SECURING The SUCCESS Of JESUS’ MISSION-V—John 17:1-26
Attention:
Mrs. Smith’s dishwasher quit working, so she called a repairman.
He couldn't accommodate her with an evening appointment, &, since she had to go to work the next day, she told him: "I'll leave the key under the mat. Fix the dishwasher, leave the bill on the counter, & I'll mail you the check. By the way, don't worry about my Rottweiler, Brutus. He won't bother you. But, whatever you do, do not under *any* circumstances talk to my parrot!"
When the repairman arrived at Mrs. Smith’s apartment the next day, he discovered the biggest & meanest looking Rottweiler he had ever seen.
But, just like she had said, the dog just lay there on the carpet, watching the repairman go about his business.
However, the whole time he was there, the parrot drove him nuts with incessant cursing, yelling, & name-calling. Finally the repairman couldn't contain himself any longer & yelled: "Will you please stop talking, you crazy bird!!!"
To which the parrot replied: "SIC HIM, Brutus!!"
Certain things had to be present to Secure the Success of the repairman’s mission.
Likewise, Jesus set precedence regarding His overall mission.
Securing the Success of His mission involves certain things.
Jesus’ prayer in the Upper Room reflected the means to securing the success of His mission.
The success of Jesus’ mission is secured.
How is the success of Jesus’ mission secured?
What secures the success of Jesus’ mission?
20 measures for securing the success of Jesus’ mission.
We have previously discovered that,
Securing the Success of Jesus’ mission involves The Ultimate...
1. CONTACT(:1)
2. HOUR(:1)
3. GLORY(:1, 5)
4. AUTHORITY(:1-2)
5. LIFE(:2-3)
6. ANOINTING(:3)
7. ACCOMPLISHMENT(:4)
8. TEAM(:6)
9. COMMITMENT(:6)
10. RECOGNITION(:7-8)
11. FAVOR(:9-10)
12. PROTECTION(:11-12a)
13. FAIL(:12b)
14. DISPOSITION(:13)
15—Securing the Success of Jesus’ mission involves...
The Ultimate ARENA(:14-19)
Explanation:(:14-19) Preparation/Readiness/Equiping
:14—“I have given them Your word; & the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.”
Jesus’ joy gives the disciple the ability to be willingly or acceptably “hated” by the world for reasons other than one’s personality traits. The world’s “hatred” is of that believer dedicated to the revealed God & thus such “hatred” is ultimately directed toward God Himself. As the word of God is secured in the disciple, they are moved into a state of separation from the world system. Rather than union with the world there is union with the Father which is the exact same state of Jesus’ existence upon His having taken on human flesh.
“they must not be like the world nor get their spirit, standards, & message "out of the world," else they can do the world no good.”—RWP
“Hated”—misew—1) To hate, pursue with hatred, detest; 2) To be hated, detested. Strong—To detest(especially to persecute); by extension--To love less.
:15—“I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.”
Disciples are destined of God to minister in the midst of this unbelieving world. Therefore Jesus does not ask for them to be taken out of the world as He is soon going. If this were to take place then who would minister?
However, while in the world disciples must be “kept” from the desire of the one from whom evil arises(the devil). God alone provides the means of being kept from the devil’s sway. He does this mostly through our commitment to Him. However, He also “keeps” us in ways we will never know this side of heaven. We are oblivious to much of God’s Providential threads.
“Pray/Ask/Prayer”(See :9)—erwtaw—1) To question; 2) To ask—2a) To request, entreat, beg, beseech. Erwtaw denotes the form of the request. Erwtaw is to request a person to do(rarely to give) something; referring more directly to the person, it is naturally used in exhortation, etc. Strong—To interrogate; by implication--To request.
“Take...out”—airw—1) To raise up, elevate, lift up; 2) To take upon one's self & carry what has been raised up, to bear; 3) To bear away what has been raised, carry off. Strong—a primary root; To lift up; by implication--To take up or away; figuratively--To raise(the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially--To sail away(i.e. weigh anchor); by Hebraism[compare asn]--To expiate sin.
