John Chapter 17:8-12

I have any unopened Christmas gifts left over from Christmas know you still probably got the fruit cake but other than that means you, you don't have one opencast lot because you open the walk because they were given from somebody exactly, you should open this book because it's a gift to gift from God.

Now what does the word of God have to say about itself.

Second Timothy chapter 3, 16 and 17 says all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, but the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. Welcome to cross the bridge with David McGee.

David is the senior pastor of the bridge in Kernersville, North Carolina and today were on part three of a six part teaching the real Lord's prayer. These associate pastors DA Brown is with us today. Welcome to the program excited about this teacher Messiah for everyone here. The world may see the Bible is simply to be followed. That's not it at all. The word of God is gift from him to us today.

Pastor Dave explains this gift as he continues in the Gospel of John chapter 17. Let's listen in as David McGee goes the part three of his teaching. The real Lord's prayer John 17 verse 85 given to them the words which you have given me and they have received them and have known Shirley that I came forth from you and they have believed that you sent me they received these words now understand in your hand right now is an incredible treasure. There's places and parts of the world where they don't have bottles they can't get bottles as a matter fact what they will do is each person takes a couple of sheets. The couple pages and they keep those couple pages for week or two and then when they come back to the meeting. They exchange pages so that they can be in the word of God and yet the typical American family has what 123456 Bibles, many of them sit there gathering dust not be in red. This book does not work through osmosis. What what I mean by that is just because you have one in your home. It is not can help you.

You actually have to pick it up.

Open it and read it and then it begins to help you. Then it begins to direct your path and help you in life we place here. A high value on the bottom. A high value on the bottom to what we do. Here's verse by verse chapter by chapter. I'm convinced there's no better way to learn to teach the word of God. I'm convinced Paul said in acts 20 verse 27 says, for I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God is not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel got forward to the day should the Lord Terry that we have gotten all the way through the Bible because I know at that point that you guys will have such a deep knowledge of the word of God. It won't just be that you know it be that you know it. It's not that I think topical's are evil. The difference what were doing is is called expository teaching as you. It's not just for verse by verse. But is trying to understand what God has said, not what you can get God to say and so topical's grandpa topic pastor comes up with a topic in any funds versus to reinforce this topic and you know that's a questionable topic he make sure that he avoids the ones that you know might not agree with this topic. And so there's just a different philosophy now again I don't think there are evil I have learned a lot from topical teachings, but in the study of God's word. I don't think there's a better way than doing what were doing. Now the life lesson here is the word of God is against from God for us to gift from God for us now.

Again, you know, I bet you is is and I have any unopened Christmas gifts left over from Christmas know I mean you still probably got that fruit cake but other than that means you, you don't have one opencast lot because you open them because they were given from somebody exactly, you should open this book because it's a gift to gift from God. Now what does the word of God have to say about itself.

Second Timothy chapter 3, 16 and 17 says all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, but the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. I love that verse.

I love those verses. Now the word there in the Greek the inspiration you may have heard this before.

You've been here very long is the Greek word Theo's nose starts.

That means God breathed. Theo God knows those starts with a P like pneumatic or pneumonia has to do with air. God breathed these words. These are not the words of a man. These are the words of God. We need to understand that Hebrews chapter 412 says for the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart again in the new living translation. This is for the word of God is full of living power is sharper than the sharpest knife cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are.

Jesus himself said I didn't come to bring peace but a sword to bring division in the Bible speaks of assorted speaks of a sword in Genesis that a sword will keep the way to the tree of life.

It speaks of a sword in the book of Revelation that sword will proceed out the mouth of God. The word of God is a powerful weapon.

That's why since the garden the enemy has attacked it. Did God really say that. And so the attack continues on the word of God. What's interesting is over 2000 years all the intellectuals in the liberal scholars have been unable to disapprove anything in the Bible. Think about that.

That's astounding. Men have wasted.

Tragically their entire lie turned to shoot down the word of God's may affect story after story exist of people who wanted to shoot it down but ended up being converted in the processes, interesting. Do you know your sword, because if you don't know your sword, you can be a little dangerous.

A good example is you know when you first get saved in your trying to convert all your family and your friends and you don't really know the word of God. You don't understand the word of God.

