Divine Unity: Christ's Call for Oneness Among Believers

 

Summary

In John 17, we find ourselves on sacred ground, witnessing a profound conversation between Jesus and the Father. This chapter is unique, as it offers a glimpse into the heart of Christ before His crucifixion. Jesus prays not only for His disciples but for all who will believe in Him through their word, including us today. His prayer is for unity, a oneness that mirrors the perfect unity between the Father and the Son. This is not a mere suggestion but a divine blueprint for how we, as believers, are to live and witness to the world.

The unity Jesus speaks of is not superficial; it is a deep, spiritual oneness that transcends human understanding. It is an invitation to enter into the divine fellowship of the Trinity, to be one with God and with each other. This unity is essential for our witness to the world, as Jesus states that through our oneness, the world will believe that the Father sent Him. This is a call to move beyond divisions and embrace the unity that Christ prayed for, a unity that is central to our mission as the Church.

Reflecting on the history of the Church, we see a pattern of division and separation. Yet, Jesus' prayer challenges us to break this cycle and commit to one another as a family. Just as in a marriage, where the commitment is lifelong, our commitment to each other in the body of Christ should be unwavering. This is not an optional pursuit but a divine mandate that requires humility, grace, and a willingness to reconcile and forgive.

In our pursuit of unity, we must recognize the power of coming together as one body. When we unite, God commands His blessing, and we experience His presence in a profound way. This unity is not just for our benefit but is a testimony to the world of the reality of Christ. As we lean into this call for unity, we become an answer to Jesus' prayer, demonstrating to the world the transformative power of the Gospel.

Key Takeaways:

- Sacred Unity: John 17 reveals the sacred conversation between Jesus and the Father, emphasizing the importance of unity among believers. This unity is not just a goal but a divine mandate that reflects the perfect oneness of the Trinity. [06:43]

- Divine Invitation: Jesus invites us into the divine fellowship, a unity that transcends human understanding. This invitation is a call to be one with God and each other, reflecting the eternal relationship within the Trinity. [09:35]

- Witness Through Oneness: Our unity is a powerful witness to the world. Jesus prayed that through our oneness, the world would believe in Him. This underscores the importance of unity in our mission as the Church. [16:57]

- Breaking the Cycle of Division: The history of the Church is marked by division, but Jesus' prayer challenges us to break this cycle. We are called to commit to one another as a family, reflecting the unity that Christ desires. [25:03]

- Blessing in Unity: When we unite as one body, God commands His blessing. This unity is not just for our benefit but serves as a testimony to the world of the reality and power of the Gospel. [20:37]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:17] - Reverence for God's Word
- [02:04] - The Sacredness of John 17
- [03:10] - Jesus' Prayer to the Father
- [05:20] - Jesus Prays for Us
- [06:43] - The Heart of Christ's Prayer
- [09:35] - Invitation to Divine Unity
- [12:02] - Oneness with God
- [15:23] - Unity as a Witness
- [18:08] - Experiencing Unity in Tragedy
- [22:25] - Prophetic Time for Unity
- [25:03] - Breaking the Spirit of Division
- [28:18] - Offensive Unity Against the Enemy
- [31:46] - Commitment to Unity
- [36:51] - Prayer for Reconciliation and Unity

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- John 17: This chapter is the central text of the sermon, where Jesus prays for unity among believers, reflecting the perfect unity of the Trinity.

#### Observation Questions
1. What is the significance of Jesus praying for all believers in John 17, not just His disciples at that time? [05:51]
2. How does Jesus describe the unity He desires for believers in John 17? [08:06]
3. What does Jesus say is the result of believers being one, according to John 17? [15:23]
4. How does the sermon describe the historical pattern of division within the Church? [25:18]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize unity among believers as a reflection of the unity between the Father and the Son? [09:02]
2. How does the sermon suggest that unity among believers serves as a witness to the world? [16:57]
3. What challenges does the sermon identify in achieving the unity that Jesus prayed for, and how can these be overcome? [27:36]
4. How does the sermon interpret the blessing that comes from unity, as mentioned in Psalm 133? [20:37]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there any divisions or conflicts with other believers that you need to address to pursue the unity Jesus prayed for? How can you take steps towards reconciliation? [35:56]
2. In what ways can your small group actively work towards embodying the unity that Jesus desires for His followers? [33:21]
3. How can you personally contribute to breaking the cycle of division within the Church, as discussed in the sermon? [27:36]
4. Consider the relationships within your church community. How can you foster a sense of family and commitment similar to that described in the sermon? [24:14]
5. The sermon mentions the power of unity in experiencing God's presence. How can you and your group intentionally seek this unity in your gatherings? [20:37]
6. How can you ensure that your actions and words within the church community reflect the sacred unity that Jesus prayed for? [13:18]
7. What practical steps can you take this week to demonstrate the transformative power of the Gospel through unity in your daily interactions? [16:57]

Devotional

Day 1: Sacred Unity in Christ
In John 17, we are invited into a sacred conversation between Jesus and the Father, where Jesus prays for unity among believers. This unity is not a superficial agreement but a profound spiritual oneness that reflects the perfect unity of the Trinity. Jesus' prayer is a divine mandate for believers to live in harmony, mirroring the relationship between the Father and the Son. This unity is essential for our witness to the world, as it demonstrates the reality of Christ's mission and the transformative power of the Gospel. [06:43]

"May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 15:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you actively pursue unity with fellow believers in your community this week?


