Speaking the Truth In Love - Ephesians Chapter 4, Verses 14-16, 25

The Group enjoyed our fellowship at Kuya Ding and Ate Fleur's home last Friday night. Kuya Ding led our discussion on "Speaking the Truth in Love." Our text came from Ephesians 4:14-16, 25.

The Zondervan NIV Study Bible's Introduction to the Book of Ephesians (at the International Bible Society's website) gives us the following very helpful insights to this "Queen of the Epistles:"

Author, Date and Place of Writing

The author identifies himself as Paul (1:1; 3:1; cf. 3:7,13; 4:1; 6:19–20). Some have taken the absence of the usual personal greetings and the verbal similarity of many parts to Colossians, among other reasons, as grounds for doubting authorship by the apostle Paul. However, this was probably a circular letter, intended for other churches in addition to the one in Ephesus... Paul may have written it about the same time as Colossians, c. a.d. 60, while he was in prison at Rome...

The City of Ephesus

Ephesus was the most important city in western Asia Minor (now Turkey). It had a harbor that at that time opened into the Cayster River (see map, p. 2429), which in turn emptied into the Aegean Sea (see map, p. 2599). Because it was also at an intersection of major trade routes, Ephesus became a commercial center. It boasted a pagan temple dedicated to the Roman goddess Diana (Greek Artemis); cf. Ac 19:23–31. Paul made Ephesus a center for evangelism for about three years (see note on Ac 19:10), and the church there apparently flourished for some time, but later needed the warning of Rev 2:1–7.

Theological Message

Unlike several of the other letters Paul wrote, Ephesians does not address any particular error or heresy. Paul wrote to expand the horizons of his readers, so that they might understand better the dimensions of God’s eternal purpose and grace and come to appreciate the high goals God has for the church.

The letter opens with a sequence of statements about God’s blessings, which are interspersed with a remarkable variety of expressions drawing attention to God’s wisdom, forethought and purpose. Paul emphasizes that we have been saved, not only for our personal benefit, but... to bring praise and glory to God. The climax of God’s purpose, “when the times will have reached their fulfillment,” is to bring all things in the universe together under Christ (1:10). It is crucially important that Christians realize this, so in 1:15–23 Paul prays for their understanding (a second prayer occurs in 3:14–21).

Having explained God’s great goals for the church, Paul proceeds to show the steps toward their fulfillment. First, God has reconciled individuals to himself as an act of grace (2:1–10). Second, God has reconciled these saved individuals to each other, Christ having broken down the barriers through his own death (2:11–22). But God has done something even beyond this: He has united these reconciled individuals in one body, the church. This is a “mystery” not fully known until it was revealed to Paul (3:1–6). Now Paul is able to state even more clearly what God has intended for the church, namely, that it be the means by which he displays his “manifold wisdom” to the “rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms” (3:7–13). It is clear through the repetition of “heavenly realms” (1:3,20; 2:6; 3:10; 6:12) that Christian existence is not merely on an earthly plane. It receives its meaning and significance from heaven, where Christ is exalted at the right hand of God (1:20).

Nevertheless, that life is lived out on earth, where the practical daily life of the believer continues to work out the purposes of God. The ascended Lord gave “gifts” to the members of his church to enable them to minister to one another and so promote unity and maturity (4:1–16). The unity of the church under the headship of Christ foreshadows the uniting of “all things in heaven and on earth” under Christ (1:10). The new life of purity and mutual deference stands in contrast to the old way of life without Christ (4:17—6:9). Those who are “strong in the Lord” have victory over the evil one in the great spiritual conflict, especially through the power of prayer (6:10–20; see note on 1:3).

The 4th Chapter of Ephesians opens with Paul urging his readers to individually and corporately (as a church) “live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

God has graciously drawn many very different people into His church, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. As children of God, we are called to work together in the church’s various ministries and build each other up—“until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

Ephesians 4:14-16 speaks of the wonderful blessings of Christian maturity, wherein disciples who are able to discern the truth from error, will proclaim what is right and true--and expose what is wrong or false; so as to lovingly guide, equip, encourage and unite the church in its spiritual growth.

