Unity and Love

Introduction

Good morning Church,

This morning we are continuing our series on The Lost Art of Loving. This is looking at how to love people and how to change the world with love. This morning particularly we are going to look at this idea of love and unity and what the scriptures say about this. This idea of unity is an important concept; whether it be in our homes, in our work places and in the church and amongst our body of believers.

In my life so far I’ve had a few jobs and in those jobs I have worked on a number teams. I’ve seen my fair share of good and unified team environments and definitely had my fair share of work environments that didn’t quite work as well as they should or could have. One of the best work environments that I’ve had a chance to work in, other than here in Sicamous, was my few year stint as a part time zoo keeper at the Zoo in Bermuda. I was part of a weekend team and we had such a great work environment. Each of us on the team would show up each weekend and push hard to get our regular chore stuff done and then we’d save up the afternoon for various projects. We were generally known to be the team that did the heavy lifting projects and we loved it. I think a core aspect of that team environment is that we had a healthy respect for one another, we recognized what we were there to do and we just got down to doing it, we were unified as a team. And you know what it ended up being so much fun; it was hard work but we had fun while we were getting stuff done. And I can tell you that I looked forward to working with and hanging with with those people each and every Saturday while I worked there.

I really think that our passage this morning will help guide us into a talk about unity and what it should look like in each of our lives.

So our question for this morning, and what I want us to be thinking about as we continue is, “What should unity look like in our lives?” and for some of us we will make it even more specific “What should unity look like in the life of a follower of Christ?”. Our passage this morning will give us great insight into this.

So if you could please grab your bible or flick on your bible app. We also have bibles in each row if you don’t have one. We are going to turn to , “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

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. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016. Print.”

Let’s pray.

*Prayer*

Holy Spirit we ask you to come this morning. Open the word of God for us as we seek to follow you in how we love those around us. Lord I pray that you will guide my thoughts and words this morning.**

Background on

The book of Ephesians is such an interesting book in the writings of the Apostle Paul. Paul is writing to the church the body of believers in Ephesus. Ephesus is a fairly large city located in Asia, modern day Turkey, and is quite an interesting place.

The city of Ephesus wasn’t much different than many of the cities that are around now. It was a large and and very influential city in Asia, it is known that this city had influence over the politics, commerce, and religious atmosphere of the province in Asia. Ephesus was a major port city; this is important because it brought with it many different types of people travelling through the city from various backgrounds and a variety of beliefs systems. Because of this Ephesus was known as a “religiously pluralistic city”. So we know that because of this religious plurality there was a large number who believed in and practice of magic. This practice of magic was founded on a worldview that recognized the presence and influence of good and evil spirit powers on every area of life. Along with this Ephesus also had a strong Jewish population, with some scholars suggesting that it was between 5 and 10 percent of the population.

The city of Ephesus was as large and influential city in Asia, with Clinton Arnold describing it as having, “influence over the politics, commerce, and religious atmosphere of the province”. It was a major port city of Asia which would have brought with it many different people from various backgrounds with a plethora of beliefs. As such Ephesus was known as a “religiously pluralistic city”. The prominent pagan deity for the city was the goddess Artemis (also known as Diana); who was the virgin goddess, a divine hunter and a fertility deity. Due to this religious plurality there was a large belief and practice of magic. Arnold notes, “the practice of magic was predicated on a worldview that recognised the widespread presence and influence of good and evil spirit powers on every area of life”. Ephesus also had a strong Jewish population, with some scholars suggesting that it was between 5 and 10 percent of the population.

This letter to the Ephesians is viewed as general in nature. Meaning that the letter could really fit for a number of groups of believers. In Paul’s letter where he tells the Ephesian believers to stop their previous practices and to seek their identity from the one true God that they believe in. See the Ephesian church believed in Jesus but they were allowing their old practices and belief into their current lives. We sometimes find ourselves here. Where we have moments where the people who we were before Christ and the things we did before we accepted him come back into our lives.

In the first 3 chapters before our passage this morning we see Paul spending a bit of time on the doctrine of the church, giving them a refresher on what they believed. Then in our chapter this morning we see him move from theology to how they are to live this out practically. Folks this is a good model for us. When we get our theology down the natural progression is toward proper living, how we live this out in our lives. This is important because if our theology doesn’t push us toward proper living then there is something wrong with our theology because God’s word should spur us on to living like Jesus.

