walking together in unity

WALKING TOGETHER IN UNITY

(Eph 4:1-16) I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which

you were called, {2} with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one

another in love, {3} endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. {4} There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope

of your calling; {5} one Lord, one faith, one baptism; {6} one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. {7} But to each one of us

grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. {8} Therefore He says: “When He

ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.” {9} (Now this, “He ascended”; what does it mean but that He also first descended into

the lower parts of the earth? {10} He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the

heavens, that He might fill all things.) >>>

{11} And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, {12} for the equipping of the saints for the

work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, {13} till we all come to the unity of the faith

and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of

Christ; {14} that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, {15} but, speaking

the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ; {16} from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint

supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of

the body for the edifying of itself in love.

EPHESIANS1. For three chapters, Paul has dealt with "doctrine" in which he

has described both: a. Our spiritual "possessions" in Christ (1) b. Our spiritual "position" in Christ (2,3)

2. In the remaining three chapters of this epistle, Paul will focus on "duty", i.e., responsibilities that are ours because of the blessings we enjoy as described in the previous chapters

3. Of the blessings described, one upon which Paul elaborated is the "unity" that we have in Christ. a. He has reconciled both Jew and Gentile to God in "one

body" - Ep 2:14-16 b. Now, Gentiles can be fellow heirs, of the "same body" - Ep

3:64. It should not be surprising, then, that the first duty that Paul

exhorts us to fulfill is "to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" - Ep 4:3

Beginning, then, with a charge to "walk worthy of the calling with which you were

called" (Ep 4:1), Paul describes how to have a

"worthy walk", and that is by displaying the attitudes for

unity.

I. THE "ATTITUDES" FOR MAINTAINING UNITY (1-3)

A. LOWLINESS - Modesty, humility-(Phil 2:3-4) Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. {4} Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.


B. GENTLENESS 1. This word can be translated as

gentleness, mildness, meekness 2. It is not a quality of weakness, but of

power under control a. Moses was a meek man (Num 12:3),

but capable of great strength and boldness

b. Jesus was "meek and lowly in heart" (Mt 11:29), but we see where He drove the money changers out of the temple


C. LONG-SUFFERING 1. The idea here is one of patience,

forbearance, slowness in avenging wrongs

2. When the body consists of members who are not perfect, and often sin against each other, maintaining unity is not possible unless they are willing to endure each other's imperfections


D. BEARING WITH ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE 1. Similar to longsuffering, "bearing" means

to sustain, to bear, to endure 2. What makes such "longsuffering" and

"forbearance" possible is another virtue: "love"

3. As Paul wrote in his chapter on love: "love suffers long...is not provoked" - 1 Co 13:4-5

4. Indeed, the virtue of love is the "tie" that binds all these virtues together - cf. Co 3:12-14


E. ENDEAVOR 1. Displaying these virtues does not

come naturally nor easy, nor does maintaining unity

2. "to exert one's self, endeavor, give diligence"

Only by giving diligence to display ALL these virtues, can we hope to "keep (maintain) the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ep 4:3). But just as important as having

the right "attitudes", is understanding and holding to

the basis of unity.

II. THE "BASIS" OF UNITY (4-6)A. ONE BODY

1. The church which Jesus said He would build – Mat 16:18

2. Of which Christ is the "head", and "savior of the body" - Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.

3. Colossians 1:18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

4. Colossians 1:24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,

II. THE "BASIS" OF UNITY (4-6)B. ONE SPIRIT 1. This would be the Holy Spirit 2. Who has already been described in this epistle... a. As "the Holy Spirit of promise" - Ep 1:13 b. As "the guarantee of our inheritance" - Ep 1:14 c. By Whom both Jew and Gentile have access to the

Father - Ep 2:18 d. In Whom God habitats those who are being built a

"holy temple" - Ep 2:21-22 e. By Whom the "mystery of Christ" was revealed to the

apostles and prophets - Ep 3:5 f. Through Whom God strengthens with might the inner

man - Ep 3:16 g. As the One whose "unity" is to be maintained in the

bond of peace - Ep 4:3

II. THE "BASIS" OF UNITY (4-6)C. ONE HOPE OF YOUR CALLING

1. Romans 8:23-24 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. (24) For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?

2. Ephesians 1:18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

II. THE "BASIS" OF UNITY (4-6)D. ONE LORD

1. 1 Corinthians 8:6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.

2. Acts 10:36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ--He is Lord of all--

II. THE "BASIS" OF UNITY (4-6)E. ONE FAITH

1. Jude 1:3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

2. 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

3. 1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.

