The greatest prayer ever offered John 17

OUR LORD’S “HIGH PRIESTLY PRAYER” “Some brethren pray by the yard; but true prayer is measured by weight, and not by length” Charles H. Spurgeon THE GREATEST PRAYER EVER PRAYED There are 650 definite prayers recorded in the Bible; the Gospel recorded 19 occasions on which Jesus prayed- but John 17 is the greatest “Some brethren pray by the yard; but true prayer is measured by weight, and not by length” Charles H. Spurgeon THE GREATEST PRAYER EVER PRAYED There are 650 definite prayers recorded in the Bible; the Gospel recorded 19 occasions on which Jesus prayed- but John 17 is the greatest

REASONS It is great because of the person who prayed the prayer it is great because of the occasion that demanded the prayer It is great because of the petitions in the prayer It is great because of the victory it gives us today It is great because of the person who prayed the prayer it is great because of the occasion that demanded the prayer It is great because of the petitions in the prayer It is great because of the victory it gives us today

A prayer for the ages Bishop JC Ryle said of this passage of the Scripture, “the chapter we now have open to us is the most remarkable chapter in the Bible” The reformer Philip Melanchon wrote, “There is no voice which has ever been heard either in heaven or in earth, more exalted, more holy, more fruitful, more sublime than the prayer offered up by the Son of God himself” Bishop JC Ryle said of this passage of the Scripture, “the chapter we now have open to us is the most remarkable chapter in the Bible” The reformer Philip Melanchon wrote, “There is no voice which has ever been heard either in heaven or in earth, more exalted, more holy, more fruitful, more sublime than the prayer offered up by the Son of God himself”

William Kelly, another great expositor wrote that “John 17 is a chapter which one may perhaps characterize truly as unequaled for depth and scope in all of the Scriptures”

Listening in to Heaven’s Conversation John 17 is a communication between members of the Trinity. Here is God the Son talking to God the Father and by the grace of God the Holy Spirit, we are privileged to listen in! John 17 is a communication between members of the Trinity. Here is God the Son talking to God the Father and by the grace of God the Holy Spirit, we are privileged to listen in!

Studying this prayer reveals Christ’s present work for us John 17 :13 [paraphrase] “these are the prayers which in heaven I will never cease to make before God, but I make them now in the world in your hearing so that you will know that I am going to be always promoting your welfare in Heaven, when you know this, you will be partakers of my joy”

Hence, also, He [Christ] is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. [Hebrews 7:25] Hence, also, He [Christ] is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. [Hebrews 7:25]

Who is the one who condemn? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Romans 8:34 Who is the one who condemn? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Romans 8:34

For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. Hebrews 9:24 For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. Hebrews 9:24

Jesus prayed out loud in front of His disciples so that they would be able to hear what He said, so they would know:

that He was committed to using all His influence with the Father on their behalf. that as He prayed, He is representing them to the Sovereign of the universe, saying to His Father “ on my behalf and for my sake, will you do these things for my disciples?” that He will do everything in His power to meet their needs. that they always have a wonderful and a special place in His heart. …it was this prayer, which they overheard, that proved how precious they were to Him. that He was committed to using all His influence with the Father on their behalf. that as He prayed, He is representing them to the Sovereign of the universe, saying to His Father “ on my behalf and for my sake, will you do these things for my disciples?” that He will do everything in His power to meet their needs. that they always have a wonderful and a special place in His heart. …it was this prayer, which they overheard, that proved how precious they were to Him.

Studying this prayer reveals Christ’s perfect will for us “What is on the Lord’s agenda?” “What is really important to Jesus what was on Jesus heart?”

1. That Jesus might be glorified “these things Jesus spoke: and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, Father, the hour has come; glorify thy Son, that the Son may glorify Thee [verse 1] “and now, glorify Thou Me together with Thyself, Father, with the glory which I had with Thee before he world was [verse 5] “these things Jesus spoke: and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, Father, the hour has come; glorify thy Son, that the Son may glorify Thee [verse 1] “and now, glorify Thou Me together with Thyself, Father, with the glory which I had with Thee before he world was [verse 5]

