WEBVTT 00:00:08.720 --> 00:00:14.480 My last semester of seminary contained the best and worst class that I have ever taken. 00:00:14.800 --> 00:00:18.559 The course was prayer and the pastor. 00:00:18.800 --> 00:00:32.159 Now it was the best class because it's difficult to imagine a more fruitful time than studying what God's Word has to say about prayer, and then every single day of the semester having to pray for 40 minutes. 00:00:32.479 --> 00:00:46.320 We studied the mediatoral prayers of Moses, we studied the quick, effective prayers of Nehemiah, we studied the earth-shaking prayers of the early church, and we broke down the pastoral prayers of the Apostle Paul. 00:00:46.640 --> 00:00:56.159 But I also said it was the worst class that I've ever taken because it exposed my lack of prayer about as effectively as a hundred thousand lumen flashlight. 00:00:56.479 --> 00:01:08.879 Imagine for a moment when you are turning in your prayer journal for the week and you're typing, Dear Professor Hairgrove, just let it sink in for a second. 00:01:09.280 --> 00:01:17.519 I wasn't able to complete 40 minutes every single day this week because of ministry, because of my family, because of, etc. 00:01:17.920 --> 00:01:21.359 What excuse is possibly good enough to not pray? 00:01:21.680 --> 00:01:23.439 I think you've all heard the quote, right? 00:01:23.519 --> 00:01:28.319 That prayer is like breathing for the Christian, so if you're not praying, it's kind of like holding your breath. 00:01:28.480 --> 00:01:33.760 But I think if we're all honest, we've grown quite accustomed to holding our breath, to our shame. 00:01:34.079 --> 00:01:37.359 But that's actually not what this sermon is about tonight. 00:01:37.599 --> 00:01:50.239 There was one final prayer life that we studied in that course, and it filled me with such hope and joy that I don't know that I could possibly talk about anything else tonight, given the chance to open God's word together. 00:01:50.560 --> 00:02:00.319 As discouraging as our prayer lives may be, I want you to take heart tonight that the prayer life of Jesus is filled to overflowing with hope for you. 00:02:00.560 --> 00:02:05.439 There is strong encouragement to be found in the prayers of Jesus on behalf of his people. 00:02:05.760 --> 00:02:16.080 If, as James says, the prayers of a righteous man have great power as they are working, then surely the prayers of the righteous man have great power as they are working. 00:02:16.400 --> 00:02:19.840 Jesus prayed this prayer before his disciples. 00:02:20.080 --> 00:02:28.240 But we also have this prayer recorded so that we as his disciples can know tonight what it is that Jesus prayed for us. 00:02:28.479 --> 00:02:38.159 And I am hoping tonight that this will bring you great encouragement as we look at three prayer requests that Jesus made for us before we were ever even born. 00:02:38.560 --> 00:02:39.520 Take heart. 00:02:39.680 --> 00:02:48.719 If your prayer life is weak or even absent, your Savior is praying for you right now, just like He did this very night. 00:02:49.520 --> 00:02:55.840 And the first prayer request that Jesus makes for us is that we may be one. 00:02:56.240 --> 00:02:57.759 Look down at verse 20. 00:02:59.599 --> 00:03:05.840 I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word. 00:03:06.319 --> 00:03:10.719 This verse here begins the final turning point of Jesus' high priestly prayer. 00:03:10.960 --> 00:03:16.319 The context is that this is the night before Jesus' betrayal and arrest. 00:03:16.560 --> 00:03:18.479 This is the night before his death. 00:03:18.719 --> 00:03:25.439 Jesus spent the night at supper with his disciples, keeping them close, teaching them, encouraging them. 00:03:25.680 --> 00:03:30.080 In John chapter 13 through 16, we see what's known as the upper room discourse. 00:03:30.319 --> 00:03:38.879 And in chapter 13, Jesus begins the Last Supper by washing his disciples' feet and urging them to follow his example of love and service. 00:03:39.120 --> 00:03:40.960 He urged them to love one another. 00:03:41.199 --> 00:03:46.159 In chapter 14, he addresses their understandable fears and he encourages their faith. 00:03:46.319 --> 00:03:48.080 He tells them, Believe in God. 00:03:48.319 --> 00:03:50.479 I am the way, the truth, and the life. 00:03:50.719 --> 00:03:52.800 I'm going to bring you with me one day. 00:03:53.039 --> 00:03:57.599 But first I'm going to leave and I'm going to send the Holy Spirit with you. 00:03:57.840 --> 00:04:02.560 And no longer will I just be with you, but I actually, through my Spirit, will be in you. 00:04:03.039 --> 00:04:09.759 Therefore, in chapter 15, Jesus says, Because I'll be abiding in you through the Spirit, you abide in me. 00:04:10.240 --> 00:04:12.960 Your fruitfulness depends on your abiding. 00:04:13.199 --> 00:04:17.120 Stay in prayer, stay in my word, steady your affections on me. 00:04:17.360 --> 00:04:21.600 And then in chapter 16, Jesus drops a reality bomb on them. 00:04:21.839 --> 00:04:23.199 The world hated me. 00:04:23.360 --> 00:04:25.199 They watched his ministry, they saw it. 00:04:25.360 --> 00:04:27.360 So the world's going to hate you too. 00:04:27.600 --> 00:04:29.120 But don't lose heart. 00:04:29.360 --> 00:04:30.480 Don't be afraid. 00:04:30.720 --> 00:04:35.279 My spirit will guide you and bring you what you need in the very hour that you need it. 00:04:35.519 --> 00:04:37.519 I have overcome the world. 