We come now to John 17. Let's just read this quickly. It's not a long chapter. John 17, verse 1. The Bible is amazing. Every word in it is inspired by God. It's a miracle. It's exciting. But you can make the case that John 17 is one of the most precious portions of scripture we have. It's one of the most precious writings in human history. And I hope I can get that across. John 17, verse 1. Jesus spoke these things. And lifting his eyes to heaven, he said, Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that the Son may glorify you, even as you've given him authority over all flesh, that to all whom you have given him, he may give eternal life. This is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work which you've given me to do. Now, Father, glorify me together with yourself, with the glory which I had with you before the world was. I have manifested your name to the men whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they have come to know that everything you have given me is from you. For the words which you gave me, I've given to them. And they received them and truly understood that I came forth from you, and they believe that you sent me. I ask on their behalf. I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom you've given me, for they're yours, and all things that are mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I have been glorified in them. I'm no longer in the world. Yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, the name which you have given me, that they may be one even as we are. While I was with them, I was keeping them in your name, which you have given me. And I guarded them, and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I come to you, and these things I speak in the world, so that they may have my joy made full of themselves. I've given them your word, and the world has hated them, because they're not of the world, even as I'm not of the world. I do not ask you to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They're not of the world, even as I'm not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I've also sent them into the world. For their sakes, I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. Even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. The glory which you've given me, I've given to them, that they may be one just as we are one. I in them, and you in me, and they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that you sent me and love them, even as you have loved me. Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me be with me where I am, so that they may see my glory which you've given me, for you loved me before the foundation of the world. Oh, righteous Father, although the world has not known you, yet I have known you, and these have known that you sent me, and I've made your name known to them, and will make it known, that the love which you've loved me may be in them, and I in them. This prayer takes place sometime after the upper room discourse. There's a lot of debate where this is, because remember chapters 13, 14, 15, 16, Jesus gives them all these instructions about what's coming, how they're to live, how they're to think, how they're to be. This takes place after all. He's no longer now talking to his disciples. This is a prayer. Now look at chapter 18, verse 1. The very next thing you see, chapter 18, 1, when Jesus has spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the ravine of the Kidron where there was a garden. The very next thing he does is enters the Garden of Gethsemane. So somewhere between the upper room, all this long discourse, 13 through 16, at the end of it is this prayer. And the very next thing that happens now is Jesus ends up in the Garden of Gethsemane. Now, the Gospels tell us that Jesus prayed a lot. He was a praying man, which should be a rebuke to all of us. He prayed all the time. He prayed all night. He had long prayer sessions. But none of his long prayers are recorded. We have a few of his shorter prayers. Remember, Jesus prayed, I thank you, Father, you have not revealed this to the rich but to babes, or when he prayed at Lazarus's tomb, or when he prays in the garden. But none of his long prayers are recorded except this one. We have one long prayer of Jesus. This is the longest prayer in the New Testament. And it's this amazing thing, what this prayer is. Jesus prayed often, and Jesus prayed long. Now, this is, without exaggeration, the most unique and wonderful prayer ever recorded. And I'm not exaggerating. Some of the commentators say, this chapter alone is one of the most precious things ever written on planet Earth. And what you see here is stuff that just is mind-blowing in what we're looking at here. This truly is the Lord's Prayer. We call our Father who art in heaven the Lord's Prayer. That's actually not. That's the prayer He taught us. You know Jesus can't pray that prayer? Because that prayer says, forgive us our debts. He had none. He can't pray that. That's the prayer He taught us. This is truly the Lord's Prayer. This is Him praying. to the Father. Jesus allowed his disciples to hear this. I imagine most of the time in his prayers, he was off by himself. Not always, but here he allowed, at the end of this long teaching session, he says he raised his eyes and just prayed while the disciples just stood there and watched. And then later on, the Holy Spirit inspires John to include this, and thank God he did. Since the time of the Reformation, this prayer has been called the Lord's high priestly prayer. Now, we're going to get to that down the road. It is that. He's acting as high priest here. But for now, at this point, remember, he's no longer talking to his disciples. This is Jesus now talking to his father. And here we get to see, this is just hours, several, three or four hours at best, before he gets arrested. And he knows exactly what's coming. And here you get to see, with all of that's about to happen, what's on his heart, what's on his mind, what he's thinking, what's most important to him. We get to see into the heart of Jesus here, and it's awesome. Someone says, like, when someone else, when you see a friend of yours talking to someone they truly love, they open up to each other, and you're kind of listening in. Here's Jesus talking to his Father, and we get to just sit there and listen in. We're not part of this conversation, but in wonder and awe, we can listen as God the Son pours his heart out to God the Father. It's an amazing thing. In studying this prayer, I am well