June 26, 2005
Scripture:
John 17 – a well-known passage – I just wanted to take a few thoughts from this chapter. The Lord is speaking to His Father and in v. 4, although the cross is still ahead of Him, he speaks as though it is already done. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. Here he speaks of His suffering; in v. 5, he speaks of His glory – And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. Now v. 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. I believe these are His Godhead glories, the ones He laid aside to come to the cross. The thought I had was in v. 22 – And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one. These aren’t His Godhead glories, but His acquired glories, gotten from accomplishing the work Gad gave Him to do. They are rightfully His, added on to His Godhead glories. It is a marvel is it not, He shares them with us; someday we will be in the glory with Him. We have been talking about the pain and suffering of the Lord, how he came to Calvary. We had no part in His sufferings, but we will have part in His glories. Romans 8 reminds us that if we live for him, we will suffer too; we can suffer now knowing that we will be glorified with Him. How precious is our portion!
EG Hymn 352 – Oh, won’t you come to Jesus while you’re young? Prayer Proverbs 30:29-31 • We will look at the three animals and see if they have a lesson for Christians. • Lion – You don’t see a lion at a petting zoo; you usually see one behind bars. Sometimes the lion is called a king; this is because he is strong, bold, and courageous. This is a picture of a Christian who is not ashamed of his Saviour. But for a Christian, this strength doesn’t come from himself, but God. Peter can be an example for us. Matthew 26:33-35; although the Lord said Peter would deny Him, Peter said he wouldn’t. Vv. 73-75; Peter failed because He used his own strength. Acts 4:5-8; here Peter used the strength of the Holy Spirit, and he was able to be as bold as a lion. • Greyhound – A greyhound runs very fast and doesn’t get distracted while running. This is how we should run the Christian race. Philippians 3:13, 14; we should press towards the mark. Hebrews 12:1, 2 • Goat – A mountain goat is very good at climbing up steep rocky slopes; he is very surefooted. You could say he is nearer heaven when he is on a mountain. Colossians 3:1-3; we should be heavenly-minded; Job lost all he had, but he didn’t despair, because his mind wasn’t on what he had, it was on the Lord.
Hebrews 4:12-16 • V. 12 – Darby says that it’s not really dividing between the two objects in each set (soul from spirit and joint from marrow); but it means dividing between the two groups (soul and spirit from joints and marrow). • The thoughts and intents of the heart are more than just our behaviour. It’s one thing to act contrary to God’s Word; it’s another thing to think contrary to God’s Word. We should set our mind on things above. One thing that can help set our minds is having a daily devotional time. When you read, try to find a “wondrous thing” (Psalm 119:18). Then when your mind starts going in the wrong direction, start thinking about that thought you found. • V. 13 – God is omniscient, all-knowing. “Thou God seest me.” This verse also has a reminder to the Hebrews, and us as well, that we have to do with God. He sees all and knows all. We can’t do anything under-cover. • V. 14 – In the Old Testament, Aaron was the High Priest; he could go into the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement. He would offer sacrifices on behalf of himself and the people. That work has been done for us. Jesus goes into the presence of God for us making intercession for us. Romans 8:26,27,34; This is a double intercession: the Holy Spirit makes intercession to Jesus for us, and then Jesus make intercession to His Father for us to sustain us in our weakness. 1 John 2:1; In French, an advocate is a lawyer. Jesus is our advocate, One who takes up my case in the presence of God. Instead of judgement for my sin, Jesus can hold up His hands in advocation for us and say, “I paid for that.” EG Hymn 335 – I am so glad that our Father in Heaven