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Sunday 21 July 2002 - "Glorious unity in the Lord"

(Summary of sermon by Erlo Stegen)

John 17:14 - 22

14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

17 ¶ Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

20 ¶ Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

The devil knows that his time is short, and he is doing his utmost to destroy God's work. Satan does his best to deceive. Watchmen should be alert and watching, otherwise the enemy will come and destroy. In the same way, spiritually, we need to be wide awake and on our guard.

Jesus prays here that God would keep his disciples from the world, while they remain in the world. What is this world Jesus speaks about? In 1 Jn 2:15 & 16 we read that it is the

• lust of the flesh
• lust of the eyes
• pride of life

In short, it is everything that does not proceed from the Father. Pray to God that nothing would remain in you that is not from the Father. Jesus prays for us as well, who believed on Him because of their words (those disciples who were with him then). Do you live in victory over the world with its passions and desires, as Jesus has prayed?

Jesus' prayer is powerful. We can truly thank Him for this High Priestly prayer, or else we would not be able to overcome in this world.

Jesus prays here for the unity of those that believe on Him. This is a special type of unity. It is not like the unity of the world. It is even as He and the Father are one. Is there any unity as complete, pure and holy as the unity of the Triune God? Our unity must therefore be in Jesus, otherwise it is evil.

Some unite with a party-spirit, causing divisions amongst God's people. This is not the spirit of the Triune God. Satan does his utmost to divide God's people. Some of God's people even forget their true enemy and fight each other.

Are you one with your brethren at church, as the Father and the Son are one? You might criticize them for many things and use that as an excuse why you cannot unite with them. The Bible says that "love covers a multitude of sins". You must help that brother with such godly love as to bring him back from the error of his way, and bring him life. You must not side with his sin, but rescue his soul from death. However, if you just turn your back on your brethren, you will not be blessed. Jesus loved His disciples continuously, even unto death. God's blessing will flow where this Christ-like unity dwells. This Christ-like love and bond of unity can be sensed even at a distance between brothers in Christ.

Only when the world see this true unity of love will they believe that the Father has sent the Son to save the world. Jesus prayed for the church, His disciples and for us. If you have anything against anyone, be reconciled to that person before the sun sets, that God's unity might be restored in your life. At the Cross all enmity is dealt with.

It would be wonderful when Jesus returns and finds His Church in His unity and glory, and His prayer fulfilled.