October 7, 2014

From Gary... More than Gold


No, this is NOT A BUFFALO NICKEL; ITS A FIFTY DOLLAR 24 KARAT GOLD PIECE!  What surprised me was that something so ordinary looking could be worth so much!  But, after all, IT IS GOLD!!!
And we value that highly, don't we? In fact, GOLD is of great worth all over the world!! Why? I wonder?  You can't eat it, it won't add to your lifespan or even cure you of disease- IT JUST LOOKS PRETTY! But, this beauty is deceiving- just consider for a moment about how many people have died to obtain it or all those who have wrecked their lives in the pursuit of its acquisition.  Jesus said...
Matthew 6:19-26 NASB
(19)  "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
(20)  "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;
(21)  for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
(22)  "The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light.
(23)  "But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
(24)  "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.
(25)  "For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
(26)  "Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?
and later on, in this same passage...
Matthew 6:26-33 NASB
(26)  "Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?
(27)  "And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?
(28)  "And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin,
(29)  yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.
(30)  "But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!
(31)  "Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?'
(32)  "For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
(33)  "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
 
It is true that we all need money to survive and that we should provide for our families (1 Tim. 5:8), but money is NOT AN END UNTO ITSELF!! God should be first and not money.  
The chart below says it all!!!

From Gary... Bible Reading October 7



Bible Reading  
October 7

The World English Bible


Oct. 7
Psalms 141-144

Psa 141:1 Yahweh, I have called on you. Come to me quickly! Listen to my voice when I call to you.
Psa 141:2 Let my prayer be set before you like incense; the lifting up of my hands like the evening sacrifice.
Psa 141:3 Set a watch, Yahweh, before my mouth. Keep the door of my lips.
Psa 141:4 Don't incline my heart to any evil thing, to practice deeds of wickedness with men who work iniquity. Don't let me eat of their delicacies.
Psa 141:5 Let the righteous strike me, it is kindness; let him reprove me, it is like oil on the head; don't let my head refuse it; Yet my prayer is always against evil deeds.
Psa 141:6 Their judges are thrown down by the sides of the rock. They will hear my words, for they are well spoken.
Psa 141:7 "As when one plows and breaks up the earth, our bones are scattered at the mouth of Sheol."
Psa 141:8 For my eyes are on you, Yahweh, the Lord. In you, I take refuge. Don't leave my soul destitute.
Psa 141:9 Keep me from the snare which they have laid for me, from the traps of the workers of iniquity.
Psa 141:10 Let the wicked fall together into their own nets, while I pass by.
Psa 142:1 I cry with my voice to Yahweh. With my voice, I ask Yahweh for mercy.
Psa 142:2 I pour out my complaint before him. I tell him my troubles.
Psa 142:3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, you knew my path. In the way in which I walk, they have hidden a snare for me.
Psa 142:4 Look on my right, and see; for there is no one who is concerned for me. Refuge has fled from me. No one cares for my soul.
Psa 142:5 I cried to you, Yahweh. I said, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living."
Psa 142:6 Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need. deliver me from my persecutors, For they are stronger than me.
Psa 142:7 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name. The righteous will surround me, for you will be good to me.
Psa 143:1 Hear my prayer, Yahweh. Listen to my petitions. In your faithfulness and righteousness, relieve me.
Psa 143:2 Don't enter into judgment with your servant, for in your sight no man living is righteous.
Psa 143:3 For the enemy pursues my soul. He has struck my life down to the ground. He has made me live in dark places, as those who have been long dead.
Psa 143:4 Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me. My heart within me is desolate.
Psa 143:5 I remember the days of old. I meditate on all your doings. I contemplate the work of your hands.
Psa 143:6 I spread forth my hands to you. My soul thirsts for you, like a parched land. Selah.
Psa 143:7 Hurry to answer me, Yahweh. My spirit fails. Don't hide your face from me, so that I don't become like those who go down into the pit.
Psa 143:8 Cause me to hear your loving kindness in the morning, for I trust in you. Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to you.
Psa 143:9 Deliver me, Yahweh, from my enemies. I flee to you to hide me.
Psa 143:10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.
Psa 143:11 Revive me, Yahweh, for your name's sake. In your righteousness, bring my soul out of trouble.
Psa 143:12 In your loving kindness, cut off my enemies, and destroy all those who afflict my soul, For I am your servant.
Psa 144:1 Blessed be Yahweh, my rock, who teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to battle:
Psa 144:2 my loving kindness, my fortress, my high tower, my deliverer, my shield, and he in whom I take refuge; who subdues my people under me.
Psa 144:3 Yahweh, what is man, that you care for him? Or the son of man, that you think of him?
Psa 144:4 Man is like a breath. His days are like a shadow that passes away.
Psa 144:5 Part your heavens, Yahweh, and come down. Touch the mountains, and they will smoke.
Psa 144:6 Throw out lightning, and scatter them. Send out your arrows, and rout them.
Psa 144:7 Stretch out your hand from above, rescue me, and deliver me out of great waters, out of the hands of foreigners;
Psa 144:8 whose mouths speak deceit, Whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
Psa 144:9 I will sing a new song to you, God. On a ten-stringed lyre, I will sing praises to you.
Psa 144:10 You are he who gives salvation to kings, who rescues David, his servant, from the deadly sword.
Psa 144:11 Rescue me, and deliver me out of the hands of foreigners, whose mouths speak deceit, whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
Psa 144:12 Then our sons will be like well-nurtured plants, our daughters like pillars carved to adorn a palace.
Psa 144:13 Our barns are full, filled with all kinds of provision. Our sheep bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields.
Psa 144:14 Our oxen will pull heavy loads. There is no breaking in, and no going away, and no outcry in our streets.
Psa 144:15 Happy are the people who are in such a situation. Happy are the people whose God is Yahweh.

