Jesus will build his church and the gates of hell shall not prevail.
Intro: Well morning friends and visitors. My name is Matt Johnson and today as we continue our study of Johns gospel – we kind of eavesdrop on Jesus’ prayer to God the Father. So lets pray as we begin…
PRAYER: Well please REMEMBER that in John 15 and John 16 – Jesus told the apostles that – the world is going to hate them and try to kill them. That’s a HARD word. But simultaneously, Jesus tells the apostles not to worry – because 1) the Holy Spirit will help them, 2) Jesus has overcome the world and 3) Jesus is praying for his people.
Now just think about that. As our high priest Jesus is praying for the church. Now the Bible is clear that the prayers of a RIGHTEOUS MAN are powerful and effective (Jam.5:16). That’s James 5. The prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective. And today we see the most Righteous One – the Lord Jesus – praying for himself, the apostles and the church. This should give us great confidence as Christians.
When Peter professed that Jesus was the Messiah; Jesus said to him; “I will build my church (upon this profession) and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” In some ways that is my big idea today. Jesus is praying for his church and that is one of the reasons – the gates of hell will not prevail against us. Yes, Satan may unleash – all the powers of hell – to stop the message of Jesus – Messiah going forth. But do not worry – Jesus, the Righteous One – is praying for us…
Right now this is a word the modern church needs to hear. It seems like every time we turn around the church faces more and more problems. Some problems are arising because certain churches are twisting Gods truth AND compromising with the world. Other problems are arising because we are bringing new fads and strange fire into the church. Still other problems are arising because politicians say we cannot speak against homosexuality, transgenderism or even abortion.
Even, last week, NSW Parliament was debating a law that would make it mandatory for Christian doctors (and nurses) to participate in abortion or potentially lose their jobs. It feels like the church is on the backfoot. BUT PLEASE KNOW that if we stick with the truth of Jesus Messiah – the gates of hell simply cannot prevail against the church. Everything in John 15-17 is telling the apostles (and us) NOT TO LOSE HEART as we take Jesus’ words into a hostile world that is trying to cancel us. WE MUST remain in Jesus words. WE MUST speak Jesus words – because ultimately Jesus prayers will be answered and God will be glorified…
Point 1: Jesus Prays for His Glory to be Revealed (by apostles & church)
Show: Jn.17:1-5 (READ)
Explain: Well, in Jesus’ prayer today there are three clear sections. In the first five verses Jesus prays for His own glory to be revealed. Then, in the second section, (verses 6-19) Jesus prays that the apostles words will reveal His glory to the world. Then, in the third section (verses 20-26) Jesus prays that the future church may take this glory (from the apostles) and finish the race. So it’s a bit like a running relay in the Olympics. God the Father passes the baton of glory to Jesus. Jesus then passes the batton of glory to the apostles; and the 12 apostles then pass the batton of true glory to the church (who are meant to finish the race) without dropping the batton of glory…
So look again at verse 1 – Jesus begins; Father the hour has come. Throughout this prayer Jesus refers to God as Father, Holy Father, and Righteous Father. Jesus is praying that as he now goes to the cross – the Father will reveal Jesus’ true glory (as Messiah, Saviour and God). Ironically Jesus prays that His glory will be revealed in and through the horrors of the cross…
Now if you have your Bibles open – you can see in John 18:1 – that it says; ‘When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley.” So straight after this prayer – Jesus goes to the Garden of Gethsemane where he will be arrested (and the Good Friday story begins). So, this prayer marks the conclusion of the Passover Meal late on Thursday night. As I explained a few weeks ago – the Jews drank four cups of wine in the Passover Meal that corresponded to four promises of God in Exodus 6:6-7. (Slide 4). There was a cup of wine for each promise – followed by songs and prayers related to each promise. Now in a normal Passover the participants would 1) drink the fourth cup, 2) then sing Psalms 117 and 118 and then 3) the head of the home would say a concluding prayer for Gods people. The concluding prayer was a prayer for Gods chosen people.
Now Jesus’ prayer today seems to be following the normal Passover pattern. The last prayer aligned with the fourth promise “I will take you as my own people.” But who are Gods own people? Well look at who Jesus prays for in verses 2-3 (Slide 5; Jn.17:2-3).
NOW PLEASE NOTE that although Jesus has authority over all people – Gods chosen people are ONLY those whom God has specifically given to Jesus. Out of the entire world – God has given certain Jews and certain Gentiles to Jesus – so that they can have eternal life. And those who have eternal life are those who know the true God AND know Jesus Christ. So Gods true people now know TWO THINGS. They know God as Creator. But they also know Jesus personally as their Messiah or King. Now this is a challenging word because Jesus is now saying that Jews who refuse to acknowledge Jesus as Messiah are branches that are in danger of being broken off Gods true vine.