God’s children should no longer live as if they were still the world’s brats. Our calling is “to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” This is the reason we should now speak truthfully; not to let our anger get the best of us; not give the devil more opportunities to condemn us. Christians who used to lead lives of crime now need to work honestly and share with those who are in need.

We must watch our language and use it to bless those around us. Let us not offend God’s Holy Spirit by going against all the good work that He is completing in us. We need to “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

The care group was blessed by all the sharing and personal insights from everyone, as we tried to extend the application of Ephesians 4:14-16, 25 to see how it can guide us in speaking truthfully, in a consistently loving way, to those around us—just as Eph. 4:25-32 would have us do.

Finding "Meaning" in what's "Meaningless" – Ecclesiastes 1

Chairman Justin T led the Care Group last Sunday afternoon (22/04/2007), at Kuya Vic & Ate Connie's. It was especially interesting, as the Care Group's children (young and not-so-young) were invited (ordered?) to join and participate in our short study and discussion, based on the first chapter of Ecclessiastes. (One of the most difficult books in the Old Testament, to interpret and understand!)

According to BasicTheology.com's Introduction to Ecclessiastes:

“Ecclesiastes seems at first glance to be a collection of apparently random themes.”

Ecclesiastes was written to the cynic and skeptic, to those who have become disillusioned with the world and its empty promises for fulfillment.

The same themes that at first glance may appear incongruent, such as vanity and enjoyment of simple pleasures, meaninglessness and wisdom, the hopelessness of death and purpose in life, upon careful, contextualized investigation work together to serve the author’s purpose of directing the reader to God for ultimate meaning in life.

Ecclesiastes takes the reader through the highs and lows of life on this earth, from hedonism to nihilism, finally arriving at a conclusion that is perfectly at home within Old Testament theology: fear God and keep His commandments.

Here are some of the discussion points that we tried to tackle:

"Everything is Meaningless – Ecclesiastes 1:1-18"

What would you say is the purpose of life?

What sweeping statement did Solomon make about life? (v. 2)

What conclusion did Solomon reach about everything he had seen and done? (v. 13-14)

What conclusion did Solomon reach concerning wisdom and folly? (v. 17-18)

To what sort of meaningless activities do people commit their lives to?

Is there anything in your life that you feel is meaningless?

Do you need to rethink the purpose and direction of your life?

Thoughts on the Book of Ecclesiastes:

As long as we see things and events from mortal man’s point of view, everything will appear meaningless. What’s the use of anything if we’re all going to die anyway? Even if the world makes us heroes and honors us with statues and streets named after us, what use would they be to us, in our graves? And when the world passes away, all the statues, memorials and streets named after us will just disappear into ashes! So what’s the point of our day-to-day existence in the cosmic scheme of things?

Unless we see God’s sovereign hand, working in everything according to His very own will, purpose and plan, then everything will seem meaningless, pointless and wearisome (or "boring," as someone commented) to our finite minds.

When we realize that the supremely awesome God is working in all things according to His good purpose and will, life becomes meaningful—perhaps not in ways that we can understand, but rather in ways that will help us rest and delight in the Sovereign LORD, even during inexplicable trouble and tribulation.

Life becomes purposeful, not because of our purpose--but because it is God's purpose that shall stand. Whether you like it or not, everyone and everything is part of God's plan.

Can anything, any event or circumstance, any thought, any emotion exist and come about if it were not a part of God’s plan, purpose and will?

Mind you, the world goes against God’s commandments all the time, and this breaks our hearts! But do not be deceived. God is not mocked. Whatsoever a man sows, so shall he reap. God is not shocked or surprised by how mankind breaks His laws and commandments. In fact, God mercifully revealed to us His laws and commandments to shock and surprise mankind as to how sinful and unrighteous we all really are.

Everything is all going according to God’s plan and purpose, and nothing—absolutely not a single solitary thing is exempt.

There are no surprises that can catch our God off-guard: not the Fall of man; not the murder of Abel; not Sodom and Gomorrah; not Israel’s enslavement by the Egyptians; not David and Bathsheba; not the splitting of Israel and Judah; not the conquest of the Assyrians and Babylonians; not Hitler and the Holocaust; not even 9-11 nor even the Virginia Tech shootings.

