Let's continue to examine Christ's intercessory and priestly prayer, in John chapter 17, looking for the areas of mission that Christ completed. Note the phrase, "I have."

1. Christ glorified the Father and finished the work given by the Father. John17:1-4

2. Christ manifested (declared) the name of the Father unto His disciples. John17:6,26

3. Christ gave the disciples the words and the word of the Father. John 17:8,14

4. Christ kept the disciples (gathered, taught and protected them). John 17:12

5. Christ sent His disciples into the world. John 17:18

6. Christ gave the disciples glory (i.e. a unifying purpose and power which comes from the Father and glorifies the Father). John 17:1,5,22

7. Christ knew the Father (i.e. was intimate with the Father and confessed Him to others). John 17:25-26

We now are considering the third observation. Christ gave the disciples the "the Words" and "the Word" of the Father (John 17:8,14). That is, Christ gave specific citations of Scripture that reveal the message of the Messiah. This is the message that the Father had embedded or concealed in Genesis through Malachi. What was seemingly concealed in the Old Testament Scriptures is now revealed through Christ and His disciples in the New Testament Scriptures (Luke 24:44-48; I John 5:9-13).

Note the following descriptions of the "Word" which Christ has given us:

The Word of Truth - Separating us (sanctifying us) from all other philosophies and doctrines. The Gospel causes contention with the world and is Satan's number one object of attack. John 17:8,13-17; 8:30-32; Acts 26:22-25; II Corinthians 4:1-4; 6:3-10; Ephesians 1:12-13; 4:17-21; Colossians 1:3-6; 2:8; II Timothy 2:15; James 1:18 cp. John 15:18-27; 16:7-14; I John 4:1-6.

The Word of Christ - Unifying all Scripture to focus on the central theme of Christ and His Gospel. John 5:24, 37-47 cp. Deuteronomy 18:18-19; Luke 24:44-48. See also Colossians 3:16; Romans 1:1-4; I Peter 1:25; I John 5:10.

The Word of Righteousness - Revealing the spirit of the law, not merely the letter of the law. John 4:23-26; Matthew 5:17-20 [note: Matthew 5:21-48 "You have heard/It has been said... but I say unto you..." cp. Matthew 7:21-29]. See also II Corinthians 3:1-6; Psalm 119:123(cp. Romans 3:19-26; 10:1-4); Isaiah 45:22-25 (cp. Philippians 2:9-11).

The Word of Faith - Enabling a personal relationship with God through the Gospel of Christ. John 5:24-25; 6:63; Romans 1:16; 10:8-17.

The Word of Reconciliation - Calling, not just Israel, but all men everywhere to be reconciled (brought to friendship and peace) with God. John 3:16; 10:11-16; Matthew 24:14; Acts 17:30-31; II Corinthians 5:18-21; Ephesians 2:11-19.