Pastor Evan Rose -- Renewal - 12/6/2025

Rooted in Christ's Prayer for Unity

How We Walk with One Another as Believers

Long before the church ever made plans, formed ministries, or organized its gatherings, Jesus prayed for something essential—something that still shapes who we are today.

He prayed for unity.

Not organizational unity.
Not structural alignment.
Not a unity built on preference, personality, or sameness.

Jesus prayed for a unity that flows from Himself—a spiritual bond rooted in His love, His cross, and His ongoing work in us.

In John 17:20–23, Jesus lifts His eyes to heaven and prays:

“I pray… that they may all be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You… so that the world may believe You sent Me.”

This is Jesus’ vision for how His people relate to one another.
And it’s far deeper than we often imagine.

Unity Begins with Jesus, Not Us

Unity is not something we manufacture.
It isn’t the result of perfect agreement or matching personalities.
It isn’t something committees create or meetings resolve.

Unity begins with Christ.

Before the church ever interacts with one another, before we learn how to encourage or forgive or serve, Jesus roots us in Himself. Colossians 2:6–7 says:

“So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in Him, being rooted and built up in Him…”

The more deeply we are rooted in Christ, the more naturally we extend His love to one another.

Unity Doesn’t Mean Sameness

Jesus never prayed that His followers would think the same thoughts, prefer the same styles, or come from the same backgrounds.
Unity is not uniformity.

Biblical unity honors differences:

• different personalities

• different experiences

• different cultures

• different strengths

Unity comes when we allow the gospel—not our preferences—to shape how we see and treat each other.

Unity Is Spiritual Before It’s Practical

True unity flows from:

• humility

• prayer

• surrender

• love

• patience

This is why Paul urges believers in Ephesians 4:3 to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit.”
The Spirit produces unity.
We protect and display it.

When we are rooted in Christ, we begin to embody His posture toward others—gentle, gracious, patient, self-giving.

Unity Fuels Our Witness

Jesus links unity directly to mission:

“…so that the world may believe…” (John 17:21)

When Christians love one another, forgive one another, and walk together in humility, people notice.
Unity makes the gospel visible.
A united church shines with the character of Christ.

This means every relationship in the body—every conversation, every disagreement handled with grace, every step toward reconciliation—becomes part of our witness to the world.

Unity Prepares Us for Ministry Together

Before God uses a church powerfully, He often deepens its love for one another.
Unity doesn’t just help us avoid conflict—it equips us for mission.
A church united around Christ:

• prays boldly

• serves joyfully

• forgives quickly

• encourages often

• moves forward with purpose

When our hearts are aligned with Christ, our hearts naturally align with each other.