Oneness and unity…these things are missing because sin has entered into the world. We see the break in families, in marriages, in our nation…and in the church…we see the disruption in ourselves. Sin is that pervasive and it is not a hypothetical thing, but through the lack of oneness we see its effects.

But our Savior Jesus also came to restore our oneness and unity. He prayed for it and then He conducted what was necessary to bring it about. In Christ, we are one with God; reconciled to the One who created us and who saved us!

From this unity with the Lord — and though in this world we will continue to have much tribulation (John 16:33b) — we may nevertheless take heart because nothing can remove the oneness we have with the One who overcomes the world shattered by disunity. What is more, however, with unity and oneness in Christ, we see the fruit of this — though never perfect — but there in so many ways: families living in their baptismal grace; congregations receiving Word and Sacrament; and even for sinners like you and me — baptized into Jesus — we pray, “Our Father…”…in Him, we too are one.

Let us remain in this oneness and unity by gathering in the morning.

Tomorrow is the last Sunday of Easter…let us continue to worship as we proclaim: “Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!”

Here is an excerpt from tomorrow’s sermon…it ends before Law and Gospel will be proclaimed:

“That All May Be One” (John 17:20-22)

For Your Life in Christ the Week of the Seventh Sunday of Easter

June 1^st, 2014

Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church of Irvine, CA (LC-MS)

Pastor Espinosa

 

Introduction: What did our Lord pray for before He ascended and sent the Holy Spirit?

1. It is an important question, because it would seem to address what is most important to our Lord Jesus Christ, concerning us before His crucifixion!
2. And be sure to know this: Jesus prayed for you, not just the first-century disciples!

 

John 17:20: “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word.”

 

1. That is, Jesus prayed “for those who will believe in me through [the apostle’s] word” = that includes YOU!
2. OK, so we know He was praying for you, but what was He praying for specifically?

 

Part I: What Jesus Asked For…For You!

 

John 17:21: “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.”

 

1. Two little words to take note of:
2. “all”
3. “one”
4. R.C.H. Lenski wrote, “though so many in number all believers are to be one unit, one body, one spiritual whole.” (The Interpretation of John, 1155)

 

1^st Corinthians 12:20: “As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.”

1. There is almost universal acknowledgement that oneness is a necessary attribute:
2. On Sport’s Teams: During play-offs, commentators often consider which team is playing as a team, instead of – for example – just depending on star players.
3. Businesses and corporations: Need synergy, unity, common goals, and a common vision.
4. Governments seek oneness and unity for the people they serve. This is the reason why there is a fundamental division in our great country:
5. There are those who insist that God is primary.

Alexis de Tocqueville wrote about America in 1831: “There are an innumerable multitude of sects in the United States. All differ in the worship one must render to the Creator, but all agree on the duties of men toward one another. Each sect therefore adores God in its manner, but all sects preach the same morality in the name of God…Besides, all the sects in the United States are within the great Christian unity, and the morality of Christianity is everywhere the same.” (Democracy in America, Mansfield & Winthrop, eds. 278)

1. In 2014, however, this no longer holds true. There are now many who insist that God is secondary or entirely unnecessary. This fundamental breach represents a culture war & oneness is limited.
2. Oneness is crucial for marriage, especially during crisis.
3. Oneness is vital for good parenting.
4. But the oneness Christ prayed for is infinitely greater than all of the forms of the world’s oneness:
5. First, consider the comparison: our oneness corresponds with (Jesus prayed): “just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you” = the ONENESS of God!
6. How could we ever achieve such oneness? We can’t! But God can!
7. Second, this is a spiritual oneness.
8. So by God’s work, we become spiritually one!

In Jesus’ Love,

Pastor Espinosa