00:04:37.759 --> 00:04:49.920 And it's after this whole discourse with his disciples still with him, John chapter 17, verse 1, when Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven and he begins to pray before them. 00:04:50.160 --> 00:04:54.240 And in verses 1 through 5 of John 17, Jesus prayed for himself. 00:04:54.480 --> 00:05:00.560 He prayed that his life, his resurrection, his death and resurrection would bring glory to the Father. 00:05:00.800 --> 00:05:02.399 He prayed for his disciples. 00:05:02.560 --> 00:05:06.959 In verses six through nineteen, he gave glory to the Father for their salvation. 00:05:07.199 --> 00:05:08.639 He prayed for their joy. 00:05:08.800 --> 00:05:15.519 And he prayed also for their preservation, not only from the evil one, but he even prayed for preservation from their own sin. 00:05:15.680 --> 00:05:19.199 He prayed that they would be sanctified in the truth. 00:05:20.079 --> 00:05:29.120 And then here in verse 20, the all-seeing and all-loving eyes of the God man turns his gaze into the future. 00:05:29.279 --> 00:05:37.120 And he sets his eyes upon those in verse 20, referred to as those who will believe in me through their word. 00:05:38.000 --> 00:05:43.519 Verses 20 to 26 of John 17 are Jesus' prayer for future believers. 00:05:44.079 --> 00:05:47.120 Jesus was praying for you then. 00:05:48.000 --> 00:05:50.480 And he's praying for you still now. 00:05:51.199 --> 00:05:56.639 This prayer of Jesus was answered in Acts 2, 3,000 people. 00:05:56.879 --> 00:05:59.600 Later in Acts, 5,000 people. 00:06:00.079 --> 00:06:03.839 This prayer has been answered consistently and effectively for millennia. 00:06:04.000 --> 00:06:06.240 We just call it church history. 00:06:06.720 --> 00:06:10.480 This prayer has been answered in this very room tonight. 00:06:11.360 --> 00:06:22.000 And earlier today, while I was sitting at home, I was praying that that prayer of Jesus would be answered again tonight, maybe for someone for the first time, that you would believe in Jesus for the first time. 00:06:23.199 --> 00:06:27.439 The first request that Jesus makes for us is that we may be one. 00:06:27.680 --> 00:06:29.600 Look down at verse 21 to 23. 00:06:30.240 --> 00:06:42.959 He prays, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 00:06:43.279 --> 00:07:00.720 The glory that you have given me, I have given to them, that they may be one, even as we are one, I in them, and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and love them even as you loved me. 00:07:01.680 --> 00:07:18.480 If you read through chapters thirteen through seventeen of John, you'll see that Jesus speaks about unity explicitly, about nine times, washing each other's feet, loving one another as a commandment, and also saying that by your love for one another, the world's gonna know that you're my disciples. 00:07:18.639 --> 00:07:25.279 But here in verses 20 to 23, Jesus is speaking explicitly and only about unity. 00:07:25.680 --> 00:07:35.120 And in these three verses, we see the model of unity, we see the means of this unity, and we see the mission of this unity. 00:07:35.360 --> 00:07:37.839 So, first, the model of this unity. 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:46.399 If you look back at verses 21 to 23, three times there's this little Greek phrase that is translated just as or as. 00:07:46.800 --> 00:07:49.600 And I want you to listen and look down at your Bibles. 00:07:49.920 --> 00:07:56.959 He says, That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you. 00:07:57.519 --> 00:08:03.519 In verse 22, he says, that they may be one even as we are one. 00:08:03.759 --> 00:08:12.720 And then in verse 23, he says, That they may know that you sent me and love them even as you loved me. 00:08:13.360 --> 00:08:19.040 The triune Godhead is the very source of this unity that Jesus is praying for. 00:08:19.360 --> 00:08:24.079 Because the eternal triune God is unity in his essence. 00:08:24.319 --> 00:08:30.879 The Father loves the Son, the Son loves the Father, the Spirit proceeds from the love of the Father and the Son. 00:08:31.120 --> 00:08:33.759 Theologians call this paracurasis. 00:08:33.919 --> 00:08:38.399 It's the Father, the Son, and the Spirit being bound together in perfect unity. 00:08:38.639 --> 00:08:49.759 It's love and life flowing unbroken between the three of them, without any mixture, without any confusion, perfect unity and perfect love, one essence and three persons. 00:08:50.000 --> 00:08:56.399 And this is the very triunity that Jesus prays that our unity would be as. 00:08:57.600 --> 00:08:58.559 But how? 00:08:59.120 --> 00:09:01.600 How are we to enter into that unity? 00:09:01.759 --> 00:09:04.240 What is the means of our unity? 00:09:04.480 --> 00:09:14.080 And before we speak about this, it's important to make a distinction that we being sons, like the Son is the Son to the Father, is different. 00:09:14.320 --> 00:09:16.320 We are sons by adoption. 00:09:16.559 --> 00:09:22.320 The Father, in his love, by the work of his son and through his spirit, has adopted us into his family. 00:09:22.559 --> 00:09:25.759 But the Son of God is a son by nature. 00:09:25.919 --> 00:09:27.679 There's a distinction there. 00:09:27.919 --> 00:09:39.519 As much as the scriptures talk about us being united as the Father and the Son, you must always keep a reality check that you are like God, but you are not God. 00:09:39.759 --> 00:09:41.679 This distinction is extremely important. 00:09:41.840 --> 00:09:50.559 And I think that term sons by adoption, sons or daughters by adoption, versus a son by nature is an important distinction to keep in our minds. 