Just focus in on the last part of Christ's prayer in John 17.
This particular chapter has meant a lot to me over the years as I've been at death's doorstep multiple times with my physical illnesses I've had.
And it's one of the few passages that kind of give us a direction to look at life beyond this life.
And it's raised my mind to God and eternity.
It's commonly referred to as the high priestly prayer of Christ.
And indeed, it is the true Lord's Prayer.
The one we're familiar with, the one in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, tend to be more known as the Disciples' Prayer, where He teaches His disciples to pray.
So this truly is the Lord's Prayer.
It's a, what does Jesus pray?
What is He like when He speaks to the Father?
It's only about 650 words.
It just takes a couple minutes to read.
But it is deep and profound.
Every single word of it, you could exhaust.
Many years ago, on a commentary on John 17, Calvin wrote,
This prayer of Christ is a safe harbor.
And whoever retreats into it is safe from all danger of shipwreck.
For it has, Christ has solemnly sworn that He will devote His care and diligence to our salvation.
Let the world then condemn us a thousand times.
This alone ought to satisfy us.
That Christ acknowledges us to be His heritage and pleas with the Father for us.
So this prayer is just one of a kind.
You don't find anything like this anywhere else in the Scripture.
It kind of looks like Moses' prayer, sort of, at the end of Deuteronomy, before Moses departs this world.
And so think about what's on Jesus' mind, just the context.
He's spending time with His disciples.
He's finished the Last Supper with them.
And they're getting ready to kind of go towards Gethsemane.
And during this time, He lifts up His voice to the Father.
And He prays and pours out His voice to the Father.
I'll give you a quick outline of the prayer.
But we're only going to focus on the last part of it.
There's three parts that we've typically divided this prayer up into.
The first part is in verses 1 through 5.
And this is Jesus' praise for Himself.
And the focus is the Father's glory.
And in turn, His own glory.
Second part, Jesus prays for His disciples.
We see that in verse 6 through 19.
And the focus of the Christ prayer during that time is preservation and mission.
And then thirdly, what we'll be focusing on today is Jesus' praise for the present and future believers.
The key is their oneness and unity.
So that's what we're focusing in on today.
But you see in verse 20, Jesus says,
I do not ask for these only, but also those who will believe in Me through their word.
And so Jesus is confident that His disciples, after all that's about to happen, are going to return.
And they're going to go out.
And they're going to preach the good news.
And start the church.
Read in Acts chapter 2, verse 42.
This happened.
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, the breaking of bread and to prayers.
So Jesus in this time prays for us.
And it's known, this whole prayer, John 17, reveals to us one of the very unique and specific roles,
I don't think a lot of us think about maybe on a daily basis,
but a role that Christ plays in our lives.
A significant role.
He is our great high priest.
As sinners that are unclean and unable to go into the holy presence of God,
Jesus paid the final sacrifice for our sins and gave us His righteousness so that we could stand clean before God.
And now He intercedes on our behalf.
700 years ago, before Christ, Isaiah actually gave us a glimpse of this role
in prophesying about the work of Christ and the Messiah, the suffering servant, in Isaiah 53.
Starting in verse 11.
You don't have to turn there.
There's one other place for you to look at today outside this.
But we get a glimpse of His priestly work on our behalf.
But Isaiah spoke 700 years before Christ.
Out of the anguish of his soul, he shall see and be satisfied.
By his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous.
And he shall bear their iniquities.
There's like the salvific part of this.
Christ died on our behalf.
Verse 12.
Therefore, I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoiled with the strong,
because he poured out his soul to death, and he was numbered with the transgressors.
Yet he bore the sins of many and makes intercession for the transgressors.
He stands before the Father, right?
Making intercession on our behalf.
And that's what the writer of Hebrews says in Hebrews 8, 1 and 2.
He expresses Christ's priestly care for us.
So think about this.
We're about to read the passage together.
But some of you may have someone in your life who has a very deep walk with Christ,
who enjoys such deep fellowship with God.
