WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.359 I'm going to read verses 1 through 10. I'll read it out loud and you follow along, receiving it as God's inspired, inerrant, infallible, clear, and sufficient word. 00:00:10.679 --> 00:00:18.000 It's God's very own word for you. When I'm done reading, I'll say, this is the word of the Lord, and God's people respond, thanks be to God. 00:00:19.199 --> 00:00:21.280 John 17, starting at verse 1. 00:00:21.280 --> 00:00:27.679 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, 00:00:28.140 --> 00:00:41.100 Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 00:00:41.939 --> 00:00:48.900 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, in Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 00:00:48.899 --> 00:00:55.199 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 00:00:55.699 --> 00:01:02.060 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. 00:01:02.920 --> 00:01:07.480 I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. 00:01:08.280 --> 00:01:12.700 Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 00:01:12.700 --> 00:01:26.219 Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you, for I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them, and have come to know in truth that I came from you. 00:01:26.840 --> 00:01:29.640 And they have believed that you sent me. 00:01:30.520 --> 00:01:31.920 I am praying for them. 00:01:31.920 --> 00:01:39.299 I am not praying for the world, but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 00:01:39.840 --> 00:01:46.680 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 00:01:47.900 --> 00:01:49.299 This is the word of the Lord. 00:01:49.719 --> 00:01:50.820 Thanks be to God. 00:01:51.040 --> 00:01:52.579 Thanks be to God. You may be seated. 00:01:52.579 --> 00:02:05.120 The Bible tells us that the grass withers and the flower fades, but the word of the Lord endures forever. 00:02:07.679 --> 00:02:08.379 Let's pray. 00:02:22.580 --> 00:02:30.700 O God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, would you please illumine your word to your people today? 00:02:32.040 --> 00:02:34.500 We, your people, need to hear your word. 00:02:36.040 --> 00:02:40.900 Lord, I trust that your Holy Spirit has been helping, even in the preparation. 00:02:41.280 --> 00:02:46.939 I praise you for your church through all the centuries, whom you have helped, who help us now. 00:02:46.939 --> 00:02:57.520 And even so, Lord, I pray that if there's any words that are not from you, that it'll just fall to the ground and blow away like the dust. 00:02:58.419 --> 00:03:01.759 We pray that your word, Lord, will not return void. 00:03:02.079 --> 00:03:07.240 That your word will accomplish in our hearts that purpose for which you have given it. 00:03:08.620 --> 00:03:11.840 May you be glorified in your people today. 00:03:12.360 --> 00:03:12.639 Amen. 00:03:12.639 --> 00:03:12.780 Amen. 00:03:12.780 --> 00:03:19.159 Beloved congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:03:20.740 --> 00:03:23.819 Can you count on eternal life? 00:03:25.520 --> 00:03:28.520 Can you count on eternal life? 00:03:31.580 --> 00:03:33.020 Mark Twain wrote, 00:03:33.020 --> 00:03:39.259 A man's character may be learned from the language he habitually uses. 00:03:39.259 --> 00:03:45.379 It's a true observation, and it's certainly true of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:03:46.579 --> 00:03:51.780 In the Gospel of John alone, Jesus speaks of life over 60 times. 00:03:52.699 --> 00:03:54.859 This is the message he came to reveal. 00:03:55.439 --> 00:03:59.439 And in these 10 verses, he speaks of eternal life. 00:03:59.439 --> 00:04:03.680 The other two words he uses in this little cluster. 00:04:04.759 --> 00:04:08.520 He speaks of the glory of God six times. 00:04:09.000 --> 00:04:11.479 And he speaks of this being given. 00:04:11.659 --> 00:04:12.579 The words are given. 00:04:12.680 --> 00:04:13.520 The glory is given. 00:04:13.620 --> 00:04:15.840 And eternal life is given eight times. 00:04:17.060 --> 00:04:20.159 You see the theme of our message from Jesus today. 00:04:20.160 --> 00:04:26.060 It reveals the character not only of Jesus Christ, but of God himself. 00:04:28.920 --> 00:04:34.300 He came to give eternal life that he would be glorified in you. 00:04:34.800 --> 00:04:35.720 That's his message. 00:04:37.920 --> 00:04:42.740 I've got three questions that I hope to walk through as we march through verse by verse here. 00:04:42.740 --> 00:04:45.160 The first one is, what is eternal life? 00:04:46.180 --> 00:04:48.660 Number two, how can eternal life be secured? 00:04:50.079 --> 00:04:53.220 And number three, who can count on eternal life? 00:04:54.079 --> 00:04:57.040 That's what I believe Jesus is teaching his disciples. 00:04:57.960 --> 00:05:00.759 So first, what is eternal life? 00:05:01.900 --> 00:05:03.620 What is eternal life? 00:05:05.500 --> 00:05:07.519 Three observations from our text. 00:05:08.259 --> 00:05:10.519 Number one, eternal life is spiritual. 