WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:19.379 I really love this prayer of Jesus that we've been looking at here in John 17. 00:00:20.320 --> 00:00:25.280 I hope that you love it at least half as much as I do because we're going to be listening 00:00:25.280 --> 00:00:27.580 in to Jesus here for two more weeks. 00:00:27.579 --> 00:00:35.739 I know it's been a few already, but we've already noticed that even as Jesus is heading to the 00:00:35.739 --> 00:00:38.939 cross, we are on His heart. 00:00:39.839 --> 00:00:44.019 He's praying for us, as Derek reminded us earlier. 00:00:45.399 --> 00:00:46.859 Isn't that an amazing comfort? 00:00:48.200 --> 00:00:49.859 I think I say that every week. 00:00:51.640 --> 00:00:57.039 But today we're getting to the verse that clarifies that reality most explicitly. 00:00:57.579 --> 00:01:04.799 Where Jesus says, I pray for those who will believe in me through the word of my disciples. 00:01:06.200 --> 00:01:14.219 You, me, Southwood Church, our family on His heart. 00:01:14.219 --> 00:01:17.620 Our names on His hands. 00:01:17.799 --> 00:01:20.260 Our needs on His lips. 00:01:20.539 --> 00:01:22.819 Talking to His Father about us. 00:01:24.319 --> 00:01:29.019 Every week we've been marveling at a different aspect of Jesus praying for us. 00:01:29.019 --> 00:01:37.939 Today I want to remind you that He not only prayed for you then, 2,000 years ago, but He still 00:01:37.939 --> 00:01:39.399 prays for you today. 00:01:40.119 --> 00:01:45.140 He always lives to intercede for us, Hebrews 7.25. 00:01:47.099 --> 00:01:50.459 Has someone ever said to you, or maybe you've said to someone else, 00:01:50.459 --> 00:01:53.679 thank you so much for praying for me. 00:01:53.799 --> 00:01:59.359 When I hear you praying for me, it's such a great encouragement and comfort to me that 00:01:59.359 --> 00:02:00.619 you're praying for me. 00:02:01.719 --> 00:02:07.639 When your grace group gathers around you as you hurt and someone is praying for you, what 00:02:07.639 --> 00:02:08.159 do you feel? 00:02:08.240 --> 00:02:10.979 Don't you feel cared for and valued? 00:02:11.359 --> 00:02:13.060 Doesn't that lift your spirits? 00:02:13.060 --> 00:02:23.699 Imagine the comfort, the joy of hearing Jesus pray for you. 00:02:24.620 --> 00:02:25.539 He is. 00:02:25.680 --> 00:02:29.259 You can even hear some of what's on His heart here in John 17. 00:02:29.980 --> 00:02:35.980 So we talk a lot about being the hands and the feet of Jesus to show His love to our neighbors. 00:02:35.979 --> 00:02:43.500 And to use that same analogy, you can be the lips of Jesus when you pray for someone. 00:02:44.099 --> 00:02:45.679 Because He loves them like that too. 00:02:45.739 --> 00:02:47.280 He prays for them. 00:02:47.659 --> 00:02:54.219 When your grace group gathers to pray, you are being the lips, even the heart of Jesus to one 00:02:54.219 --> 00:02:54.519 another. 00:02:54.679 --> 00:03:00.579 You're helping each other remember that He still prays for us. 00:03:00.580 --> 00:03:05.540 Even as you use His words to actually hear Him praying. 00:03:07.220 --> 00:03:09.220 Prayers we know His Father hears. 00:03:09.640 --> 00:03:11.540 Prayers we know His Father answers. 00:03:12.280 --> 00:03:17.040 And as Jesus, the most righteous man ever, His prayers availeth much. 00:03:17.180 --> 00:03:20.600 What a great Savior we have to be praying for us. 00:03:21.220 --> 00:03:23.520 What a privilege it is to be His, right? 00:03:23.520 --> 00:03:31.600 And then to be His hands and feet and lips to one another and to this world. 00:03:32.740 --> 00:03:38.980 I hope you'll hear Jesus praying for you today and that you'll help others to hear Him as 00:03:38.980 --> 00:03:39.820 you pray with them. 00:03:40.000 --> 00:03:43.640 Let's pray together and then we'll listen in to Jesus praying again. 00:03:48.360 --> 00:03:51.400 Jesus, we are so grateful that you pray for us. 00:03:51.400 --> 00:03:54.879 Jesus, I am very grateful right now. 00:03:54.980 --> 00:03:55.719 I need you. 00:03:57.719 --> 00:03:59.319 I need to hear your word. 00:04:00.400 --> 00:04:02.120 I need to know your voice. 00:04:04.200 --> 00:04:10.099 I need to embrace its hope and life and love. 00:04:11.879 --> 00:04:12.980 We need that. 00:04:13.500 --> 00:04:15.020 We need you every hour. 00:04:15.800 --> 00:04:16.319 We need you. 00:04:16.439 --> 00:04:18.920 And right now especially, thank you for your word. 00:04:18.920 --> 00:04:21.660 Lord, that we will hear your voice. 00:04:21.780 --> 00:04:24.360 Would you speak it to our hearts by your Spirit? 00:04:24.860 --> 00:04:26.000 We ask in your name. 00:04:26.879 --> 00:04:27.199 Amen. 00:04:29.420 --> 00:04:32.700 John 17 at verse 20. 00:04:34.200 --> 00:04:37.319 Jesus continues talking to His Father. 00:04:37.319 --> 00:04:44.879 I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 00:04:45.480 --> 00:04:53.519 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, 00:04:53.659 --> 00:04:56.319 so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 00:04:57.379 --> 00:05:03.839 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one. 00:05:03.839 --> 00:05:08.839 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, 00:05:09.000 --> 00:05:15.479 so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 00:05:16.500 --> 00:05:21.339 Thus far, God's holy word for which we give Him thanks. 00:05:21.339 --> 00:05:31.879 Last week, we heard Jesus praying to the Father to keep us safe, set apart for Himself, 00:05:32.339 --> 00:05:34.560 and then to send us into the world. 00:05:35.919 --> 00:05:41.979 Now, you may have noticed in those verses, Jesus is praying for our unity. 00:05:41.980 --> 00:05:42.140 Unity. 00:05:43.060 --> 00:05:47.620 Some see unity as the theme of this entire prayer. 00:05:47.960 --> 00:05:53.860 And while I don't necessarily agree with that, Jesus does pray for it three times. 00:05:55.620 --> 00:05:58.600 Unity is a buzzword these days, isn't it? 00:05:59.220 --> 00:06:07.960 Perhaps because people are so divided these days that unity seems unattainable and enviable. 