By Being Strengthened by the Lord’s Prayer

If I were to ask you, “what are the most important things believers should do?” then I suspect it would not take long before prayer was mentioned.

• We all agree that prayer is a vital component to the Christian life.

• Many of us could readily give testimony about how a regular and focused prayer time makes a difference in our daily life.

But now, let’s consider why we pray for one another. I suppose we could answer that question in many ways, here are three possibilities.

• Sometimes, we pray because that person is very close to us (I pray for my wife and children regularly because I have a special relationship with them).

• Other times, we pray because someone has asked us to pray.

• Finally, we pray because we are concerned about something.

• When a friend is diagnosed with cancer, they do not have to ask us to pray. We know that they need it. We know that there is a difficult road ahead for them.

• We assume they want and need our prayers.

Now let’s consider the next question, “what are we praying for?” At one level, we pray that their circumstances change. We desire that they would recover from surgery, beat cancer, pass their classes, reconcile their marriage, play well in their games, and find their dream job.

• However, we also know that the circumstances might not change so our prayers also include a request for strength, grace, courage, and faithfulness to handle difficult circumstances well.

That is exactly what we see Jesus do in John 17. Tough circumstances are ahead. Jesus prays because his disciples need to hear it. With that in mind please open your Bible to John 17. That is on page ______ of the back section of the Bible under the chair in front of you.

John 13-17 is commonly called the Upper Room Discourse.

• These chapters tell us how Jesus ministered to his disciples on the night before his execution in the upper room of a home. We know that Jesus is troubled.

• His heart aches, but he wants to minister to his disciples because they are troubled too.

• John 17 occurs within a couple hours of his arrest, trials, beatings, and execution. It is here that we find here the longest prayer of Jesus recorded in the Bible.

I wrestled for several hours how to present this text. We are covering the whole prayer. John MacArthur gave 5 sermons on it. I cannot mine all the great truth from this passage this morning. I hope what I say encourages you to read and meditate on its truth.

• The disciples do not ask Jesus to pray. He prays because they need it.

• He prays because his disciples need to be strengthened.

This year our annual theme is Enjoying Life in His Name. The title of this message is “By Being Strengthened by the Lord’s Prayer.” Please follow along as I read… This is the Word of the Lord.

In context, Jesus washed their feet and called them to do the same to others (ch 13); he comforted them with truths and resources so that they would not be troubled (ch. 14); he promised that they could be fruitful if they abided in him (ch. 15); and he gave them his peace (ch. 16).

• But the battle is just beginning. He knows what lies ahead and he prays.

If you are in the habit of making notes in your Bible, then please see vv. 6, 20. They separate the passage into different units. Jesus prays for himself in vv. 1-5, for his 11 remaining disciples in vv. 6-19, and for all of us in vv. 20-26.

• He prays out loud in the presence of his disciples.

• Verse 1 highlights the progression. After the discussion of chapter 16 he lifts his eyes to heaven and says …

While we could apply this passage in many ways, I want us to consider 5 reasons Jesus’ longest recorded prayer in the Bible strengthens us.

• I believe the disciples needed to hear this prayer (where they do not hear his prayers at other times) because they needed strengthened.

• Satan and the World were about to have their way.

• In the midst of dauting circumstances, Jesus prayed.

We are strengthened …

I. Because God is supremely glorified in the fulfillment of his plan (John 17:1-5)

If Jesus is praying for himself, then why does he pray out loud? Apparently, there was a lesson for his disciples and ultimately for us in Jesus’ prayer for himself. This is not the first time that Jesus has prayed in the gospel of John for the benefit of others.

So what do we all hear?

Jesus asks that he enjoy the glory of pre-creation (vv. 1, 5)

This is not a self-centered desire for praise, but the request to enjoy the sweet communion between the Father and Son currently interrupted. Jesus mission on earth necessitated a change in that communion.

• Jesus longs to be clothed in the splendor he enjoyed with the Father before the world began.

Of course, inherent in this prayer request is the willingness to go to the cross. The dreadful events of the next 12-18 hours form the pathway to the supreme way that the Father will glorify the son and the son will be restored to his prior splendor.

Jesus does not make this request early, but right on time. He prays to be glorified as he glorifies the Father by …

Jesus has accomplished all that he was given to do (v. 4)

God is supremely glorified by Jesus’ willingness to complete all he was assigned. Jesus is not asking for his inheritance early.

• He is looking ahead knowing that he will go to the cross and suffer all its agony and states that he has accomplished all God has given him to do.

