Jesus’ Prayer for Us

Clay Smith
JFBC

This five week series is more than just about building a building.
 
John 17 is the Lord's Prayer. Jesus prays for us in this passage. Are we pursuing these things that Jesus is praying for?

Building a new worship center - how do we know that this is where God is taking us? Out of prayer fasting and wise counsel. Also confirming signs, small ways and big ways, all lead to us being confident in moving forward. Nov 2 is commitment Sunday.

v 20-26, but the entire chapter is worth digging into.
 
v 21…that we would all be one, perfected in unity, that they may see God's glory.

This prayer is structured very well. Key thought...
v 21 for the disciples and all believers.

So that…these are what we need to focus on...

1. …that they be one, a prayer for unity.

2. v 22 the glory, that we can understand God's glory.

3. v 25 a prayer for love.

Are we pursuing these things? Glory means wait for splendor. John uses the word 15 times, like in John 17:24-26.

God's glory reveals the nature of God, both now and in the future. We want others to see God's glory, we want to glorify God so others may be drawn to Him.

We want to enjoy God, now and forever. We need to focus on his glory, not on ourselves.

Phil 3
Rev 7:9 an eternal picture of the glory of God.

Heaven is more than having our sins forgiven so we can escape hell. Hell is separation from God. Heaven is being with God. Are we pursuing this?

A prayer for unity, between the Father, Son, and Spirit. That we could have this Devine love and unity.

Eph 1:2 the church is a family

Eph 2 not Jew and Gentiles, but one unified body, worshiping God. Good to be diverse if possible, but just races but doctors, janitors, introverts, extroverts, all types of people.

When two are married, then the work begins becoming one. This is the vision, for our church to become even more unified, young and old, traditional and modern all together. Grandparents worshipping with grandchildren.

People seem to love the worship music they heard when God became lord of their life. The music isn't for me, it is for God.

v 26 Jesus is saying making disciples that this love would be in us, that it would spill over into our love for God and others. It's not a feeling, but sacrificial choices, getting off the sidelines and getting involved.

Not just building a building, but also for missions, etc.