Not even Satan, our enemy, our accuser and our tormentor—to whom we should never give a foothold—the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient, not even he is exempt from God's plan. Satan could not sift Peter as wheat without Christ’s permission. Satan himself could not touch Job without God’s consent. So let us not be surprised if Satan himself cannot even scratch his own nose, if it is not according to God’s plan!

"We turn to God when our foundations are shaking, only to learn that it is God who is shaking them." --CHARLES WEST.

“Happy the man who sees a God employed in all the good and ill that chequers life.” --WILLIAM COWPER

“A firm faith in the universal providence of God is the solution of all earthly problems. It is almost equally true that a clear and full apprehension of the universal providence of God is the solution of most theological problems.” --B. B. WARFIELD, God's Providence Over All

"Jesus Christ is the center of everything, and the object of everything, and he that does not know Him knows nothing of nature and nothing of himself." --BLAISE PASCAL

There is not an inch of any sphere of life over which Jesus Christ does not say, "Mine." --ABRAHAM KUYPER

So, is your God in full and total control over all things, or is he only partially in control?

More excerpts from BasicTheology.com, regarding the Message of the Book of Ecclesiastes:

The book of Ecclesiastes is masterfully composed to reveal the vanity of trusting in wisdom, pleasure, wealth, or any other human endeavor for satisfaction in this life. It is within the genre of wisdom literature to stretch the readers mind to grasp broader understanding through the employment of paradox, irony and hyperbole.

Qohelet (The Teacher/Editor) walks the reader through the numerous vain endeavors of man in order to illustrate that trust in one’s own ability to discover existential meaning in life apart from God will inevitably lead to bitterness, cynicism, and hopelessness. This book proclaims that God makes possible the pleasures that may be enjoyed in this life, for He is good and generous. Ultimate meaning and fulfillment in life is only possible by fearing God, keeping His commandments, enjoying His gifts for today and believing that He will reconcile all things in the future.

The importance of understanding the theological message of the book of Ecclesiastes must not be understated. One must interpret each verse in light of its literary style and the message of the book as a whole. As Greg Parsons has noted, “In no other book of the Old Testament is this guideline more crucial.” The editor’s conclusion provides the answer for the overall purpose of the work. The editor offers the essential summation to life’s purpose and message of Ecclesiastes, “The conclusion, when all has been heard: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

--Colossians 1: 16-17

Ignacio Lacsina jnr. (27/04/2007)

Prayer Request from Pastor Marbz...

Hi to All our Church Family,

My sister and brother-in-law, Grace and Louie, asked me to pass this message to our church family for prayers and as they want you to know, because as a church we stand together.

Their son Daniel has been in hospital since Monday (23/04/2007), due to a lump that was found on his leg a while ago. A biopsy was done on the lump and it was found to be malignant. Daniel has a cancer which looks like have stemmed from the bone. It is a cancer which the doctors have said to be aggressive and therefore will be treated aggressively. Further tests on the tumor will confirm the exact type of cancer he has and the treatment will be adjusted accordinglyto defeat it. These tests take a few days.

He is also undergoing some test to confirm if the cancer has spread to any other parts of his body. He will undergo an operation to remove the cancer on his thigh in the next few days, and will be on drugs to start the treatment. He will then start with the chemotherapy cycles/course.

Grace and Louie have kindly asked to please give them space in the next couple of weeks as they are still letting it sink in plus trying to find a way to tell the kids. This means visitation is only for family, for now. They know you care a lot and would like to be updated so they have asked if you could direct all calls, text messages, questions and best wishes to me and I will gladly pass it on. They just need some space and intimate time with their family right now.

To all the parents and people who have loved ones, you can imagine what a difficult time this is for them so please keep them in your prayers. We all know God can heal and He is a God of miracles so please pray for that... BUT, most importantly, please pray that we will be brave, strong and open to accept HIS WILL whatever that may be. We have a great sovereign God! And HE is VERY GOOD... there will be no doubt there!

May our tongues and hearts always sing 'Blessed be the name of the Lord!'

"God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it."

