A Legacy of Joy

John 17:9 “My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. 10 All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory. 11 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. 12 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. 13 “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.

As we continue our foundation rebuilding, and the review of our statements of faith, thus far we’ve said…

We believe - the Bible to be the inspired Word of God, and our only infallible authority.

We believe - that the Lord Jesus Christ and the Bible should have pre-eminence in the church, home and each person's life. By doing this, there is a joyful, useful and victorious Christian testimony.

We believe - that we are commissioned by our Saviour to..."Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." We want to witness effectively in Douglasville, and to all parts of the world.

And today I want to expound on our fourth statement of faith, which says…

We believe - that the Lord Jesus Christ has left a legacy of joy to all who would commit their life to Him.

A legacy; let’s look at a definition of that word. Merriam-Webster has a few but the one we’re going to focus on is, “something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past”.

In this case, the ancestor is Jesus and what has been transmitted is joy.

The second word I want to look at is commit. Merriam-Webster defines it, “to carry into action deliberately”, another word for deliberate is intentional.

So there’s no mistaking who this message is to, this gift of joy which has been transmitted by our ancestor, Jesus, is for all who would deliberately put their life into action for Him. Him being Jesus Christ. To make it plain, this legacy is for the disciples of Christ.

Those who are learners of the Gospel, who desire to sit at the feet of Jesus, through reading, studying and meditating on the Word of God, who make the Bible a part of their preferred reading. And not just reading it, but living it, committing to it.

In this 17th chapter of the Gospel of John, depending on the translation of the Bible you may have the title at the beginning of this chapter is, “The Prayer of Jesus”. Although we call the prayer found in Matthew 6:9-13 Our Father which art in heaven hallowed by thy name… even though we call that “The Lord’s Prayer” it is actually Jesus teaching us how to pray; but Jesus’ prayer for us is found in this 17th chapter of John’s Gospel. And this prayer is for those who have accepted and believe what God said, and what Jesus did.

Jesus is praying for His disciples, the ones walking with him then and the ones who would come as a result of their testimonies and obedience to pen what God gave them to pen. Those who would come through reading what resulted from their obedience in writing down the inspired Word of God.

What Jesus says to His Father in heaven is this, 9 “My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you.

Jesus is very targeted in his prayer and we should follow His example. Too often we get caught up in words, saying 15 when 5 will do, and it’s not for clarity, it’s just that some think, if I use more words, I’ll sound more holy. How many know it’s not just your speech that makes you holy?

So, at this moment, in this prayer, Jesus is not praying for everybody, He’s specifically praying for those who God gave him, because they belong to God.

The disciples we make, belong to God, not to the pastor of the church. The members of Love Christian Center don’t belong to me, they belong to God. God has given me oversight of them and a responsibility to pray for, teach, encourage and watch over them, all of them. And I’m to do it until they choose to leave or until God calls them home. But I’m not the only one with a responsibility. Those who choose to unite with this body also have a duty, Heb 13:17 says, “17 Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.” I am accountable to God for your soul. Will I do it with joy or sorrow? We’re talking about those who would commit their life to Him—to Jesus.

Jesus continues saying, 10 All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory. We are here to bring glory to Jesus, not ourselves.

Despite those who call themselves self-made men and women.

Despite those who have people screaming their names, falling and fainting at their feet.

Despite those who have thousands of followers on social media

Despite those who seem so charismatic, who could charm a snake out of his skin

Despite any of that, glory belongs to Jesus.

Jesus knows his time on Earth is coming to an end and he wants to make sure those who have committed to him are taken care of. He knows who his Father is, he knows his nature and character, but he ask anyway. He made his petition known to God.

You know God wants to bless you, you know that He knows what you stand in need of, but ask anyway. What is Jesus asking for?

It’s in verse 11 which says, “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.”

Jesus is leaving but the disciples are staying here. Jesus has completed his assignment, his work here is finished and he is returning to the Father. But he’s asking his Father for something special, he just wants to make sure of something, when you want to be sure, you ask questions, you make requests and that is what Jesus did here; he ask his Father to protect them by the power of his holy name. There is power in the name.

Why did he pray for their protection, because he knew tribulation and persecution was coming. Being a disciple of Jesus was not going to be easy. Back then you could find yourself hung on a pole, set on fire, being used as a street light if you professed that you were a disciple of Christ.

So Jesus prayed for their protection so they would stay unified. We can do so much more together than we can individually. When we come together in the name of Jesus we are powerful beyond measure.

Let’s bring this to today. We ask that you share the message on Facebook, not so people will see us, but so the word of God will reach more people.

Case and point. I was recently at a Holy Convocation and I did Facebook live on some of the messages. The message that was shared once had 178 views, twice had 263 views, when shared four times there were 310 views, but when it was shared seven times there were 502 views.

When we are unified with one purpose we are powerful beyond measure and it doesn’t take a whole lot of people, it just takes a few committed people.

Committed people who will use their God given gifts and talents in service for God

Committed people who will press their way to the the church, who will show up even when they don’t feel like it.

Committed people who will give even when the numbers don’t add up, they trust God for their sustenance not man.

Committed people who will pray even when they don’t know what to say. When all you can say is Jesus and know that that’s enough. Who will PUSH - they’ll pray until something happens.

Committed people who will encourage others even when they are discouraged.

Committed people who will evangelize, even when they’re afraid.