 
Oct. 7
Galatians 4

Gal 4:1 But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a bondservant, though he is lord of all;
Gal 4:2 but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed by the father.
Gal 4:3 So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental principles of the world.
Gal 4:4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law,
Gal 4:5 that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of children.
Gal 4:6 And because you are children, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, "Abba, Father!"
Gal 4:7 So you are no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Gal 4:8 However at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods.
Gal 4:9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, why do you turn back again to the weak and miserable elemental principles, to which you desire to be in bondage all over again?
Gal 4:10 You observe days, months, seasons, and years.
Gal 4:11 I am afraid for you, that I might have wasted my labor for you.
Gal 4:12 I beg you, brothers, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong,
Gal 4:13 but you know that because of weakness of the flesh I preached the Good News to you the first time.
Gal 4:14 That which was a temptation to you in my flesh, you didn't despise nor reject; but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
Gal 4:15 What was the blessing you enjoyed? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.
Gal 4:16 So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?
Gal 4:17 They zealously seek you in no good way. No, they desire to alienate you, that you may seek them.
Gal 4:18 But it is always good to be zealous in a good cause, and not only when I am present with you.
Gal 4:19 My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ is formed in you--
Gal 4:20 but I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
Gal 4:21 Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, don't you listen to the law?
Gal 4:22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the handmaid, and one by the free woman.
Gal 4:23 However, the son by the handmaid was born according to the flesh, but the son by the free woman was born through promise.
Gal 4:24 These things contain an allegory, for these are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children to bondage, which is Hagar.
Gal 4:25 For this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to the Jerusalem that exists now, for she is in bondage with her children.
Gal 4:26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
Gal 4:27 For it is written, "Rejoice, you barren who don't bear. Break forth and shout, you that don't travail. For more are the children of the desolate than of her who has a husband."
Gal 4:28 Now we, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise.
Gal 4:29 But as then, he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.
Gal 4:30 However what does the Scripture say? "Throw out the handmaid and her son, for the son of the handmaid will not inherit with the son of the free woman."
Gal 4:31 So then, brothers, we are not children of a handmaid, but of the free woman.

From Mark Copeland... This Is Eternal Life (John 17:2-3)

                          "THE GOSPEL OF JOHN"

                     This Is Eternal Life (17:2-3)

INTRODUCTION

1. In His "High Priestly Prayer" (John 17), Jesus makes mention of
   eternal life...
   a. "that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given
      Him." - Jn 17:2
   b. "And this is eternal life..." - Jn 17:3

2. Eternal life is a major theme in the gospel of Christ...
   a. Jesus was crucified in order to offer eternal life - Jn 3:14-16
   b. Eternal life in Christ Jesus is the gift of God - Ro 6:23

3. But what exactly is eternal life...?
   a. Is it simply a future blessing, pertaining to life after death?
   b. Or is it a present possession, something to enjoy in this life?

[What does the Bible say?  Let's see if we can find the answer to the
question...]

I. ETERNAL LIFE:  PRESENT OR FUTURE?

   A. ETERNAL LIFE AS A FUTURE BLESSING...
      1. Many scriptures refer to eternal life as a future blessing
         a. Jesus spoke of it in this way - cf. Mt 25:46; Mk 10:28-30
         b. Paul wrote of it in this way - cf. Tit 1:2; 3:7; Ro 6:22
      2. Thus many think of eternal life in this way
         a. As a future blessing
         b. An everlasting existence in the presence of God, free from
            death, sorrow and pain - cf. Re 21:1-7
         c. Available in this life as a hope
      -- It is certainly scriptural to conceive of eternal life as a
         hope for the future

   B. ETERNAL LIFE AS A PRESENT POSSESSION...
      1. John often writes of eternal life as a present possession
         a. As that which is abiding in one (or not) - cf. 1Jn 3:14-15
         b. That God has given us eternal life, that we have eternal
            life - 1Jn 5:11-13
      2. Might John be using a form of speech known as the futuristic
         present?
         a. "This use of the present tense denotes an event which has
            not yet occurred, but which is regarded as so certain that
            in thought it may be contemplated as already coming to
            pass." - Dana & Mantey, p. 185
         b. Examples of such speech can be found in Jn 14:3; 17:24
         c. If so, eternal life would still be only a future blessing,
            something to be hoped for
      3. There is another explanation which I believe highly plausible
         a. John chooses to use the phrase "eternal life" in a special
            sense
            1) Describing a quality of life (and not just quantity of
               life) which comes by knowing God and His Son Jesus Christ
            2) In the manner in which Jesus uses it in His "High
               Priestly Prayer" - Jn 17:3
               a) Jesus says "This is eternal life..."
               b) Defining it as "that they may know You, the only true
                  God, and Jesus Christ..."
         b. In these sense, eternal life is a present possession!
            1) When we come to 'know' God and Jesus, we experience a
               quality of life that surpasses what the world has to
               offer
            2) As a present possession, this quality of life is a
               foretaste of the future blessing we shall experience with
               God
            3) As a foretaste, this quality of life can rightly be
               called eternal life
            4) For is not our life with God now really the beginning of
               eternity with God?

