Creating Our Culture : Unity COMMUNITY “Encouraging relationships that inspire us to become more like Jesus Christ.” CORNERSTONES Encouragement, Humility, Unity, Authenticity, Spiritual Friendships, Biblical Families

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent

me and have loved them even as you have loved me. "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. "Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for

me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." John 17: NIV

I. The Nature of Our Unity (v. 21a) Historical Supernatural It does not require ‘uniformity.’ Creating Our Culture : Unity

II. The Purpose of Our Unity (v. 21b-23) To show that Jesus came from God. CHRISTIAN UNITY CONTINUES TELLING THE STORY OF JESUS. To show that Believers are truly loved by God. Creating Our Culture : Unity

III. The End of Jesus’ Prayer. Creating Our Culture : Unity He wants us to be in heaven with Him forever. He will not leave us alone here on earth.

IV. Hindrances to Experiencing Unity Creating Our Culture : Unity Our history—church and/or otherwise Our pride/agendas—not getting our way Our jealousy—gives way to gossip, slander, backbiting Our fear(s)—“if people really knew…”

IV. Steps Toward Experiencing Unity Creating Our Culture : Unity Think MARRIAGE. Think HARD WORK. Allow God to heal our past hurts. Focus on the Mission, not on the minors. Confess our sins to God and one another. Face our fears.

the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 1 Corinthians 11:23-29 ESV