00:09:50.720 --> 00:09:53.279 Nevertheless, what is the means of this unity? 00:09:53.360 --> 00:09:55.679 How are we to enter into this unity? 00:09:55.919 --> 00:09:59.360 Look back down at verse 21 to the second half of it. 00:09:59.679 --> 00:10:07.200 He says, Just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us. 00:10:08.000 --> 00:10:16.559 And then in verse 22, he says it this way: The glory, Father, that you've given to me, the Son, I have given to them. 00:10:18.559 --> 00:10:24.320 If it wasn't for the fact that these words were recorded out of Jesus' mouth, this would be impossible to believe. 00:10:24.799 --> 00:10:28.720 The glory of the Father and the Son being given to us by the Son? 00:10:28.960 --> 00:10:30.480 What does that even mean? 00:10:30.639 --> 00:10:35.840 How are we even close to able to participate in that? 00:10:36.080 --> 00:10:37.679 Well, of course, it's grace. 00:10:38.000 --> 00:10:53.279 The way that we enter into this unity, the means of our entering into this unity is by faith in Jesus Christ, in which he sends his spirit to dwell in us, and in that way we are united to God through Christ by His Spirit. 00:10:53.519 --> 00:11:00.639 And that indeed is a glorious reality, which is why Jesus says, I've given this glory to them. 00:11:01.039 --> 00:11:04.480 There are two passages that I think will help us to understand this. 00:11:04.720 --> 00:11:08.879 John chapter 5, if you want to read with me, John chapter 5, verse 19. 00:11:09.759 --> 00:11:11.919 John chapter 5, verse 19. 00:11:16.240 --> 00:11:20.480 There's some religious leaders who are mad because Jesus keeps saying he's God. 00:11:20.639 --> 00:11:21.519 That bothers them. 00:11:21.600 --> 00:11:22.399 They don't believe it. 00:11:22.639 --> 00:11:25.600 So he says this to them in John chapter 5, verse 19. 00:11:26.080 --> 00:11:35.440 Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. 00:11:35.759 --> 00:11:40.559 For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. 00:11:40.960 --> 00:11:43.039 And then go down to verse 26. 00:11:44.320 --> 00:11:54.559 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 00:11:55.679 --> 00:12:03.039 The Son is united to the Father in such a way that they have one life and one work. 00:12:04.080 --> 00:12:08.720 Now listen to how the Apostle Paul speaks about our unity to Christ. 00:12:08.879 --> 00:12:13.440 In Galatians chapter 2, verse 20, he says, I've been crucified with Christ. 00:12:13.679 --> 00:12:17.679 It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. 00:12:17.840 --> 00:12:24.559 And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 00:12:24.799 --> 00:12:31.200 When you are united to Christ by the Spirit, it means that you have one life with him. 00:12:31.600 --> 00:12:36.399 Colossians says that your life is hidden with Christ in God. 00:12:37.679 --> 00:12:46.320 John chapter 6, verse 57, if you turn over just a little bit, John chapter 6, verse 57, Jesus says this statement. 00:13:00.159 --> 00:13:11.200 By faith you are not only united to the Godhead, but faith is also here illustrated as feeding, consuming, taking in, partaking in, embracing who he is. 00:13:11.360 --> 00:13:15.279 And in that way you are united relationally to him as well. 00:13:15.919 --> 00:13:19.279 But there's something important that I want you to see here, and we'll turn to one last text. 00:13:19.440 --> 00:13:20.879 We're going to go to 2 Peter. 00:13:21.120 --> 00:13:24.159 2 Peter chapter 1, beginning in verse 3. 00:13:24.399 --> 00:13:26.720 Because our unity is an objective fact. 00:13:26.879 --> 00:13:31.039 What we've read tonight so far is that our unity is an objective fact. 00:13:31.200 --> 00:13:35.039 By faith you are objectively united to Christ. 00:13:35.279 --> 00:13:36.799 There's nothing that can change that. 00:13:37.200 --> 00:13:38.159 It's a done deal. 00:13:38.399 --> 00:13:44.159 But listen to what Peter, who was there when Jesus was praying in John 17, writes about this. 00:13:44.559 --> 00:13:48.720 Second Peter chapter 1, verse 3. 00:13:49.759 --> 00:14:16.080 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence, by which He has granted to us His precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 00:14:16.320 --> 00:14:19.840 Objective truth, objective truth, objective truth. 00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:20.399 Right? 00:14:20.639 --> 00:14:42.320 Now he says, verse 5, for this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 00:14:42.720 --> 00:14:56.879 While our unity to God is an objective fact, and by our unity we become partakers of the divine nature, there is still a subjective means in which we live out this objective fact. 00:14:57.840 --> 00:15:04.159 Note, Jesus in John 17, going back there now, is praying that we may be one. 00:15:04.960 --> 00:15:10.639 Jesus this very night has commanded his disciples to be one by loving one another. 00:15:10.879 --> 00:15:22.240 The New Testament uses the phrase one another over a hundred times, and the overwhelming majority of those one another's are commands and admonishments to be one and to love. 00:15:22.799 --> 00:15:30.080 So there is a tension here between what is already true of us and what we are being commanded to live out. 00:15:30.320 --> 00:15:32.799 And do you know what resolves the tension? 00:15:33.279 --> 00:15:34.480 Obedience. 00:15:35.840 --> 00:15:42.240 Jesus prayed for you to be united to the believers in Emmanuel Bible Church. 