[Since Jesus spoke of eternal life in both ways, it is both a future
blessing and present possession.  As we come to 'know' God and Jesus, we
begin to experience the blessings of eternal life.  This naturally
raises the question...]

II. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO 'KNOW' GOD AND JESUS?

   A. THE MEANING OF THE WORD 'KNOW'...
      1. There are two different words for 'know' in the Greek
         a. oida - this word suggests a fulness of knowledge, coming
            from observation
         b. ginosko - this word suggests a progression in knowledge,
            frequently implying an active relationship between the
            knower and the object known
      2. In Jn 17:3, the word is ginosko
         a. So to 'know' God and Jesus goes beyond knowledge of facts
            about them
         b. It implies a progressive knowledge and understanding which
            comes by having an active relationship with Them
         c. "To know the Father and Jesus Christ (for He is the only way
            to the Father) refers not to merely abstract knowledge, but
            to joyful acknowledgment of his sovereignty, glad acceptance
            of his love, and intimate fellowship with his person
            (through Scripture, that is, through his Word to us; and
            through prayer, that is, through our word to him)."
            - Hendriksen

   B. WHAT IS INVOLVED IN 'KNOWING GOD'...
      1. As suggested by Hendriksen, it involves communication through
         the Word and prayer
      2. It is also directly related to keeping the commandments of the
         Lord
         a. As emphatically stated by John in his epistle - 1Jn 2:3-4
            1) This is how we know that we know (ginosko) Him
            2) Otherwise we lie if we say that we know (ginosko) Him
         b. As explained by Jesus to His apostles - Jn 14:21,23
            1) Keeping His commandments results in being loved by the
               Father and the Son
            2) Keeping His word results in the Father and Son dwelling
               in us
         c. Thus we will 'know' (ginosko) them:  ever progressing in
            knowledge because of an active relationship with God and
            Jesus!

CONCLUSION

1. Eternal life is more than just a hope regarding a future blessing...
   a. It is a present possession, an unparalleled quality of life
      available in this life
   b. It is a blessing that comes from 'knowing' God and Jesus in a
      personal and progressive way
   c. It is enjoyed only by keeping the commandments of God and Jesus!

2. In the course of our short sojourn in this life, 'knowing' God is
   most important... - Jer 9:23-24
   a. More so than wisdom
   b. More so than power
   c. More so than riches

Jesus came to show us the only way to truly 'know' God, and to
experience the eternal life that He made possible through His death on
the cross.  Are you walking in the commandments of the Lord that you
might truly know God and His Son Jesus, and thereby experience eternal
life...?

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Mark Copeland... I Pray For Them (John 17:6-19)

                          "THE GOSPEL OF JOHN"

                       I Pray For Them (17:6-19)

INTRODUCTION

1. We noted that one of the reasons Jesus' prayer is "The Greatest
   Prayer Ever Prayed" was because of the content of the prayer

2. A previous lesson examined that part of the prayer in which Jesus
   prayed for Himself ("Father...Glorify Your Son") - Jn 17:1-5

3. In this study, we shall consider the second part of the prayer...
   a. In which Jesus prays on behalf of His disciples
   b. In which He prays for those He would soon leave behind on earth

[As we closely examine this part of the prayer (Jn 17:6-19), we note
that Jesus makes a threefold petition in behalf of His disciples...]

I. JESUS' PETITION FOR HIS DISCIPLES

   A. KEEP THEM IN UNITY...
      1. Note this plea in verse 11
         a. "Keep through Your name..."
         b. "...that they may one as We are."
      2. Jesus' departure would tend to scatter the disciples - cf. Jn 16:32
      3. While with them, Jesus had kept them together - Jn 17:12
      4. With His departure imminent, it is understandable He was
         concerned they be kept in unity
      5. The importance of such unity is explained later in Jn 17:20-26,
         and will be examined in our next study

   B. KEEP THEM FROM THE EVIL ONE...
      1. This petition is found in verse 15
      2. Jesus knew that with His departure Satan would shift his
         efforts from Him to His disciples - cf. Re 12:1-6,13-17
      3. Even so, Jesus does not ask for their removal, but their
         protection
         a. Disciples need to be in the world that their presence might
            bless it - cf. Mt 5:14-16; Php 2:15
         b. The protection for which Jesus prayed is described in 1Co 10:13; Ro 8:35-39

   C. SANCTIFY THEM...
      1. This part of the petition is found in verse 17
      2. That is, to set them apart for a holy purpose
      3. Jesus even mentions the instrument of sanctification:  the Word
         of God!
      4. Through sanctification by the Word, the other parts of His
         petition would be realized
         a. The Word would keep them united in Christ
         b. The Word would keep them from the evil one (even as it did
            for Christ when He was tempted by Satan, cf. Mt 4:4-11)

[Thus Jesus prays for His disciples:  1) to keep them in unity, 2) to
keep them from the evil one, and 3) to sanctify them through the Word of
God.  In His prayer, Jesus also provides several reasons...]