And when, if you said, if I would like to just pray with one person before I face this trial,
who would that person be?
Right?
What friend would you think of?
But a cool thought, as we begin to read this, is Robert Murray McShane,
young Scottish pastor in the 1800s, preached a sermon on John 17.
And he said this, really profound.
If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies.
Yet distance makes no difference.
He is praying for me.
It's amazing.
So let's read the passage together.
We're just going to focus on the last part of this.
John 17, look at verse 20.
Jesus praying.
He says,
I do not ask for these only,
but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
that they may all be one,
just as you, Father, are in me,
and I in you,
that they also may be in us,
so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
The glory that you have given me,
I have given to them.
That they may all be one,
even as we are one.
I in them,
and you in me,
that they may become perfectly one,
so that the world may also know that you have sent me,
and love them even as you love me.
Father,
I desire that they also,
whom you have given me,
may be with me where I am,
to see my glory,
the glory of the Father,
even though,
I'm sorry,
because,
forgive me,
typo here,
they may see my glory,
that you have given me,
because you love me,
before the foundation of the world.
Oh,
righteous Father,
even though the world does not know you,
I know you,
and these know you,
that you have sent me.
I have made known to them your name,
and I will continue to make it known,
that the love with which you have loved me,
may be in them,
and I in them.
Join me in a quick word of prayer.
Father,
we just looked up this time to you,
please work in our hearts,
through your Holy Spirit,
apply,
apply your word,
to our hearts,
that we would not walk away,
from this place,
unchanged,
that you would give us,
a picture of what,
you prayed for us,
long ago,
you give us deep insight,
into your word,
Lord,
in Christ's name,
Amen.
So,
we're going to break this up,
into a few different pieces,
but,
point number one,
as we're walking through this passage,
point number one,
is Jesus prays,
for true unity,
among believers.
Jesus prays,
for true unity,
among believers.
And so,
under number one,
we see,
there's a few sub points,
but the sub point,
A,
underneath this,
is he has,
a request,
for true unity.
Look at verse 21,
that they may all,
be one.
Alright?
And,
a good,
way to kind of,
get to the heart of this,
about what true unity means,
is to kind of expose,
what false unity,
actually is.
Many in the church today,
and most people,
well meaning,
will make remarks like,
Christians just seem so divided,
how come there's so many different,
churches,
how come there's different,
denominations,
after all,
like isn't just Jesus,
all that matters,
and they'll kind of like,
simplify,
the Christian life,
with phrases like that,
and they'll say like,
we need to do something,
to create unity,
among believers.
And again,
I know,
like well meeting people,
who have said such things,
but often,
thoughts like that,
are kind of misguided,
and,
and ignorant.
false,
superficial unity,
sometimes,
is created,
at the expense,
of truth,
and doctrine.
Churches may avoid,
hard,
Bible topics,
just so they can,
make people feel,
better,
about,
themselves.
But let me give you,
a couple of diagnostic questions,
when it comes to this idea,
of unity.
A couple of diagnostic questions.
What are the first things,
that people talk about,
when they ask you about,
when you ask them,
about their church?
That's when it goes,
Christ's family,
tell me about that church.
Like what's the first thing you say?
Or somebody else,
like what comes out of their mouth?
Like what do you enjoy,
about that church?
The second question,
is us asking ourselves,
is what is the gathering component,
of a local church?
Like why do people come there?
Like what's the purpose?
What's the goal?
What brings them together?
And often in today's,
contemporary,
evangelicalism,
local churches have a large,
range of gathering components.
Alright?
There's many demographics.
There's the age demographic.
I like going to this church,
because it has a youth program,
or teenagers,
or older people,
or young adults.
Singles.
That's why we like going there.
Another demographic.
Some sort of effemnity, right?
That church has a lot of families.
I like going to that church.
Or a lot of children.
Or these people seem,
richer upper class,
or middle class,
or whatever it may be.
