Jesus Christ Offers A Better Priesthood

A Better Priesthood

Book of Hebrews Chapter 7

Melchizedek is a character in the Bible we know truly little about.

The name Melchizedek (in the Old testament) has the meaning of "the righteous king".

Melchizedek, the same person, but spelled differently (in the New Testament) has the meaning "priest of the Most-High God".

He claimed to be the king of Salem when he went forth to meet Abraham.

Remember Abraham had gone forth to save Lot who had been kidnapped by King Chedorlaomer and his band of kings.

He met Abraham in the "valley of kings" and brought to him and his men "bread and wine" and blessed Abraham and his men and Abraham paid this royal priest a tenth of the spoils of that war.

Gen 14:18  And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. 

Gen 14:19  And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: 

Gen 14:20  And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all. 

The Bible in the Book of Psalms, but especially this Book of Hebrews, tells us the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, would be a Priest after the order of this man Melchizedek.

Psa 110:1  The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. 

Psa 110:2  The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. 

Psa 110:3  Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. 

Psa 110:4  The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. 

Psa 110:5  The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath. 

Psa 110:6  He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries. 

Psa 110:7  He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head. 

Notice this Melchizedek would have a priesthood higher than that of the priesthood of Aaron!

Notice also, that this Melchizedek is recognized as higher than Abraham who was the "friend of God".

He brought bread and wine which reminds us of the Lord's Supper.

Melchizedek is not mentioned again in the in the Old Testament until about one thousand years later when David who would be king writes about the coming Messiah here in this Book of Psalms.

David understood by the Holy Spirit, that the Messiah would be both High Priest and King of Jerusalem, King of all kings.

After another thousand years we, have the writer of the Book of Hebrews again by the Holy Spirit referring to this Melchizedek.

For this to happen, then the Levitical priesthood would be abolished with the coming of the Messiah.

The Lord Jesus, the Messiah, whose work brings Him to be Prophet, Priest, and King and we desperately need Him in each of those functions because of the terrible ignorance that results from sin, we need someone to teach us, and it is the Lord Jesus Christ who is the Author of our salvation!

This is where we pick up this great prophecy in Chapter 7 of the Book of Hebrews.

*****Heb 6:20  Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 

Heb 7:1  For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; 

We might ask ourselves, "what is so important with Jesus Christ being High Priest after the order of Melchizedek"?

The real importance of this passage is prophecy that will be fulfilled and is partially fulfilled right now.

Our Lord Jesus has not failed to accomplish what He has set out to do, He is just much more patient than we are!

2Pe_3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

If we look back to the 110th Psalm, we see King David writing a song celebrating the complete victory of the Messiah over the entire power of evil.

The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the true Messiah, will hold every office of God, including that of High Priest and King of kings and Lord of lords.

The Lord Jesus Christ is the right hand of God, the right hand of Power and will remain there until it is time to be our Redeemer.

Act 2:32  This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 

Act 2:33  Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. 

Act 2:34  For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 

Act 2:35  Until I make thy foes thy footstool. 

Act 2:36  Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

The Apostles clearly understood, and this is the message they have given to us, a message of "Victory".

The Apostle John wrote:

Rev 3:20  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 

Rev 3:21  To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 

Rev 3:22  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. 

We must understand that the Lord Jesus will remain at the right hand of God until the purposes of God have been fulfilled in this age, the Church Age!

He is still our High Priest and our Advocate and our soon coming King!

We should utterly understand what the Holy Spirit is saying to the Churches!

The Lord Jesus will remain at the right hand of the Throne in Heaven only until His enemies have been made the footstool for His feet!

This is not a prophecy of the world turning toward the Church, this is a prophecy that says our Heavenly Father will make the enemies the footstool of our Lord Jesus.

When might we ask? 

We know the Lord Jesus will not deal with His enemies during this time of "Grace" or it would not be Grace!

We also know there will be a time of great vengeance from the Lord!

But when Apostacy has reached its peak throughout the world.

When the political world has caused lawlessness and the manifestation of the man of sin.

