, Chapter and Verse: A Skeptic Revisits Christianity.
After almost 6 months of going to classes, conferences, and going on a mission trip, it was time for Mike to return to his home in New York City. At dinner before he left, a professor asked Mike this question: “Thinking about all you have studied and experienced, what is the bottom line as you see it?”
With no hesitation at all Mike responded, “That’s easy. It’s the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.” Mike then proceeded with his logic:
“If Jesus rose from the dead then: 1) there is a God and 2) He is that God. Furthermore, 3) the Bible is true because He said it was true and believed it was true. And, 4) that means there is a heaven and a hell, and 5) one’s relationship with Jesus is the deciding factor as to which way you go.” [Daniel Akin – “The Centrality of the Resurrection of Christ”]
I have often thought that there is no greater witness for God in our culture than that of a changed life. I still believe that is true. But as I read this week about a believer – a newspaper writer who covered the religion page for several years – who became an atheist as a result…I realized that our lives may have both positive and negative impacts on whether others believe.
I am not, nor will I ever minimize the importance of living our lives so they are a walking billboard for the love and grace of God. However, when it comes down to the most important, critical times of our lives…the circumstances and choices of life and death, there is only one fact that actually matters:
The resurrection of Jesus Christ really did happen.
It is true. You can base your life, now and for eternity, on it. But it is only engaged to change your life and your eternal destiny if you believe it. It really did happen. Jesus has, and is [presently] risen. Others had been raised from the dead...but all eventually died. But not Jesus. This had never happened before. He did not die again. HE IS RISEN. The question is: Have you believed?
Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009
Did It Really Happen?
Matthew 28:1-15
Two weeks ago, I attended a funeral. A friend of mine was presiding over the casket of his mother. As he read the passage of comfort from John 14, I thought to myself, “This is the time when you find out if you really believe what you say you believe.”
Today, I want you to know that I do not consider myself an apologist. I no longer thrive on making an argument to convince people of anything. But this morning we come to a critical text and we will deal with the question:
“Did It [The Resurrection] Really Happen?”
TEXT: [Matthew 28:1-15]
1 Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. 2 And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. 3 And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. 6 “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. 7 “Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.” 8 And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me.” 11 Now while they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. 12 And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers,13 and said, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’ 14 “And if this should come to the governor’s ears, we will win him over and keep you out of trouble.”15 And they took the money and did as they had been instructed; and this story was widely spread among the Jews, and is to this day.
It is a story recorded in all four (4) of the New Testament Gospels. It is proclaimed multiple times in the Book of Acts and in 1st Corinthians chapter 15. In verse 14, the Apostle Paul, in one of the most pointed statements says, “…if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.” He goes on to say, (v. 17-19), “and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished…we are of all men most to be pitied.”
It’s been argued that Jesus did not really die on the cross. It has been argued that Jesus was not really buried in the borrowed tomb of Joseph of Arimethea (John 19). It has been argued that Jesus’ body was stolen or that the women came to wrong tomb. It has also been argued that the appearances of Jesus Christ were really hallucinations.
Honestly, I have heard all of these arguments made and refuted by atheists and theologians for quite a few years. I could even make the arguments. But for the first time, in preparation for today, I researched the evidence for myself. And if you want to read it in a concise place, I would suggest: Lee Strobel’s – “The Case for Christ”
For today, I want to focus on just one argument that is pervasive in our culture as I did some personal searching. As we just read the account here in Matthew’s Gospel, you can read the accounts of the other 3 and they are not exactly the same. Let’s look at the text.
One key example is found in verse 1. It says that Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. Mark 16:1 says that Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James, and Salome came to anoint the body of Jesus. Luke records the name of Joanna as well. John’s Gospel only records Mary Magdalene. So who was right?
Some argue that the accounts of angel, or angels, or the ‘young man’ are inconsistent. So who was right? Some argue that some accounts say the women were silent because of fear and others say that they ran to tell the disciples. So who is right?
Some argue why Matthew is the only writing of the Guards’ interaction with the priests and the false story. Why do the others leave it out? Is the Bible really true?
