THE GREATEST PRAYER EVER SPOKEN PART THREE

 

John 17:6-19

As we looked at last week this prayer contains some deep things which are hard to understand, but absolutely wonderful and the Scriptures are plain on these truths for the Christian faith. And these things that are hard to understand is that….. The Lord Jesus does things for His believing people which He does not do for the wicked and unbelieving. (v6-v10) The Lord Jesus does not pray that His believing people to be taken out of this world, but to be kept from the evil of it. (v11-v19)

 

So, let’s look at the second part of His prayer….

 

The Lord Jesus does not pray that His believing people to be taken out of this world, but to be kept from the evil of it. (v11-v19)

 

Just like us, the Lord see’s, notices in the heart of His disciples an impatient desire to get away from the trouble of this world system. This isn’t anything new as David felt that way when he wrote, “And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; I would hurry to find a shelter from the raging wind and tempest.” Psalm 55:6-8. Jesus’ prayer in this chapter is absolutely fascinating because it shows us the kind of prayers He offers for us in Heaven. That is exemplified here is two things Jesus prays about for His disciples; and you can say the same for the us, the church.

 

First one being the relationship that Christians have with other Christians. (v11)

 

Jesus prays that His disciples/followers, would be “one” Jesus knew they would be faced with many trials and some of those would be their fault. For example: James and John squabbling about who would be the greatest in the kingdom and they asked their mother to find the answers found in Matt 20.

 

Many Christians struggling and failing to be unified should give us a clue phone that unity is anything but easy. We only need to read through the letters of Paul to see this.

 

He reproves the Corinthians for their “quarrelling” and “divisions” (1 Corinthians 1:10–11). He warns the Galatians against the dangers of “competitions, dissensions, divisions” (Galatians 5:20). He entreats “Euodia and . . . Syntyche [in Philippi] to agree in the Lord” and pleads with others to intervene (Philippians 4:2). He instructs the Colossians, “Forgive each other as the Lord has forgiven you” (Colossians 3:13). And he exhorts the Ephesians not to indulge in “corrupting talk” so as to “not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,” and to put away “all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander . . . along with all malice” (Ephesians 4:29–31).

 

This results in Christians breaking fellowship over none kingdom issues in the local church.

 

The way you baptize, three times forward or three times backwards.

The colour of the carpet or the colour of the bathroom.

Masks or no masks

Allowing political preferences to cause division or disassociation.

Bulletins or no bulletins

Sermon is too short, or too long.

Pews or chairs

Hymns of the past, versus hymns of the present, and future.

Squabbling about the word “Amen or amen”

 

Every age of the church has known division as the puritan Thomas Brookes wrote, “For wolves to worry the lambs is no wonder, but for one lamb to worry another, this is unnatural and monstrous.”

 

Divisiveness comes in many forms….. It easily can be caused by spreading rumours, sowing discord, creating cliques, and causing rifts. None of these behaviours honours the commandments of Jesus and all of them can harm the body of Christ. “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;” Heb 12:14-15 A root of bitterness signifies a poisonous plant. The Hebrews call every species of poison “a bitter”. The root of bitterness is here used metaphorically for a bad man, or a man holding unsound doctrines, and endeavoring to spread them in the Church. Which also plagues the church with unsound teaching that causes people lack discernment to tell truth from error.

 

The Lord loves unity, so it is natural that that is why He hates

disunity among His children who are His.

