Embracing Oneness: A Year of Unity and Focus

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Focused Intentionality

Choosing a single word for the year can serve as a powerful filter for our thoughts and actions. This year, the word "one" invites us to focus on unity and completeness, aligning our lives with God's oneness. By doing so, we can experience a deeper connection with God and a clearer vision for our lives. The concept of focusing on one word is akin to the reticular activating system in our brains, which helps us notice things we concentrate on. By intentionally choosing "one" as our guiding word, we are encouraged to see the world through the lens of God's unity and oneness. This focus can transform our perspective, helping us to live more purposefully and in alignment with God's will. [03:45]

Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV): "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can intentionally focus on God's unity and oneness this week? How might this focus change your perspective or actions?

Day 2: Embracing Biblical Oneness

The scriptures remind us of the importance of oneness in our relationship with God and others. Deuteronomy 6:4, Ephesians 4:4-6, and Psalm 27:4 emphasize the unity of God, the body of Christ, and our singular focus on seeking God's presence. This oneness is foundational to our faith and guides us in living a life of purpose and unity. By understanding and embracing the biblical foundation of oneness, we are called to live in harmony with God and each other, recognizing the interconnectedness of our faith and community. This unity is not just a theological concept but a practical guide for how we interact with the world around us. [08:11]

Colossians 3:14-15 (ESV): "And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful."

Reflection: How can you actively promote unity and oneness in your relationships this week? What steps can you take to foster a spirit of harmony in your community?

Day 3: Singular Focus on God's Presence

Psalm 27:4 calls us to seek one thing: to dwell in the house of the Lord and gaze upon His beauty. This singular focus on God's presence can transform our lives, leading to an outpouring of His presence in our hearts, homes, churches, and cities. By prioritizing God's presence, we align our lives with His will and experience His transformative power. This focus invites us to cultivate a deeper relationship with God, allowing His presence to permeate every aspect of our lives and influence the world around us. [11:35]

Jeremiah 29:13-14 (ESV): "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile."

Reflection: What practical steps can you take this week to prioritize seeking God's presence in your daily life? How might this focus impact your relationship with God and others?

Day 4: Journey of Restoration and Reconciliation

Themes of restoration, rejuvenation, revelation, and reconciliation will guide our journey this year, helping us to focus on personal and communal growth. Restoration involves healing and identity, rejuvenation brings renewed energy and vitality, revelation provides vision and purpose, and reconciliation emphasizes our role as ambassadors of Christ, seeking to restore relationships with God and others. These themes are not just abstract ideas but practical pathways for transformation, inviting us to engage in a process of renewal and growth that impacts every area of our lives. [23:21]

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (ESV): "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation."

Reflection: Who in your life might God be calling you to reconcile with this week? What steps can you take to initiate healing and restoration in that relationship?

Day 5: Prayer as a Transformative Pathway

Our prayer for the year is for an outpouring of God's presence that leads to transformation. By committing to regular prayer, we open ourselves to God's work in our lives and the lives of those around us. This year, let us focus on prayer as a means of seeking God's presence and experiencing His transformative power. Prayer is not just a spiritual discipline but a powerful tool for change, inviting us to partner with God in His work of transformation in our hearts, homes, and communities. [41:17]

James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."

Reflection: How can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your daily routine this week? What specific areas of your life or community do you feel led to pray for transformation?

Sermon Summary

The beginning of a new year often brings with it a sense of anticipation and reflection. As we step into 2025, I invite you to consider the power of one word to shape and guide your year. This year, our word is "one." This simple yet profound word encapsulates unity, completeness, and focus. It serves as a filter through which we can view our lives, much like the reticular activating system in our brains that helps us notice things we focus on. By choosing "one" as our word, we are invited to see the world through the lens of God's oneness and unity.

The biblical foundation for this word is found in Deuteronomy 6:4, Ephesians 4:4-6, and Psalm 27:4. These scriptures remind us of the oneness of God, the unity of the body of Christ, and the singular focus of seeking God's presence. The Shema in Deuteronomy calls us to recognize the Lord as one, emphasizing the unity and completeness of God. Ephesians speaks of one body, one Spirit, and one hope, urging us to live in unity with one another. Psalm 27:4, my personal verse for the year, calls us to seek one thing: to dwell in the house of the Lord and gaze upon His beauty.

