That You May Experience Such Perfect Unity
Notes
Transcript
Perfect Unity
Perfect Unity
When I say these words to you, “Perfect Unity”, it may seem impossible. We have relationships with family, friends, other Christian people, and then there are people in the world, some we choose to be around and some we really avoid whenever we can. But even in our closest relationships, we face challenges. Sometimes we argue and sometimes we are alienated. But sometimes we also have peace and enjoy and take away great memories of being together.
What we are talking about here though goes far beyond just being friendly and enjoying each others company.
This “Perfect Unity” only comes through Jesus Christ.
23 I am in them and you are in me. 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.
Jesus Prayer
Jesus Prayer
There are three parts to Jesus prayer here in . The first is part is about his relationship with the Father and his work in the world. The second part is for protection of all that have been “given” to him. And the third and last part is about our place in the world.
Glorify Your Son
Glorify Your Son
Lets read
1 After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. 2 For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. 3 And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. 4 I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began. 6 “I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, 8 for I have passed on to them the message you gave me. They accepted it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me.
From this we have some important messages:
The Hour Has Come
The Hour Has Come
There is a time when God’s plans come to completion. Jesus recognizes that this is the end of his earthly ministry, but it is just the beginning of the fulfillment of God’s plan of redemption for mankind.
1 After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you.
Authority Over Everyone
Authority Over Everyone
Jesus has had all authority as he demonstrated by healing people and forgiving sin, now Jesus also explains that that authority continues far beyond our mortal life.
2 For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him.
This Is Eternal Life
This Is Eternal Life
When we think of life and death, we think in natural physical terms. That we are born and come into a natural consciousness and relationship to the people around us. When we die, those relationships are severed or end. What Jesus describes as eternal life is in
3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
Jesus says eternal life is “that they know you, the only true God”. Eternal life is coming into a conscious and lasting knowledge of who God is and entering a relationship with him. And to “know him” we must engage our minds and to enter into this eternal life, our will is involved. This relationship with God only happens through our choice here on this earth.
I Have Glorified You
I Have Glorified You
Jesus said he has glorified the Lord on the earth in
4 I have glorified you on earth by completing the work that you have given me to do.
Jesus did this by “completing the work”. There was a plan, a purpose, for Jesus in his life. And there is a plan and purpose for each one of us.
Life is not random, useless, pointless.
And for those listening that are having these thoughts, God not only loves you, but created you for a purpose. There is a life that he has for you and suicide is not a part of it. Right now, I rebuke those thoughts of self destruction and I release the power of the Holy Spirit in your life to bring a new revelation, an understanding of the beautiful and wonder creation that you are.
They Have Believed That You Sent Me
They Have Believed That You Sent Me
Jesus not only came to complete the sacrificial work of giving his life on the cross for our redemption, he also came to deliver a message to us in
7 Now they understand that all the things that you have given me are from you, 8 because the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they received them and know truly that I have come from you, and they have believed that you have sent me.
We are not here alone, separated from God, lost and on our own in the world.
It says it this way in
12 In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. 13 But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.
Protect Them By The Power of Your Name
Protect Them By The Power of Your Name
12 In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope.
This second part is for protection of all that have been “given” to him.
9 “My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. 10 All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory. 11 Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are. 12 During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold. 13 “Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. 14 I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to this world any more than I do. 17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. 18 Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. 19 And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.
That They Will All Be One
That They Will All Be One
This third and last part is about our place in the world.
And the third and last part is about our place in the world.
New Living Translation Chapter 2
13 But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.
20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. 22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. 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. 24 Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began! 25 “O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. 26 I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”
May They Experience Such Perfect Unity
May They Experience Such Perfect Unity
23 I am in them and you are in me. 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.
Offenses Will Come
Offenses Will Come
Our message today is about perfect unity, but we live in this world, and Jesus did pray for our protection in the world. So, lets also look at what Jesus said in :1.
We have been reading from the New Living Translation, which says in
1 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting!
but here, the meaning is clearer with a more literal translation. In the Lexham English Bible it says
1 And he said to his disciples, “It is impossible for causes for stumbling not to come, but woe to him through whom they come!
and this is nearly identical to the King James which says
1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!
