▪︎ Jesus is talking about the disciples and all true Christians – John 17:20;
▪︎ We are all united together as one (the Trinity and the Body) – John 17:21;
▪︎ All perfected in unity – John 17:23;
▪︎ We are all united with Him in Heaven right now – John 17:24;
(full text – John_17:16-26
16“They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17“Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. 18“As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19“For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.
20“I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21that they may all be one; even 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 sent Me.
22“The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; 23I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. 24“Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
25“O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; 26and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”
)20“I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21that they may all be one; even 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 sent Me.
22“The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; 23I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. 24“Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
25“O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; 26and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”
▪︎ True union with Christ is limited to believers – Rom 8:9;
▪︎ It transforms our lives – Rom 8:10;
▪︎ It gives life indeed – Rom 8:11;
▪︎ Transformation affects each believer uniquely in the Body – 1Cor 12:7;
▪︎ The many members are actually one Body – 1Cor 12:12
▪︎ We are united by the indwelling Holy Spirit – 1Cor 12:13
▪︎ God has place each person into the Body just as He chooses – 1Cor 12:18;
▪︎ Each person, although given different gifts and functions, are all equal in God’s sight and worthy of honor – 1Cor 12:22-23, 24;
(full text – 1Cor_12:18-26
18But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 19If they were all one member, where would the body be? 20But now there are many members, but one body. 21And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 23and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, 24whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, 25so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
)Ultimate Goal:
▪︎ Spiritual growth of members within the Body – 1Cor 14:12;
▪︎ Expansion of the Body to include new believers – 1Cor 14:24-25;