00:05:10.519 --> 00:05:14.139 Eternal life comes from heaven. 00:05:16.479 --> 00:05:17.659 Look at verse one. 00:05:18.359 --> 00:05:23.199 When Jesus had spoken these words, that is, he was addressing his disciples. 00:05:23.680 --> 00:05:27.419 Now he lifts his eyes to heaven. 00:05:28.439 --> 00:05:33.719 He lifts his eyes to his father who who rules over all and who is omnipresent. 00:05:34.159 --> 00:05:36.859 But heaven refers to the spiritual realm. 00:05:38.060 --> 00:05:39.279 There's one other time. 00:05:39.419 --> 00:05:39.939 Only one. 00:05:39.939 --> 00:05:44.360 In the gospel of John, when Jesus lifts his eyes to heaven. 00:05:45.139 --> 00:05:46.240 Do you remember when it was? 00:05:48.040 --> 00:05:51.000 We were at the park, O'Brien Park downtown. 00:05:51.180 --> 00:05:53.519 It was one of our open air services and it was Easter. 00:05:54.600 --> 00:05:55.939 The sermon text was John 11. 00:05:57.220 --> 00:06:03.779 In verse 41, Jesus commanded that they remove the stone from Lazarus's tomb. 00:06:03.779 --> 00:06:10.779 And in John 11, Jesus looks death in the face by looking into that dark tomb. 00:06:11.659 --> 00:06:14.539 And Jesus lifted his eyes to heaven. 00:06:14.540 --> 00:06:15.540 Jesus had told his disciples in John 11. 00:06:15.540 --> 00:06:20.500 Jesus had told his disciples in John 11, verse 25. 00:06:20.920 --> 00:06:24.460 I am the resurrection and the life. 00:06:24.840 --> 00:06:28.980 Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live. 00:06:29.220 --> 00:06:33.400 And everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. 00:06:33.399 --> 00:06:36.439 Now in John 17. 00:06:36.439 --> 00:06:41.599 Our Lord Jesus is looking death in the face once again. 00:06:42.599 --> 00:06:45.439 He's looking his own death in the face. 00:06:45.439 --> 00:06:49.219 He must die. 00:06:49.219 --> 00:06:55.660 To fulfill this promise that his disciples never will. 00:06:55.660 --> 00:07:00.800 Jesus lifts his eyes to heaven. 00:07:02.220 --> 00:07:09.160 He has just taught his disciples that they can pray to his father by praying in Jesus name. 00:07:10.300 --> 00:07:20.900 That means that when his disciples pray, we are we are lifting our prayers to heaven, to the spiritual realm, to God himself who rules over all. 00:07:20.899 --> 00:07:25.899 So our Lord Jesus now prays. 00:07:26.519 --> 00:07:28.519 Prayer is communion with God. 00:07:29.060 --> 00:07:40.599 So here is God the Son communing with God the Father by the help of God the Holy Spirit who gives words to our utterances and what we feel deeply. 00:07:40.600 --> 00:08:10.580 Prayer is communion with God. 00:08:10.600 --> 00:08:13.000 Prayer is communion with God the Father by the Holy Spirit who is held by divine authority. 00:08:13.879 --> 00:08:16.160 It is God's alone to give. 00:08:17.420 --> 00:08:19.660 In John 17, Jesus prays. 00:08:19.740 --> 00:08:21.860 Father, the hour has come. 00:08:22.660 --> 00:08:25.460 Glorify your Son that your Son may glorify you. 00:08:26.160 --> 00:08:35.940 In verse 2, he says, since you have given him authority over all flesh to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 00:08:35.940 --> 00:08:47.180 Jesus prays, revealing that it's God, Father, Son, and Spirit who alone holds all glory. 00:08:48.760 --> 00:08:53.700 Just as the Lord holds life and glory, he holds the word of God. 00:08:53.700 --> 00:08:58.920 And from the triune God flows life and glory and words. 00:08:59.920 --> 00:09:03.160 And it flows through the apostles to all who will believe. 00:09:03.159 --> 00:09:14.839 The Son gives this eternal life to whomever he wills because he alone has authority to give life away. 00:09:14.840 --> 00:09:23.720 What Jesus praises that the Father will will give eternal life by glorifying the Son. 00:09:24.620 --> 00:09:28.740 See, it's those who see the Son glorified who will receive eternal life. 00:09:28.740 --> 00:09:35.139 The term glorify, it can be translated as to clothe with splendor. 00:09:36.759 --> 00:09:38.500 You see what Jesus is praying. 00:09:38.720 --> 00:09:50.019 He's saying, Father, clothe me, your Son, with splendor so that those you have given me will see your glory with me clothed in splendor. 00:09:50.019 --> 00:10:00.399 And there's no way for the people to see Jesus in his full splendor without first seeing Jesus on the cross for their sins. 00:10:01.740 --> 00:10:05.399 That's what it means to be clothed in splendor and glory. 00:10:05.799 --> 00:10:09.860 It's the glory of sacrificial heavenly love. 00:10:13.419 --> 00:10:17.659 The Father gives the Son authority over all flesh. 00:10:17.840 --> 00:10:19.199 That's what he says in verse 2. 00:10:20.019 --> 00:10:24.139 And the Son has received this authority from his Father. 00:10:24.799 --> 00:10:30.279 And with this authority, he gives eternal life to all he draws to himself. 00:10:32.779 --> 00:10:40.980 So you see in this prayer, it's revealing to us that the promise is not, it's not directly Jesus talking to the church or to the disciples. 