Choosing Unity in a Divided World

“Make Them One” — A Call to a Unified Church

Scripture References

Primary text

• John 17

Other references

• Proverbs 6:16
• Ephesians 6:12
• John 13:34

Overview

Pastor Craig continued the series “A Church That Pleases God” by showing that Jesus tied the credibility of the gospel to the unity of His people. On the night before the cross, Jesus prayed that His followers would be one so the world would believe. Division, therefore, is not a side issue—it is the enemy’s most effective tactic for silencing the church. A church that pleases God must fight for oneness, recognizing a common enemy, a shared mission, and a single strategy of Christ-like love.

Main Points

1. Jesus prayed for unity, not comfort

• In John 17 Jesus’ lone request for His disciples was, “Make them one.”
• Unity is not a soft suggestion; it is the stated will of Jesus.
• The credibility of the gospel rides on believers living as one body.

2. God hates division

• Proverbs 6 lists seven detestable things; the seventh is “a person who stirs up conflict in the community.”
• As parents delight in their children getting along, so the Father delights in a united church.
• We rarely intend to divide; it often happens subtly when we are convinced we are right but use the wrong approach.

3. Culture’s “rage-bait” is engineering outrage

• “Rage-bait” (Oxford’s word of the year) is content crafted to trigger anger because outrage spreads faster than truth.
• Social-media algorithms feed what we engage with, easily turning believers against one another over secondary issues.
• The devil does not need to close churches; he only needs to divide them.

Illustration: Craig’s fraternity story—Lambda Chi and Kappa Sigma fought each other until a baseball team “TP’d” both houses. A common enemy instantly united former rivals.

4. Three essentials for oneness

1. One Enemy

   • Ephesians 6:12—our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces.
   • People who vote, post, parent, or worship differently are not the enemy; Satan is.

2. One Mission

   • Jesus’ Great Commission: “Go and make disciples.”
   • He did not call us to win arguments but to win people.
   • Diversity of churches (styles, methods, emphases) is intentional so the one message reaches diverse people.

3. One Strategy

   • John 13:34—Jesus’ new command: “Love one another… By this everyone will know you are My disciples.”
   • We can be passionate about convictions while remaining loving.
   • Never let secondary issues distract from the primary calling to show God’s love.

Story: A door-to-door believer eagerly shared Christ with Craig until learning he attended Life.Church; then he whispered, “My pastor says your pastor doesn’t preach the truth.” Passion minus love stirs division.

5. Practical posture for Life.Church (and every church)

• Be excellent at what God has called us to do without belittling ministries called to do something different.
• Celebrate wins in other congregations; refuse jealousy or criticism.
• Examine personal attitudes: homeschooling vs. public school, vaccination debates, worship styles—secondary issues must not overshadow the gospel.

Key Truths

• A church that pleases God is a unified church.
• The devil cannot destroy a united body, so he works to divide it.
• What unites us (the death and resurrection of Jesus) is infinitely greater than anything that might divide us.
• Christians can be right in belief yet wrong in approach; love validates truth.
• When the church is divided, the message is diluted; when united, Jesus becomes impossible to ignore.

Response

• Recognize the real enemy; stop treating fellow believers as opponents.
• Guard your heart and online habits from “rage-bait” that fuels offense.
• Focus conversations and efforts on making disciples, not winning secondary debates.
• Celebrate and pray for other churches and ministries in your city.
• Actively demonstrate love: forgive quickly, serve generously, speak graciously.
• Pray daily, “Jesus, make us one—starting with me.”

Closing

Pastor Craig pleaded for every believer to become the answer to Jesus’ prayer. The world will not believe because we are loud, clever, or politically aligned, but because we genuinely love one another across every difference.

“Jesus, make them one. When the church stands as one, You are impossible to ignore.”

Prayer

“Heavenly Father, forgive all of my sins. Save me. Make me brand new. Fill me with Your Spirit so I can know You and show Your love so others will know You. Thank You for new life; You have all of mine. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”