The job is complete. But what is up with vv. 2-3? What is Jesus saying? This is absolutely delightful.

• If the glory discussion sounds confusing just remember that everyone in the godhead is glorifying everyone else. But why? What is the result?

Resulting in people being saved (vv. 2-3)

John 17:2-3 even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life. 3 “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

Huh? At first this sounds confusing. Jesus’ prayer recounts God’s sovereign plan to create a people for his own possession through a relationship with the Messiah!

Jesus glorifies the Father by doing what he was assigned and the Father glories the Son by completing the process of saving people. He wants them to know the only true God.

• To know God and to be with him is the substance of eternal life.

The disciples and us hear this prayer and we remember that we have the privilege of being the result of the Father’s plan and the Son’s finished work.

We are strengthened as we remember that we are part of the fulfillment of God’s salvation plan (that is a great plan to be part of). God is glorified in that fulfillment just as he glorifies the Son by returning him to splendor.

If you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and savior I hope you are encouraged right now.

• You don’t even need the remaining 4 points! The Father is glorified in your faith.

• Your relationship with both the Father and the Son is so precious that it strengthens you in whatever circumstances your face.

• This prayer request reminds us that the essence of eternal life is not going on our best vacations, celebrating the best parties, being with others who have gone before as much as it is knowing God and his Son and being with them.

It is possible that someone is here today who is not encouraged and not strengthened by this.

• Maybe that is because you do not have a relationship with Christ. You have chosen to this point that you do not need it.

• You are here because your parents made you come. You are here because it makes your marriage easier. But you have not believed yet.

• If you were looking for a genie, then maybe you do not have genuine faith.

We find additional reasons to be strengthened as Jesus prays for his disciples …

II. Because God protected the disciples in their faith (John 17:6-16)

This section of Jesus’ prayer is interesting because Jesus does not start with a request. He begins with a series of reasons why the Father should grant his request.

Normally, it is the other way around. We ask for something and then explain all the reasons we want it.

• Mom, can I have a cookie? I have been really good today and I have not had a cookie yet.

• Dad, can I borrow the car? All of my homework is done and I would like to meet my friends at the movies. Don’t worry, I will not be driving anyone.

• Lord, could you take this away? I have read the Bible 3 days in a row and I have not been swearing as much.

In this case, Jesus explains why it is so important that God protect the disciples.

• I used the past tense in the point because you and I have the privilege of seeing another answered request.

But for a moment, let’s enter the upper room, feel the weight of the moment, and appreciate this request.

Jesus explains why his request should be answered (vv. 6-11)

Jesus’ reasons are really powerful.

John 17:6b “and they have kept Your word.”

Some might way, wait a minute. I thought the disciples struggled to understand. That is true. At times Jesus corrected them for their failures. However, even though they do not understand perfectly, they are still with Jesus.

In John 6 everyone abandoned him. In John 13 Judas left to betray him.

• When push came to shove, there were 11 still with Jesus on the night he was betrayed.

• What a powerful reminder that even though we do not understand completely, we have not rejected or slipped away. Jesus calls that keeping his word.

John 17:7-8 “Now they have come to know … and truly understood that I came forth from You, and they believed that You sent Me”

The disciples believe that Jesus is the truth and has come from God. That is so different than what the world thinks.

• The average person in Lafayette who is not in church this morning believes that Jesus died and rotted in his grave. Not true for the disciples and not true for us.

John 17:9 “I ask on their behalf; … for they are Yours”

The disciples belong to the Father. Why answer this request? Because they are yours!

• When our parents ask us for something or to do something our general answer is yes. That is what it means to honor our parents.

• When our children request something from us our general answer is yes because they belong to us.

John 17:10 “I have been glorified in them”

Is that amazing or what? Jesus is glorified by those who believe in him and seek to keep his word. If you know Christ, as his disciples did, then Jesus is glorified in your belief and trust in him.

John 17:11-12 “I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You… While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them

Jesus says while he was with his disciples, he protected them. Throughout John’s gospel we have seen “my hour has not yet come.” Until it is time for Jesus’ hour (which is now in the text) no one could touch him. They wanted to throw him off a cliff, but he walked through the crowd. They picked up stones to kill him and Jesus walked away.

• The disciples were there. [expand on the scene]

• Jesus protected his disciples. But now he is leaving. A couple hours from now he will arrested, to suffer alone. By this time tomorrow he will be in a tomb.

Jesus prays that the Father would do what Jesus has been doing. That is a compelling list of reasons why God should answer his request.

