Finding Joy and Unity Through Christ's Intercession

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Intercedes and Reigns for Us Now

Jesus Christ, risen and ascended, is not distant or passive—He is actively interceding for His people at the right hand of the Father, praying for us and ruling as King even now. This truth brings comfort and assurance, knowing that our names are on His lips and that He is both our advocate and sovereign ruler, regardless of the state of the world. No matter how dark or discouraging the times may seem, we are called to remain faithful, proclaiming His gospel and trusting that Christ is reigning and working all things according to His purpose. [26:48]

Hebrews 7:25; 8:1 (ESV)
"Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them... Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven."

Reflection: When you feel overwhelmed by the world’s troubles, how might it change your perspective today to remember that Jesus is actively praying for you and reigning as King right now?

Day 2: Kept in God’s Name—Knowing Him Personally

Being kept in God’s name means more than just knowing about Him or memorizing Scripture; it is about truly knowing God’s character, having a real relationship with Him, and being transformed by His presence. Many may know the words of the Bible but miss the heart of God Himself. Jesus prays that we would be kept in the Father’s name, not just for knowledge’s sake, but so that we would experience the fullness of who He is and be anchored in His love and truth. [37:29]

John 17:11 (ESV)
"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."

Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally seek to know God Himself—His character and heart—rather than just learning about Him this week?

Day 3: Unity in the Church Through Central Truths and Love

True unity among God’s people is not about agreeing on every detail, but about being anchored together in the central truths of the gospel and loving one another with the love of Christ. The church is called to be different from the world, showing grace and patience even in disagreement, and standing firm on the essentials: the authority of Scripture, the deity of Christ, and salvation by grace through faith. When we are kept in God’s name and walk in His love, unity becomes possible even amidst diversity. [46:16]

Ephesians 4:2-6 (ESV)
"With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."

Reflection: Is there a brother or sister in Christ with whom you disagree? How can you reach out in humility and love to pursue unity around the central truths of the faith?

Day 4: The Word of God—A Window to Knowing God

The Scriptures are not just a collection of facts or rules, but a living window through which we encounter God Himself. When we approach the Bible, our goal should be to see and experience the glory, character, and presence of God, not merely to gain knowledge. As we meditate on His Word, we are drawn into deeper relationship with Him, and our faith is strengthened by seeing His beauty and truth revealed. [57:25]

Psalm 119:18 (ESV)
"Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law."

Reflection: Before you read the Bible today, pray and ask God to reveal Himself to you—what do you see about His character as you read?

Day 5: Joy is Found in Hearing and Obeying Jesus’ Words

Jesus desires that His followers experience true, lasting joy—not fleeting happiness, but the deep joy that comes from hearing, trusting, and obeying His words. The commands and teachings of Christ are not meant to restrict us, but to lead us into the fullness of joy that only He can give. Even when distractions and challenges come, we are invited to return to His words, meditate on them, and find our joy and peace in Him. [52:22]

John 15:10-11 (ESV)
"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. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full."

Reflection: What is one specific teaching of Jesus you can meditate on and put into practice today, trusting that it will lead you into His joy?

Sermon Summary

Tonight’s gathering was centered on gratitude, intercession, and a deep exploration of Jesus’ prayer in John 17. We began by expressing heartfelt thanks to God for His salvation, the gift of His Son, and the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. We lifted up the needs of our church family and our nation, praying for comfort, healing, and revival. There was a special emphasis on the reality that our hope is not in earthly things—politics, wealth, or even our country—but in Christ alone. This posture of dependence set the tone for our time in the Word.

Turning to John 17, we reflected on the unique intimacy of Jesus’ prayer for His disciples. Unlike the model prayer in Matthew, here we witness Jesus interceding directly for those the Father has given Him. As parents, we resonate with the moment when, after doing all we can, we must entrust our children to God’s care. Jesus, having finished His earthly ministry, commends His disciples to the Father, praying for their protection, unity, and joy.

