Embracing Unity: Our Divine Calling and Conduct
Summary
In Ephesians 4:1-6, we are reminded of the importance of spiritual unity within the church. Disunity is a significant obstacle that can hinder a church's mission to make disciples and grow in Christlikeness. Paul emphasizes that a healthy church is marked by spiritual unity, which is rooted in three key aspects: a divine calling, Christ-like conduct, and a shared gospel confession.
Firstly, we are united by a divine calling. As believers, we have all received the same calling from God, which is to live in a manner worthy of the calling we have received. This calling is not just a part of our lives but should permeate every aspect of our existence. Being a Christian is not merely a role we assume on Sundays; it is the essence of who we are, influencing our actions and interactions at all times.
Secondly, walking worthy of our calling means embodying Christ-like conduct. This involves humility, gentleness, patience, and bearing with one another in love. In a world that often values self-exaltation, true humility is about thinking of ourselves less and prioritizing others. Gentleness is not weakness but strength under control, and patience involves enduring annoyances and mistreatment with grace, remembering God's patience with us.
Lastly, we are united by a shared gospel confession. Paul highlights the oneness of the church, emphasizing that we are one body with one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all. This unity is not something we create but something God has established. Our role is to maintain this unity diligently, recognizing that it is a natural outcome of our shared faith and confession.
As we partake in communion, we are reminded of our unity in Christ. We eat of the same bread and drink from the same cup, symbolizing our participation in the body and blood of Christ. This act of communion is a powerful reminder of our oneness in Christ and our shared commitment to live out our calling in unity and love.
Key Takeaways:
- Divine Calling: As Christians, we are united by a divine calling to live in a manner worthy of the calling we have received. This calling is not just a part of our lives but should influence every aspect of our existence, reminding us that being a Christian is not just a role we assume but the essence of who we are. [04:39]
- Christ-like Conduct: Walking worthy of our calling means embodying Christ-like conduct, characterized by humility, gentleness, patience, and love. True humility is about thinking of ourselves less and prioritizing others, while gentleness is strength under control. [13:04]
- Patience and Love: Patience involves enduring annoyances and mistreatment with grace, remembering God's patience with us. Bearing with one another in love means putting up with sins committed against us out of genuine care and concern for others. [17:48]
- Shared Gospel Confession: We are united by a shared gospel confession, emphasizing the oneness of the church. This unity is not something we create but something God has established, and our role is to maintain it diligently. [22:21]
- Communion as a Reminder of Unity: Partaking in communion is a powerful reminder of our unity in Christ. It symbolizes our participation in the body and blood of Christ and our shared commitment to live out our calling in unity and love. [25:52]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:26] - The Problem of Disunity
- [04:39] - United by Divine Calling
- [06:20] - Walking Worthy of Our Calling
- [07:55] - Christian Identity
- [09:38] - Paul's Example of Calling
- [10:35] - Living for Jesus
- [11:25] - Christ-like Conduct
- [13:04] - Humility and Gentleness
- [15:18] - Gospel Humility
- [16:56] - Patience and Love
- [18:40] - Maintaining Spiritual Unity
- [20:45] - United by Gospel Confession
- [22:21] - Oneness in the Church
- [24:36] - One Lord, One Faith
- [25:52] - Communion and Unity
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 4:1-6
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the three key aspects of spiritual unity mentioned in Ephesians 4:1-6? How do they contribute to a healthy church? [04:39]
2. How does Paul describe the conduct that is worthy of our calling in Ephesians 4:2? What specific traits are highlighted? [13:04]
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the term "ekklesia" in understanding our calling as Christians? [07:55]
4. How does the act of communion serve as a reminder of our unity in Christ, as discussed in the sermon? [25:52]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of a "divine calling" influence a believer's daily life and interactions with others? [06:20]
2. In what ways does embodying Christ-like conduct, such as humility and gentleness, challenge societal norms today? [15:18]
3. How does the shared gospel confession create a natural unity within the church, according to the sermon? [22:21]
4. What role does patience play in maintaining spiritual unity, and how can believers cultivate this trait in their lives? [17:48]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: How does your understanding of being "called out" as a Christian influence your actions and decisions throughout the week? [10:35]
2. Consider a recent situation where you struggled with humility or gentleness. How might you approach it differently in light of the sermon’s teachings? [13:04]
3. Think of a relationship in your life where patience is particularly challenging. What practical steps can you take to bear with that person in love? [18:40]
4. How can you actively work to maintain unity within your church community? Are there specific actions you can take to foster a spirit of peace and selflessness? [20:45]
5. During communion, we are reminded of our unity in Christ. How can this reminder influence your interactions with fellow believers outside of church services? [25:52]
6. Identify one area in your life where you can better embody Christ-like conduct. What specific changes will you make this week to align more closely with this calling? [11:25]
7. How can you ensure that your participation in church activities reflects the oneness of faith and purpose described in Ephesians 4:4-6? [22:21]
Devotional
Day 1: Living Out Our Divine Calling
As Christians, we are united by a divine calling that transcends mere religious affiliation. This calling is not a compartmentalized aspect of our lives but the very essence of who we are. It demands that we live in a manner worthy of the calling we have received, influencing every action and interaction. This divine calling is a reminder that our faith is not just a Sunday ritual but a daily commitment to embody the values and teachings of Christ in all aspects of life. [04:39]
Ephesians 1:18-19 (ESV): "Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might."
Reflection: In what specific ways can you allow your divine calling to influence your daily decisions and interactions this week?
