The third in a series of 6 sermons
Series Theme
What is the Church?
Many speak of the church as the building in which the congregation of God’s people meet. Yet this is not the Church that is the Bride of Christ, His body.
The Church is a community that derives its sense of fellowship from God who Himself lives in the community of the trinity; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
In His High Priestly prayer, Jesus reveals much as to that fellowship enjoyed by the Trinity. He also reveals how that fellowship within the Trinity is to lived out in the community of those whom the Father had given to Him, the elect, His body,the Church.
Readings reproduced on this page:
The Holy Bible: New International Version. 1996, 1984. Grand Rapids: Zondervan
Readings
John 13:31–14:4 (NIV84)
31When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him.
32If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.
33“My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.
34“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
36Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.”
37Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”
38Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!
1“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.
2In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.
3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
4You know the way to the place where I am going.”
Text
John 17:5, 22-24 (NIV84)
5And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
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.
