The New Self

Congregational Unity (Eph. 4:1-6)

Our first calling is to build LOVING, united CONGREGATIONS. 4:1-3

Ephesians 4:1 NIV

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

Ephesians 4:2–3 NIV

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:4–6 NIV

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Paul rallies them to live in a way worthy of the rallying-cry by which they have been rallied—to be part of the rally.

The primary way they live out their summons is to prioritize the community of the assembly.

Why?

There is only one body, united by one spirit and one hope.

We have only one Lord, one allegiance, one citizenship.

There is only one God, who is over all.

Only loving CONGREGATIONS can prove the TRUTH of the GOSPEL. 4-6, John 13:35

John 13:35 NASB 2020

By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.”

We are all assembled under the same God, the same king, into the same nation. We must BE that nation.

We jump straight from loving God to loving outsiders, and we miss the central role that loving the congregation is meant to play.

The Goal: Mature Congregations (Eph. 4:7-16)

But I don’t wanna! I have more gifts than others, I want to go out and do, I am willing to leave the others behind.

OR I don’t have any gifts, I just want to be a spectator.

Jesus gives us our GIFTS for the sake of the CONGREGATION. 4:7-13

Ephesians 4:7 NIV

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

Ephesians 4:11–13 NIV

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

The purpose of leaders and special gifts is to help build up the congregation in unity and love.

Our goal is strong DISCIPLES who can produce mature CONGREGATIONS. 4:14-16

Ephesians 4:14–16 NIV

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Congregational Identity

As Christians we put on the ONE new SELF: the BODY of CHRIST. 4:17-24, 2:15

Ephesians 4:22–24 NIV

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 2:15 NIV

by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace,

Putting on the new SELF means participating in the community of God’s GRACE. 4:25-32

Ephesians 4:25–32 NIV

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Back to Love

We prioritize the unity of the CONGREGATION so we can invite the WORLD into the community of GRACE. Eph. 1:10, 22

Ephesians 1:10 NIV

to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

Ephesians 1:22 NIV

And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,