Unity in Humility
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Speaker: Rich Gartman
Series: Unity
Scripture:Eph 4:1-3
Main Idea: We have to put on the humility of Christ to walk in a manner worthy of being called a christian, To talk in a many worthy, and to be unified in the Spirit.
Intro
Intro
Do you have humility like the man who wrote the best-selling books, “Humility and How I Attained It” and “The Ten Most Humble Men in the World and How I Chose The Other Nine.”
Do you have humility like the man who wrote the best-selling books, “Humility and How I Attained It” and “The Ten Most Humble Men in the World and How I Chose The Other Nine.”
Bible Verse
Bible Verse
Ephesians 4:1-3
Ephesians 4:1-3
Unity in the Body of Christ
4 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Walk This Way
Walk This Way
Explanation – Point 1
Explanation – Point 1
Paul is probably in the most humble position. Imprisioned for his faith and yet he takes the time he has to to write to the church at Ephesis to walk worthy of the calling. This calling to salvation.
Paul is probably in the most humble position. Imprisioned for his faith and yet he takes the time he has to to write to the church at Ephesis to walk worthy of the calling. This calling to salvation.
Bruce Barton writes “God has chosen us to be Christ’s representatives on earth. In light of this truth, we should live worthy of the calling we have received—the privilege of being selected as Christ’s very own. This includes being humble, gentle, patient, understanding, and peaceful. People are watching your life. Can they see Christ in you? How well are you doing as his representative?”
Bruce Barton writes “God has chosen us to be Christ’s representatives on earth. In light of this truth, we should live worthy of the calling we have received—the privilege of being selected as Christ’s very own. This includes being humble, gentle, patient, understanding, and peaceful. People are watching your life. Can they see Christ in you? How well are you doing as his representative?”
Therefore - Ephesians Chapter 3:14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Therefore - Ephesians Chapter 3:14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Illustration – Point 1
Illustration – Point 1
There were 128 runners in the field for the cross country race at the 1993 NCAA Division II Track and Field Championships. As they set out on the 6.2 mile run, they were following a course that had been marked for them by the race officials. Toward the end of the course, one of the runners in the middle of the group realized something was wrong. Mike Delcavo of Western State College in Colorado saw that the main pack had missed the turn. “I was waving for them to follow me and yelling ‘This is the right way,’” he told an interviewer after the race.
There were 128 runners in the field for the cross country race at the 1993 NCAA Division II Track and Field Championships. As they set out on the 6.2 mile run, they were following a course that had been marked for them by the race officials. Toward the end of the course, one of the runners in the middle of the group realized something was wrong. Mike Delcavo of Western State College in Colorado saw that the main pack had missed the turn. “I was waving for them to follow me and yelling ‘This is the right way,’” he told an interviewer after the race.
Delcavo was right—but only four other runners followed him. The rest continued on the shortcut, which allowed them to run a shorter distance and finish the race sooner. In a widely-criticized decision, race officials allowed the abbreviated route to stand as the “official course” and Delcavo officially finished 123rd.
Delcavo was right—but only four other runners followed him. The rest continued on the shortcut, which allowed them to run a shorter distance and finish the race sooner. In a widely-criticized decision, race officials allowed the abbreviated route to stand as the “official course” and Delcavo officially finished 123rd.
The world does not always reward staying on track—literally or figuratively. But the path we follow is important to God.
The world does not always reward staying on track—literally or figuratively. But the path we follow is important to God.
Application – Point 1
Application – Point 1
We are a people who like to be in charge. Its hard not to want this. We all think we are right, but the truth is no one is righteous, no not one. So we have to realize this, be humble, bow the knee and put on the righteousness of Christ.
We are a people who like to be in charge. Its hard not to want this. We all think we are right, but the truth is no one is righteous, no not one. So we have to realize this, be humble, bow the knee and put on the righteousness of Christ.
So how do we know in disunity which way to go? Simple. Of the directions how is the one pushing it acts. Are they demanding their way, their right? Are they acting in a manner worthy of the calling? Are they trying to unify or disrupt? Is this being done in secret? And the last question I constantly have to ask myself. I am that person wanting my way, my right, disrupting?
So how do we know in disunity which way to go? Simple. Of the directions how is the one pushing it acts. Are they demanding their way, their right? Are they acting in a manner worthy of the calling? Are they trying to unify or disrupt? Is this being done in secret? And the last question I constantly have to ask myself. I am that person wanting my way, my right, disrupting?
Bible Verse – Point 2
Bible Verse – Point 2
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience
Talk This Way
Talk This Way
Explanation – Point 2
Explanation – Point 2
Both the Greek and Roman cultures considered humility and gentleness to be weak character traits showing a lack of self-respect
Both the Greek and Roman cultures considered humility and gentleness to be weak character traits showing a lack of self-respect
Bruce B. Barton and Philip Wesley Comfort, Ephesians, Life Application Bible Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1996), 74.
