Why Jesus Prays for Believers God s Perseverance With His Saints
Why Jesus Prays for Believers 1. Because we belong to the Father Jesus values us simply because we are the Father s. Therefore, the Father greatly values us. And the Father has a continuing interest in us. We are created in God s image and, therefore, we are His image bearers. You are highly valued and greatly loved!
Why Jesus Prays for Believers 2. Because of the interest that the Father and the Son share in us This is a mutual interest. This interest is between the Father, the Son, and us! This means that our concerns (no matter how small) are God s concerns! It also means that God s concerns (no matter how noble and beyond our comprehension) are our concerns!
Why Jesus Prays for Believers 3. Because He is glorified in us Jesus is glorified in us by saving us. Jesus is glorified by our trusting Him in this life. Jesus is glorified in His own people to the degree that we live a holy life. Jesus is glorified by our confession of Him before the world. Jesus is glorified by our efforts to extend His kingdom.
Why Jesus Prays for Believers 4. As an example for us to pray for others What is of value to the Father and to the Son should also be of value to us. We should have a mutual interest in others. We should pray for others because God is glorified in them.
God s Perseverance With His Saints Jesus prays for our soul prosperity. That we be kept from evil. That we be separated from the world (sanctification). That we be qualified for service in the kingdom. That we be brought home safely to heaven 3 John 2.
3 John 2 (NASB) 2 Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.
God s Perseverance With His Saints Jesus prays for our soul prosperity. That we be kept from evil. That we be separated from the world (sanctification). That we be qualified for service in the kingdom. That we be brought home safely to heaven 3 John 2. Temporal prosperity is only real when it is in proportion to soul prosperity. Therefore, soul prosperity is the index to true prosperity!
God s Perseverance With His Saints Danger in the petition for God s safekeeping of the disciples The disciples were to remain in the world John 15:20-21.
John 15:20-21 (NASB) 20 Remember the word that I said to you, A slave is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me.
God s Perseverance With His Saints Danger in the petition for God s safekeeping of the disciples The disciples were to remain in the world John 15:20-21. Apart from God s perseverance, the disciples would surely be lost.
God s Perseverance With His Saints God is our keeper. When Jesus was here, He kept watch over the disciples. Now Jesus transfers this keeping to the Father. The disciples would have understood this Old Testament concept. Our shepherd Ezekiel 34:11-16
Ezekiel 34:11-16 (NASB) 11 For thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. 12 As a shepherd cares for his herd in the day when he is among his scattered sheep, so I will care for My sheep and will deliver them from all the places to which they were scattered on a cloudy and gloomy day. 13 I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries and bring them to their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the streams, and in all the inhabited places of the land.
14 I will feed them in a good pasture, and their grazing ground will be on the mountain heights of Israel. There they will lie down on good grazing ground and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15 I will feed My flock and I will lead them to rest, declares the Lord GOD. 16 I will seek the lost, bring back the scattered, bind up the broken and strengthen the sick; but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with judgment.
God s Perseverance With His Saints God is our keeper. When Jesus was here, He kept watch over the disciples. Now Jesus transfers this keeping to the Father. The disciples would have understood this Old Testament concept. Our shepherd Ezekiel 34:11-16 Our husbandman Isaiah 27:2-3
Isaiah 27:2-3 (NASB) 2 In that day, A vineyard of wine, sing of it! 3 I, the LORD, am its keeper; I water it every moment. So that no one will damage it, I guard it night and day.
God s Perseverance With His Saints These verses tell us how we are kept. We are kept in God s name! What does it mean to be kept in God s name? It is about God s attributes as seen in verse 6. We are being protected by the one who is sovereign, holy, all knowing, wise, compassionate, etc. This is not an outside force, but, instead, we are within Him much like a fortress Prov. 18:10
Proverbs 18:10 (NASB) 10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.
God s Perseverance With His Saints Bottom line is that God is for us!!!! Is this a license to sin? Then, why not sin? No, we shall seek to persevere because we have known and learned from God s perseverance with us. We will persevere in our work! We will persevere in our witness! We will persevere in our families!
Application Do you know the implications of God s perseverance in your life? Are you living in a way that would proclaim this great truth? God is faithful. He is our keeper. With God, all things are possible!