I. The Expectation for Us to Actively Represent Him (18)
A. The manner of our work for God – “As You sent Me into the world…”
Characteristics of Christ’s earthly ministry: love, patience compassion, determination, sacrifice, faithfulness, awareness, urgency, mercy, truth, certainty
B. The mandate of our work for God – “…so I have sent them into the world.”
Sent = verb form of apostle
II. The Expectation for Us to Be Set Apart in Truth (19-20)
A. His example (19a) – “And for their sake I consecrate Myself…”
B. His expectation (19b) – “…that they also may be sanctified in truth.”
C. His extension (20) – “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word…”
III. The Expectation for Us to Be Unified (21-23)
A. A high priority (21a) – “That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us…”
B. A clear testimony (21b) – “…so that the world may believe that You have sent Me.”
C. A heavenly reality (22) – “The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one.”
D. A true necessity (23) – “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.”
IV. The Expectation for Us to Lastingly Glorify Jesus (24-26)
A. The definite outcome (24a) – “Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, may be with Me where I am…”
B. The delightful outcome (24b) – “…to see My glory that You have given Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world.”
C. The declared outcome (25-26) – “O righteous Father, even though the world does not know You, I know You, and these know that You have sent Me. [26] 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.”