Unity in Prayer: Strengthening the Ekklesia's Mission
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound significance of prayer and unity within the Christian faith, drawing parallels between parental prayers and the prayers of Jesus for His followers. Just as parents pray for what they believe is most crucial for their children's well-being, Jesus prayed for His followers, both in the first century and today, focusing on what He saw as the greatest threat to His movement: division. The term "Ekklesia," which means assembly, was used to describe the early Jesus movement, emphasizing its purpose of reaching the world with the kingdom of God. This movement was not just about teachings but was inspired by Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.
The core of Jesus' prayer, as documented in John 17, was for unity among His followers. He prayed for oneness of purpose, mirroring the unity between Him and the Father. This unity is mission-critical because it authenticates the message of Jesus to the world. When Christians are united, their message becomes believable and compelling, demonstrating the love and kingdom values of God. However, when division arises, especially over secondary issues, it threatens the very essence of the Ekklesia.
The greatest threat to the church is not external but internal—division over secondary issues that distract from the primary mission of making Jesus known. Jesus' prayer for unity is a call to prioritize the kingdom of God over political affiliations or secondary concerns. As followers of Christ, we are challenged to pledge loyalty to our King above all else, refuse to demonize others, and maintain unity despite differences. By doing so, we embody the love and message of Jesus, impacting the world for His kingdom.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Power of Prayer and Unity: Just as parents pray for their children's well-being, Jesus prayed for His followers' unity, emphasizing its importance for the Ekklesia. Unity among believers is mission-critical, as it authenticates the message of Jesus to the world. [15:09]
2. The Greatest Threat to the Church: The primary threat to the Ekklesia is not external but internal—division over secondary issues. When secondary issues become primary, the church loses its influence and voice, overshadowing the message of Jesus. [24:01]
3. Pledge Loyalty to the King: Christians are called to prioritize their allegiance to Jesus above political affiliations or national identity. This loyalty is not just for emergencies but should be a daily commitment, reflecting the true essence of being a follower of Christ. [29:35]
4. Refuse to Demonize Others: Demonizing individuals or groups reveals a lack of awareness of one's potential for evil. Instead, Christians are called to love their enemies, recognizing that God loves them as He loves us, which changes the dynamics of our interactions. [38:18]
5. Unity in Diversity: The Ekklesia is a diverse assembly of Jesus' followers, united by a common purpose. Despite differences, believers are called to stand shoulder-to-shoulder, worshiping the same King and living out kingdom values, which ultimately changes the world. [20:49]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:08] - The Power of Parental Prayers
- [01:33] - Jesus' Prayer for His Followers
- [02:38] - Understanding Ekklesia
- [03:59] - Learning from the First-Century Church
- [05:39] - The Greatest Threat to Ekklesia
- [07:33] - Special Interest Groups and Division
- [09:36] - The Lion of Judah Needs No Protection
- [11:10] - The Danger of Externalizing Threats
- [13:00] - Love Your Enemies
- [15:09] - Jesus' Prayer for Unity
- [17:27] - Continuing Jesus' Work
- [19:21] - The Purpose of Unity
- [22:24] - The Power of a Unified Message
- [24:01] - Division Over Secondary Issues
- [29:35] - Loyalty to the King
- [38:18] - Refusing to Demonize Others
- [42:47] - Being the Ekklesia of Jesus
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 17:20-23
2. Matthew 5:44
3. 1 Corinthians 1:10
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Observation Questions:
1. In John 17:20-23, what does Jesus pray for concerning His followers, and why is this significant for the Ekklesia? [18:22]
2. How does the sermon describe the term "Ekklesia," and what was its intended purpose according to the early Jesus movement? [02:38]
3. What does the sermon identify as the greatest threat to the church, and how does this relate to Jesus' prayer in John 17? [24:01]
4. According to the sermon, what role does unity play in the authenticity of the Christian message to the world? [19:21]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Jesus' prayer for unity in John 17:20-23 challenge the current state of division within the church? What implications does this have for modern believers? [18:22]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that political affiliations can become a secondary issue that threatens the unity of the church? How does this align with the teachings of Jesus? [29:35]
3. How does the command to "love your enemies" in Matthew 5:44 relate to the sermon’s emphasis on refusing to demonize others? What does this mean for personal interactions? [11:37]