II. WHY GOD SHOULD GRANT HIS PETITION

   A. THE DISCIPLES ARE THE FATHER'S GIFT TO HIS SON...
      1. Notice Jesus' words in verse 6:
         a.  "...the men whom You have given Me out of the world."
         b. "They were Yours, You gave them to Me..."
      2. J. W. McGarvey made the following observation:
         a. "The Father is possessor of all humanity as the Creator."
         b. "The Son by gift from the Father possesses the believing
            portion of humanity as its Redeemer."

   B. THEY RECEIVED GOD'S WORD...
      1. They kept His Word - Jn 17:6b
      2. They knew that all things God gave Jesus came from God - Jn 17:7
      3. They received the words Jesus gave them, and believed He was
         sent by God - Jn 17:8

   C. THEY ARE A JOINT POSSESSION OF THE FATHER AND SON...
      1. Jesus' prayer was for those who were both the Father's and the
         Son's - Jn 17:9-10a
      2. The Father would naturally have a similar concern for the
         disciples
      3. For they are not only the disciples of Christ, but children of
         God!

   D. THEY GLORIFY CHRIST...
      1. Jesus was glorified in His disciples - Jn 17:10b
      2. He is glorified when sinners become saints, for it is only by
         His blood and transforming power that such is possible
      3. If Jesus' petition was not answered, then Jesus would not be
         glorified!

   E. THEY NO LONGER HAVE CHRIST ON EARTH...
      1. Jesus was going back to the Father, leaving the disciples on
         earth - Jn 17:11
      2. He had preserved them all while on earth, save Judas as
         foretold - Jn 17:12
      3. Now leaving them, He wanted them to have His joy fulfilled in
         themselves  - Jn 17:13

   F. THEY ARE HATED BY THE WORLD...
      1. Because they are not of this world - Jn 17:14-15
      2. Just as Jesus was not of this world - Jn 17:16
      3. Following Christ had put them at odds with the world!

   G. THEY ARE BEING SENT INTO THE WORLD...
      1. As Jesus was sent into the world by His Father - Jn 17:18a
      2. So Jesus was sending His disciples into the world - Jn 17:18b
         a. A world which hates them
         b. A world under the influence of the evil one
         c. A world which rejected the Son of God

   H. JESUS WAS WILLING TO SANCTIFY HIMSELF FOR THEM...
      1. For their sakes, He was willing to sanctify Himself - Jn 17:19a
         a. To set Himself apart for a holy purpose (the meaning of
            sanctification)
         b. Which He did by presenting Himself as the Lamb of God, to
            offer Himself for the sins of the world - cf. Jn 1:29
      2. That His disciples might also be sanctified by the truth - Jn
         17:19b

[On the basis of eight reasons, Jesus prayed for His disciples, that His
Father might 1) keep them in unity, 2) keep them from the evil one, and
3) sanctify them through the Word of God.  Before we close our study,
consider...]

III. HOW JESUS' PRAYER RELATES TO US TODAY

   A. JESUS HAS THE SAME CONCERN FOR US...
      1. That we be kept in unity - cf. Jn 17:20-21
      2. That we be kept from the evil one - cf. 2Th 3:3
      3. That we be sanctified - cf. 1Th 4:3

   B. WHAT WAS TRUE THEN REMAINS TRUE TODAY...
      1. Disciples are the Father's gift to the Son - cf. Jn 6:44-45
      2. Disciples have received God's Word - e.g., 1Th 2:13
      3. Disciples are a joint possession of the Son and the Father
         - cf. 1Co 3:23
      4. Disciples glorify Christ - cf. 2Th 1:11-12
      5. Disciples no longer have Christ on earth - cf. Ac 3:21
      6. Disciples are not of the world, even hated by the world - cf.
         1Pe 2:11-12; 4:4
      7. Disciples are sent out into the world - cf. 1Co 5:9,10
      8. Jesus sanctified Himself for disciples today as well as those
         then - cf. 1Jn 2:1-2

CONCLUSION

1. Jesus prayed for His disciples because...
   a. They received the Word - Jn 17:8
   b. They believed the Word - Jn 17:8
   c. They kept the Word - Jn 17:6b

2. If we desire Jesus' prayer in our behalf today...
   a. We must receive the Word - cf. Jm 1:21
   b. We must believe the Word - cf. Ro 1:16
   c. We must keep the Word - cf. Jn 8:31

3. Otherwise, we will not...
   a. Be kept in unity
   b. Be kept from the evil one
   c. Be sanctified by the Word of God - Jn 17:17

Jesus still prays for His disciples today (cf. He 7:25).  His concerns
are still the same.  Are we doing our part by receiving, believing, and
keeping His Word...?

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Mark Copeland... For Those Who Will Believe (John 17:20-26)

                          "THE GOSPEL OF JOHN"

                 For Those Who Will Believe (17:20-26)

INTRODUCTION

1. In previous lessons devoted to "The Greatest Prayer Ever Prayed", we
   noted that...
   a. Jesus first prayed for Himself ("Father...Glorify Your Son") - Jn 17:1-5
   b. Jesus next prayed for His disciples ("I Pray For Them") - Jn 17:
      6-19

2. Jesus then prayed for "those who will believe through their word"...
   - Jn 17:20
   a. I.e., those who would come to believe in Jesus through the
      teaching of the apostles
   b. This would include everyone who believes in Jesus today

[In this third and final part of Jesus' prayer, we learn what was heavy
on the mind of Jesus concerning His followers during this difficult time
just before His arrest and crucifixion.  In our text (Jn 17:20-26), we
can read of...]