1 Corinthians 10:13

In His Love and Grace,

Marbz (0413491260, if you need to call or text)

“Life is Unfair!?” - Psalm 37

Elder Robert V's Sunday Message
Punchbowl Baptist Church
22 April 2007

Introduction

Painful events happen to us without any valid explanations. They could range from major events such as the loss of a loved one, etc. to the ordinary day to day things when we feel that we have been unfairly treated.

Human instinct is to seek revenge - to return at least the same treatment as what we have received. The Old Testament seems to support this in Lev 24:19-20:

If anyone injures his neighbor, as he has done it shall be done to him, fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; whatever injury he has given a person shall be given to him.

However, this was the Old Testament system to ensure that justice is served without any partiality; without favoring the rich or powerful.

The worst feeling is when the other party gets away with what they have done and leaves away unpunished. It’s a time when we feel like shouting ‘Life is unfair’!

Whether we agree or disagree with this statement depends on how we see life:

a) If we consider that the world and everything around us happens by chance or revolves around who is in power at any given time, then we can truly say that ‘Life is Unfair’. We can probably add that ‘Life is Hopeless’ and so therefore, ‘Help yourselves because no one else will’.

b) If we consider God to be in control of everything through his power, wisdom, and love, then we can be assured that ‘Life is as God wills it to be’!

Read Psalm 37-1-9 (NIV)

1 Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; 2 for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.

3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the LORD trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret l when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

8 Refrain from anger o and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. 9 For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.

1. Instructions from the Psalm

Although there is no definite pattern in the Psalm, one can see that David, the author of this Psalm, aims to show the contrast between the wicked/evil men and the righteous/blameless.

The Psalm does not deny the reality of life’s seeming unfair events but confirm the fact that oftentimes-evil men prosper while the righteous ones suffer.

David also shows the final outcome of the wicked and the righteous. And so, he gives the reasons for his instructions to the righteous and the basis for living righteously.

1 Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; 2 for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.

A. The opening verse is a straight to the point instruction. Both the words ‘fret’ and ‘envious’ are words that portray intensity. ‘Fret’ is described as ‘burning or heated anger’; ‘Envious’, which has the same intensity, is described as ‘jealousy with zeal’. In other words, David says, do not let your heart burn from jealousy and anger when evil men do you wrong. In verse 2, he somehow gives a comforting word that evil men are only as temporary as grass and so their wrongdoing will soon come to a stop.

Fret - charah (חָרָה, 2734), “to get angry, be angry.” This verb appears in the Bible 92 times. In the basic stem, the word refers to the “burning of anger” as in Jonah 4:1. In the causative stem, charah means “to become heated with work” or “with zeal for work” (Neh. 3:20). [1]

B. Verses 8-9 provides more substance to verses 1-2 in that David now gives further reasons why we should not fret and be envious of evil men.

8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret p —it leads only to evil. 9 For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.

1) Because feeding one’s heart with anger and jealousy only leads to evil. In doing so, the abused also becomes an abuser.

2) Because, aside from the temporary nature of evil men, they will also be cut off, meaning denied of anything good, in contrast to those who trust in the Lord who will receive their inheritance from God.

C. If verses 1-2 is the ‘what not to do when evil men do wrong and prosper’, verses 3-7 gives us the instructions of ‘what to do’. The believer’s life is not just characterized and confined by ‘not’ doing bad things, but is more motivated by ‘doing’ good things. And if we want to succeed in stopping envy and jealousy over the prosperity of the wicked, we have to focus more on these 4 things:

3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. 7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret l when men succeed in their ways, m when they carry out their wicked schemes.

If the words ‘fret’ and ‘envious’ signify evil intensity, the words in this group of verses signify godly intensity. In addition, while the description of the words ‘fret’ and ‘envious’ looks inwardly and feeds the heart with anger and bitterness which further leads to evil, the words in this group of verses all look outwardly and seeks the Lord.

1) Ps 37:3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

Ø The word ‘trust’ figuratively means to be boldly confident to the point of carelessness. This is total trust in the Lord.