4. Philippians 1:27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,

II. THE "BASIS" OF UNITY (4-6)F. ONE BAPTISM

1. Commanded by Jesus - Mt 28:18-20; Mk 16:15-16

2. Preached and commanded by His apostles - Ac 2:38; 10:48

3. By which those who submit to are added to the Lord's body, the church - Ac 2:42,47

4. The baptism in which a penitent believer is immersed in water for the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit - Ac 2:38

II. THE "BASIS" OF UNITY (4-6)G. ONE GOD AND FATHER

1. Who together with the Son and Spirit, makes up the Godhead

2. Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

3. Colossians 2:8-10 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. (9) For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; (10) and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

These "seven ones" constitute "the unity of the Spirit" that as Christians we must be so diligent to keep "in the bond of peace". Not one of these is "non-essential"! E.g., just as crucial as maintaining who the "One Lord"

is, so we must be steadfast in holding to the "One Baptism"! To assist us in

our efforts to "keep the unity of the Spirit", Christ has given to His church

certain "gifts". Let's now consider the gifts for unity.

III. THE "GIFTS" FOR UNITY (7-16) A. THE SOURCE OF THESE GIFTS (7-10) 1. They come from the bounty of Christ's

grace (7) 2. As prophesied, they were given after

Christ ascended to heaven (8-10) B. THE NATURE OF THESE GIFTS (11)

1. Not spiritual gifts as those in 1 Co 12:1-11

2. But functions of individuals within the church.

III. THE "GIFTS" FOR UNITY (7-16) C. THE GIFTS

1. APOSTLESa. Those who were to be eye-

witnesses of the resurrection - Ac 1:15-22

b. Their role in the church was foundational, necessary to the establishment of the church - Ep 2:20

c. As such, their work or function was temporary

III. THE "GIFTS" FOR UNITY (7-16) 2. PROPHETS

a. These were inspired men used in the process of revelation - Ep 3:5; cf. Ac 2:17; 11:28; 21:9

b. As with the apostles, their role was foundational, necessary to the establishment of the church - Ep 2:20

c. Just as apostles were not replaced, so the prophets' role was temporary - cf. 1 Co 13:8

III. THE "GIFTS" FOR UNITY (7-16) 3. EVANGELISTS

a. Literally, "bearers of good news"b. These are individuals like Philip (Ac 21:8), who

proclaimed the gospel of Christ both publicly and privately - cf. Ac 8:5-13,26-40

c. Timothy was charged to "do the work of an evangelist" - 2 Ti 4:5

d. Unlike apostles and prophets, their work does not involve "laying the foundation", but rather building upon that which is already laid, which they do every time they lead someone to Christ

e. Therefore, their work or function continues to the present

III. THE "GIFTS" FOR UNITY (7-16) 4. PASTORS AND TEACHERS

a. It may be that Paul intended these terms to describe one function (because "some" is not repeated)

1) The role of "pastor" (shepherd) certainly requires "feeding" or teaching

2) While there is indication elsewhere that there was a special function of "teachers" in the local church - Ac 13:1; 1 Co 12:28-29; 2 Ti 1:11; Ja 3:1

b. The term "pastor" is found only here in the Scriptures, but from Ac 20:17,28 and 1 Pe 5:1-2 it becomes clear that "pastors, shepherds, elders, presbyters, bishops, overseers" are simply different terms describing the spiritual leaders of local congregations

c. The nature of the work of "pastors and teachers" (i.e., overseeing and feeding the flock of God) naturally follows the work of the evangelists

d. And like the function of evangelist, continues to the present

III. THE "GIFTS" FOR UNITY (7-16)D. THE PURPOSE OF THESE GIFTS (12-16)

1. To prepare members of the body for service ("equip the saints for work of ministry")

2. To build up the members of the body ("edify the body of Christ"), so they...a. Can grow to maturity (13)b. Will not be children (14)

1) Tossed to and fro by every doctrine that comes along

2) Easily deceived by cunning and false teachersc. But instead will be "growing upward" as the body of

Christ (15-16)1) Growing up in all things into the Head, Christ2) From which the whole body can grow, provided

every part does it share3) Made possible also as we "speak the truth in love"

and "edify itself in love"

WALKING TOGETHER IN UNITYA. If we can just...

1. Display the "attitudes" necessary for unity2. Hold fast to the "basis" upon which our unity rests3. Utilize the "gifts" Christ has given to assure we all

come to the unity of the faith4. Then Christ's work on the cross will not be in vain! - Ep

2:16B. We will also conduct ourselves in a manner "worthy of the

calling with which we were called" - Ep 4:11. We were called to be "fellow citizens with the saints

and members of the household of God" - Ep 2:192. We were called to be "a holy temple in the Lord", "a

habitation of God in the Spirit" - Ep 2:21-223. We were called to "make known the manifold wisdom

of God" - Ep 3:10 C. Are you doing all you can as a member of the body of

Christ to "walk together in unity", and by so doing walk in manner worthy of our calling?

walking together in unity

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