You may be thinking, as I did on many Easter Sunday mornings, “I don’t really care about all of that. Let’s sing ‘Victory in Jesus’ and go have some dinner.” But I want to challenge you with 2 thoughts: First, when you are standing over the casket of someone you love dearly or in bed with an incurable disease or in an overturned car that’s on fire…you will care if it’s true.
So who is right?
The answer is, “All of them”. What would be questionable is if all of them were identical. Watch a major news story on all four of our local networks and they will each cover it from a different perspective. This week, a small plane crashed in Spartanburg Co. Each network included different details, but all included the two most important facts: (1) a plane crashed and (2) the pilot died. In case you still doubt it, I personally saw the wreckage on Wednesday.
In the most memorable moments of history, the best, most credible sources commonly recorded different details. In our case all of the key factors are unanimously reported: (1) Jesus was crucified and died; (2) He was buried in a tomb; (3) He was raised from the dead; and (4) Many people actually saw Him.
We looked at 1 Cor. 15. Paul is commonly accepted as the writer and it has been dated only a few years after the events.
3. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4. and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5. and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 7. then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 8. and last of all, as it were to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. [though I had even persecuted the church of God].
Paul is not focusing on the reported surrounding details, but on key facts. He says plenty of people could verify the story. The details are important in helping us understand the dynamic of the story and to helping us understand how people responded to the events. But remember that the key to the Gospel message is found in the death, burial, and resurrection of the Savior.
Finally, there are people all around us - here and all around this globe – asking legitimate questions like this that we need to answer so that they may believe. There are a lot of ‘theological’ or ‘church’ or ‘behavior’ types of questions that may or may not be worth spending time to answer. But this one is most critical.
I read a true story this week that helped me understand this point:
In 1990, a brilliant man - Mike Bryan [who considers himself an atheist] was led by his curiosity to Dallas, TX and Criswell College for the purpose of living within an evangelical community and writing about his experience. His book was entitled, Chapter and Verse: A Skeptic Revisits Christianity.
After almost 6 months of going to classes, conferences, and going on a mission trip, it was time for Mike to return to his home in New York City. At dinner before he left, a professor asked Mike this question: “Thinking about all you have studied and experienced, what is the bottom line as you see it?”
With no hesitation at all Mike responded, “That’s easy. It’s the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.” Mike then proceeded with his logic:
“If Jesus rose from the dead then: 1) there is a God and 2) He is that God. Furthermore, 3) the Bible is true because He said it was true and believed it was true. And, 4) that means there is a heaven and a hell, and 5) one’s relationship with Jesus is the deciding factor as to which way you go.” [Daniel Akin – “The Centrality of the Resurrection of Christ”]
I have often thought that there is no greater witness for God in our culture than that of a changed life. I still believe that is true. But as I read this week about a believer – a newspaper writer who covered the religion page for several years – who became an atheist as a result…I realized that our lives may have both positive and negative impacts on whether others believe.
I am not, nor will I ever minimize the importance of living our lives so they are a walking billboard for the love and grace of God. However, when it comes down to the most important, critical times of our lives…the circumstances and choices of life and death, there is only one fact that actually matters:
The resurrection of Jesus Christ really did happen.
It is true. You can base your life, now and for eternity, on it. But it is only engaged to change your life and your eternal destiny if you believe it. It really did happen. Jesus has, and is [presently] risen. Others had been raised from the dead...but all eventually died. But not Jesus. This had never happened before. He did not die again. HE IS RISEN. The question is: Have you believed?
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Are We NOT a Christian Nation?
I was deeply troubled by the remarks of our President in Europe this week as he stated very insistently that "America is NOT a Christian...nation" but rather a nation of citizens. I would certainly agree that in the truest sense of the word, we are not representing 'Christian' in the way that our culture thinks or behaves in general. However, President Obama was not addressing our attitudes or behaviors compared to the Biblical description of a Christian.
The context of his speech was trying to portray the United States as a secular nation that does not have a particular religious influence in order to make us (or him) more attractive to those nations who have to this point been unreceptive to dealing with us on international issues. In general, because they would prefer to destroy us...mainly because of the Christian foundation upon which our nation was built and the supportive role that we have played against their never-ending attempt to rid the planet of the Jewish state of Israel.
