Church Unity:
“The Power of One Church: Giving Jesus the Reward of His Suffering”
1. Unity Was Jesus’ Final Prayer
John 17:20–23
“I pray… that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you… Then the world will know that you sent me.”
• Jesus’ last recorded prayer before the cross wasn’t for miracles, influence, or safety — it was for unity among His people.
• This wasn’t a casual desire; it was a passionate plea from the Savior on His way to suffer.
****Unity is not optional**** — it’s sacred. It was the cry of Christ’s heart before the cross.
2. The Church and certainly the Modern Church Has Traded Community focus for Celebrity status.
1 Corinthians 1:10–13 some of Paul, some of Apollos, of Cephas, and “I” of Christ.
The boastfulness of some believers to exalt themselves over others, “I am the one who follows Christ…”
Talking Point: modern churches
• We’ve built stages with no alters because we have forgotten shared sacrifice.
We follow personalities over presence.
• The early Church was marked by shared lives — not spiritual stardom.
Impact Line:
We cannot give Jesus the reward of His suffering if we’re trying to make ourselves the center of attention.
3. The Bible Prioritizes the Church’s Health Over Cultural Engagement
Galatians 6:10: So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
Romans 12:10: Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;
John 13:34–35 this is straight from the Lord’s Heart to yours today- Jesus is saying, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Talking Point:
• Scripture calls us to love one another in the Body, not as an afterthought, but as the first fruit of our witness.
• Outreach matters — “Kingdom Work” but it’s our inward unity that validates the outward message.
Listen,
If we neglect the Church, we rob Jesus of part of His inheritance — He is due a radiant, and unified Bride.
4. Unity is Not Uniformity — It’s Maturity
Ephesians 4:1–6 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,
3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.
Talking Point:
• Unity requires maturity. It’s forged through humility, forgiveness, and intentional love for one another.
• It’s not about agreeing on everything — it’s about valuing what we share more than what divides.
Impact Line:
The spiritually immature divide — the spiritually mature unite.
5. The Reward of His Suffering: A Unified Bride
Isaiah 53:11
“After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied…”
Revelation 5:9
“…with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.”
Ephesians 5:25–27
“…Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her… to present her to himself as a radiant church…”
Talking Point:
• Jesus didn’t suffer so we could remain divided, distracted, and disengaged from the culture He has placed us in. He placed us where we are to Make much of Him..
• The reward of His suffering isn’t just saved individuals — it’s a unified, holy, radiant Church - that is present to guid the culture, not be guided by the culture…
Climax Line:
Every time the Church chooses unity, we give Jesus a glimpse of the joy He saw beyond the cross.
Unity is worship. Unity is warfare. Unity is a gift back to Jesus.
6. Unity Prepares the Way for Revival
• Acts 2:1 - Spirit came when they were in one accord.
• Psalm 133 - The blessing of God falls where His people are united.
Impact Line:
If the church dos not change, what we are declaring is:
We want a divided revival, this church wants revival, that church wants revival…
God wants his Church to be present before Him, united together for His purposes.
Closing Challenge:
Let’s be the generation that gives Jesus what He paid for —
Not just our hearts… but His Church, united.
Not just ministry… but family.
Not just noise… but Boldness to Live out Love for one another.
Closing Prayer: “Jesus, Receive the Reward”
Jesus,
You prayed that we would be one. You bled so that we could be joined together — not just to You, but to each other.
We repent for the ways we’ve resisted unity, protected pride, and allowed offense to remain.
We repent for treating Your Bride like a product, like an organization instead of leading your people, closer to you and closer to each other.
Today, we ask: receive the reward of Your suffering.
Let this church — Your Church — be a radiant bride, united in purpose, pure in heart, and passionate in love.
Make us one — so the world may believe.
Make us one — so You may be glorified.
Make us one — so You may be satisfied.
In Your Holy name, Jesus— Amen.