2Th 2:3  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 

2Th 2:4  Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 

It amazes me that we have more government and yet we have more lawlessness, and it has always been this way! 

Politicians never learn because it threatens their job and their means to get rich!

No doubt the King of kings will one day rule his world from Jerusalem!

Abraham recognized the importance of all these things!

*****Heb 7:2  To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; 

Heb 7:3  Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. 

The Bible describes the typology of Melchizedek.

Abraham saw the King of Righteousness.

Abraham saw the King of Peace and they were in the same person.

So, in the Lord Jesus Christ, righteousness and peace will be joined together!

So, it will also be in all those who believe in Him!

It is a fact, that there can be no peace until there is a world of righteousness!

Psa 85:10  Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. 

Psa 85:11  Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. 

Rom 5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 

Rom 5:2  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 

Abraham saw the Priest of the Most-High God who was also King!

The Bible does not say that Abraham was the only one who worshipped God during this era, but he certainly would have shown great joy in meeting someone else who did worship the Most-High God as did he.

We already know that Jehovah is never without those who love Him.

What did He teach Elijah?

1Ki 19:18  Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.

We also know that "Job" may have lived at near the same time of Abraham.

The importance of Abraham ties into the importance of Israel as a nation!

Notice that this Melchizedek showed up unexpectedly.

We are shown nothing about his life except that he worshipped the Most-God, and this is the most important thing that can be said about any of us who love the Lord Jesus.

There is nothing about his life, his birth, his death, or his descent and all these things can be said about Jehovah.

He just simply arrives just as Jehovah appeared to Abraham and Moses.

He brings bread and wine the ingredients of the Lord's Supper.

He blessed Abraham and then vanished just as quickly as He came.

Abraham considered this Melchizedek to be a great man.

*****Heb 7:6  But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. 

Heb 7:7  And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. 

This Melchizedek was greater than Abraham because Abraham paid tithes to him.

Abraham realized his greatness and we should realize the greatness of our Savior and Our God who is the Most-High God!

Abraham understood how great where the blessings of this Priest who was also King of Peace.

What do we learn from these things?

1) We do not have to approach God through some priest or an earthly priesthood such as a Pope or any other such person.

2) We know there is a much greater priesthood than earthly priests.

3) To show us earthy religion and earthly priests are inadequate to represent man before God.

4) To show that God has provided a much better priesthood.

5) To teach us that there is now the perfect and an eternal priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ!

What does this mean to the believer?

*****Heb 7:23  And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: 

Heb 7:24  But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 

Heb 7:25  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 

Our Lord Jesus Christ is eternal because He is God!

Jesus Christ lives forever.

Jesus Christ has an endless life.

Jesus Christ is the perfect and eternal Priest who lives forever and willing to share His life with us!

Jesus Christ makes us acceptable to the Most-High God because He is the Most-High God!

It is because of all these things that Jesus Christ is able and also willing to save us if we have faith in His work and repent of our old lifestyle!

The Lord Jesus Christ offers to us a complete and a perfect salvation!

He has a perfect forgiveness!

He has the perfect power to accomplish these things!

The Lord Jesus Christ lives to make intercession for those who love Him!

In Jesus Christ we see the perfect "love of God", but also the perfect "justice" of God!

It is in the Lord Jesus Christ that we see God's willingness to provide a means of salvation for all those under the curse of Adam

The Lord Jesus Christ the perfect "God-Man" now stands before the throne of God having born the "Justice" and the "Judgment of God" for all those who failed because of sin, but still willing to believe and accept the truth of God!

The Lord Jesus has saved us to the uttermost!

He has saved us from sin, death, and condemnation!

Rom 8:34  Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 

Rom 8:35  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 

Rom 8:36  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 

Rom 8:37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 

He has saved us to live with God forever!

Rom 8:39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

He saves us to be the citizens of the New Heaven and the New Earth.

2Pe 3:10  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 

2Pe 3:11  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 

2Pe 3:12  Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 

2Pe 3:13  Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 

You know, if we step back and look at our world today, we could say we are on the verge of this happening.

He saves us to rule and reign with Him throughout eternity.