You go into the next family meeting your life. You walk out the room and everybody's bleeding and Diane in the room and you think you get God some kind of service words like man you need to learn to use at the need to learn that there's also love and mercy and forgiveness in the book get to know your sword.

Do you know your sword. Some interesting conversations this week just going up and I regretted that it made people feel really a little bit uneasy and asking them questions. A word about the come from. You know how we got the translation that we have come to get into than just a minute, but you need understand the sword you need to get comfortable with the sort in this day we see something that was prophesied in the book of Amos Amos chapter 8 verse 11 says behold, the days are coming, says the Lord God that I will send the famine on the land, not a famine of bread nor thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. I think were not on the famine. I think you see churches that are now encouraging other churches to teach the Bible to get away from the Bible because you know it can make people feel uncomfortable. I'm so glad that at one point in my life. The word of God made me feel very uncomfortable as I knew that I fell far short of God's standard of perfection. Someone 19 verse 162 says I rejoice in your word as one who finds great treasure joy treasure Lord of God make the connection of those things. Verse nine Jesus as I pray for them. I do not pray for the world. But for those whom you have given me, for they are yours Jesus again is not praying for everybody's praying for his followers. Now it's awesome is if you follow Jesus you're included in this prayer here in food and in this prayer in Jesus is making a distinction here between the rest of the world and those that he calls his own. There's a special place in his heart.

There's a special place in his prayer life for those who are called is in this concept of of those who are following Jesus and the rest of the world goes through the Gospel of John goes through the apostles. It's it's there's a separation seal.

Even the word repentance means to change your mind literally change your mind about God to change your mind about the Bible to change your mind about life and death, and you begin to think differently and with that different sort of thinking introduces friction with the rest of the world is there. You don't create it, it's already there. We are his own. If you're following verse 10 and all mine are yours and yours or mine, and I am glorified in them. God wants to be glorified in our actions.

Wonder of it all is that you understand that God can even take our mistakes and be glorified.

Interactions only God can do that he did that in the Bible you look at Moses, who wandered around the desert for so long before he went back to Egypt and was used to deliver the people you understand God actually even redeemed that time because years later as he let the children of Israel out of Egypt through the desert. I can't help but think they knew that place. He knew those hills. He knew where the place to feed the livestock was, he knew were those springs were water could be found in God even redeemed those times in the desert you find yourself in the spiritual desert be encouraged and that God will even use this and so often in our lives. We think what so-and-so going to think, or what's a family member. What's a friend what's a spouse knows all valid considerations, but the most valid consideration is what got what is God going to think what is God going to think of this action or that action for this behavior. Those words, you better believe is a pastor that's a very sobering salt to me and it should be a sobering thought to you. First Peter chapter 2, nine says you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood holy nation, a peculiar people that you should show forth the praises of him was called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Peculiar people. This is what were called were caught out in our ultimate purpose of being saved is to bring glory to God. It's not just fire insurance to avoid hell, a place of destruction, but to bring glory to God. Thinking about if it was just about us getting saved, then we would see a really peculiar thing every Sunday as people come forward to get saved if they come in a period of prayer and forgive me and help me live for you Jesus name, amen,… And say that's Hitler out here. So what happens so what happened with you. That's not what happened to me what happened. Got to keep you there so you glorify my name to the questions, not just are you saved are you: but if you are safe. What you doing with how you live in are you content with just getting in by the skinnier teeth your to cheaply satisfy God wants to be glorified through the snow we think.

But how can God be glorified through my life goal. Trust me, can trust me. He can recall the earthen vessels, you know what some of us I include myself in this have some cracks were crackpots they made and in but I like what Oswald Chambers said he said.

But the more our earthen vessels are cracked, the more it shows the glory of the Lord in the light with how true it is, how true it is and maybe maybe even as I said that she thought well you know my life isn't bring in much glory to the Lord. It can change today. It can change today. It starts with Lord, give me a fresh start and a new beginning from here on out on glorify your name. Your listening to Pastor David McGee on cross the bridge will be right back with more just a moment, but I want to remind you of the free resources available to you on cross the bridge.com there's a team of hundreds of people that will pray for somebody to be saved. You have a loved one that needs to know Jesus as Savior. You need people to pray for them. You need someone to present God's word to them every day were present in God's virtual here on cross the bridge with Pastor David McGee. We can pray for them as well. Just by simple going to cross the bridge.com and click on the pray for the lost button.

