Today we continue our series, “As Jesus Is”, under the banner of the overall series for the year, “Supernatural Manifestation.” We have been looking at 1 John 4:16,17 for over a month now. Yesterday I introduced you to John 17, to go along with it. Let’s go back to both passages again this morning.
The Apostle John said:
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
(1 John 4:16, 17 KJV)
The True Lord’s Prayer (John 17)
(verses 1-5)
After Jesus said these things, he looked toward heaven and prayed, “Father, the time has come. Give glory to your Son so that the Son can give glory to you. You gave the Son power over all people so that he could give eternal life to all those you have given to him. And this is eternal life: that people can know you, the only true God, and that they can know Jesus Christ, the one you sent. I finished the work you gave me to do. I brought you glory on earth. And now, Father, give me glory with you. Give me the glory I had with you before the world was made.
(verses 15-23)
“I am not asking you to take them out of the world. But I am asking that you keep them safe from the Evil One. They don’t belong to the world, just as I don’t belong to the world. Make them ready for your service through your truth. Your teaching is truth. I have sent them into the world, just as you sent me into the world. I am making myself completely ready to serve you. I do this for them, so that they also might be fully qualified for your service.
“I pray not only for these followers but also for those who will believe in me because of their teaching. Father, I pray that all who believe in me can be one. You are in me and I am in you. I pray that they can also be one in us. Then the world will believe that you sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me. I gave them this glory so that they can be one, just as you and I are one. I will be in them, and you will be in me. So they will be completely one. Then the world will know that you sent me and that you loved them just as you loved me.
So what does this mean to you today? I will give you a few golden nuggets as I focus in on the words, “I finished the work you gave me to do. I brought you glory on earth.”
1. Jesus finished His assignment in the earth.
a) Jesus knew when He had completed His assignment in the earth. You and I are supposed to know as well. But we cannot know when we have completed it, if we don’t know what it is. And once we discover our purpose, we must then have the discipline to complete it before we die. This is success in God’s eyes. The only way to truly experience success is to FIND, FOLLOW and ultimately FINISH our divine assignment before you die. Success cannot be measured in money, houses, cars, or fame. Success can only be measured in purpose.
b) Jesus was here for a reason. He accomplished what He came to the earth to do. Once Jesus completed His assignment, He was free to go. It’s the same with us. We don’t have to die because we are sick. We don’t have to die because we are old. We can simply when we are DONE!
c) Jesus knew when He was done with His assignment in the earth. Our goal should be to live with the same level of discernment. And once we are done, then like Jesus, we are free to go and enjoy eternal life with the Father.
2. Jesus brought glory to God in the earth.
a) Jesus said, “I finished the work you gave me to do. I brought you glory on earth.” Knowing your assignment is one thing, but getting it done is another. You cannot complete your divine assignment without allowing God to actually do the work through you. Success in Christ does not a matter of trying, it is actually a matter of dying… to self, and allowing the Father to live through you.
b) You are on this planet to bring glory to God. The best way to do so is to allow God Himself to live through you.
c) When you see yourself as ONE with the Father, and you allow Him to give you the words and perform the work, He will glorify you and He will be glorified through you.
d) When you are ONE with the Father, He is free to bless you richly. Because at that point, God knows that blessing you results in bringing glory to Himself!
e) When you get to the point where your total being (everything you do) is associated with God, God is free to empower you to prosper. Because elevating you means elevating His own influence in the earth. And as a result, you bring glory to His name.
I will stop here for today.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me. I am IN You and You are IN me. There is no separation between You and I. I am known as a man (or woman) of God. My entire being is associated with You. Therefore, You are free to bless me richly, to increase me and advance me. Because elevating me, means elevating Your own influence in this world. I declare that You do. I bring glory to You in the earth and I continue to do it until I complete my divine assignment. Everything I do brings glory to Your name, because I see myself as ONE with You! As Jesus is, so am I, in this world! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