1Co 6:2  Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 

1Co 6:3  Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? 

Luk 12:42  And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? 

Luk 12:43  Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 

Luk 12:44  Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. 

Luk 22:28  Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. 

Luk 22:29  And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; 

You cannot be any of these things unless you come to God by the Lord Jesus Christ.

There is no other way nor other means to get to God's New Heaven!

******Heb 7:26  For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 

The Lord Jesus Christ is the High Priest who lived a perfect life!

There is no other who meets these qualifications in any religion!

When we think, we can get to Heaven by the work of some imperfect man we have ignored the Word of God that says this is impossible.

Only God makes salvation possible for sinful men and sinful women and sinful children!

Jesus Christ is Holy, set apart and separated to God!

He is separated from sin and from all evil, and from all immoral, wicked, and lawless behavior, the things we see prevalent in our world today.

Jesus Christ is harmless! Meaning not evil, free from guile, deception, envy, and malice against anyone, but the very things that we see in all our world today.

Jesus Christ is undefiled! He is unstained by sin as is the New Heaven. As will be the New Earth. As will be the New Jerusalem.

Jesus Christ is separate from sinners. He is different from sinners. Jesus Christ has never sinned.

Jesus Christ has never yielded to temptation!

Jesus Christ is "Higher than the Heavens!

Jesus Christ raised Himself from the dead never to die again!

Jesus Christ went back to Heaven in a bodily form.

Jesus Christ alone is exalted to the right hand of God as the Supreme Lord of all His creation!

1Pe 3:22  Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. 

*****Heb 7:27  Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. 

It is only Jesus Christ who could offer the perfect sacrifice for our sin, which was Himself.

The High Priest of the Jews could only offer a sacrifice for the sins of the people once a year and then only after they had offered a sacrifice for their own sin.

The regular priests offered sins daily for those who came to confess their sin.

That one day the High Priests offered was the "Day of Atonement".

I can honestly tell you that my "Day of Atonement" was the day I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior because It is He who offered the perfect sacrifice for my sin!

Rev 1:5  And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 

Rev 1:6  And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 

*****Heb 7:28  For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore. 

Jesus Christ is the High Priest with a perfect appointment.

No mere man can say this or if they do, they are deceiving themselves and all those who follow them!

It is only the Lord Jesus Christ who can fulfill the Word of God because He is the Word of God in the flesh.

Joh 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

Joh 1:2  The same was in the beginning with God. 

Joh 1:3  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 

Joh 1:4  In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 

Joh 1:5  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 

The Lord Jesus Christ is the One sent down from Heaven for the purpose of saving created man.

You see if you believe there is a God and there is just One, then you have better believe this God has a plan to save His greatest creation, the human, and this plan is centered around the Lord Jesus Christ.

God, Jehovah, sent His own Son to perfect us and to give us eternal life and the glorious privilege to live with Him throughout eternity!

Sounds impossible but it is Biblical Truth!

Amen

The Prayer Life of the Messiah

Jesus Prayed for His Disciples

Book of John Chapter 17:1-26

The Apostle Paul was writing to the Corinthian Church and he gave us this piece of Scripture by the Holy Spirit.

1Co_2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

It is a fact that we cannot know everything of the mind of the Lord but today in Chapter 17 of the Book of the Apostle John, we get to take a look into the deep thoughts of our Savior.

*****Joh 17:1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

Joh 17:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

At this time these 11 disciples of Christ Jesus are with Him in transit to the Garden of Gethsemane. It would only be a few hours before Jesus would be taken into custody and this same day He would be murdered by Crucifixion, the Capitol death of the Roman Government.

Jesus clearly understood all these things, yet His thoughts were still upon the souls His Father had given to Him!

Jesus was praying directly unto God the Father, but He was within hearing range of His disciples.

Jesus knew that His time had come.

The time of the birth of Jesus had been set by His Father:

Gal 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

Gal 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Now the time of His death was set by His Father, and Jesus had known these things all along.

Most of us when we pray, we bow in humility, but Jesus lifted up His eyes. We must always remember when we approach the Throne of God, we must remember who is sitting upon that throne.

