The Prayer of Jesus

The Prayer of Jesus

John 17

January 24, 2010

I.                    Jesus prays for Himself. (John 17:1-5)

A.                  Prayer that followed a message.

1.                   Foot washing: Humility and servant leaders. (Chap. 13)

2.                   The Father’s House: Not placing your hope on this earthly life. (Chap. 14)

3.                   The Vine and the branches: Abiding in Him for without Him we can do nothing. (Chap. 15)

4.                   Jesus is about to depart to their advantage: The disciples’ disappointments. (Chap. 16)

5.                   Now in chap. 17, Jesus’ prayer is for His glorious plan.

B.                  “Glorify Your Son so He can give glory back to You.”

1.                   Jesus is not self-centered, but Jesus needs to be known by us for our sakes.

2.                   Eternal life was the priority. He is the only way to heaven.

3.                   God is asked to remove hindrances and reveal Jesus to everyone.

II.                  Jesus prays for His disciples. (John 17:6-10)

A.                  “Inductive study”

Studying the text of the Scripture first and refer to the works of others second.

Reading with the five “W’s” and one “H” in mind. (Who, what, where, when, why and how)

1.                   We find that Jesus was specifically praying for His disciples in John 17:6-10.

B.                  We need to realize the unique calling of Jesus’ apostles. If we were to pattern our lives exactly to the apostles’ we will be misguided.

1.                   They inspired by the Holy Spirit to write the books of the N.T.

2.                   They were sent out to establish the N.T. church.

3.                   They were persecuted and martyred. (Except for John: exiled on the island of Patmos)

III.                Jesus prays for all who will believe. (John 17:20-23)

A.                   “That they will be one”

1.                   When Jesus said that we are to be “one”, He was not talking about forming a single worldwide church. (the Ecumenical Movement)

a.                   False doctrine and the truth are not to be maintained together.

b.                   The Tower of Babel: Unity based upon man’s desires and goals. (Genesis 11:1-9)

2.                   We are called to use discernment to prevent false doctrine from entering the church.

a.                   Avoiding false apostles and their teachings. (1 Corinthians 11:13-15)

b.                   We are commanded to test every spirit. (1 John 4:1)

3.                   How do people fall to false teachings?

a.                   Not accurately knowing God’s word.

b.                   Not obeying God’s word.

c.                   Opening themselves up to “foreign spirits”.

B.                  “That they will be one, just as You and I are one” (1 Corinthians 12:13)

1.                   We are able to be one as we are one in Him.

2.                   Different body parts, same “blood stream”.

3.                   Oneness because we need one another.