July 12, 2015

The Magnetism of Unity

Scripture: John 17:9–17:26

THE MAGNETISM OF UNITY
John 17:9-26

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LESSONS FROM JOHN 17:9-26

1. Jesus wants us (believers) to be unified (v. 11, 21-23)

  • Unity does not equal uniformity
  • We are to be unified in mind and mission
  • Unity requires me to play my role

2. Jesus wants us to be unified with the Father ( 9-10, 21)

3. We are in the World, but not of the World. (14-18)

  • Jesus knowingly sends us where we will be hated.
  • We cannot love the world and the Father (1 John 2:15)

4. Jesus wants us to be kept from the evil one (15)

 - The evil one:

  • Seeks someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8)
  • Is a murderer, father of lies (John 8:44)
  • Comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10)
  • Deceiver of the whole world (Revelation 12:9)
  • The whole world lies in his power (1 John 5:19)

 - The evil one wants the church to be divided.

5. Jesus wants us to be sanctified in the truth (17-19)

  • To be sanctified is to be set apart or made holy.
  • Sanctification is a position and a process.
  • One primary way we are sanctified is through the knowing and practicing Truth.

6. Jesus wants the world to know him. (18-21)

  • The “So that” statements indicate purpose.
  • Just like Jesus, we have been sent for a purpose.

UNITY IS MAGNETIC

If we are unified in our mission, it will be a magnetic force that draws people to believe in Jesus.

1. The price of not being unified

 - The consequences are eternal

 - Enemies of unity:

  • Pride
  • Selfishness
  • Isolation

2. Four ways to develop unity:

  • Develop unity with the Father
  • Sanctifying ourselves in the Truth

There is no place for pride in the presence of the Father.

  • Practice unity in community (Ephesians 4:1-16)
  • Stay on mission

THREE BIG QUESTIONS:

  1. As part of the FBCFM family, am I seeking to increase our unity? Am I doing anything to hurt our unity? How?
  2. As part of the FBCFM family, am I taking more than I am giving? What needs to change?
  3. As I look at the “4 Ways to Develop Unity,” how can I take another step in developing unity at FBCFM?