Dedicated To The Men of God
Who Preach the Word of God As It Is To Men As They Are
"Preach The Word"
The Unity Of The Church
Text: Eph. 4:1-16
Introduction:
It is a beautiful thing when brethren, the church, dwell together in unity. It is a tragic thing when they do not.
The unity of the church is a spiritual unity. The uniformity of the flesh is not the unity of the Spirit. It is organized by man and fails. Unity is created by God and lasts.
1. The Lord Jesus prayed for this unity.
2. The early church is a pattern for this unity.
3. The Apostle Paul preached this unity.
4. The church today is to practice this unity.
I. The Plea For This Unity (v.1)
"I beseech you"
A.This unity is produced by the Spirit of God.
"The unity of the Spirit."
It brings us into union with Christ and unity with one another.
B. This unity is preserved by the saints of God.
"Keep the unity" This is done by selflessness (v.2)
Selflessness-
1. Lowliness-holy-humbleness
A scriptural estimation of one's self (Ill-Paul)
2. Meekness- our estimation of
ourselves in relationship to God
Ill. Jesus
3. Long suffering without irritation or arrogance
Having patience and endurance but with patience and endurance.
4. Forbearing one another- Lovingly putting up with all that is disagreeable in other people.
5. Love- The motive of the above four.
II. The Place Of This Unity- (vv.4-6)
The basis for this unity is oneness in Christ. The unity has to do with the Holy Trinity.
A. The Holy Spirit
1. One body- the body of Christ
2. One Spirit- the Holy Spirit
3. One hope of your calling- Goal set before all believers.
B. The Lord Jesus
1. One Lord- The Lord Jesus Christ- His Lordship
2. One faith- The body of truth called the Apostle’s Doctrine ( Acts 2:42)
3. One baptism- The baptism of the Holy
Spirit is a
real baptism. Ritual baptism is by water. Our Lord may
have been talkin about His baptism of sacrificial
sufferings for the sins of the world.
C. The Heavenly Father
One God and Father- God’s Fatherhood of believers
III. The Progress In This Unity (vv.7-16)
This progress is brought about by the Holy Spirit’s working in us and through us. He works in us as God’s saints and through us as God’s servants.
These spiritual gifts are given to believers and when properly exercised, promote the unity in the body of Christ.
A. The persons of these gifts (v.7)
1. We are to discover our gift or gifts.
2. We are to develop our gift or gifts.
3. We are to deploy our gift or gifts.
B. The purpose of these gifts
When the gifts are properly used they will:
1. Produce grounded Christians (v.14)
2. Produce growing Christians (v.15)
3. Produce glowing Christians (v.16)
4. Produce going Christians (v.16)
Sermon
By Dr. Curtis Barbery
Bennett, NC--USA
