The gospel of John: One

John 17:20-26 ESV

“I do not   ask for these only, but also for those   who will believe in me through their word,  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.  The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,  I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.  Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.  O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me.  I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

Priority Of Oneness

Jesus prays often but this is one where his disciples are present to hear it. This was the last prayer of Jesus before his death. He is praying for all the believers at that time. In many ways, this is like the final words of a man about to die. What does he pray for? He prays that all the believers would be one. He prays for unity among the church. This is not what comes first to mind in the mind of the typical believer. We have many priorities, but this would not be very high. This oneness in the church exists; it just needs to be exercised. Upon joining with Christ, we are now joined with all the other believers. We all have life in Christ. This unity is not something we are struggling to create. But what we must do is live out this unity. Much like children of God are called to live out lives as we already are... Children of light. In Christ, we are family. Much like bickering siblings, we have to acknowledge that we are family and we should love them because they are of the same blood.

Pattern Of Oneness

The pattern we see is analogous to the godhead. There is a unity in diversity. There is one person yet three distinct aspects. The church is not called to be homogenous. We are not supposed to be the same. Cultural differences do not disappear in heaven. They are celebrated. The church is to be diverse ethnically. It is also to be diverse in spiritual giftings.

This unity is to be characterized by self effacing love. We are to serve others and give others glory. Self centeredness is seen as statically revolving the self. Loving others is seen as being dynamic. We are loving others, revolving around others. And when two or three are revolving around the others, the result is a dance. (Tim Keller) we should not value relationships by what others can give us. We should love others not by what we can get from them. We should love as God loves.

Purpose Of Oneness

Unity in the church is a testimony to the world that Jesus and the gospel is true. The world is always protecting self interest and comforts. But the church is called to something else. We are called to give to those who care not for us, those who may even hate us. We are called to serve them. That is the church testimony to the world. This unity is a priority. We must find love for those within the church who are unlike us. Those we may have bitter history and conflict.

Unity in the church requires time and investment. We need to meet regularly with other church members. We need to make time and space for the church. For us, this probably means the community group.

John 17:26 ESV

"I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

Reasons to serve

Romans 5:18-19 ESV

Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.

Rev. J.B. Watkins

I want to speak about serving today, with a special emphasis on serving those who are unlike us. Those who are not believers, those who look or dress different. It is part of St Roch experience.

What does this have to do with serving? Paul is speaking to the Roman church about how believers are similar. Both gentiles and Jews in Christ have common ground. Paul has an interesting ministry. He was born a Jew burdened with preaching to gentiles. Now they were raised differently, ate different things. The question is how then should they worship together? They have a common relationship, a common relationship with Adam. Both gentiles and Jews come from Adam. In serving those unlike us, we have a common relationship. In Adam.

Not only that, but we also have a common problem. We are all fallen in Adam. This is something to be recognized by the gentiles but especially the Jews. Jews always considered themselves as descendants of Abraham. But Paul speaks of someone before Abraham, he speaks of Adam. The one in whom everyone is fallen.  The Jews and gentiles have a common problem through our historical connection through Adam.

We also have a common remedy. He is speaking to believers, but this applies to not only believers, but even more broadly. Because this remedy applies to everyone. Even those who want nothing to do with the church or Christ, he is still their remedy.

What is this idea of service?

What does this mean? It means to look like our Savior. Not just to read our bible or pray, but also to act like Christ.

Who?

We are called to serve anyone who crosses our path. Like the good Samaritan, not just those like you. But anyone who God brings into our lives.

When?

Anytime the opportunity presents itself.

For whom?

Jesus calls us. He commands us to do so in many biblical principles. We are all brothers and sisters through Adam. So we have a common relation, a common problem, and a common remedy. What God offers to save us is likewise offered to them.

The season of Lent

Lent is a time to focus on repentance and morning over our sins. There is no scriptural support for Lent, but it does seem to be spiritually wise to observe Lent. Just like it is good to have a yearly physical checkup, it is much like a yearly spiritual checkup.

