Dear Grace Church,
God bless you as we enter this season focusing on the body and the blood of Jesus. Let’s remember to invite people into spaces where they can hear the good news that is Jesus Christ.
Thank you to Paul Mapstone and all the Men’s Breakfast Leadership for setting the Lord’s table creating an amazing outreach last Tuesday evening where Olympic Gold Medallist Duncan Armstrong OAM told his story and gave testimony to the transformative work of Jesus Christ in his life. While there were no salvations on the day we are believing that the seeds sown on good soil will tea a harvest of righteousness.
The Lord’s Table was set again Wednesday morning at the Mayors Prayer Breakfast where combined prayers were offered for our city and region and Duncan inspired civic leaders with his faith in Jesus and the encouragement to serve with enthusiasm.Considering the Lord’s Table. Is it possible that some of us are huddled just inside (or outside) The Door (Jesus). Jesus’s intent was that through continued obedience we would go deeper in and further up: eating at the Lord’s Table and knowing God more and more.
11 Things Highlighted By Jesus’s Prayer for Disciples in John 17
1. Eternal life is knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ. Glory is to live in God’s Presence. John 17:1-5
2. Disciples are those who accept Jesus is the Son of God and who obey the Word of God. John 17:6-8
3. Jesus is praying for His disciples: not for the world. John 17:9, 10
4. Jesus hands His fully redeemed disciples back to God. John 17: 9, 10 Every time we act in accordance with Christ’s nature, we bring glory to Jesus.
5. Jesus clarifies that He is on earth accomplishing God’s work according to the name that God gave Him. John 17:11, 12. Jesus (He will save His people from their sin -Matthew 1:21) has completed the work of saving His people from their sin. The name of Jesus redemption from sin not protection from trouble.
6. Jesus prayed that you will have the full measure of His joy in you despite being hated by the world. John 17:13, 14 Psalm 16:9-11, Psalm 68:3, Hebrews 12:2, 3 His joy is to live in God’s Presence.
7. Jesus prayed that you would be protected from the evil one. In other words that you will not forsake the divine nature and return to partnering with the sin nature. John 17:15. Satanic Weapons: lies and deception (John 8:44, Mark 13:22), Seduction (2 Peter 2:14, 15, James 1:14, 15), Oppression and Persecution (Daniel 7:25, 2 Timothy 3:12, 13), Accusations (Revelation 12:10).
8. Jesus prayed that God would sanctify you by His word. John 17:16-19, We parter in this by studying the word. 2 Timothy 2:15, Psalm 1: 1-6
9. Jesus prayed the unity of generations of believers united in Him. Christ in the believer and God in Christ bringing a united testimony in Christ across generations of history. John 17:20-23
10. Jesus prayed that we would know the glory of being one with the one true God. John 17:24, 25, Hebrews 12:23
11. Jesus (He will save His people from their sins) promised to continue to reveal God to His disciples (those who accept His word and obey God) and this revelation will result in God’s love flowing through us and Jesus living in us. John 17:26
Let’s take time to pray, worship, ask, seek, knock, linger and listen.
Love and Grace to You,
Debbie-Ann