Day 2: Entering Divine Fellowship
Jesus extends an invitation to believers to enter into the divine fellowship of the Trinity, a unity that transcends human understanding. This invitation calls us to be one with God and each other, reflecting the eternal relationship within the Trinity. It is a call to move beyond our human limitations and embrace a deeper spiritual connection with God and fellow believers. This divine fellowship is not just a personal experience but a communal one, where we are united in purpose and mission. [09:35]

"That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ." (1 John 1:3, ESV)

Reflection: How can you deepen your relationship with God and others to reflect the divine fellowship of the Trinity?


Day 3: Witness Through Oneness
Our unity as believers serves as a powerful witness to the world. Jesus prayed that through our oneness, the world would believe in Him. This underscores the importance of unity in our mission as the Church. When we live in harmony, we testify to the reality of Christ and His love for humanity. Our unity is not just for our benefit but is a testimony to the world of the transformative power of the Gospel. [16:57]

"So that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me." (John 17:23b, ESV)

Reflection: What specific actions can you take to demonstrate unity and love to those around you, thereby witnessing to the reality of Christ?


Day 4: Breaking the Cycle of Division
The history of the Church is marked by division, but Jesus' prayer challenges us to break this cycle. We are called to commit to one another as a family, reflecting the unity that Christ desires. This commitment requires humility, grace, and a willingness to reconcile and forgive. Just as in a marriage, where the commitment is lifelong, our commitment to each other in the body of Christ should be unwavering. [25:03]

"Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind." (Philippians 2:2, ESV)

Reflection: Is there someone in your church community with whom you need to reconcile? How can you take the first step towards healing that relationship?


Day 5: Experiencing God's Blessing in Unity
When we unite as one body, God commands His blessing, and we experience His presence in a profound way. This unity is not just for our benefit but serves as a testimony to the world of the reality and power of the Gospel. As we lean into this call for unity, we become an answer to Jesus' prayer, demonstrating to the world the transformative power of the Gospel. [20:37]

"Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore." (Psalm 133:1, 3b, ESV)

Reflection: How can you contribute to creating an environment of unity in your church, where God's blessing can flow abundantly?

Quotes


In John 17, I believe really belongs in its own genre because you need, you know, what's happening in John 17. You have Jesus praying to the Father. It's almost like you're going into a room where a discussion is going on, and you don't really belong in that room. [00:03:01]

There's a sense in which, wait a second, you're telling me there's an eternal Triune God, this God who's always existed as Father, Son, Holy Spirit for eternity past in perfect union, which we can't understand. I don't understand eternity. It's in my heart. I know it, but I can't explain. [00:03:41]

This is what Jesus prays to the Father. I don't know what you pray to the Father, but this is what the Son of God prays to the Father. He says that they may all be one. Okay, you want to listen in on the most sacred conversation on the Earth and understand what is most important. [00:06:17]

And so we look at certain things, and they look like exaggerations, but again, I have to submit to the word of God and to the prayer of Jesus and go, no, I think this is about as truthful as it gets when the Son of God is talking. [00:07:37]

I want them all to be perfectly one just as he goes, you know how I am in you and you are in me. He says, I want them, I want them all to be in us. We are, are you kidding me? You're talking about a thousand years ago, 10,000 years ago, million years ago. [00:09:27]

And the byproduct of that is we are all standing in Christ. We are in the Father, in the Son, looking at each other, and we're just like, are you kidding me? I am one with almighty God. His spirit is inside of me. He was knocking on the door. [00:12:06]

And so when we're all just in the midst of this holy, holy unapproachable God whose glory outshines the Sun, and we find ourselves in there, that's the only way that we become perfectly one with each other because we're always looking at each other like we don't belong in here. [00:13:02]

And now we look around the room and say, these are people that have God, very God inside of them, and so we honor one another, and we don't dare slander one another because you look at me and go, I'm not going to mess with him because I know who his dad is. [00:14:19]

And it begins with our oneness with him and our oneness with each other, and I look at that, and I'm a very, you know, I'm a mathematical guy. Most of my ancestors are, you know, it's just we, it's just I want to know this plus this equals this. [00:17:14]

And here we were in this place where they never even heard the name of Jesus in my first time preaching to a group of people who had never heard the name of Jesus and telling God, I mean, there's like 80-year-old people in the front row that have believed one thing their whole life. [00:20:59]

And just kept splitting, splitting, splitting, and then my upbringing, I was in this little Chinese church, and then suddenly one day, you know, as a kid, it's like half my friends are gone, oh, because we split. Oh, okay. Then eventually I left and went to this other church. [00:26:24]

And I want us to see each other as a part of that body. It's even beyond marriage. It's one body, and to just say, Lord, we repent, and in this room, I want to pray a blessing over the broken relationships. [00:35:18]

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Transcript
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