aware that we are in deeply over our heads. We're allowed to read something that we can only wonder at with a prayer like this. We have the privilege of hearing the deepest desires as God the Son pours out his heart before God the Father. We're allowed here to see God talking to God. Now let that sink in if you don't get that. I titled this, Listening to God Pray. Remember, Jesus is God the Son in human flesh. God on Earth, pouring his heart out back to God the Father. This is Trinitarians. This is the glimpse of the inner workings of the Holy Trinity. It's like you pull back the curtain and we can see God discussing with himself some of these eternal counsels that went on forever. that's mentioned here. No mere human could ever say the things Jesus says here. None of us could ever pray this prayer. This is something only God the Son could refer back to God the Father. All we can do is look on and wonder, but there is so much to learn here. Pray for me as we go through this. This is kind of overwhelming, some of this stuff. This is some pretty deep, deep stuff going on here. We get to watch as God the Son and God the Father discuss these eternal issues, these eternal counsels. Now, it's an amazing privilege. And also here is some serious doctrine, some deep doctrine. You guys are well taught here, and that's good. But as you know, in the modern church today, there are many, many Christians who are totally ignorant of some of the subjects Jesus is going to bring up here. In fact, there are many today in the churches who would teach the exact opposite of what Jesus is going to say here. That's sad. Some of these deep, eternal counsels of God's foreknowledge and God's election, Jesus brings that all up here. And it's powerful stuff. Let's just go back to verse 1 again. John 17, verse 1. It says, Jesus spoke these things. And lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that the Son may glorify you. It says Jesus spoke these things. Well, what things? Well, the last verse of chapter 16 tells you. Jesus is speaking, these things I have spoken to you. What things? All the things He said since chapter 13. I'm not going to go over all of that. We've spent now several months going through 13, 14, 15, 16. But all these things Jesus taught them, all the wonderful truth He revealed to them, He ends it with this note. Again, look at chapter 16, verse 33, last verse. These things I've spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation. But take courage. I've overcome the world. And John says, after Jesus said that, he raised his eyes to heaven, and he spoke to the Father for the next 20, 25 minutes, if it's that long. Jesus spoke these things. These things are mentioned. As Jesus summed up all of his instructions to his disciples, all the love that's there, also the warning of persecution, and the vine, and the branches, and all that stuff, he concludes it by saying, but take courage, I've overcome the world, therefore so will you, I have overcome the world. In other words, cheer up, be brave, take courage, I win, so do you. That's his concluding words there. Think about this, Jesus is the only human being who walked this earth, whoever overcame the world. Adam failed, and every son and daughter of Adam since then has failed. In my life, as you know, in your life, many times the world has overcome you. Think of it. Jesus experienced continuous temptation. There were pretty girls in Jesus' day walking around, and the temptation to lust was there, but he never did. There were temptations to be selfish. There were temptations to lose your temper. There were temptations, the same temptations you and I face all the time. He faced them, and more so, I'm sure Satan was after him night and day, every moment of his life. There was constant temptation to sin, constant opposition from the world, which is there to try to make you want to give up, or get depressed, or get worried, or get scared, which he never did. Constant hardship. But unlike us, he never once gave in to that. in thought, in deed, or attitude, he never once gave in to those temptations or struggles to sin. That's amazing when you think about it. Even death sucks. Yeah. I think of my own life. Often, if you follow me around, I might look pretty good. But often, it's so easy to do something good with a miserable attitude, isn't it? Oh, yeah. Get home, right? It's so easy to do something I should do, with a rotten heart attitude. Jesus never did that. Never. He overcame the world. He's the only man who walked this earth, whoever did, totally victorious over everything the world could throw at him. And so he says there, I've overcome the world. So cheer up, take courage, because so will you. Hebrews 4.15, it's on your sheet. It says, for we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses. Notice this. But one who has been tempted in all things as we are. He faced every temptation you and I face, even all the nasty, horrible ones. But never once did he sin. Remember, it's not a sin to be tempted. It's a sin to give in to it. It's not a sin. To be tempted, it's a sin to entertain that temptation and to go with it. Jesus never once did. So in that triumph of full obedience, full active obedience, we'll get that down the road, there's Jesus' active obedience and what's coming up now is what they call his passive obedience. He overcame the world. He tells his disciples that. I've won. Take courage. I've won. And then he lifts his eyes to heaven and starts this prayer. That's the context for this. In full triumph, now he turns to the Father in prayer. I've won. Now, Father, let's discuss a few things. It's an amazing thing. Again, notice verse one again. Jesus spoke these things and lifting up his eyes to heaven. In scripture, just about everywhere, heaven is always described as being up. Now, where is heaven? You tell me. But it's always described as being up. God is always described as being above us. When Jesus ascended to heaven, he went up to heaven. Angels come down from heaven. It's always described as being above us, of being up. Jesus lifted his eyes and closed his eyes. They often back then prayed with their eyes open and looked up towards where heaven would be, where he would see his Father, and began to pray. And he says, Father. All of our prayers should include that. Jesus taught us that. Father, our Father, my Father. Six times in this prayer, He calls Him Father, Father. In fact, in verse 11, He calls Him Holy Father. Verse 25, He calls Him Righteous Father. My father, our