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Bibleline Bibleline, here God’s word on Bibleline, here God’s truth on Bibleline. Welcome to Bibleline with Dr. Ralph Yankee Arnold, pastor of Calvary Community Church in Tampa, Florida. Clearly declaring the gospel of Jesus Christ through the radio and the internet. Your regular prayers and monthly support make it possible for Bibleline to continue on the air. Reach us toll free at 1-800-576-3771. Online donations may be made by clicking on the donations link on the BibleInemistries.org homepage. We pray that you will enjoy our commitment to the clear gospel of Jesus Christ and that today’s first part of this two-part message will be a blessing to you and your family.

What should take your Bible and turn to the gospel of John, the gospel of John? Gospel of John? chapter 17 I’ve read John 17 I have no idea how many times but every time I read it I generally have trouble from verse 18 down to verse 26 and the trouble is that I get to thinking about what he’s actually saying and trying to understand the heart of the Lord you know what is he thinking about what’s he praying for and since in how he thinks, how he feels and what he wants, what he desires, and it’s really an awesome portion of scripture.

Now we know that chapter 6 of the book of Matthew, many believe that’s the Lord’s Prayer and a lot of people pray the prayer and that’s fine. And I think there’s a lot of things that are taught there that are very good, very helpful. But here in the book of John in chapter 17 I believe is the real Lord’s prayer because Jesus really prayed this prayer and he’s talking to his heavenly Father and it’s amazing how many times you’ll read in the book of John the words my father my father my father your father your father my father remath your chapter six and all the way through it is my father your father your father my father because it’s talking to your Father.

If there’s anything to be done with prayer, it’s you talking to the Lord. It is a wonderful thing that God has given to every one of us that in spite of what we’re going through, there is to be great comfort and peace and joy by being able to cast your cares upon the Lord, talking to the Lord. And I believe that’s probably something that we don’t do enough of is actually talking to our heavenly Father. And God allows a lot of things to happen in life that will force us to come to Him because God knows we don’t know everything and so He gives us a problem that you can’t solve so that you go and ask Him because He wants to do things for His children.

God loves His children and He wants to do things for children. Now think about this. God that created the heavens and the earth. God, how big and great he must be to do all of that just to bring that into being and then think of how small and how that that art mindful of us that he thinks about us continually according to the book of Psalms 139. I mean to think about God thinks about me. God thinks about you and he wants to walk with us.

He wants to talk with us. I’ve often wondered God being God in heaven, I wouldn’t have got her again lonely. So he made man. He shouldn’t be lonely no more, but he made man. He put us in this world and he wanted to walk with Adam and Eve in the garden. In the cool of the day it said, but I believe that God wanted us and God wanted to be loved. God is loved, God wanted to be loved and he wants us to love him and And one way we show him that we love him is by showing who we need him.

And one of the ways to show him that you need him is that you talk to him and ask him for things. So that’s why he says, whatever you ask the Father in my name, I will do it. But notice what he says here in John chapter 17. Looking verse 18. Now you’ll read this verse also in chapter 20 when he talks about when Christ made the statement, the Father have sent me even so send I you.” Here He says in verse 18, “‘As thou have sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.'”

Now, the reason is because God so loved the world. And he looks at this as though he’s already fulfilled the will of God, as though he’s already come, as though he’s already made the payment for the sins of the world. Look there in chapter one. He’s talking as though he’s, he’s already has finished his course as though he’s already done finished the race that was said before him. And he says here in verse one, these words spake Jesus and lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, Father, the hour has come.

Glorified thy son, that thy son also make glorified thee, as thou hath given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hath given him. This is life eternal, that they may know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou have sent. I have glorified thee on the earth. I have finished the work which Thaw gave us me to do. Well, he hadn’t been crucified yet, but he’s completed the job and he’s talking to his heavenly Father and he’s praying for us.

Can you believe that? Jesus Christ prayed for you. You say, where? I’m gonna show you in just a minute. But he’s talking to his heavenly Father and so he says there in verse 19. And for their sakes, I sanctify myself that they also might be sanctified through the truth. That’s why he says, the truth shall make you free and sanctify them through thy word. Thy word is truth, which is found in verse 17 of the same chapter. But he says here, I want them sanctified through the truth.

You see, whenever you and I trusted Christ as Savior, we were sanctified, made pure and holy and set apart. part, we belong to the Lord. Now as we live our life, there’s a lot of things that, well, we live in a non-holy world. We have an ostentful nature, so it’s not very holy. Sometimes our thoughts are not holy. There’s times when our mind may not be on the things of the Lord. But sanctify them through thy treatment by cause of the truth in our minds, we can learn how to think the way God wants us to think so we can think godly thoughts.

