Sermon Notes + 6.23.2024
I Glorified You on Earth
John 17:4-5
Dr. Tony Chute, Lead Pastor
Overview: The High Priestly Prayer of Jesus alternates between assertion and petition, whereupon Jesus presents requests for Himself or His followers based upon past, present, and future realities. In our text today, Jesus asserts that He has glorified the Father on earth, having accomplished the work the Father has given Him to do. Jesus then prays for future glory that corresponds to the previous glory Jesus had with the Father before the world existed. This interchange between assertion and petition demonstrates that Jesus has the right to receive what He is rightly requesting. Although Jesus is the only One who shared in the Father’s glory before the world existed and the only One who fully accomplished the work God gave Him to do, Jesus’ prayer invites all who follow Him to benefit from His accomplishment on earth and anticipate sharing in His glory in Heaven.
01. The glory of God is a central theme in Scripture, pointing us to the greatness of God.
02. The glory of God is the singular aim for which Jesus came and lived His life on earth.
03. The glory of God is a significant motivation for us to accomplish what God has given us to do.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION & DISCOVERY
1. Jesus says in verse 4, “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.” In this context, what does it mean for Jesus to glorify God? What was the work that God gave Jesus to do? What did Jesus have to do in order to complete this work? See Philippians 2:5-8 for further insight.
2. Jesus says in verse 5, “And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.” In this context, what does it mean for Jesus to be glorified? In what way did Jesus leave glory in order to come to earth? See Revelation 1:12-18 for further insight.
3. Jesus states that He has accomplished the work God had given Him to do. Can anyone else live up to the same claim? Jesus also prays that God the Father will glorify Him (verse 1). Can anyone else pray the same prayer? What do these truths—Jesus’ accomplishment of God’s work and Jesus praying that God will glorify Him—say about the uniqueness of Jesus? Since no one else can claim or pray these things, what do these truths say about the uniqueness of Christianity? See Acts 4:12 for further insight.
4. Even though Jesus is the only one who has accomplished God’s will to God’s glory, we, too, are called to live for God’s glory. 1 Corinthians 6:20 states, “For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 states, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” In what ways are you seeking to glorify God with your life?
5. Jesus speaks of His future glory in verse 5. The Bible assures us that believers will also experience future glory. 2 Corinthians 4:17 states, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” How can the anticipation of this glory help you to live faithfully for the Lord? How does this promise of future glory put all of life’s difficulties into proper perspective?
For Further Reading: Christopher Morgan and Robert Peterson, eds. The Glory of God (Crossway, 2010).