father, righteous, holy father. Jesus has shown, remember Jesus is doing everything we should do. He has absolute holy respect. Our father who art in heaven. He's reverencing his father. Righteous father, but notice what he says. Jesus, after he said these things, lift up his eyes to heaven. He said, father, the hour has come. Boy, are those heavy words. You recall all through the Gospels of John, and some of the other Gospels as well, Jesus often spoke of his hour. Remember when Mary comes him at the wedding, very early in his ministry, he says, you're out of wine, do something about it. Remember what he says? My hour hasn't come yet. It's not time yet, Mary. My hour hasn't come. When his brothers taunted him, aren't you going to go to the festival? He says, my hour hasn't come yet. Several times he says, my hour isn't here yet. Several times he mentions that. But now? Father, it's time. Father, the hour has come. Jesus was well aware that he was on a definite time schedule. He was fully aware of what is about to happen and when it's about to happen. In just an hour or two, he's going to be arrested. He knows that. Father, it's time. Now think about that. In fact, this is so cool. Jesus caused this hour to be. Remember, we saw this before. The Pharisees want him dead. They've already agreed through Caiaphas and the Pharisees that we need him dead. We need to arrest him, put him on trial, and have him executed. But because they're cowards, it's on your sheet there, Matthew 26, 5. They said, they were saying, not during the festival, otherwise a riot might occur among the people. When the Passover, which is this weekend, Jesus is just right in the middle of the Passover weekend, there's over a million Jews in and around Jerusalem. And many of them are favorable to Jesus. So the Pharisees said, we don't want him arrested during the Passover because there might be a riot. But Jesus wasn't going to have that. Remember what Jesus did? Chapter 13, when he starts the Last Supper, Jesus announced to them all, with Judas there, I know one of you is going to betray me. And right away, Judas was probably thinking, he's on to this. He knows. How does he know? And then Jesus actually went to Judas. It's on your sheet there. Remember John 13, 27? Jesus said to him, what you do, do quickly. Not only did Jesus announce that I know that I'm going to be betrayed, He tells Judas, and I know it's you, get out of here and get doing what you're going to do. He almost basically throws him out. Get out and do it. Now, Judas is probably thinking, well, they don't want him arrested during the Passover, but he knows about the plot now. If we don't get him right now, we're going to lose him. He's going to disappear. Go do what you're going to do. In fact, look at chapter 18 again, verse 2. He arrives at the Garden of Gethsemane, and verse 2 says, now Judas also, who was betraying him, knew the place, for Jesus had often met there. Jesus probably sometime during his night said, after we're done celebrating the Passover meal, we're going to go to the Garden of Gethsemane and pray. Judas knew that. Jesus knew that Judas knew that. Jesus pushed Judas out the door. What you're going to do, do it now, knowing full well that he'd be in the garden when Judas came back to get him. Jesus set this up, and I'm sure the Pharisees are going, no, we didn't want to do it tonight. We didn't want to do it during the Passover. Now they have no choice. Why did it have to be on the Passover? Because it's the Passover. Yes, remember the Passover celebrated way back thousands of years before this. When they left Egypt, God told them, I'm rescuing you from slavery. Take a spotless lamb, a male lamb, slaughter it, put the blood on your doorpost. When I see the blood of that lamb, I will pass over you. Jesus is our Passover. Paul says that in 1 Corinthians. He had to be crucified on the Passover because he fulfilled the Passover. He is the Passover. And so Jesus is in charge of all of this. Remember what he told Pilate when Pilate says, don't you know I have authority to release you? Remember Jesus said, You'd have no authority at all were it not given you from heaven. You're not in charge of this, Pilate. My father is. And the father determined thousands of years before this that Jesus would fulfill the Passover celebration. When he died on that cross, there were thousands of Passover lambs being slaughtered that very moment in the temple. He is the Passover. But more than that, this hour Jesus mentioned, Father, my hour has come. This hour was planned from eternity past. This very moment was discussed by God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, way back in eternity past. How do I know that? Well, the Bible clearly says that. Ephesians 1, 4, it's on your sheet. It says, he, that's God, chose us in him. We're chosen to be in Christ, when? Before the foundation of the world. You were chosen to be redeemed by Jesus Christ before the world was even created. That's eternity past. Somewhere way back in eternity past, before the world and the universe was even made, God determined, I'm going to save so-and-so, so-and-so, and so-and-so. They're going to be in Christ. Read on there. He chose us in him before the foundation of the world that we would be holy and blaze before him. Way in eternity past, this hour that Jesus mentions was decided upon. Revelation 13.8 speaks of the terrible time of the Antichrist, but it says, those names who were written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the land who has been slain, those whom Jesus will die for. Their names were decided upon before the foundation of the world, before the world was made, this hour. was decided upon. And all through Jesus' life, he knows that this Passover is the one he's going to fulfill. So he has this schedule. And Jesus is running all of this. We'll see more of that, as we've seen before, when he gets arrested in the trial, everything else, Jesus is in charge of all of this. Actually, his father through Jesus is in charge of all of it. But this hour was planned from eternity past. Also, this hour, that Jesus says, Father, the hour has come. That hour was the first prophecy ever given. At the beginning of time, in the Garden of Eden, right after Adam and Eve sinned, you know this. It's on your sheet there, Genesis 3.15. God promised this 4,000 years before this. God promised this after Satan had wrecked everything. God promised, he says, I will put enmity between you, meaning Satan and the woman, and between your seed and her