Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-16, John 17:1-11
INTRODUCTION
There is an Akan adage that says: “praye wc hc yi, wo yi baako a, na ebu, wo kabom a embu” which implies; ‘one stick of broom is easily broken but when it is a bunch it not easily broken’- ‘two heads are better than one’. “That They May All Be One” is a general call for togetherness, unity, and teamwork.
Our Lord Jesus Christ realizing the importance of His unity with His Father, did not just pray any prayer for His Disciples when He was about to go to the cross. He knows that it was only through unity that would help them to fulfill the task he was about to leave for them to continue and thus, His prayer: “That They May All Be One”. This also happens to be the motor of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana.
After the ascension of Jesus, we are told the disciples "with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers." Acts 1:14 (ESV) This is our calling as Christians and therefore, it must be our priority, to have a unified front always.
1. Being Goal Oriented.
A goal is a purpose or something that you would want to achieve. Or a person's ambition or effort; an aim or desired result. Thus, to be Goal orientated means the extent to which a person or organization focuses on tasks and the end results of those tasks.
“And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.” Genesis 11:6 (KJV).
Saying a group of people is “one” means:
- They are all of one mind and one purpose.
- They are focusing on one task.
- Their way is the same.
- Their behaviour is the same.
- They have one voice.
In John chapter 17, Jesus says a prayer, upon seeing that His time was up to face the cross. This prayer is theologically referred to as the ‘Farewell Prayer’ or ‘High Priestly Prayer.’
- A Prayer for Jesus Himself – containing His request for a reward for an accomplished task which was given Him by His Father (John 17:1-5).
- A prayer for His Disciples – that they may all be one (John 17:6 -19).
- A prayer for all believers – that they may all be one (John 17:20 -26).
Jesus Christ came with the mind of His Father and the purpose of His Father. He was focused on His task. He went in the ways of His Father. He behaved like His Father.
Thus the oneness of Jesus and His Father is confirmed in the lines of His prayer, "…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." John 17:11.
Jesus’ prayer for the disciples and all Christians, is to have the same goal or motive in following Him as the followers were found doing in [Acts 1:14; 2:42-47], to fulfill Jesus' task Acts 1: 8 “…to be My witnesses” (making Christ known).
- Do we as a church have the same mindset?
- Are we all working towards the vision of the Church? - “To be Christ–Centered, Self-Sustaining and a Growing Church.”
- Are we all working towards the goals of the Church? – to nurture each soul, evanglise to every soul, and worship God with a unified heart and voice.
- Are you working with your spouse, family, and all others toward a common goal? – to grow and maintain the love for each other.
- Are you working together with the staff at your workplace towards the same goal?
Remember, a call unto oneness is a call to fulfillment of the common goal.
2. Being Obedient.
Obedience means doing what one has been asked to do. Jesus’ statement; "Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you...” is an indication that Jesus was given a task to accomplish and upon completion, demands the rewards that go with the assignment. This means that He was obedient to what the Father assigned to Him.
The task (witnessing) which was assigned to the disciples was obeyed. We are all being called unto this assignment today, to witness Christ Jesus to all manner of people. If that becomes our ultimate goal in following Jesus, then there will be no doubt that our thoughts and actions will be the same because we will all be seeking to obey our Master who has called us.
As Christians, what have we been called to obey aside from the task of witnessing?
- To be faithful in all things (work, service, tithe...)
- To love our neighbours as ourselves.
- To pray always.
- To be kind and forgiving towards each other etc.
When all of us are ready to do these things, then it will be very evident that we are all one with God and with each other.
Importance of Oneness.
In John 17: 1, when Jesus obeyed His Father to carry out the task which was assigned to Him, He then confidently requested the reward that was to come with it.
Paul also made a clear statement about his faithful fulfillment of his task in 2 Timothy 4:7-8 "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."
Beloved in the Lord, when we faithfully carry out our assignments on earth, there await our reward from God - Blessings in life, Success in all we do, Prosperity, Victory, and above all God shall glorify us. Jesus said in John 15: 7, "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." John 15:7 (ESV)
Many people do not want to maintain their relationship with God through Christ yet still hope to enjoy the privileges that He provides. We don’t want to be His sheep but we would want Him to Shepherd us.
We don’t want to faithfully love one another, commit ministry, pay our tithes, lift fallen brethren, etc. but would want God to bless, flourish, and prosper us in His willpower always.
- Focusing on the goals of God is key
- Obeying His commands is key and
- Depending on Him is also key.
Obstacles to Oneness
As Christians pursue oneness to attain God's holy purpose for us, the devil brings on our path many things that would distract, and disorganize us to miss the crown of glory.
Apostle Peter counsels us saying, "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you." 1 Peter 4:12 (ESV) When the church gets disorganized, distorted, and dispersed on the goals of God, the devil triumphs. He comes to destroy, overwhelm and kill us with fiery trials as though they are strange. Many Christians are not in talking terms and share nothing in common. Many conflicts are flowing in and among the Christendom today both intra and inter conflicts.
Peter admonishes that you ought to "rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings." 1 Peter 4:13 (ESV). Sharing in Christ's suffering is being humble and sober "not to think of [ourselves] more highly than [we] ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned." Romans 12:3 (ESV)
What has caused that pain and bitterness towards other brethren and even the Church? See them as participating in the suffering of Christ. Note that, "If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you." 1 Peter 4:14 (ESV)
Let us come together in unity of purpose with diverse abilities in support of each other, "For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness." Romans 12:4-8 (ESV)
Conclusion
Oneness is the fuel we need to make things happen for us. Jesus prayed this prayer so that what God has promised the Christian will be highly fulfilled. Practically, any group of people that holds one voice of purpose, in obedience and total dependence on God always see growth and development.
Let us reflect on our togetherness with a united heart taking from among us anything that divides us so that we would be able to receive the crown of glory when Christ comes. Amen!
Shalom aleichem...