It is the Almighty Living God!

Psa 89:7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.

Psa 89:8 O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?

We must have a reverend fear of God but not a fear of "bondage" but the fear of "adoption". Romans 8:15

We must be clear in our minds that true prayer must be based upon "faith in" the promises of God.

We live and die by the promises of God.

Our hope lies in the promises of God and even God the Son respected the promises that God the Father had given to Him. Again our example!

We know that Jesus, the Messiah is the same one who walked with Adam and was Captain of the host that help Joshua, but until Jesus came as the Messiah, no one really knew Him.

It was nearly time for Jesus to return to Heaven as High Priest of the Church.

It is our High Priest that represents all believers to God the Father.

Jesus Christ is forever our Intercessor.

Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Heb 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

Heb 7:27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

It is Jesus Christ who now holds the power over all flesh.

Since Jesus did come, we now know more about the Triune God. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

*****Joh 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Joh 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

How is eternal life obtained? By knowing the only true God and that by Jesus Christ!

Jesus had done His part. He had laid down the foundation of the Church. Jesus had made us all aware of God the Father. When Jesus got back to Heaven, He would dispatch the Holy Spirit to keep the Church moving in the right direction.

It would soon be time for God to do His part. God would have to glorify God the Son by raising Him from that death He had sent Him to do!

We will notice as we go through this prayer that Jesus uses the term Father 6 times. Not "My Father", not "Our Father" but "Father".

Everything Jesus did upon this earth was the most important thing that could have happened for us but the one thing that was the most important was the death of our Savior. Let that sink in for a moment!

Jesus was truly the Messiah, the immortal God but He was also man and His man side need to be encouraged and strengthened and He had to realize that only in His death would there be victory.

The whole purpose of God coming to this earth was to provide to mankind the only means of eternal life.

Jesus Christ was glorified by God giving Him the power and authority over all flesh.

Joh 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Joh 5:25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

True life can come from only one direction, it is the life of God instilled into each believer.

It is in God's energy.

It is in God's life force.

It is in God's being.

It is in God's essence.

It is in God's principle.

It is in God's power over all life!

It is impossible to live in eternal life upon this place called earth.

Eternal life comes by perfection and perfection comes only by the Lord Jesus Christ!

1Jn 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

1Jn 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

1Jn 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Jesus Christ had glorified His Father by completing the work God the Father had given Him to do!

It is the same for each of us. We will have glorified God when we have finished the work the Lord has given us to do!

Glorified also means, we honor God, we exalt God, we give God the glory for the things we accomplish in His name.

1Pe_4:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

Verse 5

*****Joh 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

Joh 17:6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.

Joh 17:7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.

Notice Jesus did not say, "Our Father" that would have put Him on the same level as we are.

Jesus did not say "My Father" because this could have led to a belief of separation, not One God but three.

Jesus simply says "Father" as Jesus had confirmed the Holy Trinity.

What do we already know?

2Co 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

We know that Jesus had emptied Himself of His glory to take on flesh to do the work that God the Father had given Him to do.

Now Jesus is saying to restore that Glory to Him that He had had before the first day of creation.

God the Son was sent to restore the eternal life that Adam once had before sin entered into his life and Jesus would complete that work when He was nailed to that cross until He gave His life for us!

God the Son is distinct from God the Father, yet they are still One God, including God the Holy Spirit.

In His short time on this earth Jesus had shown the world the character and the nature of God.

Jesus also showed the world He was not about to beg people to believe, but only He had the truth and the world is full of lies.

Jesus taught us not to waste our time on those who were not receptive to His truth!

Mar 6:11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city.

It is God that calls those who are to be used.

It is the call of God that enables us to believe!

Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

But not everyone called of God will believe.

Mat_22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

We should understand this calling as the work of the Holy Spirit!

Joh 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Joh 6:45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

Joh 6:46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.

Joh 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

Then the truth comes by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Verse 8

*****Joh 17:8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

Joh 17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

We may sometimes question the faith of these 11 men but in this text, Jesus says they received His words by "Faith". Surely like us they did not understand many things but if Jesus says it then, it has to be the truth.

