0:00:01.307,0:00:04.260 John 17. 0:00:04.260,0:00:07.102 I'm going to be guided by [br]my notes this morning. 0:00:07.102,0:00:08.958 I'm going somewhere with this - 0:00:08.958,0:00:10.589 three messages, the Lord willing, 0:00:10.589,0:00:13.101 on the subject of Christian unity. 0:00:13.101,0:00:17.115 I want to do some clarifying [br]hopefully this morning, 0:00:17.115,0:00:18.486 laying some foundation, 0:00:18.486,0:00:21.063 and then we'll get into some [br]more practical things 0:00:21.063,0:00:23.581 tonight and tomorrow. 0:00:23.581,0:00:27.285 And this is another one of those subjects 0:00:27.285,0:00:30.527 that can be difficult. 0:00:30.527,0:00:32.639 I don't claim to have all the answers. 0:00:32.639,0:00:35.193 I imagine that if you're like me, 0:00:35.193,0:00:37.280 if you have any age on you at all, 0:00:37.280,0:00:39.555 you've had to work through [br]some of these things 0:00:39.555,0:00:41.955 and try to come to conclusions. 0:00:41.955,0:00:44.916 And some of the conclusions you've come to 0:00:44.916,0:00:46.522 may not be exactly right. 0:00:46.522,0:00:49.583 You may continue to grow 0:00:49.583,0:00:53.960 and maybe shift some in your understanding 0:00:53.960,0:00:56.475 and the outworking of this. 0:00:56.475,0:00:58.278 That's kind of where I see myself. 0:00:58.278,0:01:01.511 I'm 59 and I still haven't arrived. 0:01:01.511,0:01:03.679 I'm still a work in progress. 0:01:03.679,0:01:05.787 (incomplete thought) 0:01:05.787,0:01:07.783 I don't think [br]fundamentally I've changed 0:01:07.783,0:01:09.368 from my younger years. 0:01:09.368,0:01:11.054 Fundamentally, I mean, the truths, 0:01:11.054,0:01:12.392 the doctrines of Scripture - 0:01:12.392,0:01:15.781 I'm fundamentally now where I was 0:01:15.781,0:01:18.188 twenty or thirty years ago. 0:01:18.188,0:01:21.453 But the working out of that doctrine 0:01:21.453,0:01:27.396 has definitely changed in my own life. 0:01:27.396,0:01:30.467 So I say all that at the outset. 0:01:30.467,0:01:32.877 I want this to be a help to you. 0:01:32.877,0:01:35.320 I'm going to John 17. [br]Did I tell you that already? 0:01:35.320,0:01:37.396 We're starting there. 0:01:37.396,0:01:41.814 Let me just read a couple of verses here 0:01:41.814,0:01:45.188 that we're going to be hopefully gleaning 0:01:45.188,0:01:48.680 our thoughts from. 0:01:48.680,0:01:50.747 I honestly feel when I [br]come to this chapter 0:01:50.747,0:01:55.205 that we're sort of [br]approaching holy ground. 0:01:55.205,0:01:56.966 And I know all of Scripture is holy. 0:01:56.966,0:02:01.169 It's the holy Scriptures, but there's [br]something about John 17. 0:02:01.169,0:02:03.396 We are actually being given the privilege 0:02:03.396,0:02:08.549 of listening in on a prayer of our Savior. 0:02:08.549,0:02:11.856 And that's an amazing thought. 0:02:11.856,0:02:14.616 And it's one of those [br]passages of Scripture 0:02:14.616,0:02:17.122 that you don't want to read quickly, 0:02:17.122,0:02:19.612 and I don't want to read quickly 0:02:19.612,0:02:21.443 the words that I'm going to read. 0:02:21.443,0:02:23.752 And I'm not going to [br]read all of the prayer. 0:02:23.752,0:02:26.681 I would encourage you to [br]take time to do that, 0:02:26.681,0:02:30.250 perhaps even later today. 0:02:30.250,0:02:32.427 But I'm just going to read verse 11, 0:02:32.427,0:02:40.799 and then 20 through 23. 0:02:40.799,0:02:43.094 We can speculate about [br]what all is going on 0:02:43.094,0:02:44.573 in the mind of Christ. 0:02:44.573,0:02:48.009 He's the Son of God. He's the Son of Man. 0:02:48.009,0:02:51.583 He is speaking as the Son of God. 0:02:51.583,0:02:53.674 This is a high priestly prayer, 0:02:53.674,0:02:56.198 but He's speaking also in the context 0:02:56.198,0:02:59.744 of His being as a man. 0:02:59.744,0:03:02.959 So He has thoughts going through His mind. 0:03:02.959,0:03:05.497 It wouldn't be exactly like [br]your thoughts or mine, 0:03:05.497,0:03:07.201 but they certainly are thoughts 0:03:07.201,0:03:09.687 of a man as He prays, 0:03:09.687,0:03:13.815 even as they are thoughts [br]of the very Son of God. 0:03:13.815,0:03:15.485 He's reflecting on the glory 0:03:15.485,0:03:18.664 that He had with the Father [br]before the world began. 0:03:18.664,0:03:21.276 He's reflecting on all that He left. 0:03:21.276,0:03:23.708 And all of that is in Him. 0:03:23.708,0:03:25.696 There's more in Him than any of us know. 0:03:25.696,0:03:28.397 There's great mystery in this prayer. 0:03:28.397,0:03:29.949 There's depths in this prayer 0:03:29.949,0:03:34.906 that I still am seeking to enter into. 0:03:34.906,0:03:37.538 I would encourage you that [br]you need the Holy Spirit 0:03:37.538,0:03:39.901 to enter into the depths of God. 0:03:39.901,0:03:43.835 Your own spirit is not capable. 0:03:43.835,0:03:46.944 That's what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2. 0:03:46.944,0:03:51.414 It's the Spirit of God that [br]teaches us who God is 0:03:51.414,0:03:53.683 and leads us - I would encourage you 0:03:53.683,0:03:56.324 to ask God to lead you. 0:03:56.324,0:03:59.245 Ask the Spirit of God to teach you, 0:03:59.245,0:04:02.496 to show you more fully, more clearly 0:04:02.496,0:04:06.984 the things pertaining to God. 0:04:06.984,0:04:10.557 Jesus says, verse 11, 0:04:10.557,0:04:17.401 "And now, I am no more in the world." 0:04:17.401,0:04:18.879 Speaking prophetically - 0:04:18.879,0:04:20.351 it's speaking as if it is, 0:04:20.351,0:04:23.020 but this is what is coming. 0:04:23.020,0:04:25.170 And in His prayer, He's thinking of this. 0:04:25.170,0:04:28.040 (incomplete thought) 0:04:28.040,0:04:32.941 He's coming to the cross. 0:04:32.941,0:04:34.789 But He's seeing beyond that, 0:04:34.789,0:04:36.089 but He can't go beyond that 0:04:36.089,0:04:37.964 without going through the cross. 0:04:37.964,0:04:42.739 So that's where He is as He's praying. 0:04:42.739,0:04:44.745 "And now I am no more in the world, 0:04:44.745,0:04:46.764 but these are in the world." 0:04:46.764,0:04:48.756 His disciples. 0:04:48.756,0:04:56.201 "And I come to Thee, Holy Father. 0:04:56.201,0:05:00.969 Keep through Thine own name 0:05:00.969,0:05:04.479 those whom Thou has given Me, 0:05:04.479,0:05:09.425 that they may be one as We are." 0:05:09.425,0:05:19.876 That they may be one as We are. 0:05:19.876,0:05:22.450 Verse 20. 