Grace Fellowship Church Pastor/Teacher Jim Rickard Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011

Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.— Amen.

John 17 The Great High Priestly Prayer of our Lord!

John 17:6-19 Christ Prays for His Disciples’ Protection.

Jesus Christ in essence, is passing the baton of guarding the disciples onto the Father, by asking Him to protect them.

Jesus uses both “kept” and “guarded” regarding the disciples. The first word TEREO means “to have watchful care”. The second PHULASSO implies custody and protection.

TEREO means, “to watch over, or to guard”, applied to persons in the sense of “preserve”, with an implication of defense.

In verse 12 our Lord emphasized this by saying, “I guarded them”, utilizing PHULASSO.

PHULASSO means to, “guard, watch, keep, keep under guard, keep safe, protect, defend, etc”. It can mean defense against external attack.

God “watches over” the righteous, Psa 12:7; 16:1; 25:20. God also “protects” us from harm and evil influence, Psa 140:4; 141:9.

God’s role as “Watcher” or “Guardian” may recall His being the Great Shepherd who “guards” His flock. Psa 23; Jer 31:10

Jer 31:10, “Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, and declare in the coastlands afar off, and say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him and keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock’.”

PHULASSO is used here in the sense of, “to mount guard against a known enemy”, which in this case the enemy would be fallen angels.

Therefore, we see that Jesus protected them against the fallen angels, the doctrine of demons (1 Tim 4:1), and Satan’s Cosmic System.

Jesus petitioned the Father for the continuation of protection for the disciples in the period of danger that lay ahead of them as they remained in Satan’s Cosmic System.

Jesus addresses the Father as “Holy”. Therefore, the Holiness of God is contrasted with the evil of the world that will continue to confront the disciples as they remain in Satan’s Cosmic System.

On the basis of the Holiness of God’s character, Jesus requested that the Father preserve the disciples.

“In your name” is EN SU ONOMA ultimately means, “by means of your person”.

ONOMA signifies someone’s authority, character or nature and stands for the power of God manifested in His person (cf. 5:43; 10:25; 12:28; 17:6, 26). The essence of God the Father.

“Name” signifies all that is protecting the believer (i.e., the Essence of God). We belong to Him and therefore the character of God is on the line, and God has never lost one believer.

The Word of God will protect their souls against the attacks of Satan’s Cosmic System.

This protection gave Paul confidence as he was confident in God’s ability to “keep” what He had been entrusted with. 2 Thes 3:3; 2 Tim 1:12; Jude 24

The Spirit of God in true Christians is opposed to the spirit of the world. Psa 121:7- 8; John 6:37; John 6:39-40; John 10:27-28; John 18:9; 2 Thes 3:3; 1 John 5:18

1 John 5:18, “We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him.”

2 Thes 3:3, “But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”

Psa 121:7-8, “The LORD will protect (SHAMAR) you from all evil; He will keep (SHAMAR) your soul. 8 The LORD will guard (SHAMAR) your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever.”

Grace Fellowship Church Tuesday, December 6, 2011 Tape # Jesus Prays for His Disciples God’s Divine Protection Great High Priestly Prayer, Part 44 John 17:11-12; Psa 23; 121:7-8; Jer 31:10; 2 Thes 3:3 James H. Rickard Bible Ministries 2011