Unity and Love: Jesus' Prayer for Believers
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound prayer of Jesus in John 17, where He prays not only for His disciples but also for all future believers. This prayer reveals Jesus' deep desire for unity among His followers, a unity that mirrors the oneness He shares with the Father. Jesus prays for those who will come to believe through the apostles' words, emphasizing the importance of evangelism and the spreading of the Gospel. This unity is not just organizational but is deeply rooted in truth, the truth of God's Word. Jesus desires that His followers be united in purpose, belief, and love, reflecting the divine unity of the Trinity.
The unity Jesus prays for is a unity of truth, grounded in the Word of God. It is not about compromising on doctrine for the sake of harmony but about aligning with the truth of Scripture. This unity is essential for the church to be effective and powerful in its mission. When believers are united in truth, the world sees a clear demonstration of God's power and love, leading them to believe in the divine mission of Jesus.
Moreover, Jesus' prayer highlights the immense love the Father has for us, a love that is as profound as the love He has for His own Son. This love is transformative, calling us to live in a way that reflects God's character and glory. As we grow in unity and love, we become a testimony to the world of God's grace and truth. The love of God, as demonstrated through the unity and truth of His people, is a powerful witness to the world.
Key Takeaways:
- Unity in Truth: The unity Jesus desires for His followers is deeply rooted in the truth of God's Word. It is not about compromising on doctrine but aligning with the truth of Scripture. This unity is essential for the church to be effective in its mission and to demonstrate God's power and love to the world. [54:56]
- The Power of Evangelism: Jesus prays for those who will come to believe through the apostles' words, highlighting the importance of evangelism. Our mission is to spread the Gospel, and through our unity and love, we can lead others to believe in the divine mission of Jesus. [01:20:13]
- Reflecting Divine Love: The love the Father has for us is as profound as the love He has for His own Son. This love calls us to live in a way that reflects God's character and glory. As we grow in unity and love, we become a testimony to the world of God's grace and truth. [01:38:09]
- The Role of Doctrine: Doctrine is not just a set of beliefs but the foundation of our unity. It divides us from error and unites us in truth. When believers adhere to the truth of God's Word, the church becomes a powerful force for good in the world. [01:46:00]
- The Transformative Power of Love: God's love is transformative, calling us to live in unity and truth. As we experience and exemplify this love, we demonstrate to the world the reality of God's grace and the truth of the Gospel. [01:46:00]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Opening Prayer and Announcements
- [03:45] - Introduction to John 17
- [07:20] - Jesus' Prayer for Unity
- [12:00] - The Importance of Evangelism
- [18:45] - Unity in Truth
- [25:30] - The Role of Doctrine
- [32:15] - Reflecting Divine Love
- [38:50] - The Transformative Power of Love
- [45:10] - The Power of Testimony
- [51:30] - Jesus' Desire for Our Unity
- [58:00] - The Love of the Father
- [01:05:20] - Conclusion and Call to Unity
- [01:12:45] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
- [01:20:00] - Final Blessing and Dismissal
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- John 17:20-26
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Observation Questions:
1. In John 17:20-21, Jesus prays for future believers to be one. What does this unity look like according to the passage? [54:56]
2. How does Jesus describe the relationship between Himself and the Father in John 17:22-23, and how does this relate to the unity He desires for believers? [54:56]
3. What does Jesus say about the love the Father has for believers in John 17:23-24, and how is it similar to the love He has for Jesus? [01:38:09]
4. According to John 17:25-26, what is Jesus' desire for believers concerning the Father's love and His presence in their lives? [01:38:09]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean for believers to be "one" as Jesus and the Father are one, and how might this unity impact the church's mission in the world? [54:56]
2. How does the unity of believers serve as a testimony to the world about Jesus' divine mission, according to the sermon? [01:20:13]
3. In what ways does the love of the Father, as described in the sermon, transform the lives of believers and their interactions with others? [01:38:09]
4. How does the sermon suggest that doctrine plays a role in maintaining unity among believers, and why is this important? [01:46:00]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your personal understanding of unity within the church. How can you contribute to fostering a deeper sense of unity in your local congregation? [54:56]
2. Consider the role of evangelism in your life. How can you actively participate in spreading the Gospel, as emphasized in the sermon? [01:20:13]
3. Think about a time when you experienced God's transformative love. How can you share this love with others in a way that reflects God's character and glory? [01:38:09]
4. Evaluate your understanding of biblical doctrine. Are there areas where you feel uncertain or need further study to align with the truth of Scripture? How can you address these areas? [01:46:00]
5. Identify a specific way you can demonstrate God's love to someone in your community this week. What steps will you take to ensure this act of love is rooted in truth and unity? [01:38:09]
6. Reflect on a relationship in your life that may need reconciliation. How can the principles of unity and love from the sermon guide you in mending this relationship? [01:38:09]
7. How can you ensure that your personal beliefs and actions align with the truth of God's Word, especially when faced with societal pressures or differing opinions? [01:46:00]
Devotional
Day 1: Unity in Truth
The unity that Jesus desires for His followers is deeply rooted in the truth of God's Word. This unity is not about compromising on doctrine for the sake of harmony but about aligning with the truth of Scripture. When believers are united in truth, the church becomes effective and powerful in its mission, demonstrating God's power and love to the world. This unity is essential for the church to be a clear testimony of God's grace and truth, leading others to believe in the divine mission of Jesus. [54:56]
"Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world." (John 17:17-18, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you align your beliefs and actions more closely with the truth of Scripture today, and how might this impact your relationships within the church?