We didn’t need Jesus to tell us this, we know it by our own experiences. But what did Jesus say about these offenses? If we continue on in
2 It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall into sin.
Now, there are two problems here:
2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
Now, there are two problems here:
First, if someone offends me, (Yes, I consider myself “one of these little ones” in God’s Kingdom) Jesus says it would be better for them to drown in the sea. And our natural reaction when someone offends us is to pull away, separate yourself from them, don’t have anything to do with them anymore. But their action toward you has sentenced them to something worse than drowning. Are you really willing to let them die?
Second, let me make this statement another way, if you do something that offends me, you have sentenced yourself to something worse than death by drowning. Now, I know in your mind, you are thinking about what they did or the circumstances that justify what you have done, but Jesus doesn’t include any room for your defense.
Think carefully about this: Jesus is saying to us that we have a responsibility for the things we say and do to others. If you are stuck in that place of justifying why you did what you did, think again.
Rebuke Him, Forgive Him
Rebuke Him, Forgive Him
Jesus doesn’t leave this with an acknowledgement that offenses come, he tells us what to do about it in
3 So watch yourselves! “If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. 4 Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.”
In the NLT, it says “if another believer sins”, and again here, I am going to read from the King James which says
3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
The difference here is “If your brother trespass against thee”, how do we define “sin” by someone against you? Well, I am going to use the word “offense” here because what is an offense to you may not be an offense to me. It is necessary for us to think about each other, to understand each other, to act with wisdom and kindness toward each other.
And, we are to forgive, not everything, he says forgive if they repent.
3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. 4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
Here, says in the Complete Jewish Bible translation
1 By David. A maskil: How blessed are those whose offense is forgiven, those whose sin is covered! 2 How blessed those to whom Adonai imputes no guilt, in whose spirit is no deceit!
1 By David. A maskil: How blessed are those whose offense is forgiven, those whose sin is covered! 2 How blessed those to whom Adonai imputes no guilt, in whose spirit is no deceit! 3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away because of my groaning all day long; 4 day and night your hand was heavy on me; the sap in me dried up as in a summer drought. (Selah) 5 When I acknowledged my sin to you, when I stopped concealing my guilt, and said, “I will confess my offenses to Adonai”; then you, you forgave the guilt of my sin. (Selah) 6 This is what everyone faithful should pray at a time when you can be found. Then, when the floodwaters are raging, they will not reach to him. 7 You are a hiding-place for me, you will keep me from distress; you will surround me with songs of deliverance. (Selah) 8 “I will instruct and teach you in this way that you are to go; I will give you counsel; my eyes will be watching you.” 9 Don’t be like a horse or mule that has no understanding, that has to be curbed with bit and bridle, or else it won’t come near you. 10 Many are the torments of the wicked, but grace surrounds those who trust in Adonai. 11 Be glad in Adonai; rejoice, you righteous! Shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
and I have included this translation because we are not to hold back or hide anything. God wants us to face the things that have offended us and deal with them openly.
1 By David. A maskil: How blessed are those whose offense is forgiven, those whose sin is covered! 2 How blessed those to whom Adonai imputes no guilt, in whose spirit is no deceit! 3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away because of my groaning all day long; 4 day and night your hand was heavy on me; the sap in me dried up as in a summer drought. (Selah) 5 When I acknowledged my sin to you, when I stopped concealing my guilt, and said, “I will confess my offenses to Adonai”; then you, you forgave the guilt of my sin. (Selah) 6 This is what everyone faithful should pray at a time when you can be found. Then, when the floodwaters are raging, they will not reach to him. 7 You are a hiding-place for me, you will keep me from distress; you will surround me with songs of deliverance. (Selah) 8 “I will instruct and teach you in this way that you are to go; I will give you counsel; my eyes will be watching you.” 9 Don’t be like a horse or mule that has no understanding, that has to be curbed with bit and bridle, or else it won’t come near you. 10 Many are the torments of the wicked, but grace surrounds those who trust in Adonai. 11 Be glad in Adonai; rejoice, you righteous! Shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
You Have Gained Your Brother
You Have Gained Your Brother
Before we leave this topic of offenses, there is one more place where Jesus addresses this in
15 “Now if your brother sins against you, go correct him between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take with you in addition one or two others, so that by the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter may be established. 17 And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses to listen to the church also, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 “Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you release on earth will be released in heaven. 19 Again, truly I say to you that if two of you agree on earth about any matter that they ask, it will be done for them from my Father who is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there in the midst of them.”