00:15:43.120 --> 00:15:52.480 Jesus prayed for your unity with those sitting around you, with those in this church, really with all believers, but particularly here. 00:15:53.360 --> 00:16:01.200 So I urge you, by the life, death, resurrection, and prayers of Jesus Christ, be one. 00:16:02.240 --> 00:16:06.559 Everything from getting a meal together to getting along with one another. 00:16:07.039 --> 00:16:08.000 Be one. 00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:16.480 Unity comes not by looking for preferential agreement, but by looking to the same Christ. 00:16:17.440 --> 00:16:21.519 And I want to add just one footnote that I found comforting. 00:16:21.759 --> 00:16:34.159 If Jesus is commanding us as the members of his body to care for one another and to love one another, don't you think that he, as the head of the body, will take so much more care of us, his body? 00:16:34.480 --> 00:16:36.480 I find that very encouraging. 00:16:37.440 --> 00:16:41.360 So we've seen the model of this unity is the triune Godhead. 00:16:41.519 --> 00:16:55.679 We've seen the means of this unity is that by faith the Spirit indwells us and we are brought into, we become partakers of the divine nature, and that there's also a subjective means in which we live out the objective unity that we have. 00:16:55.919 --> 00:16:59.360 But there's also, according to Jesus, a mission to this unity. 00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:03.600 Look back down at the end of verse 21, in the end of verse 23. 00:17:04.160 --> 00:17:09.920 He says, So that the world may believe that you have sent me. 00:17:10.160 --> 00:17:11.440 End of verse 23. 00:17:11.920 --> 00:17:17.759 So that the world may know that you sent me and love them, even as you love me. 00:17:18.160 --> 00:17:25.599 This very night Jesus had already told his disciples to love one another and told them, If you do this, the world's gonna know that you're my disciples. 00:17:25.839 --> 00:17:31.359 Here Jesus is praying before them that their unity would bear witness to the world. 00:17:31.599 --> 00:17:40.000 And notice the witness is not meant to display the disciples, but it's meant to display the triune God, fully displayed in the gospel. 00:17:40.240 --> 00:17:48.880 When the world sees your unity, what Jesus wants them to see, what Jesus prays for them to see is Him and His love for you. 00:17:49.119 --> 00:17:50.880 Not you, but Him. 00:17:51.599 --> 00:17:54.000 He must increase and we must decrease. 00:17:54.160 --> 00:17:56.799 And our unity actually helps Him to increase. 00:17:57.039 --> 00:18:01.119 Our witness is actually strengthened by our love for one another. 00:18:03.039 --> 00:18:06.559 So Jesus prays firstly that we may be one. 00:18:07.920 --> 00:18:19.680 But now he prays not just that the church would be one, but he also prays now that the church would see his glory in heaven, that we may behold him. 00:18:19.920 --> 00:18:21.440 Look down to verse 24. 00:18:23.039 --> 00:18:39.200 Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 00:18:40.160 --> 00:18:43.519 The Greek here emphatically displays the love of Jesus. 00:18:43.680 --> 00:18:52.240 It literally says, Father, the ones you have given to me, I desire that they may be with me where I am. 00:18:52.559 --> 00:18:59.279 This verb given might surprise you to know that it's actually the most common word in John 17. 00:18:59.440 --> 00:19:00.640 I was surprised by that. 00:19:00.880 --> 00:19:04.960 I sort of came into it thinking that glory was the most common word in John 17. 00:19:05.119 --> 00:19:06.319 But it's actually given. 00:19:06.559 --> 00:19:12.400 And this verb, specifically this verb form given, is used 33 times in the Gospel of John. 00:19:12.640 --> 00:19:15.839 Twelve of those occurrences are right here in John 17. 00:19:16.400 --> 00:19:19.440 God gave authority to the Son. 00:19:19.839 --> 00:19:23.519 God gave a work to the Son for him to do. 00:19:23.759 --> 00:19:26.480 Jesus gave the word to the apostles. 00:19:26.720 --> 00:19:29.519 Jesus gave glory to us. 00:19:29.839 --> 00:19:38.799 But five times in the Gospel of John, the disciples of Jesus are referred to as those that God had given to Jesus. 00:19:39.279 --> 00:19:43.279 And that is how Jesus is praying about us in this passage. 00:19:44.000 --> 00:20:00.720 Jesus is saying, as he prays for us and how he's viewing us, is that he's asking that the Father, because of all the work he's going to do through the gospel and the prayer he has for us, that he would be given us as a gift from the Father. 00:20:00.960 --> 00:20:08.160 It's as if the Son views us as a gift from the Father, a love gift that says, I've given these to you. 00:20:08.640 --> 00:20:11.440 Listen again to the way Jesus prays for us. 00:20:11.920 --> 00:20:26.319 Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me may be with me where I am to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 00:20:26.799 --> 00:20:31.599 I work in the hallway of ICS upstairs, Emmanuel Christian School. 00:20:31.759 --> 00:20:36.400 And one of the perks about that is every now and then teachers will drop by gifts from the students. 