WEBVTT

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 All right, well, if you have your Bible with you, you can open it up to the Gospel of John.

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 We're continuing on.

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 We're in John chapter 17, and we're looking at Jesus' prayer right before he leads his

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 disciples into the Garden of Gethsemane.

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 Jesus has just begun to pray to the Father with his disciples there with him, and we

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 first heard Jesus speaking about his relationship with the Father and his longing to be restored

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 to the glory that he had with the Father before the world began.

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 Then we heard Jesus begin to reflect and report to the Father on how things have gone well

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 with his disciples, how he has given them the Father's word, and they have responded in faith.

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 And then we heard Jesus praying for their protection.

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 And so we're picking up this prayer today, continuing it in verse 13 of chapter 17.

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 Jesus praying to the Father says,

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 I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they

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 may have the full measure of my joy within them.

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 So Jesus again tells his Father that he's coming to him.

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 And then he goes on to say this.

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 He says, I say these things in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy.

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 Now there's some different ideas here about what Jesus means.

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 This is a more literal rendering of it.

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 These things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy.

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 When Jesus says, these things I say, what is he referring to?

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 Is he referring to his prayer?

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 Like these things that I'm praying to you right now, saying to you.

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 Or is he talking about these things that he's just been speaking to his disciples?

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 These words of warning and comfort and promises.

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 Without getting into a lengthy treatment of this, it seems most likely to be the second one.

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 In other words, I don't think Jesus is stating the purpose of his prayer.

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 Rather, just like before, it seems that Jesus is kind of reporting back to the Father what he has been doing.

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 What the aim and the goal and the purpose of it is.

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 He's saying, I'm saying these things to them.

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 These things that I've just said, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.

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 And this really does fit with all that we've heard before.

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 If we look back to verse 22 and what Jesus said to them there.

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 He said, now is your time of grief.

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 But I will see you again.

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 And you will rejoice.

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 And no one will take away your joy.

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 Or, just a few verses down.

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 In verse 27.

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 He says, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.

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 Or, again, in verse 33.

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 He said, I've told you these things so that in me you may have peace.

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 Take heart.

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 I have overcome the world.

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 So, these are the things that have to do with the disciples having joy.

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 Their promises to hold on to.

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 Their truths about the Father's love for them.

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 And Jesus speaks about how he will soon have the victory.

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 All of this that Jesus has been saying to them has a purpose.

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 In verse 33, as we see on the screen there.

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 It was so that they might have peace.

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 But now here, in verse 13.

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 As Jesus tells the Father about it.

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 It's also joy.

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 Jesus wants his disciples to have joy.

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 And this is not the first time that Jesus has expressed this.

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 If we think back to when he was teaching about using that metaphor of the vine and the branches.

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 Back in John chapter 15, verse 11.

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 He said something similar.

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 He said, I've told you this.

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 All this.

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 So that my joy may be in you.

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 And that your joy may be complete.

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 I think it's basically the same statement made to the disciples there.

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 But here in this prayer, he's speaking to the Father.

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 These things I speak in the world so that they may have my joy made full in themselves.

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 Now, I know I said it back when we were in chapter 15.

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 But I do want to say it again one more time.

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 Do you know that Jesus desires for his followers to be happy?

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 To have joy.

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 Jesus says to the Father, this has been my aim.

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 This has been my goal.

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 In saying all these things to them.

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 So that they may have joy.

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 And here Jesus describes that joy in three ways.

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 It's not just any old joy.

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 It's my joy, says Jesus.

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 That they may have my joy.

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 So Jesus has joy.

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 This is where so many of those Jesus films that have been made fall flat.

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 You probably know the ones I'm talking about.

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 They cast Jesus as always so serious and so stoic.

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 Almost unable to smile.

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 But Jesus had joy.

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 It says it right here.

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 There was a joy that was his.

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 And his desire expressed here to the Father.

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 His prayer is that we, his followers, might come to have that same joy.

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 To share in that joy that he has.

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 Doesn't that sound great?

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 Now we might be thinking.

