Sermon nuggets Weds Oct 22
Theme- Prayer for the Disciples
Verses- John 17: 11,12 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name-- the name you gave me-- so that they may be one as we are one.
12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.
Protection
It began in the garden. While enjoying all the fruits of Eden and the marvelous relationship that Adam and Eve had with God, there was one lurking out, looking for the right time to do his dirty work. Satan hates God. He hates His creation. Jealousy moves him to destroy what God has created and especially God’s favorite part of His creation, mankind. We anger Satan first because all of us were created in the image of God. But secondly, as believers in Jesus Christ we have been reborn with a new nature that smacks in the face with the evil and judgment that fall on Lucifer.
All that is good on this earth is under attack and Jesus knew what His disciples did not know. They were under attack and would be continually in their life on earth. Although they had the power to storm the gates of hell it was still evident they needed the power of the name of Jesus Christ for protection. His name is not a magical formula or mantra, it refers to the person who has offense against the kingdom of this world as well as defense.
I suppose because it is football season my mind goes to the weak illustration of the quarterback who is on the offensive. While seeking to gain the goal with his team, there are opponents that want to bring him down. Football is a game. The advance of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ is not. As these 12 go forth Satan will meet with each one and bring them down with suffering, discouragement, in fighting and ultimately death. But getting up again and keep advancing the cause cannot happen because of their determination or strategy plan, it needs spiritual power. Protection comes only by the power of the Lord.
Jesus is aware of the protection that He had given them. They were not always aware of it. But He prays for them to the Father asking for ongoing protection. He prays in their hearing so when they are under attack they are aware of the spiritual resources instead of their own resources and wisdom. They will learn it is by the power of Jesus name they defeat the foe and receive protection in their work.
In the custom of the Jews the name of God was so sacred they would not mention it aloud. They used another formula, Jehovah, to refer to Him. When the scribes wrote the name of God in the Holy Scriptures they bathed and changed clothes. They understood far better than we not to use the name of the Lord in vain.
Now instead of being remote and aloof, God came to man as a friend and savior in Jesus Christ. Instead of the priest going once a year into the Holy of Holies we have access to the Father immediately and regularly by the authority of name of Jesus Christ who died our sin.
I think of the story of Elisha with his servant on the mountain top. Armies representing evil would come against one man. But while the servant shook in fear Elisha prayed that God would open his eyes to see what mankind does not normally see. He saw the heavens filled with the hosts of angels for their protection. He need not fear any longer, but neither could he be mistaken as to his own protection as if he could us it for his own purposes. It came from the Lord to accomplish His plan.
In Matthew 6 Jesus teaches them to pray, “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil (or the evil one).” It is humbling to leave our homes and know we have a power of protection against the evil one. Let’s not get out from under it by yielding to sin that is intent in knocking us down.
Pastor Dale
