John 17 (NLT)
After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. 2 For you have given him authority over everyone.
He wants to give his Father glory, and for people everywhere to give their attention to his Father
As you gain authority – as you earn the attention of others, the right to speak into their lives, to what or to whom will you draw their attention?
He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. 3 And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. 4 I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.
Jesus gave up glory, majesty, power, attention, in order to accomplish what needed to be accomplished
- If we are to do God’s will, might we expect that we may need to step down from whatever respect/position/honor we have in order to do it?
John 13:14–17 (NIV84) 14 “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”
1 Timothy 2:3-4 (NLT2) 3 … God our Savior, 4 … wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.
Romans 10:13-14 (NLT2) 13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” 14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?
Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT2) 18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations…”
Do we think we can keep our dignity in the eyes of the world as we do this? If we will stand up for Jesus/his ways, we risk people not liking us, not respecting us.
John 15:18–21 (NLT) 18 “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. 19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. 20 Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. 21 They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me.”
Philippians 2:5–11 (NLT) 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Jesus laid aside his glory so that, ultimately, his Father would receive glory from all who turn to him. Only when that was accomplished did Jesus receive glory back.
9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
- Will you humble yourself and lay your glory aside?
11 Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are.
Jesus asks his Father to protect us so we can stay united. We need each other if we are going to fulfill our calling.
- Will you join with your brothers and sisters to know Christ and make Him known?
14 I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to this world any more than I do.
- Jesus doesn’t ask Father to take us out of danger, He asks Father to keep us safe from the Evil one.
17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. 18 Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. 19 And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.
Holiness is not measured by what you know, but by how you live.
- Will you grow in the holiness you were given?
The Lord has called All Souls into existence “to know Christ and make Him known.” But here are
4 questions you have to personally answer that come from John 17:
- To what or to whom WILL you draw attention?
- Will you humble yourself and lay your glory aside?
- Will you join with your brothers and sisters to know Christ and make Him known?
- Will you grow in the holiness you were given?
To keep your notes, remember to email them to yourself through the link below.