Think a holy life. And here he makes the statement in verse 20, looking in verse 20, neither pray I for these alone. He’s talking about his disciples. But for them also which get this shall believe on me through their Word. Now if you’ve ever wondered if God just chose who He wants to save then He could have just done that. He could have just bypassed the cross. He could bypass everything. Do whatever He wants to. He’s God. But God is a holy God and sins of men have to be paid for because the wages of sin is death and men earned the right to die.

So he can’t just forgive you, he has to die and pay for your sins. So because he paid the debt, you can be forgiven. And so that’s why he says, going to allemale the forgiveness of sins. But one thing that I like about this verse, because it really drives it home, those that shall believe through their word. Whenever a person goes so winning, it possible that somebody might believe because of their word, because they went and they sewed the seed.

Otherwise, why have missionaries? Why have the radio? Why are you in the internet? This is because we’re sowing seeds. And somebody might believe because they heard the word. They may believe it through the person God sent. And so as he says here, but for them also which shall be leave on me through their word. Now what about it if they did not go? And what if they did not preach the word? That’s why he says in the book of Matthew in chapter 9, pray there for the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth labors into his vineyard.

So God wants labors. I’m always trying to figure out how to get people to come to Bible college. I wish I had a magic wand. But the people say, well, I know I got a job. Well I’m married. Well I’ve got kids. Well I’m too old. Now if everybody gave that excuse, who goes? If everybody gave the excuses of why they can’t do it, but God bless you, I’m glad you did it. One of these days we’ll have to answer to God why we didn’t do what we should have done.

Now, if that’s all you can do is help somebody go, that’s fine, but you ought to do it. You ought to help, that’s why God’s people ought to give to missions, and if you can’t do it, pray for people, but do something for the cause of Christ because one day we’ve got to answer to the Lord. And as he says here in verse 21, that they all may be one, as thou father arted me and I in thee, that they also may be one in us.

Now get this last part. Let this life be. You ought to underline this part of the verse. That the world may believe that thou has sent me. So whenever he’s talking about, believe on him whom he hath sent, when you’re talking believing on Christ. That’s believing in the one that God sent. You’re trusting in that one that came into the world, made the payment for sin, and you’re trusting Him as your Savior. And I love that the world may be leave.

Do you think God loves the whole world? It really burns me what I hear. These people that act so intelligently, and they’ll always twist the Greek to make it sound like God didn’t really mean what He said, He meant to say what they say He meant to say and they got to twist it. No, what’s wrong with Him saying what He said? He wants the whole world to know Christ to love the world and paid for the sins of the whole world.

In verse 22, And the glory which thou gave with me, I have given them that they may be one even as we are one. I and them, thou and me, that they may be made perfect in one and get this. You ought to underline this in your Bible that the world may know, that the world may know. You remember there’s a part in that one song that the world may know that I love the Father. Wherever he sends I will go.

That comes from the book of John chapter 14 verse 31. Hold your place right here. Look in verse 31 of chapter 14. And you’ll notice this is what he said. But he said, I want you to do the same thing that I did. But that the world may know that I loved the Father. You think he means he wants everybody to know this? How do we know that Jesus loved the Father because he obeyed the Father and laying down his life for us?

Because God so loved the world that he did what? Gave is only begotten Son. Well why did his Son do that? Because he loved his Father. And so he says, even as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Now what’s he telling you and I? He says, as the Father have sent me even so sinned I you that you will do what I have done. And so he says here in verse 23 that the world may know that thou have sent me and have loved them as thou have loved me.

God wants you to think, look God loves you like God loved his son. God loves me He loved me like He loves His Son, and He loved His Son, but He loves me too. He has to love me an awful lot in order to let His Son die for me. That’s how much He must have loved me. What was He willing to pay for me? Do you believe that if you were the only person in the world that Jesus would have died just for little O you?

I believe so. Now, notice what he says in verse 24, Father, I will that they also whom thou hath given me be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory, which thou hath given me, for thou lovelest me before the foundations of the world. O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee, but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hath sent me, and I have declared unto them thy name and will declare it that the love wherewith thou hath loved me may be where in them, that God’s love may be in you.

You take away this love and you have taken and kill the desire for so winning. The desire, the importance of reaching other people. Did you know, and I’ll be honest with you, I get physically tired worn out, but I can’t find description that says quit. I’ve looked high and low, and I can’t find the words that says quit. I guess I’m supposed to just keep doing it until I can’t do it no more. Would you think that? But there’s times when I get tired, I keep thinking, you know, if we don’t have somebody that’s going to drive the bus, For those kids, I’m like, no, at 75, I’m not sure that’s the smartest thing in the world I’ve ever done.