Bad reasons to observe Lent

Fasting and abstaining for merit.

We are not justified by these things. We don't win some sort of spiritual points for fasting or giving things up. We are loved and accepted based on what Jesus has done for us. We cannot make God love us more or less. Nothing we do or don't do affects God's affection for us. We should have no sense of pride for what we did during Lent. We should not feel more worthy from what we do.

Observing Lent externally

God is focused primarily upon the heart. Doing the right things with the wrong intentions may be more offensive than not doing them at all. Outward acts without the proper heart attitude is more pretense that cannot please God.

Introspectively

To be totally focused on ourselves, is another pitfall. Our motivation is to improve ourselves rather than in a god-ward direction. Or for those of us who find ourselves praying for the same things year after year, we can become depressed over how little we've changed. But that too is pride, we cannot save ourselves. We need a savior. Lent is to prepare us for the resurrection. We are sinners, but the resurrection power is at work in us.

So why observe Lent?

"I am willing to give up what is good to get the best."

Fasting in the old testament was an expression of longing for a Savior. So while Jesus was with the disciples, they did not fast. After he left, we now have a Savior but it is now a long distance relationship. So now in the new testament, we have tasted of Jesus and now long for the second coming. Fasting causes us to ache physically, but it should reflect our spiritual aching. So when we give up these things, it is so we can have more of Christ. Better than ____, Christ gives me through salvation. Whether it is joy, peace, rest, etc.

We also examine our lives for idols. Looking things that are good, but we make greater priority than Jesus. Comfort, approval of people, worldly success, and all these things are good. But when they become ultimate, they become sin.

Unparalleled joy and peace

John 16:5-33 ESV

But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’  But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.  Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.  And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:  concerning sin, because they do not believe in me;  concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer;  concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.    “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.  When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.  He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.  All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.    “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and   again a little while, and you will see me.”  So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’ ?” So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’ ? We do not know what he is talking about.” Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’?  Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.  When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.  So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.  In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.  Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.    “I have said these things to you in figures of speech.   The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father.  In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf;  for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.  I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”  His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe?  Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.  I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Jesus tells his disciples that trials and tribulation will only increase when he leaves them. But he also says that their joy and peace will increase. He offers a joy and peace that surpasses anything the world can offer.

The nature of his joy and peace

His joy and peace comes in the midst of trial and troubles. This joy will persist forever. The "little while" he refers to is his resurrection. He's not talking about heaven. He's saying that they would gets this joy after his resurrection. We can find this joy in this life. We don't have to wait until heaven. The joy we can have from his resurrection is unending and immovable. Regardless of circumstance. For those who don't believe, their joy comes from chasing something of this world. Reaching a goal, having the right situation, ... Traveling. But this is incompatible with suffering, trials, and pain. The joys and peace of the world will ebb and flow like the tide. The joy and peace that Jesus gives us can increase through our pain and trials.

How to experience it

You are not to manufacture it. It is a byproduct of a relationship with Jesus. We cannot make it. Jesus brings us joy simply by being with us. We have unbreakable joy because our relationship with him endures all things. Nothing can separate us from the joy and peace we have in Jesus. He is Lord over all things.. Even the grave. And he is now lord over our lives. In all circumstances, he is working it out for our good. This includes our failures, our setbacks, and our sinfulness. He will work things out for our good in all things. But not only do we need to be in relationship with him, we need to appropriate these things into our lives. We need to stew over these things in our hearts and minds. We play a part in taking in his joy and peace.

The impact of having it

Jesus wants to give us his joy and peace in a world of trouble. The holy spirit is here to grow and strengthen us. But this is not solely for our sake... It is also so that others may see life in Jesus. We are jars of clay... Unimpressive and simple. But they contain perfumes and precious things. In order for these things to be shared, the jar must be broken. The treasure in us is shown when we are going through tough times. When we suffer joyfully to show Jesus to others. Not pretending to be joyful... Not hiding our troubles, but sorrow buttressed with enduring peace.