John 17:20-26

August 29th, 2019

Jesus prayed not only for his disciples but for all those who would come to God through His word made flesh. God so loved the world that He made a way through Jesus Christ for any who seek Him to find Him and abide in  Him. In Him and through Him and in the unity given by the Holy Spirit we receive life. A  gift so precious and pure that we will never be able to totally understand this unconditional love of a Father for His creation until we are raised again.

If we hold up the love that is given to the world in Jesus Christ the entire world will be drawn to Christ.

Jesus not only prayed for those the Father had given Him  but for all future believers—for their unity  and their future glory. If you are a believer, these words are Jesus’ prayer for you. The revelation of Jesus Christ through His disciples, is the means to unity. Such unity begins with belief and correct thinking about Jesus and God the Father, that is, with doctrine. But correct belief must bear fruit—a life that demonstrates God’s love and produces the unity between all the believers.

The mutual indwelling of the Father in the Son and the Son in the church is also the means to unity, the ultimate expression of God’s love. Christ prayed for all believers to behold His glory, unveiled in the full revelation of His deity.

John 17:20–26 (NKJV): “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

John 4:39 but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.”

John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

John 17:8 For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.

John 17:11 Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.

Acts 11:15-18

It was too small a thing for  Jesus  to come to save the Jews only. Jesus  came to bring salvation to the world. Any person who repents and accepts His life in place of their own will be saved. He promised never to leave you alone so His own Holy Spirit  who raised Him from the dead will raise you up also. In His hand you will be taught the ways of His only begotten Son and protected from the evil that is in the world! What the Father  has cleansed is totally clean.

An eternity with God awaits those who choose Him!

The manifestation of the Holy Spirit was the same to the Gentiles at Caesarea as it was to the Jews at Jerusalem. Christ places believers in the care and safekeeping of the Holy Spirit until the day He returns. This section begins a bold new step in the mission of the church. The Samaritans were part Jewish; the Ethiopian eunuch and Cornelius were Jewish proselytes. Finally the Jewish Christians that made up the early church understood Jesus’ commission to them: they were to bring the gospel message to the Gentile too. NKJ Bible.

Acts 11:15–18 (NKJV)

¹⁵ And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. ¹⁶ Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ ¹⁷ If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?”

¹⁸ When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”

Acts 15:8 (NKJV)

⁸ So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us,

Isaiah 42:1 (NKJV)

42   “Behold! My Servant whom I uphold,

My Elect One in whom My soul delights!

I have put My Spirit upon Him;

He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.

Isaiah 44:3 (NKJV)

³ For I will pour water on him who is thirsty,

And floods on the dry ground;

I will pour My Spirit on your descendants,

And My blessing on your offspring;

Mark 2:17

Holy Spirit please keep me from my own pride and arrogance to come to the full realization that we are ALL sinners in need of repentance.

And there is no one righteous but Jesus the Christ!

God is gracious and kind and does not want anyone to perish. He wants all of His creation to have the opportunity to repent and to accept His sacrifice on the cross on their behalf. He desires us have eternal life with Him.

With this statement, Jesus is neither affirming nor denying that the Pharisees are righteous. He is simply pointing out that the call to repentance and offering of forgiveness are for those who need it—sinners. Faithllife Bible.

In this instance Jesus was speaking tongue-in-cheek when He used the word righteous. None are righteous, though some, such as the Pharisees, fancied themselves as such. Instead, Christ came to call sinners to repentance. Jesus did not condone the activities of sinners, but required repentance—a change of mind that recognizes the need of a Savior and recognizes Jesus Christ as the only Savior. NKJ Bible.

Mark 2:17 (NKJV)

¹⁷ When Jesus heard it, He said to them,  “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Matthew 9:12 (NKJV)

¹² When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.

Matthew 9:13 (NKJV)

¹³ But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Matthew 18:11 (NKJV)

¹¹ For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.

Luke 5:31 (NKJV)

³¹ Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.

Luke 5:32 (NKJV)

³² I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

1 Corinthians 15:3-8

Just  B.E.L.I.E.V.E. and give the rest to God!

We live because He died for us…in Him, with Him and in unity with the Holy Spirit we live!

Paul considers his apostleship to be a sign of God’s grace and mercy because he did not deserve it. Faithlife Bible.

