Embracing Unity Through Humility and Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Unity in Persecution

Paul’s imprisonment serves as a powerful reminder that suffering for the gospel is a mark of true discipleship. Like Paul, we should see our trials as opportunities for God to work through us, knowing that our chains are not just physical but spiritual, binding us to Christ. This perspective helps us endure and even rejoice in persecution, as it aligns us with the faithful throughout history. [03:10]

2 Timothy 2:8-10 (ESV): "Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory."

Reflection: Think of a current trial or hardship you are facing. How can you view this situation as an opportunity for God to work through you, and how can you align your perspective with that of Paul’s enduring faith?

Day 2: The Fruits of the Spirit

Preserving unity in the church and our relationships requires us to embody humility, gentleness, patience, and love. These virtues are not just moral guidelines but the fruits of a Spirit-filled life. As we grow in our faith, these characteristics should become more evident, helping us to maintain peace and unity within the body of Christ. [05:13]

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Reflection: Identify one of the fruits of the Spirit that you find challenging to embody. What practical steps can you take today to cultivate this virtue in your interactions with others?

Day 3: Trinitarian Belief

The doctrine of the Trinity is foundational to our faith. We see the unity within the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—as a model for our unity as believers. This belief is not just theological but practical, influencing our salvation, commission, prayer life, and gospel proclamation. To be Christian is to be Trinitarian, and this unity in belief strengthens our witness to the world. [17:46]

John 17:20-21 (ESV): "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me."

Reflection: How does understanding the unity within the Trinity influence your daily walk with Christ? Reflect on how this understanding can strengthen your relationships within the church.

Day 4: One Faith, One Baptism

Our unity is also rooted in a shared set of beliefs and practices. The "one faith" refers to the core doctrines of Christianity, which we must contend for and pass down to future generations. Similarly, "one baptism" signifies our spiritual union with Christ, marking the moment of our salvation and our commitment to live out our faith. [44:09]

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."

Reflection: Reflect on your baptism and the core doctrines of your faith. How can you actively pass down these beliefs to the next generation or to those new in their faith journey?

Day 5: Urgency of Repentance

The call to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ is urgent. Our good works cannot earn salvation; it is only through Christ’s sacrifice that we are saved. Recognizing the gravity of our sin and the wages it earns—eternal separation from God—should compel us to repent and believe in the gospel. This message is not just for the lost but a continual reminder for believers to live in a state of repentance and faith. [50:16]

Acts 3:19-20 (ESV): "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus."

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you need to repent and turn back to God? Take time today to confess and seek His forgiveness, and consider how you can maintain a posture of repentance in your daily life.

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we delved into Ephesians 4:3-6, focusing on the theme of unity within the body of Christ. Paul, a prisoner of the Lord, implores us to walk in a manner worthy of our calling, emphasizing humility, gentleness, patience, and love. These virtues are essential for preserving the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Paul’s imprisonment, like that of other biblical figures, serves as a testament to the power of enduring persecution for the sake of the gospel. His chains were not just physical but spiritual, as he was bound to Christ, and through his suffering, God accomplished great things, including the writing of the prison epistles.

We explored the foundational themes of Ephesians, noting that the first three chapters are doctrinal, focusing on salvation, union with Christ, and intercessory prayer. The latter chapters are practical, teaching us how to live out these doctrines. Chapter 4 emphasizes preserving unity, which is crucial for the health of the church, family, and individual relationships. Unity is not just a passive state but an active pursuit, requiring us to embody the fruits of the Spirit.

Paul’s emphasis on unity extends to our beliefs. He lists seven foundational truths: one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all. These are non-negotiable tenets that bind us together. The unity within the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—serves as a model for our unity as believers. We are Trinitarian in our salvation, commission, prayer, and proclamation of the gospel.

