11/14/2021 - Thankful for Unity - John 17:20-21, Philippians 3:8 - Pastor Jason Fritz

I am so thankful for the unity we have as a church family.  Thanksgiving is just around the corner! Many tables will be fully reunited this year and yet there’s a good chance that you might be facing some family drama. There remains at least a few things in the world that continue to divide. This is supposed to be the occasion when we look forward to family time but what if things are a bit dysfunctional right now? Maybe you’ve noticed that some Christians bring the worst of the world into the church. Social media might carry some blame?? We find ourselves getting irritated at what others have to say. They push our buttons and rub us the wrong way. As a Christian, you think to yourself, “God, I know I’m supposed to love others but can we please make an exception? This person is just not lovable! “How am I supposed to love someone I feel like ignoring? How do I get along with someone who doesn’t get along with me?”  What if these people attend your church? So when Jesus prayed for future believers in John 17 isn’t it interesting that he said this…“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that 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. John 17:20-21 Do you see the point of Christians loving Christians? Jesus says there is a powerful result. Unity creates belief. How will the world believe that Jesus was sent by God? Not if we solve every controversy. Not if we are unanimous on each vote. Not if we never make a doctrinal error. When we love one another the results are worth every bit of sacrifice. But how do we do create unity? See the answer below… Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Philippians 3:8 There’s a five-ingredient recipe here for you to serve unity on this year’s holiday table: truth, sympathy, love, compassion and humility.