The second 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 12:20–36 (NIV84)
20Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast.
21They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.”
22Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
23Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
24I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
25The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
26Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
27“Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.
28Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”
29The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.
30Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine.
31Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.
32But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.”
33He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
34The crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ will remain forever, so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?”
35Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going.
36Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.
Text
John 17:1–5 (NIV84)
1After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.
2For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.
3Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
4I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.
5And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