I have often heard people use these verses in the context of Church discipline. And, that usually ends in “let him be to you as a Gentile”, let him be to you as an unbeliever, separate yourself from him.
If Your Brother Sins Against You
If Your Brother Sins Against You
What Jesus says is this, in
15 “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.
Let me read this in the Lexham English Bible translation.
15 “Now if your brother sins against you, go correct him between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.
Our first action when there is an offense is to talk personally, face to face, with the person that has offended us. How many times has a simple misunderstanding been blown out of proportion when it could easily have been settled between two people.
If He Does Not Listen
If He Does Not Listen
We can’t always get to a place where we agree easily. We often remember what happened differently and having a neutral third party in the conversation can often help as it says in
16 But if he does not listen, take with you in addition one or two others, so that by the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter may be established.
(LEB)
And, the way this is written, the conversation can easily end here, “established” so that all agree.
16 But if he does not listen, take with you in addition one or two others, so that by ⌊the testimony⌋ of two or three witnesses every matter may be established.
If He Refuses To Listen
If He Refuses To Listen
There are times when we absolutely have a difference that can’t be resolved in
17 And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses to listen to the church also, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
I say it this way because it isn’t just that someone has sinned against God, but it has happened so often in the Church that someone has taken a hard doctrinal position that they refuse to yield and they then separate themselves.
(LEB)
17 And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it* to the church. But if he refuses to listen to the church also, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
But Jesus then went on to say
Whatever You Bind On Earth
Whatever You Bind On Earth
We have authority, because Jesus gave it to us. Jesus said it this way in
18 “I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven. 19 “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. 20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”
18 “Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you release on earth will be released in heaven. 19 Again, truly I say to you that if two of you agree on earth about any matter that they ask, it will be done for them from my Father who is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there in the midst of them.”
So how is it that the Spirit of God can move in different denominations? We have separated ourselves from each other by our doctrines, but Jesus promised that he would be there wherever “two or three gather as my followers”. God is working by his Spirit to bring us all to “the knowledge of the truth”
1 Therefore, I urge first of all that petitions, prayers, requests, and thanksgiving be made on behalf of all people, 2 on behalf of kings and all those who are in authority, in order that we may live a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and acceptable before God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and human beings, the man Christ Jesus,
And to bring us all to “the fullness of Christ” in
. To bring us all to the fullness of the stature
13 until we all reach the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to a measure of the maturity of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be infants, tossed about by waves and carried about by every wind of teaching, by the trickery of people, by craftiness with reference to the scheming of deceit. 15 But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow into him with reference to all things, who is the head, Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined together and held together by every supporting ligament, according to the working by measure of each single part, the growth of the body makes for the building up of itself in love.
This did happen in the early Church in
46 And every day, devoting themselves to meeting with one purpose in the temple courts and breaking bread from house to house, they were eating their food with joy and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding every day to the total of those who were being saved.
46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
May They Experience Such Perfect Unity
May They Experience Such Perfect Unity
As we close, this wash the prayer of Jesus for the Church in
23 I am in them and you are in me. 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.
One purpose, each applying their gifts and abilities, to accomplish God’s will, love, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Eric’s Public Messages Prayer of Salvation
Prayer of Salvation
Pray: If you have been listening and have never accepted Jesus Christ as the Lord of your life, simply say this prayer with me.
"Dear God,
I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness.
I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died
for my sin and that you raised Him to life.
I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as Lord,
from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will.
I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."
If you prayed with me, I want to seal that with a short prayer for you.
"Father,
I thank you for these that have accepted Christ today. Lead them by your Holy Spirit to a local Church where they can learn more about you and your plan for their life, In Jesus name, Amen
Commission Prayer for Christian
Pray: For those of you that are Christians, we have a commission to preach this gospel of the kingdom. Go and read Paul’s message. Make it your own. And, pray with me now.
"Father,
I come to you in the name of Jesus Christ.
Father, I know it is your desire that all would be saved and come to know the truth.
I commit myself to this work of ministry and ask you to order my steps and prepare people by drawing them in.
Prepare moments when I can share the work and love of Jesus Christ with others.
I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."
For those of you that prayed with me, would you please go to prayny.org and add a prayer request so that we can connect with you and continue to pray for the fulfillment of God’s plan in your life.
