团契与门徒训练

The Lord's Prayer for Us (John 17:1~26)

2017.02.26Stephen Cha

In his high priestly prayer in John 17, Jesus asks the Father to protect, sanctify, send, and unite his people so that God is glorified through their lives and the world may know God's love.

Living for the glory of God (v. 2)

Jesus prays, Father, the hour has come; glorify your son, that the son may glorify you. Glory is the outward shining of God's inward being, and it is always connected with his presence. The cross reveals God most fully, showing his righteousness, justice, love, mercy, and power over sin, death, and Satan. So our lives are not about our own glory or agenda but about lifting up God's name. When we pray, hallowed be thy name, we ask that God be honored in everything we do.

Kept safe by the Father's protection (vv. 11-12)

Jesus prays, Father, protect them in your name. The disciples were taken out of the world and given to Jesus as a gift, yet they still live in enemy territory. God protects his people through his name, that is, his character revealed in the gospel. Those who accepted the gospel have become God's children, and the Father who adopted them will not let them go. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. We stay safe as we daily put on Christ, stand on the truth that there is no condemnation, and keep in step with the Father.

Set apart by the truth of God's Word (vv. 17-19)

Jesus prays, sanctify them in the truth; your word is the truth. The church is meant to be salt and light, but it can lose its saltiness and become defiled. God calls his people to be holy as he is holy, and he sanctifies us through his Word. Scripture opens our eyes, changes how we think, and removes what is idle in our hearts. Lasting change is not a matter of learning songs or church routines but of the inner person becoming more like Christ as we take in God's Word daily and obey it. We are set apart for God's purpose.

Sent into the world as God's people (v. 18)

Jesus says, as the Father sent me, so I send them into the world. Are we living only for success, comfort, or our own happiness, or for a mission bigger than ourselves? A life of faithful service in limited circumstances can touch many people, as seen in an elderly man who preached and led Bible studies in a nursing home. Each of us is God's sent person where we are. Living surrendered to God and using the gifts and opportunities he gives, we can make a difference so that others may experience God's loving grace and eternal life.

Made one in the love of Christ (v. 21)

Jesus prays that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. Selfishness lies at the root of broken marriages and broken relationships in the church, and we often push people away instead of seeking common ground. The antidote is to forgive as God has forgiven us. Those who have received God's love can extend it to others, and that love shows the world that God is real. This unity also crosses nations, cultures, and generations, a foretaste of heaven where people from every tongue and tribe worship the Lord together.

Apply to Life

  • Let us live for God's glory rather than our own agenda.
  • Let us rely on God's protection and keep in step with the Father daily.
  • Let us take in God's Word every day so that we become more like Christ.
  • Let us see ourselves as God's sent people in the places where we live and work.
  • Let us pursue unity in the church by forgiving others as God has forgiven us.

This summary was made automatically from the sermon's captions and may differ from the sermon.

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