John 17:12-13 - Homiletics

Christ's petition for his disciples supported by various considerations.

He looks back upon the work he had already done, and sees that it must henceforth be taken up by a different agency.

I. THOSE WHO ARE TO RE SAVED ARE COMMITTED TO CHRIST 'S KEEPING . "While I was with them in the world, I kept them myself in thy Name. I have watched over those whom thou hast given me."

1. Believers cannot keep themselves .

2. Christ takes them wholly in charge for safekeeping .

3. They are kept ,

(a) Christ has an individual care of believers.

(b) The loss of a single believer would be

( α ) a dishonor to Christ,

( β ) and would weaken the comfort and confidence of his people.

(c) Christ keeps them "in the Name" of the Father, out of love and duty to him.

4. Judas— " the son of perdition " —prepares himself for his own foreseen ruin .

II. THE OBJECT OF OUR LORD IN THIS PRAYER FOR THE DISCIPLES . "And now I come to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves."

1. His prayer was offered up that their joy should not be diminished by his approaching departure , but rather increased by the coming of the Comforter .

(a) by gracious ordinances,

(b) by cheering promises,

(c) by the witness of the Comforter.

2. The importance and necessity of this joy .