Unity in the Body of Christ

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OK, so now that we are here and we are getting settled in, let’s really get focused by reviewing our memory verse together. Does anyone remember it?

Matthew 28:19–20 (ESV)

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Great job! Let’s keep working on this—maybe we’ll even challenge the kids to learn it faster than the adults. What do you think?

This verse is our mission. It’s the foundation of everything we do as believers, both individually and as a church. Last week, we talked about how God calls us to be obedient: to go, make disciples, baptize, and teach, all with the assurance that Jesus is with us. That means we are called to evangelize the lost, and teach and train those who are saved. That’s the bottom line.

But here’s where it gets tricky. We’re a church of over 100 people, and let’s be honest—it’s hard to get 100 people to agree on almost anything! That’s why unity is essential. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians gives us a blueprint for how we can stay united and live on mission.

The church in Ephesus was one of the early church’s largest and most significant congregations. Located in a city of 200,000-300,000 people, it faced challenges of unity among Jewish and Gentile believers, all while navigating a culture filled with pagan worship, like the famous temple of Artemis. Yet, even with their influence and strength, the church in Ephesus eventually faded. Today, in modern Turkey, Christians make up less than 0.2% of the population.

With all these challenges—differences in background, culture, and even personal preferences—Paul knew the Ephesian believers needed a clear foundation for how to live out their calling. That’s why he wrote these words in Ephesians 4:1-6, calling them to unity.

Let’s open our Bibles to Ephesians 4:1-6 and read together. As we read, notice how Paul emphasizes the attitudes and actions that create unity, starting with humility, gentleness, and peace.

Ephesians 4:1–6 ESV

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

This is where we’ll focus today: how we, as the body of Christ, can cultivate these qualities and live in unity as we pursue God’s mission together.

Paul begins by reminding the Ephesians of their calling in Christ—a calling that isn’t just about what we do, but how we live. And at the heart of that life is humility and gentleness. Let’s see how we are…

1. Called to Humility and Gentleness

Paul calls all believers to live in a manner worthy of their calling as followers of Christ. He isn’t saying that anyone is inherently worthy—that’s not the point. Instead, Paul urges believers to live in a way that reflects the significance of the calling they’ve received. This means making every effort to live up to it. The "calling" Paul refers to encompasses God’s magnificent plan of salvation, as described in chapter 1, and His purpose to unite Jews and Gentiles in the church, as seen in chapters 2 and 3. For the Ephesians, this calling carried a weighty obligation: to live in such a way that their lives testified to God’s greatness, so the world might know Him.

This same calling applies to us today. It’s deeply tied to the mission Jesus gave His followers—the one we talked about last week. So, how is this life worthy of our calling lived out? According to Paul, it begins with two key attitudes: humility and gentleness.

But what is humility, exactly? That’s not always an easy question to answer. At one time, I might have said humility was simply putting others before myself. In an effort to do that, I would analyze how I could prioritize others without making any real personal sacrifice. But true humility goes deeper. Pastor C.J. Mahaney put it well: "Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less."

When we adopt this mindset, we naturally elevate others—not for our gain, but because it reflects Christ. What about you? How do you define humility in your life?

The second attitude Paul emphasizes is gentleness. Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit, and it contrasts sharply with the works of the flesh we often lean into when we insist on getting our way. This isn’t always deliberate; it’s often a result of our sinful, self-centered nature. Jeremiah reminds us that our hearts are deceitful and wicked, so we shouldn’t follow them blindly. Instead, we must intentionally set our minds on things above—on God’s will rather than our own desires.

When I’m filled with the Spirit and focused on God’s leading, gentleness becomes a natural part of my life. However, if I find myself being described as "grumpy," "rude," or even a "jerk," I need to recognize that these aren’t badges of honor. They’re an assault on Christ’s character being reflected in me.

If you’re a believer, and people know you more for your harshness than for your kindness, it’s time to examine your heart. Living a life worthy of our calling begins with humility and gentleness, and these qualities shape how we engage with others and represent Christ.

Listen, if you are a believer, and people know you more by your harshness, than by your kindness, there is a problem with your spirit that you need to get straight.

Living a life in a manner worthy of our calling begins with humility and gentleness, but Paul doesn’t stop there. He emphasizes that unity requires intentional effort. It’s not something that happens naturally—it takes diligence and a commitment to preserving peace. Remember in verse 3 where Paul talked about maintaining unity through the bond of peace.

