Exploring Unity and Division in Faith

Oct 11, 2024

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Lecture on Unity and Division in the Body

Introduction

  • Initial plan to discuss Sabbath and calendar teachings postponed.
  • Focus shifted to understanding unity and division within the body.
  • Importance of addressing issues causing division before diving into controversial topics.

Understanding Unity

  • Unity and division have always existed within the body and are not unique to the current timeframe.
  • Yeshua's desire for unity among his disciples is crucial.
  • Reference to John Chapter 17: Yeshua's prayer before his death emphasizes unity.

Yeshua's Prayer (John 17)

Key Points from John 17

  1. Esteem and Honor (v1-5):

    • Yeshua asks for honor from the Father so He may honor the Father in return.
    • Emphasis on everything existing for the Father's purposes.

  2. Everlasting Life and Knowing God (v3):

    • Everlasting life is defined as knowing the Father and the Son intimately, not just informationally.
    • Relationship involves keeping commandments and understanding what pleases God.

  3. Accomplishing the Father's Work (v4):

    • Honoring the Father involves completing the works He assigned.
    • This includes both external deeds and internal growth.

  4. Revealing the Father's Name (v6-8):

    • Yeshua revealed the Father's authority, character, and nature to His disciples.
    • Disciples received and guarded the word.

  5. Focus on the Disciples (v9-10):

    • Yeshua's prayer is specifically for His disciples, not for the world.
    • They are esteemed by keeping and guarding the commandments.

  6. Unity as the Father and Son are One (v11):

    • Yeshua prays for the disciples to be one as He and the Father are one.
    • Emphasis on aligning actions and character with Yeshua and the Father.

  7. Being Not of the World (v14-19):

    • Disciples are in the world but not of the world, which leads to being hated by the world.
    • Importance of being set apart by the truth (God's Word).

  8. Yeshua's Mission and Sending of Disciples (v18-19):

    • Yeshua sends His disciples into the world to continue His work.
    • They must be set apart in truth to effectively represent Him.

  9. Prayers for Future Believers (v20-23):

    • Yeshua prays for future believers to be one, as a testament to the Father sending the Son.
    • Unity demonstrates to the world the reality of Yeshua's mission.

  10. Desire for Unity and Perfection (v23):

    • Unity and perfection in the body reflect the divine relationship and fulfill Yeshua's joy.

Application and Reflection

  • Importance of self-examination in promoting unity.
  • Realizing individual roles in causing or resolving division within the body.
  • Encouragement to ask God what He wants individuals to accomplish for His honor.

Conclusion

  • Yeshua's prayer emphasizes the necessity for unity in the body akin to the Father and Son.
  • Unity is not about organizational alignment but about being one body of Messiah.
  • Continuing in this series, future discussions will explore the causes of division and their solutions.

Prayer and Closing

  • A call for God to guard and guide the body towards unity and understanding.
  • Seeking God's protection and guidance while still in the world but striving to not be of the world.