Prayer Meeting (Jesus Prays for us PART 1)

Introduction

How do we get peace in a corrona Virus World? How do we have our hearts at rest, How do we follow Jesus command not to worry in a world that is filled with many Dangers toils and Snares?

Over the last few weeks many people have sent Anna and I a text to let us know that they are praying for us and for the safe arrival of Baby Wilson on June 1st. And we are very very thankful for those encouraging prayers.

Now I don’t know about you but when I am struggling when when there is something happening in the world that causes my heart to be restless, unsettled or anxious, I love to hear those words “I am praying for you.” It fills me with comfort because I know that God who cannot lie has promised to answer the prayers of his saints.

Are you comforted when people pray for you?

If so, know and understand that Jesus is praying for you all the time. Its what he lives for.

Put Hebrews 7:25 up on Screen

Hebrews 7:25 says:

Hebrews 7:25 NIV

Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

This one verse of Scripture is jam-packed-crammed to overflowing with God’s glory and his grace for us in Jesus. The writer of Hebrews wants us to understand (and experience) the good news that Jesus completely, and forever, saves anyone who comes to him; and that he is always advocating (Acts on your behalf) and interceding (Comes Between) for his beloved lambs.

How do we get peace in a corrona Virus World? How do we have our hearts at rest. One might say well pray more.................. And prayer after all is good for us we are encouraged in the bible to pray, but I think the bible would also encourage us to rest in the prayers of Jesus over us.

Introduction to High Priestly Prayer.

In one of the most profound moments recorded for us in God’s Word, we are given the awe-producing privilege of overhearing Jesus as he prays for us.

John 17 is oftrn reffered to as the high priestly prayer, Within hours of praying this prayer in John 17, Jesus died on the cross, paying the full price for our complete redemption. Three days later, he was raised from the dead, and ascended to the right hand of the Father, where he presides today as our Advocate, Our Go between, our High Priest.

As we hear his prayers there are a number of things that happen to us that put our hearts at rest put I have picked out three and we will look at the others next time.

1) In order to be at rest we Glory in the Finnished work of Christ.

John 17:4–6a NIV

I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.

We can never here thse words too much or too often “It is finnished” Before returning to be with our heavenly Father, Jesus accomplished everything required for the salvation of our souls, and for the renewal of the cosmos. Nothing was left undone. We are forgiven in Jesus, righteous in him, and beloved in him. Rejoice, receive, and rest in this good news. Let us cease from our strivings and doubts, beloved.

Through the gospel, we have been brought into the fellowship Jesus has forever enjoyed with the Father and Spirit. Incredible. And as Jesus stated in his prayer, he considers us a gift to him from the Father. Astonishing. Though the saints in heaven are more joyful than we are, they are not more secure or cherished.

Do you struggle to believe God loves you as much as he says he does? Rest in his finnished work. You ARE Gods gift.

2) Rest In God’s Commitment to protect us.

Jesus Prays John 17:11

John 17:11 NIV

I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.

What a Savior, what a friend. Jesus steadfastly prays for our protection.But how are we to understand this priceless petition? What is implied? As we read the whole testimony of Scripture, we can easily discern that Jesus isn’t praying what we will experience a pain-free life—devoid of difficulties, suffering or sorrows. For Jesus has told us to expect troubles in this world. The Day of no more death, mourning, crying, or pain is coming; but that Day is not yet.

Fact - Bad things happen to good people. (Bad things happened to Jesus) within hours of this prayer Jesus the Good teacher was crusified, but it happened to him that we might come under the wings of his protection. Saved from the powers of Saten sin and Death. He prays specifically that we woulf be protected from the evil one (verse 15).

When Jesus prayed that we would be protected by the power of God’s name, he was asking God to marshal everything God has and is on our behalf—a formidable supply, to say the least.

Corrona Virus may attack you, it may even kill you, but it cannot have you,it cannot own you, belong to Christ. “Not one of those you have given me have been lost.” (Verse 12:B)

So this evening as Jesus prays for you protection why not pray for the protection of our Families, Friends, neighbour loved ones, health workers, pray protection for marraiges, prodigals, Leaders governments, knowing that our God is for us, does not delight in the deaths of anyone but is pleased when the wicked turn and live.

How do you get get your heart at peace in a Corrona Virus world? ? You Glory in Gods finnished work 2)You Rest in God’s Commitment to protect us 3) You Grow in the fullness of Jesus’s Joy.

3) - Growing in the fullness of Jesus’s Joy

John 17:13 NIV

“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.

We are given these prayers of Jesus over us that we might have Joy in God and in his Salvation.Notice that Jesus doesn’t just pray for us to experience joy, but that God would grant us the full measure of Jesus’ joy. This prayer will be completely fulfilled, only when our salvation will be brought to completion, at the second coming of Jesus. For it will require our glorified heart and resurrected body to contain the fullness of Jesus’ joy.

And yet, it is clear that Jesus intends our joy to grow exponentially while we wait, and long for the Day of his return. Why do we need joy? Because the joy of the Lord is our strength (Neh. 8:10), and we need all the strength God is pleased to give us, as we worship him and serve him in the world.

What is joy? Unlike happiness, joy isn’t dependent on circumstances, neither is joy to be equated with the absence of sadness and tears; for Jesus was a man of sorrows and very familiar with our grief (Isa. 53:3), while, at the same time, being anointed with the oil of joy (Heb. 1:9). Rather, joy is a settled disposition of peace and delight—a core of certainty that our God loves us in Christ, that he is sovereign over everything, and that he does all things well, even when he doesn’t do all things easy. Therefore, joy is far more an expression of knowing God

How do we Get our hearts at Rest in a Corrona Virus World

Glory in the Finnished Work of Jesus,

Rest in Gods commitment to protect us

Grow in the fullness of Jesus’ Joy.

Before the throne of God above I have a strong and perfect plea A great High Priest whose name is love Who ever lives and pleads for me My name is graven on His hands My name is written on His heart I know that while in heav'n He stands No tongue can bid me thence depart No tongue can bid me thence depart

When Satan tempts me to despair And tells me of the guilt within Upward I look and see Him there Who made an end of all my sin Because the sinless Savior died My sinful soul is counted free For God the Just is satisfied To look on Him and pardon me To look on Him and pardon me

Behold Him there, the risen Lamb My perfect, spotless Righteousness The great unchangeable I AM The King of glory and of grace One with Himself, I cannot die My soul is purchased by His blood My life is hid with Christ on high With Christ my Savior and my God

One with Himself, I cannot die My soul is purchased by His blood My life is hid with Christ on high With Christ my Savior and my God With Christ my Savior and my God With Christ my Savior and my God