Together with God

Intro

Begin by introducing myself (and my family)

Look back (fondly) at my time as a young adult pastor

I am excited to be here with you this weekend!

Our theme for the retreat is “Together”

Together with God

Together with the Church

Together with the World

Did you know that Jesus prayed for you in the Bible?

Part of Jesus’ farewell prayer (high priestly prayer) in John 17.

When we read this carefully we find that Jesus teaches that togetherness with God, the church and the world are completely intertwined

Read John 17:20-26.

God is Eternal Togetherness

The Father loved the Son before the foundation of the world (v. 24)

John begins his gospel by reminding us of this truth

(cf. John 1:1-2)

Even going all the way back to Genesis 1, we see the togetherness of God predate Creation itself

In addition to the Son/Word, the Spirit is present in Genesis 1:1-2.

There is language of togetherness when creating humankind in God’s image in Genesis 1:26.

In many things, we give honour to something that has been around the longest

CFL vs. NFL, church milestones, really old trees, Mo....

Every idea we have of community, togetherness and love owes its lineage to the Trinity

The community of the Father, Son and Spirit is eternal

Goes back really far (before the foundations of the world)

Continues into the eternal future

It is the togetherness of the Trinity that is our source of true community

We bear God’s relational image; we are designed to be together

But what does this community look like? Time for some trinitarian theology!

Father, Son and Spirit ARE love (Cf. 1 John 4:16)

The Triune God is relational/social in His own being

Father and Son held together by the Spirit

John’s statement, “God is love,” refers first of all to the intratrinitarian relationship within the eternal God. God is love within Himself: The Father loves the Son; the Son reciprocates that love; and this love between the Father and the Son is the Holy Spirit. In short, through all eternity God is the social Trinity, the community of love (Stanley Grenz)

To say “God is love” also points out that love is an essential part of His character; it is a necessary part of who He is

He does not just “act lovingly,” but is love itself

Illustrate using the difference between walking (action) and having legs (part of me)

Because God is love, He will always act in love towards His Creation, especially those created in His image

Which means that…

God Invites us into His Togetherness

We are “in” the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (v. 20)

This is why it is important to understand the relational nature of God; we are invited to take part in it

We should picture a relationship that is personal, intimate and comfortable

Cf. John 14:23.

Talk about being a “homebody” and getting into pajama pants ASAP

We are at home with God, and He is at home with us

Christ shares His glory with us (v. 22)

To describe our relationship with God, John uses “love” and “glory” (talk about the latter now)

Glory is a huge topic in Jesus’ high priestly prayer in John 17.

Glory = “clothe with splendour”

In particular, Jesus is looking to return to the glory He enjoyed before “emptying” Himself, taking on flesh and coming down to our level

Cf. John 17:4-5.

And Jesus does not want to return alone; He wants to share that glory with us!

So not only are we invited into a personal loving relationship with God, but we also get to be “clothed in splendour” the same way as Jesus

Wow! But if Jesus is returning to heaven, then sharing His glory must mean...

Christ desires for us to be with Him (v. 24)

We are gifted with an eternal home; to be with Jesus and share in His love and His glory. Home!

Cf. John 14:2-3.

Refer to “Big House” by Audio Adrenaline

The hope (and promise) is not the food, or yard, or football. It is that - for some reason - Jesus longs to be with us, and Has done what is needed to make this true

God Gives us Eternal Togetherness

All of this is only possible through trust in Jesus Christ

Outline the Gospel with the focus on Relationship -> Alienation -> Relationship

We can’t earn or unearn anything; this is an amazing gift found only in Christ

Eternal life is truly knowing God (Cf. John 17:3).

Knowing = true personal relationship and togetherness

Eternal life turns on nothing more and nothing less than knowledge of the true God. Eternal life is not so much everlasting life as personal knowledge of the Everlasting One (D.A. Carson)

More than a destination (heaven) or a length of time (everlasting), this is all about being with God

Which means that we have eternal life NOW (and it will be complete in the future)

How can we put this in perspective?

God is love (within Himself)

God invites us into this love (sharing in the love and glory of Jesus)

We don’t need to wait until after we die to experience these things: eternal life begins now

While eternal life is a gift, we can foster this truth in our life (as you will be doing tomorrow morning)

Teach on “silent prayer” as explained by Rich Villodas

Silent prayer is attentiveness to the presence of God without the need for words… in this kind of prayer there’s no expectation to receive anything. It’s about communion, not transaction.” (Rich Villodas)

Acknowledge distractions ahead of time

Say “Jesus, here I am” when you get distracted (opportunity to rest again)

The goal is to rest and be together with God; not necessarily getting a specific thing out of that prayer time (be open)

Pray