The Heart of Jesus for His Church: A Prayer for Unity and Glory

John 17:20-26

In this passage from John 17:20–26, Pastor Matt Maloney draws us into Jesus’ final prayer for His church—a prayer marked by deep love and eternal purpose. Jesus asks the Father for two central realities: that His people would be united as one, and that they would ultimately be with Him to see His glory. This sermon challenges us to see unity not as optional, but as essential to our witness, and to long for Christ Himself as the true goal of our faith.

In John 17:20–26, we are given the profound privilege of overhearing Jesus’ prayer just before His crucifixion. This is not a passing thought or secondary concern—this is the heart of Christ for His people. Pastor Matt highlights two central themes that shape both the identity and destiny of the church: our unity in Christ and our future with Him in glory.

1. A Prayer for Unity (v. 21–23)

Jesus prays that His followers “may all be one,” and this unity is not superficial harmony or mere agreement. It is rooted in the very nature of God Himself—“just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you.” Christian unity flows from the perfect unity of the Trinity: shared truth, purpose, will, and love.

This matters deeply because unity is tied directly to our witness. Jesus says that the world will believe the Father sent Him when they see the unity of His people. In other words, the Gospel is not only proclaimed—it is displayed in the life of a loving, unified church. A healthy Christian community becomes a living picture of redemption, showing how Christ restores what sin has broken.

Yet unity is not easy. As Pastor Matt notes, calling sinners to unity will inevitably bring conflict. Our fallen nature resists it. When unity breaks down, the consequences are real—division, hurt, and often people walking away from the faith altogether.

But Scripture shows us that unity is more important than the absence of conflict. In Galatians 2:11–14, Paul confronts Peter not to shame him, but to restore him because his actions were “not in step with the Gospel.” True unity sometimes requires hard conversations, but always with the aim of reconciliation and grace.

The call, then, is personal:

• Are we actively seeking to build unity in Christ’s church?

• Are we quick to extend grace, even when wronged?

As A. W. Tozer insightfully put it, believers are drawn closer together not by focusing on unity itself, but by fixing their eyes on Christ. The more we are aligned with Him, the more we are aligned with one another.

2. A Prayer for Presence (v. 24–26)

Jesus’ prayer doesn’t stop at unity—it points beyond it. “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory.”

Unity is not an end in itself. It exists because we want Christ. The ultimate hope of the Christian life is not simply a better community or even restored relationships—it is being with Jesus and beholding His glory.

This is a staggering promise. One day, believers will see Christ as He truly is, in all His fullness and majesty. This future reality reshapes our present priorities. Our longing for unity, our pursuit of holiness, and our commitment to the church are all grounded in this greater hope: eternal communion with Christ.

Conclusion

Jesus’ prayer reveals both our calling and our destiny. We are called to be a people marked by unity—costly, grace-filled, Christ-centered unity that bears witness to the world. And we are destined for something far greater: to be with Jesus and to see His glory.

So the question remains:

Are we living now in light of what Jesus has prayed for us?

John 17:6-19 | The Sacred Sound (We Are To Be…)

We rejoice in the deeply personal words of Jesus speaking to His father in John 17:6-19, sharing his deep love and care for us.

Today we break down five key points that Jesus prayed for us.

That we would be Kept - though Jesus is no longer in the world, where he kept and guarded us, that we would continue to be protected by God.
That we would be One - as Jesus and God are one, being unified in Him.
That we would be Joyful - not just to endure this world, but to be genuinely fulfilled.
That we would be Set Apart - sanctified in the truth of God’s word, growing in holiness.
That we would be Sent - just as Jesus was sent into the world, we are sent into the world for a reason, that we would be set apart for God’s purposes.

Plant & Pray — Living Faithfully in Exile (Jeremiah 29:1–14)

Jeremiah 29:1–14

In this sermon from Jeremiah 29, Pastor Mike Westhuyzen reminds us that God’s people have always lived in seasons where life doesn’t go according to plan. Writing to Israel in exile, God calls His people not to despair, withdraw, or assimilate—but to live faithfully in the midst of a foreign land. As “elect exiles” (1 Peter 1:1), Christians today are called to plant, pray, and seek the good of the world around them, while ultimately living for a greater King. Even in hardship, God’s promises remain sure: He is working for our good, and He is near to all who seek Him.

