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Jesus Prays for Himself & His Cross
Shaun Rossi // The Gospel of John
The redeeming cross is where Jesus died supremely reveals his glory and is the spring of eternal life for all who believe in His name.
“When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.”
— John 17:1-5
Sermon OutlineI.The Cross is the Hour For Which Jesus Came
“23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.”
— Acts 2:23
II. The Cross is the Means for Jesus’ Glorification
“This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.”
— John 2:11
“23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”
— 1 Corinthians 1:23-24
III. The Cross is the Ground on Which Jesus Offers Eternal Life
““21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.””
— John 5:21
“37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.”
— John 6:37-39
THE POWER OF THE CROSS IN THE LIFE OF THE CHRISTIAN
Many of us feel a strong need to prove ourselves. We think we are not good enough for God. C.J. Mahaney in his book “The Cross–Centered Life” asks us:
Do you relate to God as if you were on a kind of permanent probation, suspecting that at any moment He may haul you back into the jail cell of His disfavour?
When you come to worship, do you maintain a ̳respectful distance‘ from God, as if He were a fascinating but ill-tempered celebrity known for lashing out at His fans?
When you read Scripture, does it reveal the boundless love of the Saviour or merely intensify your condemnation?
Mahaney goes on to say:
““Do you see any traces of condemnation in your life? Don‘t be surprised if you do. But don‘t keep carrying the burden! Because of the gospel‘s power you can be completely free of all condemnation. Not mostly free; completely free ... God is glorified when we believe with all our hearts that those who trust in Christ can never be condemned.””
How amazing it is that Jesus prays in John 17:1-5 that we would know God for who He truly is! Maybe your human father was like that, stern or distant. Maybe you approached him hesitantly or reluctantly. But your Heavenly Father is not like that. Jesus actions on the cross are the outflow of the Father‘s love for you and make it possible to have a relationship with you.
book recommendation: The Cross of Christ, John StottOne of John Stott’s (1921-2011) influential books was The Cross of Christ, originally published by InterVarsity Press in 1986. The book clearly and helpfully expounds on Christ’s sacrificial death, fleshing out the core doctrine upon which our faith rests. Here are 5 quotes about the cross from the book:
“1. “From Jesus’ youth, indeed even from his birth, the cross cast its shadow ahead of him. His death was central to his mission. Moreover, the church has always recognized this.” (pg. 23)
2. “The fact that a cross became the Christian symbol, and that Christians stubbornly refused, in spite of the ridicule, to discard it in favor of something less offensive, can have only on explanation. It means that the centrality of the cross originated in the mind of Jesus himself. It was out of loyalty to him that his followers clung so doggedly to this sign.” (pg. 31)
3. “God could quite justly have abandoned us to our fate. He could have left us alone to reap the fruit of our wrongdoing and to perish in our sins. It is what we deserved. But he did not. Because he loved us, he came after us in Christ. He pursued us even to the desolate anguish of the cross, where he bore our sins, guilt, judgement and death. It takes a hard and stony heart to remain unmoved by love like that.” (pg. 85)
4. “The essential background to the cross, therefore, is a balanced understanding of the gravity of sin and the majesty of God. If we diminish either, we thereby diminish the cross.” (pg. 111)
5.) “Moved by the perfection of his holy love, God in Christ substituted himself for us sinners. That is the heart of the Cross of Christ.” (pg. 165)”
2. “The fact that a cross became the Christian symbol, and that Christians stubbornly refused, in spite of the ridicule, to discard it in favor of something less offensive, can have only on explanation. It means that the centrality of the cross originated in the mind of Jesus himself. It was out of loyalty to him that his followers clung so doggedly to this sign.” (pg. 31)
3. “God could quite justly have abandoned us to our fate. He could have left us alone to reap the fruit of our wrongdoing and to perish in our sins. It is what we deserved. But he did not. Because he loved us, he came after us in Christ. He pursued us even to the desolate anguish of the cross, where he bore our sins, guilt, judgement and death. It takes a hard and stony heart to remain unmoved by love like that.” (pg. 85)
4. “The essential background to the cross, therefore, is a balanced understanding of the gravity of sin and the majesty of God. If we diminish either, we thereby diminish the cross.” (pg. 111)
5.) “Moved by the perfection of his holy love, God in Christ substituted himself for us sinners. That is the heart of the Cross of Christ.” (pg. 165)”
Back to Bulletin
SMALL GROUP STUDy
Read John 17:1-5
1. What has God, the Father, given to Jesus? How does this gift from God help us answer the question of who Jesus is?
Are there other places in Scripture where we see that Jesus has been given authority? Read Matthew 28:18; John 5:27, 10:18; & 12:49.
