Jesus' Prayer for You

Notes: Jesus' Prayer for You
Greg Laurie
Sunday, January 28, 2018
John 17
Music: Harvest Worship Band

https://www.harvest.org/watch-and-listen/webcast/watch/jesus-prayer-for-you-012818

Sometimes we get caught up on how we are praying in front of others. 

We should focus on who we are praying to.

Matthew 18:19 ESV
[19] Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.

There is power in unified prayer.

Hebrews 7:25 ESV
[25] Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

Romans 8:34 ESV
[34] Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died-more than that, who was raised-who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

What does Jesus pray when He intercedes for us?

John 17 is the true “Lord’s Prayer”

Jesus spent a lot of time in prayer.

Luke 6:12 ESV
[12] In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.

If Jesus who is perfect, prayed, how much more should we pray, that are sinful and imperfect.

1. Jesus first prayed for Himself.

You should start by praying for yourself.

John 17:1-5 ESV
[1] When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, [2] since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. [3] And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. [4] I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. [5] And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

Notice Jesus says, the hour has come.

John 2:4 ESV
[4] And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come."

John 7:6-8 ESV
[6] Jesus said to them, "My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. [7] The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil. [8] You go up to the feast. I am not going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come."

He has done the work the Father has given Him to do.

God will use circumstances in our lives to keep us dependent on Him.

God loves to give us things. He loves to bless us.

It’s a good illustration to think of God as a grandfather sometimes. He loves to spoil us.

God wants us to go to Him, to have fellowship.

John 17:7-12 NLT
[7] Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, [8] for I have passed on to them the message you gave me. They accepted it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me. [9] "My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. [10] All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory. [11] Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are. [12] During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold

What does Jesus want for you: points 1 to 4

1. Jesus prays for our preservation  
John 17:11 NLT
[11] Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are.

God wants to keep you, but do you want to be kept?

If you stop feeding yourself spiritually, you will eventually start going backwards.

Psalm 121:1-5 NLT
[1] I look up to the mountains- does my help come from there? [2] My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth! [3] He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. [4] Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. [5] The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade.

1 Peter 1:5 NLT
[5] And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.

Jude 1:1 NLT
[1] This letter is from Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ and a brother of James. I am writing to all who have been called by God the Father, who loves you and keeps you safe in the care of Jesus Christ.

You have a joint bank account with the creator of the universe.

If something is important to you, you will keep your eye on it.

God never forgets who He loves.

Though God will keep us, but we must want to be kept.

2. Jesus prays for our consecration 

John 17:13-17 NLT
[13] "Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. [14] I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. [15] I'm not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. [16] They do not belong to this world any more than I do. [17] Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.

1 John 2:16 NLT
[16] For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.

The reality is when you become a Christian, you are not only saved, but you are also a much better version of yourself.

When you are a bright light, it will annoy  some people when you are shining.

John 17:17 NLT
[17] Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.

2 Timothy 2:20 NLT
[20] In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use.

Two big Bible words, Sanctified and Justified.

You become justified when you believe, you become sanctified over the years of living out your faith.

3. Jesus prays we will be unified

What a powerful witness it is when others see Christians unified.

The church is a family and it is also an army. 

Ephesians 4:16 NLT
[16] He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

One of the keys to spiritual growth is your engagement with the church. Not just attendance, but in participation.

“In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, charity.”

John 17:20 NLT
[20] "I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.

God keeps you saved, but you need to keep yourself safe.

4. He prays that we will reach out to others.

John 17:20 NLT
[20] "I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.

How will people know how to accept Christ if no one tells them.

The church is not perfect, but we are still the best family going.