Sermon Tone Analysis
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Introduction
Turn with me in your Bibles to John 17.
I want you to think of someone who has passed away that you have admired as a godly man or woman, someone whose wisdom you would love to have.
Can you imagine if you had the opportunity to sit and listen to them as they recounted life’s greatest lessons?
What would it be like to get to hear them speak wisdom and truth into your life?
How much of a blessing would it be to hear that person pray over you and your life?
I think of my grandpa.
Especially in the past few months as I’ve been preaching in his place, I’ve been keenly aware of the need for godly wisdom and discernment.
I’d love to sit down with him again and listen to his words of wisdom in ministry.
Now, let me ask you this: What if you had the opportunity to hear Jesus speak directly to you?
What if you had the chance to listen as Jesus told you what he thought was the most important message you needed to hear?
Would that be worth listening to?
What if Jesus himself prayed over you and your life?
FCF: We all have a need for wisdom and intercessory prayer.
Main Idea: Jesus’ prayer in John 17 reveals that his primary concern in all things was bringing glory to God.
Jesus shows us three primary ways that we can glorify God: by helping to gather in the people of God, by persevering in the truth, and by reflecting the unity of God to the world.
Turn with me in your Bibles to John 17 as we read some of Jesus’ final words on earth as he prepared his disciples, both then and now, for his departure.
Read John 17
Prayer for Illumination
Transition: There’s a lot to be learned and applied to our lives from Jesus’ prayer, but I want to draw your attention this morning to what I think are the three biggest themes in his prayer.
We glorify God as we help gather in his people.
(vv.
1-11a)
Christ has a people (vv.
2b, 6)
Christ knows who belongs to him.
Remember when Paul ministered to the Corinthians?
God had chosen his people “before the foundation of the world”
Yet, even though he has a people, he has chosen to use our preaching to be the means of gathering in those people.
(v.6-8)
While God has chosen a people for himself, he has also chosen to use our preaching to bring about their salvation.
Michelangelo, the sculptor of the famous David statue, reportedly once said:
Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it.
That is our job as Christians.
Not to create a people for God, but simply to discover them.
To use God’s Word as a chisel to reveal the children of God.
Our preaching should aim to glorify God by helping others to come to know him.
(vv.
2-3)
Ultimately, eternal life isn’t just about being saved from Hell, it’s about knowing God!
When we make our evangelism efforts people-centered, we miss the point.
Our job is to point people to God and say, “See how great our God is!”
When we proclaim God’s glory, we succeed in our evangelism whether we make a convert or not.
Evangelism is first and foremost about glorifying God.
That is why Jesus’ mission was successful, even though one of his disciples rejected him.
By proclaiming the truth, his evangelism glorified God regardless of the outcome.
We glorify God as we persevere in the truth.
(vv.
11b-19)
Whether or not we persevere in the truth reveals whether we are truly believers or not.
A branch which doesn’t remain attached to the vine cannot bear fruit
Tribulation and persecution are an inevitable and necessary part of the Christian walk.
(v.
15)
Notice that Jesus prays for joyful perseverance in the midst of trials (v.
13)
Jesus didn’t pray for protection from all harm for his disciples.
In fact, his prayer assumes they will suffer.
He doesn’t pray for physical protection but spiritual protection.
What about our prayers?
Are we so concerned with the physical that we forget to pray for the spiritual?
When was the last time you asked for your church to pray for you as you battled sin? temptations?
doubts?
when you felt Satan’s attacks?
When is the last time you prayed or asked for prayer for those in your life who are suffering attack?
Tribulation is an opportunity to display the genuinness of our faith
You were chosen for a purpose
We Glorify God as we are united in the body of Christ (vv.
17-26)
We must be united in truth (vv.
17-19)
Unity doesn’t mean accepting anyone who calls themselves a “Christian.”
Our unity is based in a common acceptance of the truth of God’s Word.
We have a duty to defend the core tennets of our faith from those who would distort it and lead others astray
Are you committed to growing in your knowledge of God? Are you making efforts to grow in unity in the truth?
We must be united in purpose--to make Christ known.
(v.
26)
We are not just a social club or just a family.
Our unity is rooted in purpose.
We share a common goal and we ought to be striving together to acheive that goal.
Each of us are gifted with different spiritual gifts which we ought to be exercising in order to acheive the goal of reaching others for Christ.
Does Hilltop Baptist Church have a vision for how it’s going to reach its community for Christ?
For how it will reach its nation for Christ?
For how it will reach other nations for Christ?
Are you united in purpose?
We reflect the nature of God as we are united in faith with fellow believers.
(v.
20-21)
The Church in fellowship is a picture of the Trinity
When the Church displays unity and fellowship to the world, it’s a desireable thing which will draw others in.
A good work of art captivates you and draws you in.
It makes you want to know the artist.
A good mirror presents a clear picture of what it reflects.
A healthy church draws others in, makes them want to know their Creator, and reflects the image of God in how they love and fellowship with one another.
Denominationalism can present a very fractured view of Christ to the world, but there are ways we can overcome it.
Emphasize our similarities
Cooperate in missions to the fullest extent possible
Engage in friendly conversation about our differences, keeping them in perspective
Conclusion
Christ has prayed for you and he continues to intercede for you to the Father.
May we all seek to glorify God more as we gather in his people, persevere in the truth, and display unity to the world.
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