seed, he, that's the seed of the woman, shall bruise you on the head. and you shall bruise him on the heel. That's kind of a cryptic prophecy, 4,000 years, this is what they call the Proto-Evangelion, the first gospel. This is a promise to Eve, that Eve, one of your sons is one day gonna crush Satan right in the head. You step on a snake, you step on his head, you kill it. But before he does, that snake's gonna give him an awful bite in his heel. Now, that promise, Jesus says, Father, the hour has come. This is it. I'm about to get bit by that snake, but I'm also going to crush his head. That hour has come. And notice what he says there. The hour has arrived. You imagine how heavy that, Jesus knows full well the physical horror that awaits him. But he also knows beyond that, that God's going to lay all the sins of all his people and his soul and crush him under it. Imagine how heavy that would be in his heart. Yet what is the number one thing on his mind? What's the first thing he asked for? Notice it again, 17 verse 1. Jesus spoke these things, and lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son. Why? That the Son may glorify you. Always the first thing on Jesus's mind was glorifying his Father. And now he's saying, Father, that hour we discussed from eternity. That hour we've been prophesying for 4,000 years, it's here. Like a paraphrase of kind of saying, Father, let's do this. Glorify your son. Remember, Jesus says, if I be lifted up, glory. He's talking about the cross. Bring glory to your son through this terrible death and resurrection so that all of that will bring glory back to you. That's his first and foremost priority. What Jesus is always all about is God's glory. Eden Turner, back in chapter 12, when they told Jesus, there's some Greeks want to see you. Remember, Jesus kind of zones out and goes, now, now the Son of Man is going to be glorified. Now, why? Because the Gentiles are seeking out Christ. That's what he's here for. The greatest glory is I'm going to bring salvation to the world. That's glory, and that glorifies the Father. Remember in chapter 13 at the Last Supper, he said, as soon as Judas leaves the room, Jesus says, now the time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified, because now I'm going to be crucified. He didn't use those words. Now I'm going to go to the cross. Now I'm going to die for the sins of God's people, and I'm going to raise from the dead the greatest glory ever. It's going to happen right now. And he says, Father, let's do this, because all of this brings glory back to you. That was his highest priority, always, in glorifying the Father. The Father planned it all. And note here, that's Jesus' heart's desire. Then he goes on. Let's read some more. Verse 1 and verse 2. Jesus spoke these things, lifting up his eyes to heaven. He said, Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that the Son may glorify you, even as or since you have given him authority over all flesh, that to all whom you've given him, he may give eternal life. Boy, is there a lot packed in this verse. I always say, when you buy your Bible, you get your money worth. There's a lot packed into this. I was planning all the way down to verse 5. Yeah, right. Jesus here, after saying, I've overcome the world. Father, I've been perfectly obedient to you in every step. Now, Father, the hour has come. Glorify me, that I may glorify you since or because. Notice what he says there. Note the connection here. I paraphrase there. Finish the work. Glorify me that I might glorify you since or because, what's he talking about? Verse two. Here's what this Gloria consists of. Here's how you're gonna glorify me and I'm gonna glorify you. Verse two. Since or even as you gave him, that's Christ, authority over all flesh. Now think about this. Think what Jesus just said there. This is one of those prayers you and I can't pray. None of us dares talk like this. Jesus says here, Father. He has a specific commission here from the Lord. Jesus is glorifying in his position and also the job he's set to do. First of all, Jesus says here basically, Father, you made me Lord of everything. Think about that. Jesus is Lord of all. Jesus says there, you have given him authority over all flesh. Father, you've made me Lord of everything. I have authority over everything. In fact, in chapter verse two, if you look at the next time, he says, you give him authority over all flesh, that to all, that second word all is in the neuter, meaning all things, all things. Well, we know this, But here's Jesus thinking about this. I've overcome the world. I've kept your law perfectly at every point. Now, Father, it's time for me to do what you actually sent me here to do, and that's to bring salvation to those you've chosen. And he says, you've given me authority over all flesh. I am the King of Kings. I am the Lord. He's not bragging here. He's just saying, here's what you've done for me. You know some of these verses. Psalm 2. It's on your sheet. Psalm 2. It's on your verse 6. God says about the nations who are shaking their fists in God's face saying, you can't tell us what to do. Remember it says God laughs in verse 6. But as for me, I have installed my King upon Zion, my holy mountain. I will surely tell the decree of the Lord. He said to me, you are my son. Today I have begotten you. Ask of me and I will surely give the nations as your inheritance, the very ends of the earth as your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron. You shall shatter them like an earthenware. Do homage or kiss the son that he may not become angry and you perish in the way. First wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in him. Way back in Psalm 2, in the days of David, he said, God the Father, when the heathen were raging against God, saying, we will not listen to you, God says, oh, yeah? I've already installed my king. He's my son. And you better kiss this son. Otherwise, you're in big, big trouble. Do homage to my son. How blessed are those who take refuge. I don't care what you think, God says. I've installed my king. He's on the throne. Read on, it's Mark, Psalm 110. We preached this a couple weeks ago. Again, David speaking. The Lord said to my Lord, sit at my right hand till I make your enemies a footstool for your feet. God the Father said to God the Son, I'm gonna put everything under your feet, everything. The Lord will stretch forth your strong scepter from Zion, saying, rule in the midst of your enemies. Then verse four, the Lord has sworn and will not