Three Biblical Relationships

John 17:20-23

Did you know that the context of reality is found in three relationship? This can be difficult for us. We often understand relationships as being useful as long as they meet our purposes. The reality is that relationships are the essence of life. Just before Jesus died on the cross he prayed something amazing that shows us the focus of his heart.

20"I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21that 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. 22The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23I 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.

Jesus here mentions the three relationships that are at the core of reality.

First Relationship - God the Father with Jesus. “…just as you are in me and I am in you.” This relationship produced all that exists and is the model for next relationship.  The purpose here is not to develop the concept of the Trinity but to call attention to the unity of the godhead.

Second Relationship – The relational community that is the church – “…that they may all be one…, that they may be one even as we are one…, that they may become perfectly one…” *

Jesus gives us his vision as to how closely we should be unified. “…just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us…; I in them and you in me…”

Third Relationship - Our relationship with those around us and its purpose – “…so that the world may believe that you have sent me.; so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”

For the believer, these three relationships are the context for all of reality:

▪    Our relationship with the Godhead

▪    Our relationship with each other the Fellowship

▪    Our relationship with those outside Jesus – saving lives, the Mission, connections with others.

This can be difficult for us. We tend to be selfish with our time, energy, and theology. Theology is ALWAYS connected to relationship. RELATIONSHIPS ARE THE PROVING-GROUNDS OF OUR THEOLOGY.

In Mark 12:28-34 the scribes asked Jesus, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus’ answer was not one commandment - it was two. “…love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

We were saved to be an active participate in God’s plan to expand The Kingdom. The Spirit works in the lives of others as we commit to them (Romans 15.18; 1Timothy 1:16)

Who has God brought into your life that needs prayer, discipling, encouragement, etc? Are you responding as Jesus would?

The work of the H.S. in this group is meant to:

▪    Unify us as closely as the Father is with Jesus

▪    Connect with and communicate with those outside Jesus