In the first 3 chapters before our passage this morning we see Paul spending a bit of time on the doctrine of the church, giving them a refresher in what they believed. Then in our chapter this morning we see him move from theology to how they are to live this out practically. Folks this is a good model for us. When we get our theology down the natural progression is toward proper living, how we live this out in our lives. This is important because if our theology doesn’t push us toward proper living then there is something wrong with our theology cause God’s word should spur us on to living like Jesus.

We also have in this Ephesian church a mix of Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians. And so naturally there is some carryover of the roles that were played outside of the Christian faith, where Jews were viewed as superior to that of the Gentiles. Paul is encouraging them against this and tells them that there should be unity in the body of Christ.

Then in our passage this morning we see Paul giving them the practical steps and of how they are to live in unity with one another. As I said before the question that is before us this morning almost 2000 years after this was written is, “What should unity look like in our lives?”.

Point #1 - Recognize we are all called ()

says, “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, ”

Explanation

Paul begins by appealing to the Ephesian believers to live up to the calling that God has on their lives. He sees this as so important that he urges or begs them toward leading a life that is worthy of this calling on their lives.

And I love that Paul includes the statement that he is a prisoner for serving the Lord in this passage. He identifies with the fact that he is in bondage and is serving a sentence for preaching and teaching about his saviour. And you know what even in this he is still seeking to serve the Lord by teaching and encouraging through the letters that he writes to the various churches. Paul shares that the whole of his Christian life is ‘in the Lord’, so the mere fact that his is in prison chained to a soldier will not stop him from living according to the calling that God has on his life.

What Paul is saying here is that the believers are to lead a life that is worthy of the calling of God. In a complete sense as believers we know that we cannot on our own live in a way that is worthy of the calling of God. On our own we are unable to do this. So Paul is effectively telling the Ephesians that they are to live within the calling of God and relying on him the whole way through.

We all have a calling of God on our lives. Not all of us are called to be a pastor per se but we are all called to share in and give out the love of Jesus to the world around us, that is our calling. We are all called to partake in the greatest commandment in , which we talked about a few weeks ago, says “37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”. We are also called, according to the great commission in , "19 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, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”. We are all called into this and should live in this calling.

37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016. Print.”. We are all called into these and should live in this calling.

19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016. Print.”. We are also called, according to the great commission in , "19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.”. We are all called into these and should live in this calling.

Tyndale House Publishers. Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2013. Print.” to love God with all our heart, soul and mind and to love our neighbours as ourselves. We are also called, according to the great commission in , to Go and make disciples of all nations. We are all called into these and should live in this calling.

This isn’t an unusual request from Paul as we see him ask the same of the Colossian believers. Paul writes in , “9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;” This idea of living in the calling of God is something that Paul wants each of the churches that he is pastoring to know.

Tyndale House Publishers. Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2013. Print.”. We are all called into these and should live in this calling.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016. Print.”

Tyndale House Publishers. Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2013. Print.”

the whole of his Christian life is ‘in the Lord’, so his being a prisoner comes within the same sphere of Christ’s lordship

Illustration

So my question for us is… Do you recognize that God has a calling on your life?

I know for me there were times in my life where I tried to tell God what my calling was and not fall into the calling that He had for me.

I remember just before university I was asked by my Youth Pastor at the time to consider going to Bible School and into ministry and my response to him was that I wanted to instead go to school to be an accountant so that I can go back to Bermuda and make a lot of money being an accountant. My priorities were completely in the wrong space, because my thought process was surrounding what the culture in my country told me was the right thing to do, which was to go to school and get a job where you can make a lot of money. But to be honest, I believe that the real reason that I didn’t follow his advice was that I was afraid because my Youth Pastor’s advice brought with is so much uncertainty for me. With accounting I knew I’d be able to get a job pretty easy, in ministry I wasn’t sure what the future would hold for me. Would I have a job, would I be able to make ends meet.

Fast forward about 10 years and I now find myself in Ministry. And you know what I realize that the fear that I had wasn’t based in the promises of God. That he would take care of me, that he would guide my paths, etc. I’ve found that when we embrace the calling that God has on us he will provide for us. As we’ve gone down this road of ministry I’ve seen him take care of us in remarkable ways and guide us into places that we’d never have dreamed.

