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.

EPHESIANS
1. 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 3:6
4. 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,

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

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,

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--

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,

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

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.

C. THE GIFTS
1.APOSTLES
a. 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

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

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

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

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 teachers
c. But instead will be "growing upward" as the body of
Christ (15-16)
1) Growing up in all things into the Head, Christ
2) From which the whole body can grow, provided
every part does it share
3) Made possible also as we "speak the truth in love"
and "edify itself in love"

WALKING TOGETHER IN UNITY
A. If we can just...
1. Display the "attitudes" necessary for unity
2. Hold fast to the "basis" upon which our unity rests
3. Utilize the "gifts" Christ has given to assure we all
come to the unity of the faith
4. Then Christ's work on the cross will not be in vain! - Ep
2:16
B. We will also conduct ourselves in a manner "worthy of the
calling with which we were called" - Ep 4:1
1. We were called to be "fellow citizens with the saints
and members of the household of God" - Ep 2:19
2. We were called to be "a holy temple in the Lord", "a
habitation of God in the Spirit" - Ep 2:21-22
3. 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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walking together in unity