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 Well, Jesus was the perfect son of God.

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 I can't ever have a joy like his.

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 Because I'm a broken sinner.

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 Living in a broken world.

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 I don't know.

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 Maybe I'll come to know just a small part of Jesus' joy.

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 But in his prayer here, Jesus doesn't leave us room for sharing only a part of his joy.

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 He says,

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 These things I speak in the world

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 So that they may have my joy made full.

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 Or as another translation says,

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 The full measure of my joy.

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 The full measure.

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 Jesus doesn't just want you to be happy.

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 He wants you to be happy as he is happy.

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 With the full measure of his happiness.

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 Again, don't believe the lie of the devil.

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 He's trying to convince you that God wants you to be miserable.

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 But it's a lie.

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 Truly, it's the devil who wants you to be miserable.

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 Jesus wants you to be happy.

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 He wants you to have joy.

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 And not just a little bit, but the full measure of his joy.

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 And he and the Father know best where to get that.

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 How to have that.

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 Do we believe that?

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 Sometimes we struggle to see that.

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 Maybe there's something that we value.

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 Or desire.

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 Or crave.

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 And we want it so bad that we'll do almost anything together.

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 Forget it.

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 Even compromise.

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 Even disregard.

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 Or ignore.

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 The clear teaching of Jesus.

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 The commands of Jesus.

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 We think that thing will make us most happy.

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 But the truth is.

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 We aren't seeing things clearly.

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 Sin has a way of blinding us.

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 Pride has a way of clouding our judgment.

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 Greed.

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 And envy.

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 Make it so that we just can't truly appreciate and see what's going on.

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 And this is where faith has to come into play.

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 We have to trust that God really does know best.

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 And that he's not just for our holiness.

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 For our moral purity.

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 But he's also for our happiness.

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 Along with that.

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 Our greatest happiness.

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 The full measure.

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 That's what Jesus was saying here.

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 My aim.

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 My purpose.

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 In teaching all that I've been saying to them this night.

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 It is so that they may have my joy made full within themselves.

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 That's the last descriptor there.

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 Within themselves.

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 This is not an external happiness.

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 This is not circumstantial happiness.

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 This is not pretending to be happy.

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 Have you ever been in a situation where everything is going really good.

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 And you feel like I should be happy.

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 I have no reason not to be happy.

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 Everybody around me is really happy.

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 Why am I?

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 It's just not in here.

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 Why am I not able to participate?

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 To celebrate?

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 To just be happy in this moment.

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 And enjoy the good things.

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 Jesus doesn't want for his followers.

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 A faked joy.

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 Or a pretend joy.

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 A do your best to feel joy.

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 He wants that joy to be within us.

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 Within them.

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 Deep inside of us.

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 That we really feel it.

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 So that's the first thing we see this morning in Jesus' prayer.

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 We see that Jesus is for our joy.

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 He himself has joy.

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 And the goal and the aim is for them.

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 For his disciples and for us.

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 To have his joy.

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 Joy made full.

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 Joy within them.

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 Joy within us.

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 Jesus goes on.

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 Verse 14.

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 He says,

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 I have given them.

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 Referring to the disciples.

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 I have given them your word.

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 And the world has hated them.

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 For they are not of the world.

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 Any more than I am of the world.

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 We won't linger long here.

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 Jesus has said most of this already.

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 He has spoken for God to the disciples.

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 Even more.

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 He has entrusted them with his words.

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 To go out and give to places.

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 He sent them out.

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 They have participated.

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 And Jesus sees what has happened.

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 Just as people have hated him.

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 That same hatred has been directed to Jesus' followers.

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 And Jesus explains the reason.

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 As he's praying.

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 He reflects on it.

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 It's because they're not of the world.

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 Just like he is not of the world.

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 And we've talked about this already.

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 Jesus offers new birth.

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 He gives us a new life.

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 A change in who we belong to.

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 When we repent.

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 And we put our trust in him.

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 He changes our citizenship.

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 Our status.

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 So drastically.

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 That we no longer belong to the world.