00:06:07.959 --> 00:06:14.259 We want it in families, in communities, in churches, in nations. 00:06:16.299 --> 00:06:18.839 But where does unity come from? 00:06:19.899 --> 00:06:23.120 As Jesus prays for it, He's going to point us to its source. 00:06:23.399 --> 00:06:26.299 Does unity just happen when we quit caring? 00:06:27.479 --> 00:06:29.539 We don't care about anything else but unity. 00:06:29.659 --> 00:06:31.299 We just try to get along with everybody. 00:06:31.819 --> 00:06:37.319 We lower the bar where there's no truth, no real passion for anything except for unity itself. 00:06:37.959 --> 00:06:39.819 Is that the source of unity? 00:06:41.159 --> 00:06:42.919 You'll hear that in some churches. 00:06:44.399 --> 00:06:47.060 But Jesus says it's actually the opposite. 00:06:48.060 --> 00:06:53.899 And this is true on a team or in a company, but it's especially true among the people of God. 00:06:54.599 --> 00:07:04.199 See, the source of Christian unity is a shared relationship, a shared passion for God, for His truth, for His mission. 00:07:04.199 --> 00:07:06.180 Notice this back in verse 11. 00:07:06.319 --> 00:07:12.420 It's the first time in this prayer Jesus prays for our unity, for us to be one. 00:07:13.060 --> 00:07:20.300 It's unity that results from being kept in relationship with the one true God. 00:07:20.699 --> 00:07:31.719 Protect them, keep them faithful, connected to You, Father, that they may be one, even as we are one. 00:07:31.720 --> 00:07:35.740 The image of this that has always helped me is the image of an orchestra. 00:07:36.180 --> 00:07:40.540 Imagine that we had this morning on stage a 100-piece orchestra, right? 00:07:40.680 --> 00:07:46.060 And they all showed up and wanted to get their instruments in tune to get started. 00:07:46.060 --> 00:07:52.459 If each of them was personally passionate about unity and turned to the person next to them and said, 00:07:52.720 --> 00:08:02.759 hey, let's start playing our instruments and get in tune, you would have a cacophony of French horns and violins and tubas and whatever else was up here. 00:08:03.759 --> 00:08:10.459 They would all be very loud and probably for quite some time very out of tune with one another across the stage. 00:08:10.459 --> 00:08:16.159 Instead, how do you get a unified pitch in a group like that? 00:08:16.759 --> 00:08:18.560 You musicians know how you do it. 00:08:19.180 --> 00:08:26.319 One clarion note is played and each instrument tunes to that note. 00:08:27.779 --> 00:08:30.859 Soon, as each does that, what do you have? 00:08:31.279 --> 00:08:33.220 You don't have a hundred different notes. 00:08:33.220 --> 00:08:44.720 You now have all of them unified on one pitch together in beautiful harmony because they were attuned to the one note. 00:08:46.519 --> 00:08:51.620 That's what Jesus is talking about here as the source of our unity. 00:08:51.860 --> 00:08:59.000 It's this special relationship that He shares with His Father that, remember, He's inviting us into it. 00:08:59.000 --> 00:09:11.720 Verse 21, they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me and I in you that they also may be in us. 00:09:12.179 --> 00:09:19.500 In other words, we're different in so many ways, but the essence of life for us is knowing Jesus. 00:09:19.759 --> 00:09:22.919 Our shared passion is relationship with Jesus. 00:09:23.100 --> 00:09:26.279 Our common mission is the glory of Jesus. 00:09:26.279 --> 00:09:33.579 And the more that that becomes true of each one of us individually, the more perfectly we become one. 00:09:34.000 --> 00:09:41.819 The more on pitch we are together, the more we rejoice in the glorious Savior than anything else in the world. 00:09:43.299 --> 00:09:49.740 See, what Jesus is praying for is more than just friendship, where we share lots in common. 00:09:50.279 --> 00:09:54.579 That happens, that's a good thing, but this is the unity of the Trinity. 00:09:54.580 --> 00:10:05.460 He longs for us to share that spiritual unity because the most important thing about me is the relationship with God that I have because His Spirit dwells in me. 00:10:06.780 --> 00:10:10.900 This, by the way, has always been how God's people find unity. 00:10:11.440 --> 00:10:16.960 It comes not from our efforts at unity, looking around at one another. 00:10:16.960 --> 00:10:23.980 Not there first, but from our relationship with God, looking up to Him. 00:10:25.100 --> 00:10:35.900 Psalm 133 is a hymn in praise of unity about how good unity is, how pleasant it is when we live like that, connected, united to one another. 00:10:35.899 --> 00:10:38.819 It has two images in this short psalm. 00:10:38.899 --> 00:10:49.519 The first is the oil flowing down the head to set the priest apart, and then it's down to his beard, and then down to his robes. 00:10:49.840 --> 00:10:59.039 See, unity in relationship with God that then flows down to unite us with one another as those set apart as His people. 00:10:59.039 --> 00:11:02.860 The second image has a very similar point. 00:11:03.459 --> 00:11:14.279 The dew on Mount Hermon, that's the highest point in all of Israel, flows down to Mount Zion below to all God's people. 00:11:14.279 --> 00:11:24.279 As we are more deeply and passionately united to God Himself, see, then unity flows down to where we share it with one another. 00:11:24.480 --> 00:11:31.720 So that when we are distracted from God and His glory, when we're not looking up together, we feel very much that we are divided. 00:11:32.220 --> 00:11:36.740 When that's not what's so important to us, we're easily divided from one another. 00:11:36.740 --> 00:11:47.320 But that's so that when we do see God clearly, we begin to notice one another, to welcome one another, to honor one another in very practical ways. 00:11:47.480 --> 00:11:49.919 It looks like something in our relationships. 