Paul did not originate the proclamation of Jesus that he delivered to the Corinthians; he simply gave the Corinthians what he himself had received. He viewed himself as a link in a long chain of witnesses to the truth of the death and resurrection of Christ. Christ died for our sins! Christ’s death dealt decisively with our sins. He suffered in our place to endure the just wrath of God against us. Christ lived and died in accordance with the prophecies about Him in the OT. At the time of Paul’s writing, a person could have verified the truthfulness of the apostle’s statements. The majority of the five hundred people who saw the risen Christ, as well as all the apostles and James (the half brother of Jesus), were still living.

The Resurrection verifies the fact that Christ’s death paid the full price for sin. The Greek term translated rose here is in the perfect tense, emphasizing the ongoing effects of this historical event. NKJ Bible.

Christ is a risen Savior today.

1 Corinthians 15:3–8 (NKJV)

³ For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴ and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, ⁵ and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. ⁶ After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. ⁷ After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. ⁸ Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.

Isaiah 53:10 (NKJV)

¹⁰ Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him;

He has put Him to grief.

When You make His soul an offering for sin,

He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days,

And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.

Hosea 6:2 (NKJV)

² After two days He will revive us;

On the third day He will raise us up,

That we may live in His sight.

Luke 24:34 (NKJV)

³⁴ saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!”

Matthew 24:29-31

Be ready, in season and out of season, to give an account of your hope in Christ Jesus.

Jesus draws on various old testament traditions surrounding the Son of Man and the Day of the Lord to describe what it will be like at His Parousia. Faithlife Bible.

The Parousia is a theological concept that comes from the Greek word parousia meaning "coming" or "presence.". In the study of Bible prophecy, the term Parousia is used in reference to the Coming of Jesus Christ. In some cases, the Parousia is used in reference to the time when Jesus Christ comes to rapture His people…

Strong’s Concordance 3952 parousía (from parōn, "be present, arrive to enter into a situation") – properly, coming, especially the arrival of the owner who alone can deal with a situation (cf. LS). 3952 (parousía) is a "technical term with reference to the visit of a king or some other official, 'a royal visit' " (Souter) – "hence, in the NT, specifically of the Advent or Parousia of Christ" (A-S).

[3952 (parousía) is "used in the east as a technical expression for the royal visit of a king, or emperor. The word means literally 'the being beside,' thus, 'the personal presence' " (K. Wuest, 3, Bypaths, 33).]

The sign of the Son of Man probably refers to Christ Himself appearing in heaven. The tribes of the earth probably refers to Israel. The context here is the national repentance of Israel predicted in Zech. 12:10, 12. The Son of Man coming on the clouds will be a fulfillment of Dan. 7:13. NKJ Bible.

Matthew 24:29–31 (NKJV)

²⁹ “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ³⁰ Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. ³¹ And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Daniel 7:13 (NKJV)

¹³ “I was watching in the night visions,

And behold, One like the Son of Man,

Coming with the clouds of heaven!

He came to the Ancient of Days,

And they brought Him near before Him.

Zechariah 12:10 (NKJV)

¹⁰ “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.

John 10:7-10

There is no other Savior but JESUS. 

God so loved the world that He gave His only Son to live, die and be born again that whoever believes in Him shall also be alive in Him. Jesus is the only way to the Father, the truth of God made flesh and he offers life to all who repent and accept Him. In Him, all God-all man, and in the unity of the Holy Spirit we have abundant life.

Whoever follows him shall live in His presence forever.

Jesus is the gateway for eternal life as well as the one who leads the sheep. Faithlife Bible.

The thieves take life; the shepherd gives it. Abundant life includes salvation, nourishment, healing, and much more. Life here refers to eternal life, God’s life. It speaks not only of endlessness, but of quality of life. With Christ, life on earth can reach much higher quality, and then in heaven it will be complete and perfect. NKJ Bible.

John 10:7–10 (NKJV)

⁷ Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. ⁸ All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. ⁹ I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Ephesians 2:18 (NKJV)

¹⁸ For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

John 14:6 (NKJV)

⁶ Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

2 Thessalonians 1:3-4

There is no other truth than the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Only in Him and through Him can we be saved. There will come a time of judgement for those who choose not to accept the salvation God provided through the birth, death and resurrection of our blessed Savior.

His love conquers all and covers a multitude of sins. 

Paul boasts about the Thessalonians because of the flourishing of their faith and love. For this reason, they serve as a model for other churches. Faithlfe Bible.