A big one,
among today's denominations,
are music.
Do you have contemporary cool music,
or do you have the old people,
organ,
you know,
piano music?
Like they'll go,
I've heard people say,
that's why they go where they go.
Programs.
This is probably the biggest one.
This church has a place for me,
and my family to plug in.
We have all these different things.
We have children's ministries,
youth ministries,
college ministries,
single ministries,
on and on and on.
We have a drama team,
whatever it may be, right?
So,
we don't have a drama team here.
So,
also facilities.
That's a really nice building.
That's a beautiful church building,
and a great parking lot,
you know,
on and on.
They have good coffee,
whatever it may be.
So,
there's all sorts of things
that people say
is the gathering component
of their church.
Right?
I heard on a local Christian radio station
a while back,
they were allowing people to call in,
and I said,
this was the question,
how do you do church?
And you got all kind of crazy answers on that.
But here's the deal.
One of the big problems
with focusing on demographics
as a point of unity
is that something happens
to that component?
Your church is gone.
If that component was removed,
would that church divide?
Would it break up?
What would happen?
The gathering component,
for any other reason
than the Lord Jesus Christ,
that church will fail.
That church won't stand.
But isn't it sad, though,
that the church
of the Lord Jesus Christ,
that He bought with His own blood,
usually,
or sometimes,
is not the gathering component
for why a church gathers.
It's all kind of
other things
other than His life,
His death,
and His resurrection.
That's the main event
for which we gather.
But many churches do not.
It is that bother you
that many people ask the question,
how do you do church
when really,
the only thing that matters
is what would Christ
have us do
when we gather?
What is His opinion?
He is the head of the church.
It is His church,
His bride.
He has told us
what we ought to be doing
when we gather.
And it is heartbreaking
that thousands of people
have flocked to local churches
even this morning
to get a quick fix,
to have a real quick shot
of feel-goodism,
a pop psychology talk
that has nothing to do
with God's Word.
Or isn't it sad
that the first thing
that people think of
of their church
is a pastor
or a program,
something that enhances
their life
instead of the Son of God?
Right?
So please,
I'm not saying
that it's okay
to mention some of the good things
about our church,
but I pray that Christ
is the gathering component.
I pray He is why we gather.
Period.
And I tremble to think
how Christ would see
some churches
when you look at
Revelation chapter,
the early chapters
when He addresses
the churches.
And He commends them
for good things
and He condemns them
for bad things.
Right?
Underneath this first point
about Jesus praying
for unity
is another point.
Point B.
What is the source
of true unity?
What is the source
of true unity?
Look at verse 21 and 22.
That they may all be one
just as you, Father,
are in me
and I in you.
that they also
may be in us.
Look at verse 22.
The glory
that you have given me,
I have given to them
that they may be one
even as we are one.
I in them
and you in me
that they may be
perfectly one.
Alright?
So,
based on this text,
very clearly,
we see that unity
is not something
that we create.
It's something
that exists
already.
It's not of human origin.
It's something
that exists
in the nature
of God Himself.
The unity of all believers
is grounded
in the love
and unity
that exists
in the Godhead.
Okay?
Father,
Son,
and Holy Spirit.
They are united
completely,
perfectly one
in their motive,
in their glory,
in their mission,
in their redemptive purpose.
They are perfectly one,
unified.
So,
spiritual unity
comes to us
from the reality
of His redemptive activity
in our lives.
Okay?
Unity,
we should be concerned about,
is not a physical,
visible unity
in our lives,
but a unity
that is
not outward
and physical
but one that's
spiritual
and invisible.
Unseen.
Spiritual unity.
That they would be
perfectly one.
Alright?
Really quickly,
this is the only place
you have to turn
outside of our main passage,
but hold your hand,
John 17.
Look at Ephesians
chapter 4.
Paul writing
to the church
at Ephesus
and he kind of
clears the air
on what unity
actually is.