Is there something that is holding you back from living this calling God has on you?

Application

And again we are all called to live this way. This isn’t something that a few of us are guided into. Each one of us who have accepted Christ as our Lord and saviour are called into this way of life. We need to embrace this calling and live within this calling.

Imagine what our town would look like if we embraced this and lived according to this; loving God and others and going out and sharing Christ with the world around us.

Imagine what our town would look like if we embraced this calling and lived according to this; loving God and others and going out and sharing Christ with the world around us.

This calling to live a life that is worthy of the calling of God on our lives is humbling. Why? Because only a God who loves us will desire for us to live in this manner of love. When we consider what is being asked of us, it all revolves around this thing called love. Love God, love others and sharing this love with others so that they can in turn do the same and share that love with those around them.

And you know what I really like what Bob Goff has to say about obedience to this calling that God has for us. He says, “Some people I’ve met who like Jesus a lot have told me they’re going to do whatever He tells them to do for the rest of their lives.” He says that this is terrific, and something that he’d like to say with half the confidence that they have, but it is not easy for him. Not because he doesn’t want it but because we can say things and they may sound easy but living them out is a whole different thing.

Recognizing this calling on each of our lives is important. And it will guide us toward unity with one another. Why? Because within this body of believers as we strive toward living out this calling it will bring us together. Essentially it is the love that will bind us together, it will unify us.

So not only do we need to recognize this love we also need to...

He suggests instead to live out your faith like this. Bob Goff says, “what I’ve been doing with my faith is this: instead of saying I’m going to believe in Jesus for my whole life, I’ve been trying to actually obey Jesus for thirty seconds at a time”.

He breaks it down into bite sized chunks. For us to approach this calling moment by moment, situation by situation. Doesn’t that sound more manageable? When we have this type of mindset then living a life

Point #2 - We need to live our our calling ()

, “2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Explanation

We know that Paul is concerned about the unity among the believers in Ephesus. So much so that he urges them to strive toward certain characteristics which will be necessary for the unity within there group.

Paul tells them to display humility, gentleness, patience, tolerance and love. He says that these are necessary if they are to achieve the aim of unity in the church.

Each of these items that Paul is calling them to have brings them down a peg. Let’s look at this list a little.

Humility; essentially viewing ourselves lower than others. Not in a push ourselves down sort of way but to consider others more than how we consider ourselves. says, “5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Gentleness or meekness; this isn’t at all being weak or spineless and letting others walk all over us. What Paul is seeking to get at here and what the word is suggesting is that they are to control the power that they have. In other words a person who is weak submits because they are helpless to do anything else; where as someone who is meek submits because they are considering the wellbeing of others around them.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016. Print.”

Patience; we are to have a long temper instead of a short temper. This quality that Paul is telling them to put on is a fruit of the spirit like gentleness. And God who is patient with each of us who are sinners divinely provides this quality so that we are able to endure the behaviour of others.

Bearing with one another or Tolerance; this is the idea of putting up with someone. It takes patience a step further and means fully accepting someone in their uniqueness, including their weaknesses and faults.

Each of these things are to be done in love. It is the love of God that will allow each of these things to take place.

Illustration

The best example that I could think of in illustrating this taking place is Jesus Christ. Paul is asking each of these believers in Ephesus to cultivate each one of these characteristics or attitudes; humility, gentleness, patience, tolerance and love. Why because each of these were seen in the perfection of Jesus Christ. As we think of Jesus each of these characteristics were lived out in a remarkable way in his life.

We see how he was humble and considered others more than himself, we see him being gentle with the people that he comes into contact with, we see Jesus have patience with people and we see him bearing with people as he ministers to people that others would look down upon. Jesus is the greatest example of each of these and we should be be obedient to following his standard.

So within this there is an element of being obedient to the example that was set by Jesus.

Application

So within this there is an element of being obedient to the example that was set by Jesus as we consider living out this calling.

Imagine what our town would look like if we embraced this calling and lived according to this; loving God and others and going out and sharing Christ with the world around us.

I really like what Bob Goff has to say about obedience to this calling that God has for us. He says, “Some people I’ve met who like Jesus a lot have told me they’re going to do whatever He tells them to do for the rest of their lives.” He says that this is terrific, and something that he’d like to say with half the confidence that they have, but it is not easy for him. Not because he doesn’t want it but because we can say things and they may sound easy but living them out is a whole different thing.