00:11:51.899 --> 00:11:56.320 Ephesians 4 talks about the unity of God's people this way. 00:11:56.460 --> 00:12:02.759 Verse 3, if we're eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace, that's what He calls us to. 00:12:02.759 --> 00:12:03.740 And here's why. 00:12:03.840 --> 00:12:10.559 There's one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call. 00:12:10.679 --> 00:12:20.000 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. 00:12:21.379 --> 00:12:25.659 Do you see there the personal nature of our unity? 00:12:25.659 --> 00:12:33.980 It doesn't say one language, one nation, one social class, one personality type. 00:12:34.039 --> 00:12:35.100 All of you get it together. 00:12:35.439 --> 00:12:36.339 That's not what it says. 00:12:36.959 --> 00:12:38.539 It says one Father. 00:12:39.740 --> 00:12:43.679 Unity comes from being defined by His adopting love. 00:12:45.019 --> 00:12:46.179 It says one Lord. 00:12:46.600 --> 00:12:53.019 Unity comes from being united to Jesus in baptism, knowing Him as life's greatest treasure. 00:12:53.019 --> 00:12:55.779 It says one Spirit. 00:12:56.240 --> 00:13:03.079 Unity comes from being united as part of the body of Christ, gifted for your special place in it. 00:13:04.460 --> 00:13:12.120 That same heart's in 1 Corinthians 12 where Paul talks about us being many members with lots of unique and different gifts, 00:13:12.259 --> 00:13:14.039 but we're one body. 00:13:14.419 --> 00:13:21.299 Verse 13, for in one Spirit we became one body. 00:13:21.299 --> 00:13:25.620 No longer separated by ethnic or religious background. 00:13:26.379 --> 00:13:29.240 No longer separated by social class. 00:13:29.359 --> 00:13:30.419 No, we're one. 00:13:30.519 --> 00:13:36.859 This is what the gospel of Jesus, the salvation God brings to us, the faith that we have in Him does to us. 00:13:37.120 --> 00:13:43.799 It achieves unity from otherwise very different people because even if there's nothing else that we share, 00:13:44.399 --> 00:13:45.939 we share the thing at the top. 00:13:45.940 --> 00:13:49.920 Number one, the most important reality in life is the same for us. 00:13:51.900 --> 00:13:54.980 When have you experienced that kind of unity? 00:13:55.600 --> 00:14:01.400 As you've delighted in Jesus, as you've seen Him most clearly, as your great treasure. 00:14:01.399 --> 00:14:08.019 I felt it in India with people that I struggle to communicate with in words, 00:14:08.799 --> 00:14:14.879 but when we start doing things like singing praises to Jesus, like praying for someone together, 00:14:15.179 --> 00:14:20.799 like sharing the good news of Jesus from a passage in the Bible that I know what we must be talking about, 00:14:21.000 --> 00:14:22.659 my heart soars. 00:14:22.659 --> 00:14:25.939 This is Pastor Venu. 00:14:27.559 --> 00:14:30.799 Venu and I have gotten to be good friends. 00:14:31.079 --> 00:14:34.799 I met him seven years ago, the first time I went to India. 00:14:35.120 --> 00:14:37.600 He's traveled with me each time I've gone. 00:14:38.299 --> 00:14:44.919 We've shared Jesus in homes and cars and schools and churches. 00:14:44.919 --> 00:14:48.000 We've prayed with people who were hurting. 00:14:48.539 --> 00:14:56.360 We shared with each other about the challenges of life with Jesus and marriage and ministry and parenting and whatever else. 00:14:56.519 --> 00:15:03.779 And after just a few days of that, our hearts were so united that we still, from across the globe, 00:15:03.939 --> 00:15:07.019 share and pray for one another several years later now. 00:15:07.019 --> 00:15:14.600 At the end of our trip, he introduced me at one Bible school as, 00:15:15.360 --> 00:15:17.460 this is my brother, Pastor Will. 00:15:19.179 --> 00:15:22.860 And one of the students there who knew Venu well and loved him said, 00:15:23.199 --> 00:15:23.860 your brother? 00:15:25.600 --> 00:15:28.439 And we looked at each other like, are you kidding me? 00:15:29.860 --> 00:15:31.399 Have you seen us? 00:15:32.659 --> 00:15:34.019 Do we look like brothers? 00:15:34.019 --> 00:15:34.379 Brothers? 00:15:35.939 --> 00:15:41.559 And we talked later that outwardly we may not look like brothers, 00:15:41.720 --> 00:15:44.819 but we shared so much inwardly. 00:15:45.220 --> 00:15:46.259 The same spirit. 00:15:47.159 --> 00:15:48.340 The same Savior. 00:15:48.759 --> 00:15:50.179 The same Father. 00:15:50.559 --> 00:15:52.319 Truly, he was right. 00:15:52.460 --> 00:15:54.279 Brothers from across the globe. 00:15:56.299 --> 00:16:00.039 Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, a great British preacher of the last century, 00:16:00.039 --> 00:16:04.759 preached actually 80-some sermons on this passage, John 17. 00:16:05.079 --> 00:16:06.139 So you do the math. 00:16:06.240 --> 00:16:09.199 I am less than 10% the preacher that he is. 00:16:09.339 --> 00:16:10.579 I'm stopping at five. 00:16:13.039 --> 00:16:14.519 Sermons are so helpful. 00:16:14.980 --> 00:16:17.639 One of the things he shares in them is his own experience 00:16:17.639 --> 00:16:21.000 of Christian unity across class boundaries. 00:16:21.740 --> 00:16:27.379 Dr. Lloyd-Jones was raised in the upper crust of English aristocratic society. 00:16:27.379 --> 00:16:30.320 Think estates and drawing rooms. 00:16:30.720 --> 00:16:32.340 And for those of you who this means something to, 00:16:32.460 --> 00:16:34.460 Downton Abbey, that's where you are, okay? 00:16:35.639 --> 00:16:40.580 And it was just understood that many of the working classes were beneath you. 00:16:41.960 --> 00:16:43.419 He never related with them. 00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:44.799 It wasn't part of his life. 00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:51.039 He was a very successful medical doctor when later in life he met Jesus. 00:16:51.039 --> 00:16:55.099 Several years after that he became a pastor 00:16:55.099 --> 00:16:59.219 and was called to a small rural church in Wales 00:16:59.219 --> 00:17:02.579 where many of his parishioners were illiterate. 