October 2, 2005
Sermon Outline
“Jesus Christ: His High Priestly Prayer”
John 17:1-26
I. The circumstance of this prayer, “the hour has come” – John 17:1
1. He had finished teaching –
2. This prayer followed their observing the Lord’s Supper -
3. This prayer preceded His suffering on the cross, resurrection and ascension into Heaven –
4. The hour is that great hour all-Scripture points to
II. The priority of the prayer, the Glory of God – John 17:1-5
1. As this is our chief end, so it was also Christ’s, so it is first in His prayers, see also – Matthew 6:9
2. Note the connection between the Glory of God and Christ and our eternal life – John 17:2-3
3. Christ had glorified God by His works – John 17:4; 1 Corinthians 10:31
4. Christ prays for God to glorify Him – John 17:1; John 17:5
A. This is right because He is God
B. In His cross, resurrection and ascension
III. The second part to this prayer, the concerns of His disciples – John 17:6-18
IV. The third part of His prayer for other disciples, including us –
V. What do we learn from this prayer?
“This is meant primarily of the disciples that then were, who were given to Christ as his pupils to be educated by him while he was on earth, and his agents to be employed for him when he went to heaven. They were given him to be the learners of his doctrine, the witnesses of his life and miracles, and the monuments of his grace and favor, in order to their being the publishers of his gospel and the planters of his church. When they left all to follow him, this was the secret spring of that strange resolution: they were given to him, else they had not given themselves to him.” Matthew Henry on John 17:6
1. These are identified and described – John 17:6-8
A. In relation to Christ’s work - :6
B. In relation to God’s sovereignty - :7
C. In accordance to their knowledge, Christ’s teaching and their faith - :7- :8
2. These are prayed for as the elect, belonging to God, separated from the world - :9-10
3. He prays for their unity - :11
4. He prays for them as their Good Shepherd, Who kept them - :12
5. He prays for fullness of joy - :13
1. He prays for a spreading Gospel, others who believe - :20
2. He prays for unity for these also, implying we also share in:
A. Their distinction from the world - :9-10
B. The privilege of joy - :13
C. A relationship even intimacy with Christ - :21
D. The responsibility of being a witness to the world - :21
3. He prays for the perfection and completion of all this, that the world may know - :22-23
4. He prays that His people may be with Him:
A. In Heaven - :24
B. To behold Him - :24
C. To behold Him as Loved by the Father - :24
D. To share in the knowledge of God and LOVE that is the essence of Heaven and the Gospel message - :25-26
1. We see the priority of the glory of God – John 17:1-5
2. We see the great necessity of separation from the world / the privilege of God’s calling us out of the world
3. We see the great necessity and privilege of Christian Unity
A. With each other, God and Christ
B. In order to have an effective witness to the world – John 13:34-35