• One more thing before we unpack this prayer of protection …

Jesus fulfilled the Scripture (v. 12b)

Judas was not a failure on Jesus’ part, long ago we knew that one would choose to rebel against Messiah. Judas’ actions prove that the Scripture was fulfilled. This is not surprising because Jesus fulfills and is the fulfillment of the OT. Now… back to the request

Jesus prays for their spiritual protection (vv. 13-16)

Jesus understands that the world is a brutal place. Darkness does not like light because it exposes hearts.

• The world hated them and it is very possible that v. 15 refers to the “evil one” = Satan.

• Jesus knows that Satan, who has freedom to exercise influence, and the world, under his influence, is opposed to Christ, the gospel, and those who follow him faithfully.

Jesus has been protecting them so that they can do all that God has assigned them. Now, that task must fall on someone else.

Please notice that this is not primarily physical protection, but spiritual.

• He does not want them to lose their faith. The world gets happy about that.

• It is one of the reasons that children of prominent people who give up their faith gain an instant following.

Carson says, “What is now made clear is that Jesus’ concern in such a prayer is not that the statistics on faithfulness be preserved, but that his disciples might share his joy (D. A. Carson, The Gospel according to John, The Pillar New Testament Commentary [Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans, 1991], 564.)

It would be a tragedy to lose joy.

I love this request for spiritual protection for a couple reasons:

1. It tells me about the heart of Jesus for his people. He wants us to be protected from the world and the evil one so that we might keep our faith, fulfill our mission, and experience joy.
   1. I came home last night from dropping off son #2 at Cedarville University. I am excited he is there but sad he will not be home. I am thrilled he chose a place where professors will care about soul but I am also concerned. The world and Satan would like to chew him up and spit him out.
   2. I am glad that my savior feels the same way about me as I feel about my son. I need protected because I have some fierce enemies.
2. It reminds me that God did it. The disciples accomplished their mission in some scary moments and we have the Bible as a result.

That gives me hope. Again Carson said it well, Doubtless Christians in John’s day were forced to ponder the implications of this prayer. So also were those who were contemplating the possibility of becoming Christians. The cosmic, spiritual nature of the conflict is laid bare. The followers of Jesus are permitted neither the luxury of compromise with a ‘world’ that is intrinsically evil and under the devil’s power, nor the safety of disengagement. But if the Christian pilgrimage is inherently perilous, the safety that only God himself can provide is assured, as certainly as the prayers of God’s own dear Son will be answered (D. A. Carson, The Gospel according to John, The Pillar New Testament Commentary [Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans, 1991], 565.)

God protected others and he is fully capable of protecting me. I have given two reasons why we should be strengthened by this prayer. (1) Because God is glorified in the fulfillment of his plan which I am a part; (2) Because God protected (and still protects) his followers in their faith. Reason #3.

III. Because God grew the disciples through his Word (John 17:17-19)

We are still in the section where Jesus is praying for his 11 disciples. That means all the reasons why his requests should be answered are still in play. They have kept the word, they have accepted Jesus’ word and believed God sent him, they are yours, Jesus is glorified by them, and Jesus is leaving.

Those were the reasons they needed to be protected, it is also why they need to grow. The means by which they grow is the truth.

John 17:17 “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.”

Sometimes we hear in church that we need to read our Bible more and we are like…whatever. We have heard that a bazillion times. Yet, we do not do anything about it.

After my internship at Faith I went to pastor a church in Frankfort. One of my mentors was a older man named Cal Eastwood. He was a former pastor of the church and a peach of a guy.

• I had never lived in a town that size and I did not know how to pastor very well. One day, he encouraged me with a little joke. Tell the joke …

• He lightened the mood and reminded me of the primary place of knowing and doing the Word.

I know it sounds cliché, but this passage is one reason your Bible is so important.

• You cannot grow unless you are reading, thinking, and meditating on the truth. Jesus could have prayed for anything. What he chose was growth through the Word.

Carson wrote helpfully, In practical terms, no-one can be ‘sanctified’ or set apart for the Lord’s use without learning to think God’s thoughts after him, without learning to live in conformity with the ‘word’ he has graciously given. (D. A. Carson, The Gospel according to John, The Pillar New Testament Commentary [Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans, 1991], 566.)

It is not just unlikely … it is not possible. I think we should all be strengthened by the reality that God did this in the lives of his disciples. I have the book of John because God answered this prayer. I have most of my NT because God saved Paul and helped him see that the Bible points to Jesus.

