PGA Chaplain Bible Studies
Study 23 June 23rd to 29th 2008.
Reading – John Chapter Ch17: verses 20 to 23.
“How unity and being one works”!
The prayer of Jesus for his followers.
Jesus prayed; “My prayer is not for them (disciples) alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me that they may be one as we are one” John Chapter 17: verses 20 to 22. (New International Version).
I have just finished a season playing masters pennants with the Oatlands Golf Club. We finished equal first but came second due to the other team winning more individual games than us. What is great about playing masters pennants is being part of one team and being one in spirit! You get supported when you don’t play well and you share the joy of victory with others. Team spirit is great when each is part of one team. Each player is different in ability in golf, where they work, even what we value, but being one is based around representing the golf club and trying to play the best you can and accepting the strengths and weaknesses of each member. Unity is a great strength in a team whereas separation sows the seeds for disappointment.
In the great prayer of Jesus for his followers, he prayed that those who follow him would be one. What Jesus means and explains by this is to be one in a similar way Jesus was one with his Father; one in heart, one in the relationship and one in the purpose. Being one means sharing the core values while retaining our own unique personality and ways of doing things.
But, we do not see this kind of unity among those who follow Jesus and in the church? Many times as a minister have I heard that the different denominations are proof that the church does not get on, making a mockery of Jesus’ prayer.
But before we concede defeat in this area, we should take note of one of the features of a sect. A feature of a sect is that everyone believes the same thing, even in every minute detail. There is no freedom of expression, individuality or diversity. Anyone with a sensible mind knows this is dangerous, because no matter how correct we think we are, there is always the possibility we could be wrong and need reform. Also we are individuals and any view of being one with other needs to acknowledge this. Failure to do so is abuse. One essential feature of any group is that of being open to reform, being individuals and having your ideas open to challenge.
Being one in a group is never about everyone conforming to end up like a sausage factory. One of the great strengths of the church is its diversity and its ability to live in different cultures, among the rich and poor and different groups of people. The true followers of Jesus are one, and while we do have differences, there is an amazing oneness also. I enjoy going to different churches. As a chaplain with the PGA I am part of a combined churches organization called Sports Chaplaincy Australia. We are one together serving many sports even though we come from different expressions of what it means to follow Jesus.
Being one as followers of Christ is found in following Jesus. Jesus prays for us in this regard and is worthy of our best efforts in a world that is fragmenting.
Prayer
Gracious God, help us as followers of Christ to be one in following you. Amen.
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