John 17

·49 min·4 clips

Kara Wormey opens a Palm Sunday sermon by reading Jesus's entire prayer from John 17, calling it a holy privilege.

Kara Wormey, a member since 2012, opens the Palm Sunday service by reading the entire chapter of John 17, describing it as a holy privilege and a window into Jesus's prayer. She gives practical announcements for Holy Week, including a fast from sleep, Good Friday services at 6:30 and 8 p.m., and five Easter services with nearly 100 baptisms. The sermon analyzes John 17, noting it is the longest recorded prayer of Jesus in the Gospels. Wormey structures the analysis into three parts: Jesus prays for himself (verses 1-8), for his disciples (verses 9-19), and for all future believers (verses 20-26). She explains that Jesus's prayer to be glorified refers to his crucifixion and subsequent exaltation, citing John 12:23-33. For the disciples, Jesus prays for protection and sanctification, which Wormey illustrates with the martyrdoms of the apostles. For believers, Jesus prays for unity, which Wormey addresses by discussing the many churches in Ames and distinguishing between organizational and spiritual unity. She references J. Gresham Machen's 'Christianity and Liberalism' and contrasts Protestant and Catholic views on church unity. Wormey emphasizes honoring other gospel-preaching churches in Ames, naming several local pastors. The overarching theme is glory, with Wormey exploring Old Testament concepts like kavod and shekina glory. She uses Exodus 34 to describe Moses's radiant face and Revelation 1 to depict Jesus's glorified appearance. Wormey argues that believers will one day share in this glory, shining like the sun, and cites C.S. Lewis and Colossians 3. The sermon concludes with communion, linking the elements to Jesus's sacrifice and the promise of future glorification.

As heard by us

A Palm Sunday sermon weighs Jesus's prayer for oneness against Ames's more-than-50-church reality.

John 17 becomes a focused sermon on Christian unity, moving from Jesus's prayer for his disciples to the crowded church landscape of Ames. Kara Wormey, a Cornerstone member since 2012, introduces the Palm Sunday reading, where Jesus prays not only for those with him, but for…

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You want to test Christian unity against the sight of 50-plus Ames worship gatherings on Palm Sunday.

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