A United People: Ephesians 4:1-16

-God intends for us to live now as we are eternally in Christ

Practical Illustrations: Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians 9-356: Unity and Peace: When Walls Fall down (Walk)

Simply said, division is a wall between two sides. In the 1960’s the Berlin Wall was erected by the Communists of East Germany to prevent East Germans from uniting with West Germans. History tells us that this was no innocent barrier: many were killed trying to scale the wall that divided the East from the West. This wall of division separated friends from friends and family from family. The result of this division brought death and despair. At times, it seemed that the wall would stay up forever.

But God had another plan. The Communist world was turned upside down as the people in Communist countries were swept up in a global wave of nationalism and the desire for freedom. The Berlin Wall had no power against the forces of unity and freedom—and it fell, becoming prize souvenirs for collectors.

Types of Berlin Walls are built every day in churches and between believers. There is no wall worth the cost of division. The only way to keep the unity of the Spirit in the church and between believers is to remain in the Spirit.

I. Reflect the Unity of the Spirit vv. 1-3

In this verse, Paul makes a huge transition in the content of the letter

To this point, he has been focused on our new identity in Christ, seated with Him in heavenly places

Now, he is going to show us how to live together in light of this new reality

There is a calling to which we have been called

This reality is a redeemed people living as God’s kingdom, united under His rule

We must live in a manner that is consistent with that reality

How do we do this?

Humility

Gentleness

Patience

Love

All of these are in keeping with the character of the Holy Spirit

We are simply seeking, in His power and under His direction, to remain within His purpose

We do not have to manufacture peace and unity within the body of Christ, we simply work to maintain it through our character and commitment to His leadership

-There are a lot of days that I walk through our new building and I get a little overwhelmed by all of the individual pieces and parts. I have to remember that it was always designed as a whole thing. We are not building a bunch of disparate parts and hoping that they come together; we are building a building and every part of it must conform to that ultimate purpose!

II. Remember Our Foundation vv. 4-6

One of the first steps to pursuing unity is a reflection on the reason for our unity

We have one shared life, in one body, directed by one Holy Spirit

We have one hope, Christ alone

We have one authority, one Lord, one God and Father of all

If we are in Christ, there can be no space for division among us!

III. Recognize God’s Gifts vv. 7-12

Though there is no division in the body, there is a diversity of gifts present in the body

Each one of us is uniquely gifted by Christ to share in the work of ministry

This is a grace that allows us to work together for the sake of our calling to unity as the people of God

Jesus has authority to give these kinds of gifts

He has descended and been present with us

He has ascended and carries the authority of the Father

In His wisdom, He has given the church a special set of gifts; leaders within the church

Apostles- sent out as missionaries

Prophets- connect truth to consequence

Evangelists- focus on proclaiming good news

Shepherds- care for the church

Teachers- teach the church

All of these have a purpose, to equip the saints so that all have a part in the work of ministry!

300 Sermon Illustrations from Charles Spurgeon Everything Is a Precious Gift (Job 1:21; Ephesians 5:20; Philippians 4:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; James 1:17)

I suppose there is many a little thing in your house that is of no great value in itself, but it was given to you by someone who was very dear to you. How much a child values that Bible that was given to her by her mother, who wrote her name in it! Many a man has, in his house, things that an auctioneer would appraise at a very small amount, but that the owner prizes very highly because they were given to him by someone whom he greatly esteemed, and who gave them to him as a token of his love.

In like manner, look at the bread on the table of a believer as a love token from God. The Lord gave it to him. If there were on his table nothing but that bread, it would be a token of God’s gracious condescension in providing for his needs.

Let us learn to look in this way at everything that we receive in this life, for such a view of it will sweeten it all. We will not then begin to calculate whether we have as much as others have, or as much as our own whims or wishes might crave, but we will recognize that all we have comes from the hand and heart of our heavenly Father, and that it all comes to us as a token of our Father’s love, and with our Father’s blessing resting on it.

IV. Run After Maturity vv. 13-14

The goal of all of this is that we would reach the unity of the faith described all the way back in the first few verses

What we are talking about here is maturity; not in the sense of age, knowledge, or skills

Instead, we are talking about maturity in the sense of an accurate reflection of the character of Christ

What does this look like?

Through knowledge of Him, in a personal way

By conformity to His character

In stability, to discern false teaching and to face human wickedness

750 Engaging Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers and Writers 749: Unity

The May 1987 edition of National Geographic included a feature about the arctic wolf. Author L. David Mech described how a seven-member pack had targeted several musk-oxen calves who were guarded by eleven adults. As the wolves approached their quarry, the musk-oxen bunched in an impenetrable semicircle, their deadly rear hooves facing out, and the calves remained safe during a long standoff with the enemy.

But then a single ox broke rank, and the herd scattered into nervous little groups. A skirmish ensued, and the adults finally fled in panic, leaving the calves to the mercy of the predators. Not a single calf survived.

Paul warned the Ephesian elders in Acts 20 that after his departure wolves would come, not sparing the flock. Wolves continue to attack the church today but cannot penetrate and destroy when unity is maintained. When believers break ranks, however, they provide easy prey.

Wolves, Satan

V. Remain in Christ vv. 15-16

This language is plural, it is corporate and is not simply directed at individuals, but to all of us together

The way to be united to each other is to be united to Him:

We are held together

We begin to work properly

We grow together in love

We can only do this, though, as we abide in Him!

Years ago, I coached one of Joseph’s basketball teams. He had a great year, because he had learned a new skill that set him apart: he could hit a layup! As the year went on, more and more kids began to catch up, and the competition got more difficult week by week. Finally, in the championship game, we faced a team that we knew would be difficult to beat. In a critical moment, Joseph was making his break down the court with one man to beat and, much to my surprise, he made a new move: hands, feet, eyes, and body worked together under the direction of the mind to crossover the defender! He hit the shot and we won the game. All of this is great, but the body can never do what it was intended to do until it is connected to the head!