We Are Family John 17:20-23 The Fifth Mark of the Church: Unity What Kind of Unity? What is Your Part?

The Fifth Mark of the Church: Unity  Joy is the mark of a Christian in relationship to himself.  Holiness is the mark of a Christian in relationship to God.  Truth is the mark of a Christian in relationship to the Word of God.  Mission is the mark of a Christian in relationship to the world.  Unity is the mark of a Christian in relationship with others. We Are Family John 17:20-23

What Kind of Unity?  This kind of unity is not a great organizational unity.  The early Church showed much vitality and growth but little organization.  Under Constantine, the Church became more organized and centralized.  Eventually, Europe became one united body.  Did this produce a deep unity of faith?  Did it produce massive quantities of believers? We Are Family John 17:20-23

What Kind of Unity?  This kind of unity is not conformity either.  The Church has often tried to make everyone the same.  If we all look the same, dress the same, and act the same, then we become dull and unattractive.  We especially do not want to conform in the culture and the world in which we live. We Are Family John 17:20-23

What Kind of Unity?  This kind of unity is to parallel the unity found in the Godhead.  The Church is to have a spiritual unity involving the basic orientation, desires, and will of those participating.  Paul points to this true unity in 1 Cor. 12:4-6. We Are Family John 17:20-23

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (NASB) 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.

What Kind of Unity?  This kind of unity is to parallel the unity found in the Godhead.  The Church is to have a spiritual unity involving the basic orientation, desires, and will of those participating.  Paul points to this true unity in 1 Cor. 12:4-6.  True unity is based solely on the person and work of our Savior. The common bond of unity is Jesus. Various images of the Church point this out. We Are Family John 17:20-23

What Kind of Unity?  The first image used is of the family.  This speaks of relationships and the commitment to those relationships.  We are God the Father’s spiritual children!  That is why we are called sons and daughters of God and therefore brothers and sisters.  The family to which we belong has been established by God, and we have no choice as to who is in that family.  Therefore, we must be committed to each other in very tangible ways. We Are Family John 17:20-23

What Kind of Unity?  The second image used is of fellowship.  The word used here was to describe a partner who holds property or a common share in a business.  We share a common experience in Jesus and the Gospel.  Fellowship with the Father – 1 John 1:3 We Are Family John 17:20-23

1 John 1:3 (NASB) 3 what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.

What Kind of Unity?  The second image used is of fellowship.  The word used here was to describe a partner who holds property or a common share in a business.  We share a common experience in Jesus and the Gospel.  Fellowship with the Father – 1 John 1:3  Fellowship with the Son – 1 Corinthians 1:9 We Are Family John 17:20-23

1 Corinthians 1:9 (NASB) 9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

What Kind of Unity?  The second image used is of fellowship.  The word used here was to describe a partner who holds property or a common share in a business.  We share a common experience in Jesus and the Gospel.  Fellowship with the Father – 1 John 1:3  Fellowship with the Son – 1 Corinthians 1:9  Fellowship in the blood and body of Jesus – 1 Corinthians 10:16 We Are Family John 17:20-23

1 Corinthians 10:16 (NASB) 16 Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ?

What Kind of Unity?  The second image used is of fellowship.  The word used here was to describe a partner who holds property or a common share in a business.  We share a common experience in Jesus and the Gospel.  Fellowship with the Father – 1 John 1:3  Fellowship with the Son – 1 Corinthians 1:9  Fellowship in the blood and body of Jesus – 1 Corinthians 10:16  Fellowship with the Holy Spirit – 2 Cor. 13:14 We Are Family John 17:20-23

2 Corinthians 13:14 (NASB) 14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

What Kind of Unity?  We share in a fellowship together defined by Jesus and a relationship with Him.  We also share out a fellowship together that involves a community in which Christians actually share their thoughts and lives with each other.  So, how does this play out practically? We Are Family John 17:20-23

What Kind of Unity?  The third image used is the body.  The body talks about unity in the midst of diversity.  The body speaks of interdependence.  The body speaks of subordination.  The body speaks of working together in service.  This speaks of team – 1 Corinthians 12:12-14! We Are Family John 17:20-23

1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (NASB) 12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many.

What is Your Part?  In unity – the family speaks of relationship.  In unity – fellowship speaks of sharing.  In unity – the body speaks of service. We Are Family John 17:20-23

What is Your Part?  So, what will you do? 1. Become more aware of the great family, fellowship, and body that God has made you a part of and thank Him for it. 2. Get involved in small community experiences. 3. Serve the kingdom with others in your church and community. We Are Family John 17:20-23

Application Have you given God thanks for the family, fellowship, and body that He has given you, purchased through His only Son? Think of one area in which you can increase your fellowship with other believers. Think of one way you can serve God’s kingdom as part of His body. We Are Family John 17:20-23