Perfect Unity

John 17:20-23

No matter how much the world tries to drive us apart, Christ made a way to bring us together.

Perfect unity doesn't come from agreeing on everything perfectly. It comes from knowing the One who is perfect.

Witness

When something good happens, it's human nature to want to share it with others.

Titus 2:11-14

v. 15 - "These, then, are the things you should teach."

Luke 2:15-18

John 4:28-39

Matthew 28:18-20

Acts 4:19-20

Eager Anticipation: waiting, longing for something that isn't yet, but it will be.

Titus 2:11-14 (focus: v. 13)

Active waiting

What is not yet will one day be. And so we wait.

Waiting is an invitation to truly have HOPE.

Titus 2:11-14

v. 12: "It [the grace of God] teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age..."

What we say yes and no to reveals our priorities.

What are we saying yes and no to? What is teaching/shaping us? What does God's grace still need to teach me?

Titus 2:11-14 (focus verse 11)

WONDER - a sense of astonishment, amazement, surprise, appreciation, awe.

We need to be led again into the WONDER of the season.

Do you delight in the words of Scripture?

Psalm 19:10

Psalm 119:72, 103, 127, 162

God's Word brings joy, counsel, comfort, compassion, and encouragement.

God's Word is a Sword

Ephesians 6:17

When God's Word is described as a sword, it comes with a challenge to faithfulness.

Hebrews 4:12

2 Timothy 3:16-17

2 Peter 1:20-21

Psalm 119:105

No matter what we discover in the Word of God, if we miss Jesus, we miss the point.

John 5:16-30

John 5:39-40