Getting organized around a single message (John 17:21)

SCRIPTURE: John 17: 21 (TM)

The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind - Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, So they might be one heart and mind with us. Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.

STORY:

In a Peanuts cartoon Lucy demanded that Linus change TV channels, threatening him with her fist if he didn't. "What makes you think you can walk right in here and take over?" asks Linus. 

"These five fingers," says Lucy. "Individually they're nothing but when I curl them together like this into a single unit, they form a weapon that is terrible to behold."

 "Which channel do you want?" asks Linus. Turning away, he looks at his fingers and says, "Why can't you guys get organized like that?"

OBSERVATION:

Jesus desired for us to be united… of one heart and one mind just as he and his heavenly Father were one. This unity was so that the world would believe.

We spend a lot of time and energy playing up our differences instead of the one thing that unites us namely Jesus Christ. We might disagree on the finer points of theology and/or biblical interpretation. We might disagree on how the church should be organized and who is should function. We might disagree on certain aspects of baptism, communion and membership. But the one thing over which there should be any disagreement is that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of the World.

If we would get organized around that singular purpose can you imagine the power that would be released on the world? It would be a transformational power. It would be a transitioning power. It would be a life changing power.

If we would only get on the same page with the same message and quit worrying about the small stuff.

PRAYER:

Boy, God, we surely need your help. We remain divided and present to the world a message of confusion. Help us to come together with a single message of Jesus Christ.