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John 17:  ¹¹ And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

¹² While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

¹³ And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

¹⁴ I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

¹⁵ I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

¹⁶ They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

¹⁷ Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

¹⁸ As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

¹⁹ And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

The moment was approaching in which Christ would be rejected, accused, spit upon, beaten horribly, and then die upon a cross.  The righteous, sinless Son of God had known before Creation that this moment would come.  Adam’s choice had not taken the God-head by surprise.  Omniscience knew that Adam would sin; but also knew that there would be many born who would accept God’s gift of salvation wrapped within His desire to share His love, His Joy and His Glory with those whom by free will would accept His offer of salvation and choose to seek Him.  So the moment had come that Christ must bare the penalty of sin for all of mankind upon the cross with the one thing most terrifying and painful for Him, that He must be separated from God the Father (His very soul) and God the Holy Spirit (His very spirit) and He would be plunged into Hell.  If Hell is eternal separation from God’s love, joy, and glory; then Christ was plunged into a hell that He could never have prepared for and could never have experienced brefore.  That torment was the greatest for Him.  The soul of God (the Father) could not look upon sin for He is perfect righteousness and could not have any part with sin; so as Christ took on man’s sin, man’s guilt, and man’s suffering–God was forced to forsake His son–until the work was finished.  Yet, on His way to the Garden where only hours later He would be betrayed and the walk toward the moment in which that very dark hour would begin; Christ prayed for all who would accept this gift of salvation.  His desire is that they know the truth and be sanctified through the truth of the word of God.  When one knows the truth, that the only true joy that our hearts, minds, and souls can truly feel is based upon a relationship with our creator.  All other joys are merely counterfeit.  All conflict, sorrows, pains, and trials on this earth become meaningless trivialities when we recognize that they cannot steal the Joy we have: founded upon a relationship with our creator and our Savior.   What Joy is mine because I know Him!  What Joy is mine to know that He loves me, unconditionally!  What Joy is mine to know that His love is so great that He cannot leave me in the regenerate state in which He found me; but rather is always about the work of my Sanctification, that I may become the beautiful bride for Christ that He already sees me to be.  He sees my greatest potential and is ever about the work of my reaching the point that I will realize them.  He sifts out the chaff, removes the blemishes, destroys one by one the strongholds of sin that my heart desires and rips from my hand the counterfeit joys that I tend to cling to; that I might find this wondrous Joy that I know in Him alone.If I may, I would like to quote two statements from the writing of Jonathan Edwards who is able to express this much better than I can, though these truths have become glaringly evident in my heart. 

Jonathan Edwards > Quotes

“God is the highest good of the reasonable creature. The enjoyment of him is our proper; and is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied. To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. Better than fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, or children, or the company of any, or all earthly friends. These are but shadows; but the enjoyment of God is the substance. These are but scattered beams; but God is the sun. These are but streams; but God is the fountain. These are but drops, but God is the ocean.” 
― Jonathan Edwards, The Works of Jonathan Edwards, Vol. 17: Sermons and Discourses, 1730-1733

“God’s purpose for my life was that I have a passion for God’s glory and that I have a passion for my joy in that glory, and that these two are one passion.” 
― Jonathan Edwards

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQJ1zb-HcEk&playnext=1&list=PL492D7877FFA036D3&feature=results_video

As we continue through Christ’s prayer as he approached the Garden of Gethsemane,

John 17: ⁴ I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

⁵ And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

⁶ I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.

⁷ Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.

⁸ For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

⁹ I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

¹⁰ And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.

Deuteronomy 5: ²⁴ And ye said, Behold, the Lord our God hath shewed us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth.

Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork

John 7:³⁸ He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

³⁹ (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

So what does all this mean?  Christ who had the fullness of Glory which was His being God, laid it aside to humble Himself, be born in a manger, work as a carpenter, teach the apostles, and then to take upon His shoulders the sin of the world so that the Righteousness of God and God’s full justice against the sins of mankind might be paid in full.  There was a huge sin debt and Christ would have to bare the full wrath of God–a terrible price to pay beyond what we can even imagine.  He would then be restored to His Position of Glory seated on the right hand of the Father.  Even more so, that Glory now was more fully magnified by His Glorious demonstration of love, obedience, and sacrifice.  The ultimate of Glory was now magnified.  He did this that I might be saved.  He did this that you might have the opportunity to be saved so that you might share in His love, His Joy and His Glory.   Do you know Him?  Do you believe that there is only one true God and that Jesus Christ (His Son) died for your sins? 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymrZO1PZbU4

 

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John 17: These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

² As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

³ And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Jesus on His way to the Garden of Gethsemane where He knew that His betrayal, His persecution, and His death on the cross were imminent.  He had known since before creation that this day would come.  He along side the Father and the Holy Spirit had created man that they might share the love, the glory, and the joy that was theirs with someone.  That joy could not be fully realized if they did not allow freewill.  Omniscience had known that man would choose the creation over the creator; yet, they knew that would be a people who would choose to accept the gift of salvation.  All of the years that had passed from the moment of creation to the cross; God had provided a way of salvation through symbolic sacrifice.  That Salvation was to be provided by the death, burial and resurrection of His son.  Christ would have to bare the full wrath that perfect righteousness would demand so that Justice would be fulfilled; that would be the only way that man would be able to regain a relationship with their Righteous, Holy Creator.  With that relationship, man’s heart is left empty; no hope and no lasting joy could be found.  The hour was approaching and a humble servant was about to obey the will of the Father; yet, He had a compassionate prayer for all that would believe.  He began that prayer by restating His purpose that was to give eternal life to all that would believe so that they might know the only true God and Christ with intimacy, no doubts, no fears, and no turning back. This was their only hope of Joy, Love, Light and Life.  What a compassionate Savior we have, unselfish and giving; willing to take our place.  Do You Know this Savior?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQhLa7TPoR8

 

I John 1: 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

² (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

³ That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

⁴ And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

⁵ This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

⁶ If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

⁸ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

¹⁰ If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

John had walked with Jesus Christ as one of His apostles.  He had listened as Christ taught the people.  John had seen the miracles.  John was there when Christ was shackled, beaten, and condemned by the crowd.  John stood before the cross and watched His Messiah die while the earth turned suddenly dark.  Then, John saw the resurrected Christ as He appeared again to the apostles.  Therefore John begins this letter by reminding his readers that he had seen the Word of life which was Christ.  He had seen the truth of the eternal life which Christ had secured to all who would believe in Him through Christ’s conquering death by His resurrection.  John wanted to tell the world that the only way to have fullness of joy is in a relationship with God, bought and paid for through the blood of Jesus Christ.  God is light and the glory of His righteousness shines deep into the hearts of man and displays the sin which prevents a relationship between a just and righteous God with sinful mankind.  Christ had paid the price for that sin on a cross so that all who would believe could be justified, declared righteous by Christ imputing His righteousness.  Only through this means can man find the fullness of joy that only comes by a relationship with God.  The only one who can fill man’s heart with real joy is God–man’s creator.  John was a witness who was willing to be imprisoned and die for the truth He had seen.  He continued to proclaim the truth he had witnessed and seen first hand.  Do you know Christ? 