When we read the word “flesh” in verse 2, who or what does that word refer to? Is anyone excluded from the authority of Jesus?
2. What does Jesus have authority to give to all people? Have we seen this message previously in the Gospel of John? Read John 1:4; 3:14-16; 4:14; 5:24; 6:27 & 40; 10:10 & 28; 11:25; and 14:6.
What is the purpose of the Gospel of John? Read John 20:31.
What is the source of life that John presents throughout his Gospel? Can someone find real life, the way humans were created to live life, apart from Jesus? Why or why not
How has your relationship with Jesus helped you experience real life?
3. How does Jesus define eternal life in verse 3? Is this definition different than what you have been taught?
What does it mean for you to know God and his son Jesus Christ? Is this merely knowing information about God and Jesus?
What can you do this week, to help others know God and experience eternal life?
4. What is the work that Jesus has accomplished? How does this glorify God?
What can we know about Jesus and his purpose for living as a man when we look at the cross and realize the work that he accomplished there?
How specifically is the glory of God displayed in the cross?
5. As Jesus prays for himself, what is his request of the Father in verse 5?
What will happen to Jesus after he accomplishes the work of salvation through the cross? Read Philippians 2:5-11.
Application
6. Because of who Jesus is and what he has accomplished through the cross, we can look to him as a source of strength when we face trials and challenges in life. As you begin 2020 make a commitment to really know God and experience eternal life now and forever.
Take turns sharing two ways that you will commit to in knowing God better this year.
As you close meditate on or sing the words penned by Isaac Watts in his famous hymn “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”
“When I survey the wondrous cross On which the Prince of Glory died, My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, Save in the death of Christ my God! All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.
See from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down! Did e‘er such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
His dying crimson, like a robe, Spreads o‘er His body on the tree; Then I am dead to all the globe, And all the globe is dead to me.
Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were an offering far too small; Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.”
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, Save in the death of Christ my God! All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.
See from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down! Did e‘er such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
His dying crimson, like a robe, Spreads o‘er His body on the tree; Then I am dead to all the globe, And all the globe is dead to me.
Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were an offering far too small; Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.”
— Isaac Watts, 1674-1748
View all episodes
By United Community ChurchShaun Rossi // The Gospel of John
The redeeming cross is where Jesus died supremely reveals his glory and is the spring of eternal life for all who believe in His name.
“When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.”
— John 17:1-5
Sermon OutlineI.The Cross is the Hour For Which Jesus Came
“23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.”
— Acts 2:23
II. The Cross is the Means for Jesus’ Glorification
“This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.”
— John 2:11
“23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”
— 1 Corinthians 1:23-24
III. The Cross is the Ground on Which Jesus Offers Eternal Life
““21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.””
— John 5:21
“37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.”
— John 6:37-39
THE POWER OF THE CROSS IN THE LIFE OF THE CHRISTIAN
Many of us feel a strong need to prove ourselves. We think we are not good enough for God. C.J. Mahaney in his book “The Cross–Centered Life” asks us:
Do you relate to God as if you were on a kind of permanent probation, suspecting that at any moment He may haul you back into the jail cell of His disfavour?
When you come to worship, do you maintain a ̳respectful distance‘ from God, as if He were a fascinating but ill-tempered celebrity known for lashing out at His fans?
When you read Scripture, does it reveal the boundless love of the Saviour or merely intensify your condemnation?
Mahaney goes on to say:
““Do you see any traces of condemnation in your life? Don‘t be surprised if you do. But don‘t keep carrying the burden! Because of the gospel‘s power you can be completely free of all condemnation. Not mostly free; completely free ... God is glorified when we believe with all our hearts that those who trust in Christ can never be condemned.””
How amazing it is that Jesus prays in John 17:1-5 that we would know God for who He truly is! Maybe your human father was like that, stern or distant. Maybe you approached him hesitantly or reluctantly. But your Heavenly Father is not like that. Jesus actions on the cross are the outflow of the Father‘s love for you and make it possible to have a relationship with you.
