I Have Given Them Your Word

Tools are important for completing a task. Some of us less handy people jokingly say just give me a hand were a hammer and some duct tape and I'll be fine. But all in all we really know that the right tool will help us to accomplish the tasks that are before us how to do this job. God's given us as a church he has called his people to make disciples as followers of Christ were to be and make authentic followers of Christ and in some ways this is a test of our genuineness.

This is a test of our authenticity, are we really following Christ.

And all we really helping others to follow Christ at home genuine followers of Christ make disciples with their kids in the workplace in the genome in the neighborhood in your social circles, genuine followers of Christ may followers of Christ were going to be in John 17 today in the time of the messages I have given them your word. John is a great book, like all the other 65 books of the canon of Scripture, and John gives us a clear picture of who Jesus is. He is whining to make disciples. We get this in his purpose statement in John 20. In verse 30 now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ the son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name, John wrote that we might place our faith in Jesus that we would become Jesus's followers and that we would experience eternal life and that life that we experience deep down just close out and becomes a part of how we live in life that we share with others just before John 17 Jesus is teaching his followers about the Holy Spirit would come once Jesus dies and is wrecked resurrected. He goes to sit at the right hand of his father and he and his father would send the Holy Spirit would come and indwell his people and help us to do this job of making disciples. The spirit would guide us to just give us the words comfort us and convict us, but the night before Jesus was arrested. John 17 he spent time praying vintage Jesus praying to his father instructive for us as he models a life of dependency upon his father. Some call it the Lord's prayer. Others call it the high priestly prayer, but reveals what's on his heart. What's important to him what what he wants to make sure happens before he leaves. After he leaves earth we see very clearly the tool he provides to do is work. The first part of John 17 the first five verses Jesus prays for himself, then we get to focus today.

John 17 six through 19 where he focuses on 12 his disciples that he had called it spent at least three years of ministry with personally instructed and then of course, in verses 20 through 26. He prays for all. They will all who will follow his disciples that he has made their charge to make more disciples will make disciples and so those last verses are more or less Jesus praying for his church that will follow them. So read with me. John 17 follow along verses nine through nine verses six through 19.

I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world.

Yours they were, and you gave them to me and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you and I have given them the words that you gave me and have received them have come to know in truth that I came from you and they have believed that you sent me.

I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world.

But for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them and I am no longer in the world but they are in the world and I am coming to you. Holy father keep them in your name which you have given me, that they may be one even as we are one. While I was with them.

I kept them in your name which you've given me. I've guarded them and not one of them has been lost, except the son of destruction, that the scripture might be fulfilled, but now I'm coming to you in these things I speak in the world that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them your word in the world has hated them because they're not of this of the world. Just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world. Just as I'm not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world so I have sent them into the world and for their sake I consecrate myself that they also may be sanctified in truth, did you notice as we read through that text that many times God's words were mentioned given them your word. And Jesus stresses that in his conversation with his father and the intercession that he makes all the 12's behalf.

He's focusing on God's word. One of the great points in the apostolate ministry is given is the giving of the word.

The early church grew because their foundation was on the word of God.

In acts chapter 2 we sit up front.

Just after the Holy Spirit was given on the day of Pentecost. It says that the disciples continued steadfastly in the apostles teaching apostles doctrine and in prayer breaking of bread and fellowship. But notice the emphasis on the apostles doctrine and God bless their work because they stay true to the apostles doctrine.

The teaching that Jesus had given them. It goes on and says in acts 247 and the Lord added daily, such as were being saved.

God was blessing.

There were God was working through the ministry of the word in the early church and it was a part of the apostolate ministry that were seeing here in acts. Excuse me.

John 17.

It's also described over the book of Ephesians. Hold your place here look over in Ephesians chapter 2 in verse 19 we see the foundation that was given for the church. As far as the word of God, the written word of God.

Ephesians 219 says so, then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but your fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, Bill, on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone look over in Ephesians 3 we see the same emphasis verses four and five when you read this when you read this you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit you see what I'm getting at here this fool that we have in the Bible the word of God is what Jesus gave the apostles the pass along to us. We see this emphasized all through the New Testament we could look over in second Peter chapter 3 in verse two and see the same idea of the foundation of the apostles and what God did in that time period to authenticate the message that they would be writing down Jesus gave them exactly what we needed to do his work. We have now what they needed. The spirit would come to them and they had what we needed. He, Jesus gave them the words of God for us so that we could do this work of making disciples so to give you three quick points and then will do some application first word is seen. The word is seen in John 17 verse six, Jesus said, I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. What is it mean for Jesus to manifest the name the name of God represents God.

