Livestream

John 17:11-13
Living for Christ in a World Opposed to Him (Part 1)

Key idea: Joyful faithfulness comes through abiding in Christ.

John 17:11–13 — 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

John 15:10–12 — 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

1. The picture of our faithfulness: Faithfulness is living consistent with, and committed to, the character of Christ (Verse 11)

A. Faithfulness means living for Christ above anything else (“your”)
B. Faithfulness means living out the character of God (“name”)
C. Faithfulness means loving others (“that they may be one”)

2. The power for our faithfulness: Abiding in Christ (Verse 12)

Faithfulness starts with understanding this premise – “I am desperate for grace”

To abide in Christ means to be sustained and strengthened by Christ through actively pursuing him in faith.

A. Abide in God’s Word – God’s Word informs and fuels our faith
B. Abide in God’s love – God’s love is the reality we live in

3. The promise of our faith and faithfulness: The fulness of Joy (Verse 13)

Joy thieves: our struggle with sin; our fears; our weaknesses and failings; our sufferings; our difficult relationships.

A. The sins you struggle with, are forgiven and overcome in Christ
B. The fears you fight, are defeated in Christ
C. The weaknesses and failings you endure, are made new in Christ
D. The sufferings you experience, are given purpose in Christ
E. The relationships you struggle with, are transformed in Christ