00:17:04.019 --> 00:17:08.139 And he found, much to his surprise, he acknowledges, 00:17:08.819 --> 00:17:10.740 an immediate affection for them. 00:17:11.460 --> 00:17:15.659 And even more surprisingly than that, that he learned from them. 00:17:16.259 --> 00:17:17.659 He was told that would never happen. 00:17:17.660 --> 00:17:21.779 That he would never have that kind of experience with people like this. 00:17:21.920 --> 00:17:23.400 But something had changed. 00:17:23.640 --> 00:17:25.980 Now because of his connection with Jesus, 00:17:26.160 --> 00:17:29.360 he had a connection with people that he never would have cared about before. 00:17:30.620 --> 00:17:31.680 Who is that for you? 00:17:34.600 --> 00:17:36.200 Maybe you felt this in a grace group. 00:17:37.120 --> 00:17:40.759 With people that you now treasure, that you look and think, 00:17:41.040 --> 00:17:44.740 I never would have ever met or hung out with this person. 00:17:45.000 --> 00:17:45.380 Ever. 00:17:45.380 --> 00:17:45.460 Ever. 00:17:45.820 --> 00:17:47.760 We wouldn't have given each other the time of day. 00:17:47.880 --> 00:17:50.320 And now we meet and pray for one another 00:17:50.320 --> 00:17:52.060 and we encourage one another in Christ 00:17:52.060 --> 00:17:54.240 because we share nothing else. 00:17:54.740 --> 00:17:56.900 We never get distracted on any other topic. 00:17:57.020 --> 00:17:58.980 There's nothing else that we would both want to talk about. 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:02.560 I love connecting with people with shared interests. 00:18:03.020 --> 00:18:05.360 I love connecting other people who have shared interests. 00:18:05.660 --> 00:18:08.660 But some of my most spiritually encouraging relationships 00:18:08.660 --> 00:18:11.900 come with those that I share little else with 00:18:11.900 --> 00:18:13.520 but Jesus. 00:18:13.519 --> 00:18:19.579 Young people, you can experience this too. 00:18:19.740 --> 00:18:24.639 You also live in a world where everyone is desperate to belong. 00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:27.339 How do I fit in? 00:18:27.799 --> 00:18:29.440 He wants to find his group. 00:18:29.539 --> 00:18:31.619 She wants to find her people. 00:18:31.980 --> 00:18:33.839 The ones you know that we're just like. 00:18:33.839 --> 00:18:40.819 But I got to tell you, it's beautiful when the kids from the drama club 00:18:40.819 --> 00:18:43.279 and the guy from the football team 00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:46.220 and the band kid and the academic team member 00:18:46.220 --> 00:18:49.379 and the cheerleader and the special ed student, 00:18:49.699 --> 00:18:53.919 when they all welcome one another into real friendship. 00:18:54.379 --> 00:18:55.500 And that's hard, y'all. 00:18:55.559 --> 00:18:57.119 I'm not pretending that's easy. 00:18:57.119 --> 00:19:03.819 But when you all love Jesus, you can actually love beyond those differences. 00:19:04.079 --> 00:19:05.859 You can love in those differences. 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:10.579 You can even become a safe group for other people who don't seem to fit. 00:19:10.859 --> 00:19:12.079 They belong with you. 00:19:12.599 --> 00:19:13.639 That's where they belong. 00:19:13.640 --> 00:19:21.220 I hope you've tasted that Christian unity before, all of you, no matter how old you are. 00:19:22.240 --> 00:19:23.900 It's not to be taken for granted. 00:19:24.860 --> 00:19:33.320 Jesus prays for it multiple times, I think partly because we struggle to live in this. 00:19:33.319 --> 00:19:39.119 Even though Jesus has made it a reality by adopting us into his family, 00:19:39.319 --> 00:19:45.859 it is true that we are united, young people and adults and kids and senior citizens. 00:19:47.399 --> 00:19:51.019 But church people have been good at parties for a long time, 00:19:51.139 --> 00:19:52.779 all the way since back in Corinth. 00:19:53.819 --> 00:19:56.500 And I don't mean the kind of parties with cake and streamers. 00:19:56.599 --> 00:19:57.500 Those are good parties. 00:19:57.579 --> 00:19:58.419 I'll come to those. 00:19:58.420 --> 00:20:04.380 I mean, I follow Paul and I follow Apollos. 00:20:04.640 --> 00:20:07.740 I follow Luther and I follow Calvin. 00:20:07.980 --> 00:20:11.060 I follow hymns and I follow praise songs. 00:20:13.300 --> 00:20:17.120 For some of you, this may have been what turned you off to the church before. 00:20:17.820 --> 00:20:19.880 Many of you have told me this. 00:20:21.000 --> 00:20:23.840 That you felt like it was a place where you were unwelcome, 00:20:23.960 --> 00:20:26.120 like you didn't fit or belong in that group, 00:20:26.119 --> 00:20:29.919 like you would actually have to agree with them on everything 00:20:29.919 --> 00:20:32.459 and like all of the same things that they did 00:20:32.459 --> 00:20:35.299 and feel the same way about everything to belong. 00:20:35.959 --> 00:20:40.099 And y'all, that is awful because it excludes people. 00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:43.359 And that hurts people. 00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:47.339 But it is even worse because it is preaching 00:20:47.339 --> 00:20:51.099 that something else is more important than Jesus. 00:20:52.059 --> 00:20:52.839 Do you see that? 00:20:52.839 --> 00:20:57.599 When we say you don't belong here until you like everything I like, 00:20:57.799 --> 00:20:59.859 until you do things the way we do them, 00:21:00.059 --> 00:21:02.699 until you look and dress and act the same way we do, 00:21:02.859 --> 00:21:05.379 it says that's more important than Jesus. 00:21:05.899 --> 00:21:08.659 I can't be united to you until you are like me. 00:21:08.899 --> 00:21:12.220 And Jesus says you are united to them because of me, 00:21:12.480 --> 00:21:15.319 not because of what you look like or what they do. 00:21:18.759 --> 00:21:19.720 What's the solution? 00:21:19.720 --> 00:21:23.339 What's the solution in Corinth and for us 00:21:23.339 --> 00:21:28.579 when we get divided in non-gospel party spirit like that? 00:21:29.240 --> 00:21:32.500 It's the one clear note of Jesus. 