Now, rather like announcing the results of a TV talent show, I am going to take these themes in reverse order!

Jesus didn’t want His followers to scatter in all directions, but instead to stay together, united in faith in all that he had shared with them. This desire makes perfect sense and provides opportunities for mutual care and support.  It has been a model for the church to follow ever since.

However, the church is made up of people with free will and has split up into many different denominations. Even within each of these, people often have very different views. Sometimes discussions are amicable...and sometimes sadly not.

Sometimes issues such as gender and sexuality are stumbling blocks which people fail to get over. Our own denomination was formed simply because our people were not being welcomed to church in the way that Jesus would have welcomed us.

Other denominations have been formed due to issues of Race, Class and theology. This is the reality. The question is: Has the Church failed to live up to the heartfelt desire of Jesus that we be ‘One’?

Clearly, the Church does not operate as one organisation, so the answer really has to be ‘Yes’. However this apparent failure actually presents the followers of Jesus with a very real opportunity: To turn anew to God.

If our structures were perfect we might be just too pleased with all our human successes and become so puffed up with pride that we forget to give God the Glory. And at the end of the day it is all about focussing on God and the generosity of love which is shown to us in Christ for all eternity.

According to John’s Gospel, we read, ‘And this is eternal life: to know You, the only true and real God, and to know Him, Jesus Christ, Whom You have sent.’

It is often said that eternal life is now.  What we are called to do now is enjoy our relationship with God and to let the nurture we receive from God inform our lives and help us to reflect the divine Glory to others.  Knowing God will help us feel better about ourselves and positively help the people we share our lives with.

We know God when we spend time with Jesus in prayer.  It’s good to pray together here in church today where we can connect with God and eachother.   It’s good also to enjoy the company of God in prayer during the week.

Maybe you can find some time to go for a walk and see the glory of God reflected in the plants and flowers we so often ignore in gardens and parks.  Or just look out of your bedroom window for a few moments. You may not think you have a nice view from there, but when you really look you will see something beautiful...something to remind you of the beautiful world our glorious God has given you to live in.   Go on waste a bit of time with God this week!! You will feel so much better for it!

Jesus spent much time in prayer with His Heavenly Father. This summed up so much of who He was and how He was able to do all that He did. They were and are one. In prayer we can share in that divine intimacy.  It may be that you don’t feel too confident about prayer for all sorts of reasons. Well don’t worry. Lots of people feel that way too, including many who come to church regularly.   But do please have a look out of your bedroom window. Admire the bright yellow weed growing by the roadside just for you! Let it remind you of all the miracles of the God of Glory! You may think that you are just wasting time but God knows you ‘re praying.