John 17:18-23 (NLT): “Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. 19 And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for  them so they can be made holy by your truth. ‘I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be ONE, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.’” 

Jesus’ whole prayer here in John 17 is for a “Oneness” for the Body of Christ—a Supernatural Connec-tion That Goes Upwards and Outwards —> Say “Connect.” 

Connect By Definition: “to bring together into contact so that a real or notional link is established; a joining together so as to provide access, communication and link to power or supply. A Main Goal In Life Should Be To Connect To The Father And To Each Other. We are to connect vertically (Hands pointed upward). A strong vertical connection with God will strengthen you! It also enhances every horizontal connection with others.

The Blessings Of Connecting To Christ

Illumination, John 17:22 (NLT): “I have given them they glory you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.” Illumination of His Presence will only come from our revelation of His Glory.

Revelation, John 17:6 (NLT): “I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word.” 

Connecting In Christ, p 2

Protection, John 17:11 (NLT): “Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are.” 

Salvation, Acts 4:12 (NLT): “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” 

Blessings of Connecting with Others

Lightens the Burden, Galatians 6:2-3 (NLT): “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.” 

Healing and Help, James 5:16 (NLT): “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” 

Motivation and Encouragement, Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT): “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” 

Sharpening and Strengthening, Proverbs 27:17 (NLT): “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” 1 Peter 4:10 (NLT): “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” 

Fulfillment, Galatians 5:13-14 (NIV): “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh ; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Connecting In Christ, p 3

How To Deepen Your Connection To God

Desire To Know Him, Psalm 73:25 (NLT): “Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.” Deep relationships start with desire!

Delight Yourself In Him, Psalm 27:4 (NLT): “The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the LORD’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.” David had a desire to know him and to spend the rest of his life with him! David had such a love for God that he was delighted in all the beauty of the Lord. ‘Delighting’ means to take great pleasure in. David took great pleasure in all the benefits, promises the Lord God had made!

Diligently Seek Him Out, Hebrews 11:6 (NLT): “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

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