It is pretty clear that for the majority of the past two centuries it has been a popular title to put on America - a Christian nation. But I guess as we are thinking this week about how the world crucified the Messiah 2000 years ago, we are getting back to the original context of the title of Christian - which was not a popular label for those who were turning the world upside down as they represented the love and purpose of Christ the Savior whom they followed.
The context of his speech was trying to portray the United States as a secular nation that does not have a particular religious influence in order to make us (or him) more attractive to those nations who have to this point been unreceptive to dealing with us on international issues. In general, because they would prefer to destroy us...mainly because of the Christian foundation upon which our nation was built and the supportive role that we have played against their never-ending attempt to rid the planet of the Jewish state of Israel.
It is pretty clear that for the majority of the past two centuries it has been a popular title to put on America - a Christian nation. But I guess as we are thinking this week about how the world crucified the Messiah 2000 years ago, we are getting back to the original context of the title of Christian - which was not a popular label for those who were turning the world upside down as they represented the love and purpose of Christ the Savior whom they followed.
Jesus' Prayer for Us On the Way to the Cross
Connection Fellowship
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Jesus’ Prayer for Us On the Way to the Cross
John 17:11-26
INTRODUCTION
As I was planning my messages for this year, I looked back over the past 4 years at the messages I have preach around the Easter season. I noticed that when I taught through the Gospel of John last year, I skipped chapter 17. And on my recent personal journey, this chapter has continued to reappear in my reading.
As we approach the week of the Passion, I have been reading in the Gospels. And an old song came to me… “When He was On the Cross, I was On His Mind.” I have read this passage many times. But I did not realize how close it was in proximity to the cross. Then I was gripped by this thought: I know Jesus loved me and to died for me. But as He was on the last steps of the journey to the cross, what was He thinking about? And so this morning, we listen to His thoughts.
TEXT
13 “But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves. 14 “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 “I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. 16 “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. 18 “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 “For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. 20 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 “The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. 24 “Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 25 “O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; 26 and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”
As Jesus was on His way to the cross, His thoughts were focused on His relationship with His Father [as is recorded in the first section of this prayer] and on His disciples. He knew the difficulty they would face, and that most of them would even die for the sake of the Gospel. But it was not just the 11 that were with Him physically at the time, but He thought about all of us that would one day believe. So what is heart of His prayer to the Father for us? Let’s look at the text.
UNDERSTANDING
In the first verses of the chapter, Jesus’ burden was for the glory of the Father. In verse 3, (although we cannot unpack it today), there is an incredible definition of what is meant by ‘ETERNAL LIFE’ – [knowing the Father, the only true God, and Jesus Christ.] And Jesus longs for to once again live in the glory He had prior to coming to earth.
In the v. 6-10, Jesus declares He has finished the task for which He was sent and because of that, He carries the faith of His followers to the throne of the Father. But how could He declare that He had finished the work when He had not yet died? [It is because the view of eternal God is the perfected present.] In verse 11-12, Jesus asks for the Father to KEEP His followers united under the name given to Him by the Father.
In verse13, He says that the purpose for His prayer is that the disciples would have His joy made full in their lives. He goes on in verse 14 to say that He has given His them God’s Word. And then He does not ask the Father to quarantine or remove His followers from the world, but to protect them from Satan’s power.
In verse 16, Jesus declares that HIS followers are no longer earth citizens. So (v. 17), would He set them apart with Truth, acknowledging that God’s Word is what sets us apart.
In verse18, Jesus says that He is reproducing missionaries to carry the message of the Kingdom of God into the world, just as the Father has sent Him to do. Jesus knew that was His purpose. (v. 19). That’s why He lived as He did.
But in verse 20, we find that this prayer was not only for the 11, but all who would believe as a result of their spreading the Gospel. Who would have known that it would be so widespread? Who would have known that it would reach you and me?
In verse 21, Jesus asks for the Father to bring His followers unity – literally – that they would be one unit…just as the Father and Son are one unit. Why? Because it is a picture of the God we claim to know.
