Bible Text: John 17 | Pastor: Kent Tollakson | Have you ever noticed that you connect with Jesus differently than other Christians? This sermon will help explain why that’s the case so you can understand yourself and others better and why people worship the way they do.

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Unity in Christ for Unity in the Church
John 15:4 & John 17

Please grab your bibles and turn to the Gospel of John, Chapter 17. We will be looking at the prayer Jesus prays during the last supper this morning. This message – Unity in Christ for Unity in the Church is a standalone message but it works well with the Discipling series that Eric just finished up. My goal is to help motivate us to strengthen our personal relationship with Jesus, by helping each of us recognize how connecting with Jesus works best for ourselves.

I want this to happen because when we have a stronger connection with Jesus we will be able to function better with each other as a church family. This is something God desires for us and, as I share with you this morning, you will recognize that we don’t always function with each other as well as we could. We can be judgmental about the different ways people worship God and we often expect everyone to be – just like us…and that can be damaging.

Think about this simple fable…

A newborn lion was tragically orphaned, but was found by a mother sheep and the sheep decides to raise the lion as her own. The lion cub grows up among other sheep and not knowing anything else believes he is a sheep too.
But the lion was never truly happy. For one, he always felt that there was something missing. And secondly, the other sheep were often critical of his differences.

They would say, “Your voice sounds so weird. Why can’t you bleat properly like the rest of us?” or “Your hair isn’t white and curly like ours, why can’t you change to fit in better?”

The lion didn’t know what to do! He couldn’t help having a different voice of color and it all just made him sad.

One day, an older lion from far away came and attacked the sheep. When the older lion saw the younger lion running with the sheep he bounced on the younger lion and asked – “why are you running away with these sheep?”

The younger lion said in fear, “please don’t eat me, I am just a young sheep!”
Upon hearing this, the older lion growled, “That’s nonsense! You are not a sheep, you are a lion, just like me!”

The younger lion simply repeated, “No, I’m a sheep, please let me go”.

At this point the older lion drags the younger lion to a river nearby and asks it to look at its reflection. Upon looking at the reflection, the younger lion, much to his own astonishment realizes who he really was; he was not a sheep, he was a mighty lion!

The young lion is thrilled!

No longer will the sheep be able to make fun of the lion for he had found his true nature and could now enjoy living life in the way he was created…..which was to eat sheep and that’s where this analogy takes a nasty turn for us and application..!

But, the basic truths are RELEVANT – 1. The older lion in the story is a symbol of ‘self-awareness’ – that voice that says – hey take a look at yourself here, there’s something to learn. And 2. Looking at the reflection in the water is a symbol for ‘self-reflection’ – when we embrace seeing ourselves more accurately, we can become more effective as a part of the whole team….the church and our relationship with the people in it.

We are created for relationship. A relationship with God is the most important but God wants us to have relationships with each other also. God has never wanted lone ranger Christians…God is always directing us to be united together, even though we are all different.

I will provide information within 3 parts.
1. Place the truth that God wants personal connection with Him to result in stronger unity between us all.
2. Provide some self-examination information to benefit our entire church family.
3. Provide a way we can apply that information.

1. God wants personal connection with Him to result in stronger unity between us all.

I hope you turned to John 17. Let’s take a look. Let’s start with the last 2 verses in chapter 16 to help see what’s happening here, then the first 5 verses of 17 before I jump over some things for time sake…

32Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

1When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2since you have given Him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

vs 3 Jesus says “and this is eternal life, that they KNOW YOU (God the Father) the only true God and JESUS CHRIST…” Isn’t that beautiful – eternal life is Knowing God, Knowing Jesus….having a personal one on one relationship with the Eternal- all powerful – creator of the universe who loves us…

I have Jn15:4 listed as a verse for today also. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. (ALL nourishment comes from JESUS)

We are too STRIVE to grow and abide in our relationship with Jesus, first. Charge up your batteries in Him, so you have the energy to engage in what Jesus teaches and prays next….

Look now in verse 11, “And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, THAT THEY MAY BE ONE, even as We are ONE.” – UNITY!!!