00:21:33.140 --> 00:21:35.960 I follow Christ, right? 00:21:36.140 --> 00:21:38.940 It's why the great creeds that are shared by Christians 00:21:38.940 --> 00:21:42.200 throughout the centuries focus on the person of God, 00:21:42.460 --> 00:21:45.160 Father, Son, and Holy Spirit over and over again. 00:21:45.880 --> 00:21:48.380 I'm not saying the other conversations don't have their place. 00:21:48.380 --> 00:21:48.840 They do. 00:21:49.180 --> 00:21:53.480 They're fun to talk about after we're clear that we're united in Christ, 00:21:53.700 --> 00:21:55.600 that it's a family conversation. 00:21:56.640 --> 00:21:58.700 That's why we cheer for other churches in town. 00:21:58.780 --> 00:22:00.240 We're not competing against them. 00:22:01.320 --> 00:22:03.140 That's why we speak the truth in love, 00:22:03.220 --> 00:22:04.640 why we forgive one another, 00:22:04.760 --> 00:22:06.500 why we serve one another. 00:22:06.760 --> 00:22:09.840 See, the more we find life in relationship with Jesus, 00:22:09.980 --> 00:22:13.660 not in any of the secondary things that we define ourselves by, 00:22:13.660 --> 00:22:18.000 then the more passionately we move forward together in unity. 00:22:20.920 --> 00:22:24.500 Let me make one more application of this just briefly 00:22:24.500 --> 00:22:27.580 about our Christian unity on Tuesday. 00:22:29.640 --> 00:22:33.440 By the way, I'm glad that my talking about this makes many of you nervous. 00:22:34.279 --> 00:22:35.740 That way I'm not alone. 00:22:35.740 --> 00:22:44.720 I hope it is not lost on you that same Father, same Savior, same Spirit 00:22:44.720 --> 00:22:48.759 does not say same political party. 00:22:49.420 --> 00:22:50.200 It's not in there. 00:22:51.339 --> 00:22:55.099 The unity of God's people is not organizational. 00:22:56.799 --> 00:22:59.859 Jesus wasn't Democrat or Republican or third party. 00:22:59.859 --> 00:23:04.899 In fact, among his 12 disciples were political opponents. 00:23:05.279 --> 00:23:09.500 Matthew, the tax collector who had so cozied up to the idea of Rome being there 00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:10.379 that he worked for them. 00:23:11.399 --> 00:23:13.679 Simon the zealot on the other end of the spectrum 00:23:13.679 --> 00:23:16.579 who wanted Rome out of there as fast and as strong as possible. 00:23:17.439 --> 00:23:19.559 Right there among Jesus' disciples. 00:23:20.859 --> 00:23:23.579 So we must guard against speaking 00:23:23.579 --> 00:23:28.039 as though a Christian must vote a particular way 00:23:28.039 --> 00:23:30.079 in order to be following Jesus. 00:23:31.159 --> 00:23:32.980 See, when we speak that way, 00:23:33.220 --> 00:23:35.500 it leads people to those faulty conclusions 00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:37.059 I was just talking about. 00:23:37.359 --> 00:23:39.519 Faulty conclusions about the person of Jesus, 00:23:39.960 --> 00:23:41.039 the mission of his church, 00:23:41.319 --> 00:23:42.859 the nature of his kingdom. 00:23:43.839 --> 00:23:46.659 Now, certainly, God's Word and his Spirit 00:23:46.659 --> 00:23:48.939 guide us in engaging 00:23:48.939 --> 00:23:51.559 in all of life, including politics. 00:23:51.559 --> 00:23:53.619 And those are good conversations. 00:23:53.819 --> 00:23:54.980 We can talk about those. 00:23:56.339 --> 00:23:57.700 But we are united 00:23:57.700 --> 00:24:00.799 by something way more important than politics. 00:24:01.259 --> 00:24:03.440 By someone way more powerful 00:24:03.440 --> 00:24:05.119 than any human leader. 00:24:05.480 --> 00:24:06.839 God's people are united 00:24:06.839 --> 00:24:08.559 not even by a constitution, 00:24:08.919 --> 00:24:10.619 but by a crucifixion, right? 00:24:10.919 --> 00:24:12.960 That's what we're about together. 00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:14.019 Don't forget that. 00:24:14.700 --> 00:24:16.619 That's what unites us to one another 00:24:16.619 --> 00:24:18.619 today and Wednesday and next Sunday 00:24:18.619 --> 00:24:20.619 and well beyond that. 00:24:21.559 --> 00:24:23.240 I hope you have brothers and sisters 00:24:23.240 --> 00:24:25.519 with whom you disagree politically. 00:24:26.440 --> 00:24:28.579 Not just so you can change one another's minds 00:24:28.579 --> 00:24:29.399 before Tuesday. 00:24:29.539 --> 00:24:30.359 That's pretty unlikely. 00:24:32.460 --> 00:24:34.559 But so you can keep one another focused 00:24:34.559 --> 00:24:36.200 on the main thing. 00:24:37.159 --> 00:24:38.279 Where our life, 00:24:38.440 --> 00:24:40.579 our eternal life is found. 00:24:41.159 --> 00:24:43.299 Our hope and confidence this week, 00:24:43.759 --> 00:24:45.039 like every other week, 00:24:45.099 --> 00:24:46.519 maybe especially this week, 00:24:46.519 --> 00:24:48.500 is found in the King of Kings. 00:24:49.180 --> 00:24:50.680 In the joy of being united 00:24:50.680 --> 00:24:52.480 to a God who loves us 00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:54.279 and prays for us. 00:24:55.259 --> 00:24:56.920 That is something to be excited about. 00:24:57.139 --> 00:24:58.519 It's something to be passionate about. 00:24:58.819 --> 00:25:00.599 You can know you can wake up excited 00:25:00.599 --> 00:25:02.339 on Wednesday because that will be true 00:25:02.339 --> 00:25:03.639 and you'll be on His mission 00:25:03.639 --> 00:25:04.559 for His glory 00:25:04.559 --> 00:25:06.740 no matter whatever other circumstances 00:25:06.740 --> 00:25:07.500 are going on. 00:25:07.500 --> 00:25:11.460 Back to John 17. 00:25:11.759 --> 00:25:12.500 Aren't you glad? 00:25:12.859 --> 00:25:13.420 I am. 00:25:16.779 --> 00:25:19.460 If being passionately connected to Jesus 00:25:19.460 --> 00:25:21.980 is the source of Christian unity, 00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:26.779 if that's how we get connected, 00:25:27.880 --> 00:25:30.839 being passionately involved in His mission 00:25:30.839 --> 00:25:32.500 is the result. 