00:10:41.620 --> 00:10:47.279 This is Jesus referring to the Father of a transaction between Father and Son. 00:10:50.019 --> 00:10:57.019 It pleased God, Father, Son, and Spirit, to make a covenant of grace with fallen sinners. 00:10:57.799 --> 00:10:58.579 It pleased God. 00:10:58.579 --> 00:11:08.480 Our confession says, it pleased the Lord to make a covenant of grace wherein he freely offers unto sinners salvation and life. 00:11:08.480 --> 00:11:10.240 And this is the delight we see. 00:11:10.240 --> 00:11:15.240 It's the Father being pleased to now celebrate with his own Father and Son. 00:11:15.500 --> 00:11:20.460 They're talking about this glory that they're going to share and reveal to all who will believe in them. 00:11:20.460 --> 00:11:29.460 In 1 John 1.8, Jesus had already said that no one has ever seen God, the only God, who is at the Father's side. 00:11:30.220 --> 00:11:33.280 But God is the one who has made him known. 00:11:33.279 --> 00:11:38.740 So eternal life is held by divine authority. 00:11:39.419 --> 00:11:41.399 It is God's alone to give. 00:11:42.539 --> 00:11:50.459 You can only know that you have eternal life if you see Christ clothed in the splendor of the cross. 00:11:51.959 --> 00:11:55.939 This is what the Son is asking the Father to reveal. 00:11:55.940 --> 00:12:03.040 Eternal life is to know God. 00:12:04.120 --> 00:12:05.460 That's the answer to the question. 00:12:05.620 --> 00:12:06.820 What is eternal life? 00:12:07.480 --> 00:12:10.840 Jesus says in verse 3, this is eternal life. 00:12:11.220 --> 00:12:17.000 That they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 00:12:17.000 --> 00:12:22.039 If someone asks you, what is eternal life? 00:12:22.120 --> 00:12:23.840 What does the Bible mean by eternal life? 00:12:23.940 --> 00:12:24.620 That's your answer. 00:12:24.799 --> 00:12:26.779 It means that you know God. 00:12:27.539 --> 00:12:29.679 But then opens up all the questions of the gospel. 00:12:30.559 --> 00:12:31.600 Well, how can I know God? 00:12:31.679 --> 00:12:32.320 Who is God? 00:12:32.840 --> 00:12:35.019 Well, God is who has revealed himself to be in the Bible. 00:12:36.059 --> 00:12:38.000 But that also gives a problem because I'm a sinner. 00:12:38.100 --> 00:12:39.480 I can't know the holy God. 00:12:40.139 --> 00:12:40.580 That's right. 00:12:40.659 --> 00:12:42.620 God had to make himself known to you. 00:12:42.620 --> 00:12:48.700 So eternal life is to be saved by the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:12:48.879 --> 00:12:52.060 It's to know God through the finished work of his Son. 00:12:54.019 --> 00:12:59.299 Your soul has eternal life when the Spirit causes you to believe. 00:12:59.779 --> 00:13:03.320 When the Spirit regenerates you, gives you the gift of faith. 00:13:04.139 --> 00:13:06.039 That's when you hear the shepherd's voice. 00:13:06.179 --> 00:13:08.940 You hear Jesus calling you and you follow him. 00:13:09.740 --> 00:13:11.960 That means that you have eternal life. 00:13:11.960 --> 00:13:15.560 Your eternal life has begun as you have known him. 00:13:16.820 --> 00:13:23.960 In John 10, he had taught the disciples how he calls his own sheep by name and he leads them. 00:13:24.920 --> 00:13:28.759 In John 10, 16, he says, my sheep listen to my voice. 00:13:29.600 --> 00:13:32.139 So who is it that receives eternal life? 00:13:33.060 --> 00:13:36.740 It's those who listen to the voice of the shepherd and follow him. 00:13:39.040 --> 00:13:40.700 Your soul comes alive. 00:13:40.700 --> 00:13:42.800 It comes alive and has eternal life. 00:13:42.800 --> 00:13:47.780 When the Spirit enlivens you to know God, to believe in Christ. 00:13:49.740 --> 00:14:00.440 Our catechism says the Holy Spirit gives to you whom God has ordained unto eternal life to make you willing and able to believe. 00:14:00.440 --> 00:14:01.440 You know God. 00:14:01.440 --> 00:14:04.020 You know God. 00:14:05.760 --> 00:14:09.080 When you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. 00:14:09.080 --> 00:14:12.860 You know him not as a historical figure. 00:14:12.860 --> 00:14:17.480 You know Jesus Christ as the one who freed you from your sin and misery. 00:14:17.779 --> 00:14:25.460 As that good shepherd who leads you to the green pastures and whose voice calls you to paths of life and righteousness. 00:14:26.460 --> 00:14:31.360 And if you know God through Christ, your good shepherd, then you have eternal life. 00:14:31.360 --> 00:14:36.580 That's what eternal life is in the teaching of Jesus and John. 00:14:37.399 --> 00:14:38.320 Well, the next question. 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:41.560 How can eternal life be secured? 00:14:41.559 --> 00:14:46.039 How can eternal life be secured? 00:14:50.039 --> 00:14:56.039 Eternal life cannot be secured by anyone who is a sinner in the line of Adam. 00:14:56.039 --> 00:15:07.379 In John chapter 3, verse 36, Jesus said, whoever does not obey the son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. 