(#1575) Day 20. Bringing People To Jesus Is A Miracle (20/10/26)
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.
This week, we begin our three-week focus on John 17:20-26, the third section of Jesus' High Priestly Prayer, where Jesus prays for us to effectively reach those outside of faith.
To watch this devotional, go to:
Please read John 17:20–26.
Some things are difficult but possible: Running a marathon. Climbing a mountain. Learning a musical instrument. Speaking another language. They require time, effort, and perseverance, but they can be achieved.
Other things, however, are impossible for us: We cannot travel through time, teleport from one place to another, or fly simply by flapping our arms. And there is something even more significant that is impossible apart from God: new birth. Salvation is a miracle. This is why Jesus teaches us to pray for those who have not yet come to faith.
Jesus prays:
‘“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”’ (John 17:20)
Earlier in His prayer, Jesus reminds us that our coming to know God is not ultimately the result of anything we have done, but because the Father gave us to the Son. In other words, we are Christians because God graciously chose us and worked in our lives.
Jesus says:
‘For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.’ (John 17:2-3)
And again:
‘“I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world…”’ (John 17:6)
He has ‘revealed’ the Father to us. Revealed - phaneróō - means to show, manifest, disclose, display.
This is an important truth to grasp. We cannot educate people into becoming Christians. Christianity is not simply about morality, religious traditions, good manners, or belonging to a particular culture. People may outwardly appear religious, but true Christianity begins with the miracle of being born again by the Holy Spirit.
A wonderful example of this is Lydia's conversion in Philippi:
'On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptised, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.’ (Acts 16:13-15)
Paul faithfully preached the gospel, but it was the Lord who opened Lydia's heart. Human beings proclaim the message; God performs the miracle.
This is why we pray. Regeneration is every bit as miraculous as physical birth - and even more! Jesus made this clear when speaking about the rich entering the kingdom of God. His disciples asked:
‘"Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”’ (Luke 18:26-27)
True conversion - the miracle of new birth - is impossible for us, but it is always possible with God.
That truth should fill us with both humility and confidence. Humility, because our own salvation is entirely by God's grace. Confidence, because no one is beyond His saving power. The God who opened Lydia's heart is still opening hearts today.
Moment To Reflect
Jesus wants us to have a vision of salvation as the miraculous work of God. That is why Jesus teaches us to pray for those who do not yet know Him.
How should you respond to the truth that you believe because God graciously chose you and worked in your life?
If salvation is God's miracle, how should this shape the way you pray for those who do not yet know Christ?
Is there someone whose salvation you've begun to think is impossible? Bring them before God today, remembering that "what is impossible with man is possible with God."
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 17:20-26, the second section of Jesus' High Priestly Prayer, where we will see that Jesus wants to lead us in reaching our community with the gospel.
Read John 17:20–26 together and discuss:
What particularly spoke to you, challenged you or inspired you from Sunday’s message?
Jesus sets us the example of praying for those who do not yet know Him - an example we are called to follow. Do you truly believe that prayer is essential to fruitful evangelism?
Why is prayer so vital to the success of our mission to share the gospel and make disciples?
Read Colossians 4:2–6. What does this passage teach us about the relationship between prayer and mission? How should it shape the way we pray and share our faith?
How is Jesus calling you to follow His example of praying for those who do not yet know Him? Who are the ‘people of peace’ in your life - How do you, or could you pray for them?
Let’s pray together:
SIV (Serve, Invest and Invite)
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 (see note below), asking God to open their hearts and give us the Love and boldness to share His love as He opens opportunities.
In our prayers together, let’s pray for a few themes together:
For our church to grow as ‘a house of prayer’ - a people devoted to praying together.
For our upcoming Alpha Course in January, and for Phil as he seeks to bring this together.
Our upcoming New Ground Sunday on the 8th November - that it would be a great morning that inspires vision for our family of churches.
General Prayer: Let’s also pray for one another based on our study, and bringing before God any other needs or requests for prayer.
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