The High Priestly Prayer Part 3

Reverend Kent Compton’s sermon, "The High Priestly Prayer, Part 3," focused on Jesus’ prayer for the sanctification of His disciples, based on John 17:17-19. Compton opened by using the analogy of a foreigner—an "Englishman in New York"—to illustrate the Christian’s identity as an alien or a non-citizen in this world. He emphasized that the moment God's Spirit works in a believer, their priorities and desires are no longer aligned with "the world" in its sinful sense. The central theme of this portion of Jesus' prayer is the petition: "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." Compton clarified that sanctification is the process of being set apart and made holy, and Jesus specifies the Word of God as the indispensable means by which this holiness is achieved.

Compton then elaborated on this powerful link between God’s Word and holiness. He stressed that sanctification is not a mysterious, purely internal feeling but a tangible process rooted in truth. Jesus' prayer reveals that truth is not a set of abstract philosophical ideas, but the authoritative, written, inspired, and living revelation of God found in the Scriptures. The power to transform a believer's mind, thoughts, dreams, and desires comes directly from engaging with this Word. Compton urged the congregation to recognize that while Jesus could have asked the Father for a multitude of things—such as money, security, or influence for His followers—He chose to prioritize their holiness, making it the most essential element for their lives in the world.

Finally, Reverend Compton connected Jesus’ sanctification to the believer’s mission. Jesus prays, "As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world." Compton explained that the purpose of the disciples' sanctification is to enable them to carry out their mission. Just as Jesus consecrated Himself—set Himself apart—for the sacrificial work of redemption, He prays that His followers would be consecrated by truth for the work of proclamation. This means that holiness is not a retreat from the world but the divine equipment for effective ministry in it, allowing believers to be living demonstrations of Christ’s power and redeeming love, thereby bringing glory to Jesus in their daily lives and decisions.