Living the Present Reality of Eternal Life

John 17 reveals the heart of Jesus as He prays for Himself, His disciples, and all future believers. The focus is not just on the promise of living forever, but on the quality and purpose of eternal life—God’s own life, character, and vitality imparted to us through Christ. Eternal life is not something that begins after death; it starts now, as we are reconciled to God, restored to union and communion with Him, and called to live out His nature in the present world.

Before the fall, humanity enjoyed perfect fellowship with God, but sin disrupted that union, making us slaves to our flesh and desires. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, the barrier of sin and the demands of the law have been removed. By faith in Christ, we are born again—our spirits made alive, God’s nature placed within us, and the Holy Spirit leading us. This new life is not just a future hope but a present reality, calling us to live in the fullness of God’s character and to “get a grip” on eternal life now.

The goal of eternal life is threefold: that we belong to Christ, become like Christ, and ultimately be with Christ. Belonging to Christ means we are no longer under the dominion of sin or the devil, but are children of God, set apart and sanctified. This belonging is evidenced by our witness, our unity with other believers, and the love we display—qualities that draw the watching world to Christ.

Becoming like Christ is the process of transformation, as God imparts His glory to us incrementally. We are called to reflect His character, grow in maturity, and practice unity and love within the body. This transformation is not instantaneous but happens as we behold Christ and allow His Spirit to shape us day by day.

Finally, the ultimate hope is to be with Christ—not just spiritually, as we are now, but physically and eternally in His presence. This abiding and agape fellowship is the culmination of God’s redemptive plan, where faith becomes sight and hope is fulfilled. Until that day, we are called to live in unity, love, and anticipation, drawing others to Christ by the reality of His life in us.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Eternal life is not merely endless existence, but the impartation of God’s own life, character, and vitality to us through Christ. It begins now, not after death, and is meant to transform how we live, think, and relate to God and others. This life is a present possession, calling us to walk in the Spirit and not be enslaved to the flesh. [06:36]
• 2. The restoration of union and communion with God is the central goal of eternal life. Sin broke our fellowship and made us slaves to our desires, but through Christ, we are reconciled, our spirits made alive, and we are invited back into intimate relationship with God. This union is both positional and practical, calling us to daily fellowship and dependence on Him. [08:23]
• 3. Belonging to Christ is evidenced by our witness, our unity with other believers, and the love we display. The world is watching, and genuine unity and love among believers is the most powerful testimony to the reality of Christ. Our lives should reflect that we have been with Jesus, drawing others to Him not by programs, but by the magnetism of authentic community. [39:30]
• 4. Becoming like Christ is a gradual, Spirit-led process of transformation. God imparts His glory to us incrementally, shaping us into the image of His Son. This maturity is both individual and corporate, as we grow together in unity, love, and the knowledge of Christ, displaying to the world the difference that only union with Him can make. [47:49]
• 5. The ultimate hope of eternal life is to be with Christ—first spiritually, now by faith, and one day physically, face to face. This abiding and agape fellowship is the fulfillment of God’s desire for us, where love, unity, and joy are perfected. Until then, we are called to live in anticipation, allowing God to transform us so that when we see Him, there is little left to change. [58:22]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:10] - Introduction to John 17: The True Lord’s Prayer
• [06:36] - The Nature and Gift of Eternal Life
• [07:20] - The Goal of Eternal Life: Union and Communion
• [09:37] - The Fall: Loss of Spiritual Mastery
• [11:58] - Christ’s Work: Removing Sin and the Law
• [14:52] - Born Again: Regeneration and New Nature
• [17:23] - Certainty 1: We Belong to Christ
• [26:21] - Evidence of Belonging: Witness, Oneness, and the Watching World
• [39:30] - Unity and Love: The Church’s Evangelistic Magnet
• [42:40] - Certainty 2: Becoming Like Christ
• [47:49] - Transformation: From Glory to Glory
• [53:18] - Certainty 3: Being With Christ
• [58:22] - The Hope of Seeing Christ Face to Face
• [61:17] - Abiding and Agape Fellowship
• [64:37] - Closing Prayer and Anticipation of Christ’s Return

Bible Reading

John 17:20-26 (ESV) — > “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

Observation Questions

1. According to Jesus’ prayer in John 17:20-26, what are the three main things He asks the Father for on behalf of future believers?
2. What does Jesus say is the purpose of believers being “one” with each other and with God? (see v. 21)
3. In the sermon, what is described as the evidence that we truly belong to Christ? [39:30]
4. How does Jesus describe the ultimate hope for believers in this passage? [58:22]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says eternal life is not just about living forever, but about receiving God’s own life and character now. How does this change the way someone might think about “eternal life”? [06:36]
2. The pastor mentioned that unity and love among believers is the “most powerful testimony” to the world. Why do you think unity and love are so compelling to those outside the church? [39:30]
3. The process of becoming like Christ is described as “incremental” and “from glory to glory.” What does it look like in real life for someone to be transformed gradually into Christ’s image? [47:49]
4. Jesus prays that believers would be with Him and see His glory. How does this future hope affect the way Christians live in the present? [58:22]

Application Questions

1. The sermon says eternal life starts now, not just after death. In what ways are you currently experiencing (or not experiencing) God’s life and character in your daily life? What would it look like to “get a grip” on eternal life this week? [06:36]
2. The pastor talked about how sin and the flesh can still try to control us, even though we have a new nature in Christ. Is there an area where you feel “enslaved” to old habits or desires? What is one step you could take to walk more in the Spirit this week? [10:49]
3. Belonging to Christ is shown by our witness, our unity, and our love. Think about your relationships with other believers—are there any broken relationships or areas of disunity you need to address? What is one practical way you can pursue unity or reconciliation? [39:30]
4. The sermon described the church’s love and unity as a “magnet” that draws people to Christ. How can your small group or church become more of a welcoming, loving community to those who are watching from the outside? [40:49]
5. Becoming like Christ is a gradual process. Is there a specific area of your character where you sense God is working to make you more like Jesus? How can you cooperate with the Holy Spirit in that area this month? [47:49]
6. The ultimate hope is to be with Christ, face to face. How does this hope shape your perspective on current struggles or disappointments? Is there a way you can remind yourself of this hope during difficult times? [58:22]
7. The pastor said, “Until then, we are called to live in anticipation, allowing God to transform us so that when we see Him, there is little left to change.” What is one area of your life you want God to transform so you’re ready to meet Jesus? [01:04:37]