“Keep”—(See :6, 11, 12)—threw—1) To attend to carefully, take care of—1a) To guard, 1b) metaph. To keep, one in the state in which he is, 1c) To observe, 1d) To reserve: to undergo something. Threw expresses watchful care & is suggestive of present possession. Threw may mark the result of which fulassw is the means. Strong—To guard(from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon; & thus differing from fulassw, which is properly to prevent escaping; & from koustwdia, which implies a fortress or full military lines of apparatus), i.e. To note(a prophecy; figuratively--To fulfill a command); by implication--To detain(in custody; figuratively--to maintain); by extension--To withhold(for personal ends; figuratively--to keep unmarried).
“Evil”—ponhrov—1) Full of labors, annoyances, hardships; 2) Bad, of a bad nature or condition. Ponhrov is a word at once stronger & more active[than kakov], it means mischief-making, delighting in injury, doing evil to others, dangerous, destructive. Strong—Hurtful, i.e. Evil (properly, in effect or influence, & thus differing from 2556, which refers rather to essential character, as well as from 4550, which indicates degeneracy from original virtue); figuratively--Calamitous; also passively--Ill, i.e. Diseased; but especially(morally) culpable, i.e. Derelict, vicious, facinorous; neuter(singular) Mischief, malice, or (plural) guilt; masculine(singular)--The devil, or (plural)Sinners.
:16—“They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.”
Jesus’ disciples are likewise “not of the world” either. In the same sense as Jesus is not of the world so are His disciples. Thus we are to maintain this relationship with Jesus thru the guidance of His Holy Spirit within.
“Of”—ek—Preposition—1) Out of, from, by, away from. Strong—a primary preposition denoting origin(the point whence action or motion proceeds), From, out(of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote).
:17—“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”
Jesus asks the Father to “sanctify them in the truth”. He also lets the Father know that His word is truth by which they are to be sanctified. Their not being of the world is a separation & purity from the evil influence of the world system which draws its design from the influence of the devil himself.
Commitment to God’s “truth” is the means by which the believer is set apart from the world. That which is the “word” of God is, in fact, that which brings us to live by reality in “truth.”
“Sanctify”(See :19)—agiazw—1) To render or acknowledge, or to be venerable or hallow; 2) To separate from profane things & dedicate to God—2a) Consecrate things to God, 2b) Dedicate people to God; 3) To purify—3a) To cleanse externally, 3b) To purify by expiation: free from the guilt of sin, 3c) To purify internally by renewing of the soul. Strong—To make holy, i.e. ceremonially--Purify or consecrate; mentally--To venerate.
“Truth”(See 19. Also:3—alhyinov)—alhyeia—N. f.—1) Objectively—1a) What is true in any matter under consideration, 1b) What is true in things appertaining to God & the duties of man, moral & religious truth, 1c) The truth as taught in the Christian religion, respecting God & the execution of his purposes through Christ, & respecting the duties of man, opposing alike to the superstitions of the Gentiles & the inventions of the Jews, & the corrupt opinions & precepts of false teachers even among Christians; 2) Subjectively—2a) Truth as a personal excellence. Strong—Truth.
:18—“As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.”
In the same sense that Jesus was “sent” into the humanistic & satanic world system, so those who are Jesus’ followers are “sent” into the world. Not to be part of it(:16) but working within it as emissaries to it.
Having been born physically men cannot avoid such a system, however their new birth(Jn. 3:3-7) such men a spiritual birth. Having been born again, these are then “sent” into this world with a mission or rather a co-mission to render to the world a saving knowledge of the true & living God & affecting their way of salvation.
“Sent”(See :3, 8, 21, 23, 25)—apostellw— To send out(properly, on a mission).
:19—“And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.””
Jesus does not ask for His disciple’s “sanctification” two-facedly for He claims to always be in process of “sanctifying” Himself. Jesus “sanctifies” Himself for the sake of His disciples.
Without Jesus’ example, they would have no need themselves of being “sanctified” for it would be an empty obligation. Jesus is not only the Way, He must be their mentor & example as well. We would be wise to covet such exemplary status for our own actions. The whole of others lives depend upon it!
“For their Sakes”—uper—Prep.—1) In behalf of, for the sake of; 2) Over, beyond, more than; 3) More, beyond, over. Strong—a primary preposition; “Over”, i.e. with the genitive case--of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case--superior to, more than.
“Sanctify”2X(See :17)—agiazw— To make holy.
