Ephesians 4:1-3 - Unity Begins With "U"

Intro: representing the “company” as an employee. God extends us an opportunity to be part of what He’s doing in the world. How different my life might be if I keep that in mind!

We’re Citizens of a Spiritual Kingdom! We represent God and Heaven on earth!

Philippians 3:20 “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,”

Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,”

Ephesians 3:10 “so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.”

We have certain criteria that must be met among citizens, in my relationship and responsibilities to one another as kingdom occupants that have a heavenly focus!

Unity In The Kingdom MUST Be One Of Our Focus.

What does disunity look like?

When a group cannot come together to accomplish a common goal – that happens when:

There is a lack of communication not just between the leaders but also between the leaders and the congregation and even a lack of communication between each of the members – if we stay in our own bubble and don’t interact with one another

When there is no direction or vision – where are we going and how do we get there?

When we aren’t unified on our essentials, the basics of our DNA, what makes us unique!

What is unity? What are common misconceptions of what “unity” is?

Unity is not just a good thing for the Church, it is an absolute that is commanded by the Holy Spirit through Paul.

Unity does NOT mean that we always agree on every single issue, but it does require that we do agree on the essentials.

Those essentials include how we interact with each other, what doctrine we revolve our lives and actions around, and what responsibilities need to be filled.

That’s what’s in Ephesians 4:1-16!

Unity summed up can be said as “oneness; togetherness; common purpose; wholeness”.

These descriptions should be recognized to be both lateral and horizontal in relationship to both God as well as with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

In fact, unity originates with God, Jesus, and the Spirit. Our God invites us into this unity and guides us in how to both attain and maintain it with one another.

Ephesians 4:1-3

Verse 1

THEREFORE.....wherefore?

I Paul want you to understand all your blessings and have deeper insight into what God has invited you into: (1:3, 18)

Predestined Redemption

Predestined Work

Predestined Church

A Prisoner

Have you ever considered yourself a “bound” to someone or something?

We’ve heard Paul say similar things before:

Rom.1:14 – “I’m under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians”

Paul is saying “I’m compelled beyond all earthly reason to do the things that God wants me to do”

“I’m fully bound to God, you need to also be bound to God AND to each other in unity”

Our “being bound” is voluntary, and Unity requires us to be “all in”

Exhort

Walk Worthy

Walk = the manner of life you have.

Theres a way that seeks to be worthy. Theres a way that doesn’t come close to trying to be worthy.

We don’t mean perfect.

We mean one that shows up, one that is consistent, one that is seeking to do the Job you’re called to do!

Living in a way that shows YOU KNOW and are convinced of how awesome it is that God has called you and invited you into His grand scheme of redemption!

Think about what it took for God, Jesus, the Spirit to achieve the plan of redemption - the time, the effort, the SACRIFICE of Jesus! Think about what all of that means to God...it’s no small thing! So don’t treat it small!

How often do we stop and really think about our calling as the Church and whats required to achieve it? How do we live in a way that is worthy of what God is wanting to accomplish through us?

How do people in the world define “being called”?

“God spoke to me”; “God put it on my heart” – but we don’t see that in scripture.

2 Thessalonians 2:14

If you’ve heard the Gospel, then you’ve been called.

Whether or not you answer the call, that’s up to you.

It’s not about being perfect. I give my best and Jesus takes care of the rest!

Paul helps us to further see how to do that in v.2-3.

Verse 2

We’re not called to an individual walk that leads us to heaven. Sometimes we think that our personal salvation is the end goal. The goal and point of Christianity for ME to be saved, and maybe the Church is a means to that end...that’s the wrong way to think!!

You were saved to be part of the people God has put together, to be part of that family, you were saved to be part of the Kingdom!

We’re called to community! Because as soon as you’re saved your added to the community, to the connected body of Christ!

I know that sometimes you come to Church and take part in what goes on and it’s not picture perfect and not so glorious as I’m making it out to be —- but that’s because we lost sight and need to refocus our heavenly perspective and the worthy walk we’ve been called to.

You’ve got to embrace this calling and mission! And to do that, you’ve got to embrace one another. How?

Humility, Gentleness, Patience, and Love.

Some people are difficult....and I’m some people.

The way the Church is supposed to be and work will NEVER happen UNLESS we’re constantly focused and reminded of this! It doesn’t just happen when we’re nice people together because sometimes we each need a dose of humility, we each need to give and receive gentleness, etc.