Ephesians 4,
verse 1,
and he's addressing
the church,
and he says
in verse 1,
I therefore,
a prisoner of the Lord,
urge you
to walk in a manner
worthy of the calling
to which you have been called,
with all humility
and gentleness,
with patience,
bearing with one another
in love,
eager to maintain
that there it is,
the unity of the Spirit
in the bond of peace.
There is one body
and one Spirit,
just as you were called
to the one hope
that belongs to your call.
One Lord,
one faith,
one baptism,
one God and Father of all,
who is over all
and through all
and in all.
So there's a lot
to talk about right there.
Just think about two things
if you notice.
Unity is completely
a spiritual matter
and not physical.
Alright?
Our passage,
the Scripture,
doesn't define unity
in a physical,
fluctuating,
visible way.
Rather,
it's this constant unity
that is invisible.
Christ's prayer
is answered
every time a dead sinner
is raised from death
and brought
into His kingdom.
But secondly,
notice this
about this passage,
that unity
is maintained
and preserved,
not created.
Okay?
It already exists
because of Christ
and His Spirit
that dwells within us.
So we're called
to preserve it,
protect it,
right?
Not create it.
Not to find
some outward thing
that brings us
unity.
Very clear passage.
So let me just
give you a quick
example of this.
For many years,
they no longer
have this conference,
but in Louisville,
every other year,
they had a conference
called
Together for the Gospel.
And at this conference,
you had guys
from different
denominational backgrounds,
primarily
Southern Baptists,
Presbyterian guys,
Baptists like
Mark Dever,
and John Piper,
John MacArthur,
Al Mohler.
Then you had
PCA guys,
Presbyterian guys
like Spurl,
Ligon Duncan,
Kevin DeYoung,
and they were all
just really good
buddies,
all just really
good friends.
They disagree
like on certain
issues like baptism
or like church
government,
but they are all
really close.
They're saying
we are united
in Christ.
We are united
in the Gospel,
right?
And such
close friends.
So it can go
across denominational
lines.
In fact,
I'm okay with
denominations
because it actually
means that people
have convictions
about things,
right?
We actually believe
something that
the Scripture
teaches.
But there is
unity that exists
in those who
have been born
again and who
have believed
in the Gospel,
right?
There is spiritual
unity.
The last little
part underneath
point number one
is this,
the result of
true unity.
The result of
true unity.
Verse 21,
the second part,
he says,
so that the world
may believe
that you have
sent me.
look at verse
23,
so that the
world may
know that
you have
sent me
and love
them even
as you
have loved
me.
And so,
the result of
true unity,
one of those
is evangelistic.
Sin causes
division and
hatred.
Sin causes
people to
separate,
go their own
ways.
the church
is meant
to be one
of the
greatest
ways that
we display
to a
dying
world
who God
actually
is and
what was
meant
before the
fall,
right?
By loving
one another
well,
loving in
the grace
of God,
living in
community
with one
another.
I've heard
it said
a long time
ago that
the church
is the
Gospel
made
visible.
Like,
the world
is to see
the unity
that we
have because
of Christ
and because
of the
indwelling
Spirit.
Right?
Beautiful.
Jesus says
that that
unity,
that oneness
that He
prayed for
is attractive
to those
that God
is working
in,
right?
To the
outside
world.
We are
to be
the light
of the
world.
Jesus said
that you
are the
light of
the world.
A city
on a hill
cannot be
hidden,
right?
Let your
light shine
before men
that they
may see
your good
works
and glorify
your Father
who is in
heaven.
Right?
So that's
one goal,
one result
of true
unity is
it's evangelistic.
Jesus says
that,
that they
would,
a world
may see
and know
me,
right?
And then
underneath
this also,
another result
of true
unity.
I love
this part.
In Christ
we have
all things
in common.
Alright?
Many of you
can give
testimony to
this,
that Christ
has a
tendency
to bring
together
people who
otherwise would
never be
around each
other.
Like,
very different
types of
people.