book recommendation: The Cross of Christ, John StottOne of John Stott’s (1921-2011) influential books was The Cross of Christ, originally published by InterVarsity Press in 1986. The book clearly and helpfully expounds on Christ’s sacrificial death, fleshing out the core doctrine upon which our faith rests. Here are 5 quotes about the cross from the book:
“1. “From Jesus’ youth, indeed even from his birth, the cross cast its shadow ahead of him. His death was central to his mission. Moreover, the church has always recognized this.” (pg. 23)
2. “The fact that a cross became the Christian symbol, and that Christians stubbornly refused, in spite of the ridicule, to discard it in favor of something less offensive, can have only on explanation. It means that the centrality of the cross originated in the mind of Jesus himself. It was out of loyalty to him that his followers clung so doggedly to this sign.” (pg. 31)
3. “God could quite justly have abandoned us to our fate. He could have left us alone to reap the fruit of our wrongdoing and to perish in our sins. It is what we deserved. But he did not. Because he loved us, he came after us in Christ. He pursued us even to the desolate anguish of the cross, where he bore our sins, guilt, judgement and death. It takes a hard and stony heart to remain unmoved by love like that.” (pg. 85)
4. “The essential background to the cross, therefore, is a balanced understanding of the gravity of sin and the majesty of God. If we diminish either, we thereby diminish the cross.” (pg. 111)
5.) “Moved by the perfection of his holy love, God in Christ substituted himself for us sinners. That is the heart of the Cross of Christ.” (pg. 165)”
2. “The fact that a cross became the Christian symbol, and that Christians stubbornly refused, in spite of the ridicule, to discard it in favor of something less offensive, can have only on explanation. It means that the centrality of the cross originated in the mind of Jesus himself. It was out of loyalty to him that his followers clung so doggedly to this sign.” (pg. 31)
3. “God could quite justly have abandoned us to our fate. He could have left us alone to reap the fruit of our wrongdoing and to perish in our sins. It is what we deserved. But he did not. Because he loved us, he came after us in Christ. He pursued us even to the desolate anguish of the cross, where he bore our sins, guilt, judgement and death. It takes a hard and stony heart to remain unmoved by love like that.” (pg. 85)
4. “The essential background to the cross, therefore, is a balanced understanding of the gravity of sin and the majesty of God. If we diminish either, we thereby diminish the cross.” (pg. 111)
5.) “Moved by the perfection of his holy love, God in Christ substituted himself for us sinners. That is the heart of the Cross of Christ.” (pg. 165)”
Back to Bulletin
SMALL GROUP STUDy
Read John 17:1-5
1. What has God, the Father, given to Jesus? How does this gift from God help us answer the question of who Jesus is?
Are there other places in Scripture where we see that Jesus has been given authority? Read Matthew 28:18; John 5:27, 10:18; & 12:49.
When we read the word “flesh” in verse 2, who or what does that word refer to? Is anyone excluded from the authority of Jesus?
2. What does Jesus have authority to give to all people? Have we seen this message previously in the Gospel of John? Read John 1:4; 3:14-16; 4:14; 5:24; 6:27 & 40; 10:10 & 28; 11:25; and 14:6.
What is the purpose of the Gospel of John? Read John 20:31.
What is the source of life that John presents throughout his Gospel? Can someone find real life, the way humans were created to live life, apart from Jesus? Why or why not
How has your relationship with Jesus helped you experience real life?
3. How does Jesus define eternal life in verse 3? Is this definition different than what you have been taught?
What does it mean for you to know God and his son Jesus Christ? Is this merely knowing information about God and Jesus?
What can you do this week, to help others know God and experience eternal life?
4. What is the work that Jesus has accomplished? How does this glorify God?
What can we know about Jesus and his purpose for living as a man when we look at the cross and realize the work that he accomplished there?
How specifically is the glory of God displayed in the cross?
5. As Jesus prays for himself, what is his request of the Father in verse 5?
What will happen to Jesus after he accomplishes the work of salvation through the cross? Read Philippians 2:5-11.
Application
6. Because of who Jesus is and what he has accomplished through the cross, we can look to him as a source of strength when we face trials and challenges in life. As you begin 2020 make a commitment to really know God and experience eternal life now and forever.
Take turns sharing two ways that you will commit to in knowing God better this year.
As you close meditate on or sing the words penned by Isaac Watts in his famous hymn “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”
“When I survey the wondrous cross On which the Prince of Glory died, My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, Save in the death of Christ my God! All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.
See from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down! Did e‘er such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
His dying crimson, like a robe, Spreads o‘er His body on the tree; Then I am dead to all the globe, And all the globe is dead to me.
Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were an offering far too small; Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.”
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, Save in the death of Christ my God! All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.
See from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down! Did e‘er such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
His dying crimson, like a robe, Spreads o‘er His body on the tree; Then I am dead to all the globe, And all the globe is dead to me.
Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were an offering far too small; Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.”
— Isaac Watts, 1674-1748