0:05:22.450,0:05:25.532 "Neither pray I for these alone..." - 0:05:25.532,0:05:28.319 the disciples, the apostles - 0:05:28.319,0:05:31.711 "...But for them also which [br]shall believe on Me 0:05:31.711,0:05:37.239 through their word, 0:05:37.239,0:05:42.637 that they all may be one, 0:05:42.637,0:05:46.077 as Thou Father art in Me, 0:05:46.077,0:05:50.151 and I in Thee, 0:05:50.151,0:05:54.169 that they also may be one in Us, 0:05:54.169,0:05:56.298 that the world may believe 0:05:56.298,0:06:01.472 that Thou hast sent Me, 0:06:01.472,0:06:03.525 and the glory which Thou hast given Me, 0:06:03.525,0:06:04.908 I have given them, 0:06:04.908,0:06:08.759 that they may be one, 0:06:08.759,0:06:12.905 even as We are one, 0:06:12.905,0:06:20.993 I in them, and Thou in Me, 0:06:20.993,0:06:24.868 that they may be made perfect in one 0:06:24.868,0:06:26.653 and that the world may know 0:06:26.653,0:06:29.155 that Thou hast sent Me and hast loved them 0:06:29.155,0:06:34.488 as Thou hast loved Me." 0:06:34.488,0:06:38.619 Amazing words. 0:06:38.619,0:06:41.516 Unity. 0:06:41.516,0:06:43.878 Unity among the saints 0:06:43.878,0:06:48.046 is an ultimate concern of the Triune God. 0:06:48.046,0:06:55.095 An ultimate - ultimate concern. 0:06:55.095,0:06:57.102 Jesus uses language in this portion 0:06:57.102,0:06:58.561 of His high priestly prayer 0:06:58.561,0:07:04.851 that I'm still seeking [br]to fully appreciate. 0:07:04.851,0:07:09.165 What is He saying? 0:07:09.165,0:07:13.385 I in them, and Thou in Me. 0:07:13.385,0:07:16.451 There's something about the relationship 0:07:16.451,0:07:17.751 with the Father and Son 0:07:17.751,0:07:21.162 that Jesus is praying that [br]we may experience, 0:07:21.162,0:07:28.088 we may enter into that unity. 0:07:28.088,0:07:29.597 It's the pattern of the unity 0:07:29.597,0:07:32.792 for which Jesus prays. 0:07:32.792,0:07:36.845 There is an expression called [br]"the community of properties." 0:07:36.845,0:07:39.962 I don't want to get too complicated here, 0:07:39.962,0:07:42.091 partly because I can't, 0:07:42.091,0:07:45.997 but I want to introduce this idea to you. 0:07:45.997,0:07:47.747 The community of properties. 0:07:47.747,0:07:49.735 And I think it's important to see 0:07:49.735,0:07:52.400 that when Jesus says, 0:07:52.400,0:07:54.891 as the Father is in Me - 0:07:54.891,0:07:58.217 "I in Thee, Thou in Me," 0:07:58.217,0:08:00.441 what is He saying? 0:08:00.441,0:08:03.483 There is something about the Being of God 0:08:03.483,0:08:07.206 in the Person of the Father, [br]the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 0:08:07.206,0:08:11.307 that is essentially one. 0:08:11.307,0:08:15.290 Essentially, there is a sameness, 0:08:15.290,0:08:17.253 so that Jesus could say, 0:08:17.253,0:08:19.715 "if you've seen Me, 0:08:19.715,0:08:21.008 you have seen the Father." 0:08:21.008,0:08:24.984 There is something about Jesus Christ, 0:08:24.984,0:08:27.040 something about the Father, 0:08:27.040,0:08:29.959 something about the Holy Spirit 0:08:29.959,0:08:34.570 that is one. 0:08:34.570,0:08:37.652 There is something [br]that is distinct as well 0:08:37.652,0:08:40.883 so that the Son can be [br]praying to the Father, 0:08:40.883,0:08:49.093 so that the Father is not the Son. 0:08:49.093,0:08:51.667 Amazing - there are people who teach that, 0:08:51.667,0:08:53.564 that the Father is the Son, 0:08:53.564,0:08:56.217 and the Son is the Father. 0:08:56.217,0:08:59.586 The Father is not the Son.[br]The Son is not the Father. 0:08:59.586,0:09:01.668 But there is a community of properties 0:09:01.668,0:09:03.645 in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit 0:09:03.645,0:09:05.584 so that They are one. 0:09:05.584,0:09:10.915 There's something that is the same, 0:09:10.915,0:09:13.467 and there is something that is distinct 0:09:13.467,0:09:16.470 so that They are three Persons 0:09:16.470,0:09:21.707 that function in three [br]different capacities 0:09:21.707,0:09:25.863 in absolute, total unity. 0:09:25.863,0:09:29.384 That's what we call the Trinity. 0:09:29.384,0:09:32.954 He says that they - [br]talking about the disciples 0:09:32.954,0:09:36.374 or those who will believe [br]the words of the apostles - 0:09:36.374,0:09:43.234 "they all may be one..." in Us. 0:09:43.234,0:09:44.387 That's what He says. 0:09:44.387,0:09:45.374 That's the prayer 0:09:45.374,0:09:46.983 that they all may be one in Us. 0:09:46.983,0:09:50.319 Every believer is brought 0:09:50.319,0:09:53.924 into a mystical, spiritual union 0:09:53.924,0:09:57.148 with the Triune God 0:09:57.148,0:10:01.485 as Jesus baptizes us with the Holy Spirit. 0:10:01.485,0:10:04.815 Did I just step onto some [br]controversial thought there? 0:10:04.815,0:10:06.861 I hope not. 0:10:06.861,0:10:09.110 Regardless of all of our fleshing out 0:10:09.110,0:10:11.521 of the baptism with the Holy Spirit, 0:10:11.521,0:10:14.811 we know that Jesus said He would do it. 0:10:14.811,0:10:16.317 He would baptize. 0:10:16.317,0:10:19.443 In fact, in Acts 1:5, He says not [br]many days from then, 0:10:19.443,0:10:20.590 He would baptize. 0:10:20.590,0:10:22.814 Then 1 Corinthians 12:13, 0:10:22.814,0:10:25.109 it's a past reference there - 0:10:25.109,0:10:27.886 something that has happened 0:10:27.886,0:10:29.698 that we participate in. 0:10:29.698,0:10:33.518 We drink of the same Spirit. 0:10:33.518,0:10:37.015 There is a sameness that exists 0:10:37.015,0:10:39.923 in every single believer. 0:10:39.923,0:10:48.354 Every believer possesses [br]the same Holy Spirit. 0:10:48.354,0:10:50.644 There is one body. 0:10:50.644,0:10:52.761 There is no longer Jew or Gentile. 0:10:52.761,0:10:55.206 There is no longer a division. 0:10:55.206,0:11:00.822 Ephesians 1-3 speak of this significantly. 0:11:00.822,0:11:05.035 Paul makes this point. 0:11:05.035,0:11:08.872 In Christ, we are one. 0:11:08.872,0:11:11.523 In Christ. 0:11:11.523,0:11:13.081 We have one Shepherd. 0:11:13.081,0:11:17.170 There is one fold. 0:11:17.170,0:11:19.889 Jesus does not view us - 0:11:19.889,0:11:23.663 and as He prays here, 0:11:23.663,0:11:25.496 there is a sense in which Jesus, 0:11:25.496,0:11:30.322 He told Peter, "I have prayed for you." 0:11:30.322,0:11:32.561 So there is a sense in which we can say 0:11:32.561,0:11:34.285 Christ prays for me, 0:11:34.285,0:11:39.202 but here Jesus is praying for us. 0:11:39.202,0:11:42.944 He's not viewing us as autonomous, 0:11:42.944,0:11:47.615 isolated believers. 