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The sermon presents John 17:15 as Christ’s prayer that believers remain in the world without being overcome by its evil. Their continued earthly life serves their growth, benefits others, and advances Christ’s glory, so they should not seek death merely as an escape from difficulty. Spurgeon also stresses God’s sovereignty over life and death and warns fruitless sinners that their preservation is an opportunity to repent. The gospel invitation is strongly monergistic in emphasis: sinners must abandon self-righteousness and receive Jesus Christ as their entire hope, with assurance grounded in Him rather than fluctuating feelings.
Theological center: Christ sovereignly intercedes for His people, preserves them amid evil, and saves helpless sinners through Himself rather than their merit.
Applications: Remain and serve faithfully · Work for Christ’s glory · Turn to Christ in repentance · Come to Christ empty-handed
Primary texts: John 17:15 · Revelation 14:14-19 · Mark 5:19
“I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” John 17:15 THIS prayer of Christ is an ever precious portion to all true believers, from the fact that each of them has an inalienable interest in it. Every one of us, beloved, when we listen to the words of Christ should recollect that He is praying for us—that while it is for the great body of His elect He intercedes in this chapter and the one preceding it, yet it is also for each believer in particular that He offers intercession. However weak we are, however poor, however little our faith, or however small our grace may be, our names are still written on His heart. Nor shall we lose our share in Jesus’ love. I will proceed at once to the discussion of the text as my time is limited. First, there is a negative prayer, “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world.” Second, here is a positive prayer, “but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” We have, then, a negative prayer in this verse. “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world.” Now beloved, when we see persons converted to God, when men are turned from iniquity unto righteousness, from sinners into saints, the thought sometimes strikes us—would it not be good to take them at once to heaven, would it not be an excellent thing to translate them speedily from the realms of sin to the breast of the Lord, who loved them with an everlasting love? Would it not be wiser to take the young plants out of the chilly air of this world, where they may possibly be injured and weakened, and transplant them at once to the land where they may bloom in peace and tranquility forever? Not so, however, does Jesus pray. When the man had the devils cast out of him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, I would follow thee whithersoever thou goest.” But Jesus said to him, “Go to thy friends and relations, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee.” Some men, when they are converted, are all for going speedily to heaven, but they have not done with earth yet. They would like to wear the crown without bearing the cross, they desire to win without running and conquer without a battle. But their whim has no countenance from Jesus, for He exclaims, “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world.” I shall first of all speak of the meanings of this prayer. Secondly, the reasons for this prayer. Thirdly, the doctrinal inferences that we may derive from it. And fourthly, the practical lessons it teaches. Briefly on each point. I. First, THE MEANINGS OF THIS PRAYER. “I…