KNOWING GOD – THE GOD OF LOVE || Lesson 25 

KNOWING GOD – THE GOD OF LOVE

[With Reference to the Events Concerning Jesus’ “Passion,” note how Jesus’ love is amazingly displayed throughout and therefore ‘stand in awe of God, the Most High.’]

Lesson Twenty-five

JOURNEY TO GETHSEMANE – [Approximately 1 mile, uphill] (Cont’d.)

Jesus’ Discourse & High Priestly Prayer – (John 15 – 17)

High Priestly Prayer – John 17

Jesus Prays For All Believers – John 17:20-26

²⁰“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, ²¹that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ²²I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: ²³I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

²⁴“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

²⁵“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. ²⁶I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

V.20 – “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,

Paul also prayed for believers.  Examples: Acts 20:36-38 – ³⁶When he had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. ³⁷They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. ³⁸What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.

1 Corinthians 1:4-9 – ⁴I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. ⁵For in him you have been enriched in every way–in all your speaking and in all your knowledge– ⁶because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. ⁷Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. ⁸He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

2 Thessalonians 3:5 – May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

See:  Ephesians 1:15-23; 3:14-21; Philippians 1:3-11; Colossians 1:3-14.

Application: Ephesians 6:18 – And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

V.21-23 – that all of them may be one … that they may be one as we are one … May they be brought to complete unity …

UNITY:  Jesus was mindful of the effectiveness of unity.  Compare Genesis 11:1-9.

Application:  Let us ask the GOD OF LOVE to help us to “hear” the following.

Matthew 18:19 – “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.

1 Corinthians 1:10 – I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.

2 Corinthians 13:11 – Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

Ephesians 4:3 – Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Philippians 1:27-28 – ²⁷Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel ²⁸without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.  This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but you will be saved—and that by God.

Philippians 4:2-3 – ²I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.  ³Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Colossians 2:2-3 – ²My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, ³in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

1 Peter 3:8 – Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.