We live in a church culture where people are trying to have the biggest or best church so people will show up and be "part of the community." It is a time where people are looking at who has the flashiest model, or where things are more "happening" than elsewhere? But would our time not be better spent if the church would get back to the simple study of the scripture? Unlike the modern way of read a verse or two and wax eloquent and philosophical, but to study for understanding and direction?

Remember that when we read how Paul or Peter or the others, they would address people not using models, or have 5 point sermons, or quote this guy or that to prove they were well read. They simply taught truth and the world hated them, but those who came to know Jesus, through them, they were loved because of the dedication to simple truth.

Here is what they knew. God has always loved His creation, but His creation rebelled and it became corrupt. Genesis 3 records this fact and nothing has been the same since that time. Death and sin began their horrible reign over life and man was distant and separated for God from that time forard.

Then we see this one word, Jesus, and things changed.

We will complete chapter 17 of John today, and in the most concise way I know how, I can only describe Jesus' final words in that He came to reestablish what was lost in Eden. Jesus has repeatedly spoke of being "one" with The Father. That simply means there is no separation. Though Jesus had His time on earth and there was a physical separation, never was there a spiritual one. His desire was and is that God would accept those who come to Him for salvation. All for the purpose that we would no longer have separation from The God who loves.

In our text today He is moments from His arrest and the process of His trial, death and resurrection. Now that process will make His desire a reality.

There is no model of church, no program of development, no wisdom or marketing that can change that incredible truth. When we see Jesus, all the man made imaginations and philosophy will be gone, and, for those who choose, we will see His face and know Him as The One who said:

John 17:24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

God is completely unimpressed with celebrity driven churches and models, because all too often they obscure this foundational truth. Lord, may we return to simpler times and understandings?

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