Unity in Truth: Overcoming Division Through Christ
Summary
### Summary
In today's world, we see division everywhere—politically, racially, within families, and even within ourselves. Jesus Christ, in His longest recorded prayer in John 17, reveals a secret to overcoming these divides: the power of unity. Jesus prays for His followers to be one, just as He and the Father are one. This unity is not about sameness but about distinctiveness working together towards a common purpose. Unity is purpose-driven, not persons-driven.
Jesus emphasizes that true unity is rooted in truth. Without truth, there can be no legitimate unity because God only responds to the truth. In a world where everyone has their own version of "truth," real unity becomes impossible. Truth is an absolute standard by which reality is measured, and it exists outside of us. When we align ourselves with God's truth, we save time, avoid conflicts, and achieve genuine unity.
The devil aims to disrupt this unity by promoting lies and creating disunity. He knows that if he can keep us from the truth, he can break our unity and keep God away. This is why Jesus prays for our sanctification in the truth. Unity requires submission to legitimate authority and clarity of purpose. When we are unified in truth, God manifests His presence and blessings in our lives.
Unity is powerful. It invites God's glory, where He shows off His attributes and intervenes in our circumstances. When we are unified, God commands blessings upon us. This unity is not just for personal or family life but extends to the church and society. The devil will always try to sow seeds of disunity to keep God away, but we must fight to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
### Key Takeaways
1. Unity Rooted in Truth: True unity is impossible without truth. In a world where everyone has their own version of "truth," real unity becomes impossible. Truth is an absolute standard by which reality is measured, and it exists outside of us. Aligning with God's truth saves time, avoids conflicts, and achieves genuine unity. [11:37]
2. Purpose-Driven Unity: Unity is not about everyone being the same but about distinctiveness working together towards a common purpose. Just as different players on a football team have different roles but aim for the same goal line, our differences should point towards a common, God-given purpose. [05:03]
3. The Devil's Disruption: The devil aims to disrupt unity by promoting lies and creating disunity. He knows that if he can keep us from the truth, he can break our unity and keep God away. This is why Jesus prays for our sanctification in the truth. [26:36]
4. God's Commanded Blessings: When we are unified in truth, God commands blessings upon us. This unity invites God's glory, where He shows off His attributes and intervenes in our circumstances. Unity in the Spirit leads to divine blessings that are commanded by God. [40:17]
5. Fight for Unity: We must fight to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. The devil will always try to sow seeds of disunity to keep God away, but we must be vigilant and proactive in maintaining unity in our personal lives, families, and churches. [42:34]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:47] - Jesus' Prayer for Unity
[03:31] - The Secret of Unity
[05:03] - Unity Defined
[07:31] - Distinctiveness in Unity
[08:51] - The Orchestra Analogy
[10:35] - Submission to Authority
[11:37] - Sanctification in Truth
[13:56] - Objective Truth
[15:15] - Truth in Everyday Life
[17:21] - Knowing the Truth
[19:31] - God's View on Matters
[21:06] - The Umpire Analogy
[23:09] - The Lighthouse Analogy
[24:35] - The World's System
[26:36] - The Devil's Disruption
[28:24] - A Kingdom Divided
[30:45] - Internal Conflict
[32:59] - The Tower of Babel
[36:07] - Manifesting God's Love
[38:18] - Glory in Unity
[40:17] - Commanded Blessings
[42:34] - Fight for Unity
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 17:11, 21-23 (ESV) - "And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one... 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. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me."