These 11 men had come out of the world to accept the Lord Jesus Christ.

These 11 men had truly become disciples, even though they were not perfect.

Let's consider that even when we were out in the world, we belonged to God because He is our Creator.

We are called and then chosen if we accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and are therefore given to Jesus by our Creator.

One day in the near future, the Lord Jesus will present us back to our Creator our Father, as been made perfect and we can then spend eternity with our Heavenly Father.

Heb 3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;

The key to these things taking place is the fact that we have place our "faith" in the promises of God's Dear Son!

At this point Jesus prays for these 11 men.

Jesus did not pray for the world at this minute because the world needed these men to be the chosen Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We already know that God had a great love for the world. (Hence John 3:16).

Jesus prayed for these 11 men because he was responsible for their welfare.

It is these 11 men plus the Apostle Paul who would turn this world upside down to form the Church!

*****Joh 17:10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.

Joh 17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

Joh 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

Again Jesus places Himself on the same level as our Heavenly Father. Every character trait that is in our Heavenly Father is also in God the Son and the same can be said of the Holy Spirit.

Another important fact we see here is that God the Father and God the Son have the same concern over all believers beginning with these men.

Joh 10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

Joh 10:30 I and my Father are one.

We must understand that the mission of the Church, preaching the "Gospel" was given to these 11 men.

These were the first Ambassadors of Christ on this world!

Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

If we have not seen by now, we live in a very divisive world. It was very important that these 11 men to not get caught up in this divisiveness.

They were to be the start of the Church and they dearly needed one another!

The Lord Jesus Christ had provided the foundation of the Church.

When Jesus returned to Heaven the responsibility of the Church would be handed over to the Holy Spirit.

Jesus prayed to His Heavenly Father that the believers would be as close to God, as God and His Son!

The Church is to be "One" in the same nature as God by being "Born Again" in the family of God.

The Church is to become a partaker of the "Divine Nature" of God.

The Church is to become the family of God.

The Church is to become the rebuilt Temple of God that cannot be destroyed.

The Church is to become the preferred race of people.

Eph 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

Eph 4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

Eph 4:19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

Eph 4:20 But ye have not so learned Christ;

Eph 4:21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

The Church is to have a single purpose, to spread the "Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ".

The Church is to have the "Joy of the Lord" in following in the ways of the Lord Jesus Christ!

*****Joh 17:13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

Joh 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

That "Joy" comes because Jesus was going home to be with His Father and we are to have this same "Joy" as we will one day be going home to be with the Father!

Many believe that once saved God will deliver us through the trials of this world but that is not true.

The promise of God says He will deliver us through our trials and tribulations.

It means we will live a victorious life! We might ask, why not?

God will always answer the prayers of His Son!

God has given all believers to Jesus Christ.

No doubt the closer the relationship we have with the Lord and our Father in Heaven, the better off we are!

The truth is God will not allow anything to come between us and His Son.

Joh 6:39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

Joh 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

God does not forget the promises He makes!

Why is the Christian hated? We are those aliens that the world has been spending so much money trying find.

We are those peculiar people in a world of people who reject the truth.

Why does the Lord not take us out of this world when we are saved?

The Lord specifically asked Him not to, we have a work that needs to be accomplished.

*****Joh 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

Joh 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

You see Satan, the evil one, can only tempt the Christian, God will certainly keep us from his evil clutches.

These 11 men needed a protection that could come from no other source, just as we do today.

Just because of the message that the disciples of the Lord would bring, they would be hated, and this has not changed today.

1) God has given all His disciples the Word of God. Satan's disciples do not want to hear what God has to say.

2) God is Holy, the followers of Satan are immoral and depraved.

3) God the Son demands total allegiance and a commitment to God the Father, through God the Holy Spirit.

Jesus came out of Heaven to lay claim to all those that God will call and who God has chosen if they would have "faith".

All those who would be "Born Again" and would seek to be in the nature of God and not the sin nature of Adam.

The disciples were needed to begin the Church, the body of Christ, the Church, the home of God's messengers.

