Building Unity...

Ephesians: Building Unity...

  1. … by _________,   

As a prisoner in the Lord, therefore, I urge [παρακαλέω (pa-ra-ka-lā-ō)] you to walk in a manner worthy [ἀξίως (ax-ē-ōs)] of the calling with which you have been called. (Eph 4:1)
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared in advance so that we would walk in them. (Eph 2:10)
Live with all humility [ταπεινοφροσύνη (ta-pī-no-phro-syna)], gentleness [πραΰτης (prau-tās)], and patience, bearing with one another in love. (Eph 4:2)
You were dead in your trespasses and sins (Eph 2:1)
… we were by nature objects of God’s wrath. (Eph 2:3b)
Make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Eph 4:3)
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in the one hope of your calling. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all. (Eph 4:4–6)
Luther: He [Jesus] has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil, not with gold or silver but with his holy, precious blood, and with his innocent suffering and death. All this he did that I should be his own ...
[Peter said] “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.” (Ac 4:12)
Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will hold on to my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” (Jn 14:23)

  1. … by _________________.

But to each one of us grace was given, according to the measure of the gift from Christ. (Eph 4:7)
8 That is why it says, “When he ascended on high, he took captivity captive and gave gifts to his people.” 9 Now what does it mean when it says “he ascended,” other than that he also had descended to the lower parts, namely, the earth? 10 He who descended is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things. (Eph 4:8–10)
He himself gave the apostles, as well as the prophets, as well as the evangelists, as well as the pastors and teachers, (Eph 4:11)
12 for the purpose of training the saints for the work of serving, in order to build up the body of Christ. 13 This is to continue until we all reach unity in the faith and knowledge of the Son of God, resulting in a mature man with a stature reaching to the measure of the fullness of Christ. (Eph 4:12–13)

EHV Study Bible: The work of building up believers in faith and knowledge never ends because the ultimate goal is that every believer matures in these two virtues until he or she matches the perfect measure of Christ himself.

The goal is that we would no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, when people use tricks and invent clever ways to lead us astray. (Eph 4:14)

Armin Panning: People who don’t grow spiritually through diligent use of Word and sacrament remain infants, despite their chronological age. With no doctrinal base, they’re helpless because they have nothing firm to hang on to. … (show) spiritually immature people are like unsophisticated buyers being “worked” by a slick salesperson. Because they don’t know the product, they’re taken in by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Without knowing it, immature Christians may not be getting pure doctrine or correct teaching. They may be accepting spiritual snake oil from false teachers. Not a good situation at all!

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we would in all things grow up into Christ, who is the head. (Eph 4:15)
From him the whole body, being joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows in accordance with Christ’s activity when he measured out each individual part. He causes the growth of the body so that it builds itself up in love. (Eph 4:16)

 

Points to Ponder

  1. What is one thing that stood out for you from this week’s message?
  2. What does it mean to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called”? How does that relate to unity?
  3. Paul lists humility, gentleness, patience, and love (v2) as essential for unity. Which of these is easiest for you? Which is most challenging?
  4. Verses 4–6 list seven “ones” (one body, one Spirit, etc.). Why is this theological foundation critical for church unity?
  5. How do the various gifts mentioned in verses 11–13 help build up the body of Christ?
  6. According to verses 14–16, what are the dangers of disunity or spiritual immaturity in the church? How can we grow into Christ together?
  7. What are some practical steps our congregation can take to “build unity” this week and for years to come?

Homework: Ephesians 4