“Truth”(See :17)—alhyeia
Argumentation:
Isa. 57:1-2—“The righteous perishes, And no man takes it to heart; Merciful men are taken away, While no one considers That the righteous is taken away from evil. He shall enter into peace; They shall rest in their beds, Each one walking in his uprightness.”
Php. 1:21-26—“For to me, to live is Christ, & to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart & be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain & continue with you all for your progress & joy of faith, that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.”
1Chron. 4:7-10—“The sons of Helah were Zereth, Zohar, & Ethnan; & Koz begot Anub, Zobebah, & the families of Aharhel the son of Harum. Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, & his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, & enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, & that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.”
Mat. 6:9-13, 14-15—““In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom & the power & the glory forever. Amen. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
In our Arena, God’s will is set as the ideal, & is sought for it.
In our Arena, forgiveness is held at a premium...because it is constantly needed...Our faith is tested at every turn.
In our Arena, “the evil one” generally holds sway as ‘the prince of the power of the air’(Eph. 2:2). Jesus’ mission opposes this. Thus we are always at odds within our Arena. If we pretend that there is no opposition, then we have failed to be a partaker in Jesus’ mission.
2Cor. 10:13-18—sphere of influence—“We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us--a sphere which especially includes you. For we are not overextending ourselves (as though our authority did not extend to you), for it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ; not boasting of things beyond measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but having hope, that as your faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you in our sphere, to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, & not to boast in another man’s sphere of accomplishment. But “he who glories, let him glory in the LORD.” For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.”
How can we influence others in our Arena if we are close-mouthed about the truth? If we shut off ourselves from God’s people the church?
Our lives always reveal our commitments!
1Cor. 9:24-27—“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body & bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”
With my disabilities, I run. With my inadequacies, I run. Because God makes the disability...ability & the inadequacy...adequacy. His strength meets my weakness & overcomes it so that strength is strengthened thru His glory.
2Cor. 12:5-10—“Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Illustration:
Recently the International Tennis Championships were held at Wimbledon(since 1877)/For the first time in 77 yrs., a British tennis player, Andy Murray, won the Gentlemen’s Singles championship title/But tennis as in all sports, Only works within a specific place...an Arena dedicated to such matters for which they are designed/We must give our best within that Arena!/Outside of that Arena is no influence/The Ultimate ARENA
Application:
?You employed The Ultimate ARENA of Jesus’ mission?
?You Secured the Success of Jesus’ Mission?
16—Securing the Success of Jesus’ mission involves...
The Ultimate OUTREACH(:20)
Explanation:(:20-23) Reach/Tie
:20—“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;”
Though Jesus is asking for the sanctification of His disciples present with Him at the time, He is also asking for the sanctification of those disciples who will trust God thru their word. This is for those outside their direct sphere of influence for their present world as well as for those beyond it. This word of testimony is intended to be a declaration of trust in Jesus to & thru every generation. In every generation the gospel must & will be shared.
The Holy Spirit of God is the ultimate convincer of God’s truth...for the believer.
“Pray”(See :9, 15)—erwtaw
“Believe”(See :8, 20)—pisteuw
Argumentation:
*Jn. 20:24-31—“Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, & put my finger into the print of the nails, & put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” And after eight days His disciples were again inside, & Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, & stood in the midst, & said, “Peace to you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, & look at My hands; & reach your hand here, & put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered & said to Him, “My Lord & my God!” Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen & yet have believed.” And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, & that believing you may have life in His name.”
Jn. 4:46-53—“So Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him & implored Him to come down & heal his son, for he was at the point of death. Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs & wonders, you will by no means believe.” The nobleman said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies!” Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, & he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him & told him, saying, “Your son lives!” Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” And he himself believed, & his whole household.”
Heb. 10:39-11:1—“But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
1Pet. 1:3-9—“Blessed be the God & Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible & undefiled & that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, & glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible & full of glory, receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls.”
Mat. 28:18-20—“And Jesus came & spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven & on earth. Go therefore & make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father & of the Son & of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; & lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.”
Jude :20-23—“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.”
Acts 1:8—““But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; & you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, & in all Judea & Samaria, & to the end of the earth.””
