Please take note of how you can get someone very special to pray for you. You will also discover a very special prayer. But first of all let us hear what God has to say about the greatest Church.
You know that a builder skillfully puts together very different materials to complete a building. The greatest building ever is still under construction. It is the one undertaken by the greatest of all builders when He said, “I will build My Church...” (Matthew 16:18.)
This “Church” Jesus Christ said He would build was not going to be constructed with materials like bricks, wood and gold, but with people!
Jesus began His Church by choosing His twelve disciples. Listen as Jesus prays to His Father in Heaven about His disciples: “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message.” (verse 20.)
The disciples were to preach to people telling them to believe in Jesus. This message given by Jesus to the Apostles was to be the foundation for the Church, “with Christ Jesus Himself as the Chief Cornerstone.” (Ephesians 2:19-22.)
But what did the Apostles mean by saying “believe in Jesus”? Their message was clear and plain! Jesus is the only Priest and Saviour who can forgive sins, and make the sinner acceptable to God. No one can take Jesus’ place, or do His work of being Priest and Saviour for you.
It is those who hear that message, and believe in Jesus, that Jesus prays for. He is not praying for everyone! He said to His Father “I am not praying for the world, but for those You have given Me, for they are Yours.” (verse 9.)
Who do YOU turn to to seek forgiveness of sins, and acceptance with God? Most people put their trust in religious leaders or religious practices. Don’t YOU let anything or anyone keep you from believing the Gospel preached by the Apostles. Trust completely in Jesus Christ as your only hope and Saviour!
Using these people from all kinds of backgrounds and cultures - these Believers - what can Jesus “build”? Any good builder wants to end up with a building that would bring him credit and fame.
Listen to what Jesus is planning with His Father: “I pray for those who will believe in Me.. 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.” (verses 20-23.)
What a wonderful building programme God has undertaken! He is bringing together many, many very different people into one great family who love and obey the one Father. The completed Church “building” will not be seen until all those who believed in Jesus down through all ages will be assembled together in His glorious presence in Heaven forever. (Revelation 7:9-17.)
This is “the Church” Jesus has been building over the ages - but will YOU be part of it? Remember it is only made up of those who, in this life, choose to believe in Jesus as the only One who can bring them to God. (1st Peter 3:18.) These are the ones Jesus prayed for, and still prays for. (1stJohn 2:1-3.) They love and obey the Father and are loved by Him.
Read about this great Architect and Builder in John chapter 17, verses 20-23.
John Nixon, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
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