00:20:36.640 --> 00:20:40.240 Sometimes cookies, but oftentimes it's cards written out. 00:20:40.400 --> 00:20:46.720 And I got a card one time while I wasn't there, and the card said, Jesus is waiting for you. 00:20:46.960 --> 00:20:51.599 And then someone who I have never identified scribbled under it, So am I. 00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:54.720 Which kind of took like the edge off the card a little bit. 00:20:54.960 --> 00:21:03.839 But as corny as that is, that Jesus is waiting for you, I saw it up in my office tonight and thought, Jesus is saying that. 00:21:04.160 --> 00:21:09.200 He is saying that physically he is waiting to be with us. 00:21:09.519 --> 00:21:12.240 He's with us now through his spirit and dwelling us. 00:21:12.319 --> 00:21:17.440 But he's saying, Father, I desire that they may be with me where I am. 00:21:19.119 --> 00:21:21.119 Jesus is waiting for you. 00:21:22.240 --> 00:21:23.839 So what is Jesus praying? 00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:29.359 Jesus is praying here that we would be with him forever, beholding his glory. 00:21:29.599 --> 00:21:33.519 And what is this glory that we would be beholding? 00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:45.119 Well, he says, I desire that they also whom you've given me may be with me to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 00:21:45.440 --> 00:21:53.200 This glory is us beholding with unveiled eyes fully the love of the Father for the Son. 00:21:54.559 --> 00:21:59.759 It is us being overwhelmed with the deluge of the reality of his eternal love. 00:22:00.960 --> 00:22:05.680 In a glorified state where we can actually participate in it without dying. 00:22:07.440 --> 00:22:09.839 And how will we behold this? 00:22:10.319 --> 00:22:15.759 It's by beholding Jesus with our very eyes after we've died and are glorified. 00:22:15.920 --> 00:22:22.480 This is the moment that what we've beheld by faith our entire lives will be fulfilled in sight. 00:22:23.359 --> 00:22:35.519 And this prayer would have been particularly special for Philip, who in John chapter 14, verse 8, said to Jesus, Lord, show us the Father, and it's enough for us. 00:22:35.759 --> 00:22:38.960 And Jesus said, Have I been with you so long? 00:22:39.519 --> 00:22:41.519 You still don't know me, Philip? 00:22:41.759 --> 00:22:44.880 Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. 00:22:45.039 --> 00:22:47.359 How can you say, Show us the Father? 00:22:47.599 --> 00:22:52.640 Jesus in this prayer is telling Philip, Philip, this is not the last time you're going to see me. 00:22:52.880 --> 00:22:57.599 And the next time you see me, it's going to be in the unveiled fullness of my glory. 00:22:59.680 --> 00:23:02.160 But what is beholding glory like? 00:23:03.359 --> 00:23:04.559 What is it like? 00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:08.240 I've been reading a book with my son called Wings of Fire. 00:23:08.880 --> 00:23:15.920 And in this book, there are a couple of, they're called dragonets, they're little baby dragons, and there was a prophecy about them. 00:23:16.079 --> 00:23:21.359 So these dragons are protected by older Guardian dragons under a mountain, underground. 00:23:21.440 --> 00:23:22.960 So they've never been in sunlight. 00:23:23.119 --> 00:23:27.839 One of the main characters, Clay, comes up with a plan, and they actually escape for the first time. 00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:31.519 And for the first time, they actually see themselves in sunlight. 00:23:31.680 --> 00:23:33.519 Listen to this quote from the book. 00:23:33.839 --> 00:23:37.119 Clay opened his eyes and glanced down. 00:23:37.519 --> 00:23:45.200 He'd always thought of himself as just brown, plain brown scales, ordinary brown claws, the color of flat mud from horns to tail. 00:23:45.440 --> 00:23:52.240 But now, in the full sunlight, for the first time, he could see gold and amber glints between and beneath his scales. 00:23:52.400 --> 00:23:59.200 Even the browns seemed richer and deeper, like the mahogany trunk where webs kept the most delicate scrolls. 00:23:59.359 --> 00:24:04.319 And then he thinks of a friend he has who is also one of the dragonets, and her name is Glory. 00:24:04.559 --> 00:24:10.160 Then he thought of Glory and how beautiful she already was in the gloomy caves. 00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:17.279 None of them would be able to look at her in the full sunlight, or else they'd be too dazzled to ever speak again. 00:24:18.480 --> 00:24:24.640 Similarly, if we were to behold the unvarnished glory of the sun now, we would fall as if dead. 00:24:24.880 --> 00:24:36.400 But on this day that Jesus is praying for, we will be unhindered in our capacity to participate in and enjoy the fullness of the glory of God through the Son by the Spirit. 00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:39.440 God's joy is already full in Himself. 00:24:39.680 --> 00:24:51.279 What Jesus is praying is that our joy would be made full by being united to him, not only spiritually, but physically in heaven, beholding him with unveiled face. 00:24:52.160 --> 00:24:58.160 What Jesus prayed for in verses 20 to 23 was the church's happiness here on earth. 00:24:58.400 --> 00:24:59.039 Right? 00:24:59.440 --> 00:25:04.160 But in verse 24, Jesus is praying that the church would be happy in the world to come. 00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:10.559 This is often referred to as the beatific vision, literally the vision that makes happy. 00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:14.400 Jesus is our happiness. 00:25:14.640 --> 00:25:22.240 And the peak of our greatest and fullest joy and happiness is in the unhindered beholding of his glory. 