And jumping to verses 20-22 to finish this point… “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21THAT THEY MAY ALL BE ONE, just as You, Father are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. 22The glory You have given Me, I have given to them, THAT THEY MAY BE ONE even as We are one.”

Wow – Jesus Christ prayed that prayer over you and me. That God the Father would bless and keep US in Him and together as ONE – just like the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one.

Yet we are different. Rom 12:4-6 clarifies this saying “For as in ONE body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them:….”

I want to dig deeper into our differences for the benefit of us all. The better we connect with God and charge up our spiritual batteries, the better we can use that energy to function together. How do you connect best with God? Have you asked yourself that question – ever?

2. Self-examination information for benefit our entire church family.

Recently I read a book called Sacred Pathways, Discover You Souls Path to God by Gary Thomas. I found great benefit in this book because in it Gary Thomas provides helpful labels to common ways people connect to God. It’s similar to Love Languages by Gary Chapman, in Love Languages we find 5 types of love to help us connect to how we like to be loved, understand how the people in our lives like to be loved – all to function more joyfully because of the knowledge gained. Like I said…. this book does a very similar thing.

Gary Thomas compiled answers to the simple question – “How do you connect with God the best?” over a few decades. He came to recognize 9 different ways that were common for people to connect with God. He calls these 9 – pathways..

PATHWAY = your preferred act or activity for connecting to God.

He developed a set of questions to answer that give you a way to asses which of the pathways are your strengths and which are weaknesses. (I’ve taken the assessment many times now. – it’s already been helpful)

See if you can pick out any connections with a quick reference to the 9.

1. The Naturalist – They feel closest to God when they spend time in creation.
a. The beach walkers, the sunset gazers, the Muskie chasers and the tree stand sitters.
b. The discovery channel watchers, the biology and ecology lovers.
i. Ps19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
c. A Negative – A naturalist can often spend too much time in nature and neglect going to church, growing in knowledge or helping others.

2. The Sensate – They feel closest to God when there are things that affect their five senses (sight, sound, taste, touch and smell).
a. They are incense burners, they like to stare at a particular painting or imagery, they may enjoy holding objects, eating food and enjoy big musical productions – all because these things help them experience God.
i. Ezekiel (1,3) feels wind, sees lightning, hears the sound of wings, and is asked to eat a scroll that tastes sweet.
b. A Negative – A sense motivated worshiper can easily end up idolizing the “thing” and worship it too much.

3. The Traditionalist – A traditionalist enjoys rituals practiced throughout church history.
a. A Traditionalist connects to God when the church takes communion, recites the Lord’s Prayer, or reads a confession of sin.
b. They the quite time schedulers, the “I’m giving something up” for a bit people, and the tithing practicers.
i. In the book of Daniel – set prayer, Abraham and Moses built alters, and Paul willingly practices rituals of purification (Ac21).
c. Negative – The doing of the ritual becomes the proving or earning acceptance instead of a real relationship builder with Jesus.

4. The Ascetic – The ascetic enjoys solitude, simplicity, and discipline. They get distracted by their senses are stimulated so they often shut them out.
a. They are the prayer closet prayers, the “I need to be alone for a bit people”, and the “I need it quite for a bit” person in the family.
i. Johnathan Edwards mother, Ester, would pull a washcloth over her head to shut out the noise of her 11 children… biographies tell us that those kids knew not to mess with mom when the washcloth was draped over her head – it was her worship time!
b. Negative – Being alone too much. Not connect with people in the way they should.

5. The Activist – They feel closest to God when taking action for what is right.
a. The “how to vote person”, the public meeting attendee, the protester, the debater, the supporter of causes by giving or volunteering. (Crisis pregnancy center, Compassion International, FMSC)
b. They hate social and cultural injustice and ungodliness and get active in trying to fix those problems.
i. Isaiah1:17 Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.
ii. Prov 21:15 When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.
c. Negative – Being judgmental of others for not getting as involved AND they may enjoy arguing too much! (gentleness and respect)

6. The Caregiver – They feel closest to God helping other people.
a. The meal makers, the sick person visiters, cookie bakers, wood cutter, and car fixers.
i. Rom12:7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. NIV
ii. Martha was a caregiver in Luke 10, we are hard on her because of Mary being complimented by Jesus…But Martha wasn’t really doing anything wrong – she was serving…… ….her way of connecting.
b. Negative – A Caregiver can serve others for their own self validation and needing others to need them – and they can get so caught up in serving others they don’t serve their own family. (1Tim5:8)

