26/08/2026
Sermon Outline
August 27, 2026
Title: Praying for God's People
Text: John 17:6-17
Big Idea: Jesus prayed that we would be protected, purified, and proclaimed -- so the world would believe.
Introduction: This is Jesus’ “High Priestly Prayer” the night before the cross. He’s not praying for Himself. He’s praying for us -- His disciples, and for us who would believe later. (verse 20).
The world is hostile. The mission is hard. The enemy is real. So what does Jesus ask the Father for His people? Not comfort. Not escape. Not success. He prays for 5 things we desperately need.
1. PROCLAIMED by Name
*verses 6-8, (Jesus' PERSONAL knowledge of His PEOPLE)
“I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world... they have kept your word.”
Note: Jesus knows you by name. You weren’t an accident to Him. The Father gave you to the Son. He revealed God to us, and we believed. That’s our foundation.
Application: You are chosen and known. Live today knowing Jesus personally called you and keeps you.
2. PROTECTED from the evil One
*verses 9-12, 15, (Jesus' PETITION for PRESERVATION in the world)
“Holy Father, keep them in your name... I am not asking that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.”
Note: Jesus doesn’t pray we leave the world. He prays we’re kept IN the world but not OF it.
The world will attack, but Jesus has already prayed for your protection.
Application: What area are you vulnerable to right now? Bring it to Jesus. He’s already interceding for you.
3. POSSESSED with Joy
*verse 13, (JESUS' PURPOSE: fullness of JOY)
“But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.”
Note: The world offers temporary happiness. Jesus offers lasting joy -- even in trials.
His joy is not based on circumstances. It’s based on His presence and purpose.
Application: Stop looking for joy in things. Ask Jesus to fill you with His joy today.
4. PURIFIED by the Truth
*verses 14 & 17, (Jesus' PLAN for PURITY through the Word)
“They are not of the world... Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”
Note: The world will pull us. The only way to stay clean is the Word.
Sanctify means “set apart.” God sets us apart to be different for a purpose.
Application: What lie are you believing? Wash your mind with Scripture today. Be set apart.
5. POSITIONED for Mission
*verses 16-18, (Jesus' prayer to send us to WIN the WORLD)
“As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.”
Note: We are in the world but not of it -- for the world.
Just like the Father sent Jesus, Jesus now sends us.
We don’t hide. We go. We represent Him.
Application: Who is God sending you to this week? Your workplace, school, and home is your mission field.
Conclusion: John 17:6-17 shows us the heart of Jesus for His people.
He prayed that we would be:
PROCLAIMED -- known by Him
PROTECTED -- kept by Him
POSSESSED -- filled with His joy
PURIFIED -- set apart by His Word
POSITIONED -- sent for His mission
You are not alone in this world.
Jesus prayed for you. And He’s still praying (Romans 8:34).
Now live like someone who has been prayed for.
Call to Action:
1. PROCLAIM: Thank Jesus today for calling you by name and revealing the Father to you.
2. PRAY: Ask God to protect you and your family from the evil one this week.
3. POSSESS joy: Worship for 10 minutes and choose joy over complaints today.
4. PURIFY: Read John 17 and let 1 verse “sanctify” an area of your thinking.
5. POSITION: Identify 1 person God is sending you to. Pray for them and reach out this week.
Questions to R-E-F-L-E-C-T:
R-ecognize you’re chosen:
Do I really believe Jesus knows me and the Father gave me to Him?
E-nlist God’s protection:
What area of my life do I need Jesus to “keep” me from the evil one?
F-ind His joy:
Where am I looking for happiness in the world instead of the joy of Jesus?
L-ive by the Word:
What truth from Scripture do I need to let “sanctify” my decisions this week?
E-mbrace your mission:
Who has God sent me to, and what’s one step I can take to reach them?
C-heck your identity:
Am I living “in the world but not of the world” right now?
T-rust His prayer:
How does it change me to know Jesus prayed for me the night before He died?