00:15:08.259 --> 00:15:13.059 He says all who are under the curse of Adam, they have the wrath of God on their sin. 00:15:13.919 --> 00:15:15.779 And they are there under that wrath. 00:15:15.959 --> 00:15:21.519 There you remain unless the Lord regenerates you and causes you to follow his son. 00:15:21.519 --> 00:15:28.360 And this means that you and I cannot secure eternal life for ourselves. 00:15:29.500 --> 00:15:36.639 No man can stand before God and say, God, I accomplished all the work that Adam failed to do. 00:15:38.980 --> 00:15:43.860 We sing in the gospel doxology, your perfect law exposes me. 00:15:44.500 --> 00:15:46.860 I feel my sin and desperate need. 00:15:46.860 --> 00:15:53.419 My best good works are powerless to satisfy your righteousness. 00:15:54.779 --> 00:16:02.539 The life of heaven in the Garden of Eden, it was set before Adam and he chose to know evil instead. 00:16:03.779 --> 00:16:07.820 Adam never got access to the tree of life. 00:16:08.659 --> 00:16:13.039 Instead, Adam brought disgrace on all the earth. 00:16:13.039 --> 00:16:18.219 He failed to accomplish the work that God gave him to do. 00:16:19.000 --> 00:16:21.439 But look at what Jesus says in verse 4. 00:16:22.779 --> 00:16:28.599 Our Lord Jesus came to earth to secure eternal life for you by accomplishing the mission. 00:16:29.159 --> 00:16:37.439 He says in verse 4, I glorify you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 00:16:37.440 --> 00:16:42.580 As Jesus is praying this, looking to heaven. 00:16:43.100 --> 00:16:44.300 It's Thursday night. 00:16:45.480 --> 00:16:49.460 Around 3 p.m. on Friday, the next day, less than 24 hours away. 00:16:51.160 --> 00:16:53.820 Our Lord Jesus would say that same word again. 00:16:55.000 --> 00:16:55.560 Accomplished. 00:16:57.180 --> 00:16:59.180 It can be translated as finished. 00:16:59.179 --> 00:17:10.940 Jesus looks with faith that the same God who has caused him to live a sinless life will sustain him to the very last breath as he hangs on the cross. 00:17:11.259 --> 00:17:12.659 He can say it now. 00:17:13.379 --> 00:17:16.960 I have already accomplished the work you gave me to do. 00:17:17.139 --> 00:17:18.899 And he will say it again from the cross. 00:17:19.119 --> 00:17:20.700 It is accomplished. 00:17:20.700 --> 00:17:26.880 In Luke 22, verse 29 and 30. 00:17:28.279 --> 00:17:34.580 The Lord Jesus refers to this this agreement or this covenant between father and son. 00:17:35.279 --> 00:17:36.819 The term is covenant. 00:17:37.720 --> 00:17:48.400 Jesus says, I covenant to you, disciples, as my father covenanted to me a kingdom that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom. 00:17:48.400 --> 00:17:52.440 See, the Lord Jesus giving these promises to his disciples. 00:17:52.920 --> 00:17:57.780 I am covenanting with you as my father covenanted with me. 00:18:01.700 --> 00:18:10.340 Those disciples are remembering these words of Jesus and they're getting a peek now into that that inner Trinitarian dialogue between father and son. 00:18:11.240 --> 00:18:18.180 And the next day, though they wouldn't understand it until they had the help of the Holy Spirit, they could sing like we do in our hymn now. 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:24.420 Behold the man upon the cross, my sin upon his shoulders. 00:18:24.940 --> 00:18:29.240 Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers. 00:18:29.680 --> 00:18:34.920 It was my sin that held him there until it was accomplished. 00:18:35.620 --> 00:18:38.460 His dying breath has brought me life. 00:18:38.980 --> 00:18:41.920 I know that it is finished. 00:18:41.920 --> 00:18:49.980 Our Lord Jesus Christ says, I accomplished all the work you gave me to do. 00:18:50.500 --> 00:18:57.779 He's saying, I kept the moral law of God perfectly, personally and perpetually. 00:18:57.779 --> 00:19:03.440 Jesus Christ loved his father fully. 00:19:04.139 --> 00:19:07.500 Jesus Christ loved his neighbor as himself. 00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:12.660 That's why we can now sing through his finished work. 00:19:13.480 --> 00:19:15.519 There is one who lived for me. 00:19:16.019 --> 00:19:18.079 His life, my only victory. 00:19:18.940 --> 00:19:21.299 His death forever sealed in time. 00:19:21.700 --> 00:19:25.099 That I am his and he is mine. 00:19:25.099 --> 00:19:30.500 That's what our Lord Jesus Christ came to do. 00:19:31.079 --> 00:19:39.699 He came to secure eternal life for you, his people, by accomplishing the mission of God. 00:19:42.259 --> 00:19:44.319 How can eternal life be secured? 00:19:44.319 --> 00:19:54.299 It can only be secured because Jesus was promised this by the father. 00:19:56.039 --> 00:20:01.859 In verse five, we see the father's reward that will be given to his obedient son. 00:20:01.980 --> 00:20:02.759 Look at verse five. 00:20:03.159 --> 00:20:14.099 Jesus says, now, Lord, now, father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. 00:20:14.319 --> 00:20:16.460 I've accomplished the work. 00:20:16.460 --> 00:20:17.779 Now, glorify me. 00:20:19.599 --> 00:20:22.799 We saw in Sunday school, Titus chapter one, verse two. 00:20:24.099 --> 00:20:30.399 Our hope is a hope of eternal life, which God promised before the ages began. 