He is the character of God, the person of God Jesus made God known to the people in the beginning was the word the logon is the expression of who God is the second member of the Trinity, God the son in the beginning was the word he's always been with the father like the spirit has been with the father in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the word was God. Jesus is God and so how does God make himself known to us well. John 114 tells us, and the word became flesh, the Word became flesh the theological word that we use for that is incarnation can ask all of our kids, and students. If you taken some notes right that were down in Carnation and let's define it incarnation is the eternal son of God without ceasing to be God took on a fully human nature. He showed us what life in the flash should look like you showed us what God is like it. By doing so he showed us that he was qualified to die for the sins of the world, holy God fully manned another good word that we used the hypostatic union it sounds supernatural because it is God himself took on human flesh, so now we have one being fully God and fully human. He was qualified to die for our sins is a perfect man is the sinless Lamb of God, and he was qualified because he is God himself so perfectly innocent and righteous for our sake he made himself to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. The word of God is seen because Jesus is the expression of God the Word of God.

This word of God is perfect without sin. The apostles laid their eyes on him that qualified them to write about him and to be inspired to write about him. They were witnesses and so every book we have in the New Testament has its connection to one of the apostles, the apostle -like authority. They were not only eyewitnesses they were ear witnesses.

They heard everything that he had to say. While he was here and that the rear. They were hand witnesses they touched him and felt his humanity and John later in the letters writes about that first on chapter 1 that which we see that was we've heard that once we've touched him. We proclaim to you, he is the word of God. We see the word of God, because Jesus made God no second point the word is spoken. Look in verse 15. Excuse me.

Verse eight of chapter 17 for I have given them the words that you gave me.

They have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you and they have believed that you sent me the keyword for that first point, the word is seen is incarnation the keyword for the second point is inspiration. Again, if you want to write this down.

It's God led human writers to write down what he intended. God inspired these works.

Jesus told them that he was going to send a spirit who would remind him of everything that he had said it would even show them what is to come, and they would write these words down it was.

Not only seen as the New Testament was written, but it was told by Jesus himself asked what would happen so they did not write down their own thoughts. But God's. Jesus prepared them for what they would write down and let them in the very writing and now he's preserved for us today isn't too difficult for God to do such a thing as this God created the world. Of course, not the God who raises the dead. Of course not.

And Jesus himself authenticates what he said the I am statements of his divinity.

The seven signs that John gives that authenticates that he is the son of God is able to act outside of human realm in a supernatural realm. He is God and this is what he told his followers that he would give them a tool. The word is spoken. He spoke it to the disciples and they would be inspired by the spirit to write down the very words that he had spoken. So what about all the other so-called holy books and not one of those things that are students here in our high schools and colleges now how is this any different from the on house is any different from the book of Mormon how this any different from any of that. Don't all religions have holy books I would say first. Should we expect that of the enemy that he would come up with cheap imitations and substitutions. To me that's not casting doubt that the word of God. The Bible is true.

It's confirming that is true because the enemy this liar. This deceiver would love to lead people astray. He comes up with all of these lies and deceptions, false religions, imitating men the king and that's what the enemy does best is try to imitate and lead people astray.

Jesus affirmed the Old Testament said not one, not one I would be what not one dog would be left from and I'm not one cross be left from a T, not one jot not one to handle people filled the Old Testament by living it out perfectly and explain more about God and is very teachings, instructing his followers. So what we have is a book from start to finish this an autobiography of God from Genesis to Revelation. We have a book from the father about the son by the spirit, the Godhead and complete unity and perfect joy gave the people of God, a book from God so that we could know him. Enjoy him and glorified him, the apostles received the word of God, the very words of God. We see Jesus he's known as the word of God. The word of God is a person, but the word of God is also a book as Jesus promised in the spirit delivered that we would have the very words of God given to the apostles passed down through the generations as Jesus is perfect. We have a perfect book because it was given from perfection. Jesus himself, third point the word is secure. Not only is it seen in Jesus it's spoken by Jesus and secure through Jesus the word to secure our keyword for this third point is intercession.