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 We belong to heaven.

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 And the God of heaven.

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 Just as Jesus.

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 Belongs to heaven.

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 And comes from heaven.

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 So like the disciples.

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 We too can find ourselves.

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 Quite at odds with the world.

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 Under fire.

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 Under attack.

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 Because we've become like foreigners to them.

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 Perhaps in the minds of some people.

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 Even traitors.

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 We no longer celebrate the darkness.

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 We love the light.

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 We no longer eagerly participate in those things.

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 That we know are wrong.

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 We see them for what they are.

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 And so we hate those things.

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 We see the damage that they do in our lives.

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 Think about this in the lives of Jesus' disciples.

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 There were whole towns.

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 Where the disciples of Jesus were not welcomed.

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 In the same way today.

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 It's not easy being a Christian in our world.

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 It can be very difficult.

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 But the truth is.

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 God wants you and me here.

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 In this world.

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 In this world.

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 He has a purpose for you and me.

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 Right now.

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 Here in this world.

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 Listen to what Jesus says next.

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 He says,

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 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world.

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 But that you protect them from the evil one.

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 These words really struck a chord in my heart.

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 As I was meditating on this.

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 This week.

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 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world.

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 Think about this.

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 Jesus knows that the world hates his disciples.

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 He's watched it.

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 He's seen it with these 11 men.

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 They've hated them too.

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 He knows what the world will do to them after he leaves.

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 He's just warned them about that.

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 This very night.

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 And yet.

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 He prays this.

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 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world.

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 Jesus wanted them to stay in the world.

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 Because he had a purpose for them.

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 To fulfill.

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 In the world.

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 Glance down to verse 18.

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 Verse 18.

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 Jesus said.

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 As you sent me into the world.

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 I have sent them.

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 Into the world.

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 God could take us out of this world at any moment.

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 I used to wonder that as a kid.

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 I used to think about that.

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 You know.

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 Why doesn't he?

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 Why doesn't.

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 We believe in him.

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 And he'd just take us right up to heaven.

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 Right up to glory.

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 We all.

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 Those of us who believe.

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 We know.

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 That that's how good this gift of salvation is.

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 That once we accept it and receive it.

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 It's a done deal.

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 And we belong to God.

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 so why doesn't he just take us out right now he's got the power and the authority to do it

00:15:27.419 --> 00:15:33.339
 he could just snap his fingers and say the word and we'd be there with jesus in heaven

00:15:33.339 --> 00:15:44.019
 in fact jesus wants us to be with him where he is this is what jesus says just a couple verses

00:15:44.019 --> 00:15:52.960
 later in 24 verse 24 he says father i want those you have given me to be with me where i am and to see

00:15:52.960 --> 00:15:57.980
 my glory and yet

00:15:57.980 --> 00:16:10.960
 jesus says i'm not asking that you take them out of the world i have sent them into the world

00:16:10.960 --> 00:16:19.840
 when it comes to our faith in jesus sometimes we lose sight of this don't we

00:16:19.840 --> 00:16:25.060
 why doesn't he just take us now

00:16:25.060 --> 00:16:34.860
 jesus says i'm not asking you to do that father no it's the opposite i've sent them into the world

00:16:34.860 --> 00:16:44.360
 he has a purpose for them being there he has a purpose for us being here and sometimes we lose

00:16:44.360 --> 00:16:48.759
 sight of that in a different way we maybe we just get distracted by the things of this world

00:16:48.759 --> 00:16:51.700
 we get engrossed in things of this world

00:16:51.700 --> 00:16:57.659
 i don't know maybe you're glad that god doesn't take you up to heaven right now maybe there's still

00:16:57.659 --> 00:17:03.519
 some stuff you want to do and get or things you want to experience here in this world and sometimes

00:17:03.519 --> 00:17:09.879
 we can get so wrapped up in these things and yet the truth is these things are things that won't last

00:17:09.879 --> 00:17:19.799
 and in that way we can lose sight of the fact that god has us here for a purpose he has sent us to do

