THE PRAYER WE HAVE TO ANSWER! Text: John 17: Intro: All our prayers are in God’s discretion to answer except for one. When a dying person speaks, he would choose his words. Jesus prayed for unity and it is on us to answer His prayer. Aim: For us to fully understand how important unity is?

I. THE PRAYER OF JESUS That we may all be one as the Father and Son are one-v 21 The world won’t believe that Jesus was sent by the Father if there’s no unity-v 21 The glory of the Lord given to us won’t be manifested-v 22 The world won’t feel that the Father loves them-v 23 Let’s see its impact

II. CONSEQUENCES Exd 21:22 "If men fight, and hurt a woman with child, so that she gives birth prematurely, yet no harm follows, he shall surely be punished accordingly as the woman's husband imposes on him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. Exd 21:23 "But if any harm follows, then you shall give life for life, Exd 21:24 "eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, Eph 5:26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,

Eph 5:27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. Eph 5:31 "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." Eph 5:32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. If no harm follows, the punishment will be according to the woman’s husband He shall pay as the judge determine If harm follows, life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth… The enemy will prevail if there’s no unity

Eph 6:16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Ecc 10:8 He who digs a pit will fall into it, And whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent. Prayers will be hindered 1Pe 3:7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

III.LEVELS OF UNITY 1.INDIVIDUAL UNITY Jam 1:6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. Jam 1:7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; Jam 1:8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. 2. FAMILY UNITY Charity begins at home and so is unity The way where we were brought up or where we grow up forms our personality You cannot give what you don’t have Most likely, those people who are united in church, they also don’t have unity at home

3. UNITY WITH FRIENDS/COLLEAGUES Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 4. UNITY IN THE LOCAL CHURCH Act 2:1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. Act 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 5. UNITY AMONG CHURCHES 1Cr 12:12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.

1Cr 12:14 For in fact the body is not one member but many. 1Cr 12:15 If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? 1Cr 12:16 And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? 1Cr 12:17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? 1Cr 12:26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 1Cr 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

IV. KEYS TO UNITY: HUMILITY AND SERVANTHOOD John 13-Jesus washed the feet of the disciples The least among them will be the one who will wash their feet John 13:14 "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. John 13:15 "For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. John 13:16 "Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. John 13:17 "If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

CHALLENGE: Are you a part of unity or division? Would you answer Jesus’ prayer for unity? CONCLUSION: Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: Ecc 4:12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.