How comforting it should be that no matter what comes our way in life, the risen Son intercedes always for his people! As we return to John 17, we read how the Lord Jesus prayed on the night of his arrest for those who belong to him by faith, giving all believers great assurance of being kept and united by the Father. With this comes inexplicable joy that is not a result of circumstances. Instead, it is divine joy that rests in Christ alone.

Outline:

· The Marks of Disciples

· Kept and United

· Divine Joy

For the glory of God, he displayed his amazing attributes to all humanity in the outworking of the eternal plan to redeem sinners through faith in Jesus Christ. As Jesus begins to pray on the evening of his arrest, we are reminded of the love of God and the outworking of salvation for his glory.

· Redemption Planned

· Redemption Power

· Redeemed Relationship

· Redemptive Reverence

Jesus concludes his teaching on the night of his arrest with words of great encouragement that point to the finished work on the cross and the gift of the Holy Spirit. He reminds us that no matter what we may face in the world for holding fast to the faith once-for-all delivered to the saints, we must take heart. Our life is in Christ, and Jesus has overcome the world. Our joy and peace is founded upon the very love of the Father for all who follow Jesus as Lord.

Outline:

· Just a Little While

· The Fountainhead of Joy

· A Loving Father

· More Than Conquerors

How do you know when the Holy Spirit is present and active? When Jesus Christ is glorified and proclaimed! In the Farewell Discourse, Jesus teaches us about the Holy Spirit’s ministry to the world and to the church, assuring his disciples that it is better that he ascended to the Father so that the Holy Spirit could come.

Jesus continues teaching his disciples in preparation for alife lived in faith and without the physical presence of Jesus among them. In a teaching pertinent to all Christians today, Jesus encourages his disciples to not lose heart when they become the focal point for the unbelieving world’s hatred.Just as light hurts the eyes of those who have been sitting in a dark room, the light of Christ seen in followers of Jesus will often receive a stern reaction.

Jesus makes a most amazing declaration—he calls those whotrust and follow him “friends”! How can sinners who are alienated from God be reconciled to him and be his friends? Only by the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. Jesus not only grants this wonderful privilege, he explains the characteristics of his friends.

Outline:

· Friends of Jesus Love Each Other

· Friends of Jesus Obey Him

· Friends of Jesus Receive Truth

· Friends are Chosen by Jesus

Throughout the New Testament, those who possess saving faith in Jesus are referred to people who are “in Christ.” Jesus illustrates what it means not just to profess faith but to possess the faith that saves in the Parable of the Vine. The resultant experience of God’s love and the fulness of joy in Christ is available to all who will heed the command to abide in Jesus.

Outline:

· Fruit of Saving Faith

· Abiding in Christ

· Love and Joy

In the last of his “I Am” statements, Jesus proclaims the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan in sending the Son to seek and to save the lost. Using the imagery of a grape vine, we learn that God loves his children and never ceases to work in our lives as we are drawn to Jesus and prepared for a glorious eternity.