This year, I encourage you to adopt a singular focus on God's presence in your life. Let this focus ripple out to impact your heart, home, church, and city. Our prayer for the year is for an outpouring of God's presence that leads to transformation in these areas. As we embark on this journey, we will explore themes of restoration, rejuvenation, revelation, and reconciliation. These themes will guide our teaching series throughout the year, starting with "One Name," a series on prayer.

As we embrace this word, let us also consider who we want to see reconciled to God this year. Who is your "one" that you are praying for? Let us commit to praying for an awakening that leads to transformation, both in our lives and in the lives of those around us.

Key Takeaways

1. 6, and Psalm 27:4 emphasize the unity of God, the body of Christ, and our singular focus on seeking God's presence. This oneness is foundational to our faith and guides us in living a life of purpose and unity. [08:11]
3. Singular Focus on God's Presence: Psalm 27:4 calls us to seek one thing: to dwell in the house of the Lord and gaze upon His beauty. This singular focus on God's presence can transform our lives, leading to an outpouring of His presence in our hearts, homes, churches, and cities. By prioritizing God's presence, we align our lives with His will and experience His transformative power.

4. Themes of Restoration, Rejuvenation, Revelation, and Reconciliation: These themes will guide our journey this year, helping us to focus on personal and communal growth. Restoration involves healing and identity, rejuvenation brings renewed energy and vitality, revelation provides vision and purpose, and reconciliation emphasizes our role as ambassadors of Christ, seeking to restore relationships with God and others.

5. Prayer as a Pathway to Transformation: Our prayer for the year is for an outpouring of God's presence that leads to transformation. By committing to regular prayer, we open ourselves to God's work in our lives and the lives of those around us. This year, let us focus on prayer as a means of seeking God's presence and experiencing His transformative power.

** [08:11]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[03:45] - The Power of One Word
[05:44] - Choosing "One" for the Year
[07:15] - Biblical Foundation of Oneness
[08:11] - Unity in Scripture
[10:02] - Ephesians and Completeness
[11:35] - Psalm 27:4 - Singular Focus
[12:45] - We Pray: Seeking God's Presence
[14:44] - Mapping the Year Ahead
[15:41] - Series Overview: One Name
[16:24] - One Purpose and Philippians
[17:26] - The Importance of Singular Focus
[18:37] - Concentric Circles of Life
[21:31] - Restoration and Identity
[23:21] - Rejuvenation and Empowerment
[24:37] - Revelation and Vision
[25:31] - Reconciliation and Ambassadorship
[27:42] - Who is Your One?
[30:01] - Oneness and Alpha Course
[31:52] - Prayer and Transformation
[35:10] - Tools for Prayer: Book Recommendation
[36:28] - One Prayer for the Year
[41:17] - Invitation to Pray Together
[42:25] - Transformation Through Prayer
[43:52] - Preparing for We Pray Night
[45:19] - Closing Prayer and Worship

Sermon Clips

The Lord our God, the Lord is one. There you go. For those who don't want to know, Trinity, there it is. Father, Son, Holy Spirit, the Godhead, one. This word one is both complete. It is strong. It is rounded. The word one is also unity because the word one was always meant to be the heart of God for God creation and his creation. [00:08:11] (32 seconds)

One thing I ask of the Lord, his presence, one thing, him first, one thing. Now, this year with this word one, it isn't like a league table, okay? It isn't like, where are people in the standings? It's not, well, he's number one. It's not like that. I want you to view it this way. [00:18:37] (19 seconds)

Restoration is the thing, but it comes from first him. What are you saying, Lord? How are we living for you and with you? But Lord, my heart cries for restoration. What is your one restoration? I shared back end of last year, last year I had some issues wrestling with imposter syndrome and then just realized, okay, but who do you say that I am, God? [00:22:43] (25 seconds)

Rejuvenation and then revelation is simply a word for vision and purpose, a fresh sense of, okay, Lord, this is what's in front of me. What are you saying to me? What is your fresh revelation to me? In light of what you're saying to me, I'm going to live out that. In light of all of this. [00:24:25] (16 seconds)

You being reconciled to God, let me ask you, who do you want to see be reconciled to God in 2025? Who? I know I mentioned this maybe at Christmas, who you invite in Christmas. No, let's go stronger. Who's your one name that you want to see reconciled to God? Maybe they're a prodigal. [00:27:20] (18 seconds)

I pray for an outpouring of the presence of God in my heart, my home, my church, my city. This will result in an awakening that leads to transformation of my heart, my home, my church, my city. In Jesus' name, amen. Grab hold of that. So we're gonna have a couple of songs of worship at the end today. [00:45:48] (32 seconds)

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