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[0:00] Greetings to each of you and blessings this morning. It's good to be here, good to be together.! Christ, and how that our hope is not in other things or any other thing, but in Jesus.

[0:39] It's not in a marriage partner or a future friend or even a current friend that can fill that void in our hearts.

[0:52] Only Jesus and a personal relationship with Him can fill that void.

[1:06] I wonder, how many of us ever experienced a broken relationship somewhere in our life? Raise your hand if you did. Relationships that just kind of went away or went south or whatever.

[1:20] Probably most of us. And sometimes life goes on and we have those.

[1:35] But if our relationship with Jesus is broken, it can't remain that way. It can't remain that way if we're going to make it.

[1:47] And so our hope is found in Jesus. Because we don't get our life from each other. And no man, no woman ever walks perfect all the time in everything, even though that should be our goal, that through Christ we can as much as possible.

[2:07] But human relationships are limited. But with Christ and through Christ all things are possible. And so that is our hope.

[2:17] That is, when we sang that one song this morning, I almost said something. I almost had to, but I didn't.

[2:29] I'm just going to... The song that we love here in this church, we sing it often, is There is a Fountain. And a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel's veins.

[2:41] And sinners washing in that flood lose all their guilty stains. And like the dying thief, that fountain in his day.

[2:54] And there may I, though vile as he, wash all my sins away. Ever since by faith I saw the stream, thy flowing wounds supply, redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be until I die.

[3:14] And when this feeble faltering tongue lies silent in the grave, we heard about that this morning. Then in a nobler, sweeter song, I'll sing thy power to save.

[3:28] It's just an amazing song. All the songs we sang this morning were. But I just thought, you know, that our guilt has been washed away.

[3:41] Let's never get over that. Let's never get over the fact that we were guilty. And if there was a jury and a court hearing and a judge, we would have all been found.

[3:58] We would have all had to hear the words that we have, spiritually, that we, the jury, find him guilty on all charges. Right?

[4:09] We've all been guilty. We've all been condemned. But we've had somebody to come and pay for it. And we got to go free.

[4:21] That's what that song is talking about. Our guilty stains are washed away. And I'm just so thankful this morning for that. I just, through the worship, I just felt that in the songs and what we were singing and what the Spirit was saying to me was that we need to rejoice in that and be forever grateful.

[4:42] May that be our legacy. May that be our legacy. That we rejoice in the redemption of Christ. One thought that really stood out to me, too, that Merlin shared was that it's not the youth of today that went wrong.

[5:00] And, you know, you're not necessarily talking about our youth here going wrong. I feel you're walking right. But, you know, overall. But it's the leadership of yesterday.

[5:14] Wow. That is quite a challenge for all of us. You could say it's the pastors of yesterday. It's the fathers of yesterday.

[5:26] Right? That have. That puts quite a weight on us. Okay. So turn to John chapter 17.

[5:39] I don't want to go long here. I'm going to probably skip through a few things here. But I want to just point to some things.

[5:51] And, you know, Jesus didn't just come and die for us and give His life and rose again. And the sacrifice He made, the Lamb of God, while He was here, He prayed for us.

[6:07] And I just think that His prayer for us is just so amazing. He prayed for Himself first here in verse 1. John 17, verse 1.

[6:19] These words spake Jesus and lifted up His eyes to heaven and said, Father, the hour is come. Glorify Thy Son that Thy Son also may glorify Thee, as Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him.

[6:39] And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent. In that verse we know it says, Jesus prayed, that eternal life is in knowing the only true God.

[6:59] Do we know Him this morning? That is eternal life. I have glorified Thee on the earth. I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do.

[7:09] And now, O Father, glorify Thou me with Thine own self, with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was. Jesus here is remembering, I believe, all the glory He had before He ever came to this earth.

[7:29] This is the Creator of the universe, speaking, praying. He created everything. Colossians says, without Him was nothing created.

[7:42] Try to imagine this. You know, here Jesus is, ready to go to the cross. The Creator of the universe. The Creator of the men that crucified Him.

[7:57] And then He, before He goes to the cross, He prays the most beautiful prayer probably ever recorded. And He prays for us. He's thinking of others, like we heard this morning.