 

David wrote, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.” Psalm 133:1-3

 

God will deal the divisive person, “Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message.” 2 Tim 4:15

 

Anyone who stirs up conflict in a community is detestable to the Lord, and that should tell us how harmful and dangerous it is to create divisions in the church. “There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.” Prov 6:16-19

 

Sadly, this happens all to often in the body of Christ, and as one writer wrote, “Most people tend to excuse themselves and believe they are not contributing to divisions in the church. It is unlikely that anyone deliberately plans to cause division. Often, it is subtly stirred up in thought or the influence of another person. So, it is all the more important to examine ourselves in the light of the gospel so we are helping to heal conflict, not worsen it” That same writer went on to ask a series of questions for us as individuals to ask ourself to keep us from being the cause of division among God’s people.  Am I lacking empathy and compassion towards specific people? Am I embracing a “us versus them” mentality? Is what I am doing seen as gossip or spreading rumours—sometimes labelled “venting?” Are any of my actions causing conflict or confusion? Am I prioritising personal agendas over the collective well-being of the community? Do I resist reconciliation and forgiveness? Do I refuse to listen to the perspectives of others? Am I neglecting the value of love, kindness, and unity in the gospel?

These are questions that demand us to search our heart motives in the church.

 

Just as Jesus prays for them to be one, He is doing the same for the church as well. Unity in the church is a testimony to the world that God is glorious and worthy of all our adoration, praise, and living as servants for His precious gospel. Unity is a vital piece of His foundation to keeping our lights shining for the Kingdom that is to come for those who respond to the gospel. The church is the visible picture of God's glory on the earth. Unity…. describes our commitment to our relationships as God’s people. Our unity in Christ is to exalt His glorious name to this world. “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35. This is only evident because Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” John 13:34. This was carried out by Jesus Himself when He went to the cross to display His love for lost sinners. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

The pursuit of unity is hard because

the love of God is costly.

 

The love of the Father and the Son was most clearly and climactically displayed on the cross; and so, our love for one another, is designed to publicly display Godlike love in the world. As John penned, “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:16-18. This is what it means to be “One” we have different likes, and dislikes, but we all agree on what is needed for the church through His written Word. But unfortunately, man’s sin will get in the way at times and cause the church to be faced with many uphill battles not just with the world, but with each other inside. 

In Matthew 24, when the disciples ask Jesus about the signs of the end, Jesus says over and over in that chapter how torn the church is going to be with betrayals and apostasy. “And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” 

Matt 24:4-14

 

Jesus is talking about people who claim to be Christians, their love growing cold and not enduring to the end. What a horrible description of the condition of the church, and this is what the church will do to each other. There will be a disregard for human laws, which leads to a greater disregard to God’s law. Evil will multiply and unashamedly that many people who are initially drawn to the gospel will turn away from it because of the multiplied enticement of sin.

 

That is why most people’s love for righteousness, truth,

and the things of God, will grow cold.

 

Paul told Timothy this has already happened and to be aware of it. “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared,” 1 Tim 4:1-2. If we are not living in unity with each other, we are not creating a faithful picture of who He is. This is why Jesus prayed that their oneness would be maintained by the disciples being kept in the Father’s name. (v11-v12) Because many are going to enter in and disrupt her beauty with division and disharmony. This is why the second part of this prayer Jesus says not to take them out of this world.

 

The second one being the Christian relationship with the World. (v14-v19)

 

Were it not for God's restraining grace, we would surely fall into scandalous sin on our own. That is why the psalmist pleads, "Hold me up--and I will be safe!" Psalm 119:117. It is one thing to be saved by grace, but another to be kept by His grace. Just as a child walking along a dangerous path needs the firm grip of his father's hand, so too we need the steadying grasp of God's upholding grace to keep us from stumbling as we live in this world. Reason being…. We are prone to pride, self-reliance, and every other sin; but God, in His mercy, restrains us from going where our sinful nature would lead.

 

Its here that Jesus prays for His disciples because this world

loves to sin and desires you to do the same.

 

As Christians, we continually need God's upholding grace, as we have a heart that is able to commit every sin that was ever committed in Heaven, Earth or Hell! Jeremiah said, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? “I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” Jer 17:9-10. Its here we need to truly submit to Christ in everything, just because we don’t like what is going on, and wish to be with Him, God’s ways are not our ways. If we hope that we are Christ’s true disciples, let us be satisfied that Christ knows better than we do and what is for our good as we live in this world. Let’s leave our times in His hands and be content to abide here patiently as long, as He pleases.

