1. Faith in Christ Jesus:
2 Timothy 1:12 defines FAITH as knowing the trustworthy character and
motives of Jesus, and being confident in His limitless promise-keeping
ability, and consequently committing yourself entirely to His keeping. We
are studying the Gospel of John, answering these questions: 1) What is
revealed of Jesus’ character, motives, and abilities? 2) What is indicated that
you could confidently commit to Jesus’?
THE LORD'S PRAYER!
John 17:17-26
This prayer progresses from Christ's consecration of Himself (v.1-5), through
consecration of His Disciples (v.6-19), to the consecration of the work and fruit
of His Disciples (20-26).
Sanctified Through Truth. Understanding how things really are ends a
child's fear of monsters under the bed. Truth changes us. Knowing God's
nature, character, motives, and abilities as demonstrated by Jesus Christ,
causes us to abandon foolishness, worldliness, selfishness. Also, when a man
and a woman find a special and exclusive love for each other, all other
relationships are changed and some are even ended! Sanctification: “purify,
dedicate, consecrate, be separated from common use to only serve God, made
holy” is what Jesus wants for you.
That They All May Be One. We were designed and created to forever
be unique individuals. However, we were never meant to be alone within
ourselves! Our diversity, unified in and by God's love for us, fascinates the
rest of humanity which fights to homogenize all variations. The glory of God
bursts forth in brilliant light, dazzling colors, as seen in Revelation 4:3! HE is
AWESOME, and all of us together cannot describe Him!
Be With Me Where I Am. John 14:2-3, again! I want to write some
profundity that will capture your hearts and cause you to love Him as He loves
you. The truth is, this is profound as it is!
Love defies analysis. I use other words, such as loyalty, devotion, exclusive
intimacy, faithfulness, sacrifice, emotional bond, dedication, etc., to describe
love. Love, itself, is something more than all its parts and expressions.
Perhaps the most poignant (pungent, painful, deeply affecting, impressive)
aspect of love is that it does not exist apart from its demonstration! (John
14:15) (Romans 5:8)
In our studies of the Gospel According to John, have you discovered the
true character traits of Jesus? What have you found?
Have you discovered the true motives and mission of Jesus? What drove
Him?
Have you met Jesus?
THE LORD'S PRAYER!
John 17:17-26
Read John 17:16-19
How does verse 16 explain/define sanctification?
In verse 17, what enables sanctification and how
does it do it?
In verse 18, what do sanctified people do? Why?
In verse 19, how, and why, does Jesus sanctify
Himself?
How do these things encourage you to commit
yourself to Jesus?
Read John 17:20-26
Who is Jesus praying for in verse 20?
Four Great Gifts of sanctification (unity, glory,
inner presence, eternal presence) are given in
verses 21-24. Please describe what each one
means to you.
1.
2.
3.
4.
If you can describe the love God has towards His
Son, you can describe the love He has for you!
v.26. How does that help you to trust Jesus
without hesitation?