When I came to verse 22, I have a bit of difficulty understanding it. It seems as if Jesus is saying that the glory that the Father declared on the Son…that He experienced before coming to earth and would enjoy upon returning to heaven, Jesus declares upon His followers. How is that?
It is the same reason that Jesus’ declared His work completed earlier in the prayer. To Him, the perfected future of Heaven and the glorification of His followers were as much a reality at that particular moment as it will be in eternity.
Again, in verse 23, Jesus asks the Father that His followers would live in perfected unity…as a unit…which declares the love of the Father for the Son and the love of the Son for His followers.
He goes on (v. 24) to express His desire for His disciples to be with Him in Heaven to experience His glory as it was in eternity past. (v. 25) He then declares that He knows the world [in general] has not known the Father. But He does and His disciples have declared their faith in the Father because of the Son. That’s security…Jesus Christ Himself declaring our faith to God.
Jesus ends His prayer (v. 26) with the realization that there is one more thing to do that will display the love of the Father to His disciples. One unquestionable statement, an unfathomable picture of the Father’s love to paint for them…the cross.
Jesus would declare in the most amazing, remarkable way, the love that the Father has for Him…and that He expressed to us. Why? So the love of the Father could be in them…in us.
CONCLUSION
Jesus is still interceding for you and me [Hebrews 7:25]. He knows exactly where you are on your journey with the difficulty you have, are, or will be facing. His purpose in coming to earth was to show us the Father’s heart and love for us by dying on the cross to pay our sin debt. But His desire for us is much more than just a ‘get out of hell free’ card.
ILLUSTRATION: Monopoly, like most board games, is not
about winning the game. It’s about being able to enjoy the journey together.
This Easter season, as we thank God for the victory that comes through the sacrifice of our Savior and His subsequent resurrection, listen to the heart of the Savior for you as He walked the journey to the cross.
* He has a great desire for you to know the love of the Father.
* He has a great desire to protect you on the difficult journey you walk.
* He has a great desire to watch you grow in Truth and to be set apart for
His purpose in a world that is no longer your native land.
* He has a great desire to see believers united in heart and purpose which
will cause others know God and believe in Him.
* And He has a great desire for the Father’s glory and for the day when we
gather around the throne and experience His full glory in the company of every believer who will gather in that place where perfected worshippers will worship Him forever.
Remember that His prayer is for those who believed. So the first question today is: “Have you believed?” Jesus has made the greatest display of God’s love for you. Will you believe?
And if you have, as we celebrate this special time of the year, and this special time of communion, will you take time to appreciate not only the sacrifice of our Savior, but also the prayer and desire of our Redeemer who took the time to think about you in the midst of the most difficult journey ever walked?
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Jesus’ Prayer for Us On the Way to the Cross
John 17:11-26
INTRODUCTION
As I was planning my messages for this year, I looked back over the past 4 years at the messages I have preach around the Easter season. I noticed that when I taught through the Gospel of John last year, I skipped chapter 17. And on my recent personal journey, this chapter has continued to reappear in my reading.
As we approach the week of the Passion, I have been reading in the Gospels. And an old song came to me… “When He was On the Cross, I was On His Mind.” I have read this passage many times. But I did not realize how close it was in proximity to the cross. Then I was gripped by this thought: I know Jesus loved me and to died for me. But as He was on the last steps of the journey to the cross, what was He thinking about? And so this morning, we listen to His thoughts.
TEXT
13 “But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves. 14 “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 “I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. 16 “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. 18 “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 “For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. 20 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 “The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. 24 “Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 25 “O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; 26 and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”
As Jesus was on His way to the cross, His thoughts were focused on His relationship with His Father [as is recorded in the first section of this prayer] and on His disciples. He knew the difficulty they would face, and that most of them would even die for the sake of the Gospel. But it was not just the 11 that were with Him physically at the time, but He thought about all of us that would one day believe. So what is heart of His prayer to the Father for us? Let’s look at the text.
UNDERSTANDING
In the first verses of the chapter, Jesus’ burden was for the glory of the Father. In verse 3, (although we cannot unpack it today), there is an incredible definition of what is meant by ‘ETERNAL LIFE’ – [knowing the Father, the only true God, and Jesus Christ.] And Jesus longs for to once again live in the glory He had prior to coming to earth.