I. JESUS' DESIRE FOR US

   A. THAT WE BE ONE...
      1. The nature of the oneness Jesus desires - Jn 17:21,23a
         a. As He and the Father are one
         b. Together with the Father and the Son
      2. The purpose of the oneness Jesus desires - Jn 17:21c, 23b
         a. That the world may believe the Father sent the Son
         b. That the world may know the Father sent Jesus, and loved
            them
      3. The means to the oneness Jesus desires - Jn 17:22
         a. The glory which God gave Christ - Jn 17:22
         b. B. W. Johnson offers the following insight as to what this
            'glory' might be:
            1) "God gave Christ the glory of Sonship and this resulted
               in their unity."
            2) "So Christ gives to his disciples the glory of becoming
               the sons of God (Jn 1:12; 1Jn 3:1)."
            3) "This glory, the  adoption and gift of the Spirit, ought
               to effect that they be one as we are one."
         c. Adam Clarke rephrases Jesus' words in this way:
            1) "I have communicated to all those who believe, or shall
               believe in me, the glorious privilege of becoming sons of
               God;"
            2) "that, being all adopted children of the same Father,
               they may abide in peace, love, and unity."

   B. THAT WE BEHOLD HIS GLORY...
      1. That we be with Him where He is - Jn 17:24a
         a. That is, in heaven, as He had mentioned earlier - Jn 14:3
         b. Using the futuristic present form of speech (e.g., Jn 17:4)
      2. That we behold His glory given to Him by the Father - Jn 17:24b
         a. That glory prayed for earlier - Jn 17:1
         b. The eternal glory He had with the Father before the world
            was - Jn 17:5
         c. When the Father loved Him before the creation of the world
            - Jn 17:24c
         d. Glory like that depicted in the visions of Revelation
            - e.g., Re 5:6-14

   C. THAT WE BE LOVED BY HIS FATHER...
      1. The Father has loved us - Jn 17:23
         a. Manifested by sending His Son - Jn 3:16
         b. Manifested by offering Him as a propitiation - 1Jn 4:10
      2. The Father will love us - Jn 17:26
         a. With the same love He has for His Son!
         b. For all who keep His commandments - cf. Jn 14:21,23

[Such is Jesus' desire for us as expressed in His prayer:  1) to be one;
2) to behold His glory; and 3) to be loved by His Father!  How shall we
react to such a prayer?  Let me suggest...]

II. OUR DUTY FOR JESUS

   A. TO WALK IN UNITY...
      1. Preserving the unity of the Spirit - Ep 4:3-6
         a. Keeping that which Jesus accomplished for us
         b. Through doctrinal faithfulness to each of the seven 'ones'
      2. Attaining unity of mind and judgment - 1Co 1:10-13; Php 2:1-5
         a. In our dealings with one another as brethren
         b. By developing and displaying the mind of Christ
      -- That the world might know that God loves them and has sent His
         Son

   B. TO WALK IN FAITH...
      1. To remain steadfast to the end - He 3:12-14
         a. There is a real danger of developing a heart of unbelief
         b. We are partakers of Christ (and His glory) if we remain
            steadfast to the end
      2. To receive the crown of life - Re 2:10; 3:21-22
         a. We must remain faithful till death
         b. We must overcome if we are to sit with Him on His throne
      -- That we might behold His glory in heaven and throughout
         eternity

   C. TO WALK IN LOVE...
      1. Love for God - Mt 22:37-38; Jn 14:15,21; 1Jn 5:3
         a. The greatest commandment of the Old Law
         b. Demonstrated by keeping the commandments of the Lord
      2. Love for the children of God - Ep 5:1-2; 1Jn 5:2
         a. Imitating God who loved us
         b. Demonstrated by keeping the commandments of God
      -- That we might remain in His love

CONCLUSION

1. If we take Jesus' prayer seriously, we will do all we can to...
   a. Walk in unity
   b. Walk in faith
   c. Walk in love
   -- Are you doing your part to see that His prayer is answered?

2. We note the concluding words of "The Greatest Prayer Ever Prayed"...
   a. Those disciples with Jesus knew that He was sent by God - Jn 17:25
   b. He taught them that they might know the love of God and the
      fellowship of Christ - Jn 17:26

3. Years later, the disciple who recorded Jesus' prayer wrote an
   epistle...
   a. That we might have share in the fellowship of God and Jesus - 1Jn 1:1-3
   b. That our joy might be full - 1Jn 1:4

Both Jesus and John would have us share in the wonderful love and
fellowship with God.  May "The Greatest Prayer Ever Prayed" always
encourage us to do what we must to experience it...!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Mark Copeland... That The World May Know (John 17:20-23)

                          "THE GOSPEL OF JOHN"

                   That The World May Know (17:20-23)

INTRODUCTION

1. Shortly before His betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion, Jesus prayed
   to His Father...
   a. For Himself - Jn 17:1-5
   b. For His disciples - Jn 17:6-19
   c. For all His future believers - Jn 17:20-26

2. His prayer is truly remarkable...
   a. It has been called "The Lord's High Priestly Prayer"
   b. It is truly "The Lord's Prayer", a title normally given to the
      sample prayer found in Mt 6:9-13; Lk 11:2-4

3. We learn what weighed heavily on our Lord's mind, knowing that
   "the hour has come"...
   a. He sought to be glorified by His Father
   b. He was concerned for the well-being of His disciples
   c. He wanted His followers to be one, even as He and the Father were
      one - Jn 17:20-23

4. It is our Lord's concern for unity that I want us to examine in this
   study...
   a. Why was unity so important to Jesus?
   b. What has Jesus done that it might be accomplished?
   c. In our religiously divided world today, how can we maintain unity
      among those who believe in Jesus?

