Sermon Summary
In John 17:1–5, Jesus prays to the Father before His betrayal and the cross. His prayer reveals that eternal life is knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent. Jesus models a life of fellowship with the Father, surrender to His purposes, and faithfulness to the work He was given to do.
We are invited to draw near to God, trusting His love and mercy, and to offer our lives back to Him. As we turn from distractions and practice self-control, we can grow in devotion to Him and serve one another with the gifts He has given us.
The Big Idea
We glorify God through fellowship with Him, surrender to His purposes, and faithfulness to the work He has given us.
Key Scriptures:
John 17:3–4 (NASB): “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do.”
John 15:15 (NASB): No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.
John 17:4-5 (NASB): I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do. Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.
1 Corinthians 12:18-20 (NASB): “But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body.”
Romans 8:12-14 (NASB): So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to liveaccording to the flesh— for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Truths to focus on this week:
We glorify God through fellowship with Him: Jesus showed His disciples a life of prayer, gratitude, and closeness with the Father. Jesus drew His disciples close and revealed what He was doing. He shared mysteries they had never heard before, truths they had never understood, and revealed to them the very heart and purposes of God.
We glorify God through our surrender: Jesus perfectly modeled what it looked like to live a life fully surrendered to God and devoted to His purposes. Our friendship with God gives us the confidence to surrender fully to Him, because we know and trust the One we are surrendering to. Yet our love for worldly comforts, entertainment, and temporary pleasures often gets in the way of surrendering our lives completely to Jesus.
We glorify God through work: Jesus had clarity of purpose and He accomplished everything the Father set for Him. Likewise, God has given each believer a place and a task in the body of Christ. Rather than compare gifts, encourage one another and serve faithfully as you seek the work God has for you.
Reflection Questions
What distractions are keeping you from deeper fellowship with God? What can you set aside this week to make more room for Him?
Take five minutes to ask God in prayer, “What do You want me to say no to this week?” Share what He puts on your heart with someone who can encourage you and hold you accountable.
How can you use your gifts to serve the church and encourage someone else this week?