4. The sermon mentions that unity among believers is mission-critical. How does this concept of unity compare to Paul's appeal for unity in 1 Corinthians 1:10? [20:08]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you allowed a secondary issue to become primary in your interactions with other believers. How did it affect your relationships, and what steps can you take to prioritize unity? [24:01]
2. Consider your current political or social affiliations. How can you ensure that your loyalty to Jesus remains above these affiliations, especially in conversations with those who hold different views? [29:35]
3. Identify a person or group you have struggled to love due to perceived differences. How can you actively practice loving them as Jesus commands in Matthew 5:44? [11:37]
4. Think about a recent disagreement you had with another believer. How can you approach future disagreements with a focus on unity and shared purpose in Christ? [20:08]
5. The sermon challenges believers to refuse to demonize others. What practical steps can you take to change your mindset and language when discussing contentious issues? [38:18]
6. How can you contribute to a diverse yet united community of believers in your local church? What specific actions can you take to foster this unity? [20:49]
7. Reflect on the sermon’s message about the power of a unified church. How can you personally embody the kingdom values of love and unity in your daily life? [19:21]
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Unified Prayer
In the Christian faith, prayer is a profound expression of unity and purpose. Just as parents pray for their children's well-being, Jesus prayed for the unity of His followers, emphasizing its critical importance for the Ekklesia, the assembly of believers. This unity is not merely a superficial agreement but a deep, mission-critical alignment that authenticates the message of Jesus to the world. When believers are united, their message becomes compelling and believable, demonstrating the love and kingdom values of God. This unity is essential for the church to fulfill its mission of making Jesus known to the world. [15:09]
Ephesians 4:3-6 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Reflection: Consider a relationship in your life where unity is lacking. How can you take a step today to foster unity and reflect the love of Christ in that relationship?
Day 2: Internal Threats to the Church
The greatest threat to the Ekklesia is not external but internal—division over secondary issues. When these secondary issues become primary, the church loses its influence and voice, overshadowing the message of Jesus. This internal division distracts from the primary mission of making Jesus known and can lead to a fractured community that fails to reflect the kingdom of God. It is crucial for believers to recognize these threats and prioritize unity and the core message of Jesus above all else. [24:01]
1 Corinthians 1:10 (ESV): "I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment."
Reflection: Identify a secondary issue that has caused division in your community. How can you contribute to shifting the focus back to the primary mission of making Jesus known?
Day 3: Loyalty to the King
Christians are called to prioritize their allegiance to Jesus above political affiliations or national identity. This loyalty is not just for emergencies but should be a daily commitment, reflecting the true essence of being a follower of Christ. By pledging loyalty to the King, believers demonstrate their commitment to the kingdom of God and its values, which transcend earthly concerns and affiliations. This daily commitment is a powerful testimony to the world of the transformative power of the gospel. [29:35]
Matthew 6:33 (ESV): "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
Reflection: Reflect on your daily priorities. How can you intentionally seek the kingdom of God first in your decisions and actions today?
Day 4: Refusing to Demonize Others
Demonizing individuals or groups reveals a lack of awareness of one's potential for evil. Instead, Christians are called to love their enemies, recognizing that God loves them as He loves us. This understanding changes the dynamics of our interactions, fostering a spirit of love and reconciliation rather than division and hostility. By refusing to demonize others, believers embody the love and message of Jesus, impacting the world for His kingdom. [38:18]
Romans 12:20-21 (ESV): "To the contrary, 'if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Reflection: Think of someone you have viewed as an enemy. How can you show them love and kindness today, reflecting God's love for all?
Day 5: Unity in Diversity
The Ekklesia is a diverse assembly of Jesus' followers, united by a common purpose. Despite differences, believers are called to stand shoulder-to-shoulder, worshiping the same King and living out kingdom values. This unity in diversity is a powerful testimony to the world of the transformative power of the gospel. By embracing diversity and maintaining unity, the church can effectively demonstrate the love and message of Jesus, impacting the world for His kingdom. [20:49]
Colossians 3:11 (ESV): "Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all."
