Living in Grace: Unity, Holiness, and Discipleship
Summary
In the sermon delivered at Emerge Church on December 10, 2023, the pastor focused on the themes of grace, peace, holiness, unity, love, and discipleship as they relate to the life of a believer and the church community. The pastor began by emphasizing the transformative power of God's grace and peace, which not only changes individual lives but should also permeate the entire church, allowing Christ to be seen in every action. The pastor called for believers to operate within the grace and peace of Jesus and to extend these to the lost.
The pastor then discussed the call to holiness, acknowledging that while perfection is unattainable, all believers are called to live in holiness and seek Christ. The spiritual identity of believers is rooted in their position in Christ, and they are encouraged to use their unique gifts and abilities to fulfill kingdom work on Earth. The pastor also highlighted the importance of unity among believers, as they are all one in Christ and part of the body of Christ.
The importance of being watchful and aware of God's work was also addressed, with the pastor urging the congregation to slow down, give thanks to Jesus, and be the answer to someone's struggles by pointing them to God. The pastor blessed the congregation, asking for God's peace to be upon them.
Discipleship was presented as a key aspect of spreading the gospel, with the pastor using the example of Priscilla and Aquila mentoring Apollos. The structure of the book of Ephesians was discussed, with the first three chapters focusing on the calling of the church and the final three on the conduct or direction of the church. The pastor explained that unity and love are essential for giving direction and charge to the church, emphasizing that love is a central ingredient for true unity.
The pastor also spoke about being sent and sharing the good news, stating that our mission field is wherever we are. By operating within grace and peace, believers can demonstrate love, hope, joy, and peace. The pastor discussed the Apostle Paul's calling and commission to spread the good news and how the letter to the Ephesians addresses the saints, who are set apart by God and called to live in holiness.
Personal stories were shared, including the pastor's experience in the makeup industry and how they invested in people around them to show the love of Christ. The pastor also discussed the transformation of Paul from a persecutor of Christians to a devoted follower of Jesus and how even the most stubborn hearts can be changed.
The pastor concluded by reflecting on the importance of silence for focusing on God and expressed excitement about studying the book of Ephesians, with its overarching themes of unity and love. The pastor prayed for peace and guidance in seeking and trusting God.
Key Takeaways:
- The transformative power of God's grace and peace is not limited to individual lives but should extend to the entire church community, creating an environment where Christ's presence is evident in every action. This transformation leads to a church that is rooted in love and unity, serving as a beacon of hope to the lost. [01:02:32]
- Holiness is a pursuit for all believers, regardless of their imperfections. The pastor emphasized that our spiritual identity is anchored in Christ, and this identity should manifest through the unique gifts and abilities each believer possesses, contributing to the kingdom work on Earth. [53:50]
- The pastor encouraged the congregation to be watchful and grateful, recognizing that in a world filled with brokenness, believers can be a source of healing by directing others to God. This requires a conscious effort to slow down and focus on the sacrifice of Jesus, allowing God's peace to flow through us to those in need. [01:04:54]
- Discipleship is crucial in the life of the church, as seen in the mentorship of Apollos by Priscilla and Aquila. The pastor highlighted that true unity in the church is undergirded by love, and without love, unity cannot be sustained. This principle is foundational for the church's direction and conduct. [46:57]
- The pastor's personal experiences illustrated the importance of living out the gospel in everyday life, whether in professional settings or personal interactions. By demonstrating grace, peace, love, and unity, believers can subtly influence their surroundings and share the good news of Christ in practical ways. [57:20]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 1:1-2: "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
2. Acts 18:24-26: "Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately."
3. Acts 9:3-6: "As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?' 'Who are you, Lord?' Saul asked. 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' he replied. 'Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul emphasize in his greeting to the Ephesians in Ephesians 1:1-2?
2. How did Priscilla and Aquila contribute to Apollos' understanding of the gospel according to Acts 18:24-26?
3. Describe the transformation of Saul (Paul) as he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus in Acts 9:3-6.