00:17:19.799 --> 00:17:30.740
 something here are we doing it are we focused on it jesus taught a lot about this this tendency we have

00:17:30.740 --> 00:17:38.599
 to get sidetracked remember the parable of the sower in the soils farmer goes out and scatters his

00:17:38.599 --> 00:17:45.919
 seeds some of it falls along uh amongst soil that has weeds in it and these weeds they spring up beside

00:17:45.920 --> 00:17:52.680
 the plant that's growing there and choke it out and jesus gave the explanation to his disciples he says

00:17:52.680 --> 00:18:01.440
 it represents people who hear the word of god but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of

00:18:01.440 --> 00:18:09.340
 wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word making it unfruitful

00:18:09.339 --> 00:18:18.059
 we can easily get distracted from that great purpose for which god has us here in the world by the stuff

00:18:18.059 --> 00:18:26.179
 of the world jesus taught about how the stuff of this world the treasures of earth don't last

00:18:26.179 --> 00:18:33.839
 the sermon on the mount moth and rust destroy thieves break in and steal

00:18:33.839 --> 00:18:43.399
 things wear out and fall apart they break down you get that brand new vehicle and bam there's a moose

00:18:43.399 --> 00:18:48.699
 that comes out of nowhere as you're driving at night and not enough damage to write it off but enough

00:18:48.699 --> 00:18:53.000
 damage that the vehicle will never be the same and it's not worth nearly as much as it was

00:18:53.000 --> 00:19:02.319
 or i think of our family's recent vacation in mexico we had a wonderful time there we were gifted a week's

00:19:02.319 --> 00:19:10.220
 day at a beautiful resort there and we just enjoyed it so much but then the week was up and we had to

00:19:10.220 --> 00:19:19.059
 leave it was paradise but it it was temporary now don't get me wrong there's good stuff here on earth

00:19:19.059 --> 00:19:25.299
 we all know that god has put it here in this world for our enjoyment first timothy chapter four first

00:19:25.299 --> 00:19:34.359
 timothy chapter six but jesus hasn't left us here just for that just to enjoy it heaven will be far

00:19:34.359 --> 00:19:43.119
 better the new earth that god creates at the very end of our world story will have far better stuff far

00:19:43.119 --> 00:19:45.980
 better experiences things that will last forever

00:19:45.980 --> 00:19:54.500
 but god has us here in the world now for a purpose

00:19:54.500 --> 00:20:01.220
 now for the disciples it's it's easy for us to see that purpose because we have their whole story

00:20:01.220 --> 00:20:07.620
 written out for us here we see how they were sent they were chosen to be apostles they were given a job

00:20:07.620 --> 00:20:15.240
 and a mission to go forth and proclaim the good news of jesus to bear witness to tell of all they saw and

00:20:15.240 --> 00:20:22.519
 heard and experienced with jesus and do signs and wonders that pointed to jesus and see churches established

00:20:22.519 --> 00:20:34.279
 but i think we all know that these words here apply to us as well two thousand years later my prayer is

00:20:34.279 --> 00:20:36.120
 not that you take them out of the world

00:20:36.119 --> 00:20:40.599
 i have sent them into the world

00:20:40.599 --> 00:20:45.379
 he could take us now but no

00:20:45.379 --> 00:20:49.139
 there's a little corner of the world

00:20:49.139 --> 00:20:50.939
 named davidson

00:20:50.939 --> 00:20:55.339
 with its surrounding community and the people here

00:20:55.339 --> 00:20:57.500
 matter deeply

00:20:57.500 --> 00:20:58.439
 to god

00:20:58.439 --> 00:21:03.579
 my prayer is not that you take them out of the world

00:21:03.579 --> 00:21:07.240
 i have sent them into the world

00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:12.039
 where i got thinking of how we pack shoe boxes as a church

00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:18.559
 there are other little known corners of the world where kids have it difficult right from birth

00:21:18.559 --> 00:21:22.259
 they hardly have anything

00:21:22.259 --> 00:21:26.960
 and the odds of them hearing about jesus are slim

00:21:26.960 --> 00:21:31.420
 if god were to take us all out of this world right now where would that leave them

