"THE GOSPEL OF JOHN" For Those Who Will Believe (17:20-26) by Mark Copeland

 

"THE GOSPEL OF JOHN"

For Those Who Will Believe (17:20-26)

INTRODUCTION

1. In previous lessons devoted to "The Greatest Prayer Ever Prayed", we noted that...
1. Jesus first prayed for Himself ("Father...Glorify Your Son") - Jn 17:1-5
2. Jesus next prayed for His apostles ("I Pray For Them") - Jn 17:6-19
2. Jesus then prayed for "those who will believe through their word"... - Jn 17:20
1. I.e., those who would come to believe in Jesus through the teaching of the apostles
2. This would include everyone who believes in Jesus today

[In this third and final part of Jesus' prayer, we learn what was heavy on the mind of Jesus concerning His followers during this difficult time just before His arrest and crucifixion. In our text (Jn 17:20-26), we can read of...]

1. JESUS' DESIRE FOR US
1. THAT WE BE ONE...
1. The nature of the oneness Jesus desires - Jn 17:21,23a
1. As He and the Father are one
2. Together with the Father and the Son
2. The purpose of the oneness Jesus desires - Jn 17:21c, 23b
1. That the world may believe the Father sent the Son
2. That the world may know the Father sent Jesus, and loved them
3. The means to the oneness Jesus desires - Jn 17:22
1. The glory which God gave Christ - Jn 17:22
2. B. W. Johnson offers the following insight as to what this glory' might be:
1. "God gave Christ the glory of Sonship and this resulted in their unity."
2. "So Christ gives to his disciples the glory of becoming the sons of God (Jn 1:12; 1Jn 3:1)."
3. "This glory, the adoption and gift of the Spirit, ought to effect that they be one as we are one."
3. Adam Clarke rephrases Jesus' words in this way:
1. "I have communicated to all those who believe, or shall believe in me, the glorious privilege of becoming sons of God;"
2. "that, being all adopted children of the same Father, they may abide in peace, love, and unity."
2. THAT WE BEHOLD HIS GLORY...
1. That we be with Him where He is - Jn 17:24a
1. That is, in heaven, as He had mentioned earlier - Jn 14:3
2. Using the futuristic present form of speech (e.g., Jn 17:4)
2. That we behold His glory given to Him by the Father - Jn 17:24b
1. That glory prayed for earlier - Jn 17:1
2. The eternal glory He had with the Father before the world was - Jn 17:5
3. When the Father loved Him before the creation of the world - Jn 17:24c
4. Glory like that depicted in the visions of Revelation - e.g., Re 5:6-14
3. THAT WE BE LOVED BY HIS FATHER...
1. The Father has loved us - Jn 17:23
1. Manifested by sending His Son - Jn 3:16
2. Manifested by offering Him as a propitiation - 1Jn 4:10
2. The Father will love us - Jn 17:26
1. With the same love He has for His Son!
2. For all who keep His commandments - cf. Jn 14:21,23

[Such is Jesus' desire for us as expressed in His prayer: 1) to be one; 2) to behold His glory; and 3) to be loved by His Father! How shall we react to such a prayer? Let me suggest...]

2. OUR DUTY FOR JESUS
1. TO WALK IN UNITY...
1. Preserving the unity of the Spirit - Ep 4:3-6
1. Keeping that which Jesus accomplished for us
2. Through doctrinal faithfulness to each of the seven 'ones'
2. Attaining unity of mind and judgment - 1Co 1:10-13; Php 2:1-5
1. In our dealings with one another as brethren
2. By developing and displaying the mind of Christ
-- That the world might know that God loves them and has sent His Son
2. TO WALK IN FAITH...
1. To remain steadfast to the end - He 3:12-14
1. There is a real danger of developing a heart of unbelief
2. We are partakers of Christ (and His glory) if we remain steadfast to the end
2. To receive the crown of life - Re 2:10; 3:21-22
1. We must remain faithful till death
2. We must overcome if we are to sit with Him on His throne
-- That we might behold His glory in heaven and throughout eternity
3. TO WALK IN LOVE...
1. Love for God - Mt 22:37-38; Jn 14:15,21; 1Jn 5:3
1. The greatest commandment of the Old Law
2. Demonstrated by keeping the commandments of the Lord
2. Love for the children of God - Ep 5:1-2; 1Jn 5:2
1. Imitating God who loved us
2. Demonstrated by keeping the commandments of God
-- That we might remain in His love

CONCLUSION

1. If we take Jesus' prayer seriously, we will do all we can to...
1. Walk in unity
2. Walk in faith
3. Walk in love
-- Are you doing your part to see that His prayer is answered?
2. We note the concluding words of "The Greatest Prayer Ever Prayed"...
1. Those apostles with Jesus knew that He was sent by God - Jn 17:25
2. He taught them that they might know the love of God and the fellowship of Christ - Jn 17:26
3. Years later, the apostle who recorded Jesus' prayer wrote an epistle...
1. That we might have share in the fellowship of God and Jesus - 1Jn 1:1-3
2. That our joy might be full - 1Jn 1:4

Both Jesus and John would have us share in the wonderful love and fellowship with God. May "The Greatest Prayer Ever Prayed" always encourage us to do what we must to experience it...!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2021