0:11:47.615,0:11:49.805 But joined together by the Father and Son 0:11:49.805,0:11:53.662 through the Spirit as a spiritual temple, 0:11:53.662,0:11:57.432 living stones as Peter calls it, 0:11:57.432,0:11:59.034 who are joined together with all 0:11:59.034,0:12:05.441 who are believers in Heaven and in earth. 0:12:05.441,0:12:10.342 I think of this as the [br]eschatological church - 0:12:10.342,0:12:13.033 that glorious church [br]without spot or wrinkle, 0:12:13.033,0:12:16.376 which is the hope, [br]the ultimate culmination 0:12:16.376,0:12:19.938 of Jesus' prayer here, I believe. 0:12:19.938,0:12:23.284 In fact, He says in v. 24, 0:12:23.284,0:12:24.846 "Father, I will that they also 0:12:24.846,0:12:26.126 whom You have given Me 0:12:26.126,0:12:27.377 be with Me where I am 0:12:27.377,0:12:28.790 that they may behold My glory 0:12:28.790,0:12:30.790 which You've given Me, for Thou lovest Me 0:12:30.790,0:12:32.575 before the foundation of the world." 0:12:32.575,0:12:34.953 That's where it's all headed. 0:12:34.953,0:12:40.815 Ultimately, the glorious church. 0:12:40.815,0:12:43.042 But every New Testament church 0:12:43.042,0:12:45.424 is supposed to reflect [br]that glorious church 0:12:45.424,0:12:49.412 now in this age. 0:12:49.412,0:12:52.264 And that's really what I want [br]to ultimately focus on 0:12:52.264,0:12:54.380 as we proceed through our thoughts 0:12:54.380,0:12:57.459 this morning, tonight, and tomorrow. 0:12:57.459,0:12:59.769 But today, right now, 0:12:59.769,0:13:01.794 I want to establish this foundation 0:13:01.794,0:13:05.151 because the unity that we experience 0:13:05.151,0:13:07.456 doesn't happen in the energy of our flesh; 0:13:07.456,0:13:09.093 it doesn't come out of thin air - 0:13:09.093,0:13:10.420 it comes from a foundation, 0:13:10.420,0:13:14.972 and that foundation is [br]who we are in Christ. 0:13:14.972,0:13:18.544 In verse 22, Jesus says, 0:13:18.544,0:13:24.426 "And the glory which You gave Me, 0:13:24.426,0:13:28.820 I have given them, 0:13:28.820,0:13:30.149 that..." in order that - 0:13:30.149,0:13:31.924 and you'll see a number of those 0:13:31.924,0:13:34.454 in verses 20-23 - the word "that" 0:13:34.454,0:13:35.724 or "in order that" - 0:13:35.724,0:13:37.712 I don't know what your translation says. 0:13:37.712,0:13:40.881 It may say "in order that," [br]but that's the idea. 0:13:40.881,0:13:43.727 In order that "they may be one, 0:13:43.727,0:13:46.326 even as We are one." 0:13:46.326,0:13:49.185 So here's another basis for [br]unity among His people. 0:13:49.185,0:13:51.864 A shared glory. 0:13:51.864,0:13:55.640 Jesus says, "And the [br]glory which You gave Me, 0:13:55.640,0:13:58.790 I have given them." 0:13:58.790,0:14:02.376 What's He talking about? 0:14:02.376,0:14:06.604 What is the glory that His Father 0:14:06.604,0:14:08.292 has given Him? 0:14:08.292,0:14:11.134 Because that's what Jesus says 0:14:11.134,0:14:13.827 has been given to believers, 0:14:13.827,0:14:17.185 which then results in essential unity 0:14:17.185,0:14:19.823 comparable to the Father and the Son. 0:14:19.823,0:14:22.894 So there's something about the Father - 0:14:22.894,0:14:25.507 the glory that the Father gave to the Son 0:14:25.507,0:14:28.019 that is comparable to the glory 0:14:28.019,0:14:31.176 that we are receiving [br]that then is the basis - 0:14:31.176,0:14:36.443 one of the bases for [br]our experience of unity. 0:14:36.443,0:14:39.136 So what is that? 0:14:39.136,0:14:43.093 What glory did the Father give to the Son 0:14:43.093,0:14:46.194 in His humiliation? 0:14:46.194,0:14:47.985 He honored His Son. 0:14:47.985,0:14:53.048 And He honored His Son as His Son. 0:14:53.048,0:14:54.888 He pronounced that. 0:14:54.888,0:14:56.459 He pronounced it at His baptism. 0:14:56.459,0:14:58.789 He pronounced it at the Transfiguration. 0:14:58.789,0:15:00.621 He pronounced it in the resurrection: 0:15:00.621,0:15:07.886 This is My beloved Son. 0:15:07.886,0:15:14.268 2 Peter 1:17, 0:15:14.268,0:15:16.477 Peter alludes to this 0:15:16.477,0:15:21.542 as he's referring to the Transfiguration. 0:15:21.542,0:15:25.183 And he says, 0:15:25.183,0:15:29.165 "For He received from God the Father 0:15:29.165,0:15:32.021 honor and glory." 0:15:32.021,0:15:35.517 The glory which the Father has given - 0:15:35.517,0:15:38.877 Father, the glory You've given to Me. 0:15:38.877,0:15:41.438 "For He received from God the Father 0:15:41.438,0:15:43.638 honor and glory when there came 0:15:43.638,0:15:46.800 such a voice to Him [br]from the excellent glory, 0:15:46.800,0:15:51.644 'This is My beloved Son 0:15:51.644,0:15:56.289 in whom I am well pleased.'" 0:15:56.289,0:16:00.009 You see, the Son did not glorify Himself. 0:16:00.009,0:16:03.307 And this was a major point that Jesus made 0:16:03.307,0:16:06.676 while He was upon the earth. 0:16:06.676,0:16:12.414 In John 8:54, Jesus answered, 0:16:12.414,0:16:17.471 "If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. 0:16:17.471,0:16:21.295 It is My Father that honors Me, 0:16:21.295,0:16:24.720 of whom you say that He is your God." 0:16:24.720,0:16:28.373 It is My Father that honors Me. 0:16:28.373,0:16:32.155 The writer of Hebrews in Hebrews 5:5 says 0:16:32.155,0:16:35.218 that Christ did not bring the glory 0:16:35.218,0:16:38.276 of this high priestly [br]appointment upon Himself. 0:16:38.276,0:16:42.663 He didn't glorify Himself. [br]He didn't appoint Himself. 0:16:42.663,0:16:47.547 This came from His Father. 0:16:47.547,0:16:51.357 And then, in His resurrection, 0:16:51.357,0:17:02.117 what does Paul say in Romans 1:4? 0:17:02.117,0:17:05.525 "...And declared to be the Son of God 0:17:05.525,0:17:08.898 with power according [br]to the Spirit of holiness 0:17:08.898,0:17:12.336 by the resurrection from the dead." 0:17:12.336,0:17:14.269 And then in Acts 13:33, 0:17:14.269,0:17:16.027 that same concept - 0:17:16.027,0:17:19.810 in the resurrection of Jesus Christ 0:17:19.810,0:17:25.296 there is that declaration: This is My Son. 0:17:25.296,0:17:31.362 In Acts 13:33, 0:17:31.362,0:17:34.136 "God hath fulfilled the same [br]unto us their children 0:17:34.136,0:17:35.996 in that He hath raised up Jesus. 