 

We are in this world so that we can know Him more

through what is before us in this world.

Jesus says “Sanctify then in the truth” (v17) The term "sanctify" is the same root from which the term "saint" is derived. This means to separate something, to set it apart for an intended purpose. Leading up to this request, Jesus has referred to these men as being "in" the world. (v11) But also not "of" the world. (v14). Being "separated," in this case, does not mean a physical distance. It refers to a special purpose and a unique mission. All Christians are called on to be separated from the unbelieving world, spiritually speaking; while also being active in the world, practically. Matt 5;13-16; 1 Cor 5:9-11. 

Christ equates the "word" with truth, itself. What God is tells us through the person, the teaching, and the message of Christ, “This is the Truth! He is Truth!” It is actual; it is "truth" in the deepest and most fundamental sense. When God identified Himself to Moses, He used the expression "I Am" (Exodus 3:14). This is a phrase Jesus also echoed, as recorded seven times in John's gospel (John 6:35; 8:12; 10:7–9; 10:11; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1). God is truth, and salvation comes when we accept the reality of who He is, and who we are in light of His grace. (John 4:24; Romans 1:21–25; Philippians 2:9–11). The Old and New Testaments both affirm that the words recorded in the Bible are God’s words and that they are true. Since God cannot lie, His Word is truth. “…His way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true;…” Psalm 18:30. Since God is eternal and unchanging, His Word is always the same. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” Matt 24:35. If we want to know truth, we will look in God’s written Word. “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17. We are kept in this world to be a light for Christ for the sake of the gospel. This world/land is our mission field. If we don’t see it this way we can easily become “reclusive” meaning we often find our lives arranged so that we are around unbelievers as little as possible.

What do I mean? We attend Bible studies which is mostly all, or, a great majority are Christian. Sunday school is seen in the same manner as Bible Study. Our time of church service where we would hope all are truly born-again individuals. Our primary reading is usually, and for good reason, great theological books. Our thought life and daily lives, are governed by Christian virtues and principles. All these things are good, but it is easy to use these so much that we isolate ourselves in a Christian sub-culture (our Christian bubbles); and this ignores the reason why we are still here in the first place. Jesus prays for His disciples to be witnesses to the fallen world, and that torch has been handed to the church to do the same thing in this lost and broken world. Do you remember what rock you were found under when you heard the gospel by someone who lives in this world, but is not of this world? This prayer gives us the understanding that we must not become as John Stott puts it, “a rabbit hole Christian” This is a Christian who pops his head out of the hole, leaves and finds other Christians to work with, eat with, and only to talk with. (Though they are wonderful for our Christian growth) but may this not be our excuse to not minister gently into the hearts of those who do not know Christ 

Your family is the reason we are in this world. Your neighbor is the reason we are in this world. Your co-worker is the reason we are in this world. Your peers are the reason you are in this world. This church is the reason why you are in this world. 

Christ has placed you here so that you could tell the world about the grace that you have received. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matt 28:19-20

A witness to His grace. The dictionary defines the word “witness” this way: “One who has seen or heard something” and “One who furnishes evidence.” A witness is someone who can say, “I know this is true.” We have heard, and seen His grace, through His redemption; and this is the reason we are not of this world, but living in it…. to tell others about His grace. The Christian attitude when reading this portion of Jesus prayer is one of missions, not just globally but locally. “As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.” (v18) If we are going to be witnesses for Jesus Christ, it means being loyal to the end and that will make you unpopular in the world. You may not win Employee of the Year and you might be passed over for a promotion. It could cost you dearly to be a true witness for Christ. In the early church, believers chose death rather than deny the name of our Lord. Are you willing to die for Christ? Since most of us won’t be called upon to do that, here’s the much harder question: Are you willing to live for him?