READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary | “Now this is eternal life: that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.” (v3)
The longest prayer by Jesus as recorded in John 17 reveals what was fundamentally crucial to Him before He was betrayed and crucified. It should cause us, as we end the year, to reflect on how we are to worship Immanuel in whose loving, compassionate presence we have received mercy and every good thing.
Jesus Prayed for His Disciples (v6-19) – They were precious to Him for they belonged to His Father who had entrusted them to Him to groom and grow as His disciples and missionaries. Having spent much time with Jesus, they were closest to Him and understood His Ministry. As they would remain in a hostile world that rejects His Word, Jesus asked His Father to protect them from the evil one so that none will be lost. Jesus prayed empowerment over His disciples who had accepted and obeyed His teachings as coming from the Father. He prayed for them to remain lovingly united as one, to be led always by God’s truth and only His truth – which would sanctify them to continue the unfinished work of outreach He had for them.
Everything we have comes from God to glorify His name and to partner Christ in furthering God’s eternal kingdom. Covered with God’s sanctifying love, we are protected and enabled to serve as one people in His church with joyful perseverance – so that many more may come to experience the love of Christ. The discipleship of sharpening and supporting one another at Wesley has been fruitful. Over the years, many within her walls and outside have been encouraged with Hope through opportunities to worship, listen to faith talks, and be equipped with skills training. Migrant workers, seniors, shut-ins, incarcerated inmates, the diversely needy, lost and least in society, here and in neighbouring countries, have been blessed to belong and believe in Christ as Saviour of the World. Jesus continues to pray for His disciples today in ministries that embody the Great Commission – including Witness & Evangelism, Christian Outreach & Social Concerns, Missions, Crisis Relief, Alpha, Creative Expressions, Sports, Hospitality, and Marketplace Ministries.
Jesus Prayed for All Believers (v20-26) – This prayer segment reveals the Lord’s heartbeat for all believers in His community. He desired for them to
- Remain united as one church – Having received the Good News from His disciples, believers today can take the next step to follow after Christ with thankful hearts. With the Father’s love in them, they too can make God’s house of worship at Wesley a welcoming, missional and caring community, sited on a hill to shine His light upon the city. Jesus prayed for every abiding believer to be with Him in heaven. This same prayer applies to us today.
- Continue to make God’s love known through the way they love one another – Abiding in Christ, believers grow to love each other with the Father’s love in them. Caring friendships build over time when they participate actively as a congregation. Through faithful worship and personal discipleship, they too will be in ‘complete unity’ – and the world will see and know that the Father who sent His beloved Son loves them with that same love.
Jesus Prayed for Himself (v1-5) – The Son brought glory to the Father by finishing the work He was given to do on earth. By His authority, miracles, signs and wonders many who were in His presence found God and were transformed. Jesus prayed to be glorified in His Father’s presence with the glory given Him before the creation of the world! He prayed for the Father’s protection as He embarked on His next step of obedience to the cross. His profound intimate relationship with His Father and constant prayers clearly show He was faithfully fulfilling the will of His Father.
By God’s infinite grace and protection, we become faithful witnesses and living testimonies of His transforming power and miraculous interventions in our lives. Following in Jesus’ model of prayer, we too can bring our personal petitions and thanksgiving to God. May our prayers now and in the new year lead us to
- Reflect on God’s amazing love
- Recommit our living for Jesus
- Be sanctified by His Word
- Desire that others will know we are Christians by our love for God and one another, and be led to receive eternal life by knowing the only true God through Jesus Christ
(Sermon notes by Marjorie Tan)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- Read Scripture – John 17.
a. Identify the three segments that Jesus prays for. What does it tell you about His passion and heart for His ministry? - Recall Sermon and relate personally
a. Personal – Can you think of moments that God has been good to you personally and shown you kindness and grace. Spend time to give thanks. Can you also pen a commitment and prayer on how to draw closer to God and fulfil His mission in the coming year?
b. Close ones – Can you think of moments that through those who support you and work with you, your life have been touched and transformed? Spend time to give acknowledge and give thanks. Can you also craft them a prayer – send them a prayer through a card or text to tell them and encourage them!
c. Church Ministries – can you thank God for your church? Those who love and serve you – from ushers to leaders to ministry support staff, leaders etc. Spend some time to give thanks to God for their good works. Do send them a text to tell them how much you have been blessed and affirm their ministry and good works! - Thank you for your labour of love as you close the year. God bless you for the chapter and season ahead!!
