Growing in Grace and Truth

Growing in Grace and Truth
Take a Step Series
John 17:20-26

We are in a series titled, “Take a Step” and it’s our prayer that each of you will take a step this year… A step doesn’t seem like very much does it?  But taking small steps consistently over time will take you far.  And, we don’t walk alone.

Psalm 37:23-24 - The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.

Proverbs 4:12 - When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble. 

God is calling all of us to take a step this year. Today we will be talking about taking a step by GROWING IN GRACE AND TRUTH.

John 17:20-26
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 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. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 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. 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. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 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.”

Main Idea: Growing in grace and truth requires consistent obedience and a close proximity to God and other Christians.  

I: Grace and truth must be balanced and intentionally fostered in Christian community.

Accidental growth is unlikely so, we must be intentional. 

John 17:20-21 - “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 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.

A. Jesus desires a unity in His followers – “that they all may be one”. If we are going to grow in grace and truth, unity is critical.
B. The unity Jesus is referring to here isn’t just the lack of conflict or “getting along” with each other.  He is talking about oneness.  
C. Listen to how Paul instructs the Church in Ephesus: Ephesians 4:1-6 - I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
D. Notice the oneness? “One body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, on God and Father.
E. Back to our text in John 17 – John 17:22-23 - The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 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.
F. We are called to be a part of one another – and the world is watching.

Main Idea: Growing in grace and truth requires consistent obedience and a close proximity to God and other Christians. 

II: Growing in grace and truth happen best in close proximity. Close proximity with God and with other Christians.

We learned all about the power of proximity during Covid!  Stay six feet away… How about the close proximity we had with our families for good and bad?

John 17:24 - 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.

A. Our Christian walk is marked by being and doing – this is the “being” part.
B. We must remain close to the source of the power to take steps.  John 15:4 - 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.
C. We must also be close with other believers.

• Hebrews 10:24-25 - And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
• Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 - Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
• Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

Main Idea: Growing in grace and truth requires consistent obedience and a close proximity to God and other Christians.  

III: Growing in Grace in truth demands obedience to God and His ways.

We all have ways that we like doing things, and sometimes our ways are at odds with others.  And sometimes their ways are better than ours and we need to humble ourselves to except it.  God’s ways are better than our ways, but God’s ways are at odds with our flesh.

John 17:25-26 - O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 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.”

A. Our Christian walk is marked by being and doing – this is the “doing” part 
B. Because we are no longer of this world, we must become obedient to Christ.
C. Part of being obedient is knowing how He would have us to live.  Let’s review a few areas that He has called us to:
• He has called us to love and to serve. Galatians 5:13 - For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
• He has called us to forgive. Matthew 6:14-15 - For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
• He has called us to study and know His Word. 2 Timothy 2:15 - Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
• He has called us to make disciples. Matthew 28:18-20 - And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
• He has called us to be in Christian community. Hebrews 10:24-25 - And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
 

Living in Community:

I want to take a couple minutes to discuss this community a little more – I think there is an aspect of being in community that we all-too-often neglect. James 5:16 - Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.

When is the last time you confessed a sin to a brother or sister in Christ?

I believe this is the most neglected part of our Christian lives in the Church and it is stunting our growth and maybe causing sickness.  We all know we have to be honest with God – He knows all. But how honest are we with each other? We all know that everyone here is a sinner.  We are okay with that knowledge.  But when it comes to specific sins we clam up.  And in so doing we allow it to retain power and rob ourselves of genuine Christian community.  

Part of “being one” means no more secrets.  I would love for a step we take as a church this year be confession.  We need to confess our sins to one another. 

Conclusion:

• Are you serving?  
• Are in applying God’s Word as it is revealed to you?
• Are you in genuine Christian community?
• Who do you have that feels safe with you?
• Who do you have that you feel safe with?