00:25:23.039 --> 00:25:24.640 Jesus is our joy. 00:25:24.799 --> 00:25:26.160 Jesus is our life. 00:25:26.319 --> 00:25:32.079 And even looking at his prayer tonight is our very hope that sustains us until that day. 00:25:48.160 --> 00:25:55.119 But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 00:25:56.000 --> 00:26:04.960 The grace given to us through the gospel will one day be fully realized in the glory prayed for us by the Savior. 00:26:10.960 --> 00:26:15.119 In your presence there is fullness of joy. 00:26:16.079 --> 00:26:27.119 Pastor Dan some months ago reminded us that a major facet of the fullness of joy in heaven is the kindness of God displayed toward us in Christ. 00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:48.559 Manton, writing on this verse, says this it is our burden in this world that the clouds interpose between us and Christ, that there is a great gulf between us and him, which cannot be passed but by death, that God is at a distance, that our enemies often ask us, Where's your God? 00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:55.440 Now we shall be happy when we shall be in his arms, when we can say, Here he is. 00:26:56.160 --> 00:27:00.720 And Manton goes on, and he says, In heaven there's nothing to divert us from the sight of God. 00:27:00.880 --> 00:27:07.279 We are withdrawn from all other objects that we may study him alone without weariness. 00:27:08.160 --> 00:27:21.119 John Piper, dwelling on Jonathan Edwards' own reflections on glory, says this The infinite God will never be done showing us the immeasurable riches of his grace, or the full vista of himself coming to us in love. 00:27:21.359 --> 00:27:26.799 Our sight of God in Christ will be both immediate and continue to ripen forever. 00:27:27.039 --> 00:27:28.640 It will never become static. 00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:38.960 And as Edwards writes, never boring, Edwards says, after they had the pleasure of beholding the face of God millions of ages, it will never grow a dull story. 00:27:39.119 --> 00:27:43.519 The relish of this delight will be as exquisite as ever. 00:27:46.480 --> 00:27:49.039 So, what does that mean right now? 00:27:50.559 --> 00:27:55.119 Our eternal and unbroken fellowship with Jesus has been purchased on the cross. 00:27:55.279 --> 00:27:59.839 It's been guaranteed by the blood of Christ, and it's been prayed for by the Son. 00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:02.079 But why wait? 00:28:02.960 --> 00:28:05.119 Why wait to enjoy Him? 00:28:07.200 --> 00:28:15.359 Manton writes again: Let the foresight of this glorious estate wean thee from all inordinate affections to human and earthly glory. 00:28:15.680 --> 00:28:31.359 As the sun puts out the candle, so should the forethought of these excellencies extinguish in us carnal desire, and dissolve the enchant enchantment that would otherwise bewitch our souls and make us impatient under the cross. 00:28:31.599 --> 00:28:37.920 Or, as the Apostle John says it, every one who thus hopes in him purifies himself. 00:28:38.559 --> 00:28:46.559 A consistent dwelling on the glory of the Son helps us to live a holy life now as we anticipate the glory to come then. 00:28:47.279 --> 00:28:51.279 So read your Bible as if you were going to a feast. 00:28:51.680 --> 00:28:56.160 Listen to sermons as if the Son himself were speaking to you through his word. 00:28:56.720 --> 00:29:04.000 Pray as if standing before the face of God, and seek satisfaction nowhere else but at the fountain. 00:29:04.559 --> 00:29:14.240 One day, turn your eyes upon Jesus will no longer be a hymn sung in faith, but a reality beheld with our very eyes for eternity. 00:29:15.759 --> 00:29:18.799 So Jesus has prayed for us that we may be one. 00:29:19.200 --> 00:29:21.759 He's prayed for us that we may behold Him. 00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:27.440 And lastly, in verses 25 to 26, Jesus prays that we may know God. 00:29:28.400 --> 00:29:29.599 Down at verse 25. 00:29:31.279 --> 00:29:37.200 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you. 00:29:37.680 --> 00:29:40.240 And these know that you have sent me. 00:29:40.640 --> 00:29:43.599 I made known to them your name. 00:29:43.920 --> 00:29:44.880 Stop there. 00:29:45.680 --> 00:29:56.480 Jesus called the Father Holy Father earlier in John 17, when he was praying that the Father would keep the disciples in his name or make them holy, set them apart. 00:29:57.279 --> 00:30:03.200 Here Jesus calls the Father the righteous father for this reason. 00:30:03.519 --> 00:30:08.799 What Jesus is saying is that all that the Father does is right and good. 00:30:09.440 --> 00:30:12.640 He is just in all of his dealings. 00:30:12.880 --> 00:30:21.839 And therefore, in this prayer, he is saying that the rightness of God will be displayed in the answering of this prayer. 00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:28.000 God as a righteous God is going to answer the prayers of his perfect Son. 00:30:29.119 --> 00:30:44.160 But he is also saying that in the very means by which the foundation for the answering of this prayer, the cross, the next day is going to happen, you will also see the righteousness of God being displayed. 00:30:45.039 --> 00:30:54.799 Jesus is saying that our knowledge of God, our being united to the Godhead, brought into the fellowship of eternal love by the Son, is right. 00:30:55.519 --> 00:31:04.400 Because God promised it all throughout the scriptures, because Jesus purchased it, and because the Spirit applies it to our hearts. 