00:21:31.420 --> 00:21:36.059
 we aren't the apostles

00:21:36.059 --> 00:21:39.059
 we have different roles to play

00:21:39.059 --> 00:21:42.700
 but the bible tells us that each of us has unique gifts

00:21:42.700 --> 00:21:44.660
 we each have unique abilities

00:21:44.660 --> 00:21:45.900
 we each have a role

00:21:45.900 --> 00:21:47.779
 a responsibility

00:21:47.779 --> 00:21:49.480
 in his body

00:21:49.480 --> 00:21:51.059
 in his church

00:21:51.059 --> 00:21:52.600
 to our neighbors

00:21:52.599 --> 00:21:54.039
 to the poor

00:21:54.039 --> 00:21:55.139
 the orphan

00:21:55.139 --> 00:21:56.119
 the widow

00:21:56.119 --> 00:21:58.019
 the people around us

00:21:58.019 --> 00:21:59.879
 we're not the apostles

00:21:59.879 --> 00:22:02.980
 but we have inherited the same great commission

00:22:02.980 --> 00:22:04.219
 that they did

00:22:04.219 --> 00:22:07.699
 the same overall mission

00:22:07.699 --> 00:22:09.679
 god gave the early church

00:22:09.679 --> 00:22:10.899
 we're to continue it

00:22:10.899 --> 00:22:13.659
 to pick it up where they left off

00:22:13.659 --> 00:22:16.699
 to go on making disciples of all nations

00:22:16.699 --> 00:22:18.799
 baptizing them in the name of the father

00:22:18.799 --> 00:22:20.319
 and the son and the holy spirit

00:22:20.319 --> 00:22:23.480
 teaching them to obey everything that christ commanded

00:22:23.480 --> 00:22:26.279
 bringing that news of his salvation

00:22:26.279 --> 00:22:28.519
 to those who are lost

00:22:28.519 --> 00:22:31.960
 in fact this was god's plan

00:22:31.960 --> 00:22:33.059
 all along

00:22:33.059 --> 00:22:35.720
 not that we would be taken out of the world

00:22:35.720 --> 00:22:38.019
 but that we would remain in it

00:22:38.019 --> 00:22:41.700
 that we would be sent by christ to it

00:22:41.700 --> 00:22:45.319
 that the good news of jesus salvation

00:22:45.319 --> 00:22:46.859
 would be proclaimed

00:22:46.859 --> 00:22:48.619
 all over the earth

00:22:48.619 --> 00:22:51.059
 and only then

00:22:51.059 --> 00:22:51.859
 said jesus

00:22:51.859 --> 00:22:53.619
 will the end come

00:22:53.619 --> 00:22:57.239
 and so i want to ask you this morning

00:22:57.239 --> 00:22:59.899
 are you on mission

00:22:59.899 --> 00:23:01.559
 with jesus

00:23:01.559 --> 00:23:03.639
 are you living

00:23:03.639 --> 00:23:04.519
 soberly

00:23:04.519 --> 00:23:07.139
 aware and conscious

00:23:07.139 --> 00:23:08.599
 of this great purpose

00:23:08.599 --> 00:23:12.119
 if you belong to jesus christ

00:23:12.119 --> 00:23:13.659
 he has you

00:23:13.659 --> 00:23:14.379
 here

00:23:14.380 --> 00:23:15.940
 in this world

00:23:15.940 --> 00:23:17.320
 in this community

00:23:17.320 --> 00:23:18.740
 for a reason

00:23:18.740 --> 00:23:22.040
 he gives you another day's provision

00:23:22.040 --> 00:23:22.900
 and breath

00:23:22.900 --> 00:23:24.680
 for a reason

00:23:24.680 --> 00:23:28.560
 and this is a big part of what it means

00:23:28.560 --> 00:23:31.080
 to be the church of jesus christ

00:23:31.080 --> 00:23:34.020
 it's about carrying out this purpose

00:23:34.020 --> 00:23:34.740
 together

00:23:34.740 --> 00:23:36.900
 it's about making our glorious savior

00:23:36.900 --> 00:23:37.840
 known

00:23:37.840 --> 00:23:40.220
 in every corner of the earth together

00:23:40.220 --> 00:23:42.240
 starting with our own corner

00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:46.200
 may we not squander