Day 2: The Power of Evangelism
Jesus prays for those who will come to believe through the apostles' words, highlighting the importance of evangelism. Our mission is to spread the Gospel, and through our unity and love, we can lead others to believe in the divine mission of Jesus. Evangelism is not just about words but also about living a life that reflects the love and truth of God, drawing others to Him through our example. [01:20:13]
"And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'" (Romans 10:15, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the Gospel, and what practical steps can you take this week to share God's love and truth with them?
Day 3: Reflecting Divine Love
The love the Father has for us is as profound as the love He has for His own Son. This love calls us to live in a way that reflects God's character and glory. As we grow in unity and love, we become a testimony to the world of God's grace and truth. The love of God, as demonstrated through the unity and truth of His people, is a powerful witness to the world. [01:38:09]
"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally demonstrate God's love to someone in your community today, and what impact do you hope this will have on them?
Day 4: The Role of Doctrine
Doctrine is not just a set of beliefs but the foundation of our unity. It divides us from error and unites us in truth. When believers adhere to the truth of God's Word, the church becomes a powerful force for good in the world. This adherence to doctrine ensures that the church remains grounded in truth, allowing it to effectively carry out its mission and reflect God's glory. [01:46:00]
"Hold fast to the pattern of sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 1:13, ESV)
Reflection: What specific doctrines or teachings of the faith do you need to study more deeply, and how can this deepen your relationship with God and others?
Day 5: The Transformative Power of Love
God's love is transformative, calling us to live in unity and truth. As we experience and exemplify this love, we demonstrate to the world the reality of God's grace and the truth of the Gospel. This transformative love not only changes us but also impacts those around us, drawing them closer to God and His truth. [01:46:00]
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God." (1 John 4:7, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways has God's love transformed your life, and how can you share this transformative love with others in your daily interactions?
Quotes
"There's to me there's a lot of emphasis on two things here number one the the unity of the body and love that you and I are loved of the father. Father we thank you this morning we ask lord that you would just continue to move in this place as we have already felt your spirit moving this morning." [00:57:37] (28 seconds)
"Can you imagine a football team going out and getting ready and then they get on the field and and and the uh the coach calls the play and the quarterback says this is what they're doing and the running back says nope we're not doing that we're going to do this and and the linebacker says well I want to do this over here." [01:02:55] (17 seconds)
"Philippians 3 17 nevertheless where until you've already attained let us walk by the same rule let us mind the same thing see this unity that we have in the body of christ is a unity of truth it's a unity of truth and what is truth jesus is truth god's word is true let every let the word of god be true and every man a liar." [01:04:03] (29 seconds)
"Doctrine divides yeah and it unites too those people that adhere to the truth divides yes and it unites it divides from those things that should be divided from it separates from error but it unites those that believe the truth and come in unison behind the word of god and underneath the truth." [01:06:19] (24 seconds)
"It is the unity of the word of God that conforms us to the word of God and that brings unity in the body of Christ. I have never counseled a married couple yet that I can think of that I did not tell them two things number one I am not a counselor I'm not a licensed counselor I don't have any I'm not a counselor." [01:23:42] (24 seconds)
"The glory which thou has given me I have given them that they may be one even as we are one this glory what is this glory it's the beauty and the character of Christ and as we as we adhere to the word of God and as we come into his likeness then that glory is seen in our lives." [01:25:51] (20 seconds)
"God loved us so much because he loves his son and when he sees his son in us then he sees his son right when he looks at us he sees his son in us and he says I love that I love that boy and I love those individuals that he is in because I see my son and I love them I love them." [01:27:59] (30 seconds)
"The world when the world looks at us how shall they know that you are my disciples you love one another back in the first century that's what the world said of them they said look at how they love one another look at how the Christians care for one another and they take care of one another." [01:37:03] (22 seconds)
"With the prayer of Jesus that the love we're with father you love me may be in them and I in them he begins with how much he loves and he ends with his love amazing love thinking of that song amazing love how should it be I forget how it goes but anyways amazing love amen the love of God." [01:38:09] (36 seconds)
"Except when they see the church being the church unified through the word of God through the blood of Christ this is how they know the love of God so we've got to demonstrate it we've got to show it we've got to let the light shine that they can see the love of God in us stand with me this morning." [01:39:49] (29 seconds)
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