All kind
of categories
of people.
It doesn't
matter what
social background
you have,
what ethnic
background you
have,
Christ brings
us together
into his
church,
his family.
And that
thought of
like whenever
you encounter
another believer,
some of you
have traveled
far outside
the U.S.
and it
feels a little
isolating and
you don't
really feel
like people,
anybody around
you knows
that you're
a Christian
and you're
kind of
alone.
And then
you bump
into somebody
else who
is and you
just immediately
have this
like,
yes,
they are
in the
faith.
They are
a brother
or a
sister.
And you
immediately
have this
connection
with them.
But God
brings together
all types
of different
people that
otherwise would
not spend
any time
together,
probably.
Growing up,
I was a
part of
like the
good old
boy country
crowd that
drove trucks,
deer hunted,
and fished.
And I
love to see
just that
over the
years,
that kind
of means
less and
less to
me.
It's more
as I've
seen people
that have
been saved
by Christ
and I have
more in
common with
them than
even my own
family sometimes.
And we
have,
I have a
good buddy
of mine who
is sort
of a punk
rocker
background.
Right?
And I
would have
never hung
out with
that guy
outside of
Christ.
And brothers
and sisters
from every
nation,
every tribe,
every tongue,
Christ brings
us together
and we have
all things
in common.
Right?
That's the
answer to all
the stuff you
see in our
world right
now.
The gospel.
Christ.
The church.
This brings
us to point
number two.
Point number
two.
Jesus
prays
for the
future
glory
of
believers.
He
prays
for the
future
glory
of
believers.
And then
two parts
underneath
that.
In one
way,
part A,
the fellowship
and focus
of our
future
glory.
Look at
verse 24.
He says,
Father,
I desire
that they
also,
whom you
have given
me,
may be
with me
where I
am,
to see
my glory
that you
have given
me because
you loved
me before
the foundation
of the
world.
Such a
beautiful
picture here.
At the
outset of
Christ's
prayer,
right,
he asked
the Father
to restore
him to
the place
of glory
that he
enjoyed with
the Father
before
creation.
So you
get this
glimpse of
what happened
before the
world was
created.
Christ
dwelt in
perfect joy
and satisfaction
with the
Father,
right,
before anything
ever was
created.
That's a
beautiful picture
of what
existed.
If you look
at verse 5
of chapter 17,
just kind of
looking back a
little bit,
he kind of
says the
same thing.
He says,
Now,
Father,
glorify me
in your
own presence
with the
glory that
I had
with you
before the
world
existed.
It's an
amazing
thought.
Think and
ponder that.
Right?
Something I
want you
to think
of just
right now,
think about
one of the
most beautiful
scenes that
you've ever
seen with
your eyes,
or one of
the most
beautiful
noises you
ever heard
with your
ears.
It might
be like a
sunset over
the mountains
or the
ocean.
It might
be hearing
a great
musical
performance
or a
monumental
sporting
event.
And notice
that in
those moments,
things that
just sort
of take
your breath
away,
you're not
thinking about
yourself at
all.
You're carried
outside of
yourself.
Right?
Two things
kind of
happened during
that time.
Something in
us longs for
another person to
be there with
us to share
that rich
experience.
You ever
thought that?
Like,
man,
I wish that
person was
here to see
this.
And typically,
the ones that
we love the
most,
typically the
people that are
closest to us,
who want
them to be
there to
behold this
beautiful thing
with us.
This,
in a small
way,
is what I
believe Christ
is saying,
a small way,
that He
desires for
us to be
with Him
where He is
so that we
may behold
His glory,
the glory that
existed before
the world
was created.
Not because
He needs
us,
just because
He's gracious,
just because
He wants us
to be in
His presence.
He chose
to set
His love
upon us.
Right?
So that's
one thing.
We want
for other
people to
be there.
Secondly,
we want
to not
just look
at something
that's
magnificent.
We actually
want to
dive into it.
