Jesus’s Prayer for the Church

John 17:1-26

Truth: On the night before His death on the cross, Jesus prays for himself, the apostles, and future believers. His mission is about to be complete, but He is sending His church on mission in the world.

I. Jesus Prayed for His Glory to Be Revealed At the Cross. (John 17:1-5)

1. He prays for God’s glory to be displayed at the cross. (John 17:1-2)
2. He prays through the story of the redemption. (John 17:3-5)

II. Jesus Prayed for the Church to Reveal His Glory in the World. (John 17:6-19) He prayed for the church’s:

1. Unity (John 17:11)
2. Protection (John 17:12)
3. Fullness of joy (John 17:13)
4. Sanctification (John 17:16-17)
5. Mission (John 17:18)

III. Jesus Prayed for the Next Generation of Believers to Continue the Work Until Glory. (John 17:20-26)

1. The church’s unity impacts its witness in the world. (John 17:21)
2. The church is where the glory of Christ dwells. (John 17:22)
3. The church is to grow in Christian maturity. (John 17:23)
   1. “A church in love with Jesus will not only see the birth of new converts, but the birth of new churches.”
4. The church has a glorious future. (John 17:24-25)
5. The church is to be marked by love. (John 17:26)

Will you honor the Heavenly Father by living on mission with Christ through His Church?