Unity in Christ: Love as Our Foundation
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the final prayer of Jesus as recorded in John 17, where He prays for unity among His followers. This prayer is significant because it reveals Jesus' deepest desires for us, especially as He was about to face crucifixion. Jesus prays not for Himself but for His disciples and all future believers, asking the Father to make them one as He and the Father are one. This unity is not about uniformity but about being united in purpose and love despite our differences.
We explored why division is so prevalent in our families, churches, and society. The root cause is our sinful nature, which leads to disagreements and conflicts. Even in the early church, Paul had to address divisions among believers. Unity does not mean we all have to think or act the same; it means we must love and respect each other despite our differences. Jesus chose a diverse group of disciples to show that unity is possible even among those who naturally wouldn't get along.
We also discussed the role of the enemy in sowing division. Our real enemy is not each other but Satan, who seeks to divide and destroy. Jesus prayed for our protection from the evil one, emphasizing that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces. Recognizing this helps us shift our focus from fighting each other to standing united against the true enemy.
Finally, we talked about the importance of love as the foundation for unity. Jesus commands us to love one another as He has loved us. This love is sacrificial and unconditional, mirroring the love Jesus showed by laying down His life for us. Our unity and love for one another serve as a powerful witness to the world, showing them the reality of God's love.
### Key Takeaways
1. Jesus' Prayer for Unity: Jesus' final prayer emphasizes the importance of unity among His followers. He prays that we may be one as He and the Father are one, highlighting that unity is a reflection of divine love and purpose. This unity is not about uniformity but about being united in love and mission despite our differences. [03:59]
2. The Root of Division: Division in families, churches, and society stems from our sinful nature. Even the early church faced divisions, as seen in Paul's letters. Unity does not mean we all have to agree on everything; it means we must love and respect each other despite our differences. [09:38]
3. Recognizing the Real Enemy: Our true enemy is not each other but Satan, who seeks to divide and destroy. Jesus prayed for our protection from the evil one, emphasizing that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces. Recognizing this helps us shift our focus from fighting each other to standing united against the true enemy. [17:38]
4. The Power of Love: Jesus commands us to love one another as He has loved us. This love is sacrificial and unconditional, mirroring the love Jesus showed by laying down His life for us. Our unity and love for one another serve as a powerful witness to the world, showing them the reality of God's love. [37:57]
5. Unity as a Witness: Our unity is our greatest strength and witness to unbelievers. The way we love, care, and interact with one another is a testimony to the world. Jesus said that the world will know we are His disciples by our love for one another. This love and unity are essential for fulfilling our mission as Christians. [31:50]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:57] - Jesus' Final Prayer
[03:05] - Unity in Families and Marriages
[03:59] - Jesus' Hope for Unity
[04:52] - Jesus Recounts His Mission
[06:27] - The Problem of Division
[08:07] - Division in the Early Church
[09:38] - Unity vs. Uniformity
[11:04] - Jesus' Diverse Disciples
[12:34] - Real-Life Church Divisions
[16:06] - Recognizing the Real Enemy
[17:38] - Shifting Focus to the True Enemy
[23:09] - The Role of Truth in Unity
[25:49] - God Gives Us Glory
[27:08] - Our Common Mission
[31:50] - Unity as a Witness
[37:57] - The Command to Love
[42:53] - Invitation to Experience God's Love
[47:03] - Closing Worship
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 17:20-23 (NIV)
> "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."
2. Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)
> "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
3. John 13:34-35 (NIV)
> "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus pray for in John 17:20-23, and why is this significant? [03:05]
2. According to Ephesians 6:12, who is our real enemy, and what does this imply about our conflicts with others? [17:38]
3. In John 13:34-35, what command does Jesus give, and how does He say people will recognize His disciples? [37:57]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize unity among His followers in His final prayer? How does this reflect His relationship with the Father? [03:59]
2. How does recognizing Satan as our true enemy change the way we handle conflicts within our families and church? [17:38]
3. What does it mean to love one another as Jesus has loved us, and how does this love serve as a witness to the world? [37:57]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent conflict you had with a family member or fellow churchgoer. How might recognizing Satan as the true enemy have changed your approach to that conflict? [17:38]
2. Jesus prayed for unity among His followers. What practical steps can you take this week to promote unity in your family or church community? [03:59]
3. Think of someone in your life who is difficult to love. How can you show them sacrificial and unconditional love, as Jesus commands in John 13:34-35? [37:57]
4. How can you shift your focus from fighting with others to standing united against the true enemy, Satan? What specific actions can you take to foster this mindset? [17:38]
5. Jesus' love for us is sacrificial and unconditional. Identify one way you can demonstrate this kind of love to someone in your life this week. [37:57]
6. In what ways can your unity and love for others serve as a powerful witness to those who do not yet believe in Jesus? How can you be more intentional about this in your daily interactions? [31:50]
7. Reflect on the diversity within your church or small group. How can you celebrate and respect these differences while still working towards unity in purpose and love? [09:38]
Devotional
### Day 1: Unity Reflects Divine Love and Purpose
Description:
Jesus' final prayer, as recorded in John 17, emphasizes the importance of unity among His followers. He prays that we may be one as He and the Father are one, highlighting that unity is a reflection of divine love and purpose. This unity is not about uniformity but about being united in love and mission despite our differences. Jesus' prayer reveals His deepest desires for us, especially as He was about to face crucifixion. He prays not for Himself but for His disciples and all future believers, asking the Father to make them one. This unity is a testament to the world of God's love and the mission we share as believers. [03:59]
Bible Passage:
"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:
Think of a relationship in your life where unity is lacking. How can you take a step today to foster unity and reflect divine love in that relationship?