00:20:30.400 --> 00:20:34.820 Jesus says that glory I had with you even before anything was created. 00:20:36.680 --> 00:20:37.880 That's the hope now. 00:20:38.800 --> 00:20:49.460 That's the hope I want to give to my church, that they will be part of the glory that father, son and Holy Spirit shared even before the foundations of the world. 00:20:49.460 --> 00:20:58.759 The covenant of grace that we receive from Christ as our Lord, according to our confession, it's worded this way. 00:20:58.880 --> 00:21:01.620 This covenant of grace, that's what we receive from Christ. 00:21:02.140 --> 00:21:13.000 But this covenant, it is founded on an eternal covenant transaction that was between the father and the son about the redemption of the elect. 00:21:13.000 --> 00:21:24.819 Our hope in receiving grace from God is founded upon this eternal transaction between the father and the son, as Titus said, before the ages began. 00:21:26.960 --> 00:21:31.440 Jesus says, now, father, glorify me with that glory I had at the beginning. 00:21:32.400 --> 00:21:36.920 We just sang in the glory of Patry as it was in the beginning, so it shall be forever. 00:21:36.920 --> 00:21:42.779 See, the beginning and the end of all of redemptive history is the glory of God. 00:21:43.120 --> 00:21:45.000 That's what Christ is longing for. 00:21:46.940 --> 00:21:50.140 The glory of God is the cosmic telos. 00:21:50.420 --> 00:21:54.039 It's the cosmic direction, the cosmic end of all things. 00:21:54.400 --> 00:21:59.740 It's God's glory and our good to glorify God and enjoy him forever. 00:22:02.740 --> 00:22:06.500 Scottish pastor Ian Hamilton recently made that comment. 00:22:06.500 --> 00:22:11.019 How last things come before first things. 00:22:13.200 --> 00:22:18.480 A way to put it in theological terms is eschatology precedes protology. 00:22:19.259 --> 00:22:21.660 What he means is where everything is headed. 00:22:21.799 --> 00:22:22.720 That's the last things. 00:22:22.940 --> 00:22:24.599 It's the glory of God in the son. 00:22:26.079 --> 00:22:30.119 That comes before that helps us make sense of everything, even back in the garden. 00:22:30.799 --> 00:22:33.400 What was the purpose of the garden and all of creation? 00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:35.019 It was the last things. 00:22:35.019 --> 00:22:38.559 It was the final glory of God in his son. 00:22:39.900 --> 00:22:41.339 We get this from many places. 00:22:41.500 --> 00:22:44.160 One of those is Romans 8 verse 29. 00:22:44.339 --> 00:22:46.319 This is familiar, but listen for that truth. 00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:54.059 For those whom God foreknew, that's before the ages began, he also predestined. 00:22:54.059 --> 00:22:56.319 What did he predestined for? 00:22:56.319 --> 00:23:00.019 To be conformed to the image of his son. 00:23:00.839 --> 00:23:05.759 In order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 00:23:06.460 --> 00:23:08.019 This is what it is all for. 00:23:08.579 --> 00:23:10.579 It's for the glory of God. 00:23:11.440 --> 00:23:13.759 Shared with those he saves. 00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:24.059 Our Lord Jesus Christ secured eternal life in heaven for you. 00:23:24.059 --> 00:23:29.240 Because the father promised that was his reward. 00:23:31.379 --> 00:23:33.519 That's how eternal life can be secured. 00:23:34.519 --> 00:23:36.720 Under Adam's curse, we read in Romans 5. 00:23:37.240 --> 00:23:42.200 No mere mortal man can say to the father, look at my life and glorify me. 00:23:42.200 --> 00:23:53.440 Our Lord Jesus Christ, though he lacked nothing, he merited eternal life for you by his work. 00:23:53.840 --> 00:23:58.519 He secured access for sinners to that tree of eternal life. 00:23:58.519 --> 00:24:01.559 As it was in the beginning. 00:24:02.859 --> 00:24:07.900 But now, the glory of God is revealed, enjoyed, and shared. 00:24:10.160 --> 00:24:13.960 He's asking for him, the son, to receive that glory again. 00:24:14.039 --> 00:24:15.059 But it doesn't stop there. 00:24:15.160 --> 00:24:16.859 Let your eyes go to the very end of our passage. 00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:17.740 Look at verse 10. 00:24:19.440 --> 00:24:22.599 Jesus says, I am glorified in them. 00:24:23.359 --> 00:24:24.500 In my disciples. 00:24:25.379 --> 00:24:26.180 In my church. 00:24:28.519 --> 00:24:29.519 Your life. 00:24:29.740 --> 00:24:32.980 You are part of bringing this glory that is due to Christ. 00:24:33.700 --> 00:24:35.279 That's how he is glorified. 00:24:35.619 --> 00:24:38.180 That's how the father glorifies the son. 00:24:38.359 --> 00:24:39.720 It is in you. 00:24:42.379 --> 00:24:45.000 So we've seen what eternal life is. 00:24:46.119 --> 00:24:48.819 We've just seen how eternal life can be secured. 