0:17:35.996,0:17:38.606 Again, as it is also written [br]in the second Psalm 0:17:38.606,0:17:41.769 "Thou art My Son. This day [br]have I begotten Thee.'" 0:17:41.769,0:17:44.137 You see, this is the glory 0:17:44.137,0:17:46.081 the Father gave to the Son. 0:17:46.081,0:17:48.722 He pronounced Him His Son. 0:17:48.722,0:17:55.821 He announced this relationship 0:17:55.821,0:17:59.320 with Jesus Christ His Son. 0:17:59.320,0:18:02.380 See, the point is that this glory 0:18:02.380,0:18:07.361 has been given to every believer. 0:18:07.361,0:18:10.870 This glory, this honor of sonship. 0:18:10.870,0:18:12.667 We are called the children of God. 0:18:12.667,0:18:15.774 We're adopted into His family. 0:18:15.774,0:18:19.275 "But as many as received Him, 0:18:19.275,0:18:22.021 to them gave He power (authority) 0:18:22.021,0:18:23.548 to become the sons of God, 0:18:23.548,0:18:25.410 even to them that believe on His name 0:18:25.410,0:18:27.147 which were born not of blood 0:18:27.147,0:18:28.678 nor of the will of the flesh 0:18:28.678,0:18:34.046 nor of the will of men, but of God." 0:18:34.046,0:18:37.316 We have been given the right to [br]be called the children of God. 0:18:37.316,0:18:40.510 He has pronounced us His children. 0:18:40.510,0:18:43.121 He has adopted us. 0:18:43.121,0:18:45.285 He's given us the Spirit of adoption. 0:18:45.285,0:18:49.596 I love Romans 8 - the whole chapter. 0:18:49.596,0:18:52.961 But Romans 8, the description that's given 0:18:52.961,0:18:57.581 here in verses 14-17. 0:18:57.581,0:18:59.249 We're thinking here of this glory. 0:18:59.249,0:19:01.907 Jesus prays, "Father, the glory 0:19:01.907,0:19:06.816 that You have given Me may be in them." 0:19:06.816,0:19:08.961 What is that glory? 0:19:08.961,0:19:14.656 We've been called sons - every believer. 0:19:14.656,0:19:18.051 We have a common bond here in this. 0:19:18.051,0:19:21.041 Romans 8:14, "For as many as are led 0:19:21.041,0:19:24.161 by the Spirit of God, [br]they are the sons of God, 0:19:24.161,0:19:27.155 for you have not received the [br]spirit of bondage again to fear, 0:19:27.155,0:19:32.037 but you have received [br]the Spirit of adoption 0:19:32.037,0:19:36.991 whereby we cry, 'Abba, Father.'" 0:19:36.991,0:19:38.499 We do. 0:19:38.499,0:19:42.716 Every child of God has [br]the same relationship. 0:19:42.716,0:19:46.557 The greatest saint in this room 0:19:46.557,0:19:47.821 has no greater privilege 0:19:47.821,0:19:52.151 than the least saint in this room. 0:19:52.151,0:19:54.026 We'll talk about that Saturday morning, 0:19:54.026,0:19:58.376 about what it is to be great. 0:19:58.376,0:20:03.320 It's a level playing field, we might say. 0:20:03.320,0:20:07.286 This is the glory that [br]has been placed upon us. 0:20:07.286,0:20:12.460 We're children. We're sons. [br]We have access. 0:20:12.460,0:20:15.920 "The Spirit Himself bears [br]witness with our spirit 0:20:15.920,0:20:19.901 that we are the children of God, 0:20:19.901,0:20:21.880 and if children, then heirs, heirs of God 0:20:21.880,0:20:25.056 and joint heirs with Christ." 0:20:25.056,0:20:31.525 This is what He's praying. 0:20:31.525,0:20:37.871 And then we share in the [br]resurrection glory don't we? 0:20:37.871,0:20:41.471 "That we may be also glorified together. 0:20:41.471,0:20:44.250 For I reckon that the sufferings [br]of this present time 0:20:44.250,0:20:46.679 are not worthy to be compared to the glory 0:20:46.679,0:20:48.443 which shall be revealed in us, 0:20:48.443,0:20:51.462 for the earnest expectation [br]of the creature 0:20:51.462,0:20:57.063 waits for the manifestation [br]of the sons of God." 0:20:57.063,0:21:03.144 That's us 0:21:03.144,0:21:06.884 who have been joined to Christ; 0:21:06.884,0:21:10.450 who are possessors [br]of the Spirit of Christ. 0:21:10.450,0:21:13.268 So we are now one with God. 0:21:13.268,0:21:16.351 Now. Right now. We are one with God. 0:21:16.351,0:21:18.524 And also one with every other believer 0:21:18.524,0:21:20.957 as the children of God [br]in the family of God 0:21:20.957,0:21:23.856 which does extend beyond [br]our own local churches. 0:21:23.856,0:21:30.449 It's every believer - we are [br]one with every believer - 0:21:30.449,0:21:38.510 whether we agree on everything or not. 0:21:38.510,0:21:40.922 And Jesus prays for this. 0:21:40.922,0:21:43.373 And then He died for it. 0:21:43.373,0:21:44.750 Then He rose again, 0:21:44.750,0:21:45.935 and then He ascended, 0:21:45.935,0:21:47.600 and then the Spirit came. 0:21:47.600,0:21:54.005 The Spirit was sent to unite us 0:21:54.005,0:22:00.584 in order to accomplish what He prays for. 0:22:00.584,0:22:03.590 So believer, I say, be [br]overwhelmed by this. 0:22:03.590,0:22:06.564 Be overwhelmed by what God has done. 0:22:06.564,0:22:09.836 Be overwhelmed as you [br]read Jesus' prayer here. 0:22:09.836,0:22:13.647 He's praying for you, not in isolation 0:22:13.647,0:22:16.018 from your brothers and sisters in Christ, 0:22:16.018,0:22:23.892 but as part of an incredibly [br]large family really. 0:22:23.892,0:22:27.500 Although sometimes it seems that [br]we're so small and isolated. 0:22:27.500,0:22:33.765 We're really not in the big picture. 0:22:33.765,0:22:36.320 The blessings that are [br]yours now and forever. 0:22:36.320,0:22:37.707 You are one. 0:22:37.707,0:22:40.092 You're one in God. 0:22:40.092,0:22:42.150 You are in God and God is in you. 0:22:42.150,0:22:46.792 Isn't that an amazing thought! 0:22:46.792,0:22:52.341 Eternal life is in you. 0:22:52.341,0:22:55.059 This is why you have the desires you have. 0:22:55.059,0:22:58.843 This is why you have the [br]longings that you have. 0:22:58.843,0:23:04.188 This is why you have relationships 0:23:04.188,0:23:06.827 that are not of this world; 0:23:06.827,0:23:10.816 relationships that go beyond this life. 0:23:10.816,0:23:13.604 You're part of a family that transcends 0:23:13.604,0:23:18.889 genealogical relationships. 0:23:18.889,0:23:21.584 One in Christ. 0:23:21.584,0:23:23.180 I dare say some of you have 0:23:23.180,0:23:28.281 closer relationships with [br]fellow blood-bought believers 0:23:28.281,0:23:35.420 than you do your own biological family. 0:23:35.420,0:23:37.752 Thankfully, some of us have 0:23:37.752,0:23:40.790 biological family members [br]who are in Christ as well, 0:23:40.790,0:23:43.188 so the bond is double. 