00:23:46.200 --> 00:23:49.019
 or waste our time in this world

00:23:49.019 --> 00:23:52.160
 may we be found faithful

00:23:52.160 --> 00:23:54.400
 doing the things that

00:23:54.400 --> 00:23:55.799
 we've been made to do

00:23:55.799 --> 00:23:56.799
 and gifted to do

00:23:56.799 --> 00:23:57.960
 while we're here

00:23:57.960 --> 00:24:02.640
 so here in jesus prayer

00:24:02.640 --> 00:24:04.039
 first we see that jesus

00:24:04.039 --> 00:24:05.400
 is for our joy

00:24:05.400 --> 00:24:06.600
 then we see that

00:24:06.600 --> 00:24:09.059
 jesus wants us to remain here

00:24:09.059 --> 00:24:10.259
 for a purpose

00:24:10.259 --> 00:24:14.160
 and finally we hear jesus pray once again

00:24:14.160 --> 00:24:15.160
 for our protection

00:24:15.160 --> 00:24:17.740
 this comes to us in verse 15

00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:18.660
 as well

00:24:18.660 --> 00:24:21.400
 my prayer is not that you take them out of the world

00:24:21.400 --> 00:24:22.960
 but that you protect them

00:24:22.960 --> 00:24:24.700
 from the evil one

00:24:24.700 --> 00:24:29.240
 it's the second time jesus has prayed for their protection

00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:31.640
 but this time very specifically

00:24:31.640 --> 00:24:32.440
 it's protection

00:24:32.440 --> 00:24:33.920
 from the evil one

00:24:33.920 --> 00:24:37.680
 the devil is on the prowl

00:24:37.680 --> 00:24:38.680
 he is real

00:24:38.680 --> 00:24:41.420
 and it would be his greatest delight

00:24:41.420 --> 00:24:42.400
 to trip you up

00:24:42.400 --> 00:24:44.620
 to distract you

00:24:44.620 --> 00:24:47.000
 to turn you off of the path

00:24:47.000 --> 00:24:49.120
 to hurt you

00:24:49.120 --> 00:24:51.799
 to do damage to you

00:24:51.799 --> 00:24:52.600
 to your family

00:24:52.599 --> 00:24:53.559
 to tempt you

00:24:53.559 --> 00:24:56.619
 and so jesus prays

00:24:56.619 --> 00:24:57.639
 for his people

00:24:57.639 --> 00:24:58.699
 protect them

00:24:58.699 --> 00:25:00.519
 from the evil one

00:25:00.519 --> 00:25:03.399
 let me ask you

00:25:03.399 --> 00:25:05.219
 do you think the father

00:25:05.219 --> 00:25:07.879
 will answer this request of jesus

00:25:07.879 --> 00:25:11.179
 do you think he will give him what he asked

00:25:11.179 --> 00:25:14.179
 absolutely

00:25:14.179 --> 00:25:17.439
 now that doesn't mean that we'll never be tempted

00:25:17.439 --> 00:25:21.859
 it doesn't mean the devil will never be permitted to come after us

