DWELL SUNDAY – THE IMPORTANCE OF UNITY – John 17:20-26 ESV, John Cautero, Teaching Team
GOOD MORNING! Every day is a new day and God’s mercies are new every morning. AMEN!
_________
LET’S PRAY!
_________
Today’s message is titled Importance of Unity. So Let’s go!
________
PLEASE STAND AS WE SHOW HONOR TO OUR CREATOR FOR HIS PRECIOUS WORD.
_________
TODAY’S TEXT IS John 17:20-26
Jesus Prays for All Believers
I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 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. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 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. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
THIS IS THE WORD OF THE LORD!
________
Each month I have had the privilege of sharing the message the Lord brought to me, I am humbled and even reluctant. Yet, every time, the communion with God reminds me to tell you and myself that our God loves us beyond what we can possibly imagine and He desires to be in a close, intimate relationship with us. Isn’t that awesome? Do you believe that? Do you find rest and peace in that? No matter your circumstances, you can rest in that. Believe it!
REMEMBER: LIFE HAS MANY CHAPTERS. ONE BAD ONE DOES NOT MEAN IT IS THE END OF THE BOOK.
_______
GOOD OR BAD. UPS OR DOWNS. SMOOTH life OR CHALLENGED. SMILE. YOU HAVE SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR.
_______
GOD IS BIGGER THAN ANY PROBLEM YOU ARE FACING; TRUST HIM; HE WILL COME THROUGH!
________
Feel like giving in? Over it? Tired? Sick? Sick and Tired of being sick and tired? Want to quit? DON’T YOU DO IT!
_______
SOMETIMES YOU THINK YOU ARE BEING BURIED WHEN ACTUALLY YOU ARE EXACTLY WHERE GOD WANTED YOU TO BE PLANTED. GOD IS UNDOUBTEDLY USING THIS SEASON TO GROW YOU.
________
BE ENCOURAGED THE LORD IS WITH YOU!
_______
Let’s review for our DWELL series this month. This focus of the message is from the Gospel of John Chapter 17.
_______
A little refresher from previous DWELL messages. We discussed John: Chapter 14 where Jesus explains He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He foreshadows the coming of the Holy Spirit. Also, in Chapter 14:15-17 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. Here, we learned the love language of God for us to regularly meditate on His Word and to spend time in prayer, to listen to His voice and act on His teaching. To obey. We discussed abiding in Jesus in John: Chapter 15. (Verses 4 through 17) In part, we can do nothing without being connected to Him. (John 15: 5) In John 16, Jesus is preparing to leave. He is preparing to go to the cross. In verses 6 through 11, He reminds the Disciples that the Holy Spirit is coming. That they should take heart because He has overcome the world! Verse 33
_______
Do you think the Disciples were puzzled, perplexed, scared, concerned, upset at the news in these three (3) chapters. He is leaving. They have spent three (3) years with Jesus.
What are they to do? Ever felt that way? Overwhelmed, scared, upset, overcome with emotions? Please let me encourage you. Jesus has offered us the greatest promise here today. He has overcome the world!
How can we trust this promise?
The answer. DWELL! ABIDE!
________
DWELL: TO RESIDE, TO STAY. TO REMAIN. TO ABIDE.
We are at the end of July. Keep going! Be encouraged. Hold on tight to the Word of God! Do not make excuses. Every day is a new day! Build on Yesterday! Stay positive! The Lord likes you. The Lord is fond of you. The Lord loves you! Let’s go!
______
THE TITLE OF THIS MESSAGE THAT THE LORD BROUGHT TO ME IS “Importance of Unity.”
MORE CONTEXT
As previously mentioned, Chapter 17 picks up after Jesus has explained again in Chapter 16 that He is leaving, and that He has overcome the world. The other three Gospels explain this point in time a bit differently. In Matthew 26, Mark 14 and Luke 22, the text refers to the Lord’s Supper in detail. Those Gospels point out the request for prayer by Jesus to His Disciples while He goes to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane which is at the base of the Mount of Olives as was His custom (Luke 22:39) . Even Jesus finds time to DWELL. He knows He is about to be betrayed and arrested. Now we move to Chapter 17 in the book of John. Jesus begins to pray to God the Father.
