Embracing Unity: Reflecting God's Glory Together
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound unity that Jesus desires for His followers, as expressed in John 17. Jesus prayed for His disciples to be one, just as He and the Father are one. This unity is not just a superficial agreement but a deep, spiritual oneness that reflects the glory of God. Jesus imparted the same glory given to Him by the Father to us, so that we might be united in purpose and love. This unity is essential for the world to believe in the message of Christ. When we are divided, we hinder the world from seeing the truth of the Gospel.
The call to unity is not a call to ignore sin or error, but rather to address it with love, gentleness, and humility. We must be careful not to destroy what God is building among us. There is a special movement happening, a longing for believers to come together beyond denominational labels. Many are yearning to simply bow before God, acknowledging His greatness and the sacrifice of His Son. This desire for unity is not just a dream but a reality that we can achieve in our lifetime. It is a call to lay aside our differences and worship together as one body, united in our love for God and each other.
Key Takeaways:
1. Unity Reflects God's Glory: Jesus gave us the same glory that the Father gave Him, so that we might be one. This unity is a reflection of God's glory and is essential for the world to believe in the message of Christ. Our oneness is a testimony to the truth of the Gospel. [14:21]
2. Addressing Sin with Love: While unity is crucial, it does not mean ignoring sin or error. We must confront one another in love, gentleness, and humility, ensuring that we do not destroy what God is building among us. This approach fosters true unity and growth. [15:39]
3. A Generation Seeking Unity: There is a growing desire among believers to move beyond denominational labels and simply worship God together. This generation longs to bow before God, acknowledging His greatness and the sacrifice of His Son, united in purpose and love. [17:16]
4. The Power of Worship: Worship has the power to unite us as believers. When we come together in worship, we experience a special movement of the Spirit that transcends our differences and draws us closer to God and each other. [16:25]
5. Believing in Unity's Possibility: For the first time, there is a genuine belief that true unity among believers can happen in our lifetime. This belief is fueled by a strong sense of God's presence and a shared desire to worship Him together as one body. [18:26]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[14:21] - Unity Reflects God's Glory
[15:39] - Addressing Sin with Love
[16:25] - The Power of Worship
[17:16] - A Generation Seeking Unity
[18:26] - Believing in Unity's Possibility
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- John 17:20-23
- Ephesians 4:1-6
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#### Observation Questions
1. According to John 17:22, what did Jesus give to His followers, and for what purpose? How does this relate to the concept of unity? [14:21]
2. In the sermon, what was mentioned as a necessary approach when addressing sin or error among believers? [15:39]
3. What was the pastor's observation about the congregation's desire during worship, and how does it relate to unity? [16:25]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the unity that Jesus prayed for in John 17 reflect God's glory, and why is it essential for the world to believe in the message of Christ? [14:21]
2. What does it mean to address sin with love, gentleness, and humility, and how does this approach foster true unity and growth within the church? [15:39]
3. The sermon mentioned a generation seeking unity beyond denominational labels. What might be the implications of this movement for the church today? [17:16]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own church experience. Are there areas where division is evident? How can you personally contribute to fostering unity in those areas? [14:21]
2. Think of a time when you had to confront someone about a sin or error. How did you approach it, and what could you do differently to ensure it is done with love and humility? [15:39]
3. The sermon highlighted a longing for believers to worship together beyond denominational labels. How can you participate in or encourage such gatherings in your community? [17:16]
4. Worship was described as a powerful unifying force. How can you make worship a more central part of your life to experience this unity with others? [16:25]
5. The pastor expressed a belief that true unity among believers can happen in our lifetime. What steps can you take to actively work towards this vision in your own church or community? [18:26]
Devotional
Day 1: Unity as a Reflection of Divine Glory
In John 17, Jesus prays for His followers to be united as He is with the Father. This unity is not merely about agreement but a profound spiritual oneness that mirrors God's glory. Jesus imparts the same glory given to Him by the Father to His disciples, so they may be united in purpose and love. This unity is crucial for the world to believe in the message of Christ, as our oneness serves as a testimony to the truth of the Gospel. When believers are divided, it obstructs the world's ability to see the Gospel's truth. [14:21]
"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: Consider a relationship in your life where unity is lacking. How can you actively work towards reflecting God's glory in that relationship today?
Day 2: Confronting Sin with Love and Humility
While unity is essential, it does not mean ignoring sin or error. Addressing sin should be done with love, gentleness, and humility, ensuring that we do not destroy what God is building among us. This approach fosters true unity and growth, as it allows for correction and reconciliation without causing division. By confronting one another in love, we maintain the integrity of our community and uphold the values of the Gospel. [15:39]
"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." (Galatians 6:1, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a situation where you need to address a sin or error with someone. How can you approach this conversation with love and humility today?
Day 3: A Generation Yearning for Unity
There is a growing desire among believers to move beyond denominational labels and simply worship God together. This generation longs to bow before God, acknowledging His greatness and the sacrifice of His Son, united in purpose and love. This desire for unity is not just a dream but a reality that can be achieved in our lifetime. It calls for laying aside differences and worshiping together as one body. [17:16]
"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ." (1 Corinthians 12:12, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on any denominational or doctrinal differences that have hindered your relationships with other believers. How can you move beyond these labels to foster unity today?
Day 4: The Unifying Power of Worship
Worship has the power to unite believers. When we come together in worship, we experience a special movement of the Spirit that transcends our differences and draws us closer to God and each other. This shared experience of worship is a powerful testament to the unity that Jesus desires for His followers. It is in worship that we find common ground and a shared purpose, allowing us to be one in spirit and truth. [16:25]
"Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!" (Psalm 95:6, ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate communal worship into your life this week to experience the unifying power of the Spirit?
Day 5: Believing in the Possibility of True Unity
For the first time, there is a genuine belief that true unity among believers can happen in our lifetime. This belief is fueled by a strong sense of God's presence and a shared desire to worship Him together as one body. It is a call to lay aside differences and come together in love and purpose, trusting that God will bring about the unity that Jesus prayed for. This belief in unity's possibility is a powerful motivator for change and reconciliation within the body of Christ. [18:26]
"Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!" (Psalm 133:1, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take today to contribute to the unity of the body of Christ, both locally and globally?
Quotes
and then in verse 22 he says the glory that you have given me he goes I've given that to them that they may be one even as We Are One it isn't that amazing that Jesus says he gave us the same Glory that the father gave the Son and the purpose of that was so that we could be one [00:14:17]
and again in verse 23 he says I in them you and me that they may become perfectly one is so that the world may know that you've sent me and loved them even as you've loved me this is the only way we'll convince the world so as long as we keep dividing from one another [00:15:00]
and we have this critical spirit rather than a loving one is on and I there are times when I may be in sin or error and you need to confront me but we do it in love and gentleness and humility because we don't want to destroy what God is building together [00:15:39]
what I love is I I feel like something very special is happening in this room during worship earlier I was I was just watching this crowded and this thought came to my mind I thought I bet you they don't really want to leave I still think that yeah and go to their own churches [00:16:15]
I think they would love right now to just be one big church wouldn't that be amazing I I feel like there's a generation that says I don't want to be labeled Baptist anymore I don't even like the name Pentecostal or Roman Catholic I just want to Bow before this holy God [00:17:16]
I just want to get on my knees and tremble before him and tell them how amazing it is that he would send his son to die for me I just want to tell him that that he's a great king and I love following him everybody and I just want to be together with everyone else that's on their face [00:17:28]
worshiping that God and I actually for the first time time in my life I'm actually believing that can happen in her lifetime because some of us feel so strong right now foreign [00:18:07]
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