0:23:43.188,0:23:45.855 The relationship is enhanced, 0:23:45.855,0:23:50.260 but it's a struggle having [br]biological family 0:23:50.260,0:23:52.914 that you must relate to. 0:23:52.914,0:23:54.155 Sometimes it's a spouse. 0:23:54.155,0:23:56.677 Sometimes it's children. [br]You must relate to them. 0:23:56.677,0:23:58.563 It's a godly thing, biblical thing. 0:23:58.563,0:23:59.801 You must relate to them, 0:23:59.801,0:24:05.788 but it comes with its difficulties. 0:24:05.788,0:24:10.720 Though when Christ comes 0:24:10.720,0:24:13.318 and you're made one in Christ, 0:24:13.318,0:24:14.761 everything changes. 0:24:14.761,0:24:16.948 But this is the essential unity 0:24:16.948,0:24:19.521 that Jesus has in view as He prays. 0:24:19.521,0:24:23.971 The essential unity. 0:24:23.971,0:24:28.861 This is really a unity that [br]doesn't depend on you. 0:24:28.861,0:24:31.115 This is a unity that depends upon Him. 0:24:31.115,0:24:34.959 He has established this unity. 0:24:34.959,0:24:37.087 It's the foundation 0:24:37.087,0:24:39.676 from which we are to experience unity 0:24:39.676,0:24:42.810 in this world with other believers. 0:24:42.810,0:24:44.514 And it's most clearly witnessed 0:24:44.514,0:24:47.533 in relationships formed in churches, 0:24:47.533,0:24:49.082 which is really what is unfolded 0:24:49.082,0:24:50.835 in the rest of the New Testament, 0:24:50.835,0:24:55.527 how this all fleshes out, [br]works out in our lives. 0:24:55.527,0:24:58.584 I was talking to a brother [br]this morning about this, 0:24:58.584,0:25:03.783 and as we can talk about our unity 0:25:03.783,0:25:05.699 with our brothers all over the world, 0:25:05.699,0:25:08.083 but the reality is it's where we live 0:25:08.083,0:25:10.863 that we experience this unity. 0:25:10.863,0:25:13.610 So it's one thing to talk [br]about the idea of unity; 0:25:13.610,0:25:15.506 it's another thing to work it out, 0:25:15.506,0:25:17.107 and that's where we need to be - 0:25:17.107,0:25:19.773 working out this unity, 0:25:19.773,0:25:22.656 in particular, those that we [br]are in relationship with 0:25:22.656,0:25:24.346 on a regular basis. 0:25:24.346,0:25:27.530 Now, let me give some [br]points of clarification here. 0:25:27.530,0:25:30.687 I think it's necessary. 0:25:30.687,0:25:32.253 This portion of Jesus' prayer 0:25:32.253,0:25:37.761 has been very misunderstood [br]and abused by many. 0:25:37.761,0:25:40.997 Unity for some has displaced truth 0:25:40.997,0:25:45.521 and the distinctives of [br]biblical Christianity 0:25:45.521,0:25:48.004 so that unity becomes - 0:25:48.004,0:25:50.344 or at least their concept of unity, 0:25:50.344,0:25:54.053 and oftentimes I think it's [br]more of a unity of humanity 0:25:54.053,0:25:59.277 than it is a unity in Christ. 0:25:59.277,0:26:03.871 And while I know it's [br]possible to ignore unity 0:26:03.871,0:26:05.987 as we fight and divide with everyone 0:26:05.987,0:26:09.476 who holds a different [br]point of view or practice - 0:26:09.476,0:26:10.859 maybe that's where we are. 0:26:10.859,0:26:13.579 Maybe that's where we need [br]to most guard ourselves, 0:26:13.579,0:26:15.175 but the greater danger I believe, 0:26:15.175,0:26:21.416 at least, on a larger scale [br]is to become all-inclusive. 0:26:21.416,0:26:23.926 All religions lead to God. 0:26:23.926,0:26:25.901 So that we're even coming to the table 0:26:25.901,0:26:29.477 to try to find out where [br]at least do we agree 0:26:29.477,0:26:31.676 with let's say Muslims, 0:26:31.676,0:26:33.451 so that we can at least live together 0:26:33.451,0:26:35.327 and work together, because after all, 0:26:35.327,0:26:38.316 there is only one God and they [br]believe there's only one God, 0:26:38.316,0:26:41.857 and so we're moving together [br]toward this one God. 0:26:41.857,0:26:44.345 They have a different path - [br]we have our path, 0:26:44.345,0:26:51.227 but you know, Christ [br]prayed that we'd be one. 0:26:51.227,0:26:53.988 So there is that ecumenical spirit 0:26:53.988,0:26:58.778 and movement that exists, 0:26:58.778,0:27:01.116 and sometimes we can be [br]pulled over into that 0:27:01.116,0:27:02.847 more than we should. 0:27:02.853,0:27:05.817 And I'll comment on this a little more 0:27:05.817,0:27:08.780 probably in the next message. 0:27:08.780,0:27:10.607 We cannot promote or participate 0:27:10.607,0:27:12.296 in a unity that is not based upon 0:27:12.296,0:27:14.631 the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 0:27:14.631,0:27:16.809 We just can't. Flat out can't. 0:27:16.809,0:27:18.680 Now there are other areas we have to 0:27:18.680,0:27:20.857 flesh out, work out, how far can we go, 0:27:20.857,0:27:23.893 how much can we join, etc. 0:27:23.893,0:27:25.182 I get that. 0:27:25.182,0:27:27.155 I still struggle with that. 0:27:27.155,0:27:28.946 But I know this for sure, 0:27:28.946,0:27:30.743 we cannot join together in fellowship 0:27:30.743,0:27:33.475 with those who are not agreed upon us 0:27:33.475,0:27:37.766 in the basic doctrine of [br]the Lord Jesus Christ; 0:27:37.766,0:27:41.810 the grace of God in the Lord Jesus Christ. 0:27:41.810,0:27:43.621 An attempt to experience unity 0:27:43.621,0:27:45.951 that ignores the essential unity 0:27:45.951,0:27:48.408 expressed by Jesus in this prayer 0:27:48.408,0:27:51.521 is dangerous and actually works against 0:27:51.521,0:27:57.141 the unity for which He prays. 0:27:57.141,0:27:59.930 So let's think for just a few moments 0:27:59.930,0:28:05.590 about what Jesus prays here. 0:28:05.590,0:28:12.065 In v. 20 in particular, 0:28:12.065,0:28:15.575 "...Neither pray I for these alone, 0:28:15.575,0:28:18.774 but for them also which shall [br]believe on Me through their word." 0:28:18.774,0:28:21.819 You see who He's praying for. 0:28:21.819,0:28:23.782 He's not praying for everybody. 0:28:23.782,0:28:25.075 He's already said earlier, 0:28:25.075,0:28:27.662 "I pray not for the world, [br]I pray for these," 0:28:27.662,0:28:30.206 at that point focusing [br]in on His disciples. 0:28:30.206,0:28:31.784 Here, He expands it to those 0:28:31.784,0:28:35.345 who believe the words of the apostles. 0:28:35.345,0:28:38.675 It's a unity based upon [br]apostolic doctrine then. 0:28:38.675,0:28:40.398 It's a unity based upon the word 0:28:40.398,0:28:42.928 that comes to us through the apostles. 0:28:42.928,0:28:45.657 The Scriptures. 