How to Effectively Follow Jesus Together (2)

24.0915 "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. Acknowledge your LINEAGE in Jesus Church (17:20)

John 17:20 NIV

20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,

Life Application New Testament Commentary Jesus Prays for Future Believers / 17:20–26 / 221

JESUS PRAYS FOR FUTURE BELIEVERS / 17:20–26 / 221

The pattern of Jesus’ prayer provides a helpful outline for us. He prayed for himself, for those close to him, and for those beyond his immediate sphere who would be affected by the ministry of his friends.

17:20 After praying for his disciples, Jesus prayed for all who would ever believe in him because of their testimony. In a sense, everyone who has become a Christian has done so through the apostles’ message because they wrote the New Testament and were the founders of the Christian church. So Jesus was praying for all the believers who would ever exist. He was praying for you and others you know. And he was praying for those he wants us to reach! Knowing that Jesus prayed for us should give us confidence as we work for his Kingdom.

II. Pursue the UNITY with other believers that Jesus Prayed for (17:21-23)

(John 17:21-23

John 17:21–23 NIV

21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—23 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.

Life Application New Testament Commentary Jesus Prays for Future Believers / 17:20–26 / 221

17:21 There are three requests in verse 21, and they hinge on one another. In the first request, the Lord asked for unity—that they will be one. This all-encompassing petition includes all the believers throughout time. This oneness does not readily fit the idea of one unified church structure. Rather, this unity becomes most visible through love, obedience, and commitment to the Father’s will.

In the second request, Jesus prayed for a unity among the believers that is based on the unity of Jesus and the Father. Christians can be unified if they live in union with God. For example, each branch living in union with the vine is united with all other branches (see 15:1–17); or each part of the body is united with the other parts so that when one hurts, they all hurt, and when one rejoices, they all rejoice (1 Corinthians 12:12–27).

This union with the Father and Son would result in people all over the world believing that Jesus had been sent by God as the world’s Savior—and not only believing, but receiving this Savior as their own. This is the third request.

17:22–23 Jesus further explained this oneness in terms of mutual indwelling: “I have given them the glory you gave me.” Jesus was still referring to all his followers, not just the immediate disciples. The phrase is a promise. Jesus gave all true believers his glory by completing his mission of revealing God (17:4–6). Jesus’ work was not only to speak and model the character of God. His ultimate purpose was to present both the splendor and character of God (God’s glory) in such a way that God would become personally real to the disciples. They, in turn, were to pass on what they had received to others who would also believe. Those who, in fact, received the glory would become unified by their shared relationship with Christ. Complete and perfect unity between God and believers results in worldwide belief. When we demonstrate this oneness, we will convince the world that the Father sent the Son, and that the Father loves believers deeply and eternally, just as he loves the Son.

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.

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. Allow Jesus LOVE to flow through you as we follow Jesus together (17:24-26)

(John 17:24-26

John 17:24–26 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! 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.”

Life Application New Testament Commentary Jesus Prays for Future Believers / 17:20–26 / 221

17:24 Jesus wants all believers (the eleven disciples and all others) to be with him where he is so they can see his glory. What wonderful assurance Jesus’ prayer gives us to know that the Lord of heaven wants us to be with him. This request impacts our present experience and future hope. In the present, we unite with Christ in God the Father (see 14:6; Colossians 3:3). In the future, we will be with Christ in eternal glory and enjoy with him the love

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.

Life Application New Testament Commentary Jesus Prays for Future Believers / 17:20–26 / 221

17:25–26 Jesus addressed his Father as righteous Father because God’s righteous judgment reveals that the world’s knowledge of God is incorrect and that the disciples’ knowledge is correct. Just as Jesus had chosen the name “Holy Father” (17:11) to present his request for protection of the disciples, so here Jesus added righteous as a highlight to the gulf that exists between the world and God. Jesus knew he was the living connection between the lost world and his loving, righteous Father.

The world failed to recognize that Jesus was God’s communication to them. The disciples did recognize this, for they had come to believe that Jesus was the one sent from God. Jesus, who knew the Father personally and intimately, had revealed the Father to his disciples and would continue to do so. Thus, Jesus could say, “I have revealed you to them and will keep on revealing you.” Finally, Jesus asked the Father to love the disciples with the same love he (the Father) had for his Son.

Jesus asked that the Father’s love would be in believers and that he himself (Jesus) would be in them. This expresses the heart of the Father’s desire, which is to have his Son in his people: “I … in them.” And because it is the Father’s desire, he will make sure it is accomplished. How do you understand your relationship with God the Father? Is his love in you?

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.

Invite Descriptions

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!