UNITY

EPHESIANS 4:1-6

Pastor Rick Jackson

Why unity and not union? If you take two strange cats and tie their tails together you will have union but not unity. If you take two animals that are the best of friends and put them in the same area you have both union and unity. God desires unity amongst Christians.

Though there are many Christians each Christian must make up his or her mind that they will serve God regardless of the actions of others. This then is:

I. THE UNITY OF THE LONE WALK [v. 1]

1. It is to be a Contented Walk “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord” [Philippians 4:11]

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

2. It is to be a Worthy Walk “beseech you that ye walk worthy” [Colossians 1:10]

That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
1 Thessalonians 2:12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

3. It is to be a Responsive Walk “walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called“ [Ph 3:14]

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

II. THE UNITY OF THE LIFE’S WORK [v. 2-3]

1. Considering Ourselves “With all lowliness and meekness” [v. 2, Philippians 2:3]

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
2 Corinthians 10:1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:

2. Considering Others “with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love” [v. 2, 1 Peter 3:20]

Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing…
2 Peter 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

3. Considering Our Indwelling Friend- the Holy Spirit [v. 3]

The Greek word translated “Endeavoring” here is also translated Study, diligence, forward

III. THE UNITY OF THE LORD’S WORD [v. 4-6]

1. One Body- the Church [v. 4, 1:20-23]

2. One Spirit- the Holy Spirit [v. 4, 1:13-14]

3. One Hope- the Blessed Hope [v. 4, Galatians 5:5]

For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. are called in one hope of your calling;
Colossians 1:5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
1 Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
1 Thessalonians 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

4. One Lord- Jesus Christ [v. 5, John 13:13]

Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
Acts 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Romans 10:9-13 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

5. One Faith- the Body of Truth [v. 5, 4:13, 1 Timothy 4:1]

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

6. One Baptism- the Work of the Holy Spirit [v. 5]

There are several kinds of baptism in the Scriptures. In fact Luke records John the Baptist mentioning three in Luke 3:16, John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

So what One baptism is in view here. There is a difference of opinion of good men on this matter. Some believe it refers to water baptism while others believe it refers to the work of the Holy Spirit mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

It is this baptism, not water baptism, that I believe is in view here for the simple reason of the context. It’s all about things associated with our salvation and it would seem inconsistent or out of place to mention something that is after salvation and not part of it.

7. One God- the Father [v. 6, Romans 3:30]

Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
1 Corinthians 8:6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;