John 17:1-8

1. We should notice what a glorious account they contain of our Lord Jesus Christ’s role and dignity.
2. We should notice what a gracious account they contain of our Lord Jesus Christ’s disciples.

"Forever let us thank God that the hope of a Christian rests on such a solid foundation as a divine Saviour. He to whom we are commanded to flee for pardon and in whom we are bid to rest for peace, is God as well as Man. To all who really think about their souls and are not careless and worldly, the thought is full of comfort."

"Wherever the gracious Saviour of sinners sees true faith in Himself, however feeble, He looks with compassion on many weaknesses and passes by many defects."

Questions:

1. These verses contain great truths about Jesus. As I read what Ryle lists once again, would you let your heart praise our great Savior for his mercy and grace? "We read that the Father has “given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life.” The keys of heaven are in Christ’s hands. The salvation of every soul is at His disposal. We read, furthermore, that “this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” The mere knowledge of God is not sufficient and saves no one. We must know the Son as well as the Father. God known without Christ is a Being whom we can only fear and dare not approach. It is “God in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself” who alone can give to the soul life and peace. We read, furthermore, that Christ has finished the work which the Father gave Him to do. He has finished the work of redemption and made out a perfect righteousness for His people. Unlike the first Adam, who failed to do God’s will and brought sin into the world, the second Adam has done all and left nothing undone that He came to do. Finally, we read that Christ had glory with the Father before the world was. Unlike Moses and David, He existed from all eternity, long before He came into the world and He shared glory with the Father, before He was made flesh and born of the Virgin Mary." Which of these great truths stands out to you and increases thanksgiving to His name, and why?
2. Ryle points out a number of the gracious sayings about the disciples. Jesus declares that they have kept his word, they believe Jesus has come from the Father, they have received the Father's words, and they believe that the Father sent Jesus. And all this from men who were quite weak and feeble! Ryle points out the life-giving truth that even the least degree of faith is very precious in God's sight, and that he looks with compassion on many weaknesses and passes by many defects. What does this truth do to your heart today?

John 16:25-33

1. We learn that clear knowledge of God the Father is one of the foundations of the Christian religion
2. We learn that our Lord Jesus Christ makes much of a little grace and speaks kindly of those who have it.
3. We learn that the best Christians know only a little of their own hearts.
4. We learn that Christ is the true source of peace.

"Let us beware of the mistake which some make, who speak of God as if there was no Christ, and the mistake which others make, who speak of Christ as if there was no God. Let us seek to know all three Persons in the blessed Trinity and give to each One the honour due to Him."

"The Saviour of sinners will not cast off those who believe in Him because they are babes in faith and knowledge."

"None of us, perhaps, have the least idea how much we might fall if placed suddenly under the influence of strong temptation. Happy are those who never forget that the one who thinks they are standing must beware of falling and, remembering our Lord’s disciples, prays daily: “Hold me up and I shall be safe.”

"Let us lean back our souls on these comforting words and take courage. The storms of trial and persecution may sometimes beat heavily on us, but let them only drive us closer to Christ. The sorrows, losses, crosses and disappointments of our life may often make us feel badly cast down, but let them only make us tighten our hold on Christ."

Questions:

1.Jesus declares that he will speak plainly about the Father. Ryle highlights that Christians must beware of the mistake of speaking of God without the Son, and the Son without the Father. We must seek to know all three Persons of the blessed Trinity and to give to each One the honor due his name. Is this a new concept for you? It was to me a number of years ago, but I was encouraged by a prayer by John Stott that highlights this well. It goes like this:

Father, give me grace to live before you and please you more and more.

Lord Jesus, give me grace to deny myself, take up the cross, and follow you.

Holy Spirit, fill me with yourself and cause your fruit to ripen in my life of love, joy,

peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

2.Jesus, knowing the weakness and soon abandonment of his disciples, speaks gracious words of the Father's love for them. Ryle points out that Jesus does not despise one of his children, no matter how weak and feeble, as long as their faith is true. What does this do to encourage your heart?

3.We learn that the disciples, though making genuine statements about their love for Christ, had yet to learn of the weakness of their own flesh, the power of the devil, the feebleness of their own resolutions, and the shallowness of their faith. Ryle points out that the true secret of spiritual strength is self-distrust and deep humility. How do we see ourselves? Do we know how weak we truly are? Are we quick to trust ourselves or do we know that we are weak and seek to be strong in the Lord?

4.Jesus promises tribulation and yet comfort that he has overcome the world. When faced with sorrows, losses, crosses, and disappointments, do we tighten our grip on Christ or are we tempted to doubt his goodness?

John 16:16-24

1. We learn that Christ’s absence from the earth will be a time of sorrow to believers, but of joy to the world.
2. We learn that Christ’s personal return will be a source of boundless joy to His believing people.
3. We learn that while Christ is absent believers must ask much in prayer.

"Christ’s personal absence must necessarily be a sorrow to all true-hearted believers. Faith is not sight. Hope is not certainty. Reading and hearing are not the same as beholding. Praying is not the same as speaking face to face. There is something, even in the hearts of the most eminent believers that will never be fully satisfied as long as they are on earth and Christ is in heaven."

"It is not enough that we look backward to the cross and rejoice in Christ dying for our sins, or upwards to the right hand of God and rejoice in Christ’s interceding for every believer. We must do more—we must look forward to Christ’s return from heaven to bless His people and to finish the work of redemption."

"Let prayer in the name of Jesus be a daily habit with us every morning and evening of our lives. Keeping up that habit, we shall find strength for duty, comfort in trouble, guidance in perplexity, hope in sickness and support in death. He is faithful who promised that your joy would be full and He will keep His word if we ask in prayer."

Questions:

1. We hear Christ declare that His leaving will not only cause the disciples sorrow, but will bring joy to the unbelieving world. The truth is, as Ryle says, that faith is not sight, and hope is not certainty, and reading and hearing are not the same as beholding, and praying is not speaking face-to-face. Do we resonate with this?
2. Jesus declares that when he does return that the heart of believers will be full. Ryle points out that all Christians, while looking back at his death, and looking up at his current intercession ought to include having our eyes fixed on this second coming. When is the last time we longed or asked for this? If too long, how will we seek to place this calling more front and center in our lives?
3. Jesus declares to his disciples, then and now, that if we ask in his name, we will receive that our joy may be full. Ryle encourages us that out of all Christian duties, none receives such promises as prayer. He exhorts us to keep up that habit and find strength for duty, comfort in trouble, guidance in perplexity, hope in sickness, and support in death. Do our lives declare that we are dependent upon God or dependent upon ourselves? What would it do to our trust in God to memorize this promise and take it to heart?