JESUS PRAYS FOR NEW TESTAMENT BELIEVERS

John 17:20-26

It has been a real joy for me to write this brief series on Spiritual Warfare.

However, this will be the final pen pulpit in the series and what a positive note on which to conclude!

Like the subtle blending of the colors of a rainbow, the Lord Jesus Christ expands His prayer ministry to the Father to include the church in general.

Little do we recognize the far-reaching implications of this prayer. Essentially the main points of His prayer stand out in bold relief. He prays specifically for His apostles, the ones who would serve as the catalysts of the gospel message. Finally, He prays for the New Testament church.

Verse 20 is the verse that connects this prayer with us. It extends across the centuries and includes every believer – including you and me. There is a sense in which verse 20 includes within its scope the benefits of His prayer for the apostles (verses 2, 3, 13-15). Jesus makes three petitions for the church: (1) for its unity, (2) for its ultimate destiny, (3) for its present intimacy.

1. He Prays For the Unity of the Church - verses 20-23

He lets us know that we here today are vitally and inseparably connected with the apostles in the same faith and unity (vs. 20, 21a, II Peter 1:1).

He establishes the pattern for that unity. It is the unity shared by the Father and the Son.

He shares the purpose this will accomplish in verse 21c, “So that the world may believe that you sent me.”

The church shares the glory of the divine nature –vs. 22, 23. “I in them” explains the glory.

Believers participate in the benefits and attributes of God (v. 10, also Colossians 1:27; II Peter 1:4). We draw His power (II Cor. 12:9,10); His wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30); His knowledge (Colossians 1:9,10); His experience and love (Romans 5:5).

2. He Prays For the Ultimate Destiny of the Church – verse 24

What vast cosmic themes are hinted at in this magnificent prayer (see also John 14:2,3; I Thessalonians 4:13-18). This is glorification, heaven. Believers not only will see His glory, we will share in it (Phil. 3:20, 21; I John 3:2). Now we participate in His glory in a spiritual sense (II Corinthians 3:18).

3. He Prays for the Present Intimacy of the Church – verses 25, 26

What is the present intimacy in which the church participates? The love of God! Intimacy with the living God is the key to spiritual vitality and fruitfulness.

Wrapping up with some key thoughts - There are at least five major doctrinal truths relating to the church that Jesus includes in this great prayer. These vignettes of truth become systems of Christian truth developed at length in the New Testament. Included are key New Testament passages highlighting these major doctrines.

1. He prays for our Salvation –17:2, 3, Ephesians 2:12, 13.

2. He prays for our Preservation –17:15; Romans 8:35-39; I Peter 1:5.

3. He prays for our Sanctification –17:17; I Thessalonians 2:13;

I Peter 2:1,2.

4. He prays for our Unification – 17:21-23; Ephesians 4:1-6.

5. He prays for our Glorification –17:24; I Thessalonians 4:13-18.

What a wonderful note to end with - just to know that Jesus our Savior continues His saving work in the church through His eternal ministry of prayer. Beloved, we are on the winning team! This should incite believers to be much more in prayer for one another, Amen?

God bless, in His precious Name