Unity: A Call to Personal Responsibility and Hope
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the theme of unity, emphasizing that it starts with each one of us. I shared a personal story about a misunderstanding in a Chick-fil-A restroom to illustrate how easily we can misinterpret situations and how important it is to take responsibility for our actions. This anecdote served as a metaphor for the broader message of our series, which has covered topics like hospitality, durability, humility, and now unity. These virtues are not just abstract concepts but practical actions that begin with us.
We delved into John 17, where Jesus prays for His disciples and all future believers. This prayer is a profound example of Jesus' desire for unity among His followers. Jesus knew the challenges ahead, including His own crucifixion, yet He prayed with a posture of hope and confidence. He asked God to protect, unify, and sanctify His disciples, knowing that their unity would be a powerful testimony to the world.
Jesus' prayer extends to us today. He prayed not only for His immediate disciples but for all who would come to believe through their message. This includes us, the modern-day believers. Jesus' prayer for unity is crucial because disunity is rampant in our world, affecting everything from politics to personal relationships. Sin is the ultimate source of disunity, but Jesus offers us a way to overcome it through His glory and presence.
We are reminded that we are not needed but invited to participate in God's work. This invitation should humble us and inspire us to strive for unity in our lives, our families, our church, and our communities. Unity is not just a lofty ideal but a practical necessity for living out our faith and witnessing to the world.
### Key Takeaways
1. Unity Begins with Personal Responsibility: Just as I had to explain my actions in the Chick-fil-A restroom, we must take personal responsibility for fostering unity. It starts with our actions, attitudes, and willingness to reconcile and understand others. This personal accountability is crucial for building a unified community. [01:23]
2. Jesus' Posture of Hope in Prayer: In John 17, Jesus prays with a posture of hope and confidence, even knowing the suffering that awaited Him. This teaches us that our posture before God matters. We should approach God with hope and trust, believing that He can bring unity even in the most challenging circumstances. [06:05]
3. The Disciples as Instruments of Unity: Jesus prayed specifically for His disciples, knowing they would be the instruments to spread the gospel. This reminds us that we are also called to be instruments of unity, spreading the message of Jesus through our actions and relationships. We are invited, not needed, which should humble us and inspire us to participate in God's work. [10:52]
4. Unity as a Testimony to the World: Jesus prayed for our unity so that the world would know Him, understand His love, and recognize His glory. Our unity is a powerful testimony that can draw others to Christ. Disunity, on the other hand, can push people away. Therefore, striving for unity is not just for our benefit but for the sake of our witness to the world. [15:02]
5. Overcoming Disunity Through Christ: Sin is the ultimate source of disunity, but Jesus offers us a new life that overcomes this division. By putting to death our sinful nature and embracing the new life in Christ, we can achieve unity with God and others. This transformation is available to everyone, regardless of their past. [21:08]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:23] - Personal Story at Chick-fil-A
[03:00] - Introduction to the Series
[04:39] - Jesus' Prayer in John 17
[06:05] - The Importance of Posture
[07:44] - Jesus' Hope and Confidence
[09:23] - Knowing God and Eternal Life
[10:52] - The Disciples as Instruments
[12:11] - Invited, Not Needed
[13:33] - Jesus' Requests for the Disciples
[15:02] - Jesus Prays for All Believers
[16:49] - The Importance of Unity
[18:20] - The Why of Unity
[19:11] - Closing Words of Jesus' Prayer
[21:08] - Overcoming Disunity Through Christ
[23:03] - New Life in Christ
[24:35] - Jesus' Prayer for Us
[25:18] - Prayer for Unity
[26:50] - Final Thoughts and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- John 17:1-26
- Colossians 3:1-11
#### Observation Questions
1. In John 17, what specific requests does Jesus make for His disciples? ([13:33])
2. How does Jesus describe eternal life in John 17:3? ([07:44])
3. According to Colossians 3:5-8, what behaviors are believers instructed to put to death?
4. What does Jesus say is the purpose of the unity He prays for in John 17:21? ([15:02])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize the importance of unity among His disciples in John 17? How does this relate to their mission? ([10:52])
2. How does Jesus' posture of hope and confidence in His prayer (John 17:1) serve as a model for our own prayers and attitudes? ([06:05])
3. In Colossians 3, Paul talks about putting on a new nature. How does this concept of a new life in Christ contribute to the idea of unity within the church? ([21:08])
4. Jesus prays for future believers in John 17:20-21. How does this prayer impact our understanding of our role in the church today? ([15:02])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced disunity in a personal relationship. How did you handle it, and what could you have done differently to foster unity? ([03:00])
2. Jesus prayed with a posture of hope and confidence even knowing the suffering ahead. How can you adopt a similar posture in your current challenges? ([06:05])
3. Think about your daily interactions. What are some practical steps you can take to promote unity in your family, workplace, or church community? ([10:52])
4. Jesus' prayer in John 17 emphasizes that unity among believers is a testimony to the world. How can your actions and attitudes reflect this unity to those who do not know Christ? ([15:02])
5. Colossians 3:5-8 lists behaviors to put to death. Identify one behavior from this list that you struggle with. What steps can you take this week to overcome it and promote unity? ([21:08])
6. Jesus invited His disciples to participate in God's work, not because they were needed but because they were invited. How does this perspective change your approach to serving in the church? ([12:11])
7. Reflect on the idea that unity starts with personal responsibility. What specific actions can you take to be a catalyst for unity in your community? ([01:23])
Devotional
Day 1: Unity Begins with Personal Responsibility
Unity is not an abstract concept but a practical action that starts with each one of us. Personal responsibility is crucial for fostering unity, as it involves our actions, attitudes, and willingness to reconcile and understand others. Just as misunderstandings can easily arise in everyday situations, like the personal story shared about a Chick-fil-A restroom, we must be vigilant in taking responsibility for our part in any disunity. This personal accountability is the foundation upon which a unified community is built. [01:23]
Ephesians 4:2-3 (ESV): "With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
Reflection: Think of a recent misunderstanding or conflict you were involved in. How can you take personal responsibility to foster unity in that situation today?
