JESUS PRAYED
John 17:1-26
Key Verse and Theme: “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.” (John 17:25-26)
1. Jesus prayed for himself. (John 17:1-5)
A. He prayed to be glorified.
1. He prayed to be glorified so he could glorify the Father. (John 17:1)
2. He brought glory to the Father by completing the mission.
3. He wanted to be restored to His seat at the Father’s hand.
B. He gave God the glory for his mission.
1. God granted Jesus authority on earth.
2. What is eternal life? (John 17:3)
C. He prayed for his mission to be completed.
2. Jesus prayed for his disciples. (John 17:6-19)
A. He prayed for the disciples to belong to God. (John 17:9-10)
B. He prayed for the protection of his disciples.
1. Jesus prayed for His protection to continue through the Father.
2. Jesus did not ask them to be removed from the world, simply protected from it. (John 17:15)
C. He prayed for them to be sanctified.
1. He asked God to sanctify them by the truth.
2. He offered himself to sanctify the disciples. (John 17:19)
3. Jesus prayed for all the believers. (John 17:20-26)
A. Jesus prayed for unity.
1. “The biggest victory Satan won, was when the church became more than one.”
2. Jesus prayed for unity among believers, just like he and the Father are unified. (John 17:21, 23)
B. Jesus prayed for the world to believe in Him.
1. The church has to be unified to win the world.
2. The universal church would be more effective if it were unified.
C. Jesus prayed for our place in glory. (John 17:24)
4. If we needed another mission statement, it is found in John 17:25-26.
A. The world does not know the Righteous Father.
B. I need to know God as fully as possible.
C. I will make the Father known, and continue to make Him known.
D. I will share the love of God with the world.
