Christ Wesleyan Church
Join us for our primary worship service each weekend.
Ephesians 4:4-7 ESV
A. Jesus prayed...
John 17:20-23 NLT
1. Jesus prayed for you personally!
“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in Me through their message.”
2. Jesus prayed we would be one in relationship with one another.
“I pray that they will all be one, just as You and I are one…”
3. Jesus prayed that we would be one as evidence to the world.
“And may they be in Us so that the world will believe You sent Me.”
4. Jesus gave us His glory.
"I have given them the glory You gave Me, so they may be one as We are one.”
We give God glory:
a. …when we are trusting God.
Romans 4:20 NLT
b. ...when we are producing fruit.
John 15:8 NLT
c. …when we are giving thanks.
Psalms 50:23 NLT
d. ...when we are believing in prayer.
John 14:13 NLT
e. ...when we are doing good works.
Matthew 5:16 NLT
5. Jesus gave us Himself so we could be one.
“I am in them and You are in Me."
6. Jesus prayed we would be one to win the world.
“May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that You sent Me…”
7. Jesus prayed we would be one to show God’s love for the world.
“May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that You sent Me and that You love them as much as You love Me.’”
B. Jesus' prayer for unity meant...
1 Corinthians 1:10 NLT
1. Having a common mindset.
Philippians 2:2 NLT
2. Having harmony with one another.
Romans 12:5 NLT
3. Doing good to one another.
Galatians 6:10 NLT
4. Loving one another.
Romans 12:10 NLT
5. Being united in faith by growth and knowledge of God.
Ephesians 4:13 NLT
6. Having no barriers for loving.
1 Peter 1:22 NLT
C. Jesus gave gifts to serve one another...
Ephesians 4:7-16 NLT
1. Jesus gave gifts to build and maintain unity in the body of Christ.
“Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do His work and build up the church, the body of Christ.”
2. Jesus gave gifts to use in benefiting the body of Christ.
“He makes the whole body fit together perfectly.”
3. Jesus gave gifts for us to give back to God in the service of the church.
“As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”
4. Jesus gave gifts for us to give away and not to keep or bless ourselves.
1 Corinthians 12:7 NLT
5. If you don't know your spiritual gift:
a. “Walk into a room…”
b. “…look around…”
c. “…identify what needs to be done that you would enjoy doing with excellence!”
1 Corinthians 12:25, 27 NLT
D. How does each one of us bring unity?
1. Begin praying for unity in your own personal life.
2. Seek to glorify God by your life and choices.
3. Find your spiritual gift.
4. Look for a place to serve, using your gift.
5. Serve joyfully, without criticizing, in unity with one another!
Dear Lord Jesus,
You are our Prince of Peace and You prayed for unity in the body of Christ. You prayed that we may be united in love just as you are united with the Father in love.
Give us that same desire to love one another as You have loved us. Let the world know that we are Your disciples by our love for one another. Help us to be united in our thinking with a desire to build unity. Help us to value harmony over having our own way. Guide us in ways we can do good to one another. Build in us a deep love for one another with a growing faith and a growing knowledge of You. Help us to use our gifts to serve one another and build up the body of Christ. Let the world see us a unified family of believers that they may know how much God loves them.
In Jesus Name, Amen