The sermon also highlighted the importance of being Trinitarian in our beliefs and practices. The doctrine of the Trinity is woven throughout Scripture and is essential for understanding our faith. We must be vigilant against false teachings that undermine this doctrine. Finally, we were reminded of the urgency of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, who took on the wages of our sin, offering us eternal life.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Unity in Persecution: Paul’s imprisonment serves as a powerful reminder that suffering for the gospel is a mark of true discipleship. Like Paul, we should see our trials as opportunities for God to work through us, knowing that our chains are not just physical but spiritual, binding us to Christ. This perspective helps us endure and even rejoice in persecution, as it aligns us with the faithful throughout history. [03:10]
2. The Fruits of the Spirit: Preserving unity in the church and our relationships requires us to embody humility, gentleness, patience, and love. These virtues are not just moral guidelines but the fruits of a Spirit-filled life. As we grow in our faith, these characteristics should become more evident, helping us to maintain peace and unity within the body of Christ. [05:13]
3. Trinitarian Belief: The doctrine of the Trinity is foundational to our faith. We see the unity within the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—as a model for our unity as believers. This belief is not just theological but practical, influencing our salvation, commission, prayer life, and gospel proclamation. To be Christian is to be Trinitarian, and this unity in belief strengthens our witness to the world. [17:46]
4. One Faith, One Baptism: Our unity is also rooted in a shared set of beliefs and practices. The "one faith" refers to the core doctrines of Christianity, which we must contend for and pass down to future generations. Similarly, "one baptism" signifies our spiritual union with Christ, marking the moment of our salvation and our commitment to live out our faith. [44:09]
5. Urgency of Repentance: The call to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ is urgent. Our good works cannot earn salvation; it is only through Christ’s sacrifice that we are saved. Recognizing the gravity of our sin and the wages it earns—eternal separation from God—should compel us to repent and believe in the gospel. This message is not just for the lost but a continual reminder for believers to live in a state of repentance and faith. [50:16]
### [50:16]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:56] - Introduction to Ephesians 4:3
[01:39] - Paul’s Imprisonment and Persecution
[02:21] - Historical Context of Persecution
[03:10] - The Purpose of Paul’s Imprisonment
[03:52] - The Prison Epistles
[04:38] - Walking Worthy of Our Calling
[05:13] - Fruits of the Spirit and Unity
[05:46] - Unified in Belief
[06:34] - Doctrinal and Practical Themes in Ephesians
[07:12] - Building Blocks of Faith
[09:42] - Pleasing God and Standing Firm
[11:14] - Unity in the Trinity
[15:44] - One Body, One Spirit, One Hope
[19:16] - Trinitarian Commission
[20:47] - Trinitarian Prayer Warriors
[21:18] - Proclaiming the Gospel as Trinitarians
[22:49] - Dangers of Non-Trinitarian Beliefs
[25:49] - Jesus as God
[28:51] - One Body and One Spirit
[33:28] - One Hope in Christ
[38:04] - One Lord and Jewish Shema
[40:37] - One Faith and Sound Doctrine
[44:09] - One Baptism
[48:14] - One God and Father of All
[49:45] - Call to Repentance and Faith
[51:17] - Prayer and Reflection

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What virtues does Paul emphasize in Ephesians 4:2-3 as essential for preserving unity? ([04:38])
According to the sermon, what are the seven foundational truths listed by Paul in Ephesians 4:4-6? ([05:46])
How does Paul describe his imprisonment in relation to his faith and mission? ([03:10])
What are the two main sections of the book of Ephesians, and what themes do they cover? ([06:34])

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul consider humility, gentleness, patience, and love crucial for maintaining unity within the church? How do these virtues contribute to unity? ([04:38])
How does the unity within the Trinity serve as a model for unity among believers? What practical implications does this have for the church? ([17:15])
What does it mean to be "Trinitarian" in our beliefs and practices, according to the sermon? How does this shape our understanding of the gospel and our mission? ([17:46])
How does Paul’s perspective on his imprisonment challenge our understanding of suffering and persecution for the sake of the gospel? ([03:10])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you faced a trial or persecution for your faith. How did you see God working through that situation? How can Paul's perspective on his imprisonment help you endure future challenges? ([03:10])
Which of the virtues listed in Ephesians 4:2-3 (humility, gentleness, patience, love) do you find most challenging to embody? What specific steps can you take to grow in this area? ([04:38])
How can you actively pursue unity within your church or small group? Identify one practical action you can take this week to promote unity. ([11:44])
The sermon emphasized the importance of being vigilant against false teachings that undermine the doctrine of the Trinity. How can you equip yourself to recognize and refute such teachings? ([22:49])
Think about the urgency of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Is there someone in your life who needs to hear this message? How can you share the gospel with them this week? ([50:16])
How does understanding the unity within the Trinity deepen your appreciation for the gospel? How can this understanding influence your prayer life and worship? ([17:15])
Reflect on the concept of "one faith, one baptism" as discussed in the sermon. How does this shared belief and practice strengthen your connection with other believers? ([44:09])