00:24:50.980 --> 00:24:56.160 The last question is, who can count on eternal life? 00:24:56.160 --> 00:24:59.720 Who can count on eternal life? 00:25:03.540 --> 00:25:10.580 If our Lord Jesus Christ has manifested the father to you, this means that the father gave you to the son. 00:25:12.320 --> 00:25:14.279 This means you are one that he has given. 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:15.180 Look at verse six. 00:25:15.180 --> 00:25:23.120 Jesus says, I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. 00:25:24.560 --> 00:25:25.900 This is good news. 00:25:25.900 --> 00:25:28.000 If you see God in Christ. 00:25:28.000 --> 00:25:34.460 No living soul has the potential to access eternal life. 00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:37.519 The fall was far too great for that. 00:25:38.299 --> 00:25:47.500 In John chapter six, verse 65, Jesus said, I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the father. 00:25:47.500 --> 00:25:50.539 So now we have to wrestle with that question. 00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:53.339 Whom does God grant to know him? 00:25:55.920 --> 00:26:04.059 Jesus says, those who were already God's eternally yours, they were in verse six. 00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:06.839 You gave them to me out of the world. 00:26:06.839 --> 00:26:10.839 And those are the ones to whom I have manifested you. 00:26:13.419 --> 00:26:15.000 What good news this is. 00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:24.079 If our Lord Jesus Christ has manifested the father to you, this means that the father gave you to him. 00:26:27.819 --> 00:26:29.659 Who can count on eternal life? 00:26:29.660 --> 00:26:36.740 If the father gave you to the son, then you can count on eternal life. 00:26:37.420 --> 00:26:42.759 Our Lord Jesus Christ gives eternal life to the souls which the father gave him. 00:26:43.820 --> 00:26:45.759 He had already said this once in verse two. 00:26:45.880 --> 00:26:47.400 You can take your eyes back to verse two. 00:26:47.620 --> 00:26:50.980 You give eternal life to all who were given him. 00:26:54.220 --> 00:26:57.120 On these glorious truths pack into John 17. 00:26:57.120 --> 00:26:58.720 It's so tightly woven. 00:26:59.660 --> 00:27:02.840 Charles Spurgeon's comment is simply this. 00:27:03.680 --> 00:27:10.320 Nothing happens in redemptive history apart from divine determination and decree. 00:27:11.840 --> 00:27:16.259 We shall never be able to escape from the doctrine of divine predestination. 00:27:16.779 --> 00:27:21.880 The doctrine that God has for ordained certain people unto eternal life. 00:27:22.100 --> 00:27:25.259 It starts and ends with God's grace. 00:27:27.259 --> 00:27:28.840 Jesus makes it very clear. 00:27:28.839 --> 00:27:32.919 Eternal life is not a blessing that some choose. 00:27:33.980 --> 00:27:37.019 It is a gift Christ gives. 00:27:38.079 --> 00:27:41.159 And he gives it to all who were given him by the father. 00:27:41.720 --> 00:27:48.619 The son gives eternal life to those who were the fathers and those whom the father gave to him. 00:27:48.619 --> 00:27:55.339 So if the father, if the son has manifested the father to you, this means you were given to him. 00:27:55.379 --> 00:27:57.899 And that means you have eternal life. 00:27:58.439 --> 00:27:59.439 You can count on it. 00:28:01.539 --> 00:28:03.339 Who can count on eternal life? 00:28:03.339 --> 00:28:10.159 Well, if you hear Christ's voice and follow him, then you belong to him. 00:28:10.160 --> 00:28:14.620 This is what he says in verses six through nine. 00:28:14.619 --> 00:28:20.619 Jesus says that you were elect by the father. 00:28:20.759 --> 00:28:24.500 That means God chose to reveal himself to you before time began. 00:28:25.039 --> 00:28:28.099 As crazy as it is for our minds to try to understand that. 00:28:28.099 --> 00:28:30.099 So your election. 00:28:31.240 --> 00:28:33.459 That comes as a gift of God's grace. 00:28:34.279 --> 00:28:36.959 And it's to those the father gave him out of the world. 00:28:37.059 --> 00:28:38.179 It is not universal. 00:28:39.679 --> 00:28:43.559 And verse six, he says, you gave them to me and they have kept your word. 00:28:43.980 --> 00:28:44.679 Verse seven. 00:28:44.779 --> 00:28:48.139 They know that everything that you have given me is from you. 00:28:48.140 --> 00:28:51.440 Your election is definite. 00:28:54.540 --> 00:28:56.340 Regeneration is also definite. 00:28:56.500 --> 00:28:58.580 That means you were dead in sin and trespasses. 00:28:59.120 --> 00:29:01.780 But then God breathed life and causes you to believe. 00:29:02.540 --> 00:29:04.140 So regeneration is definite. 00:29:04.640 --> 00:29:05.600 It's not universal. 00:29:06.259 --> 00:29:06.980 Look at verse eight. 00:29:07.900 --> 00:29:10.820 For I have given them the words that you gave me. 00:29:11.300 --> 00:29:14.060 They believed me that you sent me. 00:29:15.280 --> 00:29:16.880 Who is it that believes? 00:29:16.880 --> 00:29:21.840 None can believe unless the father causes them and draws them to the son. 00:29:22.540 --> 00:29:25.180 And those are the ones that the spirit blows on like a wind. 00:29:25.380 --> 00:29:27.300 And he draws whomever he will. 00:29:28.720 --> 00:29:30.140 Regeneration is definite. 