Intercession is the ability to bring two parties together with human beings are in the middle of a conversation between the eternal son of God and the eternal father of God there commuting in these first verses and then Jesus began to make certain request. He intercedes on our behalf. He brings holy sinful people to a holy God hears that mediator wanted only mediator is the arbiter that Job longed for Jesus intercedes. That's why we're secure in the family of God. That's why the word of God can be trustworthy and reliable because Jesus gave it the word is secure. He bridges the gap between God and man.

And do you think the father hears the son in these petitions that he lifts up last good news for you. The father always hears the sun to see in these petitions Jesus asked, and the father delivers. There's no question that the father hears and delivers. I like the example in John 11 when Jesus is confronted with an opportunity that's an impossible opportunity. Lazarus is in the tone. Will he be raised from the dead will. It's all depended on the prayer of Jesus notice in John 11 verse 41, so they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said father I thank you that you have heard me.

I knew that you always hear me, but I sent this on account of the people standing around, they may believe that you sent me were secure in the hand of God. We could not be saved if Jesus had not prayed for us we could not be secure sustained.

We couldn't persevere in the faith. If Jesus had not prayed for us and the good news gets even better because it's not even just a one time prayer Jesus continually prays for us. Hebrews 725 he ever lives to make intercession for us at the right hand of God. We are seated in the heavenly's with the son of God Jesus himself were secure.

So was he really praying for this text.

Well, he's praying for his followers. The followers also that his followers were made, he made disciples who would make disciples as he praying for them when we get in verse 10. All mine are yours and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. It's for his glory. That's wise not praying for the world's farmers would go into the world, not of the world, at least, yet some of them may, but is glorified as his disciples made disciples. Was he praying for them will their protection. Notice in verse 11, and I am no longer in the world, but there in the world I'm coming to you.

Holy father keep them in your name what you've given me, that they may be one even as we are one God protects his body. His church is people. Jesus is praying for his immediate followers that God would take care of them that his father would protect them in his name that they'll be wanting united and that they will have his joy as you continue reading on. In that passage, but is also praying for their sanctification that they will grow in their faith noticed on in verse 17 sanctify them in the truth. Your word is truth grow them, set them apart not only protect them but grow them in the truth of of the word. The revealed word and sanctify them in the redemptive work of Christ. Verse 19 and for their sake I consecrate myself that they also may be sanctified in truth, you will not serve, or even be saved without Jesus we are saved and we serve because of Jesus is the gospel of God that saves us is the gospel of God that grows us. We never outgrow the gospel we just grow into the gospel and grow deeper into the gospel and that sanctification when were saved were justified or declared innocent before God, because our sins have been paid for, but then we began this growth process in the word Jesus intended for his followers to be set apart for the mission and to be sent to do the mission that would make disciples would make disciples and he gave them the total God's word to do the work salinity before waste apply this morning.

Hope this is a foundational message to say okay what is this mean then you give us some theology given us some doctrine, you told us the word of God is true and we can count on it. Well, this is what it should look like in your life now.

We since Jesus has given us his word.

We have the truth. It's absolute.

You don't have to wonder, is this the word of God is this true it is to start the test of time. Under attack, and criticism. The word of God still stands today and the people of God are able to live according to the word of God. God has preserved it. It's eternal is secure. Where never have the word of God stamp down no matter what someone may tell you in a university setting.

No matter what somebody may tell you from a media outlet. The word of God will stand in last forever. We have the truth.

Secondly, we have the task is to make disciples. Even in this prayer that Jesus was praying specifically for the 12 he saying as you sent me into the world so I have sent them into the world. There's a job to do.

There's an assignment that's been given and that task is to make disciples started with Jesus. He gave it to the apostles, who then gave it to followers for generations to come. Not everyone will stand in the pulpit and preach a sermon to hundreds or thousands or even the millions. But Jesus fully expects every one of his followers to make disciples very clear before you send it back and 11. The great commission in Matthew 28 go and make disciples.