Day 2: Jesus' Posture of Hope in Prayer
In John 17, Jesus prays with a posture of hope and confidence, even though He knows the suffering that awaits Him. This teaches us that our posture before God matters. Approaching God with hope and trust, believing that He can bring unity even in the most challenging circumstances, is essential. Jesus' prayer is a profound example of how we should pray for unity, with a heart full of hope and confidence in God's power to unify. [06:05]
Romans 15:13 (ESV): "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."
Reflection: When you pray, do you approach God with hope and confidence? How can you change your posture in prayer to reflect trust in God's ability to bring unity?
Day 3: The Disciples as Instruments of Unity
Jesus prayed specifically for His disciples, knowing they would be the instruments to spread the gospel. This reminds us that we are also called to be instruments of unity, spreading the message of Jesus through our actions and relationships. We are invited, not needed, which should humble us and inspire us to participate in God's work. Our role as instruments of unity is a significant responsibility that requires us to live out the virtues of hospitality, durability, humility, and unity. [10:52]
2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV): "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."
Reflection: In what ways can you be an instrument of unity in your community this week? Identify one specific action you can take to promote unity.
Day 4: Unity as a Testimony to the World
Jesus prayed for our unity so that the world would know Him, understand His love, and recognize His glory. Our unity is a powerful testimony that can draw others to Christ. Disunity, on the other hand, can push people away. Therefore, striving for unity is not just for our benefit but for the sake of our witness to the world. Our unity serves as a living testimony of Jesus' love and the transformative power of the gospel. [15:02]
John 13:35 (ESV): "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
Reflection: How does your unity with fellow believers serve as a testimony to those around you? What is one practical way you can demonstrate this unity today?
Day 5: Overcoming Disunity Through Christ
Sin is the ultimate source of disunity, but Jesus offers us a new life that overcomes this division. By putting to death our sinful nature and embracing the new life in Christ, we can achieve unity with God and others. This transformation is available to everyone, regardless of their past. Embracing this new life in Christ empowers us to overcome disunity and live in harmony with one another, reflecting the unity that Jesus prayed for. [21:08]
Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
Reflection: What areas of your life are still affected by disunity? How can you embrace the new life in Christ to overcome these divisions and promote unity?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Conviction leads us toward Jesus, whereas guilt and shame leaves us running from Jesus. Again, we want you leaving encouraged and challenged in all the right ways. Unity starts with me. What does unity look like, in 2024? What does unity look like for believers in Jesus?" [03:00] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Church, what's your posture when it comes to your relationship with God? What's your posture as you come to church? What's your posture as you start the day? Unity starts with me." [08:20] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus says, I did what you called me to, God. Now it's time to bring me into glory. Continue reading, starting at verse six. It says, I've revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours." [09:23] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus is praying for you. And it's because of the disciples that were here in this room watching online, believing in Jesus. And Jesus is praying for unity. He goes on to mention it a few times. Every language, social level, color, race, nation, language, tongue, platform, background, education, political stance, sports fan. Jesus, pray that we would be one, unified, just as Jesus and God are one." [15:02] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "What I'm grateful for is this new life is offered to everyone. No matter the life that you've lived, no matter how much disunity that you've been a part of, that you've started, but this is the posture that Jesus was praying in John 17. He knew there was hope. He knew the importance of unity, and that's why he prayed for this specifically for you." [23:03] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "But conviction is different than guilt. Conviction leads us toward Jesus, whereas guilt and shame leaves us running from Jesus. Again, we want you leaving encouraged and challenged in all the right ways. Unity starts with me." [03:00] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Jesus begins praying about the disciples. The guys that we know that he spent the most time with, that he was closest with. And he makes it clear to us as the reader that he was praying for not the world in this moment, but for the disciples and the work that would be accomplished through the disciples, that they get it, that they understand it." [10:52] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Church, we aren't needed. We're invited. We're invited to the work that God is doing. And it's so often that we operate out of this pride that said, this isn't going to work. We're going to do this. We're going to be good enough. If I'm not involved, the work that God's doing won't be as effective. If I'm not in the space, God's not going to do the miracle. If I'm not there, but we're invited, we're invited." [12:11] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus, again, praying for the disciples. He had some requests for the disciples or as he was praying for the disciples, protect them. Protect them as they go. Unify them. Unity starts with me. Unify them as they go and sanctify them. Set them apart. Make them holy by your truth, by your word." [13:33] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And Jesus was praying for these people. The disciples were sharing the gospel with these people. And God used the disciples as this instrument to advance the kingdom. Colossians three says, so put to death the sinful, earthly things, the disunity lurking within you, having nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires. Don't be greedy for a greedy person is an idolater worshiping things of this world." [21:08] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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