Overcomer - John 17

We Intro

When we realize that we are overcomers, we gain proper perspective.

John 16:33 NLT

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Jesus walked through His darkest days as an overcomer.

Setup

Either in the Upper Room or en route to the Garden of Gethsemane.

This is the greatest prayer ever prayed on Earth.

Referred to as the Holy of Holies.

We have the privilege of hearing a conversation between God the Father and God the Son.

Main Text

PRAYS FOR HIMSELF

We Overcome By His Life- John 17:1-5

John 17:1–5 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. For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. 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. I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.

Eternal life is found in knowing and connecting with the life of Jesus.

We are called to know Him, not know about Him.

John 14:6–7 NLT

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”

Knowing the light is to walk in the light, not observe the light.

The cross revealed and magnified the grace and glory of God.

1 John 5:4 NLT

For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.

The finished work of Jesus allows us to overcome with faith.

PRAYS FOR HIS DISCIPLES.

We Overcome By His Name - John 17:6-12

Name = One’s Nature

John 17:6–10 NLT

“I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, for I have passed on to them the message you gave me. They accepted it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me. “My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory.

Jesus revealed His nature by showing the disciples He was everything they needed.

John 6:35 NLT

Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

John 8:12 NLT

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

John 10:11 NLT

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.

Gradually, Jesus reveals the nature of God to his disciples.

John 16:12 NLT

“There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now.

John 17:11–12 NLT

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. During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold.

Our safety depends on the nature of God, not our own character.

God reveals His nature with sacrifice.

Romans 8:31–32 NLT

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?

His nature and salvation provide security in trials.

We are overcomers because of the nature of Jesus.

We Overcome By His Word - John 17:13-19

Overcomers know the Word and how to use it in daily life.

The Word of God brings us God’s joy, love, and sanctification.

We find true joy in the Word.

John 17:13 NLT

“Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy.

Jesus did not depend on outward circumstances but in inward spiritual resources.

Psalm 119:162 NLT

I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure.

We find assurance of His love in the Word.

John 17:14 NLT

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.

The Word exposes the world.

John 15:18–19 NLT

“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. 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.

We are in the world but not of the world, and we must not live like the world.

Romans 12:2 NLT

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

The Word imparts God’s power for sanctification.

Sanctification = sin less and love God more.

John 17:15–17 NLT

I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.

The Word gives us the ability to grow in our faith and experience sanctification.

John 17:18–19 NLT

Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.

Learning should lead to living.

The Word gives us joy, love, and power to live a holy life.

PRAYS FOR THE CHURCH

We Overcome By His Glory - John 17:20-26

John 17:20–24 NLT

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!

All true believers have God’s glory within.

What we do with the glory He has given us is on display for the world to see.

Our desire must be that people do not see us and glorify us, but to see the Lord and glorify Him.

Matthew 5:16 NLT

In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

What the world sees in us is what they will believe about God.

John 17:25–26 NLT

“O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”

How do we take the greatest prayer ever prayed and apply it?

Hebrews 12:2 NLT

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

Closing

Jesus walked through his darkest days as an overcomer, and so can you.