________
This entire Chapter; all 26 verses, shows Jesus praying. Many bibles refer to this Chapter as the High Priestly Prayer. In the first 6 verses He is praying to God for Himself. From verse 7 to 19, He is praying for the Disciples. The last 6 verses, Jesus is praying for all believers. That’s you! That’s me. Did you realize that? Jesus is praying for you! He is going to the Father on your behalf. Awesome! That is where we will focus.
________
Let’s remember the MEMORY VERSE FOR JULY- John 17:20-23 –
20 I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 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. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 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.
_________
Generally, this Section of John- Chapter 17: Verses 20-26 Is titled JESUS PRAYS FOR ALL BELIEVERS. You can see in the memory verses where the notion of Unity is being sought by Jesus.
_________
Jesus Prays for All Believers
v. 20 -I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 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.
_________
Jesus said that if His followers were in unity, “Then the world will know that the Father sent me and has loved them even as the Father has loved me.” That’s an amazing statement.
________
When we believe in Jesus Christ, God loves you as much as he loved his Son, because he sees you in Jesus. We don’t need to jockey for position or get bent out of shape when somebody doesn’t have the right theological views. The gospel should humble us, and at the same time, affirm us, so that we can reach out across barriers and be on mission together.(KELLER)
________
Ephesians 4:1-7- I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
________
God’s design is unity. It is clearly the point of Jesus’ prayer. God is not a God of division. Look closely, and we have countless examples of division in marriage, family, society, health care policy, and even within the churches across the globe. This is not God’s design!
________
Jesus did not pray for uniformity or institutional unity among believers, but for unity rooted in love and a shared nature, bringing together the many different parts of Jesus’ one body.
________
Application: How does this unity manifest itself in our society?
Loving God, loving people and abiding deeply, humbly and confidently in the Lord and His Word.
________
22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 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.
_______
The notion of unity is further advanced here in Jesus’ prayer. He speaks of the “glory” God the Father has given Him and in turn, He has given believers.
________
What is this “glory” Jesus speaks of? It is everything both visible and invisible that demonstrates the qualities and characteristics of God. It is praise, beauty, goodness, might, loveliness, excellence, honor, riches, magnificence. The list is unending. These things come to mind when we abide with God. He calls us to think of these things.
_______
Philippians 4:8 -Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
________
This glory can be found in many aspects of our lives.
________
APPLICATION: Are we looking for them? Is it our intention to find God in every day life? Or are we looking for the big ticket moments? Do we appreciate what God is doing in the minutia? Is this not His glory too?
Or course it is.
_______
With the help of the Holy Spirit, it is possible to see and share God’s glory, His radiance, His beauty, His magnificence, His Grace, His mercy and His love.
_______
For what purpose?
V. 23 answers this question for us.
“that they may become perfectly one so that the world may know that you {God} sent me because you loved me.”
_______
Earlier in Jesus’ High Priestly prayer when He is praying for Himself, He addresses the issue of glorification. It speaks to perfect unity between God, The Father and God, The Son.
________
John 17:4-5 – I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.
________
Later in Jesus’ prayer, He is including the Disciples and all believers into this unity. You are included. I am included. We are a close, intimate part of the family of God. Jesus goes on to pray for that inclusion for all believers.
__________
24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
________
Jesus desires that we see His glory, His beauty, and His radiance. Jesus in His fully human state was able still to reflect His glory. Apostle Paul acknowledged this as well.
________
2 Corinthians 4:4-6 – In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
________
Paul makes clear reference to the darkness in our world which prevents us from experiencing the glory of God. It was a declaration that we need the radiant light of Jesus to come together with God and His people. God has some experience in this.
________
Genesis 1:2-4 – The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness.
________
We too can make the connection to how the light changes from darkness. Each of us who have claimed Christ as Lord and Savior, once were in darkness, but by the grace of God and faith in Him, we have come to the light. Our eyes have been opened. The glory of God came down and shone for each of us to see and experience with the ultimate goal that we be in close, intimate unity with Our Creator who loves us more than we can imagine. Praise the Lord!
________
That glory was shone by the humility of Jesus to take the penalty of all of our sin on that cross. To suffer mightily for us. To stand in our place. The most radical sacrifice in the history of the world took place for each of us. Now, we are commanded to do the same!