In the v. 6-10, Jesus declares He has finished the task for which He was sent and because of that, He carries the faith of His followers to the throne of the Father. But how could He declare that He had finished the work when He had not yet died? [It is because the view of eternal God is the perfected present.] In verse 11-12, Jesus asks for the Father to KEEP His followers united under the name given to Him by the Father.
In verse13, He says that the purpose for His prayer is that the disciples would have His joy made full in their lives. He goes on in verse 14 to say that He has given His them God’s Word. And then He does not ask the Father to quarantine or remove His followers from the world, but to protect them from Satan’s power.
In verse 16, Jesus declares that HIS followers are no longer earth citizens. So (v. 17), would He set them apart with Truth, acknowledging that God’s Word is what sets us apart.
In verse18, Jesus says that He is reproducing missionaries to carry the message of the Kingdom of God into the world, just as the Father has sent Him to do. Jesus knew that was His purpose. (v. 19). That’s why He lived as He did.
But in verse 20, we find that this prayer was not only for the 11, but all who would believe as a result of their spreading the Gospel. Who would have known that it would be so widespread? Who would have known that it would reach you and me?
In verse 21, Jesus asks for the Father to bring His followers unity – literally – that they would be one unit…just as the Father and Son are one unit. Why? Because it is a picture of the God we claim to know.
When I came to verse 22, I have a bit of difficulty understanding it. It seems as if Jesus is saying that the glory that the Father declared on the Son…that He experienced before coming to earth and would enjoy upon returning to heaven, Jesus declares upon His followers. How is that?
It is the same reason that Jesus’ declared His work completed earlier in the prayer. To Him, the perfected future of Heaven and the glorification of His followers were as much a reality at that particular moment as it will be in eternity.
Again, in verse 23, Jesus asks the Father that His followers would live in perfected unity…as a unit…which declares the love of the Father for the Son and the love of the Son for His followers.
He goes on (v. 24) to express His desire for His disciples to be with Him in Heaven to experience His glory as it was in eternity past. (v. 25) He then declares that He knows the world [in general] has not known the Father. But He does and His disciples have declared their faith in the Father because of the Son. That’s security…Jesus Christ Himself declaring our faith to God.
Jesus ends His prayer (v. 26) with the realization that there is one more thing to do that will display the love of the Father to His disciples. One unquestionable statement, an unfathomable picture of the Father’s love to paint for them…the cross.
Jesus would declare in the most amazing, remarkable way, the love that the Father has for Him…and that He expressed to us. Why? So the love of the Father could be in them…in us.
CONCLUSION
Jesus is still interceding for you and me [Hebrews 7:25]. He knows exactly where you are on your journey with the difficulty you have, are, or will be facing. His purpose in coming to earth was to show us the Father’s heart and love for us by dying on the cross to pay our sin debt. But His desire for us is much more than just a ‘get out of hell free’ card.
ILLUSTRATION: Monopoly, like most board games, is not
about winning the game. It’s about being able to enjoy the journey together.
This Easter season, as we thank God for the victory that comes through the sacrifice of our Savior and His subsequent resurrection, listen to the heart of the Savior for you as He walked the journey to the cross.
* He has a great desire for you to know the love of the Father.
* He has a great desire to protect you on the difficult journey you walk.
* He has a great desire to watch you grow in Truth and to be set apart for
His purpose in a world that is no longer your native land.
* He has a great desire to see believers united in heart and purpose which
will cause others know God and believe in Him.
* And He has a great desire for the Father’s glory and for the day when we
gather around the throne and experience His full glory in the company of every believer who will gather in that place where perfected worshippers will worship Him forever.
Remember that His prayer is for those who believed. So the first question today is: “Have you believed?” Jesus has made the greatest display of God’s love for you. Will you believe?
And if you have, as we celebrate this special time of the year, and this special time of communion, will you take time to appreciate not only the sacrifice of our Savior, but also the prayer and desire of our Redeemer who took the time to think about you in the midst of the most difficult journey ever walked?
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