Sports teams with great talent, no unity!

1 Corinthians 1:10 (NASB) “Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.”

Ephesians 4:1-6 (NASB) 1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:1-6 (NASB) 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

Today’s Message:

John 17:18-21 (NASB) 18 “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 “For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. 20 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even 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 sent Me.

A.We Are Christ’s Representatives s You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world V. 18: “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.” Christ came to represented the Father” Christ has empowered the DISCIPLES to represent Him Their representation is NO LESS than that of Christ’s

A.We Are Christ’s Representatives “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word... V. 20: “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word...” “these alone” = the disciples then “those also who believe in Me” = us Our representation is NO LESS than Christ’s We have the same representation as that of the disciples

B.Representing Christ Demands Sanctification For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth V. 19: “For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.” “Sanctify” means to “make holy” or “consecrated” (NASB Dictionaries) Christ lived the holy and consecrated life as a model for the disciples (and us) In representing Christ, that “holy” and “consecrated” life is what UNITES us all to the same purpose

B.Our Unity Is Evidence That Christ Came 21 that they may all be one; even 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 sent Me. 22 The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; 23I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. V : “ that they may all be one; even 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 sent Me. 22 The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; 23I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.”

B.Our Unity Is Evidence That Christ Came Three times, Christ prayed that we “be one” or “be perfect in unity” (v. 21, 22, 23) Three times, Christ prayed that our UNITY is what will prove to the world that was sent by the Father (vv. 21, 22, 23)

B.Our Unity Is Evidence That Christ Came Questions: Why is UNITY so important? With unity, you can do and accomplish great things John Maxwell: “The Law of Significance: One Is Too Small a Number to Achieve Greatness” (The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork) There is power in unity Unity multiplies the power

Illustration: Think about our Hmong people: Great talents, Not Unity

B.Our Unity Is Evidence That Christ Came Think: Why does Satan work so hard to divide the church? Law of war: Divide and conquer When Christians are unified, they can do great things for God The power of our unity in doing GREAT things for God draws people’s attention to God—especially Christ

Application: Imagine what a church can do if ALL their members come together in unity? Imagine what ALL of our churches can do, we all spend our energy on serving Christ?

Application: We can break the Hmong funeral system! We can break the Hmong wedding system! We can create a new Hmong Christian society to replace our shamanistic society! Satan has held us back for FAR too long, it’s time we come together and accomplish God’s plans for the salvation of our Hmong people!