The Glory of Jesus Christ (John 17)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
4 June 2023
Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven and prayed (John 17:1). He could do this without a mediator. We can only look to heaven through a mediator. Our mediator is none other than Jesus.
Observe the glories of Jesus as seen from his prayer in John 17.
See the glory of his person (John 17:5,24). He had a glory with the heavenly Father before the world was. His glory was inherent to his person for it could not be separated from him. The incarnation did not diminish his glory. The disciples saw his glory (John 1:14). His glory was intrinsic to him being the essence of his being. He is God; eternally glorious.
See the glory of Jesus in his commitment to the Father's cause (John 17:2-4). No one was as committed to the Father as Jesus was. The hour had come for his sacrificial death as ordained by the Father. With full authority Jesus would give eternal life to as many as the Father had given him. The elect know God and they know Jesus was sent by God. Jesus obeyed the Father. He died and rose from death to save his people from sin. All this was because of the Father’s plan and it was Jesus who obeyed the plan to perfection. He glorified the Father on earth.
See the glory of Jesus in his work in the early church (John 17:6-19). He would manifest his name to his people who in turn would receive him and believe in him. He would keep his people who would have joy in believing in him. He would set them apart from the world and the world would hate them. Despite this hate they would be sent back to the world to bear testimony to Jesus. It is to the glory of Jesus that the Christian church survives and more than just survive, it still bears testimony to his glory today.
Finally observe the glory of Jesus in the consummation of history and the revealing of his church (John 17:20-26). Jesus prayed for those who would believe through the word of the early church. The glory the Father gave to Jesus, he, Jesus, would give to the universal church. The church would be one and be a witness to the world.
Jesus gives his glory to his people. They shall be with Jesus beholding his glory forever. The world awaits the revelation of the children of God (Romans 8:19,22). It groans in anticipation of this revelation.
In the light of Jesus' glory let us come to Jesus by receiving him and believing in him. Let us worship and adore him. He is the eternal Son of God. He will keep you. He will pray for you and be glorified in you.
Be part of the universal church which Jesus is building throughout the ages. Be an active member of the church. If you have believed on Jesus attach yourself to a local church. Jesus has attached himself to you.