Unity -> Beyond Opinion, Communication and Function

John 17:20-26 Notes

Big Idea: You are either a bearer or a barrier to God’s gift of Unity

X2: God’s gift of unity is yours to accept and protect

#1: There is a Special Power in Unity

• 22The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, 23I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

#2: Stay close to Jesus and his love -> and you will be an agent of unity

vs. 24: 24Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
“… be with me where I am…”
Hence: “Jesus-centered…” -> deep/central desire for unity around the love of Jesus
How do we stay close to Jesus? Celebration of Discipline: study, meditation, solitude, sabbath, worship, guidance, etc.

#3: What does mature Christian Unity look like?

• Opinion -> Communication -> Function ->-> ON FOUNDATION OF LOVE
• Take all our talents/passions… stay Jesus-centered… Glory/unity/testimony…

No power of hell, no scheme of humankind can sink God’s Church -> IT CAN EVEN THRIVE