Surprising Community in a Polarizing Time
Sermon Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Charles Drew
John 17:20-26 (ESV)
20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that 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. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
Sermon Outline
A problem for our time:
“Watch and listen to politically polarized commentary today, and you will see that it is more contemptuous than angry, overflowing with sneering, mockery, and disgust. Studies on the subject have shown that, whereas simple anger is characterized by short-term attack responses but long-term reconciliation, contempt is characterized by rejection and social exclusion in both the short-term and the long-term. Polarization, and thus, contempt, leads to permanent enmity.” (Arthur C. Brooks, NY Times 4/10/16)
A great opportunity for the church:
…that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me (v. 23).
I) Reflecting the love between the Father and the Son
v.22: …that they may be one, as we are one
A) Honor and respect
Within God’s very nature is a divine “rhythm” or pattern of continuous giving and receiving—not only love but also glory, honor, life…each in its fullness. Think, God the Father loves and delights in the Son (Mt. 3:17). Jesus receives that love and pleases the Father (Jn. 8:29). Jesus honors the Spirit (Mt. 12:3), and the Spirit glorifies the Father and the Son (Jn. 16:14, Romans 8). Each person in the Trinity loves, honors, and glorifies the others, and receives love and honor back from the others…There is never any lack. (John Samaan writes in the “Servants among the Poor Newsletter”
B) “Outdoing one another in showing honor.” (Romans 12:10)
C) Governing the way God does.
II) Sharing the values and the longings of the Father and the Son
v. 22: …that they may all be one, just as you Father are in me and I in them, that they also may be in us.
A) Loving what Jesus and his Father love.
B) Working this out in politics
Humility
Principles and strategies
C) Strategic love
So that the world might know (Father) that you sent me” (v. 23).
III) Our great hope
Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am. (v. 24)
Take away: A “political” cup of coffee with a Christian
Prayer of Confession
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in you we see both the value and the pattern of love. One God in three Persons, you have for all eternity enjoyed each other’s company, and lived for the honor and joy of one another. With one heart you created, you sustain, and you have acted to redeem our broken world. Our love is not like yours: it is weak and selfish, diminished by mixed motives. Forgive us for reflecting you so distortedly. Change us, we pray. Help our church not to reflect the polarizations of our time. Draw us more fully into yourself so that we may be more like you and more fully with you. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
Read the following statement by Arthur C. Brooks
“Watch and listen to politically polarized commentary today, and you will see that it is more contemptuous than angry, overflowing with sneering, mockery, and disgust. Studies on the subject have shown that, whereas simple anger is characterized by short-term attack responses but long-term reconciliation, contempt is characterized by rejection and social exclusion in both the short-term and the long-term. Polarization, and thus, contempt, leads to permanent enmity.” (NY Times 4/10/16)
Does he accurately describe the political climate now? Have you contributed to that climate? If so, why?Jesus prays that we will love each other as he and his Father have always loved each other. John Samaan describes that love in the following statement. Read it, look up the passages he cites, and then spend a few minutes praising God for the love that he expresses within himself.
Within God’s very nature is a divine “rhythm” or pattern of continuous giving and receiving—not only love but also glory, honor, life…each in its fullness. Think, God the Father loves and delights in the Son (Mt. 3:17). Jesus receives that love and pleases the Father (Jn. 8:29). Jesus honors the Spirit (Mt. 12:3), and the Spirit glorifies the Father and the Son (Jn. 16:14, Romans 8). Each person in the Trinity loves, honors, and glorifies the others, and receives love and honor back from the others…There is never any lack. (Servants among the Poor Newsletter)To love each other as the Father, Son, and Spirit love each other is to “outdo one another in showing honor.” (Romans 12:10). It is to “compete” over who can understand the other person or group better, who can listen more carefully, who can speak more graciously to and about the other, and who can better promote the legitimate interests of the other. Grade yourself on this standard in each of the following areas: with family members, with your neighbors, in the workplace, in your political discourse, in your use of social media.
Recall the distinction in the sermon between moral principles and political strategies. How does making that distinction help reduce the heat when you find yourself at odds with someone over politics?
Why, according to John 17:23, is it so important that we learn to manage our political differences amicably?
Reflect on John 17:24-- Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am. Thank him that he wants you with him, and that he endured the loss of his Father to bring you safely home. Thank him that he wants all his children—regardless of their political affiliation—safely home with him, and ask for his help to love the “political opposition” in the way he loves you.
Plan on a “political cup of coffee” with someone at EPC whose politics differs from yours.