If we are to have true church unity then we must understand our calling and live it out. Unfortunately, most churches have forgotten their calling. That is what the apostle reminds us of in Ephesians 4:1-6. The Lord has determined its purpose is reflecting Godhead (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). Paul puts it this way, live worthy of the calling we have received from Godhead, means, in a very essential way with humility, patience and love preserve the unity of the Spirit.
Sermon Outline
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Definition of Unity: “The state of being one; oneness.”
What is the call you have received? (vs. 1)
- Maintain God given characters that contribute to the unity of the church. (vs. 2)
- Maintain the unity of the Spirit in the church (vs. 3)
- Maintain the seven oneness in the church that reflect God’s oneness. (vss. 4-6)
- The first unit formed by God the Spirit (vs. 4)
- One Body—We are a single family unified for one purpose
- One Spirit—We all have the Spirit as our power source
- One Hope—We all look forward to the same future
- The second unit formed by the Son (vs. 5)
- One Lord—We all trust the same Person in charge.
- One Faith—We all trust Jesus’ sacrifice for our salvation
- One Baptism—We all have a single identity
- The third unit formed by the Father (vs. 6)
- The first unit formed by God the Spirit (vs. 4)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- How does the Apostle Paul describe himself in Ephesians 4:1? Why might he have said this?
- What is the “calling” that he refers to in verse 1? Do we have the same calling?
- What are the four character qualities in Ephesians 4:2?
- Please recall and share some of the details given about each of these character qualities.
- These four characters quality contribute to the unity of the church. Why is unity so important? (see: John 13:34-35;17:20-23)
- Let’s focus upon the ‘unity of the Spirit.’ What might the ‘unity of the Spirit’ refer to?
- What does the use of the word ‘preserve’ or ‘keep’ imply about this unity of the Spirit?
- Why might he use the word ‘diligent’ to talk about keeping this unity?
- How do the following verses (Ephesians 4:4 onwards) describe the origin of this unity?
- What does the ‘bond’ of peace refer to? (Note: bond here means ‘glue.’)
- What are we called for?
- Can you name the seven oneness in the church that reflect the triune God as One?