Sermon Easter 7b

1. Introduction: Jesus schmoozes with Father

1.1. Poetic address to God on our behalf

1.2. Jesus is WORDing with God in an intimate way

1.3. We eavesdrop into Jesus prayer life

2. Read John 17:6-19

3. We are one in the Spirit

3.1. Sing: "We are one in the spriit"

3.2. Bulletin cover: "May they be one as we are one." John 17:11. One in intention / mission. Yet we are divided.

3.3. Part of God's family yet God's family conflicted. So our human families. Remember King David> Bathesheba >Broke 10 Commandments (covet neighbor's wife, adulttery, murder) >Absolam rebelled & hung from tree > family destroyed.

3.4. Calvin said purpose Law (10 commadnments) to show us we can't fultill them so to point us to Christ who distilled law to 2 commandments: Love God. Love your neighborhood."

3.5. So we sing: "They will know we are Christians by our love, by our love ..."

4. New node

5. We are IN the world but not OF the world

5.1. High level coporate exec has to make decision: 10k people @ world lose job or 2.5 k in 1 small town. No easy answer. How does X faith inform?

5.2. Need a fellowship of Christian Executives ... and Teachers ... and Nurses ... and ....

5.3. Sing "I am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger"

6. Jesus protects us from evil and frees us to love

6.1. vs 12c = PHALANX / Christ protects in THIS LIFE and in the LIFE TO COME

6.2. Romans 8: "Who separate us from love of God? Death? Tributlations? Despair? Perseuction? etc. No!!

6.3. Jesus protection in this life and in eternal sense: Our Judge is Our Redeemer. Ultimately, we are in good hands. We are safe.

6.4. Knowing that are safe and loved by God frees us to love others. So yes, in this world of woe, they will know we are Christians by our love.

7. Conflict = WORLD vs WORD

7.1. Gospel John: God loves world (cosmos) but world loves darkness

7.2. Sing Madonna's song: "We are living in a material world and I am a material world."

7.3. Buddhist concept of Maya ... illusion ... seeking fulfillment via materialism never works.