We considered the present ministry of Jesus: He is not only preparing a place for us but is actively interceding for us at the right hand of the Father. He rules as King, and, as seen in Stephen’s martyrdom, He stands to welcome His people home. This reality should embolden us, even as the world grows darker, to remain faithful and to proclaim the gospel with urgency and compassion.

A key focus was Jesus’ request that the Father “keep them in your name.” This is more than doctrinal knowledge; it is about knowing God Himself—His character, His heart. True unity in the church flows from being kept in God’s name, not from uniformity of opinion on every issue, but from a shared relationship with the living God and agreement on the central truths of the gospel. We lamented the divisions and doctrinal confusion in the wider church, recognizing the famine of hearing God’s Word in our land, and prayed for revival and a return to the essentials of the faith.

Finally, we were reminded that Jesus’ words are given for our joy. The commands and teachings of Christ are not burdensome but are the pathway to true, lasting joy. The Word of God is not merely information but a window to encounter God Himself. We are called to be people of the Word, seeking not just knowledge but communion with the living God, and to let that relationship shape our unity, our love, and our mission in the world.

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus’ Ongoing Ministry: Intercession, Reign, and Welcome Jesus is not distant or passive; He is actively interceding for us, ruling at the right hand of the Father, and preparing to welcome us home. This truth should anchor our hope and embolden our faithfulness, especially when the world feels unstable or hostile. The reality of Christ’s present ministry assures us that we are never forgotten or alone, and that our lives are held in His sovereign care. [26:48]
2. Unity Rooted in Relationship, Not Mere Agreement True unity among God’s people is not the absence of disagreement, but the presence of a shared relationship with God and a commitment to the central truths of the gospel. We are kept in God’s name—His character and presence—not just by knowing doctrine, but by knowing Him. This unity is marked by love, patience, and the ability to disagree graciously, reflecting the heart of Christ even in our differences. [37:29]
3. The Centrality and Sufficiency of God’s Word There is a famine in our land—not of bread, but of hearing the words of the Lord. The Word of God is not just a source of knowledge, but the very means by which we encounter God Himself. We must stand firm on the essentials of the faith, lovingly confront error, and cultivate a hunger for God’s truth, knowing that revival begins with a return to His Word. [44:09]
4. Joy Found in Obedience and the Words of Christ Jesus’ commands are not meant to stifle our joy, but to lead us into true, lasting joy that is found in Him. The fight for joy is real, especially in a distracted and noisy world, but it is in meditating on and obeying the words of Christ that we experience His joy fulfilled in us. The enemy seeks to distract us from the Word because he knows it is the wellspring of our joy and strength. [52:22]
5. The Word as a Window to God Himself The ultimate purpose of Scripture is not simply to inform, but to reveal God to us. As we read and meditate on the Word, we are invited to see and experience God’s glory, character, and love. Let us approach the Bible not as an end in itself, but as the clearest window through which we behold and commune with the living God. [57:25]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:30] - Opening Prayer and Thanksgiving
[05:30] - Intercession for Church Family and Nation
[10:38] - Worship and God’s Presence
[20:30] - Parental Trust and Commending to God
[25:21] - Where is Jesus Now?
[26:48] - Jesus’ Present Ministry: Intercession and Reign
[32:10] - Jesus Welcomes His People Home
[36:13] - Kept in God’s Name: Relationship Over Knowledge
[39:30] - Unity and Disagreement in the Church
[41:01] - The Crisis of Central Truths
[44:09] - Famine of God’s Word and Need for Revival
[46:16] - Love as the Fruit of the Spirit
[49:35] - Jesus’ Words and Our Joy
[55:56] - The Word as a Window to God
[58:35] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 17:6-19 (ESV) — - Hebrews 7:25; 8:1 (ESV)
- Acts 7:54-60 (ESV)