[As we look closer at our text (Jn 17:20-23), we are immediately
impressed with...]

I. THE IMPORTANCE OF UNITY

   A. "THAT THE WORLD MAY BELIEVE" - Jn 17:21
      1. Without unity, it is difficult to persuade unbelievers that
         Jesus came from God
         a. Those in the world care little about doctrine and
            theological distinctions
         b. But in a world with racial, ethnic and cultural divisions,
            unity can capture their attention!
      2. This is not to say that doctrine is not important!
         a. Jesus had already emphasized the importance of abiding in
            His word - Jn 8:31
         b. But the proclamation of truth must be accompanied by unity
      3. When we are united in Christ, it gives credence to our claims
         a. That Jesus was sent from God
         b. That as the Son of God who rose from the dead...
            1) He lives in our hearts
            2) He has transformed our lives by the power of His
               resurrected life!
      -- Which is why some have referred to unity as "The Final
         Apologetic" (Schaeffer)

   B. "THAT THE WORLD MAY KNOW" - Jn 17:23
      1. Jesus again emphasizes the power of unity among His disciples
         to convince an unbelieving world!
      2. Not only that they may know God sent Jesus...
         a. But that God has also loved them! - Jn 3:16; 1Jn 4:9-10
         b. Indeed, even as God loves His only begotten Son ("as You
            have loved Me")!
      3. What a powerful message we have to share with the world!
         a. God loves them even as He loves His Son!
         b. But to convince the world of such love, unity among
            disciples is imperative!

[In light of Jesus' prayer for unity, no true disciple can be content
with religious division as it exists today (cf. 1Co 1:10).  Paramount
in our discipleship should be efforts to eliminate any kind of
religious division that is contrary to the will of Christ!

But how can we be one, even as the Father and the Son are one?  Here
are some thoughts on...]

II. THE ATTAINMENT OF UNITY

   A. JESUS HAS PROVIDED "GLORY" FOR US TO BE ONE...
      1. "Glory" which He had received from the Father - Jn 17:22
         a. Which He had given to His disciples
         b. Which enabled them to be one just as He and the Father were
            one!
      2. What is this "glory" to which Jesus refers?
         a. It may involve the idea of Jesus abiding in us
            1) I.e., the glory of Jesus abiding in us even as the
               Father abides in the Son
            2) Through such abiding, we may be made perfect in one
               - Jn 17:23
         b. Certainly without abiding in Jesus, we can do nothing
            - cf. Jn 15:4-5

   [Whatever the "glory" refers to, we should note that true unity
   comes from Jesus Himself; with this in mind, note the following...]

   B. JESUS ATTAINED UNITY THROUGH HIS DEATH ON THE CROSS...
      1. As Paul expounded in Ep 2:14-16
         a. The division between Jew and Gentile ended at the cross
         b. Jesus died to make it possible for us to be one body!
            - Ep 4:4
      2. When we come to Christ through obedience to His gospel, we are
         united with all believers in His one body!
         a. We are baptized into one body - 1Co 12:13
         b. Thus we begin the Christian life united with all believers
            in Christ!

[When it comes to "attaining" unity, Jesus accomplished the unity for
which He prayed!  Our challenge is "maintaining" this unity if we wish
to honor Jesus' prayer...]

III. THE MAINTENANCE OF UNITY

   A. REQUIRES THAT WE OBEY THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST...
      1. Unity is impossible without adherence to the same standard
         a. Unless there were standards regarding weights and measures,
            confusion and division would result every time we went to
            the store
         b. Religious division occurs because people accept different
            standards of authority
            1) Some accept the authority of a pope, presbytery,
               prophet, or preacher
            2) We cannot maintain the unity for which Jesus died unless
               we can agree on the same standard
      2. For Christians our standard of authority must be that which...
         a. Originated from Christ - cf. Jn 8:31; Mt 28:18
         b. Was delegated to His apostles - cf. Jn 13:20; Mt 28:20;
            Ac 2:42
         c. Was proclaimed and written by His apostles - cf. 1Th 2:13;
            1Co 14:37
      3. Taught by His apostles, we must be careful to...
         a. Observe ALL that He has commanded - Mt 28:20
         b. Not allow traditions of men to make void the commandments
            of God - Mt 15:3-6
         c. Not teach as doctrine the commandments of (uninspired) men
            - Mt 15:9
      -- The "apostles' doctrine" (i.e., the New Testament) must be our
         standard of authority, even as Jesus acknowledged when He
         prayed "for those who will believe in Me through their word"
         (i.e., the apostles' teaching) - Jn 17:20

   B. REQUIRES THAT WE HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST...
      1. As Paul instructed the Philippians - Php 2:2-5
         a. There is no place for selfish ambition or conceit
         b. We must esteem others highly, and look out for their
            interests
      2. As Paul wrote to the Ephesians - Ep 4:1-3
         a. We must manifest lowliness, gentleness, longsuffering,
            forbearance in love
         b. With such diligence, we "keep" (maintain) the unity of the
            Spirit in the bond of peace
      -- Without this "mind" of Christ, we will misuse the word of God
         and destroy the unity Jesus attained through His death on the
         cross!