00:25:21.859 --> 00:25:24.419
 but it does mean that he will not prevail

00:25:24.419 --> 00:25:25.599
 over us

00:25:25.599 --> 00:25:28.679
 jesus has prayed for our protection

00:25:28.679 --> 00:25:29.559
 from him

00:25:29.559 --> 00:25:30.139
 and this

00:25:30.139 --> 00:25:31.419
 is our confidence

00:25:31.419 --> 00:25:32.399
 as john wrote

00:25:32.399 --> 00:25:34.439
 later on in his letter

00:25:34.439 --> 00:25:35.819
 first john 4 verse 4

00:25:35.819 --> 00:25:37.959
 you dear children are from god

00:25:37.959 --> 00:25:39.839
 and have overcome them

00:25:39.839 --> 00:25:41.579
 because the one who is in you

00:25:41.579 --> 00:25:43.199
 is greater

00:25:43.199 --> 00:25:44.939
 than the one who is in

00:25:44.939 --> 00:25:45.740
 the world

00:25:45.740 --> 00:25:47.639
 that being the devil

00:25:47.640 --> 00:25:50.460
 so we've heard and seen

00:25:50.460 --> 00:25:52.720
 three things in jesus prayer

00:25:52.720 --> 00:25:54.160
 this morning

00:25:54.160 --> 00:25:55.080
 number one

00:25:55.080 --> 00:25:56.780
 jesus is for your

00:25:56.780 --> 00:25:57.520
 joy

00:25:57.520 --> 00:25:59.800
 he himself is full of joy

00:25:59.800 --> 00:26:02.360
 and he desires for his people

00:26:02.360 --> 00:26:03.060
 his followers

00:26:03.060 --> 00:26:04.720
 to have that same joy

00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:05.980
 in the fullest measure

00:26:05.980 --> 00:26:08.980
 deep down in our hearts

00:26:08.980 --> 00:26:12.440
 will you give your trust to jesus

00:26:12.440 --> 00:26:15.860
 will you surrender your life to him

00:26:15.859 --> 00:26:18.459
 knowing that he has

00:26:18.459 --> 00:26:20.559
 your best in mind

00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:22.259
 not just holiness

00:26:22.259 --> 00:26:23.659
 but happiness

00:26:23.659 --> 00:26:28.039
 we've seen that god has a purpose

00:26:28.039 --> 00:26:30.859
 for all of us

00:26:30.859 --> 00:26:32.279
 who believe

00:26:32.279 --> 00:26:33.219
 remaining here

00:26:33.219 --> 00:26:34.179
 in this world

00:26:34.179 --> 00:26:37.199
 let me encourage you

00:26:37.199 --> 00:26:38.079
 with these words

00:26:38.079 --> 00:26:40.039
 don't let your heart

00:26:40.039 --> 00:26:41.259
 and your

00:26:41.259 --> 00:26:42.579
 your aims

00:26:42.579 --> 00:26:43.579
 be captive

00:26:43.579 --> 00:26:44.939
 to the

00:26:44.939 --> 00:26:46.500
 to the lesser things of earth

00:26:46.500 --> 00:26:49.639
 as the church of jesus christ

00:26:49.639 --> 00:26:50.819
 we have a great mission

00:26:50.819 --> 00:26:51.559
 and purpose

00:26:51.559 --> 00:26:52.460
 for being here

00:26:52.460 --> 00:26:54.240
 are you living that

00:26:54.240 --> 00:26:56.679
 are you seeking first

00:26:56.679 --> 00:26:57.759
 and above all

00:26:57.759 --> 00:26:59.079
 christ's kingdom

00:26:59.079 --> 00:27:01.659
 god's will to be done

00:27:01.659 --> 00:27:03.779
 jesus name

00:27:03.779 --> 00:27:04.779
 to be glorified

00:27:04.779 --> 00:27:05.299
 and known

00:27:05.299 --> 00:27:07.139
 that's why we're still here

00:27:07.139 --> 00:27:09.939
 and finally

00:27:09.939 --> 00:27:11.720
 the devil is on the prowl

00:27:11.720 --> 00:27:14.120
 but don't worry about him

00:27:14.120 --> 00:27:16.200
 don't be afraid of him

00:27:16.200 --> 00:27:17.940
 our great high priest

00:27:17.940 --> 00:27:19.779
 jesus has asked the father

00:27:19.779 --> 00:27:21.900
 for our protection from him

00:27:21.900 --> 00:27:23.779
 and if we belong to christ

00:27:23.779 --> 00:27:25.460
 our good shepherd

00:27:25.460 --> 00:27:26.360
 then we have

00:27:26.360 --> 00:27:27.220
 this confidence

00:27:27.220 --> 00:27:28.759
 we will overcome him

00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:31.259
 and he cannot stand against us