All you need to do is put in the first names of the people you love, that need to know Jesus as Savior. Click on submit and immediately hundreds of people begin praying for your lost loved ones.

What an awesome way to bring your loved ones to Jesus.

Here's a word from associate pastor DA Brown.

They were really excited that you tuned in today and if you listen right now. Taking a few moments in the program to pray for cities and our listening audience. So if your listening right now are praying for you and specifically the cities of Missouri Springfield St. Joseph St. Louis and in Montana.

Arley built Billings and Culbertson Lord, thank you for the people listening in the cities. Thank you for the work that you're doing in their life then listening is evidence that your work. Father I pray that you would fill them with the faith to believe in what you're doing for Helton to say yes to everything that you want to do on their life. We pray for the city leaders. The mayor, the police chief. The fire chiefs. We pray that you will give them wisdom.

The town Council and Lord, we pray for your Holy Spirit to pour out in these cities give the pastors wisdom help people get plugged in the churches, and low. We thank you that we can ask for your help and expect you to move in Jesus name, amen, amen. Thank you brother and now get back to David McGee as he continues teaching verse by verse verse 11 says now I'm no longer in the world, but these are in the world and I come to you. Holy father keep through your name those whom you have given me, that they may be one as we are to understand why unity is so important to the body of Christ because the vision is destructive is destructive. Psalm 133 verse one says behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity is a sweet thing that got to see us dwelling in unity. In Ephesians 43 is endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit and the bond of peace. Narcissistic keep the unity Noah tells me we've Artie been given the unity we need to keep it. Don't give it away.

Don't destroy it. What destroys the unity in the body of Christ more than anything else. Our wagon tongues. That's what destroys that's why gossip is so destructive that's one of things that you can say can be so divisive and you know what happens is we we get what we think is right to Signet indignation. We think were correct in our motives about speaking against leadership clear that were to pray for our leaders and support them and not speak against them, and it's also very clear that if you have issue with the brother you go directly to him that your friend not your neighbor, somebody you work with, but you go to that person may encourage you in unity is so important now. When God did such a work in the apostles of your member at the day of Pentecost in acts chapter 2 verse one it says when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. They were all in unity and that's important as God works through us to maintain this unity. Now, does that mean unity at any price.

Absolutely not.

Absolutely not.

There some churches are some pastors in this area. I can't fellowship with because there is such a difference in the basics and the foundation of my faith. I can't do. But there's another churches other pastors that have maybe the people dress differently than than us.

Or maybe the music different than us, but we can agree on Jesus, we can agree on how you get saved and we can have unity that Christ spends too much time arguing about the little details and too much time not arguing about the important stuff.

I want to be guilty of that. I want to be guilty of unity unity were to talk about that because more next week is Jesus continues with that thing. But let's move on verse 12, as well as with them in the world. I kept them in your name those whom you gave me. I've captained none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled is interesting, son of perdition, who do we think that is Judas, Judas, the son of perdition.

He was only one loss and want you notices he was the only one that wanted to be lost.

He didn't want to follow Jesus the Lord is keeping God the understanding that that prayer of Aaron that avionic blessing is what is referred to that are closer services. The Lord bless you and keep you understand he's able to do that he's able to keep you do 23 says that he's able to keep you from falling to present you faultless before his throne of his glory and pressures into one little he's able to keep me faultless but I stumble and fall, you do and you know that's when you're in charge when you're allowing God to lead you and God to be in charge.

