Leaving a Foundation

Foundation that Lasts

John 17:6-12

ILL-- Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle-- talk about the walk to the top. Why does it not fall over being that old? Foundation is 6-8' thick of solid stone.

It is over 800 years old. scariest part was not kissing the stone full of disease while upside down 90 ft above the ground. The scariest part was being in a castle that old and tall with hundreds of people in line and wondering how it could still be standing.

And you know very well- it did not make me eloquent in speech.

1 Corinthians 3:5–9 ESV

5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. 9 For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.

I have played a roll over the last four years in building upon the foundation which is Jesus.

There will be a new pastor soon who will continue to build.

I think the last couple of weeks’ sermons have been for me more than you.

I have felt like I was leaving you without a shepherd.

I’ve been reminded that I am the hired shepherd. Jesus is the Good Shepherd.

I have had the privilege to serve with you.

Navigating COVID

We realized early on that New Mexico was not Oklahoma. Interview weekend- no public restrooms. Valerie had to come let us in.

Quarantine- spent more time quarantined in first 6 months than not.

Preached many sermons from the old nursery.

Parking Lot service to 3 services.

Revitalization Process- new mission statement and vision.

Restructuring Process- a new structure that provides an effective and efficient process with accountability.

Stewardship and Operation Team- a great team who has worked hard to put into place policies that will serve the church well. Larry is leading that team well.

Deacons- Jason Kerby, chairman. Amazing group of men. Worthy of honor and respect. Serve behind the scenes.

Ministry Leadership Team- church staff- leaders of the ministries of the church— equipping the saints.

Kevin- He knows the sheep better than any pastor could. He loves the church.

Ira- I’ve never worked with a staff person who works as hard as Ira. Not only for worship on Sunday but serving the people. He is the biggest reason that Del Norte keeps a strong relationship with Gov. Bent. He is leading the Share Team amazingly. He is a big reason we are sponsoring so many new church starts and have 5 international missions trips from our church this year.

Roy- has become one of my dearest friends. Needed a transition and ministry and he stepped into the role of youth pastor. He has been everything those teenagers have needed. Their spiritual maturity has exploded.

Sydney- you have grown as much in four years as I could ever have hoped. You have gained confidence and experience. She loves the children as much as anyone in this building. She is what it means to train up the next generation to be leaders. The hope for New Mexico is more just like her.

Judi- I wasn’t sure what to make of her at first. 50 years of serving one church is intimidating. She has become a great partner and encourager in my ministry. She has given me the benefit of the doubt too many times. She has great integrity and takes her responsibility to the church seriously.

Honor the leaders of the church. Hold them accountable when needed. Follow them as those called.

Jesus prays for his disciples and makes clear what he did to prepare his disciples to be successful after he leaves them.‎

John 17:6–12 ESV

6 “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. 8 For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

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What Jesus did to prepare his followers for success.

Since Jesus is our example, he shows us how to make disciples through this prayer.

We are all called to make disciples

Matthew 28:18–20 ESV

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

-Go = going with purpose

-It's all of our responsibility

5 Foundations for Making Disciples

1. Make God Obvious (6)

John 17:6 ESV

6 “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.

(manifest= clear or obvious to the eye or mind; demonstrate)

When people see God in you they are more likely to do what you are saying "they have kept your word."

People are going to follow your actions not what you say.

Does your life make it obvious you are living for God?

2. Point to Jesus (7)

John 17:7 ESV

7 Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you.

Jesus is the Son of God.

What Jesus does, God does.

1 Corinthians 3:10–11 ESV

10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the only foundation.

Any religion not based on the foundation of Jesus is false.

Any religion that distorts the truths of Jesus is false.

3. Use the Word (8)

John 17:8 ESV

8 For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me.

Word was Received = good soil

Word was Known as Truth

John 17:17 ESV

17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

Word was Believed Word brought belief in Jesus- points to Jesus

The test of whether you accept God's Word is whether you accept Jesus.

He is the only way.

Do you believe the Biblical Jesus or what you want him to be.

In order to build on the foundation you must be obedient to God's Word.

Luke 6:46–49 ESV

46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? 47 Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49 But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”

Why do you call him Lord and ignore his Word?

Christians, we have to accept the Truths written in God's Word. We cannot change God's definitions. We do not have the right.

4. Pray For the Saints (9)

John 17:9 ESV

9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.

He is not saying not to pray for the lost. - He is referring to this prayer. It's a prayer for the saints (the church).

Jesus had a life of prayer. Constantly sacrificed food and sleep in order to pray.

woke early

40 days of fasting in wilderness.

night of arrest.

5. Persevere Together (10-12)

John 17:10 ESV

10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.

Unity (11)- perseverance and unity go together. We make it because we go together.

John 17:11 ESV

11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.

Philippians 2:1–4 ESV

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Notice how living this life helps those around you persevere.

Going through trials together makes us stronger and closer.

James 1:2–4 ESV

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

What Jesus has done for our perseverance (12)

John 17:12 ESV

12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

Kept= protected

Guarded= to guard closely- to keep safe

Not lost= unable to find their way-- he shows us the way.

When we believe and accept Jesus- we will persevere because he is helping us.

In this farewell discourse, he tells them several times that the Paraclete is coming. Part of our perseverance

2 Corinthians 1:21–22 ESV

21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, 22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

CONCLUSION

Are you a follower of Jesus?

Are you building upon the strong foundation?