Alone in a hostile world John 17 v 11-15
It can be pretty scary to be a Christian in many parts of the world. Even in socalled “Christian” countries it’s not easy to live publicly as a real Christian. How safe are we?
Alone in a hostile world
Read John 17:11
• What is going to happen to Jesus?
• What about the eleven apostles?
• Why do you think they might be scared?
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TIME OUT... Read John 15:18 and John 16:4.
This hatred from the world is what they, and we, ought to expect. No wonder they are scared!
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Protection by union
Read John 17:11
• What does Jesus pray for his disciples?
• How is the Father going to protect them?
The “name” that the Father gave Jesus is who Jesus is: God the eternal Son in intimate fellowship with the Father. Jesus protected them by bringing them into fellowship with the Father and the Son. Any attack on them was an attack on God!
Jesus and the Father are “one” (see John 10:31). Christians are “one”. Rather than teaching that we must work hard to get
along, here Jesus is saying that God has brought us into fellowship with the Father and the Son.
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PRAY THRU
Spend some time now praising the Father and the Son for bringing you into fellowship with them and with all other real Christians. Thank God for guaranteeing your eternal safety.
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Hated but rejoicing
Read John 17:13
• Why does Jesus pray this prayer out loud so they can overhear it (v 13)?
• What is going to happen to us in the world (v 14)?
• Can we expect to be taken out of situations where this happens (v 15)?
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APPLY
We need consciously to remind ourselves of the wonderful protection from the Father for which Jesus prayed. When it’s
tough being a Christian, never forget this.
• In what circumstances in your life do you particularly need to remember this?
• How will it make a difference to your emotions? To your actions?
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This devotional is taken from Explore—a daily Bible-reading devotional from the good book company which enables you to engage with Scripture and which will encourage, equip and inspire you to live for Christ. Explore features contributions from pastors such as Dr Timothy Keller, Mike McKinley and Tim Chester.
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