Acts 2:36-41—““Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord & Christ.” Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, & said to Peter & the rest of the apostles, “Men & brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, & let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; & you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you & to your children, & to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” And with many other words he testified & exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; & that day about three thousand souls were added to them.”
Mat. 9:35-38—“Then Jesus went about all the cities & villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, & healing every sickness & every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary & scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. “Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.””
Jn. 4:34-38—“Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, & to finish His work. Do you not say, ‘There are still four months & then comes the harvest’? “Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes & look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, & gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows & he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows & another reaps.’ “I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, & you have entered into their labors.””
Illustration:
Iran’s president Mahmūd Ahmadinezhād’s Denial of the Jewish Holocaust during WWII/Those who witnessed it will be dead within the next 20 years/But the story must be told so others will not forget/Others must believe thru the word of the survivors & rescuers/The Ultimate OUTREACH
Titanic’s sinking 1912/No remaining witnesses to it/Interviews have been produced but one day these too will be gone/It must be documented so others will believe/The Ultimate OUTREACH
Steve Bishop’s term for my salvation—‘A run-batted-in’/His church had prayed for me & invited me & held revival services(for me?)/Believers have maintained a witness since Jesus’ death, burial, & resurrection/The Ultimate OUTREACH
SBC’s International Hunger Fund/We can give food which will help but without the message of Christ, only the physical existence is gained/e Ultimate OUTREACH is accomplished in Christ.
Application:
?You employed The Ultimate OUTREACH of Jesus’ mission?
?You Secured the Success of Jesus’ Mission?
17—Securing the Success of Jesus’ mission involves...
The Ultimate UNITY(:11b, 21-23)
Explanation:(:24) Place/Experience
:21—“that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, & I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.”
The sanctification of Christians will secure their unity across the board—across all boundaries of men(language/race/geography/status, etc.). In the same way that the Father is in Jesus is the same way that Jesus is in the Father.
Thus the unity of current Christians with one another & with those of the past gives a picture of the Trinitarian existence of God. It also gives us a clear understanding of the fellowship & cooperation which is expected to be among Christians.
Christians experiencing true unity, experience it only as it is “in Us”—the Father & the Son thru the Holy Spirit(the Helper sent following the resurrection).
*Christian unity, which mirrors Trinitarian unity, is a powerful call to the world to believe The God of Glory & His testimony concerning His Son regarding salvation & sanctification.
Without such unity(oneness) the world cannot believe because our lives have become hypocritical & thereby unbelievable/untrustworthy.
“One”(See :11, 22, 23)—eiv
“World”(See :5, 6, 11, 23, 24)—kosmov
“Believe”(See :8, 20)—pisteuw—
“Sent”(See :3, 23, 25)—apostellw
:22—“And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:”
The same “glory” that His Father gave to Jesus, He passed on to His disciples of every age. Jesus’ “glory” comes from His Divine origins as well as His obediently & explicitly following the Father’s will. Jesus’ disciples must do the same...It is not a workless/blind eternal “glory.” It is a “glory” exemplified in the God’s true relationship with his Son & vice versa.
“Glory”(See :5, 22, 24)—doxa
“Gave & Given”2X(See :2, 6-9, 11-12, 14, 24 )—didwmi
“One”2X(See :11, 21, 23)—eiv
:23—“I in them, & You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, & that the world may know that You have sent Me, & have loved them as You have loved Me.””
God’s glory appropriated by the disciple of Christ, makes us one with another as is the Divine Trinity.
A reiteration of :21 & 22 seeking the “perfection” of the unity of Jesus’ disciples so that the world will have an unconfused knowledge of the fact that God the Father had loved God the Son, & had indeed “sent” Him. This implies that God the Father concurs with all Jesus’ life & purpose.
To deny that Jesus is confined to the mere dust of history is to deny that He is “sent” from God. to these Jesus is a charlatan, a liar & a fool. A person with this view of Christ cannot recognize God’s love in the least as he has denied God’s love for His Son. Thereby there is no recognition that God has “loved” Jesus’ disciples of any generation.