To sanctify is to be set apart for God's use!

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Jesus Christ did go to the Cross to pay our sin debt but that was only part of it.

Jesus knew that this must take place, so mankind could recover the purity and truth that God intended when Adam and Eve were made in innocence.

To be sanctified then could only take place by knowing the complete truth of God. The Written Word of God that we have today!

Psa 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

Psa 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

Psa 19:9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

Psa 19:10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Jesus then says all disciples of Jesus Christ are to be missionaries and ambassadors for Christ.

*****Joh 17:18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

Joh 17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

It is a great privilege to be a part of God' plan for salvation for all those who will believe!

All disciples have the same ministry of Jesus the ministry of reconciliation.

2Co_5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

2Co_5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Heb_2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

How did Jesus say He sanctified Himself?

Psa 40:7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,

Psa 40:8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

Psa 40:9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.

Psa 40:10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.

Now then Jesus brings the Church into the picture.

*****Joh 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

Joh 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

Saving "Faith" can come only by the Word of God.

From the Word of God we learn of the "pardon".

We learn of "justification".

We learn of "adoption".

We learn of "sanctification".

All these through the Lord Jesus Christ!

Joh 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

Notice it is very clear, the benefits of Jesus Christ come only to those who believe in the work He has done for our salvation!

Jesus has prayed for each and every one who has "Faith" in the Lord Jesus Christ!

Notice we must not only believe upon the words written about Him, but we must believe on Him, the Living Son of God!

Here we also see the mistake of the modern Church. There is no new message. God has not changed anything to suit this modern world. To be a "Born Again" child of God we must believe the message of these 11 men plus the Apostle Paul and this message will never change because their message was the message that the Lord Jesus Christ gave to them!

We can never be "ONE" with Christ if we do not accept His Message!

*****Joh 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

Joh 17:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

A divided message is not a true message!

As believers we must be unified around the Word of God.

Just as a divided house cannot stand and a divided kingdom cannot stand then a divided Church cannot stand, and this is what we see today.

The church is more divided than it has ever been. A division that goes far beyond foolish denominations.

We must understand that it is not what we believe, it is what God has said!

The Word of God has been so twisted up deliberately by so many, that today many do not know the truth of the Word of God.

We can only give God the glory when we teach His truth!

God gave Jesus His message and sent Him to this earth with that message.

Jesus gave that same message to the Apostles.

The Apostle gave that same message to this world.

It’s time we listened to what God has to say without voicing our own opinion!

Col 1:25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;

Col 1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

We can never have the glory of God if we reject the glory of His Word!

*****Joh 17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

Joh 17:25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.

Joh 17:26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

We find this Scripture in the Book of Hebrews:

Heb 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit all share the same throne in Heaven because they are "One God".

With this thought in mind, it is the last will of a dyeing man, Jesus in the Flesh, and Jesus the Son of God, that all His disciples be with Him in Heaven.

Now everyone who goes home to be with the Lord, including those 12 Apostles are already with the Lord in Heaven and we will join them all at our death or at the "Rapture" of the Church which is the tool that will make the Jews jealous enough to realize that they have been wrong all these years.

1Jn_3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

Jesus now prays to His righteous Father who always does things the right way and Jesus says it is only right that the family comes back home.

It is just as obvious today as in these last days of Jesus on this earth, that the world still does not know the One True God and it does not look like the world cares.

We know that we have a loving Father in Heaven who not only loved this world enough to have a plan of salvation that cannot fail, but in the end, will accept every believer into His family in a totally new home.

The world says we are crazy, but it is actually in reverse. It is the world that is foolish.

The world we live in now will one day reach a point when all mankind are deliberately evil and the Lord will return to do as he did at the time off Noah, yet this time by fire but this will never take place until he has brought His children home.

It is all our job to declare to this world the name of God which is "LOVE" if we just look at His actions toward us!

It is impossible to love a God that we cannot know!

It is Jesus Christ who expresses the Love of God and shares that love with us!

There is no god like unto Jehovah, the "I AM" of the Bible.

Amen

Let's Pray!