The relationship between the Father, the Son, and believers is a profound mystery that reveals the divine orchestration of salvation. The Father gives people to the Son, and the Son grants them eternal life, which is defined as knowing God. This knowledge is achieved through the manifestation of the Father's name by the Son. This process highlights the sovereignty of God in the salvation process, where human effort is not the determining factor. Instead, it is God's sovereign choice that orchestrates who comes to faith in Christ. This understanding invites believers to marvel at the depth of God's wisdom and grace in the salvation process. [01:39]
Ephesians 1:4-5 (ESV): "Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will."
Reflection: Consider how the understanding of God's sovereignty in salvation changes your perspective on your own faith journey. How does this knowledge affect your view of God's grace in your life today?
Day 2: Jesus' Mission to Reveal the Father
Jesus' mission on earth was to make the Father known, thereby granting eternal life to those given to Him. This passage confirms Jesus' completed work and sets the stage for His intercessory prayer for His disciples. It emphasizes the security and assurance of salvation for those who belong to God. Jesus' revelation of the Father is not just informational but transformational, leading to a deep, personal relationship with God. This assurance of salvation is a source of comfort and strength for believers, knowing that their faith is secure in the completed work of Christ. [04:12]
John 14:9-10 (ESV): "Jesus said to him, 'Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?'"
Reflection: Reflect on how Jesus has revealed the Father to you personally. In what ways can you deepen your relationship with God this week, knowing that Jesus has made Him known to you?
Day 3: The Security of Salvation in Divine Choice
The act of coming to Jesus is intertwined with being given to Him by the Father. This divine drawing is not based on human effort but on God's sovereign choice. Jesus assures that those who come to Him will never be cast out, highlighting the security of salvation. This assurance provides believers with a sense of peace and confidence, knowing that their salvation is not dependent on their own strength but on God's unchanging promise. It encourages believers to rest in the security of their relationship with Christ, trusting in His faithfulness. [08:12]
John 6:37 (ESV): "All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out."
Reflection: Think about a time when you doubted your salvation. How does the assurance of being divinely chosen and secure in Christ change your perspective on those doubts today?
Day 4: Understanding the Mystery of Unbelief
The mystery of unbelief is addressed by explaining that those who do not believe are not of God, as they have not been given to the Son by the Father. This teaching underscores the doctrine of election, where God's sovereign will determines who comes to faith in Christ. While this can be a challenging concept, it invites believers to trust in God's wisdom and justice. It also encourages believers to pray for those who have not yet come to faith, trusting that God is at work in ways that may not be immediately visible. [10:02]
Romans 9:18 (ESV): "So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills."
Reflection: Consider someone in your life who has not yet come to faith. How can you pray for them today, trusting in God's sovereign will and timing?
Day 5: Eternal Security in the Father's Hand
The assurance of eternal life is reinforced by the promise that no one can snatch believers out of the Father's hand. This eternal security is rooted in the unity and power of the Father and the Son, inviting believers to rest in the assurance of their salvation. This promise provides a foundation of hope and confidence, knowing that nothing can separate believers from the love of God. It encourages believers to live boldly and faithfully, secure in the knowledge that their salvation is eternally secure in God's hands. [13:47]
John 10:28-29 (ESV): "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand."
Reflection: Reflect on the areas of your life where you feel insecure or fearful. How does the promise of eternal security in God's hand give you courage to face those fears today?
Sermon Summary
In this exploration of John 17:6-8, we delve into the profound relationship between the Father, the Son, and those who come to Jesus. The passage reveals the divine orchestration of salvation, where the Father gives people to the Son, and the Son, in turn, grants them eternal life. This eternal life is defined as knowing God, which is achieved through the manifestation of the Father's name by the Son. The act of giving and coming to Jesus is intertwined, illustrating the sovereignty of God in the salvation process. Jesus' mission on earth was to make the Father known, thereby granting eternal life to those given to Him. This passage serves as a confirmation of Jesus' completed work and sets the stage for His intercessory prayer for His disciples.
The text emphasizes that those who belong to God are drawn to Jesus by the Father. This divine drawing is not based on human effort but on God's sovereign choice. Jesus assures that those who come to Him will never be cast out, highlighting the security of salvation. The passage also addresses the mystery of unbelief, explaining that those who do not believe are not of God, as they have not been given to the Son by the Father. This teaching underscores the doctrine of election, where God's sovereign will determines who comes to faith in Christ.
The assurance of eternal life is further reinforced by the promise that no one can snatch believers out of the Father's hand. This eternal security is rooted in the unity and power of the Father and the Son. The passage invites believers to rest in the assurance of their salvation, knowing that it is God who initiates and sustains their faith.
