Embracing Unity: The Power of One in Christ
Summary
Today, we stand in awe of God’s amazing work—His power to save, heal, and restore. Reflecting on stories of healing and transformation, we’re reminded that God’s heart is always for connection, while the enemy seeks to divide and isolate. Ephesians 4:4-6 reveals the “value of one”: one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. This completeness, echoed in the repetition of “one” seven times, calls us to honor the unity and connection God has designed for His people.
The idea of “one body” is central. God’s desire is for us to be connected, integrated, and unified, while the enemy’s strategy is always disconnection and division. From the Garden of Eden to today, the temptation to separate—whether because we feel different, prideful, or hurt—remains a challenge. Yet, the body of Christ is meant to be a place where we suffer and rejoice together, where we stay connected even through pain, and where we present a different picture to the world: one of healing, unity, and mutual care.
This unity is not just about being together; it’s empowered by the “one Spirit”—the Holy Spirit—who dwells within every believer. The Spirit is both the great Convictor, showing us what is wrong, right, and the result of our choices, and the great Liberator, setting us free from bondage and fear. When the Holy Spirit is given full control, He brings true freedom and victory over the struggles that once held us captive.
Finally, we are anchored by “one hope”—the hope of eternal life. This hope transforms our perspective on life and death, freeing us from fear and giving us confidence that something greater is moving toward us. Death is not the end, but a doorway to the presence of Christ. This hope is not just for us, but for a world desperate for connection, freedom, and assurance. By embracing the value of one body, one Spirit, and one hope, we overcome disconnection, disillusionment, and discouragement, and we become a living testimony of God’s unifying, liberating, and hope-filled love.
Key Takeaways
- God’s design is for connection, not isolation. From the very beginning, God has sought to connect us to Himself and to one another, while the enemy’s strategy is always to divide and disconnect. True spiritual health is found in embracing our place within the one body, even when we feel different, hurt, or tempted to withdraw. The church is called to be a community where every member is valued and no one suffers or rejoices alone. [08:18]
- Pride and pain are two major obstacles to unity in the body of Christ. Some disconnect because they feel self-sufficient or superior, while others withdraw because of wounds inflicted by people. Yet, spiritual maturity means recognizing our need for one another and choosing to stay connected, even when it’s difficult, so that healing and growth can take place. [15:41]
- The Holy Spirit is both the great Convictor and the great Liberator. He doesn’t just point out what is wrong; He convinces us of truth and empowers us to live in freedom. When we surrender fully to the Spirit, He brings liberty from the things that once held us captive, equipping us to face life’s battles with confidence and peace. [23:01]
- Our hope in Christ is not wishful thinking, but the certainty of eternal life. This hope transforms our view of suffering, loss, and even death, turning fear into confidence and sorrow into anticipation. Knowing that eternal life is moving toward us gives us courage to live boldly and to comfort others with the assurance of Christ’s return and our future with Him. [29:39]
- The value of “one” is the antidote to disconnection, disillusionment, and discouragement. By embracing our identity as one body, empowered by one Spirit, and anchored in one hope, we become resilient against the schemes of the enemy. This unity is not just for our benefit, but is a witness to the world of God’s reconciling and transforming love. [36:15]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:41] - God’s Amazing Work in Our Lives
[02:05] - Introduction to the “Value of One”
[04:12] - Reading Ephesians 4:4-6
[05:44] - The Significance of “One” and the Number Seven
[07:04] - The Value of One Body
[08:18] - God’s Desire for Connection vs. Disconnection
[11:08] - Why Christians Disconnect from the Body
[13:46] - Spiritual Pride and the Need for Unity
[15:41] - Pain, Hurt, and Staying Connected
[18:21] - Bethesda’s Value of One
[19:03] - The Value of One Spirit
[21:05] - The Holy Spirit: Convictor and Convincer
[23:01] - The Holy Spirit: The Great Liberator
[27:32] - The Value of One Hope
[29:39] - The Hope of Eternal Life
[34:14] - Comfort in the Promise of Christ’s Return
[36:15] - Overcoming Disconnection, Disillusionment, and Discouragement
[38:52] - Responding to the Call for Connection
[41:42] - Prayer for Connection and Unity
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Value of One (Ephesians 4:4-6)
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### Bible Reading
Ephesians 4:4-6 (ESV)
> There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
1 Corinthians 12:12-13, 25-26 (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... that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
John 16:7-8 (ESV)
> Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.
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### Observation Questions
1. In Ephesians 4:4-6, what are the seven things Paul says are “one” for believers? Why do you think he repeats the word “one” so many times? [04:12]
2. According to 1 Corinthians 12, what happens when one part of the body suffers or is honored? How does this relate to the way the church should function? [15:41]
3. What two main roles of the Holy Spirit are described in John 16:7-8 and in the sermon? [21:05]
4. The sermon mentions that God’s design is for connection, while the enemy’s strategy is disconnection. What examples from the Bible or the sermon illustrate this? [08:18]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is unity in the body of Christ so important, according to Paul and the sermon? How does this unity serve as a witness to the world? [36:15]
2. The sermon talks about pride and pain as reasons people disconnect from the church. How might these obstacles show up in a church community, and what does spiritual maturity look like in response? [15:41]
3. The Holy Spirit is called both the “great Convictor” and the “great Liberator.” What does it mean for a believer to surrender fully to the Spirit, and how does this bring freedom? [23:01]
4. The “one hope” mentioned is eternal life. How does this hope change the way Christians view suffering, loss, or even death? [29:39]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon says God’s design is for connection, not isolation. Is there an area of your life where you feel disconnected from the church or from other believers? What is one step you could take this week to move toward connection? [08:18]
2. Have you ever felt tempted to withdraw from church because you felt different, hurt, or self-sufficient? What would it look like to choose connection instead, even when it’s hard? [11:08]
3. Think about a time when you experienced “people hurt” in church. How did you respond? What might it look like to stay connected and seek healing rather than withdrawing? [15:41]
4. The Holy Spirit wants to bring both conviction and freedom in our lives. Is there an area where you sense the Spirit convicting you right now? What would it mean to invite Him to be the “great Liberator” in that area? [23:01]
5. The hope of eternal life is meant to give us courage and confidence. Is there a fear or worry about the future that you need to surrender to God’s hope? How can you remind yourself of this hope in daily life? [29:39]
6. The sermon challenges us to be a community where no one suffers or rejoices alone. Who is someone in your church or small group who might be suffering or celebrating right now? How can you reach out to them this week? [15:41]
7. The “value of one” is described as the antidote to disconnection, disillusionment, and discouragement. Which of these do you struggle with most? What is one practical way you can embrace your identity as part of the one body, empowered by one Spirit, and anchored in one hope? [36:15]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for deeper connection, unity, and hope in Christ, and for the Holy Spirit to bring both conviction and freedom in each person’s life.
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