Observation Questions

In John 17, what specific things does Jesus pray for regarding His disciples? (see John 17:11, 15, 17)
According to Hebrews 7:25, what is Jesus doing right now for believers? [26:48]
In Acts 7:54-60, what does Stephen see as he is being martyred, and how does Jesus appear to him? [32:10]
In the sermon, what does the pastor say is the difference between being kept by God’s Word and being kept in God’s name? [37:29]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus ask the Father to “keep them in your name” instead of just “keep them in your word”? What does this reveal about the kind of relationship God wants with His people? [37:29]
The sermon mentions that true unity in the church is not about agreeing on everything, but about being kept in God’s name and agreeing on the central truths of the gospel. Why is this distinction important for the church today? [41:01]
The pastor points out that Jesus’ words are given so that His joy may be fulfilled in us (John 17:13). How does this challenge the idea that God’s commands are burdensome or joy-killing? [49:35]
The sermon describes the Word of God as a “window” to see and experience God Himself. How does this perspective change the way we approach reading the Bible? [55:56]

Application Questions

The sermon emphasized that our hope is not in politics, wealth, or our country, but in Christ alone. Are there areas in your life where you are tempted to place your hope in something other than Jesus? What would it look like to shift your hope back to Christ this week? [05:30]
Jesus is actively interceding for us and ruling at the right hand of the Father. How does knowing that Jesus is praying for you right now affect the way you face challenges or discouragement? [26:48]
The pastor shared that true unity comes from being kept in God’s name and agreeing on the essentials of the faith, not from uniformity on every issue. Is there someone in your life or in the church you disagree with? How can you pursue unity and love with them, even in disagreement? [39:30]
The sermon lamented the “famine” of hearing God’s Word in our land. How hungry are you for God’s Word right now? What is one practical step you can take this week to cultivate a deeper hunger for Scripture? [44:09]
Jesus said His words are given for our joy. Is there a command or teaching of Jesus that you have viewed as burdensome? How might obeying it actually lead to greater joy in your life? [49:35]
The pastor described the Bible as a window to encounter God, not just a book of information. When was the last time you felt you truly encountered God through His Word? What can you do to approach your Bible reading with this expectation? [55:56]
The enemy tries to distract us from God’s Word because it is the wellspring of our joy and strength. What is one distraction you need to address or remove this week to make more space for God’s Word in your life? [52:22]

Sermon Clips

``What is Christ doing right now for us he's praying for you and me now if that doesn't come for you I'm not sure what will that you have the God man Jesus Christ praying for you that your name is on his lips before the throne of God as he's speaking to the father on your behalf. [00:27:28] (24 seconds) #KingdomInUs

How do we unify when we disagree with so many things? Well, first of all, we need to have the central things there. We need to have the central things there. What is the gospel? How are you saved? It's Jesus. Yes. It's God's grace. It's not by works. Amen? That we have to have the central things there. [00:40:42] (22 seconds)

We need to be able to stand up and disagree with people. Listen, if you hear someone is a Christian and they say, well, I'm not sure if Jesus is God. Lovingly confront them. Lovingly talk. Hey, I'd love to talk with you about that. Can we talk about that? And maybe you can't do it right then and there. I'd love to talk to you about that sometime. Because that is vital. That is important. That is a non-negotiable. [00:44:47] (26 seconds)

We need to be unified on the central truths of God's word. And then the things that are not central. We need to be gracious with one another. We need to be patient with one another. And that means, listen, if we're gonna be kept in the name of God, what's the central character of God? What does God's word say? That God is love, right? That God is love. And if we're to be kept in God, we're to be walking in the Spirit, then we will have the fruit of the Spirit, which is love. [00:46:06] (34 seconds)

And why is it so easy to get distracted? The enemy knows that if we are people of God's word and we have God's word hidden in our hearts, that we will have the joy of the Lord. We will. Jesus spoke these things that we would have his joy. And how hard is it for us to focus at times? Especially with these stupid phones always going off. All these other things going on in the world, it's hard to find quiet times. But I want to, for the sake of your joy, I want to plead with you. Go and hear and meditate upon and listen to the words of your Lord and Savior. Because it's there where you, where you will find your joy and you will find your peace. [00:54:09] (43 seconds)

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