We don't
want to
just stare
at it
from a
distance.
We want
to go
and actually
be a part
of what
we see.
We want
to be in
the middle
of it.
I remember
the first
time I
ever saw
the Scottish
Highlands
in 2009.
I was
on a
bus.
As soon
as I
saw it,
I was
like,
oh my
gosh,
that is
beautiful.
I was
like,
I wanted
to jump
through the
window to
go out
and get
into it.
I want
to drop
me off
right here
and I
will go
backpacking
all day
by myself.
I didn't
just want
to look
at it
from a
distance.
I remember
in 1995
a little
boy listening
to the
radio about
the Braves
World Series
and it
made me
go to bed.
I couldn't
stay up
and watch
it.
So,
the whole
like,
Braves
win,
Braves
win.
I wanted
to be
a part
of that
celebration.
I wanted
to be
in the
middle
of it.
C.S.
Lewis
wrote,
we do
not want
merely
to see
beauty,
though God
knows even
that is
bounty enough.
We want
something else
which we can
hardly put
into words,
to be
united with
the beauty
that we
see,
to pass
into it,
to receive
it into
ourselves
and to
bathe in
it and
to become
a part
of it.
And so,
when we
leave this
world and
go and
behold God's
glory and
the glory
of Christ,
we want
to see it
and be a
part of it.
We want
to be in
the middle
of that
glory.
There's no
better thing
in this
world.
Nothing can
compare to
the glory
that we
will behold
one day.
Paul wrote,
quoting Isaiah,
what no
eye has
seen,
nor ear
has heard,
nor the
heart of
man
imagined,
what God
has prepared
for those
who love
him.
Amazing
thing.
So,
a focus
of fellowship
and future
glory is what
we see
in these
verses.
And secondly,
underneath
this part,
is we
will enjoy
unhindered
fellowship
with God.
Unhindered
fellowship
with God.
Think about
the times
where you
have just
enjoyed
being in
the presence
of God.
Like some
of the sweetest
moments of
fellowship,
when you
were in
prayer,
when you
were in
God's
word,
when you
were just
alone
somewhere,
or in
the presence
of his
people.
And it
just seemed
like in
that moment
you just
had a
real sense
of God's
presence
with you.
In an
abnormal
way,
almost.
You felt
his nearness
to you,
thinking about
how he
saved you
from your
sin,
giving you
life,
enjoying
gratitude,
or just
filling
your soul.
You just
want to
say,
pause.
I just
want to
stay
right here,
right?
But then
something
happens.
Interference
usually steps
in.
You get
hungry,
you get
tired,
hangry for
some of
you.
Somebody
knocks on
your door,
you get
an annoying
text message.
Whatever it
may be,
there's moments
that just
interrupt us.
They pull
us away
from those
depths of
fellowship.
We're kind
of dragged
down from
heaven,
as it were,
back to
earth,
back to
just being
here.
And it
feels like
we only
can get
so close
in this
life.
But,
when we
die,
when we
shed this
weak,
mortal
flesh,
and it
passes
away,
we
will
have
uninterrupted,
unhindered
fellowship
with Christ
and the
Father.
Right?
Eternity
will not
be spent
with human
beings
paying back
the debt
that we
owe God,
because that
is impossible.
The grace
that we
have been
saved,
we can
never pay
it back.
But for
all eternity,
we will be
the beneficiaries
of God's
kindness.
Right?
Christ
has done
this,
Ephesians
2,
7,
that in
the coming
ages,
He might
show us
the
immeasurable
riches of
His grace
and kindness
towards us
in Christ
Jesus.
Some of
you,
many of
you,
who have
children or
grandchildren,
know that at
a certain
age,
you do
something
goofy or
fun,
and they
like it,
and then
what do
they tell
you?
Do it
again.
Do it
again.
Even like
for an
hour,
you just
do the
same thing,
over and
over again,
and they
never get
tired of
it.
Boredom
is something
that fallen
creatures
experience.