[8:12] He's thinking of us. I mean, who of us would be ready to go to the cross or be murdered, knowing what's going to happen?

[8:25] And then we just think of all the other people. Which is why He came. Verse 6, I have manifested Thy name unto the men, which Thou gavest me.

[8:41] Justin, could I get water too? Which Thou gavest me out of the world. Thine they were, and Thou gavest them me. And they have kept Thy word.

[8:56] They have kept Thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever Thou hast given me are of Thee. Thank you.

[9:10] For I have given unto them the words which Thou gavest me. And they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from Thee.

[9:23] And they have believed that Thou did send me the words. They have kept the words. Have we received the words of Jesus?

[9:36] All of His words. Even loving our enemies. Doing good to them that mistreat us. How do we do good to evil people?

[9:47] We talk about that Wednesday night, I think. And like we heard in the first part here this morning, the words of Christ.

[9:58] I mean, about living it out. Merlin challenged us, you know, what good is it if we just are something, but it's not practical and we don't live it out.

[10:15] I really appreciated that. Have we accepted the teachings of this book, the Bible? Have we accepted?

[10:26] Have we received that word? And are we willing to allow it to change us? To live by it? Amen.

[10:38] The Bible says every word of God is pure. Every word of God is true. Verse 9.

[10:50] He keeps praying. He says, I pray for them. I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me. For they are thine. And all mine are thine.

[11:01] And thine are mine. And I am glorified in them. Jesus is glorified in them. In us. That believe.

[11:12] Us that follow Him. Do we believe? Are we convinced this morning in our heart that we belong to Him? That He is ours and we are His?

[11:28] Do we really believe that? That you belong to Jesus? And of course, we know that we belong to Him. He has bought us with His own blood.

[11:40] He paid the price with His own blood. The Bible says He purchased us with His own blood. The question is though, is Jesus glorified in us?

[11:53] You know, if one would look carefully at the way we live as a father, as a mother, as a child, as a teenager, as a single person, whatever state of life that we're in, is Jesus, the one that purchased us, being glorified with our life?

[12:20] And it is, the answer to that is yes, if we are following Him and living out His words. If we keep His word, we will glorify Him.

[12:32] Praise the Lord. Verse 11, And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to Thee, Holy Father. Keep through Thine own name those whom Thou hast given Me, that they may be one as we are one.

[12:51] Now He switches to praying for us with each other. A oneness. Are we one in the body of Christ?

[13:03] Are we one? We must define, in asking that question, we must define what the body is and what it is not through the Word of God.

[13:21] You know, Jesus also said, Not all who say, Lord, Lord, will enter His kingdom, but they that do the will of His Father, those are the ones that are His.

[13:33] Do you find your heart being drawn to God's people, to true believers? Is it refreshing to you to fellowship with fellow believers, and are you inspired by their presence, and walk in agreement with those who are taking up their cross and following Jesus?

[13:56] Or, do you think that is rather a boring group of people? We'll leave that challenge on both sides, if that's the case.

[14:10] If we're just a boring group of people, that's a problem too, isn't it? But, our hearts should be to be with other believers, other Christians, and, and to talk about that, and fellowship about the things of God.

[14:24] Are you simply not interested in those things? Is it boring to you? You know, that can be a, let that be a challenge, if that's the case.

[14:39] Because Christianity is not boring, it is the most fulfilling thing inside that gap of those two dates, when we were born, and when we die.

[14:50] the most fulfilling thing that there is, is the life of Jesus. And it is not boring. It is not dead. It is not worthless.

[15:02] It is the most valuable thing that we could ever talk about and rejoice about. So if you're bored with church life, then there's something wrong.

[15:14] I'm not saying it's not something wrong with the church either, but there's something wrong if there's no life, if you're not desiring fellowship and all of those things.

[15:28] And Jesus is praying that we would be one in that. Verse 12, While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name.

[15:39] Those that thou gavest me, I have kept. And none of them is lost, but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled.

[15:50] Now I believe he was talking about Judas. Is that, James, is that correct? Because I didn't look into it, but later in the Bible we read about the son of perdition, which could be different.

[16:05] But here I think he was talking about Judas. But he kept them all. He is praying to his father and he's saying, I have kept the ones you gave me.

