The Prayer Jesus Prayed for You

March 25, 1990 PM

John 17:1-3 (3) - And this is life eternal: that they may know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.

INTRODUCTION: When Jesus came to the very last moments He would share alone with His disciples, it was not a time for small talk or idle words. Not one of them would ever forget how He gave them a new commandment, or how He said He was leaving them His joy.

But then Jesus stopped talking to the disciples, and began talking to His heavenly Father. It was a prayer that electrified them as they heard Him pray it.

He prayed for Himself that night. He spoke of unimaginable glory, and of perfect union with the Father in that glory. As He prayed He revealed as never before the single purpose of why He had ever left the glory of heaven. The hearts of the disciples were stirred as they realized the Presence of Deity.

And then Jesus prayed for them! They listened as He asked the Father to make them a part of the fellowship and life which Jesus Himself shared with the Father.

But then, wonder of wonders, Jesus prayed for you and for me! In this, the holy place of all the Holy Bible are words that reach to where we are this very hour:

I. JESUS PRAYED THAT WE MIGHT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE

  1. This is the only reason Jesus came. Everything else augments, enhances, points to- LIFE!
  2. If you have eternal life you are a Christian! If you are a Christian you are alive in Christ! It is as simple as that! If you do NOT have life, then you are NOT a Christian!

    There may be "stages of faith" and certainly there are different levels of understanding— but in the final word there is only one test of being a Christian:

    Either you are alive unto God— or you aren't!

  3. Other good and vital things— the spiritual growth, the service, the following after— are essential. Don't throw them away. But remember: ETERNAL LIFE IS OF GOD. ONLY GOD HAS ETERNAL LIFE, AND ONLY GOD CAN MAKE US ETERNALLY ALIVE. AND THAT IS WHY JESUS CAME!

II. ETERNAL LIFE IS ALWAYS CONNECTED WITH KNOWING GOD

  1. GOD-knowledge is the central issue of our faith; it can never be peripheral. We come to know God at times by "roundabout" ways; fear of punishment, weight of guilt, seeking to be fulfilled; selfish ways, usually.

    But Jesus said: "THIS is life eternal: that they may know THEE. the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou has sent!" That is HIS definition, not one I made up!

    1. This knowledge is always revealed; never self-obtained.
    2. It is always more than knowing about God; it is knowledge OF God.
    3. This "knowledge" is always a relationship, and it is reciprocal; we come to know God as we make ourselves known to Him! it is not something "free-standing" and simply "facts."

      It is important that God know us! The saddest words that will ever be heard will be: "Depart from Me, I never knew you!"

  2. This necessity of knowing God makes the sin of PRESUMPTION (false faith) one of the basic sins of unbelief. Presumption is assuming that one knows what God is like. Presumption is saying: "I know what God expects." David prayed (Psalm 19) "Keep back thy servant from presumptuous sins."

    Have you ever noticed how many people are EXPERTS on God?? BUT THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR REALLY KNOWING GOD!

III. THIS ETERNAL LIFE WILL MANIFEST ITSELF IN:

  1. SECURITY (verses 11,15) "Keep them!" Implying that faith will be tested; that we are not exempted from the common troubles of mankind ... but also assuring us that God can and will KEEP His own!
  2. JOY (verse 13) "that they might have My JOY fulfilled in themselves!' To have the privilege of walking with God; having the witness that we please Him; this brings an underlying JOY to life and living! Jesus knew the JOY of being totally at one with the Father. He gives us His Spirit so that we may know something of that joy. (Fullness!)
  3. UNITY WITH GOD/GOD'S FAMILY (21) "That they all may be ONE ... that they also may be one in Us ... that the world may believe"
    1. "Unity" is a modern shibboleth
    2. Jesus prayed for unity on the basis of being one with the Father, Son and Spirit. We cannot be "one" with those who deny the holiness and uniqueness of God. There is no basis for unity apart from this divine connection.
    3. "Causes" in and of themselves can never be the basis for unity. We are not one because we are against anything— even sin. We must be one because we are IN God!
    4. "Unity" is LIFE at the SOURCE— unity in spirit! Doctrines are important; and we must maintain our distinctives in a spirit of humility. But unity is NOT a matter of agreement on thoughts or ideas. In Christ this unity will manifest itself!

CONCLUSION: Can you imagine how those disciples could scarcely breathe for the holy wonder of it all as Jesus prayed that night? As they heard Him speak with the Father about glory— and then realized that He was praying for them?

Can you imagine how they thrilled as they heard Jesus ask the Father to sanctify them, and make them one with Him and with each other?

Can you believe that Jesus was praying this prayer for me and for you? Believe it!

Jesus prayed this mighty prayer for you! And nothing can defeat that prayer, if indeed you invite the Holy Spirit to reveal God to you!

Will YOU be alive to God to all eternity?

Will you make it the consuming passion of your life to know God, and Jesus Christ, whom God has sent?

#28 - EH - Oh, How He Loves You and Me