change his mind. You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. You are king, you are priest, you are lord of lords and king of kings, God the Father says, and you're gonna be the priest for all the people I choose to save. God the Father decreed that. All Jesus is saying here, Father, you've given me authority over all flesh. Philippians 2.9, how this ends up, and you know this, this is a verse I think we should all know well. For this reason, what reason? because Jesus was willing to empty himself, come down here, and submit to the horrors of the cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted him, bestowed on him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. That's Jesus. One more, Colossians 1. I can't wait till Paul gets here. It's going to be a while, but it's going to be good stuff. So speaking of Christ, he also is head of the body, the church. He's the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he himself, knowest, will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in him, and through him to reconcile all things to himself, having made peace through the blood of the cross. Through him I say, whether things on earth or in heaven, God has determined that everything in this universe will fall under Jesus' feet. He's gonna reconcile all things to himself, I just heard this in a recording recently. I gave this to you, Dennis. I don't know if you've heard it yet. But a guy says, picture a mound, a mountain, with everything in the universe, star systems, helicopters, copying machines, every person, every plant, every tree, everything there possibly is in a huge pile. And there's Jesus standing on top of it all, like this. And he said, yes, he has a big S on his chest. He is Superman. It's all under his feet. It's all beneath him. It's all ascribing glory to him. gets on his knees and hands it all up to his father. That's what Jesus here is saying. Father, you have made me Lord over all flesh. You've made me King of kings and Lord of lords. And Father, now I'm ready to get to work. I've obeyed your will. I've been victorious over the world. But now the work really begins. Now I'm about to do that which we've decided on from way back in eternity. Again, a paraphrase, Father, let's do this. Let's do this. The Father created all things, this entire existence, this entire universe, for the glory of the Son. And as the Son is glorified, all of that falls back upon the Father. Remember, Jesus said back in John 16, just before this, the Father himself loves you. It's the father who started all this, the father who decided all this. It's the son who's carrying out his father's will. It's the Holy Spirit who makes and brings it personal to us. So Jesus is Lord over all flesh, he said. The word all flesh always means every person. Every man, woman, and child ever born, Jesus is their Lord. But there's more. Remember back in John 5, it didn't turn. Remember Jesus said there, the Father has given all judgment to the Son. The Father judges no one. The Son now will be the judge. On that great right throne judgment, who do you think that is? That's Jesus. At the baby's seat, where the saved are judged, who do you think's doing that judging? That's Jesus. The Father has given all judgment to the Son. Since the Father has given all life to the Son, the Father raises the dead. Now the Son gives life to anyone he wishes. Why? Because he has authority over all flesh. Jesus says there in John 5, the time is coming and now is. When many are hearing the voice of the Son of God and coming to life, they're getting saved. And the time is coming, that great rapture passage where they hear the voice. When Jesus says, come forth out of the graves, you rise. God has given Jesus the authority. In Revelation 1, Jesus says, I have the keys of death and hell. I rule. Satan does not rule in hell. Jesus rules hell, just as Jesus rules heaven and earth. That's what's being said here. And Jesus is turning back to his Father, saying, Father, you've made me Lord over everything for this purpose. Notice it carefully. Verse two. Even as you gave him authority, that word authority means dominion, authority over all flesh, for what end? That to all whom you had given him. He may give eternal life. Jesus gets to the heart of the matter. Here's why I'm here. Here's why I've come. You installed me as king. You put me on the throne. Father, you made me Lord of all. And I am for this purpose, that all of those you've given me, I may bring eternal life to. He's about to do that on the cross. Now think about that. The Father gave him authority over all flesh so that, Jesus says, to all whom you have given him, he may give eternal life. Now here's where so many Christians today just don't read their Bibles correctly. As I mentioned, there's lots of Christians today in the churches who don't know what I'm about to tell you. It's sad. It's so obvious here. And there's lots of Christians today who will teach the opposite of this. Notice what Jesus said. Jesus rules over all the life and destiny of every human being, even the lost. He's Lord of the lost, whether they know it or not. He's ruling over all people for this purpose, to bring salvation to those whom God has chosen. You get that? That's what he says, that all those that you've given to me I'm going to give them eternal life. So Jesus here is speaking about a specific group of men and women. He mentioned this phrase a lot. We've seen this before. Those whom you have given me. In fact, notice it here in your text. Look at 17, verse 6. He mentions them again. 17, verse 6. I've manifested, or I've given your name to the men whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours. You gave them to me. And they've kept your note there. You gave me a message. You chose some men out of the world. It's not the whole world. You've chose some men out of the world. You gave me a message, I gave it to them, and they believe it. Look at verse nine. This whole prayer, this is that high priestly aspect, is about these people. He says, I ask on their behalf. Notice, I do not ask on behalf of the world, but on those you have given me, for they are yours, and all things that are mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I've been glorified in them. Notice that. I'm asking, Father, all of this on behalf of these people you've given me. Notice he says, I'm not asking for the world. I'm not here to save the world. I'm here to give eternal life to these that you've given me. He says, Father, they were yours, meaning you chose them. They're yours. You gave them to me and gave me the charge, son, go down there and save them. And Father, that's what I want you to do. I'm here for them. Notice verse 24. Actually, go back to verse 20, because it's more than just the disciples, verse 20. I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in me through their word. That's us. Everyone who hears the word of these apostles and believes, Jesus says, I'm asking for them too. But notice verse 24. Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, be with me where I am. He's not asking that of the whole world. He's saying, Father, these men that you chose, they were yours, men and women, You gave them to me. And Father, I'm praying, please, that when this is all said and done, I want them all to be in heaven where you and I are. That's why Jesus could say several times in John 6, I will raise them up on the last day. Jesus here is praying, Father, you gave me authority over all mankind so that I could bring salvation to those that you've given me. And Father, I pray that not one of them is ever going to be lost. Do you think that's a prayer, God, the Father's going to answer? You better believe it. That's eternal security. Jesus spoke of this group. Turn back to John 6. We'll be back here in a minute. Turn back to John 6. Jesus spoke of this specific group of people all the time, all the time. John 6, verse 37. Jesus was well aware. Remember John 8 when he's talking to the Pharisees and arguing. He says, why don't you hear what I'm saying? Because you're not God. You're not part of my sheep. I'm getting ahead of myself. John 6, verse 37. John 6, 37. All that the Father gives me will come to me. Just stop there. Who is this all of the Father? Is that everybody on the planet? Is that every human being that ever lived? No. It's all that the Father gives me. The Father has given me this all, this group, this massive number of people. It's as if Jesus came to Earth with names on a sheet. The Father gave me these names. Every one of these is going to come to me. Every one of these, eventually, is going to come to me. Read on. All the Father gives me will come to me, and the one who comes to me, I will certainly not cast out. I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of Him who sent me. This is the will of Him who sent me, that of all He has given me, I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. Can that be any clearer? There is this group, this bunch, this all the Father has given me. Why he chose them, that's only an internal counsel of the heart of God. He's given them to me and Jesus says, I'm telling you, every last one of them are gonna come to me and I'm here for this purpose, to make sure every last one of them is raised up on the last day. Every last one raised up on the last day. Look at John 10. Jesus was specific about this. How so many in the church today miss this when Jesus emphasized this is beyond me. It's just sad. This is a precious doctrine. John 10, verse 11. Remember he said a whole section about Jesus, I am the good shepherd. And he says here, verse 11. John 10, 11, I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, he sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees. And the wolf snatches and scatters. There he's talking about the Pharisees. He flees because he's a hired hand and not concerned with his sheep. 14, I am the good shepherd. I know my own, meaning I know who my sheep are. and they know me, even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep. But get the next verse. I have other sheep, which are not of this fold. I must bring them also. They will hear my voice. They will become one. Now get this. I've been sent here as a shepherd. The shepherd doesn't own the sheep. The shepherd cares for someone else's sheep. Here he's talking to Israel. But I have other sheep. They're all going to be one. But he says the shepherd doesn't own the sheep. The sheep belong to somebody else. He says I've come as a good shepherd. I love my sheep. I know my sheep. I call my sheep. I lead my sheep. I die for my sheep. And they follow me. Now follow along here. Jump up to verse 26. Here he's talking again with these Pharisees and scribes who are always arguing with him. Says, you do not believe, notice this, because you're not my sheep. You are not of my sheep. Notice 27. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me, and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish, and no one snatches them out of my hand. And get this, 29. My father, who has given them to me. These sheep belong to my father. He gave them to me and said, son, tend my sheep. And Jesus says, you better believe I'm going to take good care of my father's sheep. I'm going to lead them. They're going to follow me. I'm going to protect them. I'm going to die for them. And he says, and I give my father's sheep, every one of them, I give them eternal life. And they'll never perish. They will come to me, Jesus says, because the Father's going to draw them. But notice, out of all the masses of mankind, there is this subgroup. the Father's sheep, those all that Jesus talks about. Turn back to John 17 again. Jesus says here specifically, I'm not praying all this for the whole world. I'm praying this for those whom the Father has given me. Now, that's a huge number. It's going to be billions till God's all done. But it's not everybody. Again, some verses that back that up. Jesus is Lord over all the affairs of men, saved and lost. Jesus is Lord of the lost men, whether they know it or not. For this purpose, to bring about the salvation of those whom the Father has chosen. Just a few verses. I could give you two or three pages of verses on this. Romans 8, 29. Very familiar passage. Notice, for those whom he foreknew. Who's that? Who are the those? Now some say, well, God foreknew. God foreknew everybody. God knows everyone. That word foreknew, that word know, often means sense of God foreloved. Remember back in the Old Testament, God says about Israel, You alone have I known of all the nations. Now, of course, God knows all the nations, but you're the one I love. That word foreknow means I set my love upon. Those whom the father set his love upon, those whom the father chose, he also predestined. There's that word. God the father set his love upon them. God the father says love upon Wayne in eternity past. And then God set Wayne's destiny. I determined that I'm going to save Wayne one day. Wayne one day is going to be drawn to my son. And when he comes, I'm