1. When Life Doesn’t Go to Plan

Life often unfolds in ways we wouldn’t choose—marked by disappointment, confusion, and seasons of despair. Jeremiah 29 meets us in that reality. The people of Israel found themselves in exile in Babylon, a situation that seemed like complete failure. Their hopes were shattered, their homeland lost, and their future uncertain.

Yet this was not outside of God’s control. Their exile was not random—it was a direct consequence of covenant unfaithfulness. Even so, it was also part of God’s sovereign plan. This reminds us of a foundational truth: God is always in control, even when His plans are not what we would choose or expect.

2. A Hard Word from God (Jeremiah 29:4–9)

Jeremiah delivers a letter from God to the exiles—a message that would have been deeply confronting. Rather than promising a quick return or immediate relief, God tells them to settle in:

• Build houses

• Plant gardens

• Marry and raise families

• Seek the welfare of the city

• Pray for it

This was not a short-term detour; it would last 70 years. God was calling His people to faithful endurance, not escape.

This reveals an important reality: God’s Word does not always tell us what we want to hear—but it always tells us what we need to hear.

3. Living as Exiles Today

The New Testament picks up this theme and applies it to Christians. In 1 Peter 1:1, believers are described as “elect exiles.” This means:

• We belong to God

• We live in a world that is not our ultimate home

This raises the question: How should we live as exiles?

Three Possible Responses:

1. Assimilation
Becoming indistinguishable from the world—adopting its values, priorities, and ways of life. This sacrifices holiness.

2. Withdrawal
Disengaging entirely—retreating from culture and society. This neglects mission.

3. Incarnation (the Christian calling)
Being fully present in the world, yet distinct from it. Living among others, but for a different King.

This incarnational model reflects the way of Christ Himself—entering into the world without being shaped by its sin.

4. Plant & Pray: The Mission of God’s People

God’s instruction to the exiles is striking: seek the welfare of the city and pray for it.

This means Christians are called to:

• Invest in their communities

• Contribute to the common good

• Care about justice, peace, and flourishing

• Pray earnestly for the places where God has placed them

As John Piper puts it, Christians must never lose sight of the city’s greatest need—not just material prosperity, but salvation. While we care deeply about present suffering, we are especially concerned with eternal realities.

This reflects the command of Jesus: “Love your neighbour as yourself” (Matthew 22:39).

5. Two Anchoring Promises (Jeremiah 29:10–14)

In the midst of exile, God gives two profound promises:

Promise #1: God Has Good Planned

God assures His people that their future is not abandoned. His plans are purposeful and good. Even in exile, He is working toward restoration.

This doesn’t mean immediate comfort, but it does mean certain hope. God’s purposes cannot fail.

Promise #2: God Is Near to Those Who Seek Him

God promises that when His people seek Him with all their heart, they will find Him. He hears their prayers and draws near.

In exile, the greatest gift is not a change in circumstances—it is the presence of God Himself.

6. Conclusion: Faithful Living Between Promise and Fulfilment

Jeremiah 29 calls us to live faithfully in the tension between present hardship and future hope.

Like Israel, we may find ourselves in seasons that feel like exile. But our calling remains clear:

• Plant — live faithfully and invest where God has placed you

• Pray — depend on God and intercede for others

• Trust — believe that God’s plans are good

• Seek Him — draw near to the God who is already near to you

Ultimately, we live not for this world, but for our true King. And with that perspective, even exile becomes a place of purpose, mission, and hope.

Easter Sunday

In this sermon, we celebrate Easter Sunday by examining the encounters that Christians have had with God that bring them to faith. The sermon especially focuses on the conversion of Paul in Acts 9. We find that:

1. Meeting Jesus is personal.

2. Meeting Jesus transforms you.

3. Meeting Jesus is of grace.

Good Friday 2026

This Good Friday, we revisit the role of the sacrifice of the coming of Jesus that is echoed through the Bible starting from the book of Genesis. From the time where Adam and Eve were clothed during the fall with the skins of animals, again and again a substitute for the failings of man is given.