“Made perfect”(See :4—“Finished”)—teleiow—1) To make perfect, complete—1a) To carry through completely, to accomplish, finish, bring to an end; 2) To complete (perfect)—2a) Add what is yet wanting in order to render a thing full, 2b) To be found perfect; 3) To bring to the end (goal) proposed; 4) To accomplish—4a) Bring to a close or fulfillment by event—4a1) Of the prophecies of the scriptures. Strong—To complete, i.e. literally--Accomplish, or figuratively--Consummate(in character).
“World”(See :5, 6, 11, 21, 24)—kosmov
Eph. 2:2—“in which you once walked according to the course[aiwn] of this world[kosmov], according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,”
“Know”(See :7, 8, 25)—ginwskw
“Sent”(See :3, 21)—apostellw
“Loved”2X—agapaw—1) of persons—1a) To welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly; 2) of things—2a) To be well pleased, to be contented at or with a thing. Strong—To love(in a social or moral sense).
Argumentation:
DISUNITY:
Js. 4:1-10—“Where do wars & fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust & do not have. You murder & covet & cannot obtain. You fight & war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask & do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers & adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil & he will flee from you. Draw near to God & He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; & purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament & mourn & weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning & your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, & He will lift you up.”
1Cor. 5:9-6:8—“I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner--not even to eat with such a person. For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.” Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, & not before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goes to law against brother, & that before unbelievers! Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? No, you yourselves do wrong & cheat, & you do these things to your brethren!”
We can’t compromise ourselves to the point of placating those who are weak to the detriment of the church!
Unity is not achieved thru doctrinal compromise of truth, nor is Unity the same as Ecumenicalism.
1Jn. 2:18-19—“Little children, it is the last hour; & as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.”
UNITY:
Jn. 10:15-16—““As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; & I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, & they will hear My voice; & there will be one flock & one shepherd.””
1Jn. 4:7-16—“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; & everyone who loves is born of God & knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us & sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, & His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, & He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen & testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, & he in God. And we have known & believed the love that God has for us. God is love, & he who abides in love abides in God, & God in him.”
Jer. 31:33-34—““But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, & write it on their hearts; & I will be their God, & they shall be My people. No more shall every man teach his neighbor, & every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, & their sin I will remember no more.””
*Jn. 13:34-35—““A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.””
*2Cor. 8:13-15—“For I do not mean that others should be eased & you burdened; but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack--that there may be equality. As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, & he who gathered little had no lack.””
The abundance of some meets the poverty of others, bringing a leveling effect thru our Unity in Christ!
Illustration:
Sea turtle migration to nesting grounds/Some migrate thousands of miles to return to their birthplace in order to lay their eggs for another generation/They are one in their quest/The Ultimate UNITY
Salmon display unity in mass migrations upstream from the ocean to spawning grounds where they themselves were birthed/They are one in their quest/The Ultimate UNITY
bickering & fighting within the church
Marriage/Intention is attainment of one flesh/Commitment to think in agreement(Gen. 2:24—“Therefore a man shall leave his father & mother & be joined to his wife, & they shall become one flesh.”—Mat. 19:6—“So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.””)/The Ultimate UNITY
Brothers & Sisters/Fight but when push comes to shove, they stand up for one another!/The Ultimate UNITY
Application:
?You employed The Ultimate UNITY of Jesus’ mission?
?You Secured the Success of Jesus’ Mission?
CONCLUSION:
Visualization:
Don’t talk to the parrot!
Action:
Securing the Success of Jesus’ mission involves The Ultimate...
15. ARENA(:14-19)
16. OUTREACH(:20)
17. UNITY(:11b, 21-23)
1. The Ultimate CONTACT(:1)
2. The Ultimate HOUR(:1)
3. The Ultimate GLORY(:1, 5)
4. The Ultimate AUTHORITY(:1-2)
5. The Ultimate LIFE(:2-3)
6. The Ultimate ANOINTING(:3)
7. The Ultimate ACCOMPLISHMENT(:4)
8. The Ultimate TEAM(:6)
9. The Ultimate COMMITMENT(:6)
10. The Ultimate RECOGNITION(:7-8)
11. The Ultimate FAVOR(:9-10)
12. The Ultimate PROTECTION(:11-12a)
13. The Ultimate FAIL(:12b)
14. The Ultimate DISPOSITION(:13)
Presented 07/14/2013pm to:
FBC C’belle
206 Storrs Ave. SE
Carrabelle, FL 32322
