Embracing Unity: Living Out Our Divine Calling

 

Summary

In Ephesians 4:1-6, Paul urges us to live a life worthy of the calling we have received, emphasizing humility, gentleness, patience, and love. These virtues are essential for maintaining unity within the church, which is likened to a band where each member plays a unique part, contributing to a harmonious whole. Just as a band requires coordination and cooperation to produce beautiful music, the church requires unity and collaboration to fulfill its mission. The church today is fundamentally the same as it was in the first century, with the same God, faith, and Spirit. Our expressions may differ, but the core remains unchanged.

Unity in the church is not a natural inclination for us, as we often prefer things our way. However, unity is a divine gift, established by the Holy Spirit, and our role is to protect and nurture it. This requires a commitment to common goals, such as making disciples and spreading the hope of Jesus. Unity is achieved through shared life, characterized by love, intentional relationship-building, and a commitment to common goals. It is not about increasing church numbers but about strengthening the congregation and building God's kingdom.

Paul's call to "make every effort" to maintain unity is a challenge to go beyond our comfort zones, to love deeply, and to act intentionally. This involves speaking and acting in love, as outlined in 1 Corinthians 13, and being intentional in building relationships. Unity is not just a concept but a lived experience, requiring effort and commitment. It is about creating a community where everyone feels valued, accepted, and loved, reflecting the love of Christ.

Key Takeaways:

1. Unity as a Divine Gift: Unity in the church is a gift from the Holy Spirit, not something we create. Our role is to protect and nurture this unity by living a life worthy of our calling, characterized by humility, gentleness, patience, and love. This divine unity is the foundation of a harmonious church community. [39:24]

2. Commitment to Common Goals: Unity requires a shared commitment to the goals of making disciples and spreading the hope of Jesus. It is not about increasing church numbers but about strengthening the congregation and building God's kingdom. This shared mission unites us in purpose and action. [33:35]

3. Intentional Relationship-Building: Building unity involves intentional efforts to build relationships within the church. This means being deliberate in our interactions, ensuring that our actions and words reflect love and commitment to one another. Intentionality in relationships fosters a deeper sense of community and belonging. [48:11]

4. Living Out Love: True unity is achieved through living out love as described in scripture, not based on our interpretations. This involves practicing love in a way that is sincere, deep, and from the heart, as outlined in 1 Corinthians 13 and 1 Peter. Love is the foundation of unity and the key to a thriving church community. [46:04]

5. Effort Beyond Comfort Zones: Maintaining unity requires effort beyond our comfort zones. It involves making every effort to protect and nurture the unity of the Spirit, even when it is challenging. This commitment to unity is a testament to our faith and dedication to living out the teachings of Christ. [42:29]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [25:50] - Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:1-6
- [27:03] - The Church as a Band
- [28:49] - Music and Unity
- [30:11] - Chaos Without Unity
- [31:13] - The Unchanging Church
- [32:31] - Understanding Unity
- [33:13] - Commitment to Each Other
- [34:15] - Living in Harmony
- [35:13] - The Challenge of Unity
- [37:20] - The Great Commission
- [39:24] - Unity as a Divine Gift
- [41:51] - Living a Worthy Life
- [42:58] - Making Every Effort
- [45:31] - Steps to Protect Unity

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 4:1-6

---

Observation Questions:

1. What are the specific virtues Paul mentions in Ephesians 4:1-6 that are essential for maintaining unity within the church?
2. How does the analogy of a band help illustrate the concept of unity in the church? [27:03]
3. According to the sermon, what is the role of the Holy Spirit in establishing unity within the church? [39:24]
4. What common goals are highlighted in the sermon as essential for church unity? [33:35]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of living a life "worthy of the calling" relate to the virtues of humility, gentleness, patience, and love mentioned in Ephesians 4:1-6? [41:51]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that unity is a divine gift rather than a human creation? [39:24]
3. How does the sermon describe the challenge of maintaining unity in a church where individuals naturally prefer their own ways? [35:31]
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between unity and the Great Commission? [37:20]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you found it challenging to maintain unity in a group setting. What virtues from Ephesians 4:1-6 could have helped in that situation? [41:51]
2. The sermon emphasizes intentional relationship-building. Identify one person in your church community with whom you can build a deeper relationship this week. What specific steps will you take? [48:11]
3. Consider the analogy of the band. What unique role or "instrument" do you feel called to play in your church community, and how can you contribute to the overall harmony? [27:03]
4. The sermon challenges us to make every effort to maintain unity. What is one specific area in your life where you can step out of your comfort zone to promote unity within your church? [42:29]
5. How can you practice the love described in 1 Corinthians 13 in your daily interactions, especially with those who may be difficult to love? [46:04]
6. Reflect on the sermon’s point about unity not being about increasing church numbers but strengthening the congregation. How can you contribute to building God's kingdom in your community? [33:35]
7. Identify a personal preference or habit that might hinder unity in your church. What steps can you take to align more closely with the common goals of your church community? [35:31]

Devotional

Day 1: Unity as a Divine Gift
Unity in the church is a divine gift bestowed by the Holy Spirit, not something we create on our own. Our responsibility is to protect and nurture this unity by living a life worthy of our calling, characterized by humility, gentleness, patience, and love. This divine unity forms the foundation of a harmonious church community, where each member contributes to the whole, much like musicians in a band. The church, though diverse in its expressions, remains fundamentally the same as it was in the first century, with the same God, faith, and Spirit. [39:24]

Ephesians 4:3-4 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively protect and nurture the unity of your church community this week?