I’ve driven a lot of buses all across America. I’ve driven big old motor homes. I’ve driven diesel buses. I’ve driven just about everything. And I still look forward to what another exciting adventure God may have for me. And I know that if I have to drive a bus, You know what I’m gonna do? Drive a bus. Just whatever the Lord opens up, and if whatever you gotta do, just do it. Don’t worry about it, just do it. And see what God’ll do.

But you can’t run from the responsibility that God has given to us and says, this is what I want you to do. So he’s praying to the Father, and he’s praying for those who are gonna be reached by those who heard him. And on down the line, 2000 years later, You and I have been blessed. Somebody gave us the gospel. And we believed it. And we know we have eternal life. And we know that we’re going to heaven when we die.

And we shouldn’t want to go alone. And there’s a lot of people that’s never heard. So this is why we do it. The prayer of God’s people is a very important part of our Christian life. Oh, look there in chapter 16. In chapter 16, he talks about some of the things that happened because of, you know, just God’s children not being found faithful. The worry and all the things that goes, you know, in our life. And there’s a lot of sorrow that we have.

But just look at this very quickly. Look in verse 20, very, very, very, I say unto you that ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice, and ye, and ye shall be sorrowful. But your sorrow shall be turned into joy.” Now, there’s times in this life, and even though he was going to be leaving and you’re going to be filled with some sorrow, he says, I’ll say he’s going to the cross, and they’re going to be scared to death and they were.

But to realize that, he says in the book of Psalms, you know, go forth weeping and you shall come bringing your sheaves with joy. Weeping for the night, but joy comes in the morning. There’s things that we may go through in life that brings a lot of heartache and pain and grief and so forth, but look beyond all of that. And realize at the end of our race, you’ll be so glad you ran the race. You want to finish, and you want to finish well.

So run your race and run your race well. Finish well. And God will bless you for doing so. Look in chapter 14 of the Gospel of John, and look in verse 13. When he makes the statement in verse 13, and whatsoever you shall ask in my name, this means for God’s honor, for God’s glory, for God’s work. It’s not for you to take and just try to manipulate God to get what you want out of life. This is if you are going to serve the Lord, you can ask God whatever it is you want me to do Lord, and God is going to fulfill that will because you’re doing what God wants.

And whatsoever you asked, then he’s going to supply because you’re asking for his honor, for his glory. That’s what he means by in his name. Don’t just think because I tacked on the name at the end of a prayer. That’s automatic and I’m supposed to get my request. Lord, give me a million dollars in Jesus name. I want a paint Cadillac in Jesus name and that’s supposed to be the miracle that gets you that. No, no, no, no. You’re misreading the scriptures.

What’s the revenue shall ask in my name? That what I do get to that the Father may glorified in the Son. You’re doing it for His honor and for His glory. If it’s not for Him, you might as well just shut up. It ain’t gonna happen, Captain. Now He says He has, He knows what you need before you ever ask, but He also says you have not because you asked not. And then sometimes He says you asked a mister you can consume it upon your own lust.

It’s not for the Lord. It’s because you just want to get out of a Jam. I don’t always pray that people, God’s people, get out of all of their problems and all of their troubles. God may let you have problems and heartaches and all these things in order to build you. So my prayer is that you will be strong because of whatever’s happening in your life. I pray that you will be able to have the strength and the grace that you need to weather whatever storm you’re going through.

Not to do away with the storm, not to solve all of your problems. You need these problems. Count it all joy when you fall into divers temptation. All these testings and problems. Count it all what? Joy, joy. Lord, take me from having any problem. Well, I don’t want any problem. If you love me, don’t let nothing happen to me. Cause you go through life, scared to death. Cause you don’t want to be tested. Let God test you however he wants.

And you just love him and don’t worry about it. and just trust them to walk you through life. And then you’ll learn some things. Otherwise when things happen to you, all you think about is how to get out of it. Instead of, Lord, what do you have for me to learn? What do you want me to accomplish? What do you want me to be? Who do you want me to talk to? Lord, use me for your honor and your glory and whatever’s going through, just give me the grace to prepare it.

Not run from it. And so God says here, if you ask anything in my name, I will do it. But in his name, it’s for his honor, for his glory, it’s for his will, not your will, and you pray that God’s will be done. And the reason I know that that is true. Have you ever heard this statement? As people pray, thy will be done as it is in heaven, as it should be upon the earth. thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

So when you’re praying, you want God’s will to be done here. God’s will, not yours. God’s will. Since you mentioned chapter 6 on Matthew, take your Bible and turn to Matthew chapter 6. You said I didn’t mention chapter 6. You should have. chapter 6 and notice a few things in this wonderful chapter. Now you’ll notice that there is a word that’s mentioned, if you just take a quick glance there at chapter 5 and verse 46, chapter 5 verse 46, for if you love them which love you, what reward have you?