We started our homes. Dad's if you're a follower of Christ what is God called you to make disciples in your own home dance don't interest that anybody else don't delegate that anybody else you are the primary disciple maker mom to come alongside of dad you're a primary disciple maker along with dad your teaching in your training your children. Children and students. If you have a mom and dad who opens up the word of God in your house who brings up the word of God in the course of conversations. I know you may feel like you're going to get a lecture in that moment think God that your mom and dad's being obedient to Jesus there making disciples there. Bring the word of God to bear in their homes and their teaching you what it means to love Jesus.

What it means for Jesus to love you what it means to follow him what it means to obey him there preparing you for much more than just a good job here on earth they're preparing you much more than just for a good marriage.

One day I hope that's true of you. What I hope is more to you as a child as a student is that there preparing you for heaven one day this life gets by us quickly and the longer someone puts all the decision to follow Christ. The surrender of following Christ. It's interesting how the world has a way of hardening hearts in the great number of people who become followers of Christ due to those early years when our hearts are tender when they're soft when when they have that childlike faith in often times people, their hearts grew hard, seeing people up into their 80s say no to Christ saying I'm not ready yet. How hard can someone's heart be to know that they may not have much more time on earth. None of us knows how much time or that I have on earth, but we have a task inwardly making disciples and it starts at home grows into our neighborhoods into our workplaces and all the places that God takes us and I love the fact that we have the tool it's the right tool for this job.

God's get God's given us is the words of God. The results are not dependent on you parents your effectiveness as a parent is not dependent on you is depending on if you know how to use this tool.

God is able to change hearts and he's given us a total artwork with the word of God is not dependent on you is not dependent on you to reach your neighborhood or not bring the word of God with you and let God do what only he does through the word, we have a tool God does his work through you, but more importantly through the power of his word. Take up sword in the spirit where we we are in this world for reason Jesus to save you and then okay now you take you on up into heaven, he is left you here. He left us disciples, he spend that time with him and convince them and help them to come to faith in him and that's okay was all go. He left them here on earth to have a purpose mission to make disciples of all the nations.

As we started our own homes and it begins to grow out. God uses us through the power of his word. You been given a tool and that tool is what God uses to change lives.

I love how Jesus said this in John chapter 8 and verse 31 so Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him. If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.

See the truth is tied to God's word and our freedom is tied to God's word is the true are you going to be freed is doing whatever you all know that leads to bondage to be tied to a book that legalism would know this is what brings us freedom. Christ brings us freedom through the truth of his word he gives us instructions to live life like you meant to be lived. What a joyous thing, and why to live like God intended when you live like you intend like you desire and what comes naturally from these wicked parts of hours respond in his does not lead to what is good and eternally. It does not lead to what is good when we stand before God we have a tool we have a team as well. As you learn how to use this tool correctly and accurately invest in learning and growing in the word of God. Know that you have a body of believers around your team. The church one body for the one God to do the one task the oneness of God is modeled for us that we might be one and that we might be wanted, purpose and mission is great. If the church is Calvary is its field with sinners, but I believe a group of sinners who know the Savior.

A group of sinners are pursuing Christ likeness in obedience to Christ and the church is where he does his work. You come to the church to be equipped with a work of the ministry.

Ephesians 411 and 12. We gather together to be equipped and to be sent were a family where we fellowship together in small groups and one all on we disciple people you come to church to find discipleship and mentors over me and speaking in the younger man's lives in older women speaking in the younger women's lives.

God provides that in the body of Christ. This is a place where that's happening. This is a good place there. Some older men. Some of you younger men are to be lining up at their door paid you have some time there some older women in the church.

Some of you younger ladies out to be not paid you have some time. Can we grab some coffee because are some older men and older women who love the word of God. They love the word of God and they will teach you how to study how to read it had applied in your home. How to be a godly husband to be a godly wife happy and godly.

How to follow Christ in the workplace to live out your faith and make disciples and will make disciples. Have you ever picked up your order from a restaurant or coffee shop and not gotten what you ordered couple weeks ago I went through a drive through in my normal order on the way to work couple coffee little cream little bit of sugar. I admit I'm weak I need some doctoring to my coffee as I drove away, started going on the road. I reached down the cup and took a sip and it was not what I ordered as I looked down the label and it said caramel Maki auto man that was really good. I wouldn't dare turn around think that it would have taken anyway out already in a truck out of it.

