Sermons on John 17:20-23

John 17:20-23 Interpretation:

Embracing Unity and Service in Faith (Lakepointe Church) interprets John 17:20-23 as a call for unity within the Christian community, emphasizing that unity is essential for the church to be an unstoppable force for good. The sermon highlights that Jesus' prayer for unity is not just for the disciples but for all believers, suggesting that unity is a testament to the world of God's love and the truth of Jesus' mission. The sermon does not delve into the original Greek text but uses the analogy of a family to illustrate the interconnectedness and mutual support that should exist among believers.

Unity in Christ: Overcoming Division in a Broken World (Novation Church) interprets John 17:20-23 by emphasizing the importance of unity among believers as a reflection of the unity between Jesus and the Father. The sermon highlights that unity is not about agreeing on everything but about being united in purpose and love, which serves as a testimony to the world of Jesus' divine mission. The sermon uses the analogy of a baseball game to illustrate how people with different backgrounds can come together for a common purpose, reflecting the unity Jesus prayed for.

Jesus' Prayer: Unity, Sanctification, and Eternal Life (River City Calvary Chapel) interprets John 17:20-23 by focusing on the concept of sanctification and unity. The sermon explains that Jesus' prayer for unity is about believers being set apart (sanctified) by the truth of God's word, which enables them to be one as Jesus and the Father are one. The sermon uses the Greek word "gnosko" to emphasize the experiential knowledge of God that leads to eternal life, highlighting the depth of relationship Jesus desires for believers.

Unity in the Spirit: Reflecting Christ's Mission (Creekside Church) interprets John 17:20-23 as a call for unity among believers that mirrors the unity between the Father and the Son. The sermon emphasizes that this unity is a testament to the world of Jesus' divine mission and the love of God. The preacher uses the analogy of a sports team, where individual players rise above personal achievements for the sake of the team, to illustrate the kind of unity Jesus desires for His followers.

United in Christ: A Journey of Partnership and Mission (Kingsford Church of Christ) interprets John 17:20-23 as a prayer for unity that transcends cultural and social barriers, emphasizing that Jesus' message is an open invitation to all, regardless of their background. The sermon highlights the importance of living out kingdom values such as love, forgiveness, and humility as a reflection of this unity.

Unity in Faith: Overcoming Political Division (Andy Stanley) interprets John 17:20-23 as a call for unity that transcends political and cultural divisions. The sermon emphasizes that the unity Jesus prayed for is mission-critical, as it serves as a witness to the world of God's love and the truth of Jesus' message. The preacher challenges the congregation to evaluate their political views through the lens of their faith and to prioritize unity in Christ over political affiliations.

Unity in Christ: Love as Our Foundation (The Source Church) interprets John 17:20-23 by emphasizing the importance of unity within the church, families, and marriages. The sermon highlights Jesus' prayer for unity as a reflection of the unity between the Father and the Son. It uses the analogy of a family car trip to illustrate the desire for peace and unity, comparing it to the unity Jesus desires for His followers. The sermon also discusses the original Greek word for "unity" and how it implies a deep, interconnected relationship, similar to the unity within the Trinity.

Embracing Unity: Living in Authentic Christian Community (Kanawha Valley Church) interprets John 17:20-23 by exploring the concept of unity through the lens of a chiasm, a form of Jewish poetry that repeats lines to emphasize a central point. The sermon suggests that the central axis of Jesus' prayer is the glory given to believers, which is linked to the unity Jesus desires. This unity is compared to the relational essence of the Trinity, emphasizing that humans are created for community and relationships, reflecting God's image.

Unity in Christ: Navigating Division with Love (Limitless Life T.V.) interprets John 17:20-23 by emphasizing the importance of unity as a witness to the world. The sermon highlights that Jesus' prayer for unity is not just about agreement but about being united in diversity, with the Word of God as the foundation. The unity Jesus prays for is seen as a means for the world to recognize God's love and the truth of Jesus' mission.

Unity, Love, and Discipleship in the Body of Christ (Glory City Church Aiken) interprets John 17:20-23 by focusing on the need for unity in the church to reflect the love of Christ. The sermon emphasizes that unity is essential for the church to effectively reach out and disciple others, and it calls for breaking down barriers of race and division within the church to achieve the oneness Jesus prayed for.

Unity in Purpose: Fulfilling Our Mission Together (Crazy Love) interprets John 17:20-23 by emphasizing the idea that unity is not an end in itself but a means to achieve a greater goal, which is to make the world believe in Jesus. The sermon uses the analogy of a sports team, specifically the Lakers, to illustrate how a common goal naturally fosters unity. The sermon suggests that unity in the church should be driven by the shared mission of spreading the gospel, rather than simply trying to be unified for unity's sake.