Paul encourages us to be

2. Diligent in Keeping Peace

How important is it to keep the peace? The truth is, any church can break down at any time. On the outside, a church may appear happy and healthy, but on the inside, division and unrest can quietly fester, threatening not only its peace but its health. I’ve attended several churches throughout my adult life, and let me tell you—very few were truly at peace. The ones that were? They were diligent in guarding the peace of the church.

There is an urgency to maintaining peace—not because we are currently at war as a church, but because we must remain vigilant to avoid it. The enemy would love nothing more than to see a Bible-believing, gospel-teaching church in this region fall. And let’s be honest: there aren’t that many of us, folks. This is why Paul emphasized the importance of keeping the peace to the church in Ephesus.

The Ephesian church faced significant cultural challenges. They were surrounded by Pagan worship, idolatry, and sexual sin, all of which were not only accepted but celebrated. Centers of prostitution were common, and the culture’s influence was strong. It sounds a lot like our world today, doesn’t it?

With so much to fight against outside the church, the last thing we need is division within it. That’s why Paul calls for diligence in maintaining peace. But how do we do that? How can we, as a church, actively pursue peace?

Let me tell you one of the quickest ways to destroy peace in a church: gossip. Gossip can kill a church faster than you might imagine. I’ve seen it happen, and it’s heartbreaking. Picture this: a church committed to reaching the lost and discipling believers begins to grow as God transforms lives. But then, gossip creeps in. It’s left unchecked, spreads like wildfire, and less than a decade later, the church dies—its mission derailed by division.

So, what is gossip? There are many definitions, and some argue the Bible doesn’t explicitly define it. But here’s how we’ll define it today: Gossip is giving bad news out of a bad heart, behind someone’s back. It sows seeds of division and tears down the unity we’re called to protect.

How do we fight gossip? We stop it the moment it comes to us. We create a culture of speaking to people, not about them. We refuse to secretly take sides in a conflict. If you have an issue with someone, go to them directly. If you’re nervous, bring an elder to mediate. But don’t allow gossip to take root. Be diligent in keeping the peace here at LRBC.

Paul’s call to unity isn’t just about avoiding conflict—it’s about reflecting the reconciliation we’ve received in Christ. Each of us is called to intentional, Spirit-led peacemaking. This effort strengthens the bonds within the church and serves as a powerful witness to the world.

Finally, Paul reminds us that our unity isn’t merely about how we act—it’s grounded in something far deeper. It’s rooted in the very nature of God Himself. In verses 4-6, Paul points to the unshakable foundation of our unity: one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God who is over all. Let’s take a look at how this divine unity shapes our life together as the body of Christ. We are…

3. Grounded in Divine Unity

For just a moment, let’s focus on the unified body of Christ, grounded in one Spirit, one Lord, and one God. Paul emphasizes here that our unity is not superficial or based on human efforts. Instead, it is ultimately rooted in the unchanging character of God Himself. This divine unity reflects the Trinity’s inherent unity and serves as the foundation for the Church.

Paul outlines seven unifying truths in this passage, each revealing God’s eternal plan and the shared identity of believers. These truths are the means by which we, as the Church, can be unified. Let’s briefly explore them together:

One Body: The Church as the body of Christ is diverse in members but unified in purpose—serving Christ and making Him known.

One Spirit: The Holy Spirit indwells every believer, guiding and empowering us for unity and service.

One Hope: Our shared hope is eternal life through Jesus Christ. Despite differing life circumstances, this hope unites us.

One Lord: Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith, the one we all submit to and follow.

One Faith: We share the same faith in the gospel message—that salvation comes by faith alone, through grace alone, in Christ alone.

One Baptism: Baptism symbolizes our identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, marking our entrance into the family of God.

One God and Father of All: This unifying truth points to God’s sovereignty and His relationship with every believer as our loving Father.

When we slow down and look at what Scripture says we can see the truths of God’s Word open up in our hearts.

When we live out these truths, we reflect the unity of God’s nature and demonstrate the power of the gospel to the world. The world is watching the Church, and our unity serves as a powerful testimony to God’s transformative work in our lives.

This is why Jesus gave His disciples a new commandment. He had already taught them to love their neighbors as themselves, but then, He commanded believers to love one another. This love was different because it was specifically directed toward fellow believers. In every other group in society, people were self-focused. But Jesus calls Christians to be each-other focused. That’s what sets us apart.

Look at this

John 13:34 (ESV)

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

The unity we strive for is not just for our benefit—it is for the glory of God and the testimony of His gospel. This truth challenges us to reflect on how we live in a manner worthy of our calling. Are we contributing to the unity of the body, or are we allowing division to take root?

