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 their mind that they will serve God regardless of the actions of others.
I. THERE IS THE UNITY OF THE LORD’S WALK (you and Christ)
[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“ [Philippians 3:14]
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of
God in Christ Jesus.
II. THERE IS THE UNITY OF THE LIFE’S WORK (you and others
indwelt by the Holy Spirit) [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…
2. Considering Others “with longsuffering, forbearing
one another in love” [v. 2, 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]
III. THERE IS THE UNITY OF THE LORD’S WORD [v. 4-6]
There is a so-called Christian group that calls itself Unity
and another which refers to themselves as Unitarians – the problem with both
these groups is that they do not hold to the Bible as the inerrant, inspired,
authoritative Word of the Living God. There can be no true unity amongst those
who call themselves Christians if that union is not according to the Word of
God.
John writes in 2 John, for example, Whosoever
transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that
abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If
there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your
house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker
of his evil deeds.
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;
Col. 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;
Col. 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 Th. 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 Th. 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 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.
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 is 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 Cor. 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 Tm. 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God
and men, the man Christ Jesus;
THERE IS THE UNITY OF THE LORD’S WALK (you and Christ)
THERE IS THE UNITY OF THE LIFE’S WORK (you and others
indwelt by the Holy Spirit)
THERE IS THE UNITY OF THE LORD’S WORD
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