going to save him. That's predestined to become conformed to the image of his son, that he would be first born of many brethren and follow this. And these, who are the these? The these are the those. Those he foreloved, those he foreknew, these he predestined. He also called. And these, who are these? These are those whom he foreknew, whom he foreloved, whom he predestined. These he also called. The Father draws them to the Son. You were drawn to the Son one day, weren't you? That's what called means. These whom he foreknew, whom he predestined, whom he foreloved, he also called. And these whom he called, he also justified, because Jesus died for them. And every one of these, who are those, He's going to glorify. It's a beautiful thing, isn't it? That's so clear. Again, I'm not reading into this. If these words don't mean what I'm telling you, what does it mean? God clearly chose a people. He put together a flock of sheep and said, sons, shepherd them. That's why in 1 Peter 5, pastors are called under-shepherds. We're not the shepherd. They're not our sheep. Jesus is the shepherd. They're not his sheep. They belong to the Father. We're tending the sheep for the Father. It's a beautiful thought. Ephesians 1, 4 and 5, it's under sheep. He chose us. Did you choose Christ? Yeah, you did. At one point in your life, you said, I want Jesus Christ in my life. I did that. I said, Lord, I need you. I want you. I need you. I chose him. But why'd I do that? Because he chose you. He chose us in him when? Before the foundation of the world. Before the world was even created. If you're a Christian today, God had chosen you from way back in eternity past somewhere. God had his eternal counsels. I'm going to choose thee. I'm gonna choose Marie, I'm gonna choose Barry. And in the fullness of time, God's gonna send the Holy Spirit to bring to you life, to draw you to his son. Read it again. He chose us in him before the foundation of the world that we would be holy and blameless before him. In love he, there's that ugly word again, predestined us. He set your destiny ahead of time. He decided that you will be given to my son one day. When I came into this world, I didn't know that. I spent my first 14 years lost. I didn't know I was chosen, but I was. And one day, in the fullness of time, bless God, he got to me. He drew me. That's what it says here. To the adoption as sons through Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1.4. Paul says, knowing, brethren, beloved by God, his choice of you. You are chosen. He chose you. That's why you eventually chose Him. 2 Thessalonians 2.13, Brethren, beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you, when? From the beginning. Did you have anything to do with that? You weren't there. God chose you before the world was made. He sets your destiny ahead of time, that one day, somehow, I'm going to draw you to my Son. And when that happens, you're going to become born again. You'll be a new person. He chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in Christ. Now get that. Is this clear? I think it is. I mourn sometimes. Why do so many of the churches not see this? I don't understand. Because there are churches that will tell you that's the opposite. We're not going to go there. But in context, in the context of this prayer, in context of chapter 16, Jesus is rejoicing in prayer that at long last, finally, Father, finally, the hour has come. It's here now. That which we've talked about forever, from eternity, that which was prophesied at this point for 4,000 years, Father, it's time. Let's do this. It's come. The hour has come, and Jesus is excited about that. Now I'm going to atone for the sins of all those that you've given me. Because the Father loves them, Jesus loves them. Because they're the Father's sheep, Jesus loves the Father's sheep. Because the Father chose them, Jesus says, and you gave them to me. Jesus says, I'm not doing this for the whole world. Father, I'm doing this for those you've given me. They were yours. You gave them to me, and now the hour has come, Father. Let's do this. Let's get this done. Again, he says there, verse 2, that he may give eternal life to them. Jesus is the author of eternal life. You know that. When he died on the cross, he was dying for the Father's sheep. He was dying for those the Father gave him. He was dying to pay for their sins. When someone tells you Jesus died for everybody on the planet, are you comfortable with the idea there's people in hell right now Jesus died for? If he died for them, why are they in hell? If he died for you, you're not going to hell. Jesus died for those the Father gave him, for those the Father chose. He loves the Father's sheep. Because they're precious to the Father, they're precious to him. Now, quickly, in the time we have left, how should I respond to this? I get so sad sometimes. I see all the fighting and the fussing that people do over this. This is something, if you understand it, should make you want to go, yes! should make you want to praise the Lord. First of all, Jesus has absolute authority over the whole world of lost men. He says that here. Father, you've given your Son authority over all flesh. Jesus is Lord right now. He's running things right now. He is the one that the Father has put upon the throne. He calls Him there, my Christ. I've installed Him upon the throne. Daniel sees that glorious picture how this one like a son of man, this human is installed on God's throne who's gonna reign and rule over everything forever. That's Jesus. And Philippians shows him standing on top of that huge pile of stuff and saying, and it's all saying, you are Lord to the glory of God the Father. Jesus is Lord right now for this purpose. There's a purpose for this. God set him over all of humanity for this purpose, to bring salvation to those the Father chose. Isn't that cool? Think about that. Number two, if you're a Christian today, in eternity past, the Father set his love upon you. He foreknew you. Does that blow your mind? I'm only 66. Trillions and trillions and trillions and trillions and trillions. You can't go there in eternity. Years ago, at some point, the eternal trinity had a council. And God said, I'm choosing him. He could have passed me over. I would deserve that. I deserve to go to hell. So I'm going to choose him. I don't know why. I don't bring him anything. But his son? I've chosen him. Go down there and see him. And when Jesus went to that cross, he atoned for me. Not just for anyone who might decide one day, he atoned