4. Our Mission as a Church

Now, as we think about unity and our shared calling, it’s important to remember that God has given every church a mission—and ours is no exception. While we’re still discovering the specifics of who we are as a body, one thing is clear: our mission is rooted in the Great Commission. Jesus’ command to His disciples in Matthew 28:19-20 is as relevant to us today as it was when He first spoke it:

Matthew 28:19–20 ESV

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

This is our mission as followers of Christ and as a church body—to go and make disciples. It’s not just about filling seats; This is about seeing lives transformed by the power of the gospel. It’s about teaching, baptizing, and equipping believers to live as disciples who reflect Christ in their homes, workplaces, and communities.

The unity we’ve talked about this morning—the humility, gentleness, and peacemaking we strive for—is not an end in itself. It’s the foundation that allows us to fulfill this mission effectively. When we are united in purpose and grounded in our shared calling, we become a powerful witness to the world around us.

So, as we move forward together as a church, let’s embrace this mission wholeheartedly. Let’s commit to living in a manner worthy of the calling we’ve received, united in love and driven by the desire to see God glorified in all that we do.

Listen, the world is watching. Will they see a people who are divided and distracted? Or will they see a church that is laser-focused on its God-given mission, bound together by the love of Christ and the power of the Spirit?

Let’s move forward in faith, trusting that God will guide us as we seek to fulfill His purpose for our church.

Closing

As we seek God’s will for LRBC, let’s begin by examining our own hearts. Are we walking in humility, putting others before ourselves and thinking of ourselves less? Are we showing gentleness, reflecting the Spirit’s work in our lives? Are we committed to being peacemakers, guarding the unity of the body and refusing to let gossip or division take root?

Revival starts in each of us. Before we can discern God’s mission for this church, we must first align our lives with His calling. Let’s reflect on how we can live in a manner worthy of that calling—individually pursuing holiness, gentleness, and unity as we prepare to step forward together.

But don’t stop there. God is leading us as a church to embrace the Great Commission. He is calling us to something bigger than ourselves—a mission to bring the gospel to our community and beyond. Imagine what could happen if we committed to being a church marked by humility, gentleness, peace, and an unwavering focus on making disciples.

So today, let’s ask: “Lord, how do I need to change to better reflect You? How can I contribute to the unity and mission of Your church?” And let’s trust that as we seek Him, He will guide us, strengthen us, and use us in ways we can’t yet imagine. Staying humble and remaining focused on the Lord, not ourselves.

Together, we can step forward with confidence, knowing that the God who has called us is faithful. Let’s walk humbly, work diligently for peace, and pursue holiness—not for our own glory, but for His.

Now if you are here this morning and you are wondering what all of this talk about the Spirit of God is and your interested in this idea of Divine unity and what that would look like in your life…Well I want to share something with you for a moment. Each and every one of us was born into this world as a sinner. We are sinners by action and nature. That means we were born into sin, but also that we choose to sin, like you choose to lie to mom and dad that one time as a kid. so we are sinners. That sin has separated us from God because God is a holy God. Even worse than that is that our sin has pretty heavy penalty that is eternal separation from God in the torment of Hell. However, God already has a plan to bring you back into a relationship with him. That plan is his son Jesus Christ. Jesus came and lived on this Earth for around 33 years, and he never sinned…not even one time. Then, Jesus paid the price for your sin…that price was his death on a cross. The good news is that 3 days later Jesus walked out of that grave because the grave couldn’t hold down the Son of God. Now all you have to do is trust and submit your life to him in order to receive that gift of salvation.

So…maybe this morning is the morning you’re finally going to take the time to submit your life to his. Praise the Lord and don’t get distracted here ok….Here’s what i want you to do ok…I want you to have a conversation with God, it can be quick for now, but it’s gonna end up being long at some point…I want you to have a quick conversation with God…that’s called prayer. Admit your sin to the Lord, Acknowledge that you are nothing without him, Acknowledge that his death and resurrection paid the price for your sin and you want to trust that truth today…Then submit your life to his will.

Later today or this week connect with me about being baptized as a public declaration of your faith, and then keep trusting the Lord every day. Then….and this is the hard part…if that was a true thing that happened…your life will change, because the Lord is working in your heart.

For everyone else…you better not leave here this morning the same as when you got here…Allow the Lord to change your heart and grow closer to reflect Christ.

Let’s pray