### Day 2: Love and Respect Amidst Differences
Description:
Division in families, churches, and society stems from our sinful nature. Even the early church faced divisions, as seen in Paul's letters. Unity does not mean we all have to agree on everything; it means we must love and respect each other despite our differences. Jesus chose a diverse group of disciples to show that unity is possible even among those who naturally wouldn't get along. This teaches us that our differences should not be a barrier to unity but an opportunity to demonstrate love and respect. [09:38]
Bible Passage:
"Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." (Philippians 2:2-3, ESV)
Reflection:
Identify a person in your church or community with whom you have differences. What practical steps can you take today to show them love and respect?
### Day 3: Recognizing and Standing Against the True Enemy
Description:
Our true enemy is not each other but Satan, who seeks to divide and destroy. Jesus prayed for our protection from the evil one, emphasizing that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces. Recognizing this helps us shift our focus from fighting each other to standing united against the true enemy. By understanding that our conflicts often have a spiritual dimension, we can better address the root causes and work together to overcome them. [17:38]
Bible Passage:
"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world." (1 Peter 5:8-9, ESV)
Reflection:
Reflect on a recent conflict you had with someone. How can recognizing the true enemy change your approach to resolving this conflict?
### Day 4: The Power of Sacrificial and Unconditional Love
Description:
Jesus commands us to love one another as He has loved us. This love is sacrificial and unconditional, mirroring the love Jesus showed by laying down His life for us. Our unity and love for one another serve as a powerful witness to the world, showing them the reality of God's love. This kind of love goes beyond mere feelings; it involves actions that demonstrate care, sacrifice, and commitment to others' well-being. [37:57]
Bible Passage:
"By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?" (1 John 3:16-17, ESV)
Reflection:
Think of a specific way you can show sacrificial love to someone in need today. What action can you take to demonstrate this love?
### Day 5: Unity as a Witness to the World
Description:
Our unity is our greatest strength and witness to unbelievers. The way we love, care, and interact with one another is a testimony to the world. Jesus said that the world will know we are His disciples by our love for one another. This love and unity are essential for fulfilling our mission as Christians. When we live in unity, we reflect the character of God and draw others to Him. [31:50]
Bible Passage:
"I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me." (John 17:20-21, ESV)
Reflection:
Consider how your actions and attitudes towards fellow believers can serve as a witness to those who do not know Christ. What is one change you can make today to better reflect unity and love to the world?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Jesus' final prayer on this earth was for you and me to be unified together. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. This was Jesus' hope. This is what he's asking the Father to do." [03:59] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We are known more for what we are against than what we stand for. We're known more in the world for division than we are for unity, and yet Jesus preached on unity. He's praying for unity. His hope is for unity, and we are more divided in our nation than ever." [14:08] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The world is preaching that everyone is against you and you better have the strength to rise up against them. That's what the world is teaching. It's only through the church that you're gonna experience something different." [25:09] (15 seconds)
4. "Good news is hope. Good news is the gospel, which means that Jesus gave you eternal life. Good news is that you were a sinner and now you've been saved. You were imprisoned and now you've been set free. You were dead and now you're alive. You were in the grave and now you've risen. That's good news." [28:08] (23 seconds)
5. "Jesus says you want to be one of my disciples. You may need to learn to love one another. You want to learn to bear my name? You want to say you're one of my followers? You want to bear the name of Christ? People are going to know by the way that you love." [37:57] (24 seconds)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Unity does not mean uniformity. Unity is not like everybody's going to dress the same. It's like when you go to school and everybody has the same outfit. They have a dress code because they don't want other people to stand out amongst other kids. They want you all to be the same, so they make you buy, what, school uniforms. Everybody's going to dress the same. Everyone's going to look the same. That's not unity. Unity is not uniformity." [09:38] (27 seconds)
2. "We have a spiritual enemy, and he wants us to think that everyone in our family is our enemy instead. Because if he can divide the family, he can divide the church. If he can divide the church, he can divide the nation. He can break things down through division." [18:00] (12 seconds)
3. "It's by knowing the truth that we're gonna experience unity. It's by knowing the Bible, amen. You see, you're not gonna get this from the world. Understand that. The world, the world is preaching division." [24:32] (15 seconds)
4. "Our unity is our greatest strength. It's our greatest witness for unbelievers. Notice what, amen. Notice what it says in 23, and I think this might convict you. So just be prepared. In verse 23 it says, I in them and you in me, so that they may be brought to complete unity." [31:04] (29 seconds)
5. "The Father is the creator. He has a different function. The Son is the redeemer. The Holy Spirit is the counselor. Different purposes, but still one God. He says just as we exemplify each other, just as we exalt each other, the Father blesses the Son. The Son obeys the Father. The Holy Spirit elevates the Son. They're all working with one another, doing this dance together. He says just as we do that, may they also be one with one another." [36:15] (32 seconds)
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