[16:19] And now come I to thee that and speak, I'm sorry, and now come I to thee and these things I speak in the world that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

[16:33] Now he's talking about this joy. joy. What about joy? Do we have the joy of the Lord coming out of our lives?

[16:48] Is there joy? What hinders joy? Someone once said, well, they have joy, but it's so deep no one can see it. And I get it.

[17:06] We can have joy that's unspeakable and full of glory and maybe we don't always see it. I'm not saying we have to always be shouting or jumping up and down or whatever, but that's not what I'm talking about.

[17:20] But do we have joy? That's the question. Do we have joy? Do we have joy? Joy. We need more joy. Church, we need more joy of the Lord in our lives. The Bible says we should rejoice evermore.

[17:32] We should always be rejoicing in truth, in new revelation of truth. And, you know, even if the Lord speaks to us in a way that sometimes it hurts maybe or we didn't think about and that should, while we might have to walk through something, that should still bring us joy.

[17:53] because God has not forgotten us. God's not done with me. He's not through with me. Right, Tim? He's still working. And that's a good thing.

[18:07] Verse 14, I have given them thy word and the world hath hated them because they are not of the world even as I am not of the world.

[18:18] Wow, may that verse just settle into our hearts. Jesus said, I'm not of the world and neither are they of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

[18:36] Thank you, Lord, for praying that. He's praying that for us. He prayed that when he was here and I think he's still praying that for us now and that should be really special to us.

[18:52] We'll see here in a minute that he was praying for us. Then he says again in verse 16, they are not of the world even as I am not of the world.

[19:05] Are you this morning of the world or are you just in the world? Just passing through. It's not our home. It's not where we belong.

[19:17] We don't get too attached. Only one life will soon be passed.

[19:30] Only what's done for Christ will last. I need to thank my mother for putting that little phrase in her kitchen.

[19:43] That used to speak to me and challenge me. I never knew quite what to do with it. Because I wasn't living for Christ. But I'd read that verse when I'd go get a drink. Or that saying I should say.

[19:58] Not too attached to the things of this world. In 1 John 2.15 Love not the world neither the things that are in the world.

[20:09] If any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him. That's what John said about the world. Verse 17. Sanctify them through thy truth. Thy word is truth.

[20:21] That word sanctify means to be set apart. Jesus is praying to God, to his Father, that he would sanctify them through his truth.

[20:35] Set apart. And only by taking up our cross can we truly be set apart for him. are we living out our Father's agenda?

[20:48] Or do we have our own? Are we actually set apart for God, for Christ? Through thy truth. God's word is truth.

[21:03] Satan comes as a deceiver and questions it. He says, hath God said? Let's be convinced in our hearts that the word of God is true.

[21:15] As thou has sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. Is Jesus able to send us into the world?

[21:29] We know the disciples went out. We know they did. But he's also praying that for us. are we in our world, are we sent out?

[21:45] I believe, and I'm amazed this morning, I just had to think as Merlin was sharing how different it is today than it was five years ago. Just as Merlin was sharing in his own life.

[21:59] And then I thought of all of us and how God changes us from year to year. And he takes us and he saves us, but then he wants to use us.

[22:12] Right? He wants to send us out. He wants us to talk to the people we work with. You know, or when we have opportunity to minister to others. That's amazing to see God work in and amongst ourselves.

[22:32] we are to be his hands, his feet, to spread the good news and lift up Christ and his kingdom, his agenda, if you will.

[22:47] That all would come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved. Jesus is not willing that any should perish. Are we what God has called us to do?

[23:00] You know, I had to think of it as you know, people go to great lengths to build things.

[23:12] And I was thinking of a machine. You could use a vehicle, but I'm just going to use a machine. Something useful that people design and put together.

[23:26] and I'll just use Aaron's Equipter, I think it's called. You know, I've been through there a couple times and it's very interesting how they build those and they come up with new things, new designs.

[23:41] And they have this machine, it has engines, it has all kinds of features and hydraulics and great transmissions and probably some nice tires and wheels and ignitions and starters and Michael, you would know what all goes into a machine, but a lot of different components.

[24:03] And when it's all done, they paint it nice and it sits there and I'm sure if they go to a show, they'll elevate it up and it's designed for roofers, the roofing buggy, they call it sometimes.

