The Familiar Messages

John 17:1-5 (NIV)
Jesus Prays to Be Glorified
17 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

John 3:16 (NIV)
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Introduction – bringing in a refreshed image of Jesus. When we think of familiar messages, we tend to be desensitized.

1. Familiar Message 1: Christianity is a personal relationship (v 1-2)
a. “Father”
b. the harsh reality of suffering in North America

2. Familiar Message 2: Eternal Life comes from knowing Jesus
a. It’s not just belief but also to know God

3. Familiar Message 3: We glorify God in our living

John 3:16 – desensitized to the gospel message
1. For God so loved me

2. That He gave Jesus

3. And we get a prize for believing

What do we focus on?