Keeping The Unity

Introduction

We’ll work til Jesus Comes. If that work has to go well, we need to keep the unity

Specifically, Paul states that they must “endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit, in the bond of peace”

So we’re working. . . but while we do that we are “Keeping the Unity” -

This is the end goal of an imperative phrase mentioned in vs. 1 “Walk worthy of your calling (vocation)”

Background

Paul has in his view both Jew and Gentile Eph 2:16;

God’s paln always involved ALL men.

Lesson Outline

Eph 4:1 “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,”

“I urge you to walk worthy of your calling”

All of us have been called. This language is not reserved for preachers, pastors, deacons, teachers only, but all christians.

This calling is an invitation by God to salvation, which some have answered. It does not ONLY mean at the moment of salvation, but going forward also.

My walk should match up to my call [like ancient balance scales]

This is the phrase with the imoerative force “walk worthy”

Saving you was a big deal for God. He now says, “walk like you’re saved

# Everything about you must be affected by the reality that you are called.

If you arre after “how do I do this?”

Eph 4:2 “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,”

“With” - in the company of, something that I take with me.

What do I take with me?

HUMILITY - This is the ability to remain low. It doesn’t announce itself. I values oneself appropriately. Prov 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.”

You know who else walked with humility? Jesus!

It’s the ability to empty yourself, like Jesus did

To think about others more than yourself

GENTLENESS - act mildly and even-tempered - freedom from harshness and abraisiveness.

[Analogy - doubles with slight vs heavy pepper]

PATIENCE - endurance of things that are unpleasant (long-suffering)

When used of God there is many times, the restraint of wrath, but not the renunnciation. He’s right, but He restrains

1 Pet 3:20 “who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water.”

SHOWING TOLERANCE in the sphere of LOVE