Inseparable

City Harbor Church – Hampden, Baltimore, MD

In the climactic final days before crucifixion, Jesus Christ again allows those closest to him to hear his prayer. They recorded it so that we may read the heartfelt requests that Jesus made of Father God. In John 17:20-26, we hear the heart cry of Jesus for the purpose of God to be fulfilled as more and more people are welcomed into this close personal relationship with God. Jesus speaks of an inseparable, committed, faithful, intimate, life-changing, agape-love relationship. This is the quality of relationship with God, and Jesus-followers, that we are invited into. Receiving Jesus Christ as Savior, we believe (to the extent of complete trust) in Him as the Son of God sent for our salvation. We choose a lifestyle of inseparable agape-love relationship with God and with fellow Jesus-followers. In this way, we participate in God’s purpose to invite more and more people to believe in Jesus as Savior and to receive God’s love for them.

20 “’I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 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. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 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. 24 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. 25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 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.’” – John 17:20-26 ESV

One – in contrast to more than one, (rarely used as a digit, 2 Peter 3:8, usually translated “single” “once-for-all” “unique” “only” “unanimous” “only one”

“God is one.” – Deuteronomy 6:4 “There is no God beside him.” – Mark 12:29

“For us, there is one God, the Father, by whom all things were created, and for whom we live. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created, and through whom we live.” – 1 Corinthians 8:6 NLT

“In the one God the origin and the goal of the world, and in the one Christ history and salvation history, are a unity.” – The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament

“though many, we form one body,” – Romans 12:5

Believe – to believe to the extent of complete trust and reliance, to have confidence in, to have faith in, to trust, assurance

What do we learn from this?

1. God invites us to believe in and receive Jesus Christ as Savior.

2. God invites us into an inseparable loving relationship with Him and fellow Jesus-followers.

3. God gives us identity, value, and purpose in alignment with His own.

4. God’s purpose includes more and more people being welcomed into this inseparable loving relationship.

What should we do?

1. Believe in and receive Jesus Christ as Savior.

2. Daily choose to stay in an inseparable loving relationship with God and fellow Jesus-followers.

3. Prayerfully consider who God is inviting into this inseparable loving relationship.

4. Make ourselves available to participate in this invitation from God to others.

5. Share God’s love by listening to others with an intent to understand them.

6. Share your stories about the path of following Jesus.