I. Jesus Looked Forward To The Future Church V. 20
A. Jesus Expected The Gospel Message To Continue
1. Jesus looked forward to the Church that would soon be born.
2. He prayed for the yet future Church, which includes us here today.
3. He believed the Disciples would carry the Gospel message on to their world, and that the power of that message would continue forward.
B. Jesus Used Men Who Failed Him
1. Jesus had told these men that they would all forsake Him. (Matthew 26:31-35)
2. He had told Peter that he would deny Him three times.
3. They all did forsake Him, and ran away for a time.
4. Yet Jesus knew that these men would eventually carry the message forward, and even give their own lives for the sake of the Gospel message.
5. Application- Though we may fail Jesus, He will still use us and send us forward.
C. Jesus Had Confidence In The Gospel Message
1. The message of the spoken Gospel message is powerful to save.
a. These men preached the word of God regarding Jesus Christ.
b. It is true that at time, miracles accompanied their preaching, but it was their message that brought salvation to people.
2. A well-intentioned, unbiblical quote- “Preach the Gospel, and if necessary, use words”.
a. Probably a pushback quote against those who say the right thing but never do the right thing. The sentiment of that is understandable, but the theology of it is wrong.
b. Doing good works may help you be respected and help you gain an audience, plus it is always right to do good, however, the Gospel cannot be preached without words.
3. Romans 1:16-17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
4. 1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
II. Jesus Prays For The Church To Experience Unity Vs. 21-23
A. What Jesus Is Not Praying For
1. Jesus did not pray for unity through philosophical agreement.
2. He did not pray for conformity, everyone agreeing on every point.
3. He did not pray for unity based upon compromise with one another.
4. The Bible declares that there is one church.
a. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body–whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free–and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
b. How many Christian churches are there in Napa? ONE!
B. What Unity Is According To Jesus
1. V. 21- Unity based upon the fact that the Father, the Son, and the Spirit are three persons in one God. The three persons of the Divine Godhead have different ministries, and yet share oneness and are One.
a. We have unity/fellowship with God based upon our relationship with God.
b. Every Christian has a personal relationship with the same God.
c. There is no disagreement among the three persons of the Godhead.
d. When we disagree and break fellowship, it is not God within us breaking that fellowship; it is we humans breaking that fellowship between ourselves
e. Our unity in God is a fact to be experienced, protected, and pursued.
f. As unity among Christians thrives, it is a witness to the world regarding Jesus.
2.V.22- Unity through glory equally given to every Christian.
a. What was the glory that the Father gave to the Son?
b. Glorify- refers to the estimation or opinion in which one is held.
c. The glory of Jesus would be known through His death and resurrection.
d. He was chosen and sent by the Father; chosen to die to self and bring life to the world.
e. His death to self-will would bring eternal life to others.
f. The presence of the Father would authenticate who Jesus was.
g. We have that same calling, appointed to die to self-will, live for God, be used by God, and bring eternal life to this world. As we do, we are recognized for who we are: Christians
h. We share that glory with Jesus; not as divine beings, but as also being called and sent.
i. How can we not recognize unity when the truth is that we have all been chosen and sent?
3. V. 23- The “perfecting” of our unity results in the world better recognizing Jesus, and knowing that God loves us.
III. Jesus Prays For The Church To Experience Fellowship Vs. 24-26
A. Fellowship In Heaven
1. V. 24- Jesus prayed for the Disciples to be with Him in Heaven. He wanted/wants that.
a. John 14:2-3 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
b. Jesus desires for us to see Him in the fullness of His glory. Unhindered relationship.
c. Do you ever worry that people will know everything about you. You wish thy knew every good thing about you, but you don’t them to know the bad things about you.
d. What if there were only good things to know about you, and they knew everything?
e. Imagine how much they would appreciate you and be drawn to you.
f. Jesus wanted/wants us to be with Him; to know how much the Father loves Him.
g. When two people deeply love each other in a healthy way, it is inspiring to see it.
B. Fellowship On Earth
1. V. 25- Jesus revealed the Father to the Disciples, and unto us.
a. As a result, the Disciples believed that Jesus came from the Father.
b. Imagine how that must have drawn them together.
c. Spirit led Christians naturally gather around those whom the Father sends.
2. V. 26- Jesus declared the Father to the Disciples, with the result being that the love of the Father for Jesus would also be in them.
a. Their fellowship would be based upon a mutually shared and mutually experienced heavenly love.
Life Group Questions-
1. Jesus never gave up on the Disciples, though He predicted their failure. How does that encourage you?
2. Jesus prayed for our unity. How has someone blessed you with their effort towards unity?
3. Jesus prayed for our fellowship with Him, the Father and one another. How is your thinking affected regarding unity when you consider the same God dwells in every Believer?