Sermon Tone Analysis

! Mentoring Manna:  The Prayer for Oneness

!! © 2003 Pastor Keith Hassell

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!!! John 17:20-21 (NKJV)  /“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their words; that they may all be one, as You Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.”/

!!!             The prayer of Jesus that we might be one has sometimes been referred to as “The Unanswered Prayer of Jesus.”

One day Jesus’ prayer for oneness will be answered, for the Father Himself sent Jesus so that /“He might gather in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth---in Him.”*[1]*/

!!!             Oneness does not mean “sameness.”

Obviously when we become one, we do not lose our distinctiveness.

We see the principle of oneness demonstrated throughout the Scripture.

The God or the “Godhead” is composed of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

These three are distinct in persons but remain one in essence, mind, and work.[2]

We see their oneness in creation: /“Let US make man in OUR image and according to OUR likeness.”*[3]*/

Jesus prayed that /“they might be one in US.” /

!!!

We see the principle of oneness demonstrated in the covenant of marriage whereby a husband and wife become “one” flesh.[4]

In the eyes of God, a husband and wife are no longer two but one.[5]

We see the principle of oneness in the temple of Solomon when the priests became as one and made one sound in worship.[6]

When this oneness occurred, the glory of God came in such a way that the priests could not stand to minister!

!!!             The principle of oneness is seen demonstrated on the Day of Pentecost when one hundred and twenty believers were all together in one place and in one accord.[7]

In this state of oneness, the Holy Spirit was outpoured.

Again, the principle of oneness can be seen in the Body of Christ whereby the body /“has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.”//*[8]*/

Each part of the body is distinct in their gifts and callings, and yet they are all one in Christ.

!!!             How will we become one?

Oneness cannot be obtained through organization efforts alone.

Such unity is artificial and is short-lived.

True oneness takes place as we become one with the Father and the Son.

As we become one with God we become one with each another.

Only the Spirit of God can produce oneness in our hearts.

The enemies of oneness are sin, unbelief, false teaching, pride, strife, unforgiveness, gossip, insecurity, independence, rebellion, stubbornness, and division.

Spending time with God individually and spending time together corporately in God’s presence will help cleanse our hearts from these things and bring us into the oneness that Jesus prayed would happen.

Then we will begin to experience God’s anointing, refreshing, and blessing.[9]

It is when we become one that the world will begin to receive Jesus as the One sent by the Father.

!!! Application:  Help make Jesus’ prayer a reality.

Spend time with God in prayer and in His word.

Do the same with other believers.

Cooperate with God as He tears down the barriers that hinder oneness.

As we become one, it will become the evidence the world is looking for that Jesus is really the Messiah, the Prince of Peace.

!!!  

!!! Prayer:  /“Heavenly Father, forgive me for the barriers I have helped erect that hinder the Body of Christ from becoming one.

Help me to become one with you and with the rest of the Body of Christ so that all may know that You have sent Jesus as the Savior of the world.

I ask this in Jesus’ name.

Amen.”/

!!!  

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[1] Ephesians 1:10 NKJV

[2] This is in contrast to the false “Oneness” doctrine that teaches that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three “manifestations” of God, who is Jesus only.

The doctrine of the Trinity is the biblical and historical Christian view whereby God is revealed in three “persons”---the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit---who are distinct but indivisible.

Each is equal and one in substance with the other.

In the Oneness view, Jesus is the Father.

For Trinitarians, the belief and confession of all true believers is that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

[3] Genesis 1:26

[4] Genesis 2:24

[5] Matthew 19:6

[6] 2 Chronicles 5:13-14

[7] Acts 2:1-4

[8] 1 Corinthians 12:12 NKJV

[9] Psalm 133