How to Effectively Follow Jesus Together

Sermon Outline: "How to Effectively Follow Jesus Together"

Text: John 17:20-26 (NIV)

Introduction: In Jesus’ prayer for all believers in John 17:20-26, He emphasizes unity and love among His followers. Following Jesus isn’t a solo journey; it’s a shared experience that requires cooperation, unity, and mutual love. As we follow Jesus together, the local church plays a vital role in helping us live out this unity.

I. Embrace Unity in Christ

John 17:20–21 NLT

20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.”

Explanation: Jesus prayed for the unity of all believers, mirroring the unity between Him and the Father. Unity among believers is essential to following Jesus effectively as a body. Cross References:

Ephesians 4:3—“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” 1 Corinthians 1:10—“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you.” Example: The Early Church (Acts 2:42-47) – The believers were united in purpose and shared everything in common, reflecting true Christian community. Their unity led to God adding to their number daily. Application:

Get Involved in Church Ministries: True unity grows when we actively participate in the local church. Through serving together, we build stronger bonds and fulfill God’s purposes. Action Point: Join or volunteer in a ministry, whether it’s hospitality, worship, children’s ministry, or outreach. Serving helps foster unity as you connect with others on a deeper level.

II. Reflect Christ’s Love to the World

John 17:22–23 NLT

22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.

“I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

Explanation: Unity and love among believers serve as a powerful testimony to the world of God’s love. Our ability to reflect Christ’s love together shows the reality of the gospel. Cross References:

John 13:35—“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” 1 John 4:12—“No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” Example: Barnabas and Paul – In Acts 9, Barnabas showed love and faith in Paul, advocating for him when others were skeptical. This act of love strengthened their relationship and helped the early church grow. Application:

Engage in Fellowship and Outreach: Reflecting Christ’s love involves connecting with others in the church and showing love beyond its walls. Action Point: Participate in church outreach programs, whether it’s community service, visiting the sick, or helping in local missions. Build relationships that extend Christ’s love to the world.

III. Share in God’s Glory Together

John 17:24 NLT

24 Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!

“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.”

Explanation: Jesus desires for His followers to experience the fullness of His glory together. This speaks to the shared hope of believers in eternity and the present joy of witnessing God’s glory in our lives. Cross References:

Romans 8:17—“Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Colossians 3:1-4—“When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” Example: Moses and the Israelites – In Exodus 33, Moses asked to see God’s glory, and God revealed His glory to him. In the same way, we long to experience and reflect God’s glory together. Application:

Worship Together: One way we share in God’s glory is through collective worship. Gathering regularly with other believers reminds us of the glory of God and deepens our relationship with Him. Action Point: Make it a priority to attend Sunday services, mid-week Bible studies, and prayer meetings. Corporate worship and studying God’s Word together are essential to experiencing God’s glory as a community.

IV. Demonstrate Christ’s Love through Genuine Fellowship

John 17:25–26 NLT

25 “O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. 26 I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”

“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

Explanation: Jesus’ prayer highlights the importance of ongoing fellowship rooted in love. His presence within us enables us to love deeply and to continue making God known to each other and the world. Cross References:

Hebrews 10:24-25—“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.” Acts 2:44—“All the believers were together and had everything in common.” Example: David and Jonathan – Their deep friendship, based on their shared faith and loyalty, demonstrated genuine fellowship and love, even at personal cost (1 Samuel 18-20). Application:

Join a Small Group or Bible Study: Genuine fellowship is cultivated in smaller settings where believers can share life, encourage one another, and grow together in faith. Action Point: Get involved in a small group or Bible study in your church where you can grow closer to fellow believers and engage in meaningful spiritual support and accountability.

Conclusion: To follow Jesus effectively together, we must prioritize unity, reflect Christ’s love, share in God’s glory, and build genuine fellowship. As members of the local church, we can live out these principles in practical ways—through serving, worshiping, and engaging in fellowship. By being involved in the church community, we become a powerful witness to the world of God’s transformative love.

Come join us this Sunday for an inspiring message on how we can effectively follow Jesus together. Based on John 17:20-26, we will explore how unity, love, and genuine fellowship are essential in living out our faith as a community. Learn how we can reflect Christ’s love to the world, share in God’s glory, and build meaningful relationships that strengthen our walk with Him. Don’t miss this opportunity to reconnect with your local church family and grow together in faith. We invite you to Back to Church Sunday at 10:15am at Rockwell Church!

Come join us for an inspiring message this Sunday as we dive into John 17:20-26 and discover how to effectively follow Jesus together. In this message, we will explore the importance of unity, love, and shared fellowship as key elements of our walk with Christ. Learn practical ways to engage with our church community and reflect Christ's love to the world. Be encouraged to embrace unity, participate in worship, and build deeper relationships within the body of believers. Don’t miss out on this transformative message—Back to Church Sunday at 10:15am at Rockwell Church!

Join us this Sunday as we dive into John 17:20-26 and discover how we can effectively follow Jesus together. In His prayer for all believers, Jesus emphasizes the importance of unity, love, and shared fellowship. Learn how we can embrace unity, reflect Christ’s love to the world, and experience God’s glory as a church community. By living out these truths together, we can be a powerful testimony of God’s love. Don't miss this inspiring message on Back to Church Sunday at 10:15am at Rockwell Church!