Untitled Sermon

Ephesians 4:3

Ephesians 4:3 (ESV)

eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Unity in Christ is not something to be achieved: it is something to be recognized.

A. W. Tozer

Romans 12:4-8 “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.”

If we listen to the instruction of Scripture we must remember that our talents are not of our own making, but free gifts of God.

John Calvin

What was special about the new dispensation was that, first of all, these gifts were not confined to any one group of people but extended to all—male and female, young and old. Secondly, these supernatural endowments were wonderfully diverse.

Charles Hodge

Let us … remember that we ought to apply to use the gifts of God, lest, being unemployed and concealed, they gather rust. Let us also remember that we should diligently profit by them, lest they be extinguished by our slothfulness.

John Calvin

Paul is then not just listing gifts; he is exhorting each member of the community to use his or her own gift diligently and faithfully to strengthen the body’s unity and help it to flourish.

Douglas J. Moo