"Preparation time is never wasted time." Dr. Kenneth E. Hagin
"Success is always the result of following the leading of the Holy Spirit." Dr. Kenneth E. Hagin
End Notes
Thank you for this time on http://omegamanradio.com and thanks to our friend Rev. Joseph Cohen
• Eric and Noemi Ross
• The Master’s Hand Christian Fellowship – http://the-mastershand.org
• Prayer Line – 712-432-6100 Code: 35051381 6:00-7:00 am Eastern Time
• http://prayny.org
• http://mymarriagementors.org
• http://www.nationaldayofprayer.org/
• Rev Joseph Cohen – http://newhopeinthelord.com
Prayer of Salvation
Prayer of Salvation
Pray: If you have been listening and have never accepted Jesus Christ as the Lord of your life, simply say this prayer with me.
"Dear God,
I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness.
I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died
for my sin and that you raised Him to life.
I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as Lord,
from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will.
I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."
If you prayed with me, I want to seal that with a short prayer for you.
"Father,
I thank you for these that have accepted Christ today. Lead them by your Holy Spirit to a local Church where they can learn more about you and your plan for their life, In Jesus name, Amen
Commission Prayer for Christian
Commission Prayer for Christian
Pray: For those of you that are Christians, we have a commission to stand together, united in Christ, as one body, pray with me now.
"Father,
I come to you in the name of Jesus Christ.
Father, I know it is your desire that all would be saved and come to know the truth.
And as Jesus prayed, let me take my rightful place in the body of Christ that we all may experience perfect unity so that the world will know that you sent Jesus Christ, not only for us, but also for them.
I commit myself to this work of ministry and ask you to order my steps and prepare people by drawing them in.
Prepare moments when I can share the work and love of Jesus Christ with others.
I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."
I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."
For those of you that prayed with me, would you please go to prayny.org and add a prayer request so that we can connect with you and continue to pray for the fulfillment of God’s plan in your life.
"Preparation time is never wasted time." Dr. Kenneth E. Hagin
"Success is always the result of following the leading of the Holy Spirit." Dr. Kenneth E. Hagin
End Notes
End Notes
Thank you for this time on http://omegamanradio.com and thanks to our friend Rev. Joseph Cohen
Eric and Noemi Ross
The Master’s Hand Christian Fellowship – http://the-mastershand.org
Prayer Line – 712-432-6110 Code: 379947 6:00-7:00 am Eastern Time
http://prayny.org
http://mymarriagementors.org
http://www.nationaldayofprayer.org/
Rev Joseph Cohen – http://newhopeinthelord.com
[1] Eric R. Ross. (2017). Eric’s Public Messages. Omegaman Radio.
Eric’s Public Messages Prayer of Salvation
Prayer of Salvation
Pray: If you have been listening and have never accepted Jesus Christ as the Lord of your life, simply say this prayer with me.
"Dear God,
I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness.
I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died
for my sin and that you raised Him to life.
I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as Lord,
from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will.
I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."
If you prayed with me, I want to seal that with a short prayer for you.
"Father,
I thank you for these that have accepted Christ today. Lead them by your Holy Spirit to a local Church where they can learn more about you and your plan for their life, In Jesus name, Amen
Commission Prayer for Christian
Pray: For those of you that are Christians, we have a commission to preach this gospel of the kingdom. Go and read Paul’s message. Make it your own. And, pray with me now.
"Father,
I come to you in the name of Jesus Christ.
Father, I know it is your desire that all would be saved and come to know the truth.
I commit myself to this work of ministry and ask you to order my steps and prepare people by drawing them in.
Prepare moments when I can share the work and love of Jesus Christ with others.
I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."
For those of you that prayed with me, would you please go to prayny.org and add a prayer request so that we can connect with you and continue to pray for the fulfillment of God’s plan in your life.
"Preparation time is never wasted time." Dr. Kenneth E. Hagin
"Success is always the result of following the leading of the Holy Spirit." Dr. Kenneth E. Hagin
End Notes
Thank you for this time on http://omegamanradio.com and thanks to our friend Rev. Joseph Cohen
• Eric and Noemi Ross
• The Master’s Hand Christian Fellowship – http://the-mastershand.org
• Prayer Line – 712-432-6100 Code: 35051381 6:00-7:00 am Eastern Time
• http://prayny.org
• http://mymarriagementors.org
• http://www.nationaldayofprayer.org/
• Rev Joseph Cohen – http://newhopeinthelord.com