United in Christ: Embracing Love and Purpose (3W Church) interprets John 17:20-23 by focusing on Jesus' expectation for believers to be united in purpose and love. The sermon highlights that the purpose is the gospel, and unity should be centered around this message. It also emphasizes the importance of love as a demonstration of unity, suggesting that believers should exemplify Christ's love in their interactions with others.

John 17:20-23 Theological Themes:

Embracing Unity and Service in Faith (Lakepointe Church) presents the theme that unity among believers is a powerful witness to the world. The sermon emphasizes that when Christians are unified, they demonstrate the love of God in a tangible way, which can lead to a greater impact on the world. This theme is distinct in its focus on the practical implications of unity as a testimony to non-believers.

Unity in Christ: Overcoming Division in a Broken World (Novation Church) presents the theme of unity as a critical witness to the world. The sermon emphasizes that the unity of believers is a reflection of the divine unity between Jesus and the Father, and it serves as a powerful testimony to the world of Jesus' divine mission. The sermon also highlights the importance of love and humility in maintaining unity within the church.

Jesus' Prayer: Unity, Sanctification, and Eternal Life (River City Calvary Chapel) introduces the theme of sanctification as a means to achieve unity. The sermon explains that believers are sanctified by the truth of God's word, which sets them apart for God's purposes and enables them to be one as Jesus and the Father are one. This sanctification is essential for believers to experience the fullness of eternal life and unity with God.

Unity in the Spirit: Reflecting Christ's Mission (Creekside Church) presents the theme that unity among believers confirms the mission of Jesus and demonstrates God's love to the world. The sermon emphasizes that unity is not just about agreement but about being united in the mission of reconciliation and proclaiming the good news.

United in Christ: A Journey of Partnership and Mission (Kingsford Church of Christ) introduces the theme of partnership in mission, highlighting that unity in Christ involves working together to live out and share the values of God's kingdom. The sermon emphasizes that this unity is rooted in a shared commitment to Jesus and His teachings.

Unity in Faith: Overcoming Political Division (Andy Stanley) presents the theme that Christian unity is essential for the church's witness to the world. The sermon emphasizes that unity is not about uniformity but about being united in purpose and mission, despite political and cultural differences.

Unity in Christ: Love as Our Foundation (The Source Church) presents the theme that unity does not mean uniformity. It emphasizes that unity is achieved through diversity and that differences should not be annihilated but celebrated. The sermon also highlights the idea that unity is a reflection of the Trinity, where different persons work together in harmony, and that this unity is a witness to the world of God's love.

Embracing Unity: Living in Authentic Christian Community (Kanawha Valley Church) presents the theme of vulnerability as a form of glory, suggesting that the glory Jesus gives is a shameless community where believers can be fully known and loved. This theme challenges the notion of religious facades and emphasizes authenticity in relationships.

Unity in Christ: Navigating Division with Love (Limitless Life T.V.) introduces the theme of unity in diversity, emphasizing that true unity is not about uniformity but about being united in the foundational beliefs of Christianity. The sermon highlights that unity is a powerful witness to the world and is essential for the church's mission.

Unity, Love, and Discipleship in the Body of Christ (Glory City Church Aiken) explores the theme of love as the foundation for unity, suggesting that without love, the church's efforts are ineffective. The sermon calls for a focus on love and unity to break down racial and denominational barriers within the church.

Unity in Purpose: Fulfilling Our Mission Together (Crazy Love) presents the theme that unity is a tool for evangelism. The sermon suggests that the unity of believers serves as a testimony to the world, demonstrating the truth of Jesus' mission and God's love. This perspective highlights the evangelistic power of unity, suggesting that it is a divine strategy for spreading the gospel.

United in Christ: Embracing Love and Purpose (3W Church) introduces the theme that unity in the church should be based on the gospel and love. The sermon argues that any other focus, such as political ideologies or secondary theological issues, should not take precedence over the gospel. This theme emphasizes the primacy of the gospel in uniting believers and the necessity of love as a foundational element of Christian unity.

John 17:20-23 Historical and Contextual Insights:

Embracing Unity and Service in Faith (Lakepointe Church) provides historical context by referencing the early church's challenges and how they overcame persecution through unity. The sermon highlights that the early church did not have modern resources but thrived through their commitment to one another and their shared mission, suggesting that unity was a key factor in their success.

Unity in Christ: Overcoming Division in a Broken World (Novation Church) provides historical context by referencing the divisions within the early church, such as those in Corinth, where believers were aligning themselves with different leaders. The sermon explains that these divisions were addressed by Paul, who emphasized the importance of unity in the body of Christ.