I don't think I can do that too many times, that wouldn't be too good that much sugar, but that morning I drove in pretty happy. I was a really good drink relationship with God's been a little bit like that you know when I signed up when I threw up the white flag and said God I know I'm a sinner when the Holy Spirit been working on me drawing me convicting me and I was guilty and I knew the guilt of my sin and I know what I deserved. I knew I deserve the place called hell an eternal separation from God forever. I know I deserve that. That white flag because I didn't experience that guilt anymore and I didn't want that fear of hell anymore so much more than that. As I begin to grow in my faith I begin to learn what it was like to have a heavenly father.

While be able to talk to him anytime just love him and to know that he cared about me and loved me. I begin to really think more deeply about Jesus while he is done for me. Cannot believe that the eternal son of God would take on human flesh kind died in my place. What deserved to give me the freedom to know God and enjoy him to restore mental relations of God and third person of the tray.

The Holy Spirit would will veto himself and not only woo me but then come in to do well be in lead me and grow me, sanctify me get me the fruit of the spirit so much more than I signed up for the work of God's law like that to. I remember coming to faith as an 11-year-old boy and I was told Rodney and you need to start reading your Bible read this book approached like more of a legalistic okay that's my duty. Now I'm a follower of Christ a letter read the Bible and after a while that duty began to change, the more I learn about God because that this book is about our great and glorious God. This book just unfolds the majesty and the mystery of God the father and the sun and the spirit and the more I read this book. It began to turn more from duty to begin to sit under the preaching of the word man became became real again. He word of God myself.

I don't want to be false or paying any unreal picture their days that even now I read because I know it's the right thing to do every day is not a feast but more more days are a feast is not what I thought about this duty and out, I would. I would learn and I would but I had no idea that I will begin to enjoy it. I will begin to love the word of God that this tool will actually become a treasure for me.

I can read a lot of verses of Scripture chosen two songs this morning that talk about how that duty turns into delight. How that tool was more this was a treasure someone blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked will stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers. But his delight got there yet follower of Christ. But his light is in the law of the Lord and on his law he meditates day and night is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in season and its leaf does not weather and all that he does prospers. And again I could read all of Psalm 119. I'm not sure you won't hear me read all 175 versus take one paragraph versus 97 through 1030 how I love your law is my meditation all the day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies present her with me have more understanding. All my teachers for your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the age where I keep your precepts hold back my feet from every evil way in order to keep.

I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me how sweet are your words to my taste sweeter than honey to my mouth. I love the word of God.

I don't know what about you do you love them.

I know many of you do this when raising your account returns because you love the word of God. And there's a pastor that preaches the word of God and the staff that leaves you in the word of God. But what about you do you really love the word of God. I think sometimes people stay babes in Christ and they never get their feet wet so I tried that didn't work for me what they mean is that it got harder than it understand some things have anybody to walk alongside of them and disciple them. Are you staying as a babe in Christ some sunlight.

Drivetime went dry times we have been flow God renew our hunger, our thirst for the word of God. Maybe that's your prayer today and then there are those who never have been born again because the carnal man the worldly man were a man without Christ. Even does not understand the things of God. Have you been born again. I think one of those evidences of of new birth is that there's a hunger and thirst like newborn babies. There's a sincere desire for the milk of the word, which sometimes concerns me is that there are people who are around the word for many years and they never placed their faith in the person the word of God or they never surrender to the teaching of the word of God. Judas was one of the 12. He was around the word of God in flesh as he saw God incarnate Jesus. He heard those teachings over the years, but instead of surrendering to the word of God. He went his own way that concerns me about people who are in the church for years and never never open up this book. Is there really a relationship with God, nothing would please me more than if you had those questions you would text or email or call or see one of the pastors or elders God wants you to be sure of your salvation. John said that in another place. First John 513.

I've written these things you believe in the name of the son of God so that you may know you have eternal life. Maybe you been failing and using it as a tool that you studied are you ready to use it correctly and accurately.

Maybe even in your own home.

You've not been faithful to this task we pray for father, I thank you for your word. You know what we would need in 2021 you knew we would need these words word you gave to the apostles that we would now take to the world around us.

I pray for this body of believers that there might be a unity around this word that there might be joy in your word that we might take into this world and let you do the work that only you can do in the hearts and lives of men and women, boys and girls help us to be disciples who make disciples. It will make disciples because we taken seriously. Your love for us in this book this tool. These words that you have given us in Jesus name we pray. Amen