Day 2: Commitment to Common Goals
Unity requires a shared commitment to the goals of making disciples and spreading the hope of Jesus. It is not about increasing church numbers but about strengthening the congregation and building God's kingdom. This shared mission unites us in purpose and action, encouraging us to work together towards common objectives. By focusing on these goals, we align ourselves with the mission of the church and contribute to a thriving community that reflects the love and teachings of Christ. [33:35]

1 Corinthians 1:10 (ESV): "I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take to align your personal goals with the mission of your church this week?


Day 3: Intentional Relationship-Building
Building unity involves intentional efforts to build relationships within the church. This means being deliberate in our interactions, ensuring that our actions and words reflect love and commitment to one another. Intentionality in relationships fosters a deeper sense of community and belonging, creating an environment where everyone feels valued, accepted, and loved. By investing time and effort into building these relationships, we contribute to a stronger, more unified church community. [48:11]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: Who in your church community can you reach out to this week to build a stronger relationship, and how will you do it?


Day 4: Living Out Love
True unity is achieved through living out love as described in scripture, not based on our interpretations. This involves practicing love in a way that is sincere, deep, and from the heart, as outlined in 1 Corinthians 13 and 1 Peter. Love is the foundation of unity and the key to a thriving church community. By embodying this love, we reflect the love of Christ and create a welcoming environment for all. [46:04]

1 Peter 4:8 (ESV): "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins."

Reflection: How can you demonstrate sincere and deep love to someone in your church community today?


Day 5: Effort Beyond Comfort Zones
Maintaining unity requires effort beyond our comfort zones. It involves making every effort to protect and nurture the unity of the Spirit, even when it is challenging. This commitment to unity is a testament to our faith and dedication to living out the teachings of Christ. By stepping out of our comfort zones, we grow in our faith and contribute to a more unified and resilient church community. [42:29]

Colossians 3:14 (ESV): "And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."

Reflection: What is one specific action you can take this week to step out of your comfort zone and contribute to the unity of your church community?

Quotes


Paul urges us to live a life worthy of the calling we have received, emphasizing humility, gentleness, patience, and love. These virtues are essential for maintaining unity within the church, which is likened to a band where each member plays a unique part, contributing to a harmonious whole. Just as a band requires coordination and cooperation to produce beautiful music, the church requires unity and collaboration to fulfill its mission. [00:25:50]

Unity in the church is not a natural inclination for us, as we often prefer things our way. However, unity is a divine gift, established by the Holy Spirit, and our role is to protect and nurture it. This requires a commitment to common goals, such as making disciples and spreading the hope of Jesus. [00:39:24]

Paul's call to "make every effort" to maintain unity is a challenge to go beyond our comfort zones, to love deeply, and to act intentionally. This involves speaking and acting in love, as outlined in 1 Corinthians 13, and being intentional in building relationships. Unity is not just a concept but a lived experience, requiring effort and commitment. [00:42:29]

Imagine a church if you would where everybody just simply decided to do their own thing and the pastor or whoever is responsible for leading that church says all right let's go what happens chaos the same exact thing and so we'll take that same church and we'll have everybody in that congregation doing exactly the same thing pretty boring. [00:29:58]

The church today, the difference between the church in the first century with Jesus and the church nowadays, it's the same. There is nothing different from the church that we read about in the New Testament. There's absolutely nothing different from the book of Acts to Thousand Years Later to New Parish or any other Church in the world. [00:31:13]

Unity requires a shared commitment to the goals of making disciples and spreading the hope of Jesus. It is not about increasing church numbers but about strengthening the congregation and building God's kingdom. This shared mission unites us in purpose and action. [00:33:35]

Building unity involves intentional efforts to build relationships within the church. This means being deliberate in our interactions, ensuring that our actions and words reflect love and commitment to one another. Intentionality in relationships fosters a deeper sense of community and belonging. [00:48:11]

True unity is achieved through living out love as described in scripture, not based on our interpretations. This involves practicing love in a way that is sincere, deep, and from the heart, as outlined in 1 Corinthians 13 and 1 Peter. Love is the foundation of unity and the key to a thriving church community. [00:46:04]

Maintaining unity requires effort beyond our comfort zones. It involves making every effort to protect and nurture the unity of the Spirit, even when it is challenging. This commitment to unity is a testament to our faith and dedication to living out the teachings of Christ. [00:42:29]

The fruit of that is what everybody wants. All of society wants a place where they know that they have value, that they have worth, that they have meaning, that they're accepted. They all have that desire, and it's built into us. We live it, so we protect Unity by loving. [00:47:11]

Unity already exists. Everything that we need to have, everything that we need to know, everything that we need to be is already here because the Holy Spirit lives within us. You have everything that you could possibly need to walk in perfect harmony with everybody else in this room. [00:39:24]

Paul says protect it, do everything that you possibly can to protect it. I urge you live a life that's worthy of the calling you receive live a life worthy what he's talking about is this Jesus died for you make that sacrifice worth it please he did this for you he gave himself for you please make it worth the sacrifice. [00:41:51]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Mar 02, 2025. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?