The Call to Unity

One Body, One Spirit: The Call to Unity

Bible Passage: Eph 4:1-6

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Summary: In Ephesians 4:1-6, Paul urges the church to live a life worthy of their calling by maintaining unity through the Spirit, emphasizing the importance of being one body and one Spirit in Christ.

Application: This passage encourages Christians to actively pursue unity within the church and in their relationships, acknowledging that differences should not divide. This is especially relevant in a world filled with discord, as it challenges believers to model Christ-like love and humility in overcoming barriers.

How this passage could point to Christ: This theme connects to Christ as the head of the Church, emphasizing that genuine unity is rooted in the relationship believers have with Him. Christ is the one who reconciles us not only to God but also to one another, forming a new community of faith.

Big Idea: The pursuit of unity within the Church reflects our identity in Christ and our witness to the world.

Recommended Study: As you prepare your sermon, consider using Logos to explore the historical and cultural context of the Ephesian church. Examine how the call to unity in a diverse congregation can have specific implications for today. Look into commentary discussions on the terms used for 'unity' and 'calling' to uncover deeper meanings that might enhance your message.

1. Pursue the Worthy Purpose

Eph 4:1

This chapter starts with Paul's appeal to the Ephesians, urging them to live in a way that reflects their divine calling. Romans 12:1-2 says that by God’s mercies we ought to present ourselves a living sacrifice, telling us to be holy and acceptable, not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Later in 22 Paul tells us to put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and in 24 to put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. James 1:23-24 reminds us that God’s Word is like looking into a mirror and if we ignore it then it’s like looking into a mirror, finding an issue, and then walking away without changing anything. As we continue Paul is going to describe the behaviour that is worthy of our calling.

2. Practice Christ-like Character

Eph 4:2

The first things I notice about this verse was the similarity this list hold with the fruit in Galatians 5:22-23 love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. In this verse we have lowliness (humility), meekness (veiled strength), longsuffering, and forbearing one another in love. It is a lowly heart that is also meek and interestingly it is a that heart that is able to forbear one another in love. These virtues give us the ability to maintain the unity Paul as been discussing and will mention again in the next verse. Our identity with Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit our essential for a walk worthy of the vocation for which we are called.

3. Pledge to Preserve Peace

Eph 4:3

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

A. W. Tozer

I thought this was an interesting quote because Paul is telling us to to endeavour to keep the unity, which seems to reflect the idea that it is something achievable, but if we go back through this book we see that God has united the Jews and the Gentiles through Christ and Eph 3:6 tells us that we are fellow-heirs. Paul is telling us that we need to strive to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. I do believe that if we are to recognize this unity that God has given us and Paul has been explaining to us it helps us recognize the need for peace between believers and endeavour to achieve it. I often joke with my brothers and sisters here at the church that we have eternity together, it’s much easier if we get along. While this seems silly and can lighten the mood God tells us, Paul is beseeching us (asking fervently, imploring us) to walk with all lowliness, meekness, longsuffering, and forbearing one another. Unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace requires intentional effort and diligence. This verse reminds us that maintaining unity doesn’t happen passively; it is an active pursuit. Peace and unity are interconnected and originate from the Holy Spirit working within believers.

4. Proclaim the Power of Oneness

Eph 4:4-6

Paul lays out the theological foundation for unity with the "oneness" statements—"one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all." God himself in a triune God 3-in-one. Unity is a concept he understands well. One Body - the body of Christ that all believers are a part of. One Spirit - the Spirit of God that indwells every believer since Christ sent it after his resurrection. One hope - the hope we all place in the promises of God that because Christ lives we too can live. One Lord - the Lord of Lords and King of Kings One Faith - the faith we share in Christ’s death burial and resurrection One Baptism - the baptism of the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation One God and Father of all - we all have one God, there is only one God and he is the Father of all believers, whether Jew or Gentile Acts 10:34-35 says Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

Think about how the truths in this passage are a continuance of the previous chapters line up line and precept upon precept these truths anchor the church in unity, having their ultimate source in the triune God. Believers are called to reflect the unity of God Himself in their relationships and community.

 3   Unity and diversity must work together or one will destroy the other. Unity without diversity is uniformity, but diversity without unity is anarchy. Warren Wiersbe A Gallery of Grace (2002)

Warren W. Wiersbe

Christians are not to make unity but to keep or guard what God made in creating the “one new man” (Eph. 2:15–16). They are to keep this unity “through the bond” which consists of “peace.

Harold W. Hoehner