Grace Fellowship Church Pastor/Teacher Jim Rickard Thursday, Nov. 10,

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.

John 17:9 Jesus’ relationship with the believer differs from that of those from the world.

“I keep on praying concerning them” EROTAO in the Present, Active, Indicative

It is more conversational in form and can express a more intimate relation between the parties than its counterpart AITEO.

Jesus always used EROTAO in His prayers to the Father, John 14:16, whereas the disciples used AITEO in their prayers to God. Mat 6:8; John 14:13-14; 15:7, 16; 16:23-24, 26

This anticipates the failure of the disciples, and fervent prayer is necessary in this case, and that fervent prayer comes from the Lord.

“I do not pray concerning the world” Principles: 1. In John 17:19, Jesus does pray for the world. For future believers, that it may believe, John 17:21.

2. This does not mean He does not care about the unbeliever, God loves the whole world, John 3:16, Christ died for sinners, Rom 5:8, and He prayed for sinners, Luke 23:34.

“But concerning those whom You (God the Father) have given to Me (Jesus Christ)”

Principles: 1. Jesus prays for believers only here, who within 24 hours will be colossal failures.

2. You can not give what does not belong to you.

3. When you give, it is always a manifestation of your character.

This reflects the high character of God the Father by giving His most valued possession (the believer, Eph 1:14; Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 2:9), to His Son.

“Because they keep on being Yours.”

Principles: 1. God’s character and honor are involved. His honor will be advanced by keeping us from the evil one (Satan) vs 15, and by granting us all needful grace, Heb 4:16.

Heb 4:16, “Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

2. God’s ownership is by both creation and election. Eph 2:10; Col 1:16; Rev 4:11 with Mark 13:27; Rom 8:33; Col 3:12; 2 Thes 2:13.

John 17:9, “I keep on praying concerning them, I do not pray concerning the world, but concerning those whom You (God the Father) have given to Me, because they keep on being Yours.”

Principles: 1. This prayer is for two things: a. The disciples’ preservation, “protect them” vs. 11. b. Their sanctification, “sanctify them” vs. 17.

2. In view of their dangers and trials, Jesus sought the protection and blessing of God for those who would begin to build the church.

3. Jesus, imitates the high priest on the great Day of Expiation, who, in order to offer up the grand atonement for the sins of the people:

a. Washed himself and put on clean linen garments, Lev 16:4. Christ imitated this in John 13:4.

b. The high priest addressed a solemn prayer to God: 1) For himself, this Christ imitates in John 17:1-5.

2) For the sons of Aaron: our Lord imitates this in praying for His disciples, John 17:9-19.

4. Jesus imitates the high priest’s prayer as the True High Priest so that they be worthy to serve and protected in that service (sanctification and preservation).

5. He also prays this prayer, “for the church” John 17:20- 24, and after which He returns again to pray for His disciples in John 17:25-26.

6. Why should God bless them? They were not of the unbelieving and antagonistic world, they have been taken out of the world, and they belonged to God.

7. The petition was not offered for men of Satan’s Cosmic System, but for those who were the friends of God, disposed to receive His blessings.

Grace Fellowship Church Thursday, November 10, 2011 Tape # Jesus Prays for His Disciples Jesus has a Different Relationship with His Disciples than with the World Great High Priestly Prayer, Part 34 John 17:9; Luke 23:34; Heb 4:16 James H. Rickard Bible Ministries 2011