00:27:31.259 --> 00:27:33.200
 so let's

00:27:33.200 --> 00:27:34.360
 give thanks now

00:27:34.360 --> 00:27:34.819
 together

00:27:34.819 --> 00:27:35.779
 for god's

00:27:35.779 --> 00:27:36.640
 grace

00:27:36.640 --> 00:27:37.539
 and mercy

00:27:37.539 --> 00:27:41.139
 father in heaven

00:27:41.139 --> 00:27:41.680
 we thank you

00:27:41.680 --> 00:27:42.460
 for these things

00:27:42.460 --> 00:27:43.079
 that we see

00:27:43.079 --> 00:27:43.700
 in the prayer

00:27:43.700 --> 00:27:44.980
 of your son

00:27:44.980 --> 00:27:46.579
 and i pray

00:27:46.579 --> 00:27:47.619
 that these truths

00:27:47.619 --> 00:27:48.579
 would leak

00:27:48.579 --> 00:27:49.440
 and seep

00:27:49.440 --> 00:27:49.980
 deep down

00:27:49.980 --> 00:27:50.779
 into our hearts

00:27:50.779 --> 00:27:54.240
 that we would

00:27:54.240 --> 00:27:55.099
 surrender ourselves

00:27:55.099 --> 00:27:56.180
 completely to you

00:27:56.180 --> 00:27:56.940
 to your plan

00:27:56.940 --> 00:27:57.779
 for our lives

00:27:57.779 --> 00:27:58.960
 to your commands

00:27:58.960 --> 00:28:02.480
 we want

00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:03.100
 that full

00:28:03.100 --> 00:28:03.640
 joy

00:28:03.640 --> 00:28:05.160
 that you offer

00:28:05.160 --> 00:28:08.620
 we also pray

00:28:08.620 --> 00:28:08.940
 and ask

00:28:08.940 --> 00:28:09.319
 that you would

00:28:09.319 --> 00:28:10.039
 give us wisdom

00:28:10.039 --> 00:28:10.819
 and understanding

00:28:10.819 --> 00:28:11.880
 about why you've

00:28:11.880 --> 00:28:12.860
 put each one of us

00:28:12.860 --> 00:28:13.200
 here

00:28:13.200 --> 00:28:14.640
 in this world

00:28:14.640 --> 00:28:15.519
 in this community

00:28:15.519 --> 00:28:17.360
 what it is

00:28:17.360 --> 00:28:17.980
 you would have us

00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:18.539
 be doing

00:28:18.539 --> 00:28:20.920
 what unique role

00:28:20.920 --> 00:28:21.759
 we have to play

00:28:21.759 --> 00:28:22.700
 show us lord

00:28:22.700 --> 00:28:24.160
 and give us strength

00:28:24.160 --> 00:28:24.860
 and energy

00:28:24.860 --> 00:28:25.500
 and passion

00:28:25.500 --> 00:28:26.079
 for it

00:28:26.079 --> 00:28:29.099
 and we thank you

00:28:29.099 --> 00:28:29.619
 too lord

00:28:29.619 --> 00:28:30.759
 that you protect us

00:28:30.759 --> 00:28:32.159
 from the evil one

00:28:32.159 --> 00:28:34.359
 that we are safe

00:28:34.359 --> 00:28:35.199
 that we are secure

00:28:35.199 --> 00:28:36.099
 that nobody

00:28:36.099 --> 00:28:37.699
 not even the devil

00:28:37.699 --> 00:28:38.519
 can snatch us

00:28:38.519 --> 00:28:39.119
 from your hand

00:28:39.119 --> 00:28:42.019
 we give you praise

00:28:42.019 --> 00:28:43.579
 we give you glory

00:28:43.579 --> 00:28:45.500
 in jesus name

00:28:45.500 --> 00:28:46.299
 amen