And you know what I really like what Bob Goff has to say about obedience to this calling that God has for us. He says, “Some people I’ve met who like Jesus a lot have told me they’re going to do whatever He tells them to do for the rest of their lives.” He says that this is terrific, and something that he’d like to say with half the confidence that they have, but it is not easy for him. Not because he doesn’t want it but because we can say things and they may sound easy but living them out is a whole different thing.

He suggests instead to live out your faith like this. Bob Goff says, “what I’ve been doing with my faith is this: instead of saying I’m going to believe in Jesus for my whole life, I’ve been trying to actually obey Jesus for thirty seconds at a time”.

He is saying that he isn’t going to just pay lip service to living out this calling he is actually going to do it, to live it. And so he breaks it down into bite sized chunks. For us to approach this calling moment by moment, situation by situation. Doesn’t that sound more manageable? When we have this type of mindset then living a life like this doesn’t seem impossible. And it will result in real unity amongst the church and us as believers, which is worth striving for.

So we are to recognize the calling on our lives and then we are to live according to the calling and then our passage gets to the idea that....

Point #3 - We need to continually remind ourselves of What we are called to. ()

says, “4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Explanation

Paul now leads into a basis for their unity. He is essentially describing what they all have in common. Remember that within this church there was this mindset that was brought in with them that the Jews were viewed as superior to that of the Gentiles.

And so Paul uses these 3 verses to remind them.

1. He said that they are part of one body. That body is the church, which includes both Jews and Gentiles, and is also representative of Christ’s body. It is this heavenly gathering around Christ which these believers now are a part of.

2. Paul said that they are also called to one Lord. They have one Lord that is Jesus Christ, and it is He that is to command them, it is He who they are to have faith in and serve. And with this they are called to one baptism, in obedience to Jesus. Jesus is to be the object of their faith. It is through Jesus that all things came into being and whom they should live.

3. Paul also tells them that they are called to one father. They share in one God who is the source of all things and brings all things into this heavenly family.

Paul reminds them of all that they have in common which should guide their unity as believers.

this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016. Print.”

Illustration

Sometimes we need to be reminded of what we have in common don’t we.

In my family I am the oldest of 3 boys. My middle brother is 4 years younger than me and my youngest brother is 16 years younger than me. So for most of my younger years it was me and my middle brother. Any like many sibling relationships we had moments where we just didn’t get along. There wasn’t any unity in our relationship.

There were times that I can say that I looked at our life and I felt that my younger brother was given more than I was. That he was looked at more superior than I was. That’s probably a similar thought that most first borns have; that their younger siblings essentially have it easier than they did and get more perks. And you know what it is very likely that my brother thought the exact same thing. That I was given more than he was.

And it wouldn’t be until our mother reminded us of what we had in common. That we were treated the same. That neither of us had been given more or less than the other. And that was the truth. The funny things is that this happens when we have our eyes on what the person across from us has instead of looking at what is in front of us.

Application

When it comes to our identity in Christ we need to be reminding ourselves of who we are and whose we are. We need to be reminding ourselves of What it is that unites us instead of focusing on the things that differentiate us.

Jesus sums it up great when he shares in his prayer to God in , “22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” Jesus is saying that perfect unity will not be achieved without us having Christ. And as Christ and the father are one we will have the father. And he perfectly shared that all this is done so that the world may know Christ and his love for them. This is what we are striving for folks.

23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” Jesus is saying that

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016. Print.23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” Jesus is saying that

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016. Print.”

Conclusion

As we close this morning let leave here reminded that 1. We are all called by God to live lives that honor Christ. We are also called to remember what it is that we are called into. When we do this we will grow into unity with one another and the bond of that unity is the love of God.

Let’s Pray.

As we talk about this love of God we should be reminded of the great sacrifice of Jesus, through his death on the cross for each one of us. And just like today, where we remember those who died for our freedom in this country, we are to remember the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made for us for eternity. And Jesus instructs us to remember him whenever we gather together. One of the ways we are to do this is in the remembrance of the Lord’s Supper. For those who are new to church we would encourage to participate in this if you’ve accepted Jesus as your Savior in remembrance of the great sacrifice that he’s given to us.

in bible.