Sermon Clips

1. "When we are persecuted because of Christ, Jesus, in his first sermon, get this, one of the first lessons that he wants believers to be, is that blessed are ye when you're persecuted for what? My name's sake. When you are identified with Christ as a Christian, and you are persecuted because of that, you're blessed. And not only that, you're in the same lineup as Jesus' disciples, the faithful disciples. You're in the same lineup as Christendom through the centuries." [02:21] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "And so a byproduct of being faithful to Christ is being filled with God, being filled with His Holy Spirit. And from the overflow of that, you have the fruits of the Holy Spirit. You're acting in love and joy. You're peaceable, and you're patient, and you're gentle, and you're kind, and you're self-controlled. And that preserves the unity." [05:13] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "If you want to cap it off with chapter 6, the whole, the summation of what do we do with all of this? You stand. Standing firm is chapter 6. Standing firm. How do you do that? Most people know chapter 6 in Ephesians as the armor of God. It starts in verse 10. And we're going to get there. Maybe next year, but we're going to get there. And as we continue to go verse by verse by verse through this great epistle, we're going to see what it is now to take all of this information and to stand firm in our faith." [10:13] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "It is easy to do the opposite of these. It's easy not to be humble but to be prideful. It's easy to be rough and not gentle. It's easy not to be patient and it's easy to be intolerant. But it is a disciplined characteristic of true born again believers who deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Christ and live out humble lives with patience and gentleness. It's more difficult to be disciplined. That's the reason why discipline is in there." [13:14] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "And so the unity in the relationships between Jesus, between Jesus and the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit and Jesus, between the Holy Spirit and the Father, and the Father and the Holy Spirit, and Christ and the Father, and the Father and Christ, this unity that exists, this perfect unity, that is the point of having this in the text. And so we are Trinitarian. Non-negotiable. It's not something we can veer away from. To be Christian is to be Trinitarian. To be a Trinitarian is to be a Christian." [17:15] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "And so we're Trinitarian, not only in salvation, but we're also Trinitarians by way of being commissioned. We're commissioned to go and to evangelize and disciple and baptize and teach all that God has commanded. And when we baptize them, we baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. But not only that, we're Trinitarian not only in salvation and in commission, but we're also Trinitarian prayer warriors." [19:46] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "And so we need to be ones who are not only learning how to please the Lord by way of doctrine, but we need to be able to refute those who contradict it. And I should if I, forgive me for belaboring a concept of acting out of the behaviors that were established from last week's text in humility and in kindness and in gentleness. Okay? Jesus was very meek and very mild. And we need not to be hateful in regards to spreading the gospel." [25:19] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "And so the body, together, working together in harmony with one another. The left hand can't do something opposed to the right hand, otherwise it just isn't unified. And so the body pictures unity. The body pictures unity. But also it mentions in the text, not only there is one body and one spirit. And so there's one spirit. And so inwardly all Christians possess the Holy Spirit. The person of the Holy Spirit." [30:23] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "The fellowship with Jesus, the fellowship through the Holy Spirit is inseparable to the believer. That matters the most in a Christian's life. A true Christian knows, unless I am made right by the Holy Spirit of God inwardly, I can't be right for my spouse or my children. The Christian man knows that he is fallible unless he submits to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit sets him right every single day. We need to be set right by God and His Word." [31:54] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "And so our beliefs they are not unrestricted. It's not a thing of like anything goes. Like the true church is not an atmosphere to where to each their own. Whatever you believe about baptism. Whatever you believe about the Holy Spirit. Whatever you believe about God and about Jesus. No! One faith and we contend for that faith. We articulate that faith and we lead people to know who God is in this one faith." [43:39] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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