We rejoice that in Jesus’s death, the ultimate and only substitute for our sins was put in place, where Jesus gave over himself willingly.

Heb 10:1-10  For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. And by that will (God’s will) we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Matthew 21:9-11 | Jesus is King

Matthew 21:9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

Rejoice greatly and shout aloud. Behold, your king is coming to you!

In the lead up to the crucification, we look at what is means that Jesus is King. On Palm Sunday, we look at the day that the arrival of Jesus was welcomed to God's city. Where he was met with joy, before later being crucified in that same city. He who was promised.

Underneath God's rule we were designed to flourish and multiply over the Earth. The plan was very good - but we rejected God's authority over us, we rejected our King. But it was foretold that the promised offspring would come as king. That the throne would be filled not by an earthly king, but by Jesus who would come and reign over his people forever and ever.

On this Palm Sunday, we look at the moments where we almost had it right, where there were shouts of 'Hosanna to the Son of God'. But only five days later, He was again rejected by His people to shouts of 'Crucify Him'. We await the day when Jesus returns, not humbly on a donkey, but established in His full glory.

John 17: 1-5 | The Sacred Sound (Glory)

In John 17: 1-5, Jesus prays directly to God. He uses the word ‘glory’ or a variation of it 5 times, highlighting its importance. The passage also displays how Jesus prays to God as his ‘Father’, and outlines the gift of eternal life that awaits followers of Christ.

John 16:25-33 | Take Heart

In John 16:25-33, Jesus reminds his disciples of three things:

1. They are deeply loved.

2. They are weaker than they think.

3. Jesus is stronger than the World, and He has overcome it.

In John 16:25-33, Jesus reminds his disciples of three things:

1. They are deeply loved.

2. They are weaker than they think.

3. Jesus is stronger than the World, and He has overcome it.

John 16:16-24 | Your sorrow will turn to joy

In John 16:16–24, Jesus prepares His disciples for the sorrow they are about to face while pointing them to the lasting joy that will follow. Though suffering is a reality in a fallen world, Christ promises that our sorrow will ultimately turn to joy through His death and resurrection. In this passage we see Jesus’ warning about coming trials, His promise of unshakable joy, and His invitation to draw near to the Father in prayer so that our joy may be made complete.

In this message from John 16:16–24, Pastor Mike Westhuyzen helps us see how Jesus prepares His disciples—and us—for the reality of suffering while anchoring us in an unshakable promise of joy.

Jesus’ words come just before His arrest and crucifixion. The disciples are confused and unaware of the trials that are about to unfold. In verses 16–20 we see the warning: sorrow is coming. In a world broken by sin, suffering is not unusual but expected. Even Peter, full of confidence, would soon fail and experience deep shame. As followers of Christ we should not be surprised when hardship comes; often our most difficult days still lie ahead.

But sorrow is not the end of the story. In verses 20–22 Jesus gives the promise: sorrow will give way to joy. Using the illustration of childbirth, He shows how intense pain can lead to overwhelming joy when new life arrives. In the same way, the anguish of the cross—the darkest moment in history—became the very source of salvation and life. Christians still grieve in this world, but as Paul reminds us, we do not grieve like those without hope. Through the risen Christ we are given a joy that is “inexpressible and filled with glory,” a joy that no one can ultimately take away.

Finally, in verses 23–24 we hear the invitation: prayer is the doorway into experiencing that joy. Jesus invites His people to ask the Father in His name. Too often we stand on the edge of God’s grace like a thirsty traveller who finds an oasis but never stoops to drink. Prayer is the act of stepping in—cupping our hands and receiving what God freely gives.

Sorrow in this life is inevitable, but for those who belong to Christ it is never final. Jesus assures us that our sorrow will turn to joy, and He invites us to draw near to the Father in prayer so that our joy may be full.