2. John 17:17-19 (ESV) - "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth."
3. Psalm 133:1-3 (ESV) - "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to John 17:11, 21-23, what is the nature of the unity that Jesus prays for among His followers? How does this unity reflect the relationship between Jesus and the Father? [03:31]
2. In John 17:17-19, what does Jesus say is necessary for sanctification and unity? How does He describe the role of truth in this process? [11:37]
3. Psalm 133:1-3 describes the blessings of unity. What imagery is used to illustrate the goodness and pleasantness of unity among brothers? How does this passage connect unity with God's blessings? [40:17]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Jesus' prayer for unity in John 17 challenge the current state of division in our world, including political, racial, and familial divides? [01:47]
2. What does it mean for unity to be "purpose-driven" rather than "persons-driven," as described in the sermon? How can this understanding of unity be applied in a church setting? [05:03]
3. The sermon mentions that the devil aims to disrupt unity by promoting lies. How does this strategy affect our personal lives, families, and churches? What are some practical ways to counteract this disruption? [26:36]
4. According to the sermon, what are the consequences of aligning ourselves with God's truth? How does this alignment invite God's presence and blessings into our lives? [40:17]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced division in your personal life, family, or church. How did this division impact your relationship with God and others? What steps can you take to promote unity in similar situations in the future? [01:47]
2. Jesus emphasizes that true unity is rooted in truth. How can you ensure that you are aligning yourself with God's truth in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to seek and uphold this truth? [11:37]
3. The sermon highlights the importance of submission to legitimate authority for achieving unity. How do you respond to authority figures in your life, whether in your family, workplace, or church? What changes might you need to make to foster unity through submission? [10:35]
4. The devil's strategy to disrupt unity involves promoting lies and creating disunity. Identify a specific area in your life where you have seen this strategy at work. How can you actively fight against these lies and work towards unity? [26:36]
5. Psalm 133:1-3 speaks of the blessings that come from unity. How can you contribute to creating an environment of unity in your church or community? What specific actions can you take to encourage and maintain this unity? [40:17]
6. The sermon mentions that unity invites God's glory and blessings. Can you recall a time when you experienced God's presence and blessings as a result of unity? How did this experience impact your faith and relationships? [40:17]
7. Jesus' prayer for unity extends to all believers. How can you promote unity within the broader body of Christ, beyond just your local church? What practical steps can you take to build bridges and foster unity among different Christian communities? [03:31]
Devotional
Day 1: Unity Rooted in Truth
True unity is impossible without truth. In a world where everyone has their own version of "truth," real unity becomes impossible. Truth is an absolute standard by which reality is measured, and it exists outside of us. Aligning with God's truth saves time, avoids conflicts, and achieves genuine unity. Jesus emphasized that true unity is rooted in truth because God only responds to the truth. When we align ourselves with God's truth, we save time, avoid conflicts, and achieve genuine unity. The devil aims to disrupt this unity by promoting lies and creating disunity. He knows that if he can keep us from the truth, he can break our unity and keep God away. This is why Jesus prays for our sanctification in the truth. [11:37]
John 17:17-19 (ESV): "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth."
Reflection: Think of an area in your life where you have been holding onto your own version of "truth." How can you align this area with God's absolute truth today?
Day 2: Purpose-Driven Unity
Unity is not about everyone being the same but about distinctiveness working together towards a common purpose. Just as different players on a football team have different roles but aim for the same goal line, our differences should point towards a common, God-given purpose. This unity is purpose-driven, not persons-driven. It is about distinctiveness working together towards a common purpose. When we understand that our differences can complement each other, we can work together more effectively towards God's purpose. [05:03]
1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (ESV): "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. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many."
Reflection: Identify a unique gift or talent you have. How can you use this gift to contribute to the unity and purpose of your church or community?
Day 3: The Devil's Disruption
The devil aims to disrupt unity by promoting lies and creating disunity. He knows that if he can keep us from the truth, he can break our unity and keep God away. This is why Jesus prays for our sanctification in the truth. The devil's strategy is to sow seeds of disunity to keep God away. He knows that if he can keep us from the truth, he can break our unity and keep God away. This is why Jesus prays for our sanctification in the truth. We must be vigilant and proactive in maintaining unity in our personal lives, families, and churches. [26:36]
Ephesians 6:11-12 (ESV): "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent conflict or disagreement. How might the devil have been at work to disrupt unity? What steps can you take to restore unity in this situation?
