Embodying Unity and Love: A Call to Holiness

 

Summary

Reflecting on the journey of life, I am filled with gratitude for the blessings that have surpassed my dreams. From the joy of family to the privilege of witnessing my children lead worship, I am reminded of God's faithfulness. Yet, amidst these blessings, my heart yearns for something deeper—a church that embodies the vision of Ephesians 4. This vision is not just a dream but a profound desire to experience a community that truly reflects the heart of God.

Ephesians 4 calls us to a higher standard of unity and love, urging us to put away bitterness, wrath, and malice, and instead be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving. This passage challenges us to consider the impact of our actions on the Holy Spirit, who can be grieved by our discord. It is a sobering thought that our behavior can cause distress to God, and it motivates me to pursue a community that brings joy to His heart.

The humanity of Christ, who wept with those He loved, teaches us about the depth of divine empathy. Despite knowing the outcome, Jesus chose to feel and mourn with others, demonstrating a love that transcends understanding. This is the love I aspire for us to embody—a love that grieves with the grieving and rejoices with the rejoicing.

Moreover, the call to holiness is not just about personal purity but about creating a space where God can dwell among us. Just as the Old Testament tabernacle and temple were built to specific standards to host God's presence, our lives and community must align with His desires for unity and love. This is not a solitary pursuit but a collective journey towards becoming a temple where God delights to dwell.

In this pursuit, we must be vigilant against the unfruitful works of darkness, exposing and renouncing them to walk as children of light. This requires honesty, vulnerability, and a commitment to holiness, knowing that God desires a pure and honest people. As we strive for this, we invite God's presence to dwell among us, fulfilling His eternal desire for a people who reflect His love and holiness.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Yearning for Ephesians 4: The vision of Ephesians 4 is a church united in love, free from bitterness and malice, and filled with kindness and forgiveness. This vision is not just a dream but a profound desire to experience a community that truly reflects the heart of God. [03:11]

2. Grieving the Holy Spirit: Our actions can grieve the Holy Spirit, causing Him distress. This realization should motivate us to pursue a community that brings joy to God's heart, aligning our lives with His desires for unity and love. [04:35]

3. The Empathy of Christ: Jesus' humanity teaches us about divine empathy. Despite knowing the outcome, He chose to feel and mourn with others, demonstrating a love that transcends understanding. This is the love we are called to embody. [08:25]

4. Creating a Dwelling for God: Just as the Old Testament tabernacle and temple were built to specific standards to host God's presence, our lives and community must align with His desires for unity and love to become a temple where God delights to dwell. [16:06]

5. Walking as Children of Light: We must be vigilant against the unfruitful works of darkness, exposing and renouncing them to walk as children of light. This requires honesty, vulnerability, and a commitment to holiness, inviting God's presence to dwell among us. [42:12]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction with Granddaughter
- [01:02] - Reflections on Life's Blessings
- [02:22] - Dreams and Achievements
- [03:11] - Yearning for Ephesians 4
- [04:35] - Grieving the Holy Spirit
- [07:33] - The Empathy of Christ
- [10:24] - Desire for a Unified Church
- [12:22] - God's Consistent Desire
- [16:06] - Creating a Dwelling for God
- [19:33] - The Power of Unity
- [23:45] - Pursuing Holiness Together
- [29:21] - Walking in Love
- [32:34] - Rejecting Darkness
- [42:12] - Walking as Children of Light
- [45:44] - Exposing the Darkness

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Ephesians 4:30-32
2. 1 John 4:11-12
3. Ephesians 5:1-2

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Ephesians 4:30-32 say about the behaviors that can grieve the Holy Spirit? How are we instructed to treat one another instead? [04:35]

2. In 1 John 4:11-12, what is the relationship between loving one another and God's presence among us?

3. According to Ephesians 5:1-2, what does it mean to be imitators of God, and how are we to walk in love?

4. How does the sermon describe the vision of a church that embodies Ephesians 4? What specific qualities are highlighted? [03:11]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of grieving the Holy Spirit challenge our understanding of God's emotions and our relationship with Him? [05:07]

2. What does the empathy of Christ, as described in the sermon, teach us about how we should relate to others in their times of joy and sorrow? [08:25]