00:31:07.039 --> 00:31:12.319 Paul adds that the love of God toward us is not only right, but it's also wise. 00:31:12.559 --> 00:31:15.519 Listen to what he says in Ephesians chapter 1, verse 7. 00:31:15.759 --> 00:31:41.119 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us in all wisdom and insight, making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 00:31:42.000 --> 00:31:50.319 It is right for the Father to love those whom he promised to love, and those whom his son prayed for. 00:31:50.880 --> 00:31:54.000 In John 17, 3, look at what Jesus says. 00:31:54.319 --> 00:31:58.160 Jesus tells us what eternal life is in John 17, verse 3. 00:31:58.480 --> 00:32:07.680 This is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 00:32:08.319 --> 00:32:20.319 So eternal life is knowing relationally the Father, being intimately united to him in such a way that you can say, I know him, and he knows me. 00:32:20.480 --> 00:32:24.160 Not I know of him or about him, but I know him. 00:32:26.640 --> 00:32:34.720 And over and over again in John's Gospel, John emphasizes that the knowledge of God only comes through the Son. 00:32:35.279 --> 00:32:38.799 So of course it's the Son who's praying that we may know God. 00:32:39.039 --> 00:32:49.759 In John chapter 1, verse 18, John writes, No one has ever seen God, the only God, but the only God who is at the Father's side, he has made him known. 00:32:50.000 --> 00:32:56.960 In John chapter 14, verse 6, in this very discourse, this very night, Jesus told them, I am the way, the truth, and the life. 00:32:57.119 --> 00:32:59.839 No one comes to the Father except through me. 00:33:00.480 --> 00:33:07.119 So here Jesus is saying in his prayer, I made you, Father, known to them. 00:33:07.440 --> 00:33:09.759 I made your name known to them. 00:33:09.920 --> 00:33:16.079 I brought them into a knowing relationship with you, into a saving relationship with you. 00:33:16.319 --> 00:33:23.759 And this prayer that we may know God is the very foundation of our unity with God and of our beholding the Son. 00:33:24.000 --> 00:33:31.839 Because when we're brought into this eternal life of knowing God, we are united to God, and thus we have access to unity with one another. 00:33:32.160 --> 00:33:43.839 And in knowing God that unites us, we also are set on a path towards glory, where we will one day behold the Son and be united even physically with him forever and with one another. 00:33:44.160 --> 00:33:49.680 So knowing the Father is the foundation of the first two requests as well. 00:33:50.160 --> 00:33:59.599 But Jesus goes on in verse 26 in this prayer, because in verse 25, in the beginning of verse 26, he says, I made known to them your name. 00:33:59.759 --> 00:34:06.079 So these disciples before me, and those who in his earthly ministry he's walked with, I revealed your name to them. 00:34:06.240 --> 00:34:09.599 But look what he says here, going on in verse 26. 00:34:10.079 --> 00:34:21.360 And I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them. 00:34:21.760 --> 00:34:28.239 What Jesus has done for the disciples sitting around him that night, he, future tense, will continue to do. 00:34:28.559 --> 00:34:33.360 Namely, making the Father's name known to the elect. 00:34:34.000 --> 00:34:40.079 And there are many ways that Jesus fulfills this continuing work of making the Father known, but I want to look at two. 00:34:40.960 --> 00:34:47.280 Jesus' death upon the cross the following day will reveal the Father in a way that nothing else ever had. 00:34:47.920 --> 00:34:52.000 The Father is on full display in the death of the Son. 00:34:52.239 --> 00:34:56.320 Look at John 17, 1, what Jesus says, the first words of his prayer. 00:35:00.960 --> 00:35:04.639 Glorify your son that the Son may glorify you. 00:35:06.000 --> 00:35:12.880 I don't know if you remember, but early on in Jesus' ministry, he's at a wedding and they run out of wine. 00:35:13.119 --> 00:35:16.239 And his mom says, Jesus. 00:35:17.840 --> 00:35:19.039 She knows something about him. 00:35:19.199 --> 00:35:20.960 She knows he could probably do something. 00:35:21.119 --> 00:35:24.239 And she says, Woman, what does that do with me? 00:35:24.320 --> 00:35:26.239 It's not my hour yet. 00:35:26.559 --> 00:35:37.119 The hour theme in the Gospel of John refers over and over again to the coming death of Christ and to his resurrection and his glorification, his ascension. 00:35:37.280 --> 00:35:48.159 And so what Jesus is saying at the beginning of this prayer is, Father, glorify yourself in my death and in my resurrection and in my ascension. 00:35:48.480 --> 00:35:56.239 Because it is in the gospel, it is in the death of Christ that the name of the Father is made clearly known. 00:35:56.480 --> 00:35:59.199 His holiness and his love are fully revealed. 00:35:59.360 --> 00:36:02.960 His holiness, because he is so serious about sin. 00:36:03.440 --> 00:36:14.800 Sin must so be dealt with that his very own son comes and absorbs all of his wrath upon himself that we deserve because he's a holy God that must punish sin. 00:36:15.199 --> 00:36:20.000 But also his love toward us, because his son is there, not us. 00:36:20.480 --> 00:36:29.440 And in that moment there of the holiness of God and the love of God seen in the death of the Son, you are learning more about the Father. 00:36:32.000 --> 00:36:36.880 The one who holds the universe was being held up by nails on a cross. 00:36:37.199 --> 00:36:40.159 That tells you something about the Father's name. 00:36:40.480 --> 00:36:46.079 At the cross, the Father is made known loud and clear to anyone who will simply look by faith. 