Experiencing God's Transformative Love Through Christ

In our journey through John 17, we have been privileged to witness the profound intimacy between God the Father and Jesus, His Son. This chapter, often referred to as the High Priestly Prayer, is a sacred moment that invites us to take off our sandals, much like Moses did at the burning bush, as we stand on holy ground. Here, Jesus reveals the depth of His relationship with the Father and His intentions for His followers.

Jesus declares, "I made known to them your name," signifying not just the revelation of God's name but the very essence of who God is. This revelation is not a one-time event; Jesus promises to continue making the Father's name known. This ongoing revelation occurs through the events following His prayer, the time between His resurrection and ascension, and through the work of the Holy Spirit post-ascension. The Spirit guides the apostles into all truth, ensuring that the message of God's love and redemption is proclaimed to the world.

The purpose of this revelation is profound: "that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them." This love is not our love for God but God's love for us, a love that is steadfast and unchanging. It is a love that assures us of our security in Christ, independent of our fluctuating emotions or circumstances. This divine love is the foundation of every blessing we receive, from pardon for sin to the enduring peace of God's presence.

As we reflect on this passage, we are reminded that God's love is unknown apart from Christ. It is only in Christ that we experience the fullness of this love, a love that transforms us and unites us as His followers. This love is not just a historical fact but a present reality, a lived experience that shapes our lives and our communities. It is a love that calls us to be in Christ, to trust Him fully, and to live in the assurance of His presence and love.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Revelation of God's Name: Jesus reveals the essence of God, not just His name, to His followers. This revelation is ongoing, occurring through His life, death, resurrection, and the work of the Holy Spirit. It is through this revelation that we come to know the depth of God's love and His redemptive plan for humanity. [08:39]
• 2. The Continuation of Jesus' Work: Jesus promises to continue making the Father's name known even after His departure. This is accomplished through the immediate events following His prayer, the time between His resurrection and ascension, and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. This ensures that the message of God's love and redemption is proclaimed to the world. [09:13]
• 3. The Love of God in Us: The love that God has for Jesus is the same love that is to be in us. This divine love is steadfast and unchanging, providing the foundation for our security in Christ. It is a love that assures us of our place in God's family, independent of our fluctuating emotions or circumstances. [17:25]
• 4. The Transformative Power of Divine Love: God's love is unknown apart from Christ, and it is only in Christ that we experience its fullness. This love transforms us, unites us as His followers, and calls us to live in the assurance of His presence. It is a love that shapes our lives and our communities, making a transformative impact in the world. [21:01]
• 5. A Present Reality: The love of God is not just a historical fact but a present reality, a lived experience that shapes our lives. It calls us to be in Christ, to trust Him fully, and to live in the assurance of His presence and love. This love is the basis for every blessing we receive and the foundation of our relationship with God. [23:59]
  ** [23:59]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:09] - Introduction to John 17
• [01:21] - The Intimacy of the High Priestly Prayer
• [02:22] - The Revelation of God's Name
• [03:04] - Jesus' Prayer for Preservation and Unity
• [04:12] - The Eternal Destination
• [05:02] - The Doctrine of the Incarnation
• [06:09] - The World That Does Not Know God
• [07:48] - God's Redemptive Plan
• [08:39] - Jesus' Ongoing Revelation
• [09:13] - The Continuation of Jesus' Work
• [10:36] - The Time Between Resurrection and Ascension
• [13:11] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
• [17:25] - The Love of God in Us
• [21:01] - The Transformative Power of Divine Love
• [23:59] - A Present Reality

1. John 17:26
2. John 13:1
3. Romans 5:5

1. In John 17:26, what does Jesus mean when He says, "I made known to them your name"? How does this relate to the essence of who God is? [02:22]
2. According to the sermon, how does Jesus continue to make the Father's name known after His departure? [09:13]
3. What is the significance of the love that God has for Jesus being in us, as mentioned in John 17:26? [17:25]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding the apostles into all truth? [14:00]

1. What does it mean for Jesus to reveal the essence of God, not just His name, to His followers? How does this ongoing revelation impact our understanding of God's love and His redemptive plan? [02:22]
2. How does the sermon explain the transformative power of divine love in uniting us as followers of Christ? What implications does this have for our relationships within the church? [21:01]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's love is a present reality and not just a historical fact? How does this affect our daily lives and spiritual walk? [23:59]
4. How does the sermon describe the assurance of God's love being independent of our fluctuating emotions or circumstances? What does this mean for our security in Christ? [18:24]

1. Reflect on a time when you felt the presence of God's love in your life. How did it transform your perspective or actions? How can you seek to experience this love more fully in your daily life? [23:59]
2. The sermon emphasizes the ongoing revelation of God's name through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. How can you be more attentive to this revelation in your personal Bible study and prayer life? [09:13]
3. Consider the love that God has for Jesus being in us. How can you demonstrate this divine love in your interactions with others, especially those who may be difficult to love? [17:25]
4. The sermon highlights the importance of unity among believers. What steps can you take to promote unity within your small group or church community? [03:52]
5. How does understanding God's love as a present reality change the way you approach challenges or uncertainties in your life? Share a specific situation where this perspective could make a difference. [23:59]
6. Reflect on the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding you into all truth. How can you be more open to the Spirit's leading in your decisions and actions this week? [14:00]
7. The sermon mentions that God's love is steadfast and unchanging. How can this assurance of love provide comfort and strength in times of doubt or difficulty? [18:24]