3. How does the call to holiness in the sermon extend beyond personal purity to the creation of a community where God can dwell? [16:06]

4. What does it mean to walk as children of light, and how does this relate to exposing and renouncing unfruitful works of darkness? [42:12]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life: Are there any actions or attitudes that might be grieving the Holy Spirit? How can you begin to change these to align with Ephesians 4:30-32? [04:35]

2. Think of a time when you empathized with someone in their grief or joy. How can you cultivate a deeper empathy like Christ's in your daily interactions? [08:25]

3. In what ways can you contribute to creating a community that reflects the unity and love described in Ephesians 4? What specific steps can you take this week? [03:11]

4. Identify any "unfruitful works of darkness" in your life. What practical steps can you take to expose and renounce these, walking more fully as a child of light? [42:12]

5. How can you be an imitator of God in your relationships, especially in showing love and forgiveness? What is one specific relationship where you can apply this? [27:05]

6. Consider the idea of creating a dwelling for God in your community. What changes can you make in your interactions with others to invite God's presence more fully? [16:06]

7. Reflect on the sermon’s call to honesty and vulnerability. Is there an area of your life where you need to be more open with others? How can you take a step towards this transparency? [18:35]

Devotional

Day 1: Yearning for a Unified Church
The vision of Ephesians 4 is a call to a church united in love, free from bitterness and malice, and filled with kindness and forgiveness. This vision is not just a dream but a profound desire to experience a community that truly reflects the heart of God. It challenges believers to rise above personal grievances and embrace a higher standard of unity and love. The passage urges the church to embody the qualities of kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness, creating a community that mirrors God's love and grace. This yearning for unity is not merely an ideal but a tangible goal that requires intentional effort and commitment from each member of the congregation. [03:11]

Ephesians 4:2-3 (ESV): "With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

Reflection: Think of a relationship within your church community that needs healing. How can you take a step towards reconciliation and unity today?


Day 2: Grieving the Holy Spirit
Our actions can grieve the Holy Spirit, causing Him distress. This realization should motivate us to pursue a community that brings joy to God's heart, aligning our lives with His desires for unity and love. The awareness that our behavior can cause distress to God is a sobering thought that calls for introspection and change. It is a reminder that our interactions and relationships within the church have spiritual significance and can either bring joy or grief to the Holy Spirit. This understanding should inspire believers to cultivate a community that reflects God's love and unity, striving to live in a way that honors Him. [04:35]

Ephesians 4:30-32 (ESV): "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent interaction where your words or actions may have caused discord. How can you seek to bring joy to the Holy Spirit through reconciliation?


Day 3: Embracing Divine Empathy
Jesus' humanity teaches us about divine empathy. Despite knowing the outcome, He chose to feel and mourn with others, demonstrating a love that transcends understanding. This is the love we are called to embody—a love that grieves with the grieving and rejoices with the rejoicing. The empathy of Christ is a profound example of how believers are to engage with one another, sharing in both joys and sorrows. It is a call to be present with others in their experiences, offering genuine compassion and support. This divine empathy is not passive but active, requiring believers to step into the lives of others with love and understanding. [08:25]

Romans 12:15 (ESV): "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep."

Reflection: Consider someone in your life who is experiencing a difficult time. How can you actively show empathy and support to them this week?


Day 4: Creating a Dwelling for God
Just as the Old Testament tabernacle and temple were built to specific standards to host God's presence, our lives and community must align with His desires for unity and love to become a temple where God delights to dwell. This call to holiness is not just about personal purity but about creating a space where God can dwell among us. It is a collective journey towards becoming a community that reflects God's love and holiness. The pursuit of holiness involves aligning our lives with God's standards, fostering an environment where His presence is welcomed and cherished. This requires intentionality and commitment from each member of the community. [16:06]

1 Peter 2:5 (ESV): "You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

Reflection: What changes can you make in your personal life to contribute to a community that reflects God's holiness and love?


Day 5: Walking as Children of Light
We must be vigilant against the unfruitful works of darkness, exposing and renouncing them to walk as children of light. This requires honesty, vulnerability, and a commitment to holiness, inviting God's presence to dwell among us. Walking as children of light involves a conscious decision to reject darkness and embrace the light of Christ. It is a call to live with integrity and transparency, allowing God's light to shine through our actions and words. This journey towards holiness is not solitary but communal, as believers support and encourage one another in their pursuit of living as children of light. [42:12]

Ephesians 5:8-10 (ESV): "For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord."