0:28:45.657,0:28:47.945 This is the Word that Jesus said in v. 6, 0:28:47.945,0:28:49.464 "they had kept." 0:28:49.464,0:28:54.035 He said to His father, [br]"They have kept Thy Word." 0:28:54.035,0:28:56.061 In v. 8, He says, 0:28:56.061,0:28:59.785 "They believed that You sent Me." 0:28:59.785,0:29:02.822 Others didn't, but these did. 0:29:02.822,0:29:06.461 Essential doctrine. 0:29:06.461,0:29:10.894 You see, Jesus spoke [br]that which was given to Him. 0:29:10.894,0:29:14.647 In John 12:49, He said, "I've spoken that 0:29:14.647,0:29:16.303 which the Father has given to Me." 0:29:16.303,0:29:18.347 I am speaking that which is in agreement 0:29:18.347,0:29:20.708 with My Father. 0:29:20.708,0:29:22.812 And the Jews of that day rejected Him. 0:29:22.812,0:29:24.557 They called Him a blasphemer, 0:29:24.557,0:29:26.815 but these believed that He came down. 0:29:26.815,0:29:31.821 These believed that He was sent. 0:29:31.821,0:29:35.261 They believed that He was the Son of God. 0:29:35.261,0:29:36.981 You remember, the Apostle Peter, 0:29:36.981,0:29:38.989 when Jesus says, "Will you also go away?" 0:29:38.989,0:29:40.325 said, "To whom shall we go? 0:29:40.325,0:29:43.046 You have the words of eternal life." 0:29:43.046,0:29:45.616 And though I understand that the apostles 0:29:45.616,0:29:47.938 were lacking in a full understanding 0:29:47.938,0:29:51.996 of Gospel truth, 0:29:51.996,0:29:54.705 they had the Gospel truth they had 0:29:54.705,0:29:56.510 and believed what Jesus said. 0:29:56.510,0:29:59.657 More was revealed and it's written to us 0:29:59.657,0:30:05.267 in the completed record of Scripture. 0:30:05.267,0:30:07.405 But what I am saying [br]here is that godly unity 0:30:07.405,0:30:08.757 cannot disregard the faith 0:30:08.757,0:30:12.678 once delivered to the saints. 0:30:12.678,0:30:14.505 You cannot lay the Scriptures aside 0:30:14.505,0:30:21.718 in favor of an experience called unity. 0:30:21.718,0:30:24.947 I like to get along with everybody. 0:30:24.947,0:30:29.657 I don't like to feel [br]that spirit of division, 0:30:29.657,0:30:32.502 that unwelcomed, unwelcoming spirit. 0:30:32.502,0:30:37.140 I don't like that. 0:30:37.140,0:30:40.324 But we can't be gullible. 0:30:40.324,0:30:41.931 The Bereans were not charged 0:30:41.931,0:30:43.434 with being disrupters of unity 0:30:43.434,0:30:45.093 when they searced the Scriptures 0:30:45.093,0:30:49.833 to see if the things that Paul [br]was preaching were so. 0:30:49.833,0:30:52.934 So don't think that you're fighting [br]against the prayer of Jesus 0:30:52.934,0:30:55.634 when you are seriously [br]searching the Scriptures 0:30:55.634,0:30:59.016 to see if what you're hearing - even [br]what you're hearing this morning - 0:30:59.016,0:31:00.764 is it really true? Is it really so? 0:31:00.764,0:31:02.526 Search it out. 0:31:02.526,0:31:04.770 I'm not going to call [br]you a disrupter of unity 0:31:04.770,0:31:08.119 if you're honestly searching [br]out the truth of God's Word. 0:31:08.119,0:31:10.235 And if you're asking honest questions, 0:31:10.235,0:31:11.633 I'm not going to say to you, 0:31:11.633,0:31:13.506 well, you're a disrupter of the unity. 0:31:13.506,0:31:15.796 You need to keep those [br]questions to yourself. 0:31:15.796,0:31:16.857 Why would I say that? 0:31:16.857,0:31:22.905 If I perceive that your spirit is right? 0:31:22.905,0:31:25.541 Teaching on the experience [br]of unity in Ephesians 4, 0:31:25.541,0:31:32.710 Paul pressed the church [br]toward unity of the faith 0:31:32.710,0:31:37.515 which would protect against [br]every wind of doctrine. 0:31:37.515,0:31:40.045 So it's important that [br]we grow in the faith. 0:31:40.045,0:31:42.394 It's important that this [br]unity is established 0:31:42.394,0:31:46.401 upon the truth that is [br]found in these Scriptures 0:31:46.401,0:31:49.827 properly understood. 0:31:49.827,0:31:58.084 As you know, the devils [br]know this book very well. 0:31:58.084,0:32:01.327 Godly unity in Christ is expressed 0:32:01.327,0:32:04.799 by mutual submission [br]to the authority of God 0:32:04.799,0:32:07.143 through His Word. 0:32:07.143,0:32:10.731 As I speak every week at the prison, 0:32:10.731,0:32:12.791 that's the one thing I tell those guys. 0:32:12.791,0:32:14.902 By the time I leave them - 0:32:14.902,0:32:17.575 they have a six month [br]rotation in that room - 0:32:17.575,0:32:19.413 by the time I leave them, I want them 0:32:19.413,0:32:23.036 to know that this is the authority. 0:32:23.036,0:32:27.061 And then I recently had [br]one of the prison guards 0:32:27.061,0:32:29.404 meet me out and he's interacting with me, 0:32:29.404,0:32:32.559 and he's challenging me on that. 0:32:32.559,0:32:36.216 And he's saying this can't [br]be the final authority. 0:32:36.216,0:32:37.488 I mean, don't you know 0:32:37.488,0:32:39.112 that when these words were given, 0:32:39.112,0:32:40.571 they had to carry them around 0:32:40.571,0:32:44.046 and they couldn't carry the whole binding 0:32:44.046,0:32:45.226 of these words. 0:32:45.226,0:32:49.255 So only a little bit was given then. 0:32:49.255,0:32:53.264 So over time, since the [br]book of Revelation, 0:32:53.264,0:32:54.938 over time, there's been more given. 0:32:54.938,0:32:56.601 Of course, he was Roman Catholic 0:32:56.601,0:32:59.530 and he was giving me the [br]Roman Catholic dogma 0:32:59.530,0:33:01.227 that the church has authority. 0:33:01.227,0:33:03.800 What the church says is authoritative. 0:33:03.800,0:33:09.035 And the Word of God is [br]not the final authority. 0:33:09.035,0:33:13.238 This is the final authority. 0:33:13.238,0:33:15.159 And so the unity must be based upon 0:33:15.159,0:33:17.041 the final authority. 0:33:17.041,0:33:20.099 And then, I want you to see that Christ - 0:33:20.099,0:33:21.721 what He says in v. 20, He says, 0:33:21.721,0:33:23.835 "For them also which [br]shall believe on Me..." 0:33:23.835,0:33:25.277 not only through their word, 0:33:25.277,0:33:27.270 but "believe on Me." 0:33:27.270,0:33:28.856 So He's talking about believers. 0:33:28.856,0:33:31.347 It's a unity of saints. 0:33:31.347,0:33:33.535 True believers. 0:33:33.535,0:33:36.309 It's a unity of eternal life believers. 