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Elements City Church
Believe - week 14 (John 17) ONLINE ONLY
We are taking an extended dive into the gospel of John. In this gospel we witness the hands-on Jesus in all his splendor and radiance. John writes as one who is very close to Jesus and he goes to great length to record a full picture of the person and powerful work of Jesus: a human Christ to redeem us, a divine Christ to reveal God’s nature, and a powerful, Spirit-filled Christ to help us live godly lives. We want to lean into this incredible portrait of Christ painted in the gospel of John! We want to grow to know Jesus better, grow in the life He gives and grow in the life-mission He invites us into. John writes so that we would BELIEVE. *(see John 20:30-31)
Locations & Times
Elements City Church
1825 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85712, USA
Sunday 5:00 PM
Thanks for joining us...
As we continue to navigate this Covid-19 situation - we're doing all we can to keep your family safe AND continue to connect as God's church. We need one another. Practice social distancing, but avoid social isolating. So join us online Sunday's at 5pm. Also sign up to be of help to folks that need it -- or let us know if you need some help by visiting our website...
http://elementscitychurch.orgLet's look into a prayer of Jesus. It’s known as the great Priestly Prayer of Jesus in the gospel of John, chapter 17. I invite you to read it this week. We won’t be able to draw out every gem here, but I wanna do an overview - highlight some truths that are for us to marinate our mind on & let it move our hearts.
You can break this priestly prayer of Jesus up into 3 key sections:
• Jesus’ Prayer for Himself—John 17:1-5
• Jesus’ Prayer for His Disciples—John 17:6-19
• Jesus’ Prayer for His Church—John 17:20-26
• Jesus’ Prayer for Himself—John 17:1-5
• Jesus’ Prayer for His Disciples—John 17:6-19
• Jesus’ Prayer for His Church—John 17:20-26
Jesus here defines eternal life. Eternal life means to know experientially God and his Son. Eternal life is not just being around forever; for believers it means being relationally connected now for eternity with God, our loving Father through Jesus Christ.
Jesus prays for his disciples and us: John 17:6-26
Often in the gospel accounts we see Jesus interceding in prayer for his followers.
-The content of His prayer for His church covered (beginning in v. 13):
• Joy—v. 13
• Holiness—vv. 14-17
- Protection vv.15-16
• Truth—v. 17
• Mission—vv. 18-19
• Unity—vv. 20-23
• Love—vv. 25-26
-These were the things that He prayed for His church. And he still does!!
Often in the gospel accounts we see Jesus interceding in prayer for his followers.
-The content of His prayer for His church covered (beginning in v. 13):
• Joy—v. 13
• Holiness—vv. 14-17
- Protection vv.15-16
• Truth—v. 17
• Mission—vv. 18-19
• Unity—vv. 20-23
• Love—vv. 25-26
-These were the things that He prayed for His church. And he still does!!
== UNITY will be what puts the Love of Christ on display to a watching world! Unity to oneness in Christ – unity to be FOR one another in a world that is broken, fractured, experiences disunity and divisiveness at every turn…
The Apostle Paul calls us to this unity in his statement to the Philippian church
Philippians 2.1-2
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
The Apostle Paul calls us to this unity in his statement to the Philippian church
Philippians 2.1-2
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
A.W. Tozer in The Pursuit of God said,
“Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow.”
We’re to have unity – focused around the ONE and ONLY Jesus.
“Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow.”
We’re to have unity – focused around the ONE and ONLY Jesus.
It’s about being united in togetherness, not uniformity of sameness!
1 Corinthians 12:12-27 *reason for the “body” image of the church
– one body, many members. We’re each different, uniquely wired and shaped by God; but we’re united as one in Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:12-27 *reason for the “body” image of the church
– one body, many members. We’re each different, uniquely wired and shaped by God; but we’re united as one in Christ.
John 17:26
“I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them & that I myself may be in them.”
“I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them & that I myself may be in them.”
As you examine this prayer, there is a reality that comes into view, that there are some key areas of attack the devil often tries to exploit...
• He tries to disrupt unity in a church
• He tries to disrupt the advancement of the gospel
• He tries to get believers to dishonor the Son of God
• He tries to get believers to not display the love of Christ
• He tries to get believers to think that the love of God is beyond them
• He tries to disrupt unity in a church
• He tries to disrupt the advancement of the gospel
• He tries to get believers to dishonor the Son of God
• He tries to get believers to not display the love of Christ
• He tries to get believers to think that the love of God is beyond them
All of these matters Jesus anticipated because He knew that this would occur once the church began to move – so he prayed for you, for me, for us. And He still does...
Romans 8:34
"Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."
Romans 8:34
"Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."
COMMUNION AT HOME
Thanks for partnering us...
Elements family: thank you for being a part of enabling us to BE the Church in our city especially in this moment. Your gifts help fuel the mission and capacity to share His love with all we can. You can give here, online or via our app...
http://elem.cc/giveAgain - if you need help or wanna help - visit www.elementscitychurch.org and let us know. We love you - you can also let us know of specific prayer requests via our app (prayer request tab). You can also listen to playlist of songs we sing via the playlist in the app. We're here FOR YOU and God is too! We'll see you back online NEXT SUNDAY ONLINE AT 5PM!