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where darkness may be present. How can you bring this into the light and seek God's guidance for transformation?

Quotes



I want to experience Ephesians 4 with you that the way the Bible describes the church Church in Ephesians 4 I know that's that may seem crazy to you that you're like you can have anything in the world and and this is what you want I go yes cuz I I I shared in the beginning of Ephesians 4 how I feel like I've been chasing this like I I want to experience Church like this and now after studying and teaching the chapter I'm going no I really want this. [00:03:19]

Do not grieve the holy spirit of God by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you along with all malice be kind to one another tenderhearted forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you I remember when I first studied this passage years ago I just got stuck on it when it says do not grieve the holy spirit of God. [00:04:37]

When Jesus wept there's part of me that goes that does that doesn't make sense to me why would he weep if he knew that he was going to raise Lazarus from the dead if I knew I was going to go to the cemetery you know and and they're having a funeral and I knew I was going to raise that body from the dead I'd be walking in like I would be strutting I would be like look at me guys look at me you want to see some power watch this last thing I'm thinking about is weeping. [00:07:40]

I want him to dwell with us and I see how in the Old Testament he gave like specific like specifics Moses I want you to build the Tabernacle like this don't be chintzy on the curtains don't don't be chintzy on the gold I want this gold I want these steps I want this you know I want this many you know little rings for for you read through all that like gosh that's a lot of stuff and you know every time I'm reading through the Bible I'm like oh okay okay okay okay okay you know I get the general idea. [00:16:23]

I want to be with a group of people that just is honest about their lives we've put away all falsehood we speak the truth to one another we let go of all bitterness anger wrath slander clamor we're kind to one another tenderhearted caring for one another why because you guys if we do this he could fill his Temple again it happened in the New Testament when those disciples were praying with one another in that Upper Room fire came down and landed on them. [00:19:29]

Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children I love this verse be imit ators of God don't over complicate Christianity it just means to be imitators of God think about Jesus read through the gospels over and over and over look at how he lived and now live the same way be imitators of God that's why in that previous verse in chapter 4 it says remember how Christ forgave you now start forgiving other people be tender-hearted like he was tenderhearted towards you. [00:26:45]

Walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God it's about walking in love see there's a big difference between I am a Christian so I must forgive you versus I am so loved by God therefore I am going to love you you see the giant gap between this is what the Bible says and I'm a Christian so I'm going to forgive you versus I'm a beloved child of God and I am basking in how he's loved me through some of the craziest times in my life. [00:29:33]

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness but instead expose them for it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret but when anything is exposed By the Light it becomes visible for anything that becomes visible is light therefore it says awake Oh Sleeper and arise from the dead and Christ will shine on you this is what we want but he says take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness instead expose them. [00:42:30]

It starts with exposing the darkness couple weeks ago one of the guys in our our church that I love very much just came clean with a bunch of stuff and just said look this has been me the church came around embraced him but kept falling back into these sins and we approached him said hey this we got something it's a little drastic you got a good job you got a lot of things going on but what if you walk away from all of it and we can take you to this place where you'll be away from the things that tempt you. [00:45:44]

I see in the Old Testament there's times like when there's sin in the camp and it's hidden that the whole Army suffers for it the whole nation suffers for it till it's exposed and then it's like a the blessing of God is back on the people of Israel again I mean even in the early church you see that in in Acts acts 4 the church is beautiful then acts five this couple lies an anas and Safa and and to us we'd go gosh that's not a really bad lie. [00:45:44]

I want to experience Ephesians 4 with you that the way the Bible describes the church Church in Ephesians 4 I know that's that may seem crazy to you that you're like you can have anything in the world and and this is what you want I go yes cuz I I I shared in the beginning of Ephesians 4 how I feel like I've been chasing this like I I want to experience Church like this and now after studying and teaching the chapter I'm going no I really want this. [00:03:19]

Do not grieve the holy spirit of God by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you along with all malice be kind to one another tenderhearted forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you I remember when I first studied this passage years ago I just got stuck on it when it says do not grieve the holy spirit of God. [00:04:37]

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Transcript
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