Apply: So Jesus is praying that as he goes to the cross (Jews and Gentiles alike) – will see his true glory as Messiah, Saviour and God’s Son. Because people need to trust in God and trust in Jesus to be saved – he is praying that his true glory will be revealed – even in his death and resurrection. (PROBLEM) Now the reason Jesus must die is that all mankind has disobeyed God. THE PENALTY for this sin is death and hell. I don’t want to sugar coat it. Without Jesus you are a wretched sinner destined to die and go to hell. But there is good news… (GOSPEL) When Jesus dies on the cross he is going to pay for all the sins, of all the people God has given him. It’s going to be an exchange. THE INNOCENT ONE – Jesus is going to die and go to hell in our place for our sins. This means THE GUILTY ONES can be spared and go to heaven. A) Jesus gets what we deserve (death and hell) and B) we get what Jesus deserves (eternal life and heaven). IT’S THE GREAT EXCHANGE. Now Jesus does this for us on the cross because he loves us. But can you see Gods glory? Can you see Jesus’ glory? At the cross – God is both upholding justice and showing mercy. He is saving you from your sins.
Apply: (APPLY) Now if you can see the glory of what Jesus is doing for you, you should THANK HIM for dying for you and you SHOULD ASK God to forgive you. In doing this – God’s people are saved and they receive eternal life. Jesus is about to reveal Gods true glory in his death and resurrection. God is a God who lovingly saves His people and Jesus’ name means God saves. So to be saved people must know A) the glory of the true God and B) know the glory of Jesus Messiah. But how can we really know God and Jesus properly? Well, the answer is through the writings and teachings of the apostles…
Point 2: Jesus prays for His Apostles who will Share His Words with the World
Show: Jn.17:6-9 (READ)
Explain: Well, Jesus is now praying specifically for the 12 disciples or apostles. Jesus speaks about giving them Gods words. Jesus speaks of the 12 apostles knowing with certainty that Jesus came from the Father. THE APOSTLES are eyewitnesses to Jesus true glory. So as Jesus’ mission concludes in his death and resurrection, the apostle’s mission will begin. THE APOSTLES who are EYEWITNESSES of Jesus are to take and communicate Jesus true glory to the world…
Now if you have your Bibles open (you’ll see end of verse 12) Jesus says; “None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction.” (Jn.17:12b). Jesus is now talking about Judas Iscariot. Sadly, one of the apostles has been lost. But Jesus is praying for the remaining 11 apostles because he has given them his words and he knows the world is going to hate them and try to cancel them. We also know – Jesus is specifically talking about the 11 apostles because in verse 20 Jesus says; “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who believe in me through their message.” The way people come to really know God and Jesus Christ is through the words of the apostles.
Now I need to say a few words about APOSTLES – because these days everyone calls themselves an apostle. Its like; I’m not just an ordinary pastor or bishop. I am an apostle.
I face this craziness when I do mission work in Kenya. All these crazy pastors (usually from America) go to Kenya claiming they have the same authority as the 11 apostles in the Bible. These super-apostles are kind of claiming the Kenyans must listen to them and honour them. So now, nearly every man, woman and dog in Kenya claims to be an apostle and they spout all sorts of nonsense. This is a problem!
So the best way to understand this is that in the Old Testament there were big P-Prophets who spoke the word of God and Gods people simply had to obey. But in the New Testament we only have little p-prophets who kind of speak the word of God in a similar way. But Gods people are now EXPECTED to test their words against Scripture because they are little p-prophets. I’D SAY THE SAME IS TRUE of apostles. There are big A-Apostles (ie the 12 Apostles who were eyewitnesses of Jesus) and there are little a-apostles who are just ordinary Christians sent by God for specific purposes today.
LET ME EXPLAIN. In its most basic form – the word “apostle” simply means ONE WHO IS SENT by God. 1) If you are sent as a missionary overseas – you are kind of an apostle. 2) If you are sent out by a local church to plant a new church – you are kind of an apostle. IN FACT, JESUS is called an apostle in the book of Hebrews. Let me show you (Slide 8; Heb.3:1). So Jesus is an apostle in the sense that he was sent by God – as the original, eyewitness of God. In this sense BARNABBAS is also spoken of an apostle – even though he was not one of the 12 apostles. (Slide 9 Acts 14:14). Now we know Barnabbas was not one of the original 12 apostles. But Barnabbas is called an apostle in the sense that he was SENT OUT by the church in Antioch to help the Apostle Paul. So the Bible seems to make A DISTINCTION between BIG A-APOSTLES specifically sent out by Jesus as eyewitnesses like the 11 Apostles and the Apostle Paul. AND there are LITTLE A-APOSTLES who are sent out by the church or others….
Now in 2 Corinthians 12 – the Apostle Paul says a sign of a true big A-Apostle is that they work signs and wonders. (Slide 2 Corinthians 2:12). So a true big A-Apostle speaks as an eyewitness for Jesus AND they work miracles. Now we know that when Jesus first sent out the 12 disciples he gave them special powers to drive out demons, heal the sick and preach the kingdom. But I do not think every Christian works miracles in the same way as the 12 apostles. I believe God can and does sometimes WORK MIRACLES today when He so wills it. But the 11 apostles (plus Paul) had a unique kind of miraculous power. They could CONSISTENTLY work miracles all the time. I don’t see modern day apostles having this sort of power or authority.