0:33:36.309,0:33:39.106 Those who, as He prays in the beginning, 0:33:39.106,0:33:43.644 that You've given Him - Jesus has power, 0:33:43.644,0:33:45.269 authority over all flesh, 0:33:45.269,0:33:46.885 that He should give eternal life 0:33:46.885,0:33:48.614 to as many as You've given Him. 0:33:48.614,0:33:51.712 And this is life eternal, [br]that they might know 0:33:51.712,0:33:53.656 You, the only true God, 0:33:53.656,0:33:56.275 and Jesus Christ whom You've sent. 0:33:56.275,0:33:57.889 Eternal life believers. 0:33:57.889,0:33:59.813 Not those who simply believe the fact 0:33:59.813,0:34:01.385 that He's the Son of God, 0:34:01.385,0:34:04.284 like the demons in Luke 4, 0:34:04.284,0:34:06.737 being cast out, they cried out, 0:34:06.737,0:34:08.257 "We know who You are! 0:34:08.257,0:34:12.200 You are the Christ, the Son of God." 0:34:12.200,0:34:15.327 So just knowing that Jesus is the Messiah; 0:34:15.327,0:34:17.192 knowing that He's the Son of God 0:34:17.192,0:34:21.534 doesn't mean you have eternal life. 0:34:21.534,0:34:24.075 Jesus is not praying for unity 0:34:24.075,0:34:28.734 of a cultural or political nature; 0:34:28.734,0:34:31.337 those who just are [br]professing to be Christians. 0:34:31.337,0:34:34.565 We're a "Christian culture." 0:34:34.565,0:34:36.871 We're Christians. They're Jews. 0:34:36.871,0:34:40.447 They're Muslims. That sort of thing. 0:34:40.447,0:34:42.651 Or family - you know, [br]my family's Christian. 0:34:42.651,0:34:44.082 They've always been Christian. 0:34:44.082,0:34:47.031 I was born a Christian. 0:34:47.031,0:34:48.588 Well, that's just simply untrue. 0:34:48.588,0:34:50.204 That's a lie. 0:34:50.204,0:34:53.732 It's not possible to be born a Christian. 0:34:53.732,0:34:55.595 The eternal life believers are those 0:34:55.595,0:34:58.970 who have experienced union with God. 0:34:58.970,0:35:03.785 Have you experienced union with God? 0:35:03.785,0:35:06.098 Have you been a receiver 0:35:06.098,0:35:09.742 of the law of the Spirit [br]of life in Christ Jesus? 0:35:09.742,0:35:13.948 Is that the Spirit that's living in you? 0:35:13.948,0:35:19.456 That's working in you? 0:35:19.456,0:35:23.756 Jesus is not praying for unity 0:35:23.756,0:35:25.681 among those who believe 0:35:25.681,0:35:29.423 in a Jesus of their own making. 0:35:29.423,0:35:31.564 I don't want to spend [br]much time on that one 0:35:31.564,0:35:34.302 because I think you understand [br]what I'm saying there. 0:35:34.302,0:35:38.405 There is another Jesus. 0:35:38.405,0:35:39.571 Paul warned about that. 0:35:39.571,0:35:40.927 He was concerned about that 0:35:40.927,0:35:42.129 even with the Corinthians 0:35:42.129,0:35:44.182 and the Corinthian church [br]among the saints. 0:35:44.182,0:35:45.610 He was concerned about them 0:35:45.610,0:35:51.998 getting their eyes off of the true Jesus. 0:35:51.998,0:35:53.438 There are a lot of folks today 0:35:53.438,0:35:55.246 who are using the name Jesus 0:35:55.246,0:35:56.965 and it's another spirit. 0:35:56.965,0:36:01.724 Try the spirits whether they are of God. 0:36:01.724,0:36:03.619 He's not praying for unity among those 0:36:03.619,0:36:07.505 who are believing a message that is not 0:36:07.505,0:36:09.824 the apostolic Gospel of the Son of God. 0:36:09.824,0:36:13.158 Like Paul says in Galatians 1:6-9 - 0:36:13.158,0:36:14.454 is it another gospel? 0:36:14.454,0:36:16.438 Are you hearing another gospel? 0:36:16.438,0:36:18.452 As you listen to those who are saying 0:36:18.452,0:36:19.552 they believe in Jesus; 0:36:19.552,0:36:21.854 saying that they believe in salvation - 0:36:21.854,0:36:23.034 as you listen to them, 0:36:23.034,0:36:25.961 what are they really saying? 0:36:25.961,0:36:27.563 And you need to listen to them. 0:36:27.563,0:36:30.615 You don't just seek for unity 0:36:30.615,0:36:33.906 with those who say "Jesus" 0:36:33.906,0:36:39.205 or even use the word "gospel." 0:36:39.205,0:36:42.135 Is it truly a Gospel of grace? 0:36:42.135,0:36:47.137 Are you hearing additions? 0:36:47.137,0:36:50.425 Maybe even subtly or slightly. 0:36:50.425,0:36:53.825 Be careful. 0:36:53.825,0:36:55.682 We don't want to lay burdens on people 0:36:55.682,0:36:57.096 that God hasn't laid. 0:36:57.096,0:36:59.427 God has laid burdens upon His people 0:36:59.427,0:37:01.724 to seek to be justified [br]by their own works. 0:37:01.724,0:37:04.099 Why would we lay that burden on people? 0:37:04.099,0:37:08.694 We believe that we will all be justified 0:37:08.694,0:37:12.273 by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. 0:37:12.273,0:37:20.913 Jew and Gentile - it makes no difference. 0:37:20.913,0:37:24.204 So we must stay clear of that spirit 0:37:24.204,0:37:26.906 which embraces everyone who simply says 0:37:26.906,0:37:28.868 they believe in God or believe in Jesus 0:37:28.868,0:37:31.316 or believes in a gospel. 0:37:31.316,0:37:32.798 Tim Challies said this, 0:37:32.798,0:37:37.882 "Ecumenism is not true unity. 0:37:37.882,0:37:41.014 It is a lie. 0:37:41.014,0:37:44.230 It is a lie agreed upon." 0:37:44.230,0:37:48.458 It is a lie agreed upon. 0:37:48.458,0:37:52.619 "One that inoculates lost souls 0:37:52.619,0:37:56.905 to the life-transforming [br]truth of the Gospel." 0:37:56.905,0:38:00.936 One that inoculates lost souls. 0:38:00.936,0:38:04.197 They're deceived. 0:38:04.197,0:38:06.778 "To the life-transforming [br]truth of the Gospel." 0:38:06.778,0:38:08.866 Thinking they are something they're not. 0:38:08.866,0:38:15.615 Thinking they have something they don't. 0:38:15.615,0:38:17.334 No, Jesus is praying for those 0:38:17.334,0:38:19.349 to whom He gives eternal life. 0:38:19.349,0:38:22.677 Eternal life believers. 0:38:22.677,0:38:24.754 These are the ones who believe on Him 0:38:24.754,0:38:26.133 because they know Him, 0:38:26.133,0:38:27.760 and because they want to know Him. 0:38:27.760,0:38:33.390 Christ is everything. 0:38:33.390,0:38:36.662 Take what you will from my life - 0:38:36.662,0:38:38.780 possessions, relationships, 0:38:38.780,0:38:41.094 whatever it may be, but Jesus Christ - 0:38:41.094,0:38:47.613 I must have You! I must have You! 0:38:47.613,0:38:50.940 These are the kinds of [br]believers Jesus is praying for. 0:38:50.940,0:38:52.622 These are the ones who possess 0:38:52.622,0:38:58.864 the transforming life of [br]God in their souls. 0:38:58.864,0:39:00.328 I'm not what I was, 0:39:00.328,0:39:03.160 and I'm still seeing things in my life 0:39:03.160,0:39:05.891 that disturb me because I see that they 0:39:05.891,0:39:08.584 disturb a holy God that I love and worship 0:39:08.584,0:39:11.653 and want to serve. 