Committed people who are not afraid to give God praise not just for what he’s done but for who he is

Committed people who will praise God for all that he has done

Did he wake you up this morning? Praise him

Did you wake up with the activity of your limbs? Praise him

When you put your feet on the floor, were you able to stand up? Praise him

When you flipped the switch, did the lights come on? Praise him

When you stepped in the shower and turned the handle, did water come out? Praise him

Was the water hot? Praise him again.

When you got n the car and turned the key or pushed the button, did your car start? Praise him.

Did you make it to church? Praise him

Praise ye the Lord.

Praise God in his sanctuary:

praise him in the firmament of his power.

Praise him for his mighty acts:

praise him according to his excellent greatness.

Praise him with the sound of the trumpet:

praise him with the psaltery and harp.

Praise him with the timbrel and dance:

praise him with stringed instruments and organs.

Praise him upon the loud cymbals:

praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.

Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord.

Praise ye the Lord.

When I think of the goodness of Jesus and all that he’s done for me my soul cries out HALLELUJAH

Church we need people who are committed to the cause of Christ and the work and mission of the ministry. The primary mission of every Christian church with their doors open in the name of Jesus is to make and teach disciples, but each individual church has a secondary mission, we will get to the mission of Love Christian Center soon. Stay tuned and share the message so others can tune in also, so we can be unified, so the message of God is spread throughout Douglasville, Douglas County, Atlanta, Georgia, the United States and throughout the world.

What’s the message, Jesus Christ is the Son of God; him crucified for our sins; who died on a cross; rose again and ascended back to the Father where he now sits at the right hand of God interceding on our behalf. And, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” That’s the message.

This Scripture is telling us that Jesus was interceding for us even before he ascended back to the Father.

Jesus prayed for me kept me on his mind, took the time to pray for me, I’m so glad he prayed, I’m so glad he prayed, I’m so glad he prayed for me.

Anybody else glad Jesus prayed for you and that he’s still praying?

Jesus’ prayer continues and in the 12th verse he says, “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.”

Jesus protected them by the power of his name, the name God gave him and with that name came power, with that name came provision, with that name came everything we need and some more.

Jesus guarded them, but even with that there was one who turned away. Not everyone will be saved...

just because they come to church

just because they lead an auxiliary

just because they sing like a song bird

just because they play an instrument like the angels themselves

just because they preach

just because they pastor

None of that means that you’re not headed for destruction. Why are you doing what you’re doing. Is it for money? Is it for recognition? Is it for fame, fortune or notoriety? Remember, only what you do for Christ will last. And all that we do should be done to the glory of God.

And after all of this comes our legacy of joy. In verse 13 Jesus says, “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.”

After he had finished everything he was supposed to do. Jesus completed his assignment. How about you? Are you working on your assignment? Some of you haven’t even started, come on it’s time to start, it’s time to move, the light is green; green means go.

Are you listening?

Jesus is telling us many things, can you hear him speaking? Are you worried about who you might be hearing? He said my sheep hear my voice and a stranger they will not follow. When he’s your Father, when you’ve given him that position in your life, when you spend time with him you’ll get to know his voice.

Are you reading his Word daily? Don’t worry about memorizing it. Wait! Say what? When you read it enough, when it becomes real in your life, when you can see yourself in the Word, when it comes alive to you, you’ll begin to remember it without even trying. Just keep reading.

Are you following Christ’s example? Are you living a life that is pleasing to him? Are you living a life of holiness?

The things you used to do, you don’t do anymore.

The places you used to go, you don’t go anymore.

The things you used to say, you don’t say anymore.

Your speech is different,

your mind is different,

your desires are different.

A change has come in your life and you’re not even sure how to explain it.

Why are we listening? So we will be filled Jesus’ joy. Jesus left a legacy of joy for those who would commit their life to Him.

Have you committed your life to Jesus, so you can claim your legacy of joy? Maybe you have already committed your life, but have yet to claim your legacy of joy? Are you walking around defeated, distressed, discouraged and disheartened?

When you have joy, it doesn’t matter what is going on in your life, because joy radiates from your soul. You’ll be able to smile through the pain, the hurt and the heartaches of life. Through the trials and tribulations we know will come. No one will know what you’re going through because you won’t look like what you’re going through.

I get joy, joy thinking about what He’s done for me. I get joy, joy thinking about what He’s done for me. It’s in my hands, my feet, I’m talking about what He’s done for me. I get joy just thinking about what He’s done for me. I get joy just thinking about what He’s done for me.

We believe - that the Lord Jesus Christ has left a legacy of joy to all who would commit their life to Him.

If you’ve never claimed your legacy of joy and you want to claim it now, pray with me…

Lord I confess I’m a sinner, I believe you are the Son of God and that you died for my sins. Please come into my heart, I give you my life, in Jesus name I pray. Amen

If you’re watching online and you prayed that prayer for the first time, welcome to the family. Send us an email to [e-mail] and let us know of your decision, so we can pray with and for you. If you live in the Douglasville, GA vicinity come on over to 3500 Hwy 5, Ste 101 and join our in person worship. We’ve got great plans ahead and we would love for you to be a part of this body.

Check out our website at www.lovechristianctr.org for information about our services, how to join us for the entire service live on zoom or how to support this ministry financially if you are so led to do so. We thank all of our ministry partners who sow into this ministry. May God bless richly for your acts of kindness and love.