BOTTOM LINE: Jesus really loves us.

INTRO

[Story about overhearing a conversation about me at school]

Have you ever overheard people talking about you?

TENSION

Did you know that Jesus is talking about you in Heaven? Actually, he’s praying for you (Romans 8:34).

(Recap Series)

Tonight, we get a sneak peek at what Jesus says when he prays for us. Through Jesus’s final prayer with his disciples, we learn…

Jesus really loves us.

TRUTH

Scripture: John 17:1-26

Background

  • Very different from Matthew, Mark, and Luke (Synoptic gospels).
  • Eyewitness account written from the perspective of John, “The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved.”

Interpretive Key: “These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31).

Context

  • **********13:31 began Jesus’ “Farewell Discourse.”
  • Jesus told them that, because he was leaving, they were to love one another (The Fresh Commandment)
  • The disciples, led by Peter, had a SQUIRRELL! Moment.
  • Immediate context: “Let not your hearts be troubled” (14:1, 27); “Whoever believes in me will do the works that I do” (14:12); “The Holy Spirit will help you” (14:16).
  • ********** “Rise, let us go from here…(14:31).

********** “In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

1. Jesus prayed for himself (v.1-5).

Jesus is selfless even when praying for himself!

  • The Father’s will. He’s asking the Father to do what he already willed to do in eternity past.
  • The Father’s glory. He’s asking to be glorified for the sake of people to be saved (the authority to give eternal life).

This portion of the prayer is small compared to the portion dedicated to others.

The point of 17:3 is that the Son is given authority over all people in order that he might give eternal life to all whom the Father has given him.

Who has God given him? All who believe in him.

2. Jesus prayed for his friends (v.6-19).

Who were Jesus’s friends?

  • The original disciples who were eyewitnesses to him.
  • They know who Jesus really is (words).
  • They believed in what Jesus came to do (work).
  • “I am praying for them” (v. 9).

What did Jesus pray for his friends?

  • Keep them in your name.
    • “Keep them in your name” (v.11b-13).
    • “That they may be one, even as we are one” (v.11c).
    • “That they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves” (v.13).
      • Jesus doesn’t lose those who are his. You can’t lose your salvation!
  • Keep them in your Word (while they’re in the world) (v.14)
    • “Don’t take them out of the world, but keep them from the evil one” (v.15).
      • You’re not of the world (v. 16)
      • Remember, the world hates us because we don’t belong to them (Cf. 16:19).
    • “Sanctify them in the truth” (v.17,19).
    • “As you sent them into the world, so I have sent them into the world” (v.18).

3. Jesus prayed for all believers (v.20-26).

Transition: “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word” (v.20).

  • The disciples recorded Jesus’s words and spread them. As a result, we (Christians) have believed and are saved!
  • This is us! Jesus prayed for us!

What did Jesus pray for us?

  • Unity among the Family of God. “That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you” (v.21a). 
  • Sweet fellowship with God. “That they may be in us” (v.21b).
  • To have the hope of seeing Jesus face to face. “That they may be where I am, to see my glory” (v.24).
  • That we would receive and give his love. “That the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them” (v.25).

4. Jesus prayed for the world (v.20-26).

Four generations: Jesus -> Disciples -> Us -> The world

  • The world here represents those who have not yet trusted Jesus as their Savior.
  • What is God’s disposition toward the world? Read John 3:16!

Jesus intended for us to be a witness to the world. Our unity is important…

  • “So that the world may believe that you have sent me” (v.21c).
  • “So that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you love me” (v.23).

Why is this so important?

  • Eternal life is knowing the one true God (17:3)
  • No one finds eternal life apart from believing in Jesus (John 20:31).
  • No one believes in Jesus without hearing the gospel of Jesus from a believer (17:20, 21).
    • “Those who will believe in me through your word” (v.20).
    • “So that the world may believe” (v.21).
    • Believe what?
      • God created us to be with him.
      • Our sin separates us from God.
      • Sins cannot be removed by good deeds.
      • Paying the price for sin, Jesus died and rose again.
      • Everyone who trusts in him alone has eternal life.
      • Life with Jesus starts now and lasts forever.

What does this mean? Jesus really loves you!

Do you have eternal life? Jesus prayed that you would find it. If you’re not sure you have eternal life tonight, what’s stopping you from trusting in Jesus right now?

APPLICATION – Responding to God’s love…

1 – Speak to God. He’s already spoken to you. Pray like Jesus. These things are guaranteed to happen. Take comfort in knowing that Jesus is still praying for you.

2 – Stick together. Be unified! If you’re not living in unity with the people of God, then you’re out of the will of God. We need to protect what God has given us!

3 – Swim against the current! You’re in the world but don’t live like the world. Be sanctified! Set apart! Share the gospel. Cooperate with Jesus’s desire for the world to hear the gospel. Be baptized! Let the world know you belong to Jesus!

4 – Stop fighting God’s offer of eternal life. Find salvation in Jesus. What’s stopping you? You’ve heard it all night: “Believe in Jesus.” Will you reach out to Jesus tonight and trust him for eternal life?