2. That Christians might be sanctified verse 11 Jesus says, “ and I am no more in the world, and yet they themselves [christians] are in the world, and I come to Thee. Holy Father, keep them in Thy Name, the name which thou hast given Me” also note verse 15 verse 11 Jesus says, “ and I am no more in the world, and yet they themselves [christians] are in the world, and I come to Thee. Holy Father, keep them in Thy Name, the name which thou hast given Me” also note verse 15

“Preach us a sermon” Preach us a sermon, preacher But don’t preach very long Just tell the story of Christ’s love But don’t condemn the wrong Say not a thing of doctrines false Lest others be offended Then they’d turn away from us, And call us narrow minded Preach us a sermon, preacher But don’t preach very long Just tell the story of Christ’s love But don’t condemn the wrong Say not a thing of doctrines false Lest others be offended Then they’d turn away from us, And call us narrow minded

Preach us a sermon, Preacher But say nothing of our sins, Let us keep on like what we had done And perhaps we’ll make amends Please let us dance and gamble too And go to every show Make secure and very pure We’re human, don’t you know! Preach us a sermon, Preacher But say nothing of our sins, Let us keep on like what we had done And perhaps we’ll make amends Please let us dance and gamble too And go to every show Make secure and very pure We’re human, don’t you know!

Preach us a sermon, Preacher But say nothing of our duty Tell us all about God’s grace And picture haven’s beauty Leave out that things that we must do We’re busy making money We haven’t time, can’t spare the tenth Won’t be there on Sunday, nor give a dime Preach us a sermon, Preacher But say nothing of our duty Tell us all about God’s grace And picture haven’s beauty Leave out that things that we must do We’re busy making money We haven’t time, can’t spare the tenth Won’t be there on Sunday, nor give a dime

Preach us a sermon, preacher when I have time to die tell all the folks about my home beyond the sky preach us a sermon preacher preach me into heaven that’s my only way to get to stay where Christ’s reward is given

3. That the Church might be unified verse 21 Jesus prayed, that they may all be one; even as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in Us” verse Jesus desires His church to be united verse 21 Jesus prayed, that they may all be one; even as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in Us” verse Jesus desires His church to be united

4. That the world might be evangelized verse 18 “as Thou didst sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world” Jesus was sent to seek and save that which was lost verse 18 “as Thou didst sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world” Jesus was sent to seek and save that which was lost

Characteristics of this world We live in a deceived world John 17:25 the world does not know God We live in a dangerous world 1 John 2:17 We live in a defiled world James 1:27 We live in a divided world 2 Tim 4:9,10 We live in a deceived world John 17:25 the world does not know God We live in a dangerous world 1 John 2:17 We live in a defiled world James 1:27 We live in a divided world 2 Tim 4:9,10

Let the passion for souls rekindle YOU. Men of Passion

D.L. MOODY D.L. Moody “When I see young men by the thousands going in the way of death, I feel like falling at the feet of JESUS with prayer and tears to come and save them.” Paul S. Rees “In heaven’s name and for earth’s sake, let’s never allow to cool that ‘insatiable desire’ that men and women should be won to CHRIST.”

Bishop Joseph Berry “The man who sits down to the banquet and selfishly enjoys its light and warmth, with never a thought of the hungry multitude outside, is a caricature of a Christian. He has caught no true vision of his LORD; nor have the been kindled in his heart. He may be fires of Christian evangelism a church member, but he is not a Christian…. Is anyone a real disciple of CHRIST who is not swayed by this consuming passion ?” John Knox “Lord, Give me Scotland or I die!” POST-ENCOUNTER LESSON 6 PASSION FOR SOULS POST-ENCOUNTER LESSON 6 PASSION FOR SOULS

John Wesley “Let us all be of one business. We live only for this, to save our own soul and the souls of those who hear us.” “Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen, such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of heaven on earth “ David Breinherd “I set apart this day for fasting and prayer to prepare me for the ministry…in the forenoon, I felt the power of intercession for immortal souls… In the afternoon… GOD enabled me so to agonize in prayer that I was quite wet with sweat, though in the shade and the cool wind” “Again I cared not where or how I live. Or what hardship I went through so that I could but gain souls to Christ.”

