Series Big Idea: "Exploring the heart and purpose for the Church”

Series Big Idea: “ Live in unity, reflecting Christ’s calling, purpose, and foundational truths”

Key Scripture (Ephesians 4:1-6)

In Ephesians 4, Paul shifts from what he was describing in the first three chapters about the incredible blessings and riches we have received in Christ to focusing on our response to those blessings and riches. We are called to live in a way that reflects the unity God has already given us through His Spirit. But what does it mean to “walk worthy” of our calling? How does that look in everyday life?

Today, we will unpack three essential aspects of living a life worthy of our calling. These points will help us understand how we, as a church, can honor God by upholding unity and living in harmony.

(Ephesians 4:1-6)

Therefore I, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, accepting one another in love, diligently keeping the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds us. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at your calling—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

Unity in Our Walk (v. 1)

Paul’s language here is urgent. To “walk” is to live and act intentionally, and he emphasizes walking in a manner worthy of our calling. This is not about perfection but direction. Imagine for a moment you are wearing a family crest or representing a country at an international event. Everything you do reflects that identity. In the same way, everything we do reflects Christ. Our lives should reflect God’s character because we represent His kingdom here on earth.

Walking worthy also means aligning our standards with God’s. Holding patience, gentleness, and humility as our guiding attitudes. D.L. Moody once said, “A holy life will produce the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns; they only shine.” In a dark world, the church shines brightest when it walks in unity. So, our worthy walk leads us to the purpose behind unity. In our journey together, we see that the unity we pursue is a gift God has already given us through His Spirit. Let’s explore this more closely.

Unity as God’s Gift (v. 2-3)

In verse 2 Paul highlights some relational virtues, like patience, tolerance, and humility. Qualities that allow us to “bear with one another in love.” Living in unity is living in sync with one another, which requires patience and tolerance toward each other’s imperfections.

Paul calls us to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit.” This unity isn’t something we manufacture but something we must protect and maintain. When we commit to forgiveness and bearing with one another, we create a stable foundation for unity in the church. But God doesn’t just call us to unity and then leave us guessing; He provides us with foundational truths. Our unity is grounded in these truths, which define our faith and our purpose together. Let’s look at these foundational truths in our final point.

Unity in Truth (v. 4-6)

Paul names the “one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father” as the seven affirmations that emphasize the foundations that we share as Christians. John Stott once wrote, “We are united by the gospel, not by uniformity of thought or personality.” Our unity is built on the truth of who God is and what He has done, not on our preferences or backgrounds. These truths are universal and unchanging, uniting all believers across generations and denominations.

Our unity serves a purpose. That is to glorify God as one body, one people, bringing the message of salvation to the world. When we live in unity, we reflect Christ to a watching world. Just as a body works together to accomplish a single purpose, we, as the church, work in unity to fulfill God’s mission.

Conclusion

The call to unity is not a call to sameness but a call to oneness. It is a call to walk worthy, to keep the unity given by the Spirit, and to stand on the foundational truths of our faith. This unity is only possible through the power of Christ, who prayed for us to “be one” (John 17:21).

Today, let us take up the challenge to walk in unity. Let’s guard the unity we have in Christ, knowing that it was costly, it was purchased by His blood. And let’s remember that our unity is our witness. In a world divided, a united church speaks volumes.

As we go from here, let’s reflect on what we need to do, both individually and collectively, to live in a way that reflects the unity and love of Christ to the world. May our lives point others to Jesus, who is the One Lord of this one faith, who holds us together in His love.

Pastor Beaver's thoughts and ideas are inspired by:

Holman Christian Standard Bible

English Standard Version Bible

King James Version Bible

Christian Standard Bible

Barton, Bruce et al. Life Application New Testament Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 2001. Print.

Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985. Print.

MacArthur, John F., Jr. The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006. Print.

Robertson, A.T. Word Pictures in the New Testament. Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1933. Print.

Vincent, Marvin Richardson. Word Studies in the New Testament. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1887. Print.

Richards, Lawrence O. The Bible Reader’s Companion. electronic ed. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1991. Print.

Water, Mark, ed. Encyclopedia of Bible Facts. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2004. WORDsearch CROSS e-book. 

NIV, Archaeological Study Bible, eBook: An Illustrated Walk Through Biblical History and Culture

Walter C. Kaiser Jr., Duane Garrett, and Walter C. Kaiser Jr.

NIV, First-Century Study Bible, eBook: Explore Scripture in Its Jewish and Early Christian Context

Zondervan, Kent Dobson, and Ed Dobson

Jamieson, Robert, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997.

Blum, Edwin A., and Trevin Wax, eds. CSB Study Bible: Notes. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017.

Barry, John D., Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, Michael S. Heiser, Miles Custis, Elliot Ritzema, Matthew M. Whitehead, Michael R. Grigoni, and David Bomar. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016.

Wilson, Neil S. The Handbook of Bible Application. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2000.

Dockery, David S., ed. Holman Concise Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998.

Water, Mark. Key Word Commentary: Thoughts on Every Chapter of the Bible. AMG Publishers, 2003.

Brannan, Rick, and Israel Loken. The Lexham Textual Notes on the Bible. Lexham Bible Reference Series. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014.

Life Application Bible Notes. Tyndale, 2007.

Radmacher, Earl D., Ronald Barclay Allen, and H. Wayne House. Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary. Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers, 1999.

Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993.

Smith, Jerome H. The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge: The Most Complete Listing of Cross References Available Anywhere- Every Verse, Every Theme, Every Important Word. Nashville TN: Thomas Nelson, 1992.

Willmington, H. L. The Outline Bible. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1999.

Souter, Alexander. A Pocket Lexicon to the Greek New Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1917.

Brooks, Keith. Summarized Bible: Complete Summary of the New Testament. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009.

Hughes, Robert B., and J. Carl Laney. Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary. The Tyndale Reference Library. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001.

Peterman, Gerald W. “Ephesians.” The Moody Bible Commentary, edited by Michael A. Rydelnik and Michael Vanlaningham, Moody Publishers, 2014, p. 1851.

Arnold, Clinton E. Ephesians. Zondervan, 2010, p. 228.

Anders, Max. Galatians-Colossians. Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999, p. 50.

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