[24:16] And it's amazing. Actually, Laverne, you could tell us a lot more. You help build those and assemble them. But anyway, just using that and then this morning as I was thinking about that as far as from a church or an individual Christian, if all it would ever do is just sit there and shine, is that how it is?

[24:43] We just look good. We have nice families. We do good things. We go to church. But are we really being used?

[24:54] That should be our desire, that God could actually use us for what He created us for. Yes, to bring Him glory. If that makes us shine, then so be it.

[25:06] But that's not all it is. Not just, no, let's start that engine and go to work. What good is it if it's just for looks? what the church is often lacking is, I wrote down three things, love, faith, and power.

[25:32] Maybe there's no fuel in there for the engine to run. No Holy Spirit to empower us to do the will of God. God. Wow, those three things you could preach whole messages on.

[25:48] Love, faith, and power. We'll close here soon. Let's read verse 19. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through truth.

[26:05] Neither pray I for these alone. Now here's the verse. Here's the prayer. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word.

[26:19] So the main part of this prayer was for his disciples, I believe. Those that he had called to follow him, like literally.

[26:31] But then he prays this and he says, now I'm going to pray for all the ones that are believers because of the disciples word.

[26:43] Because of the New Testament, really. And that's us today. So we were included, you and I were included in this prayer.

[26:55] he goes on, he says, that they all may be one as thou father art in me and I in thee, that they also may be one in us, in Jesus and in the father, that the world may believe that thou has sent me.

[27:17] one in Christ. If we are to be one in Christ, we will be all about his agenda.

[27:30] No time for our own. It is about his purposes and living our lives totally committed to his cause. You know, that's sometimes a real challenge for us, to be committed for his cause.

[27:52] We all know that a person that lives for self and only protects his or his own life will lose it. I think Merlin mentioned that this morning. but when we are like that, we're very unfulfilled and empty inside.

[28:13] Yes. Verse 22, And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them, that they may be one even as we are one.

[28:24] I in them and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that thou has sent me and has loved them as thou has loved me.

[28:35] Father, I will that they also whom thou has given me be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory which thou has given me, for thou lovest me before the foundation of the world.

[28:51] O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee, but I have known thee, and these have known that thou has sent me, and I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it, that the love wherewith thou has loved me may be in them, and I in them.

[29:16] What a beautiful prayer that Jesus prayed. What a precious prayer. Can you imagine Jesus, just before going to the cross, pleading with his heavenly father, to allow his followers to make sure with his father that we can be where he is.

[29:42] That's his prayer. That's his heart, is that we are where he is. What an amazing love. God, why wasn't he focused on himself and suffering?

[29:59] He did that in the garden. He did pray that this cup could pass from me. But this beautiful prayer was, I believe, for all believers.

[30:15] You don't have to be from a certain pedigree or a certain race or certain family or certain denomination or ethnic background. Jesus said, whosoever will may come.

[30:31] And this is where our hope is. What a hope we can have. The only thing that keeps us from living and being what Christ wants us to be is ourselves.

[30:47] May we just focus, keep our eyes on the Savior and be willing, be willing to take up our cross and follow him daily.

[31:02] Where is our joy? where is the true rejoicing in the goodness of God through our Savior? That verse 13 where Jesus prayed, he said, and now come I to thee and these things I speak in the world that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

[31:30] Father, we just come to you and we thank you, Lord Jesus, for that beautiful prayer. Thank you, God, that you were thinking of us, not only when you went to the cross, but even before when you came here and when you prayed that prayer, Lord, that got recorded in your word.

[31:55] Lord, this morning I just pray that you would help our hearts to rejoice in you, our only hope. And Father, I pray that that joy would be restored in our hearts, Lord, and that we would just come humbly!

[32:10] before your cross, before your throne, and recognize that you are king, that you are Lord, and that we have need of you, Lord.

[32:22] Father, just thank you for that. Thank you for going to the cross and making these things possible. Thank you for your word. Thank you for what all we heard today.

[32:34] And may these words go with us this week, and may they strengthen us and encourage us to go on with you, Lord, and to go deeper with you. We pray in Jesus' name.

[32:46]  Amen. God bless you all.