Right?
But the
newness of
standing in
Christ's
presence
forever will
never get
old.
We will
enjoy that
unhindered
fellowship with
God,
on and
on.
Debating
whether to
read this
to you or
not,
I'm not
usually a
fan of
long quotes
during
sermons,
but I'm
going to
read this
one to
you really
quickly.
Spurgeon
wrote a
sermon on
John 17
and he
says,
I doubt
not that
there are
many joys
in heaven
which will
amplify the
grand joy
with which
we will
have.
I feel
confident
that meeting
of departed
friends,
the society
of apostles,
priests,
and prophets,
and martyrs
will amplify
the joy of
the redeemed.
So in
other words,
I'm sure
there are
many things
in heaven
that are
going to
help bring
us joy.
Good things.
But still,
the Son
that will
give them
the greatest
light to
their joy
will be
the fact
that they
are with
Jesus
Christ.
And behold
his face.
And now,
there may be
other employments
in heaven,
but that
mentioned in
this text
is the chief
one,
John 17,
that they
may behold
my glory.
Let us
pass in
a panorama
before your
eyes with
great scenes
of this
glory that
you will
behold after
death.
The moment
the soul
departs from
this body,
it will
behold the
glory of
Christ.
The glory
of his
person will
be the
first thing
that will
arrest your
attention.
There he
will sit
in the midst
of the
throne,
and our
eyes will
be first
caught with
his glory
of his
appearance.
Oh,
how will
the Christian
stop at
the foot
of his
master's
throne and
look upward?
And if
there could
be tears
in heaven,
tears of
rich delight
would roll
down his
cheeks when
he looks
and sees
the man
enthroned
and says
to him,
how often
I used
to sing
about you
on the
earth.
Crown him
with many
crowns.
King of
kings and
lord of
lords.
This
version ends
like by
writing this
poem.
Millions of
years are
wandering
eyes.
Shall our
savior's
beauties
rove.
And
myriads of
ages will
adore the
wonders of
his love.
So it'll
be a joy
that is
unceasing
in heaven.
We'll never
be bored
beholding the
glory of the
father and
the son.
And
then lastly,
landing the
plane here
is part
B.
There will
be a
foretaste
of future
glory.
Look at
verse 25.
Oh,
righteous
father,
even though
the world
does not
know you,
I know
you,
and these
know that
you have
sent me.
I have
made known
to them
your name,
and I will
continue to
make it
known,
that the
love which
you have
loved me
may be
in them,
and I
in them.
So beautiful
words.
Jesus says,
righteous
father,
expresses this
great
confidence
that his
father hears
his prayer,
and he
will fulfill
his request.
He says
about this
righteous
God,
a fallen
world does
not know
Christ,
it does
not know
God,
but the
son knows
God,
and the
son has
made him
known to
us.
Jesus has
shown us
who the
father is.
The moment
that we
are born
again,
we have
fellowship
with God,
and we
continue to
throughout
the duration
of our
lives,
and
sanctification,
but knowing
Christ,
experiencing
his glory,
and his
fellowship,
starts now.
We get
glimpses,
we get
tastes,
but it
starts now.
Jesus said,
I have
come that
they may
have life
and have
it abundantly.
Having
this life
that is
rooted in
fellowship
with Christ.
So even
now,
with all the
distractions,
and all the
stuff,
even in
this moment,
right,
we can
enjoy the
presence of
Christ with
us.
We may
get a start
on eternity
now,
but one
day,
Paul says
that we
will enjoy
the
unsearchable
riches
of Christ.
So be
thankful for
these times
of fellowship
that you
have now.
They're just
a foretaste
of what
is to
come.
So taste
and see
that the
Lord is
good.
So just
a beautiful
picture of
what Christ
prayed for
you,
for me,
and for
every believer
that followed
after he
left the
earth,
that we
would be
one,
that we
would behold
his glory
one day.
So just
join me in
a word of
prayer.