UnityUnity

John 17:1-26John 17:1-26(1) These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to (1) These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to

heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

(2) As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he (2) As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.him.

(3) And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the (3) And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

(4) I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the (4) I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.work which thou gavest me to do.

(5) And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own (5) And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.world was.

(6) I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou (6) I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.

(7) Now they have known that all things whatsoever (7) Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.thou hast given me are of thee.

(8) For I have given unto them the words which thou (8) For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received [them], and have gavest me; and they have received [them], and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.have believed that thou didst send me.

(9) I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for (9) I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

(10) And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I (10) And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.am glorified in them.

(11) And now I am no more in the world, but these are (11) And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, given me, that they may be one, as we [are].that they may be one, as we [are].

(12) While I was with them in the world, I kept them in (12) While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.the scripture might be fulfilled.

(13) And now come I to thee; and these things (13) And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.joy fulfilled in themselves.

(14) I have given them thy word; and the world (14) I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.world, even as I am not of the world.

(15) I pray not that thou shouldest take them (15) I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.keep them from the evil.

(16) They are not of the world, even as I am not (16) They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.of the world.

(17) Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word (17) Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.is truth.

(18) As thou hast sent me into the world, even (18) As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.so have I also sent them into the world.

(19) And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that (19) And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the they also might be sanctified through the truth.truth.

(20) Neither pray I for these alone, but for them (20) Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their also which shall believe on me through their word;word;

(21) That (21) That they all may be onethey all may be one; as thou, Father, ; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may may be one in us: that the world may believe that be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.thou hast sent me.

(22) And the glory which thou gavest me I have (22) And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; given them; that they may be one, even as that they may be one, even as we are one:we are one:

(23) I in them, and thou in me, that (23) I in them, and thou in me, that they may be they may be made perfect in one;made perfect in one; and that the world may and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.them, as thou hast loved me.

(24) Father, I will that they also, whom thou (24) Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.foundation of the world.

(25) O righteous Father, the world hath not (25) O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.these have known that thou hast sent me.

(26) And I have declared unto them thy name, (26) And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare [it]: that the love wherewith and will declare [it]: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.them.

The Heart of Jesus’ PrayerThe Heart of Jesus’ Prayer

It is clear to see that the It is clear to see that the heart of Jesus’ prayer heart of Jesus’ prayer

here is UNITY…here is UNITY…

He didn’t want his He didn’t want his followers to be followers to be

divided… divided… But today we are divided But today we are divided

over many things.over many things.

Background..Background..

• Right after the last Right after the last supper… supper…

• On their way to the On their way to the Garden …Garden …

• Where Jesus prays Where Jesus prays again.. ‘not my will but again.. ‘not my will but thine”thine”

Hours before his crucifixion he is Hours before his crucifixion he is

praying for praying for USUS to be unified… to be unified…

(20) Neither pray I for these (20) Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through shall believe on me through their word;their word;

WHY?…WHY?…

Why was Jesus concerned Why was Jesus concerned about our unity…about our unity…

Why is Unity soooo Why is Unity soooo important?important?

Let’s look at the early church.. Let’s look at the early church.. Acts 2:42-47Acts 2:42-47

(42) And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' (42) And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.prayers.

(43) And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders (43) And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.and signs were done by the apostles.

(44) And all that believed were together, and had all things (44) And all that believed were together, and had all things common;common;

(45) And sold their possessions and goods, and parted (45) And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all [men], as every man had need.them to all [men], as every man had need.

(46) And they, continuing daily with one accord in the (46) And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

(47) Praising God, and having favour with all the people. (47) Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.be saved.

When you hear about the early When you hear about the early church what do you think of?church what do you think of?

• Their Love for each Their Love for each other?…other?…

• Their giving up Their giving up everything for the everything for the common good?common good?

• Their benevolence?Their benevolence?

• Their continuing in the Their continuing in the true doctrine.?true doctrine.?

• Miracles done?Miracles done?

To many, the most unique thing To many, the most unique thing about the early church was their:about the early church was their:

• Approach to money and possessions. Approach to money and possessions.

• It was impressive and they do It was impressive and they do challenge us today. challenge us today.

• But their willingness to practice But their willingness to practice “radical sharing” was the result of an “radical sharing” was the result of an even more impressive trait:even more impressive trait:

UnityUnity(Act 4:32) And the multitude of them (Act 4:32) And the multitude of them

that believed were that believed were of one heart and of one heart and of one soul:of one soul: neither said any [of neither said any [of them] that ought of the things them] that ought of the things

which he possessed was his own; which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.but they had all things common.

(Acts 2:46) And they, continuing (Acts 2:46) And they, continuing daily with one accord…daily with one accord…

Can you Imagine…Can you Imagine…

What the church could do What the church could do today if we were “one heart today if we were “one heart and of one soul”, or in one and of one soul”, or in one

accordaccord

Christian Unity: The PrincipleChristian Unity: The Principle

First of all to we need to define Unity…First of all to we need to define Unity…

And sometimes the easiest way to define And sometimes the easiest way to define something is to look at what it is NOT.something is to look at what it is NOT.

1. Unity is 1. Unity is notnot everyone going their own way… everyone going their own way…

2. Unity is 2. Unity is not not everyone doing their own thing…everyone doing their own thing…

3. Unity is 3. Unity is not not everyone being like everyone everyone being like everyone else.. we don’t need clones of our pastor.else.. we don’t need clones of our pastor.

So what IS unity?So what IS unity?

From Heritage Dictionary:From Heritage Dictionary:1.1. The state or quality of being one; The state or quality of being one;

singleness. singleness. 2.2. The state or quality of being in The state or quality of being in

accord; harmony. accord; harmony. 3.3. The combination or arrangement of The combination or arrangement of

parts into a whole; unification. parts into a whole; unification. 4.4. Singleness or constancy of purpose Singleness or constancy of purpose

or action; continuityor action; continuity

These Four definitions apply to These Four definitions apply to Christ followers.Christ followers.

