Unity In The Church

Ephesians 4:1–6 NLT

Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.

The context of

Paul is writing from prison to the church in Ephesus

Paul identified his prison chains as not just a physical prison, but a submission to Christ

The church has faced issues of unity between Jews and Gentiles. Today we also face division within THE CHURCH, and certainly in the local church

Paul’s aim was to teach about spiritual unity for the church

Paul appeals to the Ephesians with a very strong form of the word beg (urge, implore, plead) to live according to the calling God has placed on your life.

1 Corinthians 1:10 NLT

I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.

Paul appeals to the Ephesians with a very strong form of the word beg (urge, implore, plead) to live according to the calling God has placed on your life.

What causes division with the church in our current context?

What causes division with the church in our current context?

Where does spiritual unity come from?

Paul identifies Christ as the one who creates unity as we are the body of Christ

Paul identifies the Holy Spirit as the one who maintains unity among the church

The role of believers is to partner with the Holy Spirit to preserve the unity of the church.

The Holy Spirit produces 4 characteristics in the believer that aid in the preservation of unity within the church

1. Humility

Paul is writing in a Greek culture, that did not value humility

It was Jesus himself who brought value to the quality of humble living

As Christians we are called to walk in the same manner as Christ exemplifying humility as part of our calling

Additionally, it is only through humility that we can accept what Christ has done for us on the cross

When we all serve one another, everyones needs are met

The goal is not to think less of yourself, but rather to not think more highly of yourself than others

How did Jesus model humility for us? How can we take on this same attitude?

How do we

2. Gentleness

Another word for Gentleness is meekness

Gentleness is closely related to the term submission, as is the theme of Ephesians shown in

Ephesians 5:21 NLT

And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Gentleness or meekness literally means “power under control.” Being meek for a week will make you realize it takes strength to be meek. War horses in the ancient world went into battle trained to protect their master. They were under the total and instantaneous control of their rider. The war horses were described as being meek. Their strength was under total control.

Gentleness or meekness literally means “power under control.” Being meek for a week will make you realize it takes strength to be meek. War horses in the ancient world went into battle trained to protect their master. They were under the total and instantaneous control of their rider. The war horses were described as being meek. Their strength was under total control.

Gentleness or meekness literally means “power under control.” Being meek for a week will make you realize it takes strength to be meek. War horses in the ancient world went into battle trained to protect their master. They were under the total and instantaneous control of their rider. The war horses were described as being meek. Their strength was under total control.

What does it mean to you to be gentle, yet not lack strength as a leader?

3. Patience

Patience refers to a slowness to anger and avenging wrongs

This is most completely seen in God’s response to sinful humanity in

Romans 2:4 NLT

Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

Romans 2:4

Patience is believing God’s timetable is good

Patience is not a quick test, which God then fulfills after we have been patient for a time, it is complete trust in God no matter what

Most people are willing to admit they need to “work on” the virtue of patience, yet lack the understanding of what patience truly is. How do we practice patience and what kind of mindset do you need to successfully develop this characteristic in your life?

4. Forbearance

Really a continuation of patience, forbearance is also a divine quality that is the practical outworking of patience

Literally meaning to bear with one’s weaknesses, we are called to not cease in love because of someone’s faults or offense to us

The willingness to put up with one another

Why do you think most people struggle with forbearance and what strategy might enable us to demonstrate this virtue better?

All of these qualities are only available in LOVE

Loving one another will produce each of these qualities in our lives

Through the Holy Spirit living within us producing the fruit of the spirit, unity is present. It is our role to fight for and keep unity

What does unity look like?

The Church is ONE BODY

Many languages, ethnicities, cultures, but truly ONE CHURCH

It is the Body of Christ

The Church is united with ONE SPRIT

The Church has ONE HOPE

The Church has ONE LORD

The Church proclaims ONE FAITH

The Church celebrates ONE BAPTISM

Baptism is the symbol of unity among the church

The Church has ONE GOD

“Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow. So one hundred worshipers met together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be, were they to become 'unity' conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship.” — A. W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God

Why is unity important to the church?

What is one thing you will do this week to keep the unity of Eastridge Church?