4. What are the key themes the pastor highlighted in the sermon, and how do they relate to the life of a believer and the church community? [31:38]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that Paul begins his letter to the Ephesians with a blessing of grace and peace? How does this set the tone for the rest of the letter? [48:57]
2. In what ways did the mentorship of Apollos by Priscilla and Aquila demonstrate the importance of discipleship within the church? How can this example be applied in modern church settings? [46:21]
3. Reflect on the pastor's personal story about working in the makeup industry. How does this illustrate the practical application of living out the gospel in everyday life? [56:04]
4. How does the transformation of Paul from a persecutor of Christians to a devoted follower of Jesus serve as an example of the power of God's grace and peace? [38:37]
#### Application Questions
1. The pastor emphasized the importance of operating within grace and peace. How can you intentionally extend grace and peace to someone in your life this week? [01:02:32]
2. Holiness is a pursuit for all believers. What specific steps can you take to seek holiness in your daily life, despite your imperfections? [53:50]
3. The pastor encouraged the congregation to be watchful and grateful. What are some practical ways you can slow down and focus on God's work in your life? How can you be a source of healing for someone else? [01:04:54]
4. Discipleship is crucial in the life of the church. Who is someone you can mentor or be mentored by in your faith journey? How can you foster a relationship that encourages spiritual growth and unity? [46:57]
5. Reflect on the pastor's story about showing the love of Christ in professional settings. How can you demonstrate grace, peace, love, and unity in your workplace or community? [57:20]
6. The pastor spoke about the importance of silence for focusing on God. How can you incorporate moments of silence and reflection into your daily routine to better seek and trust God? [32:42]
7. The themes of unity and love are central to the book of Ephesians. What are some specific actions you can take to promote unity and love within your church community? [47:31]
Devotional
Day 1: Grace and Peace as Church Foundations
Grace and peace are not just personal experiences but the bedrock of a thriving church community. When these divine qualities are evident in the collective life of believers, they create an atmosphere where Christ's love is tangible, drawing others to the faith. This transformative power fosters an environment where every action reflects the heart of Jesus, inviting the lost to find solace and hope. [01:02:32]
Colossians 3:15 - "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."
Reflection: How can you contribute to fostering an environment of grace and peace within your church community today?
Day 2: Pursuing Holiness in Imperfection
Holiness is a journey that every believer is called to embark upon, despite the reality of human imperfection. This pursuit is not about achieving flawlessness but about striving to reflect Christ in every aspect of life. Anchored in the identity that comes from being in Christ, believers are equipped with unique gifts meant to advance God's kingdom on Earth. [53:50]
1 Peter 1:15-16 - "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can make a conscious effort to live out holiness this week?
Day 3: Being Watchful and Grateful
In a world rife with challenges, believers are called to be vigilant, recognizing the movement of God around them. This requires a deliberate slowing down to appreciate the sacrifice of Jesus and to extend His peace to those struggling. Gratitude and watchfulness go hand in hand, enabling believers to become vessels of healing and hope. [01:04:54]
Hebrews 12:14-15 - "Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many."
Reflection: Can you identify someone in your life who is struggling and how might you show them God's peace this week?
Day 4: Love Undergirding True Unity
Discipleship and mentorship within the church are vital, but they must be underpinned by love to foster true unity. As believers mentor others and share their faith, love remains the central ingredient that binds the community together and gives direction to the church's mission. Without love, unity is superficial and unsustainable. [46:57]
Ephesians 4:15-16 - "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."
Reflection: How can you demonstrate love in a practical way to someone you are discipling or mentoring?
Day 5: Living the Gospel in Everyday Life
The gospel is not confined to the walls of the church but is meant to be lived out in every aspect of a believer's life. Whether in professional settings or personal interactions, the demonstration of grace, peace, love, and unity serves as a subtle yet powerful witness to the transformative power of Christ. Believers are called to be ambassadors of the good news, wherever they are placed. [57:20]
1 Thessalonians 2:8 - "Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well."
Reflection: What is one way you can live out the gospel in your workplace or community this week?
Quotes
"The church, which is truly the body of Believers, should be rooted in and overflowing in this grace and peace. We should be robed with it, we should operate within it, we should allow others to see Christ in everything that we do." [01:01:27] (Download)
"We are called to live in Holiness and strive towards that; we're not going to be perfect, but we're called to strive towards Holiness, so this word expresses the privilege and responsibility of every Christian." [52:27] (Download)
"May your peace, love, and unity well up within each of us, helping us to keep our eyes on you, to focus in on you, and to love you more and more." [01:04:54] (Download)
"To give direction to give a charge, you need to have unity and love at the root of it. Those are two prominent themes in Ephesians and what you'll see over these weeks as we go through is this emphasis on unity and love." [47:31] (Download)
"The place that we are at is our mission field, and operating within grace and peace opens so many avenues for how we can apply this in our lives, teach our kids, and show what we can do at work and at school." [49:26] (Download)
"We are gifted for the kingdom work and placed in a specific place and time to use these gifts. This is a great privilege to be able to share the good news that God has impressed upon our hearts." [50:02] (Download)
"People are not saints in the sense of personal achievement or title, but they are set apart by God, called, and in consequence, they are called to live in holiness. That's how we are saints." [51:52] (Download)
"Paul's typical greeting contains this grace and peace, and why? It's because it summarizes the gospel message. It says that God's work through Christ, which is Grace, brings people into a harmonious relationship with God and one another, which is the peace." [01:00:17] (Download)
"Unity without love is possible, but love without unity is not. Love is a central ingredient for true unity, laying the foundation for internal and external unity." [48:12] (Download)
"Ministry is where we happen; the mission is where we are, and we can all do it in what we do, whether it's in the sanitary sewers or wherever it may be, you can glorify God in the midst of it." [57:20] (Download)
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