One - John 17:1-11 - Mental Health Sunday - 5-24-20

Sermon podcast from our 5-24-20 livestream only worship service - St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. John 17:1-11

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Sermon podcast for Mental Health Sunday, May 21, 2017, at St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. John 17:1-11
"One" podcast

That They All May Be One

This week's Bible reading is from John 17:1-11. At the end of the passage, the subject of Christian unity is right there in our faces. The Bible study blog entry for i.ucc from earlier this week (Unity) continues and now it's Sunday's sermon at Union Congregational Church, United Church of Christ in Somonauk, IL
"That They All May Be One" text
"That They All May Be One" podcast

Unity

Here's this week's Bible study blog entry for i.ucc:

At the end of this week's Bible reading from John 17:1-11, Jesus asks God to protect the disciples, "so that they may be one, as we are one."

So what has become of that unity? Here's what appears to be the church’s idea of unity:

We disagree about political candidates
We disagree about the historical Jesus
We disagree about wedge issues
We disagree about music styles
We disagree about worship settings
We disagree . . . we disagree . . . we disagree . . . we disagree.

What do we agree on?

Jesus gave us two most important rules:
Love God with all that you are
Love your neighbor as yourself.

I love the line from Christopher Grundy’s song, T.A.M.B.O. (that they all may be one)

Still when two or three can meet
Respecting their differences, there’s no defeat
For the realm of God has come near

Can it be that simple? Is it really more difficult? Will it ever change? What are your thoughts about church unity?