2014.8.17 礼拝

Testimony by Akihiro Tsuchiya – Having participated in the retreat with Tuesday’s Life Group members, realized the significance of fellowship and time to deepen relationship with God besides Sunday services and Life Groups.
Message: John 17:1-26 “Prayer of Jesus”
How do we experience God’s words? If we only come close to God’s words during the sermon, then it is a problem. The service message, as important as it is, is an introduction so that each one of us can learn more by reading the Bible directly. Therefore, as mentioned in Tuchy’s testimony, the sermon is only a start of the week.
Prayer: The Lord’s Prayer – prayed at churches during the service
Bedtime Prayers – Taught in many Christian homes
Prayers before meals
If above and any other prayers become a routine and a habit, then the prayer becomes meaningless.
John 17:1-5 – Jesus prayed for himself.
1.After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. …4.I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5.And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.”
l It’s all right to pray for yourself (as Jesus did): “Glorify your Son” (v.1), “…that they know you,… and Jesus Christ” (v.3), “Father, glorify me” (v.5).
l It does not matter how you pray: When Jesus prayed, “he looked toward heaven” (v.1), while many people pray with their eyes closed. What matters is that you pray.
l Should be a prayer to our Father (v.1 & v.5). After the big earthquake in Japan, there was a slogan “Pray for Japan”. When a person was asked who he was praying to, the answer was that he didn’t know and it didn’t matter. But actually it does matter and is very important.
l Important to glorify Jesus Christ: (v.1, 4, 5)
– Jesus (Son) and Father are equal (One). “Glory” is of great importance to Jesus as it connects Him to the Father in glory.
– Jesus finished all the work that needed to be done and is worthy of glory – I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. (v.4)
John 17:6-19: Jesus prayed for his disciples. 6.“They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7.Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you….9.for they are yours. 10.All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.
l Jesus loved his disciples.
l Why were the disciples protected?
– They were members of his own family. (v.6, 7, 9, 10)
– They have done what needed to be done. (v.6, 7)
– The brought glory to Jesus. (v.10)
l Jesus prayed for them to be protected from this world. (v.11-19)
11.Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name – the name you gave me … 12.While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. 14.I have given them your word and the world has hated them… 17.Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 19.For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
– The power of God’s name is the protection. (v.11, 12)
– By the Word = Truth (v.14, 17, 19)
John 17:20-26: Jesus prayed for us.