00:25:32.500 --> 00:25:35.559 Perhaps better said, 00:25:36.440 --> 00:25:39.140 Jesus accomplishing His mission 00:25:39.140 --> 00:25:41.339 of connecting others to Him 00:25:41.339 --> 00:25:44.799 is the result of our unity in Him. 00:25:45.059 --> 00:25:46.180 Look at verse 21. 00:25:46.839 --> 00:25:47.740 You may have noticed this 00:25:47.740 --> 00:25:48.880 when we read it the first time. 00:25:49.960 --> 00:25:51.059 That they all may be one 00:25:51.059 --> 00:25:55.299 so that the world may believe 00:25:55.299 --> 00:25:56.819 that you have sent me. 00:25:57.720 --> 00:25:58.640 Verse 23. 00:25:59.259 --> 00:26:01.940 That they may become perfectly one 00:26:01.940 --> 00:26:05.059 so that the world may know 00:26:05.059 --> 00:26:06.100 that you sent me 00:26:06.100 --> 00:26:07.559 and loved them 00:26:07.559 --> 00:26:10.200 even as you loved me. 00:26:11.680 --> 00:26:13.039 What's the result 00:26:13.039 --> 00:26:15.660 of otherwise different people 00:26:15.660 --> 00:26:19.039 being united in Christ? 00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:22.160 It's that people looking on 00:26:22.160 --> 00:26:24.700 realize that something otherworldly 00:26:24.700 --> 00:26:26.500 is going on. 00:26:27.539 --> 00:26:29.279 We live in a divided world, 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:29.880 don't we? 00:26:29.880 --> 00:26:33.440 Watch how most of the United States 00:26:33.440 --> 00:26:34.660 feel on Tuesday 00:26:34.660 --> 00:26:36.480 and how united they seem. 00:26:37.780 --> 00:26:39.660 We hate the division, don't we? 00:26:39.840 --> 00:26:41.200 We hate feeling that 00:26:41.200 --> 00:26:43.100 we don't like it inside of ourselves, 00:26:43.180 --> 00:26:45.160 we don't like it around us, 00:26:45.280 --> 00:26:46.860 and a divided church 00:26:46.860 --> 00:26:48.280 cannot heal the wounds 00:26:48.280 --> 00:26:49.580 of a divided world. 00:26:49.840 --> 00:26:50.980 We'll just make it worse. 00:26:51.340 --> 00:26:52.800 We'll just bring some more division 00:26:52.800 --> 00:26:53.740 along with us. 00:26:54.080 --> 00:26:56.320 That's not what God has called us to. 00:26:56.580 --> 00:26:58.160 He's called us to something distinct 00:26:58.160 --> 00:27:00.460 that's going to impact the world. 00:27:01.680 --> 00:27:03.700 When otherwise divided people 00:27:03.700 --> 00:27:05.220 become unified, 00:27:05.620 --> 00:27:07.080 we want to know how. 00:27:07.540 --> 00:27:09.080 How did that happen? 00:27:09.580 --> 00:27:11.460 How did that Auburn guy 00:27:11.460 --> 00:27:13.000 marry that Bama girl? 00:27:13.800 --> 00:27:14.200 What? 00:27:15.940 --> 00:27:18.360 How did that Jew and Gentile 00:27:18.360 --> 00:27:20.580 share in life and worship 00:27:20.580 --> 00:27:21.480 all the time? 00:27:22.180 --> 00:27:23.259 How did they figure out? 00:27:23.340 --> 00:27:24.460 How did they figure out where to go? 00:27:25.060 --> 00:27:26.060 How did they figure out what day? 00:27:26.059 --> 00:27:28.519 How did they walk around 00:27:28.519 --> 00:27:29.619 loving each other like that? 00:27:29.619 --> 00:27:30.759 They used to hate each other. 00:27:32.940 --> 00:27:34.079 How did that retired 00:27:34.079 --> 00:27:35.720 finance exec 00:27:35.720 --> 00:27:37.399 Kamala fan 00:27:37.399 --> 00:27:38.299 grandmother 00:27:38.299 --> 00:27:40.419 and that unemployed 00:27:40.419 --> 00:27:42.079 20-something high school 00:27:42.079 --> 00:27:44.200 dropout MAGA single mom 00:27:44.200 --> 00:27:46.619 love one another so much? 00:27:47.059 --> 00:27:48.200 Why do they hang out 00:27:48.200 --> 00:27:48.859 all the time? 00:27:49.720 --> 00:27:50.740 How come they seem 00:27:50.740 --> 00:27:52.019 to really enjoy it? 00:27:52.619 --> 00:27:54.019 That's the power 00:27:54.019 --> 00:27:55.680 of Jesus' cross. 00:27:55.839 --> 00:27:57.420 We don't know how to explain 00:27:57.420 --> 00:27:58.359 that in human terms. 00:27:58.639 --> 00:27:59.759 We have to say there's something 00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:00.839 else beyond us 00:28:00.839 --> 00:28:02.579 that brought us together 00:28:02.579 --> 00:28:04.539 because it's nothing about us. 00:28:06.579 --> 00:28:08.099 I've read and wrestled this week 00:28:08.099 --> 00:28:09.759 over what Jesus is praying 00:28:09.759 --> 00:28:10.460 will happen. 00:28:10.579 --> 00:28:11.400 This idea that 00:28:11.400 --> 00:28:12.879 the world is impacted. 00:28:13.079 --> 00:28:14.900 How exactly does that happen? 00:28:15.440 --> 00:28:16.859 How does our unity 00:28:16.859 --> 00:28:18.119 produce an impact 00:28:18.119 --> 00:28:18.680 on the world? 00:28:18.879 --> 00:28:20.379 Maybe you've thought that before. 00:28:20.380 --> 00:28:20.620 We're like, 00:28:21.580 --> 00:28:22.280 cool, 00:28:22.440 --> 00:28:23.960 so we could all be unified 00:28:23.960 --> 00:28:25.020 and I'm not sure 00:28:25.020 --> 00:28:26.060 anybody would notice 00:28:26.060 --> 00:28:27.780 you may think. 00:28:29.120 --> 00:28:30.040 What's he saying? 00:28:30.140 --> 00:28:31.260 Jesus says it twice 00:28:31.260 --> 00:28:31.900 that this is 00:28:31.900 --> 00:28:33.480 what he's praying for 00:28:33.480 --> 00:28:34.620 and it's not 00:28:34.620 --> 00:28:35.520 as I figured 00:28:35.520 --> 00:28:37.580 that if all of us Christians 00:28:37.580 --> 00:28:38.480 just get in one 00:28:38.480 --> 00:28:39.760 global denomination 00:28:39.760 --> 00:28:40.740 I don't even know 00:28:40.740 --> 00:28:41.480 what to call it 00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:42.680 but if we just did that 00:28:42.680 --> 00:28:43.680 the world will all of a sudden 00:28:43.680 --> 00:28:44.700 convert to Christianity. 00:28:44.900 --> 00:28:45.520 That's not what 00:28:45.520 --> 00:28:46.620 Jesus is saying. 00:28:46.820 --> 00:28:47.080 Remember, 00:28:47.079 --> 00:28:49.679 it's not an organizational unity. 00:28:49.980 --> 00:28:51.699 The source is that personal 00:28:51.699 --> 00:28:53.240 spiritual relationship 00:28:53.240 --> 00:28:54.019 with the Trinity. 