What great joy to sing–In Christ Alone.  "No guilt in life, No fear in death–this is the power of Christ in me."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZYpjBeM0To

 

1 Corinthians 13:  13 If I speak in the tongues^[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,^[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

⁸ Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰ but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. ¹¹ When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. ¹² For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

¹³ And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.+

I had a very interesting excursion yesterday evening.  As I relate to you this story, please keep in mind that as I describe the events and reactions; I must be ever conscious of the fact that I have also been guilty of the same.  So, I am off to drive across Florida nearly 2 hours so that I might go to fundraising event for a worthy christian organization who help the needy.  I was running as usual barely on time; well, actually late in departure underestimating the traffic.  My tickets to the event had not arrived in the mail so I headed to the address on my written confirmation of reservation.  I was so excited to see Alistair Begg in person.  I just wanted to thank him for his ministry.  Well, I arrived about 10 minutes late to my destination only to find that no one is there; and the doors are locked.  Since it appeared to be housing for homeless, I quickly looked around to see that there was a church steeple on the next block; so I walked.  Soon I realized probably not the safest neighborhood; but God was with me.  I arrived at the back of the church and peered through locked doors and saw a brochure that had Alistair’s face on it announcing the event on the 21st though the notice was too far to read it.  I proceeded to walk the entire block trying each door only to find them all locked.  As I made my way fully around the building, a tall large man opened the back door obviously irritated that I had disturbed the bible study class he was in.  I asked if he knew where the event was and he told me another church across town.  He was further agitated as I looked up the other church on my gps before I left to again walk two blocks in a very bad neighborhood and he let me walk it alone.  I hurriedly arrived at the second church to find a few scattered people in the parking lot, none of which wanted to be bothered.  Again I tried the doors to find them locked.  One man busy on his cell phone saw me approaching him and turned his back not to be bothered.  I found a door open and heard church bells down the hallway and rushed there.  These poor people were very kind; though, they did not know anything about the event.  They all seemed to truly wish me well despite my interrupting their practice.  By this time, I am certain Satan is trying to prevent my arrival and with even greater determination I returned to the original destination and began to peer through windows.  Finally, a brochure that I could read.  I put the address into my GPS  on my phone and found that it was across town in the other direction and if I arrived it would be over.  I knew whatever delays, God had a plan; so once more, I was off.  Sure enough, I arrived as the first departing cars departed.  I rushed inside, gazing from side to side in hopes to locate Pastor Begg and at least thank him as I had planned.  I gazed at faces who all saw me searching and would then turn their heads away. I hurried to the front where a group stood talking, once more to be ignored.  I waited politely for their conversation to end at which time they turned their back to walk away.  So I called after one lady who stopped, seemed concerned; went to see if Pastor Begg was in the back {he had just left in a car}

She then said she should rush off and left me with another gentlemen I assumed was a pastor whose face showed his desire to leave, though his voice tried to understand.  I wondered why God had ordained the evenings events to be as they were; but I knew God had a reason.  So quickly I pulled a copy of my book "Ultimate Inspiration God’s Plan of Love" and handed it to the man who without glancing stuffed it into a sack which I assumed would never be emptied.  As he too starts to leave me there, I said is there no one here that I can leave a donation for the mission?  He said that he was from the mission.  So as I wrote the check, I kept talking about God’s omnipotence in our lives; even when we don’t understand such as what purpose was there of my not arriving in time to see Pastor Begg who is unaware of any of this story.  He looked again at the book and the card which was cast into the bag and now places the card in his shirt pocket.  All the way home I listened to a sermon by John Piper regarding the fact that our justification and our righteousness are imputed to us by faith alone and not works.  The events and the sermon stood to remind me not to get so busy working to please God that I get in the way of His overflowing love being able to be poured through me to the world.  If I do anything right, it is His power in me and not me performing the work.  I must humbly get out of the way so He can be Glorified by performing His Works through me.  I have no right to boast of anything that I have accomplished for God.  On the contrary, the works I have performed of my own power may at times appear to be good; but are only wood, hay and stubble.  The works that are truly of any value are the ones when I have died to self and He has reigned Victorious through me.  In no way did I mean this to rebuke those of last night, I truly do not know their hearts nor yours; but I mean this to rebuke my own heart for the times I have displayed a disinterest or tuned a deafened ear or thought the work I am doing for Christ as important without acknowledging first that I am not the performer—He is.  To God be the GLory for great things He has done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O9DZNFAmz0