00:36:47.039 --> 00:36:52.079 So the Father's name is continually made known the very next day in the cross. 00:36:52.239 --> 00:36:54.800 But secondly, by the Spirit. 00:37:01.039 --> 00:37:07.119 They hear the word of God, they hear the gospel, and they believe, and the Spirit comes and makes the Father's name known. 00:37:07.280 --> 00:37:09.519 And in that moment, that person is justified. 00:37:09.599 --> 00:37:10.880 They're made right with God. 00:37:11.039 --> 00:37:15.760 They're brought into a loving knowledge of the Father. 00:37:16.000 --> 00:37:29.599 But Jesus continues still because by his Spirit, He's actually continually revealing the Father and teaching us more about who God is, revealing His name to us as we grow and are sanctified day by day to be more like Christ. 00:37:30.079 --> 00:37:34.559 And did you catch the difference between verse 24 and verse 26? 00:37:35.039 --> 00:37:43.599 In verse 24, Jesus said, I desire that they also whom you have given me may be with me where I am to see my glory. 00:37:44.239 --> 00:37:50.320 And that glory we talked about, it is it is the love of the Father and the Son for one another. 00:37:50.639 --> 00:37:56.639 Here in verse 26, he says that the love with which you have loved me may be in them. 00:37:57.280 --> 00:38:01.760 So what Jesus is praying in verse 24 is, I want them to see our love. 00:38:02.480 --> 00:38:06.800 Here in verse 26, he's saying, I want our love to be in them. 00:38:07.039 --> 00:38:13.920 I want them to be enveloped in our love, to partake in, to enjoy, and to experience our love. 00:38:14.960 --> 00:38:23.360 And of course, Jesus one day will fully reveal the Father when we stand before him, the very image of the invisible God, glorified. 00:38:23.519 --> 00:38:26.400 He's continuing to make the Father's name known. 00:38:26.719 --> 00:38:37.679 If Paul is right, and what we behold dimly in a mirror now is already making us more like Christ, imagine that day when we behold him no longer dimly, but fully. 00:38:38.800 --> 00:38:43.119 So, how do you live out this final request to know God? 00:38:43.679 --> 00:38:45.360 You strive to know God. 00:38:45.599 --> 00:38:49.599 Because Jesus prayed that we would know him in order to enjoy fellowship with him. 00:38:50.079 --> 00:38:51.760 So study the gospel. 00:38:52.800 --> 00:38:56.000 In it you will learn so much about the Father. 00:38:56.239 --> 00:39:00.880 Study the scriptures, go on walks and dwell on God. 00:39:01.760 --> 00:39:03.599 Talk to one another about God. 00:39:03.840 --> 00:39:09.280 If you don't feel near to God, draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. 00:39:10.639 --> 00:39:17.360 And also tell others about the Father, because Jesus is still in the business of making him known. 00:39:17.760 --> 00:39:19.599 He is continuing to make his name known. 00:39:19.760 --> 00:39:20.960 So tell people about him. 00:39:24.239 --> 00:39:27.760 What is Jesus doing right now? 00:39:29.280 --> 00:39:35.199 John says in 1 John chapter 2, if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father. 00:39:35.840 --> 00:39:37.519 Jesus Christ the righteous. 00:39:38.000 --> 00:39:42.800 Paul writes in Romans chapter 8, verse 34, Who is to condemn? 00:39:43.119 --> 00:39:51.679 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. 00:39:52.159 --> 00:39:57.039 Jesus prayed that you would be united to him and to one another. 00:39:57.280 --> 00:40:01.360 Jesus prayed that you would see his glory in his presence eternally. 00:40:01.599 --> 00:40:06.960 Then Jesus even added that you wouldn't only see it, but be enveloped in that glorious love. 00:40:08.079 --> 00:40:23.039 And you know, John 18 tells us that right after this prayer, Jesus crossed the Brook Kidron and went to the very garden in which he would be betrayed, arrested, tortured, and crucified for the very ones that he prayed for. 00:40:23.599 --> 00:40:26.960 But then three days later, he rose from the grave. 00:40:27.119 --> 00:40:29.760 And I love the way Peter said it in Acts 2. 00:40:30.000 --> 00:40:36.800 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 00:40:37.039 --> 00:40:49.039 The Lord of glory rose, ministered to many before his ascension, ascended to the glory that he spoke of in the high priestly prayer, sent the Spirit to indwell us. 00:40:49.360 --> 00:40:55.119 And that same Jesus is still praying for us right now. 00:40:56.320 --> 00:40:58.639 He is praying that you would know God. 00:40:58.880 --> 00:41:01.599 He is praying that you would be one with one another. 00:41:01.920 --> 00:41:05.920 He is praying that you would see the glory of his son eternally. 00:41:06.239 --> 00:41:08.079 So take heart, Emmanuel. 00:41:08.239 --> 00:41:13.519 The prayers of the righteous man are working for your good and for the glory of the Father. 00:41:14.159 --> 00:41:14.880 Let's pray. 00:41:16.800 --> 00:41:18.000 Father in heaven. 00:41:19.519 --> 00:41:22.800 I can't believe that this prayer is true. 00:41:23.039 --> 00:41:27.840 And yet I must believe it because you are perfect and your word is true. 00:41:29.039 --> 00:41:34.000 What an incredible encouragement it is that you prayed for us. 00:41:34.800 --> 00:41:55.199 That you prayed for our unity, that you united us to you, the very God whose essence is unity, that you prayed your very desire to be with us, and that you've guaranteed that we will be with you in glory by your work on the cross, and that you've prayed for us to know you. 00:41:56.320 --> 00:42:10.719