Talk 4 - 'the Prayer Life Of Jesus' (Overview). Series

SERMON OUTLINE:

Question #1: Why did Jesus pray?

Answer #1: Three suggestions why.

Question #2: How often did Jesus pray?

Answer #2: On a regular basis.

Question #3: What was Jesus' posture to pray?

Answer #3: A variety of positions.

Question #4: What can we learn from this prayer?

Answer #4: Three main truths.

• (4a). Jesus prayed for himself (vs 1-5):

• (4b). Jesus prays for the disciples (vs 6-12).

• (4c). Jesus prays for the Church (vs 20-26):

SERMON BODY:

• There is a quotation that has been attributed to many different people,

• So, I am not sure who first said it, but the words always brings a smile to my face.

"I asked God for a bike, but I know God doesn't work that way.

So, I stole a bike and asked him for forgiveness."

• TRANSITION:

• When it comes to prayer,

• The Lord’s Prayer is the most widely known prayer in Christianity,

• And it is said across most Christian denominations.

• Now it might surprise you to know,

• That what we commonly call the Lord’s prayer is not actually, the Lord’s prayer!

• Jesus taught his famous prayer as a request from the disciples,

• “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke chapter 11 verse 1).

• So, technically speaking, it should be called the disciples prayer.

• Jesus said, “This, then, is how YOU should pray:” (Matthew chapter 6 verse 9)

• “The Lord’s Prayer” should be called “The Disciples Prayer.”

• And if you want to be doctrinally correct,

• It is a prayer that Jesus himself could not pray,

• Because he could not pray the line (vs 12),

• “And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.”

• For he never sinned!

The real Lord’s prayer is found in John chapter 17.

• But we tend to call it by another name or two!

• Since about the 16th century it has been known as the “High Priestly Prayer.”

• And other have called it the “Farewell Prayer.”

• But the description of it as “The High Priestly Prayer” has stuck,

• And that it is perhaps its most common title.

Question: Why is it called “The High Priestly Prayer?”

Answer:

• Jesus had three descriptive roles when he was on earth,

• He is portrayed in the gospels as prophet, priest, and king.

• That term priest for Jesus is the Cinderella of the three titles,

• That is the one left behind!

• We often hear sermons about Jesus the prophet and Jesus the king,

• But Jesus a priest is not something that is preached on very often.

• A king is someone who rules the people on behalf of God,

• A prophet is someone who speaks to people on behalf of God,

• A priest is someone who speaks to God on behalf of the people,

• And we see that aspect of the ministry of Jesus in John chapter 17,

• Jesus Christ prayed for his people.

• He interceded on their behalf with prayers to God the Father.

Ill.

• Think of a sci-fi movie set in space,

• Imagine a comet in space hurdling towards earth.

• And what happens in all the best movies?

• A rocket it sent to intercede.

• The rocket does the work that the people of the earth cannot do for themselves,

• It changes the path of the comet.

• And this isn’t for the benefit of the rocket,

• But for the benefit of the people of the earth.

• TRANSITION: To intercede is to intervene on behalf of another.

• And we see Jesus doing that in the gospels and especially in John chapter 17.

Question: Why did Jesus pray?

• This can sometimes be puzzling for some Christians.

• After all, if Jesus is God the Son, why did Christ need to pray?

• And if you witness to Muslims, they are completely baffled by this,

• They will say, “So, God prayed to God?”

• But that just shows that they do not understand the doctrine of the Trinity,

• Or the doctrine of the incarnation.

Answer: Theologically speaking, there are at least three reasons that Jesus prayed.

• FIRST: Jesus prayed as an example to his followers.

• Even this morning as we study this prayer of |Jesus,

• Our prayer life can improve as we look and learn,

• And from looking at Jesus, we will be better Christians as a result of his example.

• There is a well-known saying,

• ‘Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, show me and I learn.

• In this prayer we have instruction and example regarding prayer.

• SECOND: The Incarnation (the word literally means ‘to take on flesh’).