Do not even the publicans the same? Rewards. Now a lot of chapter 5 in Matthew is talking a little bit about the kingdom time upon the earth and the way it’s going to be, but reward the rewards, something that you earned and worth for it and you deserve. And then he makes a statement in verse 48, be therefore perfect even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Now if you really have to be perfect there’s only one way and oh he makes a statement in verse 20, where it says, except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees, you shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.

The kingdom of heaven is at per the time upon the earth. So God still wants you to have eternal life and to have a righteousness which is by faith and not a righteousness which is by your works. But then once you’re in the kingdom and there’s things he wants you to do, then God can still reward. But now look in chapter 6. Take alms or take heed that you do not your alms before men. What is alms? Alms? Alms is your good works.

It’s getting something. You know your good deeds or giving money to somebody. If you’ve ever heard you know the poor man and to gain alms, alms for the poor, alms for the poor. I was thinking about doing it one day after the church service will suddenly I want to get out there and send it. Everybody come to the arms for the poor, arms for the poor.

Look what he says. Do not your arm before men get this to be seen of them. Otherwise you have no reward of your father, which is in heaven. But doesn’t he also make the statement in verse 16 of chapter five? Looks like a contradiction. Verse 16, let your light so shine before men. see there and then over here do not do it to be seen. And the answer is talking about your good works. Now what’s the difference? A contradiction in the Bible.

Because in one verse in verse 16 of chapter 5 that they may see your good works. And then in verse 1 of chapter 6, do not your own beforement to be seen of them. Now, how do you harmonize these two? Well, one in chapter five where it says they may see your good works and glorify your father. In other words, they know why you did what you did. You see, if you don’t tell people why you do what you do, you get all the honor of the credit and the glory because you’re doing it to be seen of men, but the other, you’re doing it because you want people to see what you’re doing because of your love for the Lord.

And you want Him to receive the honor and the praise and the glory. Otherwise, it’s just for yourself. There is a difference and there’s a big difference. He says, if you do it just to be seen of men, he said, well, then you have your reward because you did it for people’s, you know, people to see you. But if you do it and people see you, that’s fine. That’s fine. Nothing wrong with that. But that’s why you can’t just live a good holy life in front of people and think, well, that’s all I have to do.

I’ll just live a good life. No, no, no, no. Why are you living that good life? Why do they think you’re doing what you’re doing? Or you’re doing it because you just want the praise of man or you’re doing it because I’m a Christian. I trust the Christ as my Savior and I know the Lord and I love the Lord and I do what I can to honor my heavenly Father. You better tell why or you may be eliminating a lot of rewards that maybe you could have had.

Now get this, he says in verse two, therefore when thou doest thine arms, do not sound in trumpet, you know, hey, look at me. Did you see what I did? I sung in the choir. I take up the offering. If you do what you do to be seen, just to be seen, and you don’t do it because you love the Lord, do you think God knows the difference? The one that’s gonna reward you knows the motive. And this is what he’s talking about in his last part of verse two, talks that they may have glory of what?

Glory of man. See, people down here, they are willing to give you praise, honor, and glory. But they can take it away from you just as quick. The reason for waiting till you get to heaven is because God will give you praise, honor, and glory that will last for eternity. To know that when you get to heaven and God brags on you and says, well done, thou good and faithful service and he brags on you and he gives you rewards and honor and glory.

You’re gonna be so glad you waited and got it from him. Then the stand there you’re stripped because you did it for people. You did the same thing but the wrong motive. That’s why it’s so important. So he says here when it comes down to this thing about praying he says in verse 6, but thou when thou prayest he said enter to thy closet. When thou have shut the door pray to thy father which is in secret and thy father which saith in secret shall reward thee openly.

Your heavenly Father can reward you according to how you pray and why you pray. And if you pray is it possible to pray just to be seen of men? He says some people stand on the straight corners and they would lift up their voices and pray real long prayers because they think they shall be heard for their much speaking. God says that’s not that that’s what heathens do. He says don’t be a hypocrite. You’ll learn how to pray in public if you’ll practice praying in private but it will help you.

This is your invitation to join us for our third Sunday dinner held in the Florida Bible College of Tampa building on the Calvary Community Church Campus. The dinner is a family-style, covered dish dinner, and a great way to showcase your favorite dish and pick up new recipes. Each month you have the opportunity to invite your family and friends to join us for our Sunday morning service at 1030, and then stay for our third Sunday dinner immediately following noon. Third Sundays at Calvary Community Church, where you’ll be fed spiritually and physically.

Thanks for joining us on Bible I. If you are in the area, we welcome you to visit us. The address for Calvary Community Church is 4811 George Road, Tampa, Florida, 33634. And now a closing thought from Pastor Arnold. Friend, one day it will happen. The trumpet will sound and we will be changed. Caught up to meet the Lord in the air. So live today and every day. Believing that the Lord is coming soon, Just keep looking up.