00:28:55.839 --> 00:28:58.139 Jesus is also not saying 00:28:58.139 --> 00:29:00.000 that if all Christians 00:29:00.000 --> 00:29:01.579 just worked together better 00:29:01.579 --> 00:29:04.220 we would evangelize the world. 00:29:05.019 --> 00:29:05.419 No. 00:29:06.259 --> 00:29:07.960 It certainly helps 00:29:07.960 --> 00:29:09.419 when we labor together 00:29:09.419 --> 00:29:10.199 for the kingdom 00:29:10.199 --> 00:29:12.379 rather than against one another 00:29:12.380 --> 00:29:15.060 but best I can tell 00:29:15.060 --> 00:29:16.780 what Jesus is saying 00:29:16.780 --> 00:29:17.600 in his prayer 00:29:17.600 --> 00:29:20.420 is that when all Christians 00:29:20.420 --> 00:29:21.540 are united 00:29:21.540 --> 00:29:23.900 in dependence on Jesus 00:29:23.900 --> 00:29:25.520 for their relationship 00:29:25.520 --> 00:29:26.800 with the Father 00:29:26.800 --> 00:29:28.980 for the relationship 00:29:28.980 --> 00:29:29.740 they were made for 00:29:29.740 --> 00:29:31.040 for their life 00:29:31.040 --> 00:29:32.380 reflecting the image 00:29:32.380 --> 00:29:33.080 of God 00:29:33.080 --> 00:29:34.660 the way he created them to 00:29:34.660 --> 00:29:37.280 the world sees 00:29:37.280 --> 00:29:38.440 the message of Jesus 00:29:38.440 --> 00:29:39.120 clearly 00:29:39.119 --> 00:29:41.859 and the love of the Father 00:29:41.859 --> 00:29:42.539 truly. 00:29:44.699 --> 00:29:46.099 They see the gospel 00:29:46.099 --> 00:29:47.879 the good news 00:29:47.879 --> 00:29:49.519 that Jesus claims 00:29:49.519 --> 00:29:51.299 that he alone 00:29:51.299 --> 00:29:52.899 connects us to our maker 00:29:52.899 --> 00:29:54.079 and we're all wondering 00:29:54.079 --> 00:29:55.559 is God there 00:29:55.559 --> 00:29:56.919 and how do I know him 00:29:56.919 --> 00:29:58.319 and if he's real 00:29:58.319 --> 00:29:59.079 what would it look like 00:29:59.079 --> 00:30:00.259 for me to have a relationship 00:30:00.259 --> 00:30:01.219 and Jesus says 00:30:01.219 --> 00:30:02.099 I am the way 00:30:02.099 --> 00:30:03.039 and the truth 00:30:03.039 --> 00:30:03.519 and the life 00:30:03.519 --> 00:30:04.859 and for that relationship 00:30:04.859 --> 00:30:05.779 you were made for. 00:30:05.779 --> 00:30:08.740 Secondly 00:30:08.740 --> 00:30:11.660 that God loves us 00:30:11.660 --> 00:30:13.759 not because of how 00:30:13.759 --> 00:30:14.680 we perform 00:30:14.680 --> 00:30:16.399 but because of how 00:30:16.399 --> 00:30:17.960 Jesus has performed. 00:30:19.660 --> 00:30:20.799 In fact 00:30:20.799 --> 00:30:22.480 Jesus claims here 00:30:22.480 --> 00:30:23.200 did you notice 00:30:23.200 --> 00:30:24.259 at the end 00:30:24.259 --> 00:30:27.240 that God loves us 00:30:27.240 --> 00:30:29.899 as he loves him. 00:30:32.019 --> 00:30:33.700 Good stuff for next week 00:30:33.700 --> 00:30:33.960 okay 00:30:33.960 --> 00:30:34.720 we're coming back. 00:30:34.720 --> 00:30:36.120 love 00:30:36.120 --> 00:30:38.319 that God would love 00:30:38.319 --> 00:30:39.660 us like that. 00:30:40.200 --> 00:30:41.339 See whether the world 00:30:41.339 --> 00:30:42.940 embraces Jesus 00:30:42.940 --> 00:30:43.700 or not 00:30:43.700 --> 00:30:45.839 Christian unity 00:30:45.839 --> 00:30:47.220 sounds that 00:30:47.220 --> 00:30:48.420 clear note 00:30:48.420 --> 00:30:49.819 the one clear note 00:30:49.819 --> 00:30:50.880 that clear 00:30:50.880 --> 00:30:52.120 gospel message 00:30:52.120 --> 00:30:52.839 of hope 00:30:52.839 --> 00:30:53.779 and joy 00:30:53.779 --> 00:30:54.579 and life 00:30:54.579 --> 00:30:55.140 that is sounded 00:30:55.140 --> 00:30:55.940 so clearly 00:30:55.940 --> 00:30:57.019 in the pages of scripture 00:30:57.019 --> 00:30:58.880 it is in scripture 00:30:58.880 --> 00:30:59.380 alone 00:30:59.380 --> 00:31:00.460 that we find out 00:31:00.460 --> 00:31:01.420 that hope 00:31:01.420 --> 00:31:02.360 and that life 00:31:02.360 --> 00:31:04.000 is found by grace alone 00:31:04.000 --> 00:31:05.539 through faith alone 00:31:05.539 --> 00:31:05.559 through faith alone 00:31:05.559 --> 00:31:07.160 in Christ alone 00:31:07.160 --> 00:31:08.279 and that message 00:31:08.279 --> 00:31:10.079 sounded so clearly 00:31:10.079 --> 00:31:11.160 when we're all 00:31:11.160 --> 00:31:12.720 desperately needing him 00:31:12.720 --> 00:31:14.119 when we unite 00:31:14.119 --> 00:31:15.319 around our need 00:31:15.319 --> 00:31:15.740 for him 00:31:15.740 --> 00:31:16.519 and his meeting 00:31:16.519 --> 00:31:17.220 our need 00:31:17.220 --> 00:31:18.640 and Jesus longs 00:31:18.640 --> 00:31:19.519 to see that happen 00:31:19.519 --> 00:31:21.880 he prays for our unity 00:31:21.880 --> 00:31:23.160 and that our unity 00:31:23.160 --> 00:31:24.480 will spread his glory 00:31:24.480 --> 00:31:25.579 and grace 00:31:25.579 --> 00:31:26.720 to the whole world 00:31:26.720 --> 00:31:28.220 so that the world 00:31:28.220 --> 00:31:28.539 will know 00:31:28.539 --> 00:31:29.559 not how great 00:31:29.559 --> 00:31:31.140 our organizational skills are 00:31:31.140 --> 00:31:32.100 and that we all got together 00:31:32.100 --> 00:31:32.960 on the same page 00:31:32.960 --> 00:31:35.480 not how great 00:31:35.480 --> 00:31:36.060 the entertainment 00:31:36.060 --> 00:31:36.900 we produce is 00:31:36.900 --> 00:31:37.680 and this is the best show 00:31:37.680 --> 00:31:38.060 in town 00:31:38.060 --> 00:31:38.860 on Sunday morning 00:31:38.860 --> 00:31:40.000 no 00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:42.320 how great 00:31:42.320 --> 00:31:42.880 our savior 00:31:42.880 --> 00:31:43.560 is 00:31:43.560 --> 00:31:44.920 that's what they 00:31:44.920 --> 00:31:45.540 see 00:31:45.540 --> 00:31:46.960 when we're united 00:31:46.960 --> 00:31:48.040 in this way 00:31:48.040 --> 00:31:49.400 around that 00:31:49.400 --> 00:31:49.940 savior 00:31:49.940 --> 00:31:51.160 and that relationship 00:31:51.160 --> 00:31:53.480 the beauty 00:31:53.480 --> 00:31:54.380 of Christian unity 00:31:54.380 --> 00:31:55.500 is that it can actually 00:31:55.500 --> 