JOHN 17:11–14 “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept” (John 17:12). Returning to our study of Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer in John 17, we find Him praying for the continued protection of His disciples: “Now I am no longer in … Continue reading “PRAYER FOR PROTECTION”
THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD
PSALM 111 He provided redemption for His people; He ordained His covenant forever—holy and awesome is His name (Ps. 111:9 niv). We conclude our brief study of the doctrine of election by taking a closer look at the complexities surrounding the sovereignty of God. God’s sovereignty, as presented in the Bible is not fatalistic determinism … Continue reading “THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD”
INTERCESSION AND SACRIFICE
JOHN 17:9–10 “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours” (John 17:9). Jesus prays not for the world but for those whom the Father had given Him. Jesus prayed for His disciples, for all those who believed in Him, and … Continue reading “INTERCESSION AND SACRIFICE”
GIVEN BY THE FATHER
JOHN 17:6–8 “… They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word” (John 17:6b). The first words of this passage are filled with doctrinal significance: “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world.” Jesus is, of course, speaking of the disciples … Continue reading “GIVEN BY THE FATHER”
THE GLORY OF GOD
JOHN 17:1–5 “And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was” (John 17:5). There are a number of significant points made in these five verses, so we will look at each of them in turn. First, the glory of Christ becomes the main … Continue reading “THE GLORY OF GOD”
COMFORT OF THE FATHER
JOHN 16:31–33 “And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace” (John 16:32, 33). The truth that Christ had been communicating to the disciples concerning His own nature and that of the Father finally dawned on them. But … Continue reading “COMFORT OF THE FATHER”
KNOWLEDGE OF THE FATHER
JOHN 16:25–30 “… the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father” (John 16:25). Before our hearts are regenerated by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are blind to spiritual truths. While we can know something of God, His … Continue reading “KNOWLEDGE OF THE FATHER”
SORROW TURNING INTO JOY
JOHN 16:16–24 “… you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy” (John 16:20). The ever-present tension between sorrow and joy in the Christian experience is a surprise to new believers (and even many older ones). Many rightly embrace their new … Continue reading “SORROW TURNING INTO JOY”
THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH
JOHN 16:12–15 “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth.… He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you” (John 16:13, 14). The function of the Holy Spirit in the Church is described as that of guiding, or literally, … Continue reading “THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH”
THE SPIRIT OF CONVICTION
JOHN 16:5–11 “And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8). The departure of Jesus would not be a tragedy (as the disciples thought), but a triumph because only then would the Spirit come. Only then would He “convict the world” of sin, righteousness, … Continue reading “THE SPIRIT OF CONVICTION”