Seventh Sunday of Easter
Easter 2024 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Protected, Prepared, and Purpose
Protected, Prepared, and Purpose
I invite you to join with me today as we delve into a profound moment in the Gospel of John, a moment when Jesus, on the brink of His crucifixion, lifts His voice in prayer. This prayer, often called the High Priestly Prayer, is a conversation between the Son and the Father, a prayer where Jesus reveals His heart for His disciples, for us, and for all who would come to believe through their testimony.
I. Revealed Reality
John 17:6 “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.”
Here, Jesus emphasizes the revelation of God’s name—His character and nature—to the disciples. He highlights the intimate knowledge they have received because they belong to God and have been faithful to His word.
What does it mean to know God intimately? It means recognizing His love, His justice, His mercy, His holiness. It means understanding His heart, His desires, His will. Knowing God in this way shapes our identity and our daily living. It fosters a deeper relationship with Him and a stronger commitment to His truths.
Let us reflect on the importance of knowing God deeply. Let us consider how this knowledge should shape our lives, drawing us closer to Him and inspiring us to live in accordance with His will.
II. Protected People
John 17:15 “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.”
Here, Jesus acknowledges the reality of spiritual warfare and the need for divine safeguarding against the evil one.
We are not called to isolate ourselves from the world, but to engage with it. However, in doing so, we need God’s protection. We need His strength to withstand the temptations and assaults of the evil one.
How can we seek God’s protection in our lives? Let us explore practical ways to arm ourselves with prayer, Scripture, and community, so we may stand firm against the schemes of the enemy.
III. Sanctified by the Spirit
John 17:17 “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”
Sanctification, the process of being made holy, is a key theme in Jesus' prayer. He asks God to sanctify the disciples in truth, which is rooted in God’s Word.
God’s Word is our foundation for truth. It shapes our understanding, our beliefs, and our actions. Through it, we are transformed, purified, and made holy.
How does the truth of God’s Word sanctify us. Let us commit ourselves to engage personally and communally with Scripture, allowing it to transform our hearts and minds, enabling us to live in purity and purpose.
IV. Commissioned to Continue
John 17:18 “As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.”
Jesus extends His own mission to His followers, commissioning them to continue His work. This mission is empowered by the same authority and driven by the same divine purpose that characterized His ministry.
We are not merely spectators in God’s kingdom; we are active participants. We are called to continue the work of Jesus, to spread the Gospel, make disciples, and embody Christ’s love and truth in every aspect of our lives.
I invite you to identify ways in which you are called to continue Jesus' mission. Let us embrace the empowerment we receive from Him and the responsibilities we bear to share His message of love and redemption with a world in need.
Conclusion:
In closing, my dear brothers and sisters, let us reflect on the profound privilege and responsibility we have as followers of Christ. We are kept in God's name, protected by His power, sanctified by His truth, and sent into the world with His mission. Let us live out these truths boldly, relying on God’s guidance and protection as we fulfill our calling. May we go forth, protected, prepared, and purposed, to bring glory to His name and to spread His kingdom on earth. Amen.
Call to Worship (based on John 17:6-19)
Leader: "I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world."
People: We are chosen from the world, set apart in the truth of Your Word.
Leader: "They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word."
People: Lord, we commit to keeping Your Word, living as Your disciples.
Leader: "Now they know that everything you have given me is from you."
People: We acknowledge all we have is yours, and we live in Your truth.
Leader: "I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one."
People: Keep us, O Lord, as we live in this world, shielded by Your grace.
Leader: "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth."
People: Sanctify us, O Lord, that we may be truly yours, dedicated to Your mission.
Leader: "As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world."
People: We go forth, bearing the light of Christ, ready to serve and glorify Your name.
Leader: Let us worship God, who has called us, sanctified us, and sent us.
People: With grateful hearts, we come to praise and to grow deeper into the life of Christ, who intercedes for us.
Opening Prayer (based on Psalm 1)
Let us pray,
Heavenly Father, we come before You today, grateful for the wisdom and guidance You offer us through Your Word. As we reflect on the truths of Psalm 1, we are reminded of the blessedness of walking in Your ways, of not standing in the path of the wicked, nor sitting in the seat of scoffers.
Lord, we desire to be like the tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. We ask that You would root us deeply in the soil of Your love and truth, that we might draw upon Your living waters. Nourish us with Your Word, that we may flourish in every season, bearing the fruit of Your Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
We confess, O God, that at times we are tempted to walk in the counsel of the wicked, swayed by the world’s promises that lead away from Your truth. Help us to meditate on Your law day and night, finding our delight in Your commands, and resisting the allure of paths that do not lead to You.
Protect us, Lord, from the chaff that the wind drives away. Make us strong and resilient, able to withstand the trials and temptations that we face. May our lives reflect Your stability and strength, showing the world the joy and peace that come from living in Your ways.
As we gather here to worship You, renew our commitment to follow Your paths. Help us to engage deeply with Your Word, to seek Your wisdom, and to apply it in all aspects of our lives. May our worship today be pleasing to You, as we lift our hearts and voices in praise and thanksgiving for Your unending grace and love.
In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, we pray. Amen.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the profound truths revealed in Your Son’s prayer. As Jesus prayed for His disciples, we find comfort and challenge in His words for us today. Lord, help us to embrace fully the reality of Your revelation, the protection You provide, the sanctification through Your truth, and the mission You have entrusted to us.
Guide us as we strive to live out these truths in our daily lives. Keep us from the evil one, sanctify us in Your truth, and empower us to carry forward the work of Your kingdom. May we always be mindful of Your presence, living as Your faithful witnesses in a world that needs Your love and light.
We ask these things in the name of Jesus, who intercedes for us at Your right hand. Amen.