GOD’S TRUTH WILL MAKE US HOLY (Outline)
June 5, 2011 -
Easter 7 -
JOHN 17:17-26
INTRO: John 17 concludes the lengthy, teaching discussion Jesus had with his disciples before his crucifixion. Jesus’ teaching started in chapter 13. Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. Jesus taught them about humility. Jesus proclaimed himself as the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus also taught about the vine and branches. Jesus promised the disciples the Holy Spirit for their benefit. At the end of all these very vital spiritual teachings Jesus prays. We are reminded of the importance and power of prayer. Jesus prays. Paul prayed. "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith" (EPHESIANS 3:16, 17a). We pray that Christ dwell in us today to strengthen our faith by his word of truth.
GOD’S TRUTH WILL MAKE US HOLY.
I. Jesus prays this for all believers. II. God’s truth is always our message.
I. JESUS PRAYS THAT GOD’S TRUTH WILL MAKE US HOLY
A. Verse 17. “Sanctify” means to make holy or set apart as holy. Jesus wanted his disciples to be holy.
1. The disciples, like all people, were not holy. They were born sinners. They still sinned daily.
2. Verse 19. Jesus was holy. Jesus’ holiness covered the disciples’ unholy lives.
B. Verse 20a. Jesus had prayed for the disciples. Now Jesus prays for believers: present and future.
1. Verse 21. Jesus prays for believers to believe that Jesus was sent by his heavenly Father.
2. Verse 22, 23a. Jesus revealed to the world his glory. Many saw Jesus’ miracles.
C. Verse 24. Jesus is eternal. Believers would see Jesus’ full glory in heaven. Jesus prays for this.
D. Think of the power of these verses for our lives today. Jesus prays for us! What a wonderful way to conclude all of these important teachings of Jesus (chapters 13-16). Here we have the very Son of God, Jesus – who is also true God – taking time out to pray for those who will believe. We dare not overlook the importance God himself places on the importance of prayer, especially also Jesus’ prayers. Who can ever forget how Jesus prays for others? Jesus prayed for those who nailed his hands and feet to the cross as he is crucified. "Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots" (LUKE 23:34). Yes, Jesus prayed even for those putting him to death. Our sins still need Jesus’ prayers. Jesus still prays the same for us. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” We sin daily. We sin much and at times in ignorance.
E. Jesus prays for us. Jesus prays that God’s truth will make us holy. We desperately need this prayer of Jesus that he prayed on our behalf. We are lost and condemned creatures from the moment of our conception. We are born into this world as sinners. Worse we are even called enemies of God. Enemies do not very often become friends. "Everyone has turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one" (PSALM 53:3). All our righteous acts are like filthy rags. Simply put, we can never, ever save ourselves. Jesus prays. God’s word of truth will make God’s enemies into God’s children. Because no one can save himself, Jesus prays for God’s truth to make mankind holy.
F. In chapter 14 Jesus described himself as the way, the truth, and the life. Nothing has changed one little bit since Jesus spoke those words. Jesus is still the ONLY way, truth, and life. There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we are saved. "Because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them"(HEBREWS 7:24, 25). Jesus always lives to plead our case on our behalf. Jesus always lives to pray for us. Jesus always lives to forgive our wickedness, rebellion, and sin. Jesus always lives so that someday we will also always live with in forever in perfect holiness.
GOD’S TRUTH WILL MAKE US HOLY.
This is what Jesus wants and prays for all believers.
II. GOD’S TRUTH IS ALWAYS OUR MESSAGE
A. Verse 17. God’s truth is God’s word. God’s word is the ultimate, absolute truth for all time.
1. Verse 18. God’s truth is that Jesus was sent into this world to carry out his Father’s will.
2. Jesus perfectly did all that his Father required. Jesus now sends His disciples into the world.
B. Verse 20. The message of the disciples was the very words and teachings of Jesus.
1. The disciples did not teach about themselves. No one needed to hear about their lives.
2. Jesus prayed for future believers to hear and believe the powerful message of God’s word.
C. Verse 23b. The love of the disciples for one another would show the world the love of Jesus.
1. Verse 25. The disciples knew Jesus was sent from the Father. This was their message for all.
2. Verse 26. Believers would continue to know Jesus through God’s truth – God’s living word.
D. We live in a very skeptical age. Truth is considered to be relative. What one determines to be the truth is regarded as the truth whether or not it really the truth. “God’s word is truth”. This fact does not sit well with many people today. Pontius Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” Even today some people find it difficult to define the word “is”. The world grows more and more wicked with every passing second. More and more people are concerned only with themselves as the love of most grows cold. We live in the United States. We have free access to God’s word. Bibles are plentiful and inexpensive. But still many do not believe. "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God"(2 CORINTHIANS 4:4). The god of this age is none other than Satan. His temptations are still the same. Pride and selfishness blind.
E. “God’s word is truth”. The Lord Jesus Christ sent out his twelve disciples to go to the ends of the earth. They went with the message of salvation. This is the same message our Lord Jesus Christ gives us to go the ends of the earth. God’s truth that makes us holy is the life and the death and the resurrection of the only way, truth, and life for all of mankind. "Jesus Christ, the Righteous One… is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 JOHN 2:2). Jesus did not discriminate when he gave us his life as complete payment for sin. Jesus’ blood was shed for all.
F. “God’s word is truth”. This is always our message. Can people be saved by any testimony about ourselves? Hardly. God’s word is much more powerful than our testimony. God’s word of truth is the only effective way that anyone can or will ever by brought to faith. It is not my words that save. It is not the words written in other books that save. "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile" (ROMANS 1:16). God found the apostle and changed his life. Jesus does the same for all believers. Jesus chooses us first.
CONC: God’s truth will make us holy. This is what the Lord Jesus Christ wants for all people. This is exactly what our Lord Jesus Christ prays for all his disciples and all believers. Gods’ truth is his word. God’s truth, his living and active word, is always our message to the many who still sit in darkness. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God" (COLOSSIANS 3:16). Christian you are not alone – never, ever. If you ever feel that way please study again John, chapter 17. Our Lord God Almighty prays for us. Truly, GOD’S TRUTH WILL MAKE US HOLY. Thus Jesus prays for us. God’s gospel is always our message to the ends of the world. Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
EASTER 7 rdgs: ACTS 1:1-14; 1 PETER 4:12-17; 5:6-11; JOHN 17:1-11; (PSALM 8)
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