Jesus' Prayer: Unity, Sanctification, and Eternal Life (River City Calvary Chapel) offers historical insights into the cultural understanding of eternal life during Jesus' time. The sermon contrasts the Christian concept of eternal life with the views of other ancient cultures, such as the Babylonians and Buddhists, highlighting the unique Christian perspective of knowing God experientially.

United in Christ: A Journey of Partnership and Mission (Kingsford Church of Christ) provides historical context by discussing the diverse backgrounds of early Christians, including Jews and Gentiles, and how Jesus' prayer for unity was radical in its call to transcend these divisions. The sermon also references the historical development of the partnership between Kingsford Church of Christ and Ecclesia Mission, highlighting the shared values and mission that brought them together.

Unity in Christ: Love as Our Foundation (The Source Church) provides historical context by explaining the divisions in the early church, as seen in Paul's letters to the Philippians and Corinthians. It highlights how early Christians, like Syntyche and Eutyche, had disagreements that threatened church unity, showing that division has been a challenge since the church's inception.

Embracing Unity: Living in Authentic Christian Community (Kanawha Valley Church) provides insight into the use of chiasm in Jewish poetry, explaining how this literary structure emphasizes the central message of a passage. This context helps to understand the structure and focus of Jesus' prayer in John 17.

United in Christ: Embracing Love and Purpose (3W Church) provides historical context by explaining that Jesus' prayer in John 17 was made during a time of personal turmoil, as He was aware of His impending betrayal and crucifixion. This context underscores the significance of Jesus' prayer for unity, as it was made during a moment of great personal sacrifice and commitment to His mission.

John 17:20-23 Cross-References in the Bible:

Embracing Unity and Service in Faith (Lakepointe Church) references Romans 15:5-7, where Paul prays for believers to have the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had. This passage is used to support the idea that unity is essential for glorifying God and that believers should accept one another as Christ accepted them. The sermon also references John 13:34-35, where Jesus commands his disciples to love one another, indicating that love is the hallmark of true discipleship and a powerful witness to the world.

Unity in Christ: Overcoming Division in a Broken World (Novation Church) references 1 Corinthians to illustrate the divisions in the early church and how Paul addressed them by emphasizing unity in Christ. The sermon also references Revelation to highlight the vision of every tribe and nation worshiping together, reinforcing the theme of unity.

Jesus' Prayer: Unity, Sanctification, and Eternal Life (River City Calvary Chapel) cross-references Ezekiel 18:4 to emphasize God's ownership of all souls and the importance of being sanctified by the truth. The sermon also references Romans 8 to assure believers of their security in Christ and the impossibility of being separated from God's love.

Unity in the Spirit: Reflecting Christ's Mission (Creekside Church) references Ephesians 2:17-19 and Ephesians 4:1-6 to support the message of unity in the Spirit. Ephesians 2:17-19 speaks of Jesus preaching peace to both Jews and Gentiles, uniting them as members of God's household. Ephesians 4:1-6 emphasizes the importance of maintaining unity through humility, gentleness, and love, highlighting the one body and one Spirit that unites believers.

United in Christ: A Journey of Partnership and Mission (Kingsford Church of Christ) references John 13:34-35, where Jesus gives a new commandment to love one another as He has loved us, as a foundation for unity. The sermon also references 1 Corinthians 3:6-9, which speaks of different roles in God's work but emphasizes that it is God who makes things grow, highlighting the importance of working together in unity.

Unity in Faith: Overcoming Political Division (Andy Stanley) references John 13:34-35, where Jesus commands His disciples to love one another as He has loved them, as a basis for unity. The sermon also references Matthew 28:19-20, the Great Commission, to emphasize the mission of making disciples of all nations, which requires unity among believers.

Unity in Christ: Love as Our Foundation (The Source Church) references Philippians 4:1-3, where Paul addresses division in the church, and John 13:34-35, where Jesus commands His disciples to love one another as a demonstration of their discipleship. These references support the sermon’s emphasis on love and unity as central to the Christian faith.

Embracing Unity: Living in Authentic Christian Community (Kanawha Valley Church) references Genesis 1:27 and Genesis 2:18 to discuss the creation of humanity in God's image and the importance of relationships. These references support the idea that humans are designed for community, reflecting the relational nature of the Trinity.

Unity in Christ: Navigating Division with Love (Limitless Life T.V.) references Ephesians 4:1-6 to emphasize the call for Christians to live in a manner worthy of their calling, with humility, gentleness, and unity. This passage supports the sermon’s message about the importance of unity in the church.

Unity, Love, and Discipleship in the Body of Christ (Glory City Church Aiken) references 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 to highlight the diversity within the body of Christ and the need for unity among believers. This passage supports the sermon’s call for unity across racial and denominational lines.

