Christian unity takes work, and it takes the grace of God.
Sermon Title: THE PRIORITY OF UNITY
Sermon Text: EPHESIANS 4:1-3 (NIV)
Sermon Series: EPHESIANS: GOD’S PLAN FOR GOD’S PEOPLE
By: PTR NESTOR SY
Sermon Notes:
EPHESIANS 4:1-3 ESV
1 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.
What does this mean to me?
What did this mean to them?
“No stranger is to enter within the balustrade round the temple and enclosure. Whoever is caught will be himself responsible for his ensuing death.”
ACTS 19:10 ESV
10 This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
EPHESIANS 2:11-22 ESV
11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands--12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
There is nothing more harmful to the cause of Christ than a disunited church.
I. We are called to WALK TOGETHER
walk | Greek: peripateó
“walk around in a complete circuit (‘full circle’) or a ‘course’”
Our conduct should match our calling.
EPHESIANS 4:1-2 ESV
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love
humility | Greek: tapeinophrosune
“lowliness of mind”
gentleness | Greek: prautés
“meekness which exercises power with reserve and gentleness”
patience | Greek: makrothumia
“long tempered”
bearing | Greek: anechó
“enduring or exercising restraint”
II. We are called to WORK TOGETHER
Unity doesn’t just happen.
eager | Greek: spoudazó
“to make haste, to give diligence”
Not every battle is worth fighting for.
Our walk is a witness to the world.
JOHN 13:34-35 ESV
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
Christian unity takes work, and it takes the grace of God.
Do you gossip?
Do you spread rumors?
Do you sow discord within the family of God?
Do you ignore the major truths that unite you with other believers and instead focus on the minor issues that divide you?
Do you quickly lose patience with others?
Do you only give to others when you know you’ll get something in return?
Do you expect to always be on the receiving end?
Do you hold grudges? Harbor bitterness? Foster resentment?