Humility

As Christians, we’ve been given an exalted position because of Christ—not because we earned it, but because of His grace. That truth should never lead to pride. We’re called to imitate Christ and live with humility, considering others’ needs and concerns as more important than our own Philippians 2:1–3 “Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, fulfill my joy, that you think the same way, by maintaining the same love, being united in spirit, thinking on one purpose, doing nothing from selfish ambition or vain glory, but with humility of mind regarding one another as more important than yourselves,”. Humility is crucial in every church situation—especially when dealing with disagreements, changes, mistakes, or lifting others up. It doesn’t show off or demand control. Instead, it’s the willingness to admit fault, be open to growth, and serve others over self.

Gentleness

Gentleness, or meekness (prautes), is strength under control. It's often absent when pride and anger take over. Instead, gentleness flows from humility and is essential in building unity within the church. It’s more than being “nice”—it’s a Spirit-filled approach to communication and interaction. Especially in correction, encouragement, and disagreement, gentleness helps restore others. Proverbs 15:1 “A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.” Jesus showed gentleness to people from all backgrounds—disciples, Pharisees, Roman officials—and we should extend it to all, just as He does with us.

Patience

Patience is not just passive waiting—it’s the active choice to keep doing what’s right even when progress seems slow, when we don’t see immediate results. Growth takes time. Ephesians 4:13 “until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the full knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ,”. We must be patient with each other’s spiritual immaturity, choosing to see and celebrate growth rather than fixate on flaws. Intentional encouragement and a long view of spiritual development help us stay united and hopeful as we mature together.

Love

True love shows itself by bearing with one another—enduring and accepting each other, especially when we get on each other’s nerves. God is patient and loving toward us, so we ought to give out of what we’ve been given! We must be the same toward one another. We all have quirks and shortcomings, and love chooses to stick with each other anyway. Love is the driving force behind humility, gentleness, and patience. It seeks others’ best, even when it costs us personally.

Verse 3

No one says “I don’t want to be unified”. Right? No one says that or no decent person tries to undermine it. But you work against unity when your apathetic. Apathy/apathetic means when you don’t show any interest, you don’t show any care, no enthusiasm, and even no concern. You sit back and grumble and say “Oh well. Nothing I can do.”....WRONG. You can change YOU. Unity starts with “U”!

Paul is saying this is how YOU play into UNITY. If you’re apathetic about what is going on, if you are the opposite of these things, then you’re walking unworthily and are a hindrance to unity - and if that’s you, then you need to repent!

Keep in mind: it’s a process.

Ephesians 4:13 “until we all attain....”

It takes time and deep commitment to the process. AND deep commitment to each other, because if I’m deeply committed to you then it affects how I treat and work with you while we wait for maturity and growth in one another.

What does it look like to be unified?

Oneness and harmony

It doesn’t mean we all do the same things and play the same parts.

Harmony is illustrated in music:

“Harmony is the composite product when individual musical voices group together to form a cohesive whole. Think of an orchestra: the flute player may be playing one note, the violinist plays a different note, and the trombonist plays yet a different note. But when their individual parts are heard together, harmony is created.”

It’s easy to see how all of us playing different functions or not having the same way of handling things can cause us to become frustrated with each other, thinking that some are hindering us if it we aren’t all doing the same things the same way and thinking along the same lines --- but what we need to realize is that each person has a different giftedness and approach to matters in life. Our job in the search of unity is to find a way for each of us to “play our different notes” and harmonize our work together. (Eph.4:7-11)

There is one unity (the 8th “one” here in Eph.4). And we must be as diligent in our keeping of it as we are the rest.

"Bone of peace” —

What’s a bond? Being tied together.

Every Christian is tied to each other no matter where we are.

Peace – that which we are bonded by!

First in Eph.2:14-16, Peace destroyed any hostility between Jews and Greeks (anyone else too).

Now in Chapter 4 it is also that which holds us together.

It’s intentional goodwill toward one another.

You may have heard or even said “I don’t have to like you I just have to love you.” Well, this verse fights against that. We should want good things for each other and be positive towards each other.

In as much as it depends on YOU, try to like each other! And go out of your way to NOT be apathetic, but seek good for one another.

If that isn’t you and hasn’t been you pray hard and repent because you can be in the way of true unity. If it is you, and you’ll know, because its hard earned, keep on that worthy walk.