for me. And when I was 14, the Holy Spirit came to me through the scriptures and said, guess what? You're mine. I've chosen you. That's beautiful, isn't it? That's true. That's what it's saying here. The Father set his love upon us, Romans 8.28, on specific men and women. He set their destiny. He predestined them. That word appears several times in the New Testament. He set your destiny. You were destined by God to be drawn to Christ one day. And it happened, didn't it? You were destined by God, predestined. Romans 8, 29, Ephesians 1, 5, to be saved by the atoning work of God the Son. There's that song that says, when he hung on the cross, he had my name on his mind, and he did. If you're born again today, he had your name on his mind. Father, I'm dying for. He knew who they were. He said, all those the Father gives me. It's like he had a list. It'd be an awful long list, but he had a list. I'm dying for them. I'm paying for them. Three. Jesus lived in perfect obedience to the law in their place. He fulfilled the law for you in their place, not for the whole world. There are some in the world who are going to go to judgment and face the law themselves. You and I never will. The law has been satisfied by Jesus in my place. I no longer am a lawbreaker because my substitute kept it for me. He kept the law in their place. He gave himself in sacrifice for them. He says here, I'm not doing this for the world. I'm doing this for those you gave me. He rose again for them, for those the Father gave him. And right now, he's at God's right hand, interceding for them, praying for them, ruling and protecting them, not the world, them. Number four. Are you saved? Can you say to me today, Rick, I know I'm born again. I'm trusting Jesus as my Savior. I know I deserve hell. I know Jesus is the only Savior that God provided. He's all I need. I put my faith and trust in Jesus. He's my Savior. He's my Lord. Can you say that? Anyone here in this recording, can you say that? Well, then think about it. Do you understand why? Well, I'm clever. I figure it out one day. I let Jesus save me. I saw this video where this guy goes to heaven and Jesus thanks him. Thanks for letting me save you. It doesn't work that way. Do you realize if you're saved, why you're saved, Dean? We love him because he first loved us. Do you realize why you're saved? Do you realize why Jesus died for you? Because God loved you from eternity past. Do you realize why Jesus rose again? because God loved you from eternity past. You realize why? Whatever happened in your life, however the Holy Spirit came to you, you realize why that happened? Because God loved you before you even knew who he was. Think of it. Love with an everlasting love, the Bible says. That's not true of everyone, but it's true of us. You realize how blessed we are? We're loved. We're chosen, we're sought out. He came after me, I wasn't looking for him. I was trying to kill myself. He walked into my life one day, through the scriptures, like, whoa, where'd you come from? He sought us out. We're the Father's sheep, Jesus is the shepherd. He came and gathered us. You're that one out of the 99 that Jesus was sending. Get him and bring him back here. That's beautiful, isn't it? If that doesn't melt your heart, you're not thinking. These doctrines aren't something you ought to fight about. This is something you ought to dance about. We should be rejoicing. The Christians should be the happiest person on planet Earth because of what's happened to us. I'm chosen. I'm chosen. I'm teaching this, and I'm still trying to get a handle on this. I have a neat little paragraph there from R.C. Sproul. We'll close. This is one of his commentaries. R.C. Sproul says, here's where the rubber meets the road. If you say to me, did Jesus die for me, I'm going to tell you that I don't know. Then I will ask whether you're a believer. If you reply yes, I'll say, well then, he died for you. However, if you say, no, I'm not a believer, I'll say, I still don't know if he died for you because you may become a believer one day. But I know this, he died only for those who put their trust in him. Remember, Jesus said, all the Father gives me will come to me, because he's going to draw them. Archie Sproul is saying, if you tell me you're not a believer, I don't know if Jesus died for you. We'll find out. But I know this, everyone whom Jesus died for will by the Holy Spirit be drawn to the Father one day. The bottom line question is this, do you or do you not trust in Christ alone for salvation from the just punishment you deserve? If you can say yes, then sleep easy knowing that Christ died for you. That's election made simple. Let's close the prayer. Oh, precious Father, I'm all aware that we're walking on holy ground in these verses, seeing your son, God himself, talking to you about these eternal judgments, these eternal decisions, these eternal loves. Father, thank you for allowing us a sneak peek into who you are, into what you have decided. And Father, thank you for your love. You didn't have to choose any one of us. There's nothing in us to desire, that you would desire us. We bring nothing to you. But yet, Lord, you, because you desire to be compassionate, because you desire to show your love, because you desire to elevate your son, you chose us. Lord, you chose me. Oh, Lord, thank you. We'll never get over this. Lord, you will have the glory forever and ever. We will thank you every day of our lives throughout the rest of eternity for what you've done. But Lord, we do thank you and raise and elevate our Lord Jesus Christ, that he is even in this very hour, He's desirous of going to the cross. He wants to do this. You've given him an assignment, and he wants to finish it, and he did. He finished it. He accomplished it all. Lord, our sins are forgiven. Our adoption is secured because Jesus died in that awful cross. Oh, Lord, help your people here, whoever hears this recording, me especially, Lord, to not only believe this, but to feel this, to appreciate this. Lord, break our hearts. You've been so good to us. You've been so kind. Our lot, our condition couldn't be any better. Lord, we should be the happiest, most joyful people on earth because we're chosen, because we're loved, because we're sought out by you. Let the world do whatever it's going to do, Lord. Let it go, Lord. Help us to realize that we are part of this eternal kingdom only because of you are gracious and kind. Lord, help us to believe these words. Honor your son by them. And we ask this all in his name.