Trust - baw-takh' - A primitive root; properly to hie for refuge (but not so precipitately as H2620); figuratively to trust, be confident or sure: - be bold (confident, secure, sure), careless (one, woman), put confidence, (make to) hope, (put, make to) trust. [2]

2) Ps 37:5 Commit your way to the LORD trust in him and he will do this:

Ø The word ‘commit’ shows the idea of leaving or departing. In essence, this means to bring your cares and leave them all to him.

Commit - galah (גָּלָה, 1540), “to leave, depart, uncover, reveal. [3]

3) Ps 37:7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret l when men succeed in their ways, m when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Ø The word ‘be still’ or ‘rest’ is not merely a partial pause, but a feeling of fully still and silent. Literally speaking, it is to die or be destroyed. As still as being lifeless.

Be still (Rest) - 1826 דָּמַם, דָּמַם, דָּמַם [damam /daw·man/] v. A prim root [compare 1724, 1820]; TWOT 439; GK 1957 and 1958 and 1959; 30 occurrences; AV translates as “silence” six times, “still” six times, “silent” four times, “cut off” three times, “cut down” twice, “rest” twice, “cease” twice, “forbear” once, “peace” once, “quieted” once, “tarry” once, and “wait” once. 1 to be silent, be still, wait, be dumb, grow dumb. 1a (Qal). 1a1 to be silent. 1a2 to be still, die. 1a3 to be struck dumb. 1b (Niphal) to be silenced, be made silent, destroyed. 1c (Poal) to make quiet. 1d (Hiphil) to make silent (cause to die) [4]

4) Ps 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Ø This may be the greatest antidote that is available to us to ward off the evils of anger and jealousy over the wicked. This is the refreshing water that cools down the heart. It is when we fill our hearts with delight in the Lord that anger and jealousy will have no more place to stay.

Ø Further, this defines the true believer from the false ones. The true believer delights in God n the midst of his or her trials in life. It is his or her delight in God that makes the journey a joyful, instead of a painful one.

Ø May I also suggest that the motivation for us in trusting the Lord, committing our every care to him, and truly resting in him is because we delight in him.

2. Guarantees from the Psalm

ð The purpose of David’s instructions is 2-fold:
i) To take away the burden from us once we start feeling angry about our situations and leave the judging and avenging part to God.

ii) To make us more godly rather than turning into the same evil as the wicked.
ð The Lord is our Judge and he knows best when and how the sentence is carried, whatever that may be.

ð Evidence of this comes from the following:

I. Through the testimony of David (& God’s children)…

25 I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. 26 They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed.

35 I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing n like a green tree in its native soil, 36 but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found.

ð David is a great example of what he wrote in this Psalm. Even after knowing that he was the anointed king, he never forced himself to be king while Saul was still the King over Israel. David always said that he would not touch the Lord’s anointed. In due time, the Lord rewarded David of the kingship he was promised.

In the same way, if we trust the Lord as David did, the Lord will see us through our trials. I am confident that the Lord has delivered you out of trying situations and have given you justice in due time. This is not a one-off thing but should be our way of life – trusting God!

II. …that is made real through God’s promise

Notice that when you read the whole Psalm, it is literally the Lord who takes care of those who trust in him and is summarized in the concluding verses of the Psalm:

39 The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD, he is their stronghold in time of trouble. 40 The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

ð The Psalm does not teach us to escape our situation but to go through it by God’s power.

ð It is not those who help themselves that God helps but those who take refuge in him.
3. Summary - Is Life really unfair?

There are several implications when we say, ‘Life is unfair!’

1) We do not believe that God is in control of everything
2) We do not believe that God can be trusted
3) We do not believe that God cares
4) We do not believe in the testimony of David
5) In other words, we rather believe what our hearts tell us
6) We believe that evil men are more powerful than God
7) Therefore, we might as well believe that God is not truly God.

The next time we are tempted to say, ‘Life is unfair!’, take time to think if we are being fair at all in believing that life is unfair. If we call ourselves children of God, shame on us.

Instead, we should always say, ‘Life is what the Lord wills it to be’, and because we trust him, then, ‘Life is the way it should be’ – because if we do it right like David, the ‘unfair’ situation can turn into an opportunity to be Christ-like and to remind ourselves of our many blessings.