0:39:11.653,0:39:14.749 I'm mortifying, I'm putting to death. 0:39:14.749,0:39:17.010 This is an active thing in my life. 0:39:17.010,0:39:18.745 These are the kinds of believers 0:39:18.745,0:39:25.137 that Jesus is praying for. 0:39:25.137,0:39:27.539 These are the ones that [br]not only come to Christ 0:39:27.539,0:39:30.592 to meet their desperate [br]need of forgiveness of sins 0:39:30.592,0:39:32.073 to be one with God, 0:39:32.073,0:39:33.523 but ones who follow Him 0:39:33.523,0:39:36.792 because they are truly united with Him. 0:39:36.792,0:39:39.502 Forgiveness of our sins - [br]oh, don't underestimate that. 0:39:39.502,0:39:40.505 Don't belittle that. 0:39:40.505,0:39:41.945 Sometimes I hear people say, 0:39:41.945,0:39:44.236 oh, you just believe in the [br]forgiveness of sins. 0:39:44.236,0:39:47.181 Don't talk like that. 0:39:47.181,0:39:48.568 Are you kidding me? 0:39:48.568,0:39:50.806 Do you know what Jesus did 0:39:50.806,0:39:53.040 that our sins would be forgiven? 0:39:53.040,0:39:55.801 Huge! That's huge! 0:39:55.801,0:39:59.602 But the life of the believer doesn't stop 0:39:59.602,0:40:02.449 with that reality. 0:40:02.449,0:40:05.278 The life of the believer [br]goes on with Christ. 0:40:05.278,0:40:07.605 Follows Him. 0:40:07.605,0:40:11.676 Pursues Him. 0:40:11.676,0:40:15.827 Not in order to become more justified, 0:40:15.827,0:40:17.877 but in order to be more like Him. 0:40:17.877,0:40:18.751 That's our desire. 0:40:18.751,0:40:20.771 These are the ones for whom Jesus prays. 0:40:20.771,0:40:24.105 This is the unity that He's praying for. 0:40:24.105,0:40:25.631 These are the kinds of people 0:40:25.631,0:40:26.950 that we want to be with. 0:40:26.950,0:40:28.355 These are the kinds of people 0:40:28.355,0:40:30.080 that we want to join together with. 0:40:30.080,0:40:31.917 These are the kinds of people we want 0:40:31.917,0:40:33.294 to have fellowship with. 0:40:33.294,0:40:35.234 Eternal life believers 0:40:35.234,0:40:38.526 who are in the family of God. 0:40:38.526,0:40:40.352 We need to willingly and continually 0:40:40.352,0:40:44.025 confess Him in practical [br]ways in our lives. 0:40:44.025,0:40:47.352 We need to confess this [br]unity in practical ways, 0:40:47.352,0:40:52.563 like this weekend - these [br]few days right here. 0:40:52.563,0:40:55.053 Hey listen, if you and [br]I sat down long enough, 0:40:55.053,0:41:00.049 you know, we'd disagree somewhere, right? 0:41:00.049,0:41:03.737 Right? So, we could focus on that. 0:41:03.737,0:41:05.701 And it may be something serious enough 0:41:05.701,0:41:09.925 that needs to be focused upon. 0:41:09.925,0:41:14.095 But that's not where our [br]unity is grounded. 0:41:14.095,0:41:15.900 Our unity is not grounded 0:41:15.900,0:41:17.491 in our agreement or disagreement. 0:41:17.491,0:41:21.941 Our unity is grounded in [br]who we are in Christ 0:41:21.941,0:41:24.781 and do we have the same Spirit 0:41:24.781,0:41:28.223 working in us. 0:41:28.223,0:41:31.168 So we want to experience godly unity 0:41:31.168,0:41:34.294 on a true Gospel foundation. 0:41:34.294,0:41:35.607 I'm going to stop here. 0:41:35.607,0:41:38.505 I'm going to pick this [br]up in the next message 0:41:38.505,0:41:42.278 and kind of explore [br]this a little bit more - 0:41:42.278,0:41:44.187 the experience of unity 0:41:44.187,0:41:47.459 in the context of regular church life 0:41:47.459,0:41:49.471 in particular. 0:41:49.471,0:41:52.663 We confess our eternal union 0:41:52.663,0:41:56.803 with God in Christ by our experience. 0:41:56.803,0:42:00.405 It's kind of like [br]everything else we confess. 0:42:00.405,0:42:03.247 We confess to believe in Christ. 0:42:03.247,0:42:04.543 But do we really? 0:42:04.543,0:42:07.669 We confess to be one with Christ, 0:42:07.669,0:42:11.535 one in Christ, but are we really? 0:42:11.535,0:42:13.659 And one way we know that 0:42:13.659,0:42:20.205 is by it being worked out [br]in our lives experientially. 0:42:20.205,0:42:23.371 See, we are the visible [br]manifestation of Christ 0:42:23.371,0:42:25.569 now in this world. We are. 0:42:25.569,0:42:27.670 We're going to see that in that prayer, 0:42:27.670,0:42:30.464 "that the world may believe," 0:42:30.464,0:42:32.342 "that the world may know..." 0:42:32.342,0:42:35.595 We are His manifestation. 0:42:35.595,0:42:37.293 So we must not underestimate 0:42:37.293,0:42:40.491 the significance of living out this unity 0:42:40.491,0:42:42.125 that we have together in Christ. 0:42:42.125,0:42:44.786 Sadly, there are a lot of folks 0:42:44.786,0:42:46.667 who have been steered away 0:42:46.667,0:42:51.296 from anything to do with the Gospel 0:42:51.296,0:42:53.760 because they've seen too much 0:42:53.760,0:42:57.880 within particular churches of people 0:42:57.880,0:43:01.082 who are hating on one another, 0:43:01.082,0:43:02.796 and they run from that 0:43:02.796,0:43:07.523 as if that's the true [br]representation of Christ. 0:43:07.523,0:43:09.587 We need to be careful. 0:43:09.587,0:43:11.722 May God help us. 0:43:11.722,0:43:14.924 Father, I pray that You would give us 0:43:14.924,0:43:20.385 eyes to see, understanding, 0:43:20.385,0:43:25.022 to be able to work these [br]truths out in our lives. 0:43:25.022,0:43:28.931 Oh, that we would contemplate more fully, 0:43:28.931,0:43:32.247 Lord Jesus, what You have done, 0:43:32.247,0:43:37.125 and hear the words of Your prayer 0:43:37.125,0:43:43.503 and how our Father, unity delights You. 0:43:43.503,0:43:49.220 We are one in You, with You, 0:43:49.220,0:43:51.448 and You with us. 0:43:51.448,0:43:53.566 I pray that You would bless us 0:43:53.566,0:43:58.130 in the meditations upon this truth 0:43:58.130,0:44:03.907 that is deeper than we [br]can fully comprehend. 0:44:03.907,0:44:05.913 Please help us. 0:44:05.913,0:44:10.522 Grant to us the ministry [br]of the Holy Spirit 0:44:10.522,0:44:14.125 as we not only think [br]through these matters. 0:44:14.125,0:44:16.065 We're not interested in simply having 0:44:16.065,0:44:18.272 a deeper academic understanding; 0:44:18.272,0:44:22.391 we want to know the reality 0:44:22.391,0:44:24.459 of what You have prayed. 0:44:24.459,0:44:25.631 Help us. 0:44:25.631,0:44:27.721 In Christ's name I pray, Amen.