Jesus' Prayer for Unity

Jesus’ Prayer for Unity
John 17:20-21
Jesus prayer in John 17
Vs. 1-5 Jesus prays for himself …
Vs. 6-19 Prays for the eleven apostles …
Vs. 20-26 Prays for those who will believe …
John 17:20-21
20"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.
John 17:20-21
20"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.
God’s wise simple plan…
John 16:13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth ...
Through their word …
John 17:20"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word …
Through their word …
1 Peter 1:24-25 "All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, 25 But the word of the Lord endures forever."
Has Jesus’ prayer failed?
20"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word …
Has Jesus’ prayer failed ?
Does the division in the religious world mean that Jesus’ prayer has failed?
The objects of the Prayer …
John 17:20"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word …
The objects of the Prayer …
1 Timothy 4:1-3 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
Jesus prayed for unity, but also predicted apostasy …
Matthew 7:15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
Jesus prayed for unity, but also predicted apostasy …
Acts 20:29-30 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.
Churches in the N.T. had problems …
1 Corinthians 11:19 For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you.
The Early Church enjoyed unity …
Acts 2:42-44 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,
The Early Church enjoyed unity …
Ephesians 4:1-6 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace…
Jesus’ Prayer for Unity
John 17:20-21