Friends, let’s be serious about this for a moment. There are a lot of things that can dominate our thinking. Social issues and life circumstances have a place. We are in the world, not coming out of it. There are certain things that must be done in life.

• But what about the Word?

• Where is that in your schedule?

• ABFs

• FCI

• Talk about my class … I came up with a super lame name like 6 Practical Truths to Help Every Christian. I guarantee you that all of us face these issues. We either handle them biblically and Word-centered or not.

• Class on 1 Peter

• Changing Habits

• Contentment

• WNKOF

• Get help early … mentoring and counseling

• Using social media for God/good

God grew the disciples and we are the beneficiaries of that work. We can be strengthened by our confidence in God. But let’s also steward that blessing well by being people of the Word first.

IV. Because Jesus calls us to spiritual unity resulting in evangelism (John 17:20-23)

We have kept in mind (1) that the structure of the text is that Jesus prays for himself (vv. 1-5); for his disciples (vv. 6-19); and for his people (vv. 20-26); and (2) that the prayer was audible to strengthen his disciples and ultimately us.

As Jesus turns his attention to all believers (v. 20 … not these alone, but those who will believe through their word) he prays

For Unity

John 17:20-21a I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one

Unity is not the same thing as uniformity. Everyone does not have to be a clone of one another to exhibit unity. Unity, in this passage, is based on the Word. We unite around the Word and what it says.

• When we read our Bible we see what it means and then all agree that it has the right to govern our choices and it is the standard for our judgments, then we are exhibiting unity.

This kind of unity is also union. We are united with one another and with Christ just as Christ and the Father are united together.

• This reminds us of John 15 and abiding in the vine. We are in union with the Lord so that our life cannot be properly described without him and expressing our dependence upon him.

Again, we can ask whether that is true for us. Are we so united with Christ that we cannot properly be described without including something about Jesus?

Jesus prays for all of us that our identity would be wrapped up in his. He prays that our commitment to the Word would bind us together because other matters are not nearly that important.

But notice it is for a reason. Our enjoyment is not the only idea.

Resulting in evangelism

John 17:21b so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

Carson observes, As the display of genuine love amongst the believers attests that they are Jesus’ disciples (13:34–35), so this display of unity is so compelling, so un-worldly, that their witness as to who Jesus is becomes explainable only if Jesus truly is the revealer whom the Father has sent. (D. A. Carson, The Gospel according to John, The Pillar New Testament Commentary [Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans, 1991], 568)

His point is that our unity is something that draws people to Christ. People want to be part of this because they do not have it in the world. The world is happy to use them as long as they are useful and then throw them away as if they never existed.

The church is something different than that.

There are different ways to contribute to this unity.

• Presence … it is hard to exhibit any meaningful form of unity without presence.

• Service … we all need one another and we need what each other brings to the table. If we are all doing something, then no one person needs to do too much.

• Owning … I once heard/read about the difference between “the church and my church” … when our favorite sports team wins we use the language of “we won.” Well, that is not accurate in one sense but it communicates our heart. How do we view Faith (the church I attend or my church)?

• Inviting … our unity in love and the Word results in evangelism. Faith East will not grow without every heart committed to reaching someone. Leadership will do their part, but we need help.

Everyone must be committed to preserving the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Our final reason is …

V. Because Jesus reminds us of our heavenly home with him (John 17:24-26)

John 17:24 “Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am^”

We saw this in John 14 where Jesus told his disciples that he was going to prepare a place for them so that where he is, they could be also.

• Jesus desires to be physically with his people. Isn’t that amazing?

• His presence is always with us through the Spirit, there remains a desire to be with us physically.

Sometimes believers do not seem very encouraged or excited about heaven. Only when old age or poor health no longer allow us to enjoy our current state that we begin to think about the next one.

• May the Lord help us have the right balance.

• Where both our stewardship today and our glorious future have their properly place in our hearts and our thinking.

This is Jesus’ longest prayer recorded in the Bible. He prayed for himself, for his disciples, and for all his people through the ages. He did it at an incredibly tense moment in their lives.

• Once we move to John 18:1 we are on the fast track to the cross. Jesus prays so his disciples could hear it and his people have benefitted from it ever since.

I suggested this morning that we can be strengthened as we read and study these words in at least 5 ways. (1) Because God is supremely glorified in the fulfillment of his plan (a plan I am a part); (2) God protected his disciples from the world and Satan (that tells me about his heart); (3) God grew his disciples so that they could fulfill their mission (I am on that same journey); (4) God wants to be spiritually unified resulting in evangelism (I have a current mission); and (5) Jesus reminds us of our heavenly home with him