I've been going through bins of papers (you'd be surprised what a pack rat I can be) and came across a healthy stack of notes from various sermons and bible studies. I can't possibly throw these away without first capturing their goodness somewhere. So I chose here. Enjoy.
Make Us One - Craig Groeschel (a great author by the way) - Heard via satellite at Summit Church Orlando, June 29, 2008.
Father, in heaven, make us one - [paraphrased from John 17:20-24 (ESV) "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that that may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world."]
As Christians we must recognize that we all have one enemy. This enemy is not each other although with all the fighting amongst churches it certainly seems like it as times. No, this enemy is the devil, Satan, evil, whatever you want to call him, it is the same nonetheless. Sadly, we so often focus on what we don't like that other Christians are doing that we lose sight of all that Satan is doing. We focus on what other Christians are saying that doesn't agree with what we say and we lose sight of the lies Satan is telling. We have division in the Church and it is costing us dearly.
Di-Vision....a dividing of our vision, a dividing of the vision Christ gave us when He gave us our one purpose, when He said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you..." (Matthew 28:19-20 ESV) As Jesus said "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls." (Luke 11:17 ESV) What are we doing as Christians to keep our household from falling? Or instead, are we doing something to weaken its foundation? Do we lift one another up, in spite of our differences, or do we tear each other down. Do we focus on the one thing we have in common: the belief in a risen Lord, and on our one purpose: to share the Gospel? Or do we focus on differences that, in the grand scheme of things, don't really matter but that when focused upon have the power to weaken us and do much damage to our mission as a Church?
The solution to a divided Church? One heart and one soul. In Acts we read about the followers of Christ who 'had everything in common'. "Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common....There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need." (Acts 4:32,34,35 ESV) Wow...imagine if that type of society existed today. It would be called socialism I'm sure and yet here it is in the Bible. (I know....a topic for another discussion, another time.) While we may not be able to have the same type of system today (due to a variety of reasons too numerous to list here) we can glean a worthwhile concept. We are called to care for one another, to support one another, and to meet each other's needs. Jesus said, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love on another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35 ESV) What is love without action? Nothing. The world will see that we love Christ when we love the world.
May we never forget our one enemy and that "the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. [Jesus] came that [we] may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10 ESV) "[Our] adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8 ESV) As Christians, may we set aside our trivial differences and join together in this fight against the enemy. May we have one heart and soul so that together we may we show the world God's undeniable love through our unity with one another. Amen.
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