Sermons

Summary: "What if God was one of us? Just a slob like one of us. Just a stranger on the bus. Trying to make his way home"

John 17:1-19

Jesus prays for his disciples

- for us

God talking to himself

- Trinity

- God is in himself a relational being

- not just an unmoved mover but one of us

- Alanis Morissette: "What if God was one of us? Just a slob like one of us. Just a stranger on the bus. Trying to make his way home"

Gospel of John

- Not a historic prayer of historic Jesus but a message from John to his congregation

- approximately 100 Anno Domini

- identifies himself with the disciple whom Jesus loved

- Proof of date: Struggle within the Synagogue (John 9:22 the Jews had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue) only possible way after the destruction of the temple

- What is going on in John’s congregation that he needs to tell them that?

Why would John stress Jesus’ Preexistence by having him pray:

- 5 So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.

- Amen means confirm - attach yourself in eternity - assurance, stability

Why would John stress Unity by having Jesus pray:

- 11 And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.

- Strength through Unity - stick together - support one another

Why would John stress the virtue of Difference by having Jesus pray:

- 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world.

- It’s okay to be different - we are weirdos to our Mormon community - we really appreciate diversity

Why would John have Jesus ask for Protection from Enemies by praying:

- 15 I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one.

- John’s congregation faced real Prosecution - also in our time and place it is tough professing Christ - Satan is leading the enemies

Ultimately John wants his congregation to be Sanctified in Truth and has Jesus pray:

- 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.

- Sanctify means to set apart

- Shabbat - to offer rest

- Cities of Refuge - to save lives

- Chosen People - to express true love

- Temple - to show reverence

- Called to Discipleship - to show commitment

- Roman environment: home churches

- Mormon Land: Protestant Safe Haven

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