Philip Doddridge “I long for the conversion of souls more sensibly than for anything else. I think I could not only labor, but die for it” John Smith “I am a broken-hearted man; not for myself but on account of others. GOD has given me such a sight of the value of precious souls that I cannot live if souls are not saved. Give souls or else I die” POST-ENCOUNTER LESSON 6 PASSION FOR SOULS POST-ENCOUNTER LESSON 6 PASSION FOR SOULS

George Whitefield “O Lord, give me souls or take my soul”. - And his face shone like the face of Moses when he sobbed that prayer. William Booth (Founder of the Salvation Army) “Some men’s passion is for gold, other men’s passion is for fame but my passion is for souls” POST-ENCOUNTER LESSON 6 PASSION FOR SOULS POST-ENCOUNTER LESSON 6 PASSION FOR SOULS

Charles Cowman (Founder of OMS international) “By the help of GOD they shall hear if it costs every drop of my life’s blood. Here I am, LORD. Send me! Send me!” The winning of a soul was to him what the winning of a battle is to a soldier; what the winning of a bride is to a lover; what the winning of the race is to an athlete. Charles Cowman (Founder of OMS international) “By the help of GOD they shall hear if it costs every drop of my life’s blood. Here I am, LORD. Send me! Send me!” The winning of a soul was to him what the winning of a battle is to a soldier; what the winning of a bride is to a lover; what the winning of the race is to an athlete. T. DeWitt Talmage “If GOD does not give me my prayer, I cannot endure it. I offer myself. I offer my life to his work. May a great multitude of souls be born of GOD” T. DeWitt Talmage “If GOD does not give me my prayer, I cannot endure it. I offer myself. I offer my life to his work. May a great multitude of souls be born of GOD” POST-ENCOUNTER LESSON 6 PASSION FOR SOULS POST-ENCOUNTER LESSON 6 PASSION FOR SOULS

Matthew Henry “I think it a greater happiness to gain one soul to CHRIST than mountains of silver or gold to myself” Rutherford “My witness is above, that your heaven would be two heavens to me, and the salvation of all of you as two salvations to me” (in other words his joy in heaven would be double if only his people be saved). POST-ENCOUNTER LESSON 6 PASSION FOR SOULS POST-ENCOUNTER LESSON 6 PASSION FOR SOULS

David Stoner “O Lord, save sinners by the score hundreds, thousands.” David Matheson “Never for many minutes was the thought of the conversion of souls out of my view. I have served the Lord for two and twenty years. I have sought to win souls. It has been my passion.” POST-ENCOUNTER LESSON 6 PASSION FOR SOULS POST-ENCOUNTER LESSON 6 PASSION FOR SOULS

Dr. Osward J. Smith “Never will I be satisfied until God works in convicting power, and men and women weep their way to the cross.” Thomas Collins “I went to my lonely retreat among the rocks, I wept much as I besought the Lord to give me souls.” “I have pleaded with God this day for hours, in the wood, for souls. He will give them. I know his sign. I shall have souls tonight.” POST-ENCOUNTER LESSON 6 PASSION FOR SOULS POST-ENCOUNTER LESSON 6 PASSION FOR SOULS

POST-ENCOUNTER LESSON 6 PASSION FOR SOULS POST-ENCOUNTER LESSON 6 PASSION FOR SOULS

have always been those who longed for and prayed for souls.

The Gospel is eternal, but one haven’t eternity to preach it. We have only as long as we live to reach those who live as long as we live.

We had only one generation to save a generation. Every generation needs regeneration. Not to preach the Gospel means that we hide the medicine from the patient.

God has a thousand-year calendar with only one day on it. It marked “TODAY!”

When it comes to salvation, there is no other source for man except the supernatural power of the Gospel.

The Christians business is not busyness, but witness.

What does God want you to do? The first thing He wants you to do is not to spend years finding out what He wants. God keeps no one waiting for that long if He wants job done, there would be no point in keeping us guessing about it.

Jesus was moved with compassion. It was no mere condescensing act of charity. It was the irresistible instinct of a mother or father snatching back a child from danger.

Christians are not the hunted, but the hunters: not the attacked, but the attackers. We are God’s storm troops send to release the hostages of hell. We are the invading forces of the Lord!

What God orders to be done, He pays for, and, if necessary He will move heaven and earth to do it.

Our task is to put that remedy on the table. Jesus has no further word for us until His standing orders are carried out.

Multitudes who are in the deeps of darkness have to be reached. Whole nations are in spiritual graves. Somebody has to go down and do the jobs.

The Light from the Cross is not the limelight for any preacher! Jesus Christ did not die to give us a career, but to save the lost!