7. The Enthusiast – Enthusiasts are enthusiastic! They connect with Gods supernatural power and love to see God work in supernatural ways.
a. Enthusiasts are the music players, the hand raisers, the hallelujah and Amen proclaimers, the worship time dancers, the answer to prayer believers, and the dreamers..real dreams! They worship with their heart more than their head. In a good way.
i. David danced before the Lord with all his might. Sam6:14
ii. Psalm 149:3 Let them praise His name with dancing, and make music to Him with tambourine and harp.
iii. Jn15:7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
b. Negative – Judgment. Enthusiasts can get frustrated at others who are not displaying excitement like they are – criticizing others with– “why are you so solemn?” Prayer – “Why don’t you just believe?”
c. Also – dreams…God uses dreams in very real ways but make sure a revelation received in a dream does not conflict with scripture, DO NOT make major decisions based on dreams without seeking counsel from several mature brothers and sisters. Enthusiasts can get carried away here.

8. The Contemplative – They feel closest to God when they adore Him.
a. The emotion filled admirer, they don’t need quite or to be alone so much, it’s just that they are completely wrapped up in full out worship and connection to the LOVE of God. They guard their personal time with God and tend to be introverts more than extroverts.
i. Luke10:39 Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.
b. Negative – A Contemplative, similar to an Ascetic type – can pull away from others too much.

9. The Intellectual – They feel closest to God when their mind is stimulated.
a. The book readers, the debate watchers, the theology diggers, the researchers. C.S. Lewis, R.C. Sproul, John Piper….
i. They want to know why things are the way they are and know answers.
b. Negative – An intellectual can easily fall into pride where they care more about being right than they do for the people they are talking too.

These are quick descriptions. Not even close to the amount of information each of you could gain by looking into this.

This is all about Spiritual nutrition. Giving yourself the kind of spiritual food that feeds your faith and helps you grow. “We all have our blinders, emphasizing some elements of faith over others.” (Pg. 89) The effort should help us think more like Jesus thought, feel more like Jesus felt, leading to us doing more of that Jesus did – thus, living more like Jesus lived.

Application – every person will fall into a category of an infant, child, adult or parent within the discipleship teaching we have been enjoying… yes.. But great gains can be found in embracing your strengths of how you connect to God! If you become more aware of how you find real spiritual battery charging –
– your personal growth in faith can become even more efficient and effective.
AND – as you understand your weaknesses better, there are 2 things you can gain from knowing those.
1. Work on your weaknesses! Whatever your weaknesses end up being – does not mean you should not try to grow in those areas!
2. It can help you understand the differences of others, building up unity instead of creating tension with that common –“they should be like me” issue.

3. How we can apply this information.

I used a free pdf document and made several changes so that you can have a one page reference guide to each of these spiritual pathways. This is a way for many of you to get a good handle on the basics of the pathways without having to read the book.

I have also put together the assessment that has been used for many years now to help people figure out which pathways are their strengths and which are their weaknesses.

I want everyone to take this assessment! You don’t have to, but I think it would be helpful. I’ve taken it several times now as I read the book. I think that might be a good idea for all of you too. You will find questions will be answered differently from one day to the next but with more than one assessment you can get averages to your scores that dial in the accuracy.

It’s already been helpful for me personally –

Hard copy, or Online – https://groupleaders.org/spiritual-pathways-assessment

This assessment could be a great way for a small group to understand each other better. I request that each small group fit a meeting or two into the upcoming months to take the 9 category assessment and use the results to the benefit of each person’s personal growth so that they can better apply themselves to the entire church.

If you’re not involved in a small group – please check into participating in one. A big part of being a discipleship based church is for you to connect with each other and learn to function with each other for the benefit of spreading the gospel.

Remember this information is not perfect, the assessment is not perfect, but it’s a great start to understanding how you can feed and charge your spiritual batteries so that we can be united more easily – for HIS HONOR AND GLORY.