How to have True Unity John 17:20-26

How much more could be accomplished if …we were all more unified? This could be applied to our nation It could be applied to the world It could be applied to the Reformation It could be applied to the church

How much less is accomplished due to faulty theology? How often does wrong thinking impact effectiveness? Or, just how important is theology? Everything in life is a theological matter Right theology takes priority over everything

How can we handle the problem of lack of unity… & the need for How can we handle the problem of lack of unity… & the need for ... theology? If theology is the greatest concern, then it must be the first priority Many are willing to sacrifice theology for unity That leads to neither true unity nor theological correctness Yet both sound theology and true unity are called for and expected

I. Final Concerns in Relation to His Followers “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (John 17:20–21, NKJV)

A. Concerns about having essential unity Multiplication of believers is anticipated Unity among His followers is intended Expanded witness to the world is expected

John 17:22-23 “And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” (NKJV)

B. Concerns about ultimate sanctification Jesus brought knowledge of the glory of the Father Jesus provided the means for experiential sanctification

Three Aspects of Sanctification Basic meaning: Set Apart from sin to God Past/Positional S/A for God in Christ Present/Progressive S/A from sin’s power Future/Perfect S/A with God/ w/o sin

B. Concerns about ultimate sanctification Jesus brought knowledge of the glory of the Father Jesus provided the means for experiential sanctification Jesus had concern that the world would know He was sent by the Father

II. Final Concerns in Relation to the Father “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.” (John 17:24, NKJV)

A. Concerns about being with the Father Jesus desired the eternal presence of His disciples Jesus desired the exposure of His glory for His disciples Jesus desired the disciples to know the breadth of God’s love

John 17:25 “O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me.” (John 17:25, NKJV)

B. Concerns about knowing the Father Jesus knew the Father’s righteous nature Jesus knew the world’s ignorance of the Father Jesus knew the disciples’ reception of His mission

John 17:26 “And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” (NKJV)

C. Concerns about declaring the Father Jesus declares the nature and character of the Father Jesus desires the disciples’ reception of the Father’s love Some Summary Observations:

1. In this prayer, Jesus gives an account of His work to the Father… He had glorified the Father on earth He had finished the work He was given to do He had manifested the Father’s name… He had given them the Father’s words He had kept them as a shepherd keeps sheep He sent them forth into the world He shared with them His received glory

2. In this prayer, Jesus made requests for all believers… He prayed for their preservation He prayed for their jubilation He prayed for their emancipation from evil He prayed for their sanctification He prayed for their unification He prayed for their association with Himself He prayed for their gratification

3. This prayer was an important part of preparing His disciples… This section of John began with a call for personal humility and ended with an assurance of glory The references to oneness and unity were part of a bigger picture… The unity in view is not the ultimate purpose... Such unity can never be at the expense of doctrinal purity or theological truth

4. The only way to achieve true unity is to align ourselves with God’s truth It always comes down to mutually embracing God’s truth Part of the Spirit’s ministry is to guide is into truth Jesus prayed the Father sanctify them by truth Unity is never at the expense of truth…. Only if we are sanctified by the truth can we be one in the Father and the Son –Unity in truth!