THE GREAT PREACHER, SPENER, HAD THIS READ TO HIM AS HE DIED, YET HE NEVER PREACHED ON IT - TOO SACRED

1. The very heart of Jesus- "The Lord's Prayer" on the way to Gethsemane He Prays for His own
2. The Word- Life- here includes all the blessedness of God's great gift to mankind- to us
3. Some see it as walking the Golden streets- but here it is down to earth- the present possession of a part of God-given to those who are mere mortals

I.- POWER OVER ALL FLESH  John 17:2a

St. Augustine wrote- here is a stream where lambs may wade, yet deep enough for elephants to swim

A.- THIS IS NOT A MODEL PRAYER, BUT THIS IS THE CHAPTER WHERE JESUS PRAYS FOR HIS VERY OWN

1. Jesus lifted up His eyes- We close ours in order to see Heaven- but He could see through earth
2. Jesus prayed- "Father"- not Our Father-, this is a very intimate and personal communication
3. Yet He prayed out loud- "For their sakes"- The apostles were with Him- under shadow of Temple

B.- JESUS PRAYED "THE HOUR IS COME" "GLORIFY THY SON THAT THY SON ALSO MAY GLORIFY THEE"

1. The words of prophetic fulfilment- Milton's Paradise Lost was about to become "regained"
2. Each step of our Lord was fulfilled prophecy- but now
3. The paths of glory lead but to the grave! But for all of us- Christ's road- through the grave

C.- "AS THOU HAST GIVEN HIM POWER OVER ALL FLESH" 17:2 THAT HE SHOULD GIVE!

1. All flesh- birds, animals, fish-obeyed him; but human flesh was weak, sinful, frail -so bad
2. He could call down fire from heaven- but He chose instead to love us, and die for us
3. He then gave this power to His Disciples-Matt 28:18- through his presence as we go

Is the "Lo, I am with thee always" enough power for you to go with the gospel?

II.-THE GIFT OF CHRIST

We hear much about the gifts of the Holy spirit- but what of the Gifts of Christ - here they are

A.- "THAT HE SHOULD GIVE" THIS CHAPTER REVEALS THE GIFTS OF CHRIST, v.2 - eternal life

1. v. 8- His Father's words - the words which the Lord spake were from the Father -
2. v. 13 -he gives us His Joy-, the more abundant life- the life of Joy- Christ's Joy
3. v. 22-And He gives us of His Glory- We do not realize it today as we should- but in that day-

B.- THE SPECIAL GIFT MENTIONED HERE, IS "THAT HE SHOULD GIVE ETERNAL LIFE" 2b

1. John 5:24 -"He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me-shall not perish"
2. Man's state in nature- is dead in sins- Eph 2:1 and except He quicken us- we go on to grave
3. For the Christian- eternal life is a present possession- Life with God- eternal inheritance

C.- THIS ETERNAL LIFE IS GIVEN TO "AS MANY AS THOU HAST GIVEN HIM." 2c

1. The order is reversed- "All which Thou has given Him, He should give eternal life"-
2. John 6:37-40 Those who are truly "God fearers"- the Father will give to the Son-
3. Men are not compelled to believe but those who do are given to Jesus to keep forever!

Have you ever chosen to come to Jesus?  Why not announce it to the world!

III.- THE ANCHOR FOR OUR SOUL!

John Knox of Scotland called John 17:3 the anchor for his soul- keeps you from drifting

A.- "THIS IS LIFE ETERNAL" THIS IS THE SOURCE OF THAT POWER THAT MAKES LIFE, AND MAKES IT ETERNAL

1. The word is (Zwn), used for Zoology - but this means more than animal existence!  Another word 
2. This other word is used for eternal-forever- never ending- together it adds new essence-
3. Animal life in its duration is swift and dead!  Survival? of swift for seconds- but this life-

B.- THE ONLY WAY TO THIS ETERNAL LIFE IS "TO KNOW THEE, THE ONLY TRUE GOD" 3b

1. This is not speculative- to guess at God with our wisdom- but is faith in revelation!-of God
2. This is in opposition to the pantheon of Athens- and all other false idols- only one God!-
3. Satan gives to every man his own idols- but we need to Know the only True God!- Jehovah

C.- "AND JESUS CHRIST, WHOM THOU HAST SENT."  JESUS WAS SENT FROM GOD, AND WE NEED TO KNOW HIM

1. We need a practical impression in our hearts of the Person of Jesus- revealed from the Word
2. Not just History, but in all His Perfection and loveliness!- The God man who loved us!
3. The only way to life is through this wonderful person- and He walked and prayed with men

John 10:28- If you Know Him- He will give you eternal life- and nothing can pluck you from His hand

JESUS LIFTED UP HIS EYES, AND PRAYED FOR YOU, AND YOU HAVE THE POWER TO FULFILL HIS PRAYER!

1. Receive the Gift of Jesus- by believing in Him- and receiving eternal life!
2. Claim all the gifts that the Lord Jesus Christ has for you- and top 'em off with Joy
3. Learn of Jesus- that you might share His Glory today- with others.