[With His doctrine before us, His mind in us, we can maintain the unity
Jesus attained.  With lives transformed by His teachings and His
attitude, we provide visible proof to the world that Jesus did come
from God and that the Father loves them also.

Finally, some thoughts about a providing a "visible" unity ("That The
World May Know")...]

IV. THE DEMONSTRATION OF UNITY

   A. MUST BE MANIFESTED IN THE LOCAL CHURCH...
      1. It is in the context of the local congregation that unity will
         be most evident
         a. For that is where interaction of Christians most often
            occurs
         b. Note that the warnings against division were often
            addressed in the context of the local church - e.g., 1Co 1:10-13; 3:3-4; 11:18
      2. Therefore unity truly begins "at home"
         a. We may rightly deplore the religious division elsewhere
         b. But our first concern must be preserving unity in our own
            congregation!
         c. How sad when those who condemn religious division in the
            denominations can't even preserve unity in their own
            congregation!

   B. PRECLUDES ORGANIZATION ABOVE THE LOCAL CHURCH...
      1. In the New Testament, each congregation was self-governing and
         independent
         a. Governed by a plurality of elders (bishops, pastors) whose
            authority was limited to the flock of God among them - cf.
            Ac 14:23; 20:28; 1Pe 5:1-2
         b. There was no authority above the local congregation other
            than that of Christ and His apostles
      2. It was only after the apostles died that things soon changed
         a. "During the second century A.D. churches came to have a
            single bishop, and then that bishop came to exercise
            oversight over nearby rural churches as well as the city
            church so that his ecclesiastical territory became known as
            a "diocese" or "see" ("eparchy" in the East).  Bishops of
            churches that had been founded by apostles were said to be
            in succession to the apostles, and hence their teaching was
            held to be authentic and their authority collegial.  By 400
            A.D. in the West, the bishop of Rome began to assume
            extraordinary authority above other bishops." (Holman Bible
            Dictionary)
         b. "Ignatius shows that in the early second century the office
            of bishop over the elders had developed, but Lightfoot has
            shown that it was not so in the first century." (Word
            Pictures, A. T. Robinson)
      3. Such changes were not only unscriptural, but set the stage for
         denominational division
         a. Churches were expected to line up under one bishop,
            patriarch, or council
         b. Rather than let the Lord Himself judge each church (cf. Re 2-3), 
            religious hierarchies began determining which
            churches were faithful
         c. This has led to the denominational division so rampant
            today, and which presents a religiously divided picture to
            the world!
      -- As long as the denominational practice of organizing churches
         under some hierarchy above the local church continues,
         religious division will remain!

CONCLUSION

1. No true disciple of Jesus should treat religious division with
   nonchalance...
   a. It is contrary to our Lord's prayer for unity - Jn 17:20-23
   b. It is condemned by Paul as a manifestation of carnality - 1Co 3:
      3-4

2. Unity among disciples of Christ must be a primary concern, for
   Jesus...
   a. Died on the cross to attain unity
   b. Believed it to be "The Final Apologetic" to convince the world
      that He came from God

3. Since Jesus attained unity through His death, our task is to
   maintain it by...
   a. Following the doctrine of Christ as communicated through His
      apostles
   b. Displaying the mind of Christ as we interact with one another in
      our local churches
   c. Honoring the New Testament pattern of church organization, which
      is designed to slow the growth of religious division whenever it
      occurs

It is not always possible to avoid religious division (cf. 1Co 11:19),
but may we do all we can to preserve the unity we enjoy in Christ!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Mark Copeland... What Is Truth? (John 18:37-38)

                          "THE GOSPEL OF JOHN"

                       What Is Truth? (18:37-38)

INTRODUCTION

1. When Jesus appeared before Pilate, the subject of truth was
   discussed...
   a. Jesus claimed to bear witness to the truth - Jn 18:37
   b. Pilate raised the perennial question: "What is truth?" - Jn 18:38

2. Today, many people sound a lot like Pilate...
   a. A Barna Research Group survey on what Americans believe asked the
      question, "Is there absolute Truth?"...
      1) Sixty-six percent of adults responded that they believe that
         "there is no such thing as absolute truth; different people can
         define truth in conflicting ways and still be correct"
      2) Seventy-two percent of those aged 18 to 25 expressed this
         belief
   b. In a series of more than twenty interviews conducted at random at
      a large university, people were asked if there was such a thing as
      absolute truth - truth that is true across all times and cultures
      for all people. All but one respondent answered along these lines:
      1) "Truth is whatever you believe"
      2) "There is no absolute truth"
      3) "If there were such a thing as absolute truth, how could we
         know what it is?"
      4) "People who believe in absolute truth are dangerous"
   -- Info from http://www.christianity.co.nz/truth1.htm

[What is the Christian perspective regarding truth?  Is truth whatever
you believe?  Can we know what is absolute truth?  Let's first summarize
two basic views regarding truth...]