00:29:32.160 --> 00:29:34.720 Knowledge of God, therefore, is also definite. 00:29:35.640 --> 00:29:37.380 Knowledge of God is not universal. 00:29:39.560 --> 00:29:43.440 It's those who hear the shepherd's voice that he brings. 00:29:43.540 --> 00:29:45.060 And they're the ones who know God. 00:29:45.059 --> 00:29:47.619 And John 10 again in verse 14. 00:29:47.720 --> 00:29:49.839 He said, I am the good shepherd. 00:29:50.599 --> 00:29:54.440 Listen, he says, I know my own and my own know me. 00:29:54.639 --> 00:29:57.599 As the father knows me and I know him. 00:29:57.799 --> 00:30:01.859 I know my sheep and I call my sheep by name. 00:30:03.299 --> 00:30:05.819 Knowledge of God is definite. 00:30:05.819 --> 00:30:14.759 And we see in this chapter in verse nine as well that the prayer of Jesus Christ as the great high priest in heaven. 00:30:14.759 --> 00:30:17.279 Now, his prayer is definite. 00:30:18.099 --> 00:30:19.879 He says it's not for the whole world. 00:30:20.019 --> 00:30:20.759 Look at verse nine. 00:30:21.599 --> 00:30:22.919 I am praying for them. 00:30:22.920 --> 00:30:31.759 I am not praying for the world, but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 00:30:31.759 --> 00:30:39.519 The next day, Jesus will pay for the atonement of sins. 00:30:41.039 --> 00:30:43.099 An atonement of sins is definite. 00:30:43.900 --> 00:30:45.240 It is not universal. 00:30:46.379 --> 00:30:48.400 He lays down his life. 00:30:48.400 --> 00:30:51.080 For his sheep. 00:30:58.759 --> 00:31:03.240 I was trying to imagine an illustration because this is this is so glorious. 00:31:03.240 --> 00:31:06.160 It's what words can even be used as an analogy. 00:31:08.920 --> 00:31:10.480 What came to mind was like. 00:31:11.720 --> 00:31:21.000 How many times for baby is inside of a tummy, the whole family is talking to the baby, using the baby's name, singing to the baby while they're still in the womb. 00:31:22.299 --> 00:31:28.720 So then picture that that child then maybe as a two year old and in a room with a bunch of crying two year olds. 00:31:28.720 --> 00:31:33.519 But an older brother comes in and the voice of the older brother starts singing. 00:31:33.960 --> 00:31:35.860 God is so good. 00:31:37.180 --> 00:31:40.059 And that little two year old now knows that voice. 00:31:40.339 --> 00:31:41.200 That's my big brother. 00:31:41.880 --> 00:31:44.980 And that's the song I've been hearing since I was in the womb. 00:31:45.100 --> 00:31:47.680 I wasn't even alive, but I know that loving voice. 00:31:51.860 --> 00:31:54.059 God is so good. 00:31:54.059 --> 00:31:55.059 God is so good. 00:31:55.059 --> 00:31:58.899 That's what Jesus is singing over all the earth. 00:31:59.399 --> 00:32:03.319 Whoever has an ear, let him hear and let them come to Jesus. 00:32:04.940 --> 00:32:11.179 Our Lord Jesus Christ gives eternal life to all his elect. 00:32:12.279 --> 00:32:14.899 All those for whom he died. 00:32:15.220 --> 00:32:16.700 He purchased them. 00:32:17.119 --> 00:32:18.139 They are his. 00:32:18.839 --> 00:32:20.379 They are his reward. 00:32:20.379 --> 00:32:23.359 And he will be glorified in them. 00:32:25.059 --> 00:32:30.819 So, dear friend, dear brother, dear sister, can you count on eternal life? 00:32:36.500 --> 00:32:44.659 I hope you next with the next part here can be encouraged and find true assurance of your salvation. 00:32:44.659 --> 00:32:50.259 Not in anything of yourself, but on the promise made between the father and the son. 00:32:50.519 --> 00:32:52.319 That's the focus of John 17. 00:32:52.319 --> 00:32:54.659 That's what I hope you leave here thinking about. 00:32:55.019 --> 00:33:03.839 The promise of the God, the father to God, the son applied to you in your life right now in time and space on this world out of the world. 00:33:03.919 --> 00:33:07.799 He's called you and that that will be the grounds of your assurance. 00:33:07.799 --> 00:33:18.319 In verse 10, Jesus says, all mine are yours and yours are mine and I am glorified in them. 00:33:18.319 --> 00:33:22.319 So you can count on eternal life. 00:33:22.319 --> 00:33:33.319 If you belong body and soul in life and in death to our faithful savior, Jesus Christ, as our catechism says, you can count on eternal life. 00:33:33.319 --> 00:33:41.960 If you rest in the promises of the father to the son in that eternal covenant of redemption made in eternity. 00:33:43.919 --> 00:33:49.139 You can count on eternal life because the father promised the son his full spirit. 00:33:49.140 --> 00:33:53.880 Isaiah 11, 12 says that the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him. 00:33:53.880 --> 00:34:02.860 My son, my Messiah, the spirit of wisdom, understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. 00:34:02.859 --> 00:34:12.779 You can count on eternal life because the father promised that he would be his ever present support. 