1. The state or quality of being one; 1. The state or quality of being one; singleness. singleness.

We are to be of one heart and soul…We are to be of one heart and soul…

Everyone connected to Christ. Everyone connected to Christ.

All believers have one thing in All believers have one thing in common… Jesus Christ.. common… Jesus Christ..

No matter what our differences, we have No matter what our differences, we have Jesus in commonJesus in common

2. The state or quality of being in 2. The state or quality of being in accord; harmony…accord; harmony…

We can’t be all clones and have harmony. We can’t be all clones and have harmony. Harmony is not being identical.. but Harmony is not being identical.. but

being compatible being compatible

3. The combination of 3. The combination of arrangement of parts into a arrangement of parts into a

whole; unification…whole; unification…

From Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12 From Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12 we learn that God places into his body we learn that God places into his body

people with gifts that he gives, people with gifts that he gives,

Everyone is different…. Everyone is different….

But we all have a job to do..But we all have a job to do..

And each body of believers has And each body of believers has everything they need to do God’s work.everything they need to do God’s work.

4. Singleness or constancy of 4. Singleness or constancy of purpose or action; continuitypurpose or action; continuity

We may be different. But we are all We may be different. But we are all connected to Jesus, and he gave us a connected to Jesus, and he gave us a job to do… Every believer has 5 job to do… Every believer has 5 common purposes.. common purposes..

1.1. Fellowship, Fellowship, 2.2. Doctrine, Doctrine, 3.3. Ministry, Ministry, 4.4. Worship, Worship, 5.5. Mission….Mission….

Christian Unity: Its productChristian Unity: Its product

Radical Love and sharing.. Act 4:32:Radical Love and sharing.. Act 4:32:

And the multitude of them that believed And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: were of one heart and of one soul:

neither said any [of them] that ought neither said any [of them] that ought of the things which he possessed of the things which he possessed

was his own; but they had all things was his own; but they had all things common.common.

When we are Unified:When we are Unified:

1. We can’t help but love each other, 1. We can’t help but love each other,

2. We can’t help but share with each 2. We can’t help but share with each otherother

3. We will not be focused on “What we 3. We will not be focused on “What we want” or what’s best for us.. but we will want” or what’s best for us.. but we will be focused on the common good of the be focused on the common good of the church.church.

Too many people are Too many people are shopping for churches that shopping for churches that satisfies their needs or their satisfies their needs or their

families needs… families needs…

When looking for a church When looking for a church people should be looking for people should be looking for a church in which their gifts a church in which their gifts

can be useful…can be useful…

Another Product: Protection. Another Product: Protection.

• When we are unified we have When we are unified we have protection from Satan.. .we protect protection from Satan.. .we protect each other.. each other..

• When people hurt we comfort. When people hurt we comfort.

• When people fall we pick them up.When people fall we pick them up.

• When people gossip we defend the When people gossip we defend the victim.victim.

Christian Unity: It’s purpose.Christian Unity: It’s purpose.

To witnessTo witness

Acts 4:33Acts 4:33

And with great power gave the apostles And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.all.

Attract others to Christ. Attract others to Christ.

(21) That they all may be one; as thou, (21) That they all may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent world may believe that thou hast sent me.me.

A fractured church results in a A fractured church results in a fruitless witness.fruitless witness.

If we want to see this church If we want to see this church grow we must become more grow we must become more

unified.unified.

Where do we start?Where do we start?

With ourselves.. Are you DEVOTED to Jesus?With ourselves.. Are you DEVOTED to Jesus?

As a member of this church YOU have a As a member of this church YOU have a responsibility to this church…responsibility to this church…

1. Attendance… Sunday morning, night, and 1. Attendance… Sunday morning, night, and Wed. nightWed. night

2. Giving of your finances, time, talents.2. Giving of your finances, time, talents.3. Prayer…3. Prayer…If you are not upholding your responsibilities If you are not upholding your responsibilities

you are holding back this church from being you are holding back this church from being unified.unified.

The first church only had 12 people… The first church only had 12 people… look what they did.look what they did.

Each His PartEach His Part

"I did," said the sticks. "I did," said "I did," said the sticks. "I did," said the paper. "I did," said the boy. "No, the paper. "I did," said the boy. "No,

I did," said the wind. But they all I did," said the wind. But they all flew the kite together. If the sticks flew the kite together. If the sticks

had broken, the tail caught in a tree, had broken, the tail caught in a tree, the paper torn or the wind was the paper torn or the wind was

lulled, the kite would have come lulled, the kite would have come down. Each had a part to play.down. Each had a part to play.

The application is inescapable.The application is inescapable.

• We each have a work to do. We each have a work to do.

• If the work of the Lord is to be a If the work of the Lord is to be a success, then every member of the success, then every member of the church must play his part. church must play his part.

• We have the work of visiting, giving, We have the work of visiting, giving, preaching, and countless other jobs to preaching, and countless other jobs to do to make the church and its work do to make the church and its work successful. successful.

We must all work together and each do We must all work together and each do what he can to help. It is a matter of what he can to help. It is a matter of

teamworkteamwork1 Corinthians 3:6-91 Corinthians 3:6-9(6) I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the (6) I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the

increase.increase.(7) So then neither is he that planteth any thing, (7) So then neither is he that planteth any thing,

neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.increase.

(8) Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: (8) Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.according to his own labour.

(9) For we are labourers together with God: ye are (9) For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, [ye are] God's building.God's husbandry, [ye are] God's building.

What is God telling you to do now? Come talk it over What is God telling you to do now? Come talk it over with him…with him…