Jesus’ Upper Room Prayer
26 May 2013 PM – John 17:1-26 – Scott Childs
Introduction: Because this prayer of Jesus follows the discussions Jesus had with His disciples in the upper room the night before His crucifixion and because John 18:1 speaks of them crossing the brook Cedron after the prayer, I believe that Jesus prayed this prayer in the upper room with His disciples.
Transition: This evening we are going to four elements of Jesus’ upper room prayer. As we do, we will learn more about Christ, but we will also learn about prayer.
I. His Acknowledgements Addressed in His Prayer
A. Jesus acknowledge what the Father gave Him
1. You gave Me power to give eternal life (2)
2. You gave Me [atonement] work to do (4)
3. You gave Me men out of the world (6, 9, 11, 12, 24)
4. You gave Me all things [to do My work] (7)
5. You gave Me words [specific words] (8)
B. Jesus acknowledge other blessings
1. You gave Me glory (22, 24)
2. You loved Me eternally (24)
3. I have known You (25)
4. You have loved Me (26)
In our prayers, we ought to acknowledge things God has given us and His blessings. We should thank God for all He has given us in salvation. Thank God for our family. Thank Him for your church and pastor. Thank Him for the Bible. Thank God for forgiveness. Thank Him for Christian friends. Count your blessings name them one by one as the hymn writer put it.
II. His Accomplishments Mentioned in His Prayer
A. He expresses these in “I have” statements
1. I have glorified You (4)
2. I have finished the work (4)
3. I have manifested Your name (6)
4. I have given unto them Your [specific ρηματα] words (8)
5. I have kept those You gave Me (12)
6. I have given them Your [general λογον] word (message) (14)
7. I have given them My glory (22)
Dr. Peter Pett: The glory of Jesus was ‘full of grace and truth’ (Joh 1:14). It was a glory of compassion and mercifulness, and above all of truth concerning God. This He has sought to pass on to His own.
8. I have declared unto them Your name (26)
B. He expressed ongoing activities
1. I am speaking these things in the world (13)
2. I am sending them into the world (18)
a) Jesus sends us into the world just like the Father sent Him into the world.
b) First, we must be sanctified (set apart) by the truth found in the Bible. He wants us to be set apart from the world in character and set apart in the world for God’s service.
c) We are not saved to sit, but to serve.
3. I am sanctifying myself in order that they might be sanctified (19) Jesus set apart Himself to do the Father’s will that we might be set apart to a holy life of service through the truth of His Word.
I think it is wise to talk to God about our accomplishments and shortcomings. Only Jesus perfectly did His Father’s will. This is not a brag time. Rather, it is a time to talk to God about the duties He has given us. It is a time to discuss with Him what we have done and what we have yet to do. Talk to Him about your personal quiet time with God. Talk to Him about your standing before Him (have you obeyed Him in Baptism and church membership?). Husbands, talk to God about your duty to love and lead your wife. Wives, talk to God about your duty to complete your husband submissively. Discuss both progress and shortcomings. Parents, talk to God about your parental duties. Children, talk to God about your relationship with your parents. Talk to God about your witnessing, your church ministries, and your character. Ask God to point out needs.
III. His Requests Made in His Prayer
A. His earnest requests
1. I am praying for them (9, 15, 20)
a) Jesus did not pray for the world but for the believers.
b) He did not pray that the Father would take us out of the world, but that He would keep us from the evil. This may refer to the evils of sin or the one (the devil).
2. I am desiring that the believers be with me (24)
a) The word “will” speaks of desire.
b) Jesus wants Christians to be with Him in heaven.
B. His firm requests [imperatives]
1. Glorify me (1, 5)
2. Keep them (11)
3. Sanctify them (17)
Certainly, requests ought to be part of our prayers, but they ought not to be the main part of every prayer. Both acknowledgements and accomplishments ought to be large portions of our prayers. God wants us to ask Him to provide our needs.
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Many times, God does not supply for us because we do not ask Him to. How much do you pray each day?
James 4:2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
Psalm 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
If David set aside three times daily to pray, should not we set aside at least one time daily to get alone with God? Jesus said:
Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
We cannot demand anything from God. However, we can claim clear promises that are given to Christians in the Word of God. We can remind God of promises He has made and ask Him to fulfil them.
IV. His Promise Stated in His Prayer
I will declare your name. Jesus finished His prayer by promising the Father that he would continue to make known His name.
One of our main duties as Christians is to make known the name of the Lord. We are to be witnesses for Christ. We sing about it. We talk about it. We pray about it. But how often do we do it?
Conclusion: This evening, we have by no means exhausted all that we could learn from this prayer of the Lord Jesus. However, I trust we have learned more about prayer.
Have you been thanking God in your prayers as you should? Talk to Him about the things He has done for you. Express your appreciation to Him.
Do you ever talk to God about your duties? It is good for us to review our duties as husbands, wives, children, parents, witnesses, God’s servants, and Christ’s representatives.
Do you pray as much as you should? Life is busy and the devil will do his best to give you excuses for not praying. Prayer is a vital part of abiding in Christ, and Jesus said if we do not abide in Him, we can do nothing.
Tonight, let’s ask God to improve our prayer lives.
Song: Teach Me to Pray – 346