Count Your Blessings
Words by Johnson Oatman, Jr., 1856-1922Music by Edwin O. Excell, 1851-1921

Verse 1
When upon life's billows You are tempest tossed,

When you are discouraged Thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings Name them one by one,

And it will surprise you What the Lord hath done.

Chorus:
Count your blessings Name them one by one.

Count your blessings See what God hath done.

Count your blessings Name them one by one.

Count your many blessings See what God hath done.

Verse 2
Are you ever burdened With a load of care,

Does the cross seem heavy You are called to bear.

Count your many blessings Every doubt will fly,

And you will be singing As the days go by.

Verse 3
When you look at others With their lands and gold,

Think that Christ has promised You His wealth untold.

Count your many blessings Money cannot buy,

Your reward in heaven Nor your home on high.

Verse 4
So amid the conflict Whether great or small,

Do not be discouraged God is over all.

Count your many blessings Angels will attend,

Help and comfort give you To your journey's end.

Amen…

God bless us all!
Robert Viuya


[1]Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W. 1996. Vine's complete expository dictionary of Old and New Testament words . T. Nelson: Nashville

[2]Strong, J. 1996. The exhaustive concordance of the Bible : Showing every word of the test of the common English version of the canonical books, and every occurence of each word in regular order. (electronic ed.) . Woodside Bible Fellowship.: Ontario

[3]Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W. 1996. Vine's complete expository dictionary of Old and New Testament words . T. Nelson: Nashville

v v: verb
TWOT Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament
GK Goodrick-Kohlenberger
AV Authorized Version

[4]Strong, J. 1996. The exhaustive concordance of the Bible : Showing every word of the test of the common English version of the canonical books, and every occurence of each word in regular order. (electronic ed.) . Woodside Bible Fellowship.: Ontario

The High Priestly Prayer: John 17

Since we are in the midst of the Lenten Season, it seems appropriate for us to review some passages taken from the accounts of the Last Supper by John.

According to B. W. Johnson's "Introduction To The Gospel Of John":

John the son of Zebedee was a former Galilean fisherman. He was a follower of John the Baptist, before becoming a disciple of Jesus. John, together with his brother James and Simon Peter became the three disciples closest/most intimate with Jesus. (John sat beside Jesus at the Last Supper; he was the only disciple at the crucifixion; he was entrusted with the care of Jesus’ mother and was the first male disciple to reach Christ’s empty tomb.)

The Gospel According to John differs in some respects from the others. It alone follows the chronological order of events. It gives an account of the Judean ministry of Jesus. It tells us that his ministry lasted for over three years and gives it the account of the resurrection of Lazarus.

It omits much with which the church was already familiar through the other Gospels and presents much that they had not recorded. It recognizes certain false doctrines which had begun to circulate; and it gives us the most detailed account of Christ’s wonderful discourse to the disciples, the night that he was betrayed.

It is the gospel of the Incarnation, of Love, and is regarded as the most Spiritual of the four Gospels. It alone unfolds fully the great doctrine of the Comforter, The Holy Spirit. And in the Apostle’s own words, it was “written 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 20:31)

The Apostle John's account of the Last Supper goes from chapters 13 to 17. In this study, we will discuss Christ’s prayer at the Last Supper, in John 17.

The Last Supper was held during the Jewish Feast of Passover, commemorating the night when God rescued Israel from Egypt in Exodus 12:

On that night in Exodus 12, each Israelite household were to slaughter a year-old male lamb with no defects, at twilight. They were then to take some of the lamb’s blood and apply it on the sides and tops of their doorframes. On that same night, God passed through Egypt, striking down every firstborn—both men and animals—of every household that did not have the blood of the lamb on their doorframes. “The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.” (Exodus 12:13)

In some Bibles (NASB, ESV), John 17 is referred to as the “High Priestly Prayer.” The High Priest is the one sanctified/set apart to intercede for sinners before the Most Holy Righteous God. Here, we read of Jesus the Christ, the Messiah, the Chosen One, interceding in prayer for his flock (past, present and future).

