Jesus Prays Part 2

Recap Last Week

We considered how to be at peace, during difficult times. We discovered that Part of what it means to be at rest will require glorying in the finnished work of Christ,Knowing that he has prayed for our protection want us to know this so that we will have his Joy even in difficult days.

This evening we are going to reflect on some more ways in which Jesus prays for us and consider the implications of these prayers for how we go about our lives during these strange times.

Finding Our Place in God’s work in the World.

The New International Version Chapter 17

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.

The question every Christian should ask is this, “What on earth am I here for.” If the work of Christ is finished, then why am I still here. Why did Jesus leave his disciples behind. The answer is the mission of God to the World for the sake of the elect. The future of God’s creation isnt inihilation, but restoaration, (Rev 21:1-25) The new heavens and the new earth are comming to us. Jesus is making all things new not all new things. One day this corrona Virus wolrd will be covered with the knowledge of the glory of God as the waters cover the see.

An articale in the independant last week titled “is this all there is” reavealed that many people during lockdown have been struggling with a sense of purpose. Human being need purpose to not just to live but to thrive. What greater purpose for living could there be than to serve God’s mission in Gods strangth to reach the lost and bring restoration to the earth. Jesus prays that we would step into that purpose in difficult times.

Our prayerful attutude shoulf be more of labouring in the Lord, not for the Lord. Therfore lets pray this evening for the advancing of Gods Kingdom with faith, not fear, as worshippers not worriers. Show me lord how I might serve and let me Restt in Thee.

Resting In God’s Full commitment to make us like Jesus.

John 17:17 NIV

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

Have you ever wondered what Jesus is up too in your life? He is sancifying you,(transforming you making you Holy) Sanctifucation like Justification is God’s work in us, (Php 2:13) for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his purpose. How does God do this sanctifying work, how does he change and transform us? He does this through the transforming power of his Word. This is Gods work of Grace, we are entirley dependent on God. Of course this dependency on god to transform us, does not mean we are simply passive, we are to work out our faith with fear and trembling, we are to submit to the word of God, we are to avail ourselves to be washed in the water of the word, so that we are renewed in our minds by the word of God, we are to make our calling and election sure and as we do these things in response to Gods grace we can rest assured that he will bring us to completion. Phil 1:6

Philippians 1:6 NIV

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Jesus prays that you would be sanctified in the Truth.

Participating in Gods Commitment to Redeem his Big Family.

John 17:20 NIV

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,

Remember earlier we said God has a mission for his church. We can have rest knowing that Jesus is praying for those who will believe through our message.

During these corrona Virus days, do you worry excessivly over those. Remeber to share Jesus with them and rest in the knowledge that he is at work through your witness, the Word of God never returns to him void. No matter how much you think you love them, Remember Jesus loves them more.

How to have your heart at Rest.

Find your place in God’s mission in the world (A purpose Driven Life)

Remeber that God is using these difficult days to make you more like Jesus.

Remember that Jesus is Praying for those who will come to believe through your message.