Apply: Now whether you believe in modern day apostles or not – I think it is right that we make A DISTINCTION between 1) big A-Apostles who were the original eyewitnesses of Jesus and 2) little a-apostles in the church today. Just because someone appears TO WORK MIRACLES does NOT automatically make them an apostle OR mean they are seaking truth. Jesus warns us that many false prophets will work miracles in Jesus name (and on the last day, Jesus will say; Away from me you evildoer, I never knew you). MY SIMPLE POINT is that there are many charlatans today claiming to be apostles to gain a wrong type of authority in the church. Let the hearer – understand.
But there were 12 Apostles especially set-apart by Jesus to carry his words to the world. Please remember that in Revelation 21 – we hear the foundation of the New Jerusalem carries the names of the 12 big A-apostles. That is the 11, plus Paul. So it is very important we maintain this distinction in our minds. This is what Jesus seems to be praying in verse 15 and following (Slide 11; Jn17:15-17). Now let me say that the word SANCTIFY – means to SET APART as holy. In this world there are many books, but there is one Holy Bible – set apart from all other books. Potentially in this world, there are many apostles, but there are ONLY 12 big A, holy apostles who are set apart from all others to communicate Gods truth to the world.
Now I know that our NIV translation says “Sanctify them by your truth.” This is perhaps correct. But an equally legitimate translation could also be “Sanctify them (set them apart) because of your truth, your word is truth.” I believe Jesus is praying that God will truly set apart the big A-Apostles from all little a-apostles. The Big A-Apostles are the ones who take God’s truth revealed in Jesus and communicate it to the church through the writings of the New Testament.
Apply: Now you may have heard that THE CATHOLIC CHURCH decided which books to include in the Bible. But that is not really true. The Church simply agreed that we should ONLY accept in the New Testament books that definitively 1) came from one of the 12 apostles or 2) was vouched for by one of the 12 apostles. So the main books in the New Testament that were really debated were A) Hebrews and B) James. But it was agreed both these books were also linked to the 12 apostles and/or vouched for by an apostle – so they were included. THE ONE CRITERIA for which books to include in the New Testament was apostolic authority. So having prayed that the 12 Apostles be truly set apart in Gods Kingdom as the authoritative communicators of Gods truth – Jesus then prays for the church.
Point 3: Jesus Prays the Church find its unity in the 12 Apostles Words
Show: Jn.17:20-21 (READ)
Explain: Well Jesus is now praying for the ENTIRE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. He is praying for EVERYONE who comes to believe in him – through the words – of the apostles. That’s us. Now most Christians know that John’s gospel begins with the words; “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” Jesus is the ultimate WORD OR LOGOS from God. But the way we KNOW this WORD OR LOGOS (what he was like; what he taught and what he did for us] – is through the words and logos of the 12 apostles. So Jesus now prays for THE CHURCH that through knowing him [in the words of the apostles] we might find real unity, glory and love.
When we keep coming back again and again to the apostles writings in the New Testament – Jesus begins to bind us together in a Christian Community that reveals Gods love and Gods glory. THE PROBLEM IS that when Christians BUILD THE CHURCH on things other than the writings of the 12 apostles we all become very divided. Some churches put TRADITION before the writings of the apostles (and then people fight over different traditions that contradict each other). Some churches put their REASON and INTELLECT before the writings of the apostles and then people fight over whose reason or intellect is superior. Other churches end up putting THE WORDS AND DREAMS of their so called super-apostle pastors ahead of the writings of the 12 apostles and then people fight over whose super-apostle is more anointed.
But Jesus prays that the church will find our true UNITY and LOVE in the writings of the apostles. The thing we should all agree upon is that the New Testament (written by the apostles] is our absolute authority in all matters of FAITH, CONDUCT and ORDER in the church. Then, as we truly stick with the New Testament (instead of the imaginings of our own hearts) the Holy Spirit gradually brings us together into a united, loving community that does reveal something of Gods glory to the world.
Jesus says in verse 23 (Slide 13 Jn.17;23]. NOTICE, that Jesus says then the world will know something of God. It is as the church lives out the words of the apostles – we begin to reveal something of Gods glory to the world. Instead of being a people who are DIVIDED by sin, lies and our personal opinions, we become a people more and more united in Gods truth, Gods love and Gods glory. Again, the key to this glory, is found in a faithfulness to the Word revealed in Jesus and communicated through the apostles – which then brings a unity, love and glory that the hostile world cannot deny.
Apply: So this is Jesus’ prayer. It is a prayer for GODS GLORY 1] to be revealed in Jesus, 2] revealed through the apostles and 3] revealed in the church. Now for us today – this means we need to be true evangelicals who stick with Jesus’ gospel words – rather than turning to every latest fad in the church or going back to old traditions. It is the Word of God that ultimately brings glory to God. But neither should we despair of this divine logos or divine word being enough for us. Despite the hostility of the world – THE WORD Jesus has given us in the New Testament (and through the apostles] did build a united, loving, glorious Christian community that has lasted for 2000 years and done much good for our world. God’s word – works. SO LET US have courage, confidence and conviction in continuing to speak and live out this word because Jesus is still praying for the church and Gods glory is still being revealed to the world – in the church. Let me pray…
