Impossible Unity

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message reminds us that despite our current state of division, God desires for His people to be perfectly one, just as He and the Son are perfectly one. We've tried various methods to achieve unity, but it's time to return to a place of silent reverence and awe before God. By humbling ourselves and recognizing the enormous gap between God's holiness and our own sinfulness, we can begin to see what God wants - for us to be united in His presence.

Key Scripture References

• Exodus 14:14 - Moses' instruction to the Israelites to be silent and trust that God will fight for them, resulting in the miraculous parting of the Red Sea. This passage reminds us that God's power is available when we surrender our fears and doubts.
• John 17:21-23 - Jesus' prayer for His followers to become perfectly one, just as He and the Father are perfectly one. Despite Jesus' prayer, His followers have continued to divide over time, emphasizing the need for a return to unity.
• Psalm 29:7-9 - A description of God's throne room, where even the high angels tremble at His presence. This passage highlights the awe-inspiring nature of God and encourages us to approach Him with reverence.
• - Job's response after seeing God's glory, where he falls silent in humility and embarrassment over his previous boasts. This passage illustrates the transformative power of encountering God's presence.
• Matthew 18:20 - Jesus' promise that when two or three gather in His name, He is present with them. This passage emphasizes the importance of gathering together as believers to seek unity and encounter God's presence.
• Philippians 2:1-11 - A description of Christ's humility and sacrifice, which brings about peace between God and humanity. This passage highlights the significance of Jesus' work in bridging the gap between God's holiness and human sinfulness.
• Isaiah 6:1-5 - Isaiah's vision of God's throne room, where he is struck silent by His presence. This passage underscores the importance of approaching God with humility and awe.

Key Takeaways

• We must return to a place of silent reverence before God, recognizing our own sinfulness and His holiness. By doing so, we can begin to see what God wants - for us to be united in His presence.
• As individuals, we need to humble ourselves and surrender our fears and doubts, trusting that God will fight for us just as He did for the Israelites at the Red Sea.
• The church's current state of division is not a surprise, given Jesus' prayer for unity. However, it's time to recognize that our efforts have been insufficient, and we need to return to a place of awe-inspired reverence before God.
• By approaching God with humility and recognizing the enormity of His love for us, we can begin to see what He wants - for us to be united in His presence.

This Week's Challenge

This week, take time each morning to silently acknowledge God's presence and your own sinfulness. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you, and trust that He will fight for you just as He did for the Israelites at the Red Sea. As you do this, pray with others in your community, seeking unity and encounter with God's presence.

Reflection Questions

• What is one area where you feel divided from others within the church? How can you begin to see what God wants - for you to be united in His presence?
• Reflect on a time when you encountered God's glory or presence. How did it affect your perspective and priorities? What steps can you take this week to cultivate a sense of awe-inspired reverence before Him?
• How does Jesus' prayer for unity (John 17:21-23) challenge your understanding of the church's current state of division? What role do you play in contributing to or bridging this divide?