Reflection: Reflect on the diversity within your community. How can you celebrate and embrace this diversity while maintaining unity in your shared purpose and mission?
Quotes
"For I, Jesus, dear Heavenly Father, you know, Heavenly Father, for I gave them," talking about His disciples. "I gave them the words that you gave me." In other words, You said it to me and I said it to them, and they accepted them. They accepted the words that were coming from me as if they were coming from you. [15:23]
"And Jesus' prayer in John 17 is a lot like a parent's prayer. It was informed by what concerned Him the most. And we're gonna jump right into the middle. You should read the whole thing at some point, but we're just gonna hop, skip, and jump because it's so long. It's amazing." [14:59]
"Special interest groups around us attempting to use us, have conspired to convince us that the greatest threat to the Ekklesia of Jesus is actually outside of us. Special interest groups, political, some political, some not political around us attempting to use us, to use the church, to use Christians, to use different pockets of Christianity, have conspired to convince us." [07:27]
"Does a movement that started 2,000 years ago by somebody who was a nobody in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by 12 other nobodies, sandwiched in between the Roman Empire and the temple. Does that movement who now has adherence in every single country in the world and in most communities, in every large city in the world, does that movement need protecting from a political party by another political party?" [08:52]
"When you consider a group your enemy, you will treat them like an enemy. And when you do, you've lost the storyline, you've lost the plot line. When you consider a group your enemy, He says to the church leaders, He says to Christians, He says to the church, 'Hey, once you consider a group your enemy, you will eventually,' and this is what's happening right now in our country." [12:10]
"The purpose of unity and the result of the kind of oneness He's talking about is that our message is believable. That our message, as strange as parts of it are, are actually something people can grasp and understand and come to believe that unity or oneness is mission-critical. That our oneness authenticates, this is His point, that our oneness with the Father and our oneness of purpose authenticates our claims about the unity of the Father and the Son." [19:44]
"Imagine a united but diverse assembly of Jesus' followers, a united but diverse, you know, group assembly of Jesus' followers with a laser-focused message that's powerful and it's persuasive. It's like, wait a minute, whoa, whoa, whoa. Y'all aren't anything alike. I know, but she's, I know this is weird, but she's like my sister in Christ, but y'all are so different. I know, we're so different." [20:41]
"Jesus is clear, it's division specifically, and this is where it gets hard. Division over secondary issues that distract us from the primary issue. And what is the primary issue? It's this. So that the world may believe that You have sent me. You see, this is so simple, is it that simple? Lemme tell you why you can believe it's so simple." [24:01]
"Pledge loyalty to King over country. Pledge loyalty to King over political party or political candidate to which you're already saying, 'I know what you're saying. Oh, I've already done that,' hang on. Maybe you have, maybe you haven't. A lot of Christians give lip service to that. And if the reason you should do this is, this is actually what you celebrate every single Christmas." [29:35]
"Refuse to demonize anyone for any reason. Refuse to brand people or groups as evil. Now, I'm really gonna push you hard. When you do this, you say more about you then you say about them. When you demonize all those people, they're just (indistinct) they're evil. They're just evil, they're just evil, they're just evil. When you say that, you are announcing that you are unaware of your potential for evil." [38:18]
"The reason God can love you in spite of you is He knows your whole story, the reason He can love the people you despise, you can't imagine that you... The reason He can love them, He knows their whole story as well. This is why Jesus said, 'You can love instead of despise your enemy, because your Father in Heaven loves your enemy as He loves you. That changes everything, that brings the temperature of the conversation down to something sane where we could actually get things done.'" [40:27]
"Let's be the Ekklesia of Jesus in our community and in our world. Let's be on mission for the world, for our world until He returns. And when He returns, the whole world is gonna say, 'Oh. Oh. Oh, if only we'd known. If only we responded. If only we had submitted to the King.'" [42:47]
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