00:34:13.859 --> 00:34:18.400 Jesus Christ took on flesh to accomplish the work his father gave him to do. 00:34:18.839 --> 00:34:26.679 Trusting in that promise said in Psalm 46, verse one, he could pray knowing these words from his father. 00:34:26.839 --> 00:34:30.599 Son, I am your refuge and strength. 00:34:30.599 --> 00:34:34.239 I am your ever present help in trouble. 00:34:36.500 --> 00:34:43.739 You can count on eternal life because the father promised the son his full spirit in Isaiah. 00:34:44.380 --> 00:34:45.799 I'm sorry, I already did that one. 00:34:45.839 --> 00:34:46.579 On to the next one. 00:34:49.880 --> 00:34:55.799 OK, the father promised the son that he would satisfy the travail of his soul. 00:34:56.519 --> 00:34:57.940 He would satisfy it. 00:34:57.940 --> 00:35:01.860 Not only would he be a support and strength, but it would be rewarded. 00:35:01.860 --> 00:35:07.860 In Isaiah 53, 11, he says out of the anguish of his soul, he shall be satisfied. 00:35:09.059 --> 00:35:17.280 The righteous one, my servant, shall make many to be accounted righteous and he shall bear their iniquities. 00:35:17.280 --> 00:35:28.840 You can count on eternal life because the father promised that he would deliver his son from death and exalt him to his right hand. 00:35:28.840 --> 00:35:32.559 This is what we celebrate now in the words of Ephesians 120. 00:35:33.260 --> 00:35:38.740 He raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places. 00:35:39.220 --> 00:35:41.720 That's why we can now count on eternal life. 00:35:42.720 --> 00:35:54.079 You can count on eternal life because the father promised that he would have the Holy Spirit and he would give that Holy Spirit poured out like water on whomever he wills. 00:35:54.079 --> 00:35:57.559 Jesus said this to his disciples in John 14, 16. 00:35:58.019 --> 00:36:03.199 I will ask the father and he will give you another helper to be with you forever. 00:36:03.460 --> 00:36:05.659 Even the spirit of truth. 00:36:06.779 --> 00:36:13.699 You can count on eternal life because the father promised to purify a bride for his son. 00:36:13.699 --> 00:36:23.500 Daniel 11, 35, got a vision of this and he described that bride as being refined, purified and made white. 00:36:26.279 --> 00:36:29.480 See, Jesus says in verse 10 of our sermon text, 00:36:30.179 --> 00:36:37.519 all mine are yours and yours are mine and I am glorified in them. 00:36:37.519 --> 00:36:45.119 Matthew Henry commented, none can know their election, but by their conformity to Christ. 00:36:45.759 --> 00:36:50.019 All those who are chosen are chosen to sanctification. 00:36:51.679 --> 00:36:53.659 He is glorifying you. 00:36:55.400 --> 00:37:00.960 Someone described sanctification as the seed and glorification is the flower. 00:37:00.960 --> 00:37:12.880 It's in process now, but you can count on eternal life if he is increasingly conforming you and bringing glory to his son now in your life one day fully. 00:37:13.440 --> 00:37:14.639 And we long for that day. 00:37:15.720 --> 00:37:27.240 You can count on eternal life because the father promised to give his son all of those who belong to him and that none of them should be lost. 00:37:27.239 --> 00:37:33.559 There will be multitudes who will partake in his redemption and in his messianic kingdom. 00:37:34.139 --> 00:37:43.339 Isaiah 49, 6 says it is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and bring back the preserved of Israel. 00:37:43.459 --> 00:37:45.459 That's too light for the work you've done. 00:37:46.159 --> 00:37:54.559 The father says to the son, I will make you a light for the nations that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth. 00:37:57.239 --> 00:38:01.199 Jonathan Edwards summed it all up this way. 00:38:03.059 --> 00:38:10.199 The father created the world to prepare a bride for his son. 00:38:10.199 --> 00:38:17.379 The same glory he had in the beginning he will have in the end. 00:38:17.379 --> 00:38:21.960 But what's more is you have his bride with him to share it and enjoy it. 00:38:22.559 --> 00:38:30.379 He took on flesh forevermore to unite all of his creatures who he redeemed and purchased to be with him forevermore. 00:38:31.519 --> 00:38:34.139 This is the great love of the father. 00:38:34.139 --> 00:38:43.579 You can count on eternal life because he will be glorified in you who belong to him. 00:38:45.500 --> 00:38:56.219 So stake your whole eternity as a man named Horatius Bonaro upon a life you did not live upon a death you did not die. 00:38:56.219 --> 00:39:00.459 Stake your whole eternity on Jesus Christ. 00:39:01.459 --> 00:39:07.199 Only by resting in Christ's life, death and resurrection. 00:39:08.019 --> 00:39:10.379 Can you count on eternal life? 00:39:11.099 --> 00:39:12.139 Let's pray. 00:39:12.139 --> 00:39:38.059 Father, I pray that you will give this gift of assurance in the mission accomplished by Jesus. 00:39:38.059 --> 00:39:45.139 The promise is given by the father to the son that you will be glorified in your people. 00:39:45.239 --> 00:39:45.639 We pray. 00:39:46.239 --> 00:39:46.759 Amen.