Bruce B. Barton and Philip Wesley Comfort, Ephesians, Life Application Bible Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1996), 74.
Patience or Long-Suffering
Patience or Long-Suffering
conveys the quality of being able to handle one another’s faults and failures and refusing to avenge wrongs. No one is ever going to be perfect here on earth, so believers must be patient with one another despite their faults
conveys the quality of being able to handle one another’s faults and failures and refusing to avenge wrongs. No one is ever going to be perfect here on earth, so believers must be patient with one another despite their faults
Bruce B. Barton and Philip Wesley Comfort, Ephesians, Life Application Bible Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1996), 74–75.
Bruce B. Barton and Philip Wesley Comfort, Ephesians, Life Application Bible Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1996), 74–75.
But the bible both New and Old Testament see these characterestics as good, Godly.
But the bible both New and Old Testament see these characterestics as good, Godly.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Illustration – Point 2
Illustration – Point 2
William Carey is considered the father of modern missions. The man who spent his early years as a cobbler became one of the greatest linguists the church has ever known. It’s reported that Carey translated parts of the Bible into as many as 24 Indian languages. When he first went to India, some regarded him with dislike and contempt. At a dinner party a distinguished guest, hoping to humiliate Carey, said in a loud voice, “I suppose, Mr. Carey, you once worked as a shoemaker.” Carey responded humbly, “No, your lordship, not as a shoemaker, only a cobbler.” Carey didn’t claim to make shoes, only to mend them. (Today in the Word, September 21, 1995, p. 28).
William Carey is considered the father of modern missions. The man who spent his early years as a cobbler became one of the greatest linguists the church has ever known. It’s reported that Carey translated parts of the Bible into as many as 24 Indian languages. When he first went to India, some regarded him with dislike and contempt. At a dinner party a distinguished guest, hoping to humiliate Carey, said in a loud voice, “I suppose, Mr. Carey, you once worked as a shoemaker.” Carey responded humbly, “No, your lordship, not as a shoemaker, only a cobbler.” Carey didn’t claim to make shoes, only to mend them. (Today in the Word, September 21, 1995, p. 28).
Application – Point 2
Application – Point 2
The way we walk matters, but the way we talk also matters. If we are called to walk in these manners we are also called to talk this way.
The way we walk matters, but the way we talk also matters. If we are called to walk in these manners we are also called to talk this way.
Bible Verse – Point 3
Bible Verse – Point 3
bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Just Give Me A Kiss
Just Give Me A Kiss
Explanation – Point 3
Explanation – Point 3
Love is the Key. Love is the way to doing this. you cant have longsuffering without love. Humility is comes from, love. Genteleness is Love.
Love is the Key. Love is the way to doing this. you cant have longsuffering without love. Humility is comes from, love. Genteleness is Love.
Illustration – Point 3
Illustration – Point 3
Love is the key. Joy is love singing. Peace is love resting. Long-suffering is love enduring. Kindness is love’s touch. Goodness is love’s character. Faithfulness is love’s habit. Gentleness is love’s self-forgetfulness. Self-control is love holding the reins. (Donald Grey Barnhouse)
Love is the key. Joy is love singing. Peace is love resting. Long-suffering is love enduring. Kindness is love’s touch. Goodness is love’s character. Faithfulness is love’s habit. Gentleness is love’s self-forgetfulness. Self-control is love holding the reins. (Donald Grey Barnhouse)
Application – Point 3
Application – Point 3
True unity among believers follows naturally from the characteristics described in 4:2 and provides the theme for verses 3–6. Such unity is only possible when the Holy Spirit acts in believers’ lives—the Spirit originates and sustains oneness among believers. Love for each other, which the presence of the Spirit causes, makes peace possible. The bond of peace includes the idea of uniting the members into one body. This “bond” holds people together, like string or twine. Peace functions as the “binding twine” of unity. God gives it to us, producing equality and understanding.
True unity among believers follows naturally from the characteristics described in 4:2 and provides the theme for verses 3–6. Such unity is only possible when the Holy Spirit acts in believers’ lives—the Spirit originates and sustains oneness among believers. Love for each other, which the presence of the Spirit causes, makes peace possible. The bond of peace includes the idea of uniting the members into one body. This “bond” holds people together, like string or twine. Peace functions as the “binding twine” of unity. God gives it to us, producing equality and understanding.
Bruce B. Barton and Philip Wesley Comfort, Ephesians, Life Application Bible Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1996), 75.
Bruce B. Barton and Philip Wesley Comfort, Ephesians, Life Application Bible Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1996), 75.
Conclusion
Conclusion
