Christian Unity Week @ Judson University, Part One

I noted a few days ago, on this blog, that I helped to facilitate a Christian Unity Week at Judson University in Elgin, Illinois. Each of the three days in chapel, during the week of October 6-10, we had a service that reflected different aspects of the Christian tradition. And in these three chapels we had the three great traditions of the church represented: Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox.

On Monday, October 6, I began the week by preaching from John 17:21. I tried to show the students and faculty that we are all part of the one body of Christ. We might not share in visible unity in one church but we are brothers and sisters and thus in Christ we are one. This oneness is a reality even if we refuse to live it. But we can live it if we are empowered by God to see our oneness while we still admit our differences. We can live in a reconciled diversity while we seek for greater understanding of both doctrine and practice. Indeed, this is the only way we can and should pursue living the oneness Jesus promised to us.

My sermon, preached at Judson on Monday, October 6, is in the link below. An excellent introduction to the entire week is given by Judson chaplain Chris Lash (in photo with me in the chapel narthex) on the audio below. I hope you will take the time to listen. Encourage others to listen as well. This was, I humbly submit, an amazing display of unity in a most unexpected context. The Spirit reigned in grace and love as we met to worship our Lord Jesus Christ.

The other two sermons, preached on Wednesday and Friday, will be posted over the next two days.

https://soundcloud.com/act3network/100614-john-armstrong-church-unity-week-final