I. TWO VIEWS OF TRUTH

   A. TRUTH CORRESPONDS TO REALITY...
      1. Commonly called the "correspondence view" of truth
      2. A statement is true if and only if it corresponds to or agrees
         with factual reality
      3. This view presupposes a law of logic called the law of
         bivalence
         a. Any unambiguous, declarative statement must be either true
            or false
         b. It cannot be neither true nor false; nor can it be both true
            and false
         c. E.g., the statement "I am standing in front of you"...
            1) Is true only if, in fact, I am standing here in front of
               you
            2) Must be either true or false, it cannot be both true and
               false
      4. The correspondence view of truth holds that propositional or
         declarative statements are subject to verification and
         falsification
         a. A statement can be proven false if it can be shown to
            disagree with objective reality
         b. E.g., the statement "The world is flat"...
            1) Is either true or false, it cannot be both
            2) Photographs from space have falsified flat-earth claims
      -- This view of truth was held by the vast majority of
         philosophers and theologians throughout history until recently

   B. TRUTH IS RELATIVE, NOT ABSOLUTE...
      1. Commonly called the "relativistic view" of truth
         a. What is true depends on the views of persons or cultures
         b. Not on whether statements correspond to objective reality
      2  For a statement to be true simply means that a person or
         culture to believes it to be true; people with this view of
         truth say things like:
         a. "Well, if that's true for you..."
         b. "We can't judge other cultures"
      3. Poet Steve Turner wrote a parody of this attitude and called it
         "Creed". In part he said:

         I believe that each man must find the truth
            that is right for him.
         Reality will adapt accordingly.
         The universe will readjust. History will alter.
         I believe that there is no absolute truth
            excepting the truth that there is no absolute truth.

      4. When truth is deemed dependent upon the person or culture
         holding the belief, anything can become "true"); for example...
         a. One person can say "Jesus is Lord" and another can say
            "Allah is Lord"
         b. Both statements will be true, if they accurately express the
            sentiments of the speakers
         c. This view seems to advance tolerance and civility, but it
            does so at the expense of logic
         d. The very definition of "Lord" precludes the possibility they
            are both "Lord"
      5. Those who say there is no absolute truth make decisions every
         day based things they believe are true or false; for example...
         a. They turn on a light believing in the reality of electricity
         b. They drive a car believing in the effectiveness of the
            engine
         c. No one flying would want to be directed by a navigator who
            did not believe in the truth of his instruments
         d. No one undergoing brain surgery would want to be operated on
            by a surgeon who did not believe that some things about the
            brain were true and some not true
      6. If there are no absolutes, there is no right and wrong
         a. I can kill you, steal from you, lie to you, and you can't
            say it is wrong
         b. Because if I believe I should do such things, and succeed,
            then it works for me and it has become my personal truth
            (and who are you to judge me?)
         c. "In the absence of truth, power is the only game in town."
            - Richard John Neuhaus
      -- Despite its absurdity, this view of truth has become the
         darling of all who want to be free to "do their own thing"

[Christians have historically affirmed the "correspondence view" of
truth.  For good reasons, because it is consistent with...]

II. THE BIBLICAL VIEW OF TRUTH

   A. BIBLICAL WORDS FOR TRUTH...
      1. True (alethes) - "unconcealed, manifest...actual, true to fact"
         - Vine
      2. True (alethinos) - "denotes 'true' in the sense of 'real,
         ideal, genuine;'" - ibid.
      3. Truth (aletheia)
         a. "objectively, signifying 'the reality lying at the basis of
            an appearance; the manifested, veritable essence of a
            matter' (Cremer)" - ibid.
         b. "subjectively, 'truthfulness,' 'truth,' not merely verbal,
            but sincerity and integrity of character" - ibid.
      -- When the Bible speaks of truth, it describes that which
         corresponds to reality, what is factual and absolute, not
         relative

   B. BIBLICAL STATEMENTS REGARDING TRUTH...
      1. God is a God of truth - Deut 32:4
      2. Jesus is the truth, and full of truth, and spoke the truth - Jn 14:6; 1:14; 8:45
      3. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth, and guided the apostles
         into all the truth - Jn 14:17; 16:13
      4. The Word of God is truth - Jn 17:17
      5. The judgments of God are according to truth - Ps 96:13; Ro 2:2
      6. Christians should walk in the truth as revealed by Jesus,
         including the standard of morality He taught - cf. Ep 4:17-32;
         5:1-17
      7. Christians should patiently teach others the truth - cf. 2 Ti 2:23-26
      8. Many will turn their ears away from the truth - cf. 2Ti 4:1-4
      -- Much more could be said, as the Bible reveals so much about
         what is truth

CONCLUSION

1. What is truth...?
   a. Truth is what is real
   b. God is real, and reveals what is real
   c. God is truth, and what He says is the truth

2. Call yourself what you may, but you cannot be a Christian unless...
   a. You hold the correspondence view of truth
   b. You believe in moral absolutes of right and wrong
   c. You accept Jesus and His Word as the ultimate source of truth,
      especially in regards to morality and salvation

For those willing to accept Jesus as the ultimate source of truth, they
will be greatly blessed... - cf. Jn 8:31-36

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011