Unity in Purpose: Fulfilling Our Mission Together (Crazy Love) references 1 John 4:12, which states that no one has seen God, but if believers love one another, God lives in them. This cross-reference is used to support the idea that unity and love among believers serve as a visible demonstration of God's presence and love to the world.

United in Christ: Embracing Love and Purpose (3W Church) references Matthew 18:15-20, which provides guidance on reconciliation among believers. This passage is used to emphasize the importance of resolving conflicts and maintaining unity within the church. The sermon also references Matthew 5:13-16, which describes believers as the salt and light of the world, highlighting the role of Christians in preserving and illuminating God's truth in the world.

John 17:20-23 Christian References outside the Bible:

Embracing Unity and Service in Faith (Lakepointe Church) does not explicitly reference any non-biblical Christian authors or theologians in its discussion of John 17:20-23.

Unity in Christ: Overcoming Division in a Broken World (Novation Church) references John Wesley and his contemporary to illustrate humility and the importance of unity despite theological differences. The sermon uses this historical example to emphasize the need for humility and love in maintaining unity within the church.

Unity in Faith: Overcoming Political Division (Andy Stanley) references C.S. Lewis, quoting his definition of humility as "not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less," to illustrate the kind of humility that fosters unity. The sermon also references the historical impact of Christianity on Western civilization, noting that even atheists acknowledge the role of Christian teachings in shaping modern values of justice and dignity.

Unity in Christ: Love as Our Foundation (The Source Church) references Mary Parker Follett, who is quoted as saying, "Unity, not conformity, must be our aim. We attain unity through variety. Differences must be not annihilated, not absorbed." This quote is used to support the idea that unity is achieved through diversity and that differences should be embraced rather than eliminated.

Unity in Christ: Navigating Division with Love (Limitless Life T.V.) references Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech to emphasize the importance of judging people by their character rather than their race. This reference supports the sermon’s call for unity and love within the church.

Die Kraft der Gemeinschaft in unsicheren Zeiten (DOCK 1 Kirche) references Pastor Andy Stanley, who emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for one another and being a voice for each other in times of uncertainty. This reference is used to highlight the role of the Christian community in supporting and uplifting one another, especially during challenging times.

John 17:20-23 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

Embracing Unity and Service in Faith (Lakepointe Church) uses the analogy of a family to illustrate the concept of unity, comparing the church to a family where each member has a unique role and function. The sermon does not provide specific secular stories or events but uses the general concept of family dynamics to explain the importance of unity within the church.

Unity in Christ: Overcoming Division in a Broken World (Novation Church) uses the analogy of a baseball game to illustrate how people with different backgrounds can come together for a common purpose, reflecting the unity Jesus prayed for. The sermon also humorously references famous feuds, such as the Hatfields and McCoys, to highlight the destructive nature of division and the importance of unity.

Unity in the Spirit: Reflecting Christ's Mission (Creekside Church) uses the analogy of sports teams, such as the 2001 Seattle Mariners and the 1936 U.S. crew team, to illustrate the concept of unity. The sermon highlights how these teams achieved success by working together as one unit, rising above individual achievements for the sake of the team, which parallels the unity Jesus desires for His followers.

Unity in Faith: Overcoming Political Division (Andy Stanley) uses the example of political diversity within the church, referencing a personal experience of seeing an NRA sticker and an unflattering bumper sticker about Hillary Clinton on the same truck, to illustrate the wide range of political views among church members. The sermon emphasizes the importance of loving unconditionally despite political differences, using this illustration to challenge the congregation to prioritize unity in Christ.

Unity in Christ: Love as Our Foundation (The Source Church) uses the illustration of a family car trip to Michigan to describe the chaos and desire for unity among siblings. The pastor humorously recounts the experience of managing sibling rivalry during a long car ride, drawing a parallel to the unity Jesus desires for His followers. This analogy helps the congregation relate to the concept of unity in a practical, everyday context.

Embracing Unity: Living in Authentic Christian Community (Kanawha Valley Church) uses the example of haikus and chiasms to illustrate the structure of Jesus' prayer in John 17. The sermon contrasts Western expectations of poetry with the Jewish literary form to highlight the depth and focus of the prayer.

Unity in Christ: Navigating Division with Love (Limitless Life T.V.) uses the example of political divisions and the need for unity in diversity to illustrate the sermon’s message. The sermon discusses the importance of maintaining Christian identity above political affiliations, using current political tensions as a backdrop.

Unity in Purpose: Fulfilling Our Mission Together (Crazy Love) uses the example of the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team to illustrate the concept of unity through a common goal. The sermon describes how the team's focus on winning a championship naturally led to their unity, suggesting that a shared mission can bring people together in a similar way within the church.