Key Takeaways
1. The divine orchestration of salvation is a profound mystery where the Father gives people to the Son, and the Son grants them eternal life. This eternal life is defined as knowing God, achieved through the manifestation of the Father's name by the Son. This highlights the sovereignty of God in the salvation process. [01:39]
2. Jesus' mission was to make the Father known, thereby granting eternal life to those given to Him. This passage serves as a confirmation of Jesus' completed work and sets the stage for His intercessory prayer for His disciples. It emphasizes the security and assurance of salvation for those who belong to God. [04:12]
3. The act of coming to Jesus is intertwined with being given to Him by the Father. This divine drawing is not based on human effort but on God's sovereign choice. Jesus assures that those who come to Him will never be cast out, highlighting the security of salvation. [08:12]
4. The mystery of unbelief is addressed, explaining that those who do not believe are not of God, as they have not been given to the Son by the Father. This teaching underscores the doctrine of election, where God's sovereign will determines who comes to faith in Christ. [10:02]
5. The assurance of eternal life is reinforced by the promise that no one can snatch believers out of the Father's hand. This eternal security is rooted in the unity and power of the Father and the Son, inviting believers to rest in the assurance of their salvation. [13:47] ** [13:47]
Bible Reading: - John 17:6-8 - John 6:35-40 - John 10:26-29
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Observation Questions:
In John 17:6-8, what does Jesus say about the people given to Him by the Father? How does this relate to the concept of eternal life? [02:32]
According to John 6:37, what assurance does Jesus give to those who come to Him? How does this reflect the relationship between the Father and the Son? [08:12]
In John 10:28-29, what promise is given about the security of believers? How does this relate to the unity between the Father and the Son? [13:28]
How does the sermon describe the act of coming to Jesus and being given to Him by the Father? What does this reveal about God's sovereignty in salvation? [08:37]
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Interpretation Questions:
How does the concept of knowing God as eternal life in John 17:3 relate to Jesus' mission of manifesting the Father's name? What does this imply about the nature of eternal life? [01:39]
In the sermon, it is mentioned that those who do not believe are not of God. How does this teaching align with the doctrine of election, and what implications does it have for understanding belief and unbelief? [10:02]
The sermon emphasizes the security of salvation for those given to Jesus by the Father. How does this assurance impact a believer's understanding of their relationship with God? [13:47]
How does the sermon explain the mystery of unbelief in light of God's sovereign choice? What does this suggest about the nature of faith and the role of divine intervention? [10:24]
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Application Questions:
Reflect on the assurance that no one can snatch believers out of the Father's hand. How does this promise affect your daily walk with God, especially in times of doubt or fear? [13:47]
The sermon highlights the importance of knowing God as the essence of eternal life. What practical steps can you take to deepen your relationship with God and grow in your understanding of Him? [01:39]
Consider the idea that those who come to Jesus are drawn by the Father. How does this influence your perspective on sharing the gospel with others? How can you be more intentional in your evangelistic efforts? [08:57]
The sermon discusses the mystery of unbelief and the doctrine of election. How do these concepts challenge or affirm your understanding of God's sovereignty and human responsibility? [10:02]
Jesus' mission was to make the Father known. In what ways can you reflect this mission in your own life, both in your personal relationships and in your community? [04:12]
How does the assurance of eternal security encourage you to live out your faith boldly? Are there specific areas in your life where you need to trust more in God's promises? [13:47]
Reflect on the unity between the Father and the Son as described in the sermon. How can this unity inspire you to seek unity within your own relationships, especially within the church community? [13:47]
Sermon Clips
The people who come to Jesus are given to Jesus by the Father. The coming and the giving are the same thing, aren't they? And when somebody comes to Jesus, he will never cast them out. How does God sovereignly secure our salvation? [00:00:06]
Jesus picks up on the point of 2B he gave us eternal life there in 2B and he picks up on the point in three that this life is to know God. And there are no requests in verses 6 to 8. Let's read these verses. [00:00:58]
I manifested thy name to the men whom thou gavest me out of the world. Now let's just pause there and make the connection. It says he manifested the Father's name here. It says he gave them eternal life, and then he defines eternal life as knowing thee. [00:01:22]
Giving them eternal life must mean making the Father known is the same as manifesting his name. So he's picking up on the point here. I did manifest thy name, that is, I did make them known, that is, I did give them eternal life. [00:01:39]
I have completed the work you gave me to do. I have made your name known to them. They do now know you; therefore, they do now have eternal life. I have succeeded. These men are the stamp of approval on my Ministry. [00:04:00]
The Father giving people to the Son and the Son responds by giving them eternal life. Then here in verse 6A, I manifested thy name to the men whom thou Hast given me out of the world. So there it is again, the Father gives people to the Son. [00:06:07]
The Son responds by manifesting his name, and that's eternal life, to know the name of the Father. And then says it more clearly here, thou gavest them to me, thine they were before they ever came to Jesus, they belonged to the Father. [00:06:33]
All that the Father gives me will come to me, and him who comes to me I will not cast out. Isn't that the same thing now? All that the Father gives to me will come to me, and him who comes I will not cast out. [00:08:15]
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. So there you have it again, if anybody comes to the Son, it is because the Father Drew him. [00:09:01]
This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted to him by the Father. So there you have the Father granting to people the ability to come to the Son, and it said against the backdrop of Judah. [00:10:00]
You do not believe because you do not belong to my sheep. Now I think that's right here, thine they were, they were God's sheep or Jesus' sheep before they believe. Verse 26, you do not believe because you do not belong to my sheep. [00:11:09]
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me, and I give them eternal life. There's the connection with chapter 17. I give here it is, that's just a restatement of 2B, isn't it? [00:13:05]