OPENING SCRIPTURE (John 17: 20-23): ²⁰ “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. ²¹ I PRAY THAT THEY WILL ALL BE ONE, JUST AS YOU AND I ARE ONE—AS YOU ARE IN ME, FATHER, AND I AM IN YOU. And may they be IN US SO THAT THE WORLD WILL BELIEVE YOU SENT ME.

²² “I have GIVEN THEM the GLORY you gave me, so they may be ONE AS WE ARE ONE. ²³ I am in them and you are in me. May they EXPERIENCE SUCH PERFECT UNITY that the world will know that YOU SENT ME and that YOU LOVE THEM AS MUCH AS YOU LOVE ME.

• Tucked in that prayer is a key that unlocks many doors: The Spirit of Unity!

• Verse 21- I PRAY THAT THEY WILL ALL BE ONE, JUST AS YOU AND I ARE ONE—AS YOU ARE IN ME, FATHER, AND I AM IN YOU. And may they be IN US SO THAT THE WORLD WILL BELIEVE YOU SENT ME.
  • The prayer was that we (you and I) will be ONE as Jesus and Father are ONE
• Verse 22: “I have GIVEN THEM the GLORY you gave me, so they may be ONE AS WE ARE ONE”
  • Without the glory of God unity cannot be achieved

• Verse 23 May they EXPERIENCE SUCH PERFECT UNITY that the world will know that YOU SENT ME and that YOU LOVE THEM AS MUCH AS YOU LOVE ME
  • Unity is not just an ideology but something that you experience

WHAT DOES THE WORD HAVE TO SAY ABOUT UNITY?

1. UNITY IS PURPOSE DRIVEN

In verse 4, Jesus is talking to the Father: “I brought GLORY TO YOU here on earth by COMPLETING THE WORK YOU GAVE ME TO DO.” (John 17:4)

• Unity is driven by purpose– Jesus came to earth with a purpose. Without Him being in unity with The Father He would not have achieved His purpose
• We need unity under God, to accomplish our purpose here on earth.

2. UNITY IS A RESPONSE TO GOD’S TRUTH

“And you will KNOW THE TRUTH, and THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE.” (John 8:32 NLT)

• Biblical definition of truth is: AN ABSOLUTE STANDARD BY WHICH REALITY IS MEASURED.
• It’s called objective truth. It is true whether you believe it or not, accept it or not.
• That’s why Jesus said in verse 17: Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.
• The measuring stick is Jesus Himself!

3. UNITY IS AN ACT OF SURRENDER

Since we have been UNITED WITH HIM IN HIS DEATH, we will also be RAISED TO LIFE AS HE WAS. (Romans 6:5 NLT)

• Unity is an act of surrender to His Lordship through is death and resurrection

When we live in unity under God, God says He will command His blessing upon us

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to DWELL TOGETHER IN UNITY… FOR THERE THE LORD COMMANDED THE BLESSING– Life forevermore.” (Psalm 133:1,3 NKJ)

CONCLUSION

• What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?