(Short recap of previous chapters. Chap. 13: Jesus washed disciples’ feet; commands Judas to go; foretells Peter’s denials. Chap. 14: Jesus is the only way to the Father; Christ and the Father are one; Jesus is going away; Father is sending the Holy Spirit. Chap. 15: Abide in Christ like branches on a vine; “I chose you to bear much fruit to the Father’s glory;” the world’s hatred for Christ’s chosen ones. Chap. 16: Persecution; The Holy Spirit working in believers; Knowing how all things, good and bad, are going according to God’s plan, will turn the disciples’ grief into joy.)

Read John 17, then discuss the following:

(Note—Discuss does not necessarily mean Resolve. A few discussion points below are still being hotly debated by the most prominent theologians today. Remember, "Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good." 1Thessalonians 5:19-21 ESV. Are the comments being expressed Biblical? Unbiblical? Extra-biblical? In context with what the Bible consistently teaches? Allow Scripture to interpret Scripture--do not rely on mere opinions. Whenever we are stuck for answers, Elder Robert V reminds us that this should humble us, before our All-Knowing God. May it also drive us to search & study His Holy Word even further!)

“Father, the time has come… glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” –Jesus Christ

Human beings are affected by time. Time often dictates what we have to do (due to deadlines); and often determines what we are able to do (due to age). But what about Jesus? Do you believe that events and circumstances determine what God does? Or are events and circumstances determined by what God does?

(Jesus was no victim of circumstance. All the on-going events and conditions from before the world began, have been planned/scheduled and worked out to a climactic point by God—not by the Roman government nor the Sanhedrin nor by Judas, not even by Satan himself: see John 14:30.)

Glorify means to Lift Up/Exalt; Magnify; Honor; to Acknowledge with great approval. How important is it for us to glorify God? How relevant is the Glory of God in your everyday live?




John 17:2 says that the Father gave the Son authority over… what? The Father gave the Son authority to give… what? The Father gave the Son authority to give this to ALL of… whom?




What is so special about eternal life? Do we accept Jesus just so that we can have eternal life? Just so that we can get to heaven? Or do we accept Jesus because of Jesus himself?

(See John 17:3. Eternal life is all about knowing the gloriously Everlasting God Jesus, more and more. As Elder Robert commented: Eternal life is not enough time to fully know our limitless God.)

How did Jesus glorify/honor/acknowledge the Father? (John 17:4)

(Compare John 17:4 with John 19:30, where Christ proclaims: “It is FINISHED!”)

In v. 5, Jesus prays to be glorified in the presence of the Father. Is this selfishness or appropriate? What right does Jesus have to ask for this?




According to v. 6-8, how can we tell if a person belongs to God?




What distinction does Christ make in v.9-10? Who is Jesus praying for? Does this mean that we should only pray for fellow believers?

(Christians should pray for everyone. We do not know whom He will cause to become believers or not. “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” Matt. 5:44)

Jesus prays for the protection of the believers by the Father, for what reason (v. 11)?

(Christ specifically prayed for believers because He knew that He would be leaving them in a world that hates them—where believers need to stand as one. Is unity in the church possible without God?)

Should Christians be surprised that the world hates them (John 17:14 and also John 15:8-John 16:4)? Does the thought that the world’s hatred and persecution of believers seem to be all part of God’s plan trouble you, or does it give you comfort and joy?




Christians are not of this world. To be Sanctified is to be set apart or separated from the rest. How are believers Sanctified (v. 17-19)?




Christ prayed for all his believers (past, present, future) to be one, just as the Father and the Son are one (v. 20-23). Is this level of intimacy humanly possible? How can this come about (v. 23)? What will it result in?




What does Jesus want his disciples to see, or to behold in John 17:24? Can you think of anything better to see or to behold than what Jesus wants us to see?




Is it possible to know God and yet not love Him?
The Way to know God is through…? (John 14:6-7)

Christ is our intercessor to the Father.
Christ and the Father are One.
Christ’s plea to the Father is that we be as one in Christ,
just as Christ is one with the Father.

May all of God’s children be one in giving
All the Praise, Honour and Glory to the Lord Jesus Christ!

Ignacio Lacsina jnr. (02/04/2007)