Untitled Sermon (2)

Prayed for You: The Heart of Jesus' Call

Bible Passage: Jn 17:20–26

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

24 “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.

25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you[a] 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.”

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Summary: In John 17:20–26, Jesus offers a heartfelt prayer to the Father, expressing His desire for unity among believers and glorifying the name of God. He intercedes not only for His disciples but for all who will believe in Him through their message.

Application: This passage reveals the depth of Christ's love and intercession for us, assuring believers that we are not alone in our struggles. Understanding that Jesus prayed specifically for us should inspire us to seek unity and embrace our identity as His beloved children, even in times of challenge and division.

Teaching: This sermon teaches the importance of prayer, unity among believers, and the reassurance that Jesus is actively working on our behalf. It emphasizes that we are called to reflect the love of Christ in our relationships.

How this passage could point to Christ: This passage highlights Jesus as the Great High Priest, interceding for His followers. It connects to the overarching theme of redemption and reconciliation found throughout Scripture, culminating in the unity of believers in Christ's body.

Big Idea: Jesus' prayer for all believers illustrates His deep love and desire for our unity, reminding us that we are cherished and supported in our faith journey.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, consider exploring the historical context of Jesus' prayer in the upper room. Use your Logos library to delve into commentaries on John 17, examine the original Greek terminology for 'unity' and 'love', and reflect on practical applications of intercessory prayer in the life of the church.

1. Praying for Future Unity

Jn 17:20–21

Maybe you could emphasize how Jesus' prayer extends beyond His immediate disciples to include all who would believe in Him through their message. This shows His eternal perspective and concern for the church. His desire for unity mirrors the unbroken unity within the Trinity, painting a picture of divine harmony that believers are welcomed into. This unified love should inspire us to overcome divisions and embrace our identity as part of Christ's body, confident in His enduring love and advocacy.

2. Power of Shared Glory

Jn 17:22–23

You could highlight how Jesus shares His glory with believers so that they may be one. The glory of Christ is not self-contained; it is shared and meant to bind His followers together, reflecting the love of the Trinity. His prayer here spotlights the transformative power of His glory, inviting us to participate in divine unity and reflect His love in our relationships. Perhaps this can be a call for us to actively pursue unity in the church, knowing it reveals His love to the world.

3. Passionate Desire for Presence

Jn 17:24

Perhaps it's important to draw attention to Jesus' longing for believers to be with Him where He is, to see His glory. This points to the ultimate hope of eternal communion with Christ, where believers will fully experience His presence and love. So this can be an encouragement for us to live with this eternal perspective, assuring us that in our journey of faith, Jesus desires for us to share in His glory, urging us to pursue holiness and unity.

4. Purposeful Love Revealed

Jn 17:25–26

You could conclude by discussing Jesus' intimate relationship with the Father and His desire to make known the Father's love to His followers. His prayer at the end returns to the theme of love, underscoring the goal of all His ministry: that the love with which the Father loves Him may be in His followers as well. This love is transformative, unifying, and deeply personal, suggesting that understanding and living in this love is crucial for authentic Christian witness.