We are designed to be in relationship.

• Loneliness or isolation is one of the greatest causes of depression.
• Thriving in relationship is one of the greatest causes to fulfillment or happiness.

Why does this transcend culture, people groups, and regions of the world? 
Answer: We are designed by God to be relational.

We are replicas of a relational God.Genesis 1:26-28

• Created to be like God—the triune God! (26)
  • Not three separate Gods.
  • But three persons who operate in perfect unison.
  • Each of them having purpose.
• We are not meant to be alone. Genesis 2:7, 18-25
  • God is not alone.
  • He serves in unison.
  • As a replica of him we too need relationship.
• We are not designed to serve alone. (20b)
• Relationships are designed to operate in unity as one. (24)

Relational unity testifies to God’s existence and character.  John 17:20-26

• Jesus’ vision is for his people to be relationally one. (21a) 

• Our relational oneness would reflect the oneness of the Father and Son. (21b)
  • He wants us to operate and experience with each other the same type of relationship he has with the Father.
  • This was most upon his heart for the future church.

• Jesus is the active counselor in bringing about this unity. (22)
  • He does so by instilling his relationship with the Father into us by our relationship with him.
  • We receive his glory that he has received from the Father.

• Our unity testifies and validates the message of Jesus before the world. (23)
  • The unlikely unity of such a diverse group of people who set aside personal gain is other worldly—supernatural.
  • Our unity provokes questions.
  • Our unity empowers our message because you cannot argue the fruit.
  • Relational brokenness convolutes our perspective of God.

Take Aways

1. Living life in community is vital to emotional and spiritual health.

• Living life in isolation is not healthy for emotional stability.
• Thriving in life is better with others.
• Being broken relationally on earth will directly correspond to brokenness in relationship with God.

2. We know and understand God better through relationships.

• God reveals himself and his relationship with Jesus through our engaging of relationship with others.
• Isolation will breed misconceptions of God.
• Cultism and heresies thrive in isolation.

3. Relational unity or oneness is our greatest testimony to an unbelieving world.

• Our unity testifies to the unity of God and his work in us
• This is why we as a church value so highly healthy relationships.
• Each of us cannot give up on pursuing oneness and unity in broken relationships.