Since the writing of 1 Thessalonians, reports had come to Paul of continued progress in the Thessalonian church, indicating their faithfulness to the gospel. However, doctrinal problems had also arisen. False teachers had begun to tell the believers in Thessalonica that the day of the Lord was already at hand. These teachers were misapplying and possibly even twisting Paul’s teaching that the day of the Lord would come suddenly. Most likely because of this, some of the believers had stopped working and were simply waiting for the Lord. Mounting persecution may have also fueled these extreme beliefs about the Second Coming.

The Thessalonians’ steadfast faith not only strengthened them to withstand difficult circumstances, it also motivated them to express genuine love for others. A Christian’s faith in Christ should always culminate in true love for others. NKJ Bible.

2 Thessalonians 1:3–4 (NKJV)

³ We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, ⁴ so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure,

1 Thessalonians 1:3 (NKJV)

³ remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,

Galatians 6:9 (NKJV)

⁹ And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

1 Thessalonians 4:11 (NKJV)

¹¹ that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you,

Acts 26:21-23

Use the gifts that God provides you for His glory. This is your declaration of faith and loving obedience to Him. In Christ is everything we need to use our talents to share the Good News!

To God be all glory!!

Acts 26:21–23 (NKJV)

²¹ For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. ²² Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come—²³ that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”

Colossians 1:18 (NKJV)

¹⁸ And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

Revelation 1:5 (NKJV)

⁵ and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.

To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,

1 Peter 4:10-11

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

1 Corinthians 12:28-31

And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

Acts 26:19-20

Repent and choose the salvation that is provided in Christ Jesus, invite the Holy Spirit to teach you His ways and change your lifestyle to one that honors God with the talents and gifts that He has given you.

Precept by precept we become Christlike. As we mature more of the fruits of the Spirit are revealed in us.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

What does God require of us? 

He requires us to: Be fair, forgive others and stay humble. It is all about the goodness and grace of God and nothing to do about ours! Micah 8:6 

Repentance indicates a complete change in thinking. In Romans12:2, Paul speaks of the “renewing of your mind.” We do what we think is best, what makes sense to us. Paul was killing Christians because he thought it was the correct course of action. Christ’s revelation changed his thoughts, but his preaching of the Good News was visible proof that he had repented of his former ways. Genuine repentance is evidenced by changed behavior. NKJ Bible.

Acts 26:19-20Acts 26:19–20 (NKJV)

¹⁹ “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, ²⁰ but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.

Matthew 3:8 (NKJV) ⁸ Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,

Luke 3:8 (NKJV) ⁸ Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.

Romans

A long two weeks has come to an end and with it the burial of my dear Poppy. Although in my spirit I am rejoicing for he is whole now and with God, in my heart I am mourning the death of the one person who showed me the attributes of my heavenly Father and made it so easy to believe in a Father who loves all of His children without partiality. God wants no one to perish but all to abide with Him and in Him with the unity that the Holy Spirit provides.

This little light of mine I’m gonna let it shine!

Romans is a mighty leveler, for it declares that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (3:23). Since all are sinners, it comes as a delightful shock that “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (5:8).

We cannot save ourselves because as sinners we can never meet God’s requirements. Our only hope is faith in Jesus Christ. 

God loved us when we were still without strength and ungodly. God loved us so much He sent His Son to die for us. God loves us just the way we are, but He loves us too much to leave us the way we are. NKJ Bible. 

Both Jews and Gentiles have failed to live up to God’s standard; sin is universal. As a result, God’s provision of righteousness by faith, as opposed to law or race, relates to all people. Faithlife Bible.

Romans

Romans serves as the flagship of the fleet of Pauline letters within the New Testament. This letter has also loomed large in the history of Christianity. Countless men and women of faith have singled out Romans as the weapon God graciously used to bring about their surrender to Christ. Augustine, Martin Luther, John Wesley, and others received unexpected spiritual volleys from Romans that pierced their defenses and ended their rebellion against God.

Romans combines breadth, logic, and a mature understanding of the Old Testament Scriptures into a powerful arsenal. By the time it was written, the Holy Spirit had shaped the apostle Paul into a skillful communicator of the faith. The result is his letter to the Romans, a theological treatise that perfectly fits Paul’s description of all Scripture as “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16). 

The letter represents a full expression of apostolic theology. Paul’s arguments challenge the secular, pagan mind, yet they also pierce the shallow spiritual confidence of many nonpagans. Romans is a mighty leveler, for it declares that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (3:23). Since all are sinners, it comes as a delightful shock that “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (5:8). This is the Good News, which Paul so eloquently and systematically defends in this theological treatise addressed to the Romans. NKJ Bible.