By The Rev. Junior W. Wimbush
Antioch Christian Church
John 17:6-26
It is 2020! As it has been the tradition, many pastors and leaders come up with catchy phrases in an attempt to gain the interest of followers, potential followers, and even skeptics. There have been some great phrases associated with this year – 2020 Vision, The Year of Greater Vision, Perfect Vision in 2020, Catch the Vision in 2020, and the list goes on. I choose to believe that if I had to coin a phrase for this year, it would be One Church, One Vision…in 2020.
Many years ago, I partnered with pastors in several counties, Patrick, Henry, Rockingham, North Carolina, Pittsylvania, and Franklin. The concept was that we would have a huge revival, a great time of worship with all denominations. God had planted a seed in me to see brothers and sisters come together to be the One Church, the church that He is calling for in the end days. It was a great revival, a unity revival, and for a short span of time, we were one church.
The phrase “one church” means all believe in Christ Jesus. There are people who will ask the question, “In what sense are we one church?” What can be one in this world? Everybody tries to be one-self. Everyone tries to be number one. The word “one” here means one in the sense of unity. How can we be one church when we have so many different denominations and all kinds of different groups? We know that all churches will be different because of its make-up, and of the leadership. Are we talking about our DNA? Are we talking about the tradition of the Disciples church, the Baptist church, the Methodist church, the Pentecostal church, the Non-denominational church? Or are we talking about something deeper and wider? What the Lord Jesus wants is for us to be united with Him, to be one with Him. We see this in John 15:6-11. I am the vine: you are the branches.
If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit. Apart from me, you can do nothing. 6. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8. This is to my Father’s glory. That you bear much fruit showing yourselves to be my disciples.9. As the Father has loved me, so have, I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love just as I have obeyed my Father’s command and remain in his love. So as a church, if we abide in Him, if we remain in Him, if we remain in his love, if we obey his commands then, we are going to have one vision.
In conclusion, we will be one church and one vision only when we remain in Christ and obey His command to love one another.
Then, we will be driven by one vision to go make disciples of all nations and teaching to love one another. One Church, One Vision in 2020, and beyond! Give God glory and praise in All things!