You don't fall so theoretically, it's possible to never fall, but none of us walking that doing we stumble we fall and yet still Lord is going to one day of your following him and asking him to forgive is go to present you faultless before the throne of his glory let me mention something the gospel of Judas, the so-called gospel of Judas. A few peculiar things about this came from the skull than not, D library in Egypt and is not a new discovery. But there's some peculiarities they place the original writing of this, the earliest people say hundred 75 A.D. some people say as late as 400 A.D., but is called a gospel interesting in it. When you consider the all the other four Gospels written somewhere between 45 and 90 A.D. by the actual eyewitnesses so we know that this gospel was not written by Judas, so that's another warning sign was written by somebody under a pseudonym under a pen name if you will last another dangerous thing and then it says that Judas was actually a hero that Jesus asking that helping set this whole thing up and in the motion that's in direct contradiction to the Bible that we have today was written by the Gnostics, the Gnostics and like to get all into that date. They basically were heretics.

They disputed all sorts of things in this book, including the deity of Christ so and even scholars know that this was not written by Judas, it was not written by eyewitness so and again the the earliest manuscript that have is in Coptic is not even an air maker in Greek T-20 to 348 and compare that to the word of God. We got the gospel of John going back to 125 A.D. what's called the Rollins fragment doesn't compare the two things here immediately covered some about number one, it was not written by Judas, or even by eyewitness or even by an interview with an eyewitness in the second thing it is heretical or in direct conflict with other biblical teaching. Whenever someone contradicts this bottle.

Whether it's the Apocrypha or the pearl of great price of the book of Mormon or watchtower or whatever go to the book is something contradicts this book. Question question now Jesus spoke about Judas in this verse in his other verses Psalm 41, nine says even my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who ate my bread has lifted up his heel against me. This is prophetically speaking of Judas and this is the verse that Jesus quotes in John 1318 and he says I do not speak concerning all of you.

I know whom I have chosen, but the description may be for field to he who eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me. He could sense Jesus is disappointment and the betrayal and yet he Given Judas every opportunity. Even so, in the garden of Gethsemane, Judas was leaving the soldiers up to him. Jesus said friend, why have you come. Jesus knows everything. He wasn't asking what what's going on with all the soldiers and stuck he knew please asking, are you betraying me, why have you done this thing even stronger words in Mark 1419 through 21 it says and they began to be sorrowful on the site and one by one, is a dying another citizen.

God answered and said to them, it is one of the 12 who dips with me in the – in the Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of him, but well to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed, it would've been better. It would've been good for that man if he had never been more leisure strong words. These are words of a unit Judas is this unsung hero. This can work the will of God out. So you have to make a decision between leaving the Bible and believe in a document that even the secular historians say is questionable.

But back to this part of keeping I have kept them in your name understand God can keep you understand that some of you think you gotta keep yourselves, and to some degree, there's some truth in that. You gotta watch what you do watch the places you go watch the positions you place yourself in is the one who keep keeping friend. You know for sure that your sins have been forgiven. You can know right now only Jenna short, simple prayer simply telling God you're sorry and asking him to help you to live for him. Please pray this prayer with me out loud right now. Dear Jesus, I believe you died for me that I could be forgiven and I believe you were raised from the dead that I can have a new life not done wrong things I have sent and I'm sorry. Please forgive me of all those things. Please give me the power to live for you.

All of my days in Jesus name, amen friend. If you prayed that prayer according to the Bible you've been forgiven you've been born again. So congratulations Springer just made the greatest decision that you will ever make. God bless you, if you pray that prayer with David for the first time we'd love to hear from you. You can visit cross the bridge.com to receive our first steps package with helpful resources to help you begin your walk with Christ. Or you can write to cross the bridge at PO Box 12, 515 Winston-Salem, NC 27117 and share how God is working your life you're the Bible tells us that the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord. But it does cost for us to come and bring that message to you and to others in your neighborhood through radio through the Internet and through the mobile technologies that God has gifted us to be able to use so if you like to support this ministry. Please go to cross the bridge.com. Click on the donate button and ask God how much he would have you give either on a one-time basis or continuing basis each month to help ensure that the teaching of God's word continues to go out through cross the bridge.

Thank you so much ODA before we go.

What are some ways that we can bless our listeners each day. You can wake up with encouragement from Pastor David to the word of God with his email devotional life lessons to consider daily reading and the thought to meditate on. Throughout today from the heart. David McGee those are terrific and it's easy and it's free so folks sign up today@crossthebridge.com. Thanks again for listening and join us next time. As David McGee continues taking verse by verse in the gospel of God