Day 2: Embodying Christ-like Conduct
Walking worthy of our calling means embodying Christ-like conduct, characterized by humility, gentleness, patience, and love. In a world that often values self-exaltation, true humility involves thinking of ourselves less and prioritizing others. Gentleness is not a sign of weakness but strength under control, and patience requires enduring annoyances and mistreatment with grace. This Christ-like conduct is a reflection of God's patience and love towards us, and it challenges us to extend the same to others. [13:04]
Colossians 3:12-13 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."
Reflection: Identify a situation where you can practice humility and gentleness today. How can you demonstrate Christ-like conduct in this situation?
Day 3: Practicing Patience and Love
Patience involves enduring annoyances and mistreatment with grace, remembering God's patience with us. Bearing with one another in love means putting up with sins committed against us out of genuine care and concern for others. This aspect of our calling challenges us to respond to others with the same grace and patience that God extends to us, fostering an environment of love and understanding within our communities. [17:48]
James 1:19-20 (ESV): "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you were quick to anger. How can you approach similar situations with patience and love in the future?
Day 4: Maintaining Unity Through Shared Gospel Confession
We are united by a shared gospel confession, emphasizing the oneness of the church. This unity is not something we create but something God has established. Our role is to maintain it diligently, recognizing that it is a natural outcome of our shared faith and confession. This oneness in the church is a powerful testament to the world of the transformative power of the gospel and our commitment to live out our faith in unity. [22:21]
1 Corinthians 12:12-13 (ESV): "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit."
Reflection: How can you contribute to the unity of your church community this week? What steps can you take to foster a spirit of oneness?
Day 5: Communion as a Symbol of Unity
Partaking in communion is a powerful reminder of our unity in Christ. It symbolizes our participation in the body and blood of Christ and our shared commitment to live out our calling in unity and love. This act of communion is not just a ritual but a profound expression of our oneness in Christ and our dedication to embodying His teachings in our lives. [25:52]
1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (ESV): "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread."
Reflection: As you prepare for the next communion service, reflect on the significance of this act. How does it inspire you to live out your faith in unity with others?
Quotes
Here are the selected quotes with timestamps:
"And we're going to focus on really part one of a two-part sermon. And we're going to deal today with the first part, verses 1 through 6. I want to make this statement first, disunity. This is a troubling thing in many churches and in the church and has been for a long time. Disunity in any church, but disunity in the church is one of the most obstacles that has to be overcome in order for a church to be able to move forward, in order for that church to make disciples and to grow in Christlikeness." [00:01:03] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"We do not live for God to earn His favor, but because we as Christians have received His favor, now we are responsible to live for God on account of that. This is your calling. Your calling is to live in a manner and to conduct your life in a manner that is responsible to live for God. In a manner worthy of all of these blessings that God has given you in Christ. This is your calling." [00:06:32] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Paul demonstrates it very well here in this first verse where he says that he is a prisoner for the Lord. It is the second time that he has mentioned this. He mentioned it at the beginning of chapter 3 in verse 1. Now he mentions it at the beginning of chapter 4 in verse 1. He says he is a prisoner for the Lord. We know, in fact, that Paul was a prisoner of Caesars. He was a prisoner of Rome. He was under house arrest in Rome, waiting to find out. If he would be executed or not because of his preaching of the gospel. But he calls himself a prisoner for the Lord. This is him understanding and exemplifying this calling." [00:08:27] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Paul sees himself as where he is for the Lord. Do you see yourself in that context on Monday, that you're there for Jesus? We were singing about Jesus quite a bit in one of those songs, but do you see yourself tomorrow as being where you are for Jesus, for the sake of Christ? Why are you there? Are you there to earn a paycheck? Are you there to educate your children in math and science? Yes, both of those things are true, but do you see yourself in these places and around the people that you do first and foremost because Christ has you there?" [00:11:14] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Well, the second point deals a little more in detail with what it means to walk worthy of our calling. Yes, we're talking about, the fact that it means not compartmentalizing our Christian life, but conducting our whole life in this way. But what does it mean? In more detail, it means to walk worthy of your calling means that you are to be like Christ. This is the second point that he points out. It is a unity. We are all this way called by God, receive these blessings, united by divine calling and united by Christ-like conduct. This is the second thing. In short, to walk worthy of your calling means to live like Jesus." [00:12:12] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"The characteristics of Christ-like conduct required in the body of Christ here, if we're going to be like Christ, walking worthy of our calling here, Paul describes it like this, with all humility and gentleness and with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." [00:14:11] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Humility is the opposite of that. It is really thinking about others more than we think about ourselves. That is an aspect of Christ's likeness here that will help to maintain unity. The second one is gentleness, and gentleness is the point here, a word here that carries the idea not of being weak, but of having strength, having strength under control. Strength governed by God through the Holy Spirit." [00:16:26] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Notice here, Paul doesn't call us to create unity. God has already done that. A lot of what has been explained in these first three chapters deals with how God Himself, through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, has brought together those that are now in Christ and made the unity. Jesus created, really the Holy Trinity, all three persons of the Godhead, created the unity that we experience now as Christians, but we are called to maintain it, to work to maintain that." [00:19:38] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"And so we are united thirdly by gospel confession. Here's the last thing that he points out. We walk worthy because we're united together. We live in spiritual unity because we've been united together by divine calling, by Christ-like conduct. This brings us together, enables us to maintain unity as we live like Christ and grow in that, and we recognize that we are united by the same gospel confession." [00:20:56] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"He's not talking about being unified just for sake of being unified. He's not saying that we should be united and unified no matter what a person thinks or believes. No, we are united by the one gospel confession of our faith. He is talking about unity on these fundamentals of the Christian faith. The point is that all believers, all Christians, are in one body, not two. We have one hope. Not for some and another for others. One hope. We are spiritually united by one baptism. By the one Holy Spirit, we submit to one Lord." [00:23:58] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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