Easter
7
17 May 2015
John 17 11b-19
O
King of Glory, Lord of hosts, uplifted in triumph far above all heavens, leave
us not without consolation but send us the Spirit of truth whom You promised
from the Father.
When
taking leave of fellow Christians, we sometimes say to the effect, “God keep you!” Godspeed…God bless you. We express the wish that God would watch
over them and protect them. Jesus expresses something similar in His high
priestly prayer – that His Father would keep you. Jesus is concerned that you
also be kept.
The
purpose of His protection
1. Christians has a job to do in this world.
As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the
world. (v.18)
A.
We are sent - to teach the Father’s Word aright.
The importance of supporting our Wyneken School, Sunday School, Oasis Youth
Group. The importance of family devotions. The importance of studying the Word
at Church and in the home. Be a people in the Word!
B.
We are sent - to hallow God’s name by a godly
life. True, the faith is taught. It is also caught. Be a sermon in shoes. By word and by deed. In
Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. 18 For I will not venture to speak of
anything except to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, (Romans 5:17-18)
2. We need to be renewed in consecration. And for their sake, I
consecrate myself, [
c] that
they also may be sanctified[d] in
truth. (v.19)
A.
So that we pursue our task with
single-mindedness. Jesus said to them, “My
food is to
do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. (John 4:34)
B.
So that, while in the world, we would not be of
the world. They are not of the world, just as I am
not of the world. (v.16) (See also Romans 12:2) Do not be conformed to this world,[a] but
be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable
and perfect.[b] We
are kept in the world for a purpose. Jesus has good reason to pray for His own,
“God keep you.” He says. And He has promised to guard and keep you in all His
ways.
When we say to each other, “God keep
you,” “Godspeed!” “God bless” we are not saying empty words. We are reiterating
Christ’s own prayer for His own. That prayer relates to a real need, reminds us
of divine power to protect, and directs us to our purpose I this world.
Words –464
Passive Sentences –16%
Readability –85.5%
Reading
level -4.4
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