00:31:56.280 be a joy 00:31:56.280 --> 00:31:57.400 for you to experience 00:31:57.400 --> 00:31:58.740 and to live in 00:31:58.740 --> 00:31:59.680 not a burden 00:31:59.680 --> 00:32:00.819 that you have to go 00:32:00.819 --> 00:32:01.359 achieve 00:32:01.359 --> 00:32:02.059 that's one of the 00:32:02.059 --> 00:32:02.980 beautiful things 00:32:02.980 --> 00:32:04.680 about this passage 00:32:04.680 --> 00:32:05.200 Jesus 00:32:05.200 --> 00:32:06.460 still 00:32:06.460 --> 00:32:08.079 unifies us 00:32:08.079 --> 00:32:09.640 not only is he still 00:32:09.640 --> 00:32:11.120 praying for our unity 00:32:11.120 --> 00:32:13.720 but listen to verse 22 00:32:13.720 --> 00:32:14.519 Jesus isn't saying 00:32:14.519 --> 00:32:15.120 go out there 00:32:15.120 --> 00:32:15.759 and be more unified 00:32:15.759 --> 00:32:17.620 you can do it 00:32:17.620 --> 00:32:19.799 what does verse 22 say 00:32:19.799 --> 00:32:23.259 Jesus is sharing 00:32:23.259 --> 00:32:25.240 divine glory 00:32:25.240 --> 00:32:26.759 with us 00:32:26.759 --> 00:32:29.160 he's giving it to us 00:32:29.160 --> 00:32:32.099 in order that we may be 00:32:32.099 --> 00:32:32.779 one 00:32:32.779 --> 00:32:34.440 to bring us 00:32:34.440 --> 00:32:36.079 to perfect unity 00:32:36.079 --> 00:32:37.500 that we may be 00:32:37.500 --> 00:32:39.000 one bride 00:32:39.000 --> 00:32:41.359 purified by him 00:32:41.359 --> 00:32:42.599 for him 00:32:42.599 --> 00:32:43.859 it's the glory 00:32:43.859 --> 00:32:44.940 of that Trinitarian 00:32:44.940 --> 00:32:45.700 relationship 00:32:45.700 --> 00:32:47.640 that he is inviting us into 00:32:47.640 --> 00:32:48.640 he's inviting you 00:32:48.640 --> 00:32:49.079 this morning 00:32:49.079 --> 00:32:50.420 to see that relationship 00:32:50.420 --> 00:32:51.920 and that savior 00:32:51.920 --> 00:32:53.480 as the most wonderful 00:32:53.480 --> 00:32:55.519 the most important part 00:32:55.519 --> 00:32:56.740 of your whole life 00:32:56.740 --> 00:32:58.240 what most delights you 00:32:58.240 --> 00:32:59.819 what most unites you 00:32:59.819 --> 00:33:00.639 to anyone else 00:33:00.639 --> 00:33:01.619 makes you most eager 00:33:01.619 --> 00:33:02.539 to be in relationship 00:33:02.539 --> 00:33:03.160 with them 00:33:03.160 --> 00:33:05.660 and Christian unity 00:33:05.660 --> 00:33:06.720 flows down 00:33:06.720 --> 00:33:08.740 as a byproduct 00:33:08.740 --> 00:33:10.279 of that gracious gift 00:33:10.279 --> 00:33:11.500 that we're united 00:33:11.500 --> 00:33:12.099 to him 00:33:12.099 --> 00:33:14.500 and so we get that gift 00:33:14.500 --> 00:33:15.259 and we get to keep 00:33:15.259 --> 00:33:16.240 opening it together 00:33:16.240 --> 00:33:17.639 and enjoying it 00:33:17.639 --> 00:33:18.139 together 00:33:18.139 --> 00:33:19.900 as we feed the hungry 00:33:19.900 --> 00:33:21.539 as we pray for one another 00:33:21.539 --> 00:33:22.299 in our grace groups 00:33:22.299 --> 00:33:24.099 as we share the good news 00:33:24.099 --> 00:33:25.680 and take it to the world 00:33:25.680 --> 00:33:26.799 and around the world 00:33:26.799 --> 00:33:27.879 till his glory 00:33:27.879 --> 00:33:28.799 is known everywhere 00:33:28.799 --> 00:33:30.099 by everyone 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:31.740 that's his heart for us 00:33:31.740 --> 00:33:32.419 let's pray 00:33:32.419 --> 00:33:33.319 and ask for his help 00:33:33.319 --> 00:33:37.319 Jesus would you indeed 00:33:37.319 --> 00:33:38.579 make us one 00:33:38.579 --> 00:33:41.680 we believe God 00:33:41.680 --> 00:33:42.559 is answering 00:33:42.559 --> 00:33:43.599 that prayer 00:33:43.599 --> 00:33:44.919 and continues to 00:33:44.919 --> 00:33:46.299 even in a culture 00:33:46.299 --> 00:33:46.919 of division 00:33:46.920 --> 00:33:51.420 that he's exalting you 00:33:51.420 --> 00:33:53.180 and we're seeing you 00:33:53.180 --> 00:33:54.140 as more needful 00:33:54.140 --> 00:33:56.200 and we're seeing you 00:33:56.200 --> 00:33:57.019 as more beautiful 00:33:57.019 --> 00:33:58.759 and we're seeing you 00:33:58.759 --> 00:33:59.620 as our life 00:33:59.620 --> 00:34:01.120 more and more 00:34:01.120 --> 00:34:04.360 and we pray 00:34:04.360 --> 00:34:04.900 that that would 00:34:04.900 --> 00:34:06.220 impact the world 00:34:06.220 --> 00:34:07.120 in ways beyond 00:34:07.120 --> 00:34:08.320 what we could plan for 00:34:08.320 --> 00:34:10.300 don't take our strategies 00:34:10.300 --> 00:34:13.340 work beyond us 00:34:13.340 --> 00:34:14.780 do exceeding abundantly 00:34:14.780 --> 00:34:16.740 beyond all we would ask 00:34:16.739 --> 00:34:17.759 or imagine 00:34:17.759 --> 00:34:19.359 because of your power 00:34:19.359 --> 00:34:21.059 that is at work 00:34:21.059 --> 00:34:21.579 within us 00:34:21.579 --> 00:34:22.699 because your spirit 00:34:22.699 --> 00:34:24.219 is uniting us 00:34:24.219 --> 00:34:25.500 and is convincing 00:34:25.500 --> 00:34:26.159 the world 00:34:26.159 --> 00:34:27.959 that you sent Jesus 00:34:27.959 --> 00:34:30.159 because you love them 00:34:30.159 --> 00:34:33.299 as much as you love him 00:34:33.299 --> 00:34:36.579 we thank you 00:34:36.579 --> 00:34:37.399 for your love 00:34:37.399 --> 00:34:38.099 and we pray 00:34:38.099 --> 00:34:39.399 that we would find 00:34:39.399 --> 00:34:40.279 joy in life in it 00:34:40.279 --> 00:34:40.959 even today 00:34:40.959 --> 00:34:42.339 in Jesus name 00:34:42.339 --> 00:34:43.319 amen 00:34:43.320 --> 00:34:45.780 for more information 00:34:45.780 --> 00:34:47.039 visit us online 00:34:47.039 --> 00:34:48.140 at southwood.org 00:34:48.139 --> 00:34:50.619 on keep going 00:34:50.619 --> 00:34:52.659 on court 00:35:01.599 --> 00:35:02.519 and we see you 00:35:02.519 --> 00:35:03.579 in life 00:35:03.819 --> 00:35:04.839 there 00:35:04.839 --> 00:35:05.119 we can't 00:35:05.119 --> 00:35:05.219 that was 00:35:05.219 --> 00:35:06.739 at us 00:35:06.739 --> 00:35:07.579 we'd like to say 00:35:07.579 --> 00:35:08.099 you 00:35:08.099 --> 00:35:08.199 we 00:35:08.199 --> 00:35:08.879 I sei