(#1566) Day 12. We Are Protected Whilst In The World (30/9/26)
Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (currently posted on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday) as we continue our 9-week series: Fresh Vision From Jesus' High Priestly Prayer from John 17.
Over the next three weeks, we focus on John 17:6-19, the second section of Jesus' High Priestly Prayer, where we will see that genuine Christian fellowship is essential to God's vision for the local church.
To watch this devotional, go to:
Please read John 17:6-19
As we continue to focus on the One Another aspect of our vision, today we reflect on how Jesus both predicts persecution and prays for the protection of His church.
Persecution and spiritual attack come in many forms. In some parts of the world, believers face imprisonment, violence, or even death because of their faith. More often for many of us, opposition comes through damaged relationships, discouraging words, slander, rejection, or passive hostility. At other times, the battle is unseen - a direct spiritual assault on our hearts and minds from the enemy.
Jesus tells us that we will face opposition because we are in this world but no longer belong to it. As His light shines through us, some will be drawn to Christ, while others will reject Him - and us. This is why Jesus says:
‘"I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.”’ (John 17:14)
The good news is that none of this should take us by surprise. Jesus warns us so that we can be prepared rather than discouraged. Peter writes:
‘Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ…’ (1 Peter 4:12-13)
Even more encouraging is the knowledge that Jesus not only predicted our trials - He prays for us in the midst of them.
He prays:
‘“I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name…”’ (John 17:11)
Again, He prays:
‘“I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.”’ (John 17:14-15)
What a wonderful encouragement! Jesus has prayed - and continues to pray - for our protection. We never face spiritual battles alone.
Just before praying this High Priestly Prayer, Jesus gave Peter a glimpse into His ongoing ministry of intercession:
‘“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”’ (John 22:31-32)
Jesus is greater than every power of darkness. The enemy may attack, but Christ intercedes for His people.
As we finish, I want to emphasise one of God's primary means of protecting us: true fellowship.
Jesus prays:
‘“Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.”” (John 17:11)
Notice the connection between protection and unity. Jesus desires His people to be "one" because our unity becomes one of God's great means of keeping us. As Christ prays for our protection, His prayer is often answered through the loving care of His church.
In genuine fellowship we receive prayer, encouragement, wisdom, correction, and restoration. We help one another persevere in faith. This is why one of the enemy's favourite strategies is to divide, isolate, and separate believers from the body of Christ.
Jesus' vision for His church is not that we struggle alone, but that we stand together, protecting and strengthening one another as we follow Him.
Moment To Reflect
Jesus prays for our protection, and His vision for His church is that we protect one another through genuine fellowship.
How does it encourage you to know that Jesus is praying for your protection?
Are you walking in genuine fellowship with other believers, or has the enemy been isolating you or making you resistant to godly encouragement and correction?
Download the booklet
Below is the link to download the devotional booklet: Fresh Vision From Jesus Prayer. This is a series of 27 devotionals based upon Jesus' High Priestly Prayer in John 17.
This year we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of CCP; to watch our anniversary video, please select the link below:
Community Group Study
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
You might want to use the icebreaker: How has God been speaking to you from His Word recently, and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.
On Sunday, we continued our series, Fresh Vision From Jesus’ Prayer, and began our three-week focus on John 17:6-19, the second section of Jesus' High Priestly Prayer, where we will see that genuine Christian fellowship (One-another) is essential to God's vision for the local church.
Read John 17:6–19 together and discuss:
What spoke to, challenged or inspired you from Sunday’s message?
Has anything from the series of devotions particularly encouraged or helped you? If so, what could you share with the group?
What does it mean to be in the world, but no longer to be a part of it?
In our message, we saw that : 'Like Jesus, We Will Not Look Like This World', and this will effect three areas in particular:
i. Up - Those Who Are Not Of This World Know God Differently
ii. In - Those Who Are Not Of This World Understand Community Differently
iii. Out - Those Who Are Not Of This World Live Differently
Discuss each of these areas - particularly how you feel challenged personally.
Let’s pray together:
In our prayers together, we continue with some of the same themes as last week:
For students and twenties: Please continue to pray for the young people in our church - for Samuel and Lucia, Cole and Abby who are leading in this area.
Gift days: Pray for our 30k target to be met at our upcoming gift days on 11th and 18th October.
Community Groups: Pray for our Community Group life to flourish at CCP (for info on groups, go to https://www.communitychurchputney.com/community-groups )
General Prayer: Let’s also pray for one another based on our study, and bringing before God any other needs or requests for prayer.
SIV:
Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing testimonies of God at work through us.
Pray for the ‘people of peace’ in our lives, asking God to open their hearts and give us the Love and boldness to share His love as He opens opportunities.
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