Divine Unity

Sermon  June 1, 2025 John 17:20-26 Divine Unity

Reverend Fred Okello

Has someone ever said, “I'm praying for you,” and really meant it? Not just as a nice thing to say, but as a real act of love?

Knowing that someone is praying for you is really moving and healing. When someone prays for you, they are taking your problems to the One who can really help. It's not just words; it's a sign of love, faith, and blessing.

A mother prayed, a church prayed, or a friend stepped in the gap when we couldn’t pray for ourselves. That’s why some of us are here today. Their prayers may not have solved everything right away, but they gave us strength. They made things calm. They sometimes brought healing. They always took us to see God.

Now think about this: What if Jesus Christ himself is the one praying for you?  Jesus prays for us in John 17, right before Judas betrays Him and He is put to death. For you and me. He wasn’t just praying for anything. He saw through the years and prayed to the Father for those who would believe. At that time, He gave us the strength of togetherness, the promise of love, and the hope of everlasting glory.

Jesus Christ raised his hand and prayed for his followers to be one: “That all of believers may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.”  Jesus’ prayer wasn’t just a casual request; it was His deep desire for His people to be one. A great example of this unity is the one that exists between Jesus and the Father. That unity isn’t just agreeing or putting up with each other; it’s a deep, spiritual oneness based on love, a shared purpose, and caring for each other.

I know you know what it means to be together. You will agree with me that when Christians work together, the Church shows how much God loves them. To be truly united, we need to listen to each other, pray for each other, forgive each other, and make Christ the center of our lives.

I’ve seen people from all backgrounds come together in worship at this church. They sing and pray together. In Fellowship, we break bread together, help each other out, and build real-life relationships. Through food drives, scholarships, mission trips, or partnerships with local groups, they serve and carry out their mission. In decision making and leadership, people should come together to pray and respect one other, even if they don't agree. I can be tough when I say anything, but the audience has shown that they can handle it!

There was a community where the people were amazed by a collection of tall trees that had been there for generations. The winds were strong. The storms raged. But those trees never fell or broke. People thought that spirits were protecting them and keeping them together.

What they didn’t realize was that the roots of those trees were twisted together underneath the surface. They were connected underground, holding on to one other, sharing strength, and silently helping each other through every storm. They were strong because they worked together. We may claim that the trees were united.

The Church must also do this. We won’t fall when storms arrive because we are rooted in Christ and connected to one other. We will stand even as the world shakes. Not because of superstition, but because the Spirit of God brings us together in divine union.

Jesus didn’t merely ask for us to be one for the sake of being one. He had a goal in mind: “so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (v. 21)  “Then the world will know that you sent me and loved them as much as you loved me.” (v. 23)  The truth is that our solidarity is a sign to the world. It is one of the strongest ways that God expresses His love to people who don’t believe yet. The Church shows that Christ is real when it walks in love, humility, and unity. The contrary is also true: when we argue, lie, or talk badly about each other, the world doesn’t see Christ; it sees turmoil.

Our neighborhood is where we do our work. We don’t need a title or a program; we just need love, purpose, and being there. When we are one in Christ and love each other, our neighbors won’t just hear the gospel; they’ll see it. They will see when we get to know our neighbors, help with community issues, be friendly, pray for our neighbors, and work with other churches.

At the end of His prayer, Jesus looks up to heaven and exclaims, “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am and see my glory...” (v. 24)  This is a very personal and strong request. Jesus cares about more than just our life on earth; He wants us to dwell with Him forever. He asks that we not only believe in Him and serve Him, but also live with Him forever in perfect love.

The ultimate purpose of our salvation is to have a relationship with God that lasts eternally. Jesus is getting a place ready for us, and He wants us to live with Him forever in joy, peace, and worship. Jesus’ prayer reminds us that the problems we face now will not last forever. If you’re sad, sick, or tired, there is a location where your tears will be wiped away and your joy will never end.

We are called to live now as citizens of heaven since we will be with Jesus forever. The way we live, love, and forgive today should show what we want to happen in the future. We should perceive Jesus’ glory. Our worship is a taste of what will last forever. When we come together to worship, we are in line with what heaven is already doing. We witness and reach out because we want others to share in this joy forever.

As I finish, picture a soldier writing home to his family while he is stationed abroad. He doesn’t simply want them to think of him; he wants to be with them again. It’s nice to have letters, pictures, and memories, but they aren’t the aim. The goal is to get back together.  That’s how Jesus sees you. He didn’t only save you. He saved you so he could take you home. His love doesn't stop at the cross; it lasts forever.