UNITED: Jesus’ Prayer for Us
John 17:20-23
“20My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for
those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that
all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in
you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have
sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you
gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I
in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the
world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have
loved me.
BIG
IDEA: Personal spiritual life
only has meaning when it is joined to the collective spiritual unity of
the church.
The Problem of Unity
Our culture and history
(collective and personal) create unique challenges to unity.
The Keys to Unity
Humility, gentleness,
patience, and enduring each other are the keys to unity.
Ephesians 4:1-6 “As a
prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the
calling you have received. 2 Be completely
humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make
every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of
peace. 4 There is one body and one
Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one
Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and
Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
The Power
of Unity
The power potential
of the church can only be realized by people who will commit themselves
to unity.
BOTTOM
LINE: What step will you take
toward unity with your church this week?