December 2, 2007

Jesus' Prayer: Union with God

Steve Lane

A. Review/Intro

His entire life was focused on revealing God and God's message to mankind.
A desire to bring glory to God and not to self.
He leaves them in the world for a purpose.
Our motive is preparation to engage the world, not escape the world.
This unity is only expressed when you are... bearing fruit.
Self-focus is crippling to the mission of the church.
Our unity makes the mission of Jesus real and believable to the world.

My deepest and truest joy will only come when I am in union with Christ and living to glorify God.
What could motivate me daily?

John 15: 11
John 17: 13
A life of joy; Living for His glory; making His message known; unity

B. Unity
John 17: 20 - 23
Joy and love in the unity of the Trinity. And, we can know some measure...

C.
Love of God

Not believing the love God has for us and the love He has put in us can...
John 17: 23
John 17: 24 - 26 [particularly verse 26]
The foundation of unity, joy and living for God's glory.

1 John 3: 1
1 John 4: 7 - 21
Romans 5: 5
Ephesians 3: 16 - 19
Human love, respect or approval will never meet your need.
Only the Father's powerful love could compel Him to the cross.
"No other love would be sufficient for the disciples' assignment..."

1 John 4: 16 Believing God's love.
1 John 4: 19
God always operates out of love.
He expresses His love for you daily. Are you enjoying it?
...but she does not bound forth to meet Him. Carelessly, she dismisses Him.

"You may always be abiding if you will, at Jesus' side; in the secret of His presence you may every moment abide."
-Hudson Taylor

Receive and Submit to His love.