Day 4: God's Commanded Blessings
When we are unified in truth, God commands blessings upon us. This unity invites God's glory, where He shows off His attributes and intervenes in our circumstances. Unity in the Spirit leads to divine blessings that are commanded by God. When we are unified, God commands blessings upon us. This unity is not just for personal or family life but extends to the church and society. The devil will always try to sow seeds of disunity to keep God away, but we must fight to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. [40:17]
Psalm 133:1-3 (ESV): "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore."
Reflection: Think of a time when you experienced unity in a group setting. How did you see God's blessings manifest in that situation? How can you work towards fostering such unity again?
Day 5: Fight for Unity
We must fight to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. The devil will always try to sow seeds of disunity to keep God away, but we must be vigilant and proactive in maintaining unity in our personal lives, families, and churches. Unity requires submission to legitimate authority and clarity of purpose. When we are unified in truth, God manifests His presence and blessings in our lives. This unity is powerful and invites God's glory, where He shows off His attributes and intervenes in our circumstances. [42:34]
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: What is one practical step you can take today to promote unity in your family, church, or community? How can you be proactive in maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "When you start with the truth you save time, you save fights, you save arguments because you're starting with the root and not discussing the fruit. We got Republicans hollering over here and Democrats hollering over here, citizens hollering over here and God is saying it ain't nothing till I call it. All y'all doing is making a lot of noise because it means nothing until I say what it is." [00:00] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Truth is God's view on any subject matter. If you want to just be raw with it, truth is God's view on any subject matter. Or as the scripture says, let God be true and every man a liar. So if you disagree with God, guess what God just called you? He's called you a liar." [18:24] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God doesn't expect men to be like women or women to be like men. I don't care what the culture says. They are different by design. God doesn't expect everybody to have the same personality, be the same race, have the same interests. Apart from sin, differences are absolutely critical. Absolutely essential, and eternally determined." [07:31] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When you see an orchestra before it's time for them to perform, and they're warming up their instruments, there's discord. You can't make sense of what they're playing, because everybody's doing their own thing. But then the conductor walks out, holds up the baton, and stretches it out, and their focus is on him. All of a sudden, these independent discords are harmonized." [08:51] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God's not negotiating his truth just because we want to change the direction. If it's foggy in your life, you better agree with what he says and not what you think, feel, and the like. So his goal is unity. But God only operates with truth that you know. If, in fact, you want to see him manifest himself to you." [23:09] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Unity is not sameness, where everybody's the same. It is distinctiveness going in the same direction in order to achieve a common purpose. Unity is purpose-driven, not persons-driven. When the cowboys line up, there are different positions by different people with different backgrounds, but there's only one goal line." [05:03] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If there is no truth, there can be no legitimate unity. If there, let me say it again. If there is no truth. You cannot arrive at legitimate unity because God only responds to the truth. Which means you got to know what the truth is. We live in a world today of probabilities, of potentialities, of preferences. We live in a world today where everybody's got an idea about everything." [11:37] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "He says when you have legitimate unity as defined biblically, the world will see something it has not seen. The world will see you love them like you loved me. That's a powerful statement. To love is to compassionately and righteously seek the well-being of another. He says, if you will be a perfected in unity, God will manifest his commitment to you." [36:07] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So if I was the devil and I wanted to keep God out of your home, your church, and your country, then what I'm going to do is I'm going to create illegitimate disunity. I'm going to create disunity because I want to disrupt the kingdom. And a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand." [28:24] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So Satan wants to build a kingdom so that his kingdom expands so that, let me tell you how big this unity thing is. Genesis 11, 1 to 9, Tower of Babel. It says, all the world spoke with one voice. They were unified. They came up with one plan to build a civilization with one religion. They built a ziggurat, that's a tower, and they said this tower is going to take us all the way to heaven, humanism." [32:59] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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