________
Jesus explained that we demonstrate our love for Him by following His commands which include sacrificial living.
________
Luke 9:23-25 – And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?
________
Luke 14: 27 – Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
________
Matthew 10:38-39 -And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
________
Each of us MUST count the cost of following Jesus. This is a choice. It will be challenging, but the positive is witnessing and experiencing God’s glory on this side of heaven.
________
We are called to make disciples of all nations in the name God, the Father, Jesus, His son and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:18-20). It is not a suggestion.
________
APPLICATION: How can we make disciples if we are not all in ourselves? Can God use us regardless?
Of course He can, but why would we not want to fully submit over to Him everything. Anything we have is His anyway!
________
How do we come to this conclusion? ABIDE!
________
25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
________
Jesus is closing this prayer here. He knows that soon He will be captured and tortured to death. He knows that His disciples will betray Him. He knows all of this yet He never moves away from the fact that God the Father is Holy and Righteous. Jesus never wavers.
________
He proclaims that He has done all He was asked to do by God, and now He asks God to love the believers as God loved His Son. He is praying that the love of God, God who is love by the way, would be deeply seeded in the believers.
________
Now He is essentially asking that God abide in us. Do you see that? Jesus is praying for unity among the believers which comes from the abiding and dwelling of each believer; however, it really is not possible without the willingness of Our Great God to dwell with us and in us.
________
This demonstrates the importance of unity among the believers and it all begins with the willingness to sacrifice and dwell with God and in His Word.
________
This is against our nature.
________
I was meditating on a devotional recently, and I apologize because I do not know the author. I mean to give credit where it is due.
________
The author said “The flesh does not want to die. It rages within, it kicks, it screams.” We want to follow the Lord. But our flesh revolts. It whines. It complains. It kicks. It screams. It wants comfort. It wants ease. It wants its own way. It wants to be satisfied. And it doesn’t want to work hard. And so often we listen. It’s so hard not to listen.
________
But thanks be to God! He has not left us alone in this fight. We have His Holy Spirit who enables us to say no to the flesh and put it to death. That is so true and awesome!
________
The author prays: “Holy Spirit please come and Inspire us to follow Jesus today and everyday. Forgive us when we have fallen short. Cleanse our hearts, minds, and souls and renew us with your Holy Spirit. Please shine through us for your glorification Lord.”
________
The Holy Spirit will remind us to humble ourselves before the Lord. To give up our prideful posture. We must recognize that Jesus is King. We must be willing to seek forgiveness and to forgive others.
________________________
Reminds of the song Majesty by Delirious? Read the lyrics.
________
Don’t give up! Don’t give in! The enemy want to fill you heart and mind with lies. He wants you doubt and to question. To pull back. I am hear for no other reason than to tell you “DON’T YOU DO IT!”
________
Press on toward the goal. Keep seeking the Lord. Be open to Him changing your plans and conforming you to His will. Do it willingly and without complaining.
________
Philippians 2:14-16 – Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
________
Philippians 3:13-14 – Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
________
APPLICATION: How is that going? Fall down? Do or say things you regret? Not do or say something you know you should have?
Are you as gracious with others as God is with you? Are you willing to let go of your commitment to be right for the sake of unity?
________
Finish the race with all the bumps along the way.
________
NEVER FORGET- this life is a battle ground not a play ground!
When we abide in the Lord, He abides in us. We can have confidence in God’s promises. We must be prepared. We have the tools as Pastor brought to light last week. We must be willing to love others enough to tell them about Jesus.
________
APPLICATION: How can you not? How often do you reconcile not sharing Jesus’ message of love?
Be prepared for being tested, challenged and targeted. Remember the Armor of God!
________
Ephesian 6:10-20
The Whole Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
12 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.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
________
Contend for the Faith!
Jude- v. 1-3
Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:
2 May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.
Judgment on False Teachers
3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.
________
We have the tools! The weapons of warfare to destroy strongholds. God provides!
2 Corinthians 10:1-6
I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ–I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!–
2 I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
________
APPLICATION: Are you prepared? Are you getting ready for battle?
________
We must remain unified, abiding and believing confidently that Jesus’ prayer is already answered.
_____________
Lord bless you all!