Last Prayers

Lead Pastor, Scott Harris, begins by explaining that, as he prepares to leave his role and become a senior pastor elsewhere, he wants to share what matters most to him rather than simply deliver another sermon. Reflecting on the power of “last words,” he turns to John 17—Jesus’ final prayer—as a model for expressing his heart. He emphasizes that Jesus’ deepest desire is for people to truly see Him and to know Him personally, not just intellectually. Eternal life, he explains, is not merely believing facts about God but entering into a real, intimate relationship with Him through Jesus.

He traces this need back to humanity’s broken relationship with God in Genesis, showing how Jesus came to restore that relationship through His death and resurrection. Pastor Scott stresses that knowing Jesus goes beyond knowledge or emotional experience—it means being fully known by God and transformed by His love. This transformation results in a life marked by genuine love for others, which serves as evidence of a true relationship with God.

He shares personally that his greatest hope is that people would know and love Jesus, not just practice religion or go through the motions. From this relationship flows a mission: to share God’s love with others and make disciples. He also highlights the importance of unity among believers, explaining that deep, Christ-like unity reveals God to the world in a powerful way.

Finally, he invites listeners to examine their own hearts, asking whether they truly know Jesus or are simply living a religious lifestyle. He reminds them that salvation comes through faith—trusting in Jesus’ sacrifice and surrendering to Him—and encourages them to embrace a genuine, life-changing relationship with Christ.