From Unity to Maturity

Ephesians 4:1-16

Introduction

There are a lot of ways people go about holding together. Most of them are temporary measures that will not last.

In this section, Paul moves from talking primarily about our relationship to God to how that applies in our relationship to each other.

The former is the foundation for the latter.

Keep the Unity

The worthy walk is a walk in unity (Eph. 4:1-3; 3:14-21).

Paul knows what unity costs. It requires humility because proud people cannot live as equals. It requires gentleness because brothers cannot be treated as enemies to be defeated. It requires patience because people will provoke and disappoint us. And it requires love willing to bear the cost of remaining bound to imperfect people.

That brings us to v. 3 which points those characteristics toward the work of preserving unity.

And there may be an even deeper connection to what Paul has just prayed in 3:14–21. He prays that they be “rooted and grounded in love,” comprehend Christ’s love “with all the saints,” and be filled to all the fullness of God. Then the first thing he tells those saints to do is live with humility, gentleness, patience, and forbearing love.

The basis of unity is bigger than us (Eph. 4:4-6).

So unity is not just generically putting aside differences but standing together on one platform.

They talk about “big tents” in political parties. But one of the dangers is that the point becomes including people and not maintaining identity.

The idea here is maintaining unity with everyone who is loyal to these “ones” listed here.

These are not things we can shape, the are what God has shaped. Our unity must be inside of these boundaries.

Build Up the Body

Each one is given gifts (Eph. 4:7; 3:7).

Here is diversity after talking about of the ones. Now we have each one.

Paul’s own work as a minister is described in this way back in 3:7.

These are gifts from the victorious King (Eph. 4:8-10; 1:20-23).

Paul wants us to view what we have as the spoils of war given by a victorious king.

So he brings in Psalm 68, a Psalm of victory, to highlight this idea.

He ascended so that he might fill all things (Eph. 1:20-23).

The church is equipped for service (Eph. 4:11-12).

These offices are not the point. They are for accomplishing the point.

These offices are what Christ has put in place to equip all of the saints for service.

So we don’t have those who give service and those who receive it. We have Paul describing the way Christ prepares everyone for service.

Grow to Maturity

We are aiming for unity of the faith (Eph. 4:13, 3; 2:15).

We have been made into a “new man” from our various origins.

Now Paul says our goal is to make that one man into a mature man.

Christ is our standard or measure of maturity. Do we look more like Him.

This is where we need to be careful in asserting or maintaining our personalities when those things stand in the way of us becoming like Him.

Truth in love leads to maturity (Eph. 4:14-15).

Maturity means becoming less vulnerable to deception and false doctrine.

Children are gullible, grown people should not be.

Truth without love will become harsh and destructive but love without truth will become shapeless and unstable. We must cultivate these two things together.

The whole body grows by every part supplying its share (Eph. 4:16).

Like the home, churches often evolve into producers and consumers.

But like the home, everyone is called into action.

Everyone has something to supply.

Those who only consume will remain immature and are vulnerable to the schemes just mentioned.

Understanding of truth and working together in love is what keeps a family together.

Conclusion

We are to keep the unity God has already created.

We are to build up the body with what Christ has supplied.

We are to grow to maturity until the whole body increasingly takes the shape of Christ.

So two questions for you this morning:

Am I a member of the body?

Am I helping the body become what Christ intends it to become?