Glorious Goal of the Church

“I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

Their Future Glory

The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

“O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

The Glorious Goal of the Church

INTRODUCTION  Eph 4:3; Rom 12:18

I. JESUS' REQUEST  FOR HIMSELF -- GLORIFICATION   John 17:15                                                                   

II.  JESUS' REQUEST FOR THE APOSTLES -- PRESERVATION & SANCTIFICATION   John 17:6-19

III. JESUS' REQUEST FOR ALL BELIEVERS OF ALL TIME -- UNIFICATION & GLORIFICATION  Jn 17:20-26

A. The Recipients of the Petition   17:20 

B. Petition One -- Unity (Giving In)  17:21-23

1. Oneness of Heart and Nature   17:21 

2. The Model for our Unity -- The Godhead.  17:21-23

3. The Purpose of This Unity  17:21, 23

a.     The World May Believe  17:21

b. The World May Know   17:23

i.                 Jesus' Deity

ii.                God's Love

C.  Petition Two -- destiny  (Giving Up)  17:24; Rev 2:10; Jn 14:3; 1 Thes 4:13-17; 1 Cor 15:24; Lk 23:43; 2 Cor 5:8; Phil 1:23; 1 Cor 13:12; 1 Jn 3:2; Ps 16:11; 2 Tim 2:11-12; 1 Thes 4:18; 1 Jn 3:2; 1 Cor 2:9; Gen 1-2; Mt 25:34;Phil 3:8-11

D.  Petition Three -- Intimacy  (Giving Out) 17:25-26     

1. Based on Knowledge   17:25-26a; 16:11; 1 Jn 1:9; Mt 11:27; Rom 15:16; Jn 6:30

2. Experienced in Love.   17:26b; Eph 3:17; Rom 5:5; Eph 4:32; 5:2; 4:3; Rom 13:14; Col 3:1-4