The Greatest Prayer Ever Prayed, Part 4
John 17:17
Chapter review:
- John 17:1-5 – Jesus prays for Himself
- John 17:6-19 – Jesus prays for the eleven apostles
- John 17:20-26 – Jesus prays for ALL of His Church (us)
Five things in Jesus’ prayer for His apostles:
- Keep them (17:11)
- …that they may be one as We are (17:11)
- That they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves (17:13)
- That You should keep them from the evil one (17:15)
- Sanctify them by Your truth (17:17)
John 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
First of all let’s understand the difference between
- JUSTIFICATION
- SANCTIFICATION
JUSTIFICATION – A one-time work of God. A legal declaration that the sinner is now righteous before God because of the work of Christ on the cross.
Romans 3:23-24 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being JUSTIFIED freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been JUSTIFIED by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Galatians 3:24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be JUSTIFIED by faith.
SANCTIFICATION – To be set apart for special use. To be holy. To be consecrated. Sanctification is a process, beginning with justification and continuing throughout life.
Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are SANCTIFIED by faith in Me.
1 Corinthians 1:2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are SANCTIFIED in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 For this is the will of God, your SANCTIFICATION: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in SANCTIFICATION and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God
2 Timothy 2:21 A vessel for honor, SANCTIFIED and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being SANCTIFIED.
JUSTIFICATION is the miracle of a moment. SANCTIFICATION is the work of a lifetime.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were SANCTIFIED, but you were JUSTIFIED in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
The main means of SANCTIFICATION is God’s truth, which Jesus explained is God’s Word.
John 17:17 SANCTIFY them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
Jesus here prays that the Father would SANCTIFY the disciples by God’s Word.
Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might SANCTIFY and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
John 17:17 SANCTIFY them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
This means that it is ESSENTIAL for the believer in Jesus, the true follower, to be READING God’s word DAILY! This is not meant to be legalistic! See the blessing given in Psalm 1 for the one who will delight in God’s Word.
Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.
2 Timothy 3:15 From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.