Living Out Our Identity: Unity and Maturity in Christ

Summary

Ephesians 4 calls us to live out the reality of our identity in Christ, moving from simply knowing who we are to actually walking in that truth. The rhythm of grace is that we first receive—being seated with Christ, chosen, adopted, and sealed by the Spirit—and then we respond by living out that identity in our daily lives. Our activity flows from our identity, not the other way around. We don’t strive to become holy; we walk because we are already made holy in Christ. This foundational truth is the bedrock for unity in the body of Christ.

Unity is not something we manufacture; it is a gift from God, rooted in our shared identity as His children. Paul’s urgent appeal is that we maintain this unity through humility, gentleness, patience, and love. The sevenfold confession—one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father—reminds us that our oneness is divinely established, not humanly constructed. Each of us has received a unique measure of grace, not for comparison or competition, but for the building up of the whole body. Diversity in gifting is essential; it is not about hierarchy but about distributed grace, where every part is indispensable.

Christ’s ascension resulted in the giving of gifts—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers—to equip the saints for ministry and to restore us to God’s original intent. These are not self-appointed roles but expressions of Christ’s own ministry, given to mature the body into Christlikeness. Maturity is not measured by charisma or gifting, but by our capacity to love and our willingness to function interdependently. The goal is not uniformity but unity in diversity, where each person’s unique grace contributes to the flourishing of the whole.

Spiritual maturity means moving from spiritual infancy—being tossed about by every wind of doctrine—to mature sonship, where we are grounded in truth and love. Hardness of heart leads to alienation from God, but a tender, humble heart postures us to receive more of His grace. We are called to walk out our identity, not as the world does, but as those who are seated with Christ, heirs to His promises, and empowered by His Spirit. This is an invitation to surrender, to receive, and to walk in the fullness of all that Christ has accomplished for us.

Key Takeaways

- Identity Precedes Activity
Our behavior flows from our identity in Christ, not the other way around. We are called to walk worthy of our calling because we have already been made holy, chosen, and seated with Christ. This order is crucial: we don’t strive to become something we’re not; we live out who we already are in Him. Let your actions be the natural outworking of your secure identity as a child of God. [01:06:36]

- Unity Is a Divine Gift, Not a Human Achievement
The unity of the Spirit is not something we create through effort or agreement; it is a gift given by God, rooted in our shared identity and sealed by the Spirit. Our role is to maintain, not manufacture, this unity—through humility, gentleness, and love. True unity is a divine leveler, erasing hierarchy and comparison, and calling us to honor the unique grace in each other. [01:12:47]

- Grace Flows to the Humble
God gives greater measures of grace to those who posture themselves in humility. Pride is not confidence but independence from God, and it actually blocks the flow of grace in our lives. Humility is an act of the will, a choice to depend on God and others, and it positions us to receive a generous outpouring of His provision and empowerment. Revival and spiritual growth always begin with humility and hunger. [01:17:04]

- Maturity Means Embracing Interdependence
Spiritual maturity is not about individual gifting or charisma, but about our capacity to love and function together as one body. Each person’s unique measure of grace is essential for the health and growth of the whole. The church flourishes when we stop comparing and competing, and instead collaborate, honoring the diversity of gifts and callings among us. [01:25:34]

- Guard Your Heart and Walk Out Your Calling
Hardness of heart leads to spiritual darkness and alienation from God’s life. We are called to keep our hearts tender, guarding our first love and tending the fire of our devotion. Walking out our identity means living from a place of surrender, receiving all that Christ has won for us, and allowing His Spirit to empower us for the fullness of our calling. [01:32:53]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:02:06] - The Story Behind Grace and Glory
[01:03:17] - The Significance of Year 12
[01:04:13] - Ephesians: Sit, Walk, Stand
[01:05:17] - Unity as the Heart of Ephesians
[01:06:36] - The Pivot: Identity Precedes Activity
[01:12:47] - The Sevenfold Unity Confession
[01:13:38] - Grace for All: No Hierarchy
[01:15:47] - Humility and the Flow of Grace
[01:17:04] - The Posture of Humility
[01:18:55] - Christ’s Descent and Ascent
[01:20:22] - The Fivefold Gifts and Equipping
[01:24:04] - Maturity and the Fullness of Christ
[01:25:34] - Unity in Diversity, Not Uniformity
[01:26:56] - From Spiritual Infancy to Maturity
[01:32:53] - Guarding and Tenderizing the Heart
[01:34:17] - Walking Out Our Identity
[01:37:58] - Invitation to Relationship with Jesus
[01:39:23] - Communion: Receiving the Fullness of Christ

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Ephesians 4 – Living Out Our Identity in Christ

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### Bible Reading

Ephesians 4:1–16 (ESV)

> 1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
> 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” 9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)
> 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

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### Observation Questions

1. According to Ephesians 4:1–3, what attitudes and actions does Paul say are necessary for maintaining unity in the Spirit?
*(see [01:06:36])*

2. In verses 4–6, Paul lists a series of “one” statements (one body, one Spirit, etc.). What is the significance of this sevenfold confession for the church?
*(see [01:12:47])*

3. What does Paul say is the purpose of the different gifts (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers) given to the church?
*(see [01:20:22])*

4. How does Paul describe spiritual maturity in verses 13–16? What are the signs of immaturity he warns against?
*(see [01:26:56])*

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon emphasized that “identity precedes activity”—that our behavior flows from who we are in Christ, not the other way around. Why is this order so important for Christian living?
*(see [01:06:36])*

2. The unity described in Ephesians 4 is said to be a gift from God, not something we manufacture. How does this understanding change the way we approach disagreements or differences in the church?
*(see [01:12:47])*

3. The sermon talked about grace being given in different “measures” to each believer, not for comparison but for building up the body. How can recognizing this help us avoid competition or jealousy in the church?
*(see [01:13:38])*

4. According to the sermon, spiritual maturity is not about charisma or gifting, but about our capacity to love and function interdependently. What does this look like in practical terms for a church community?
*(see [01:25:34])*

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon said, “You don’t walk to become holy; you walk because you are holy.” Is there an area of your life where you’ve been striving to earn God’s approval instead of living from your identity as His child? What would it look like to shift your mindset?
*(see [01:06:36])*

2. Paul urges us to “maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Think of a recent conflict or tension in your life or in the church. How might humility, gentleness, and patience change the way you respond?
*(see [01:06:36])*

3. The sermon highlighted that “grace flows to the humble.” Are there areas where pride or self-sufficiency might be blocking you from receiving God’s grace or from depending on others? What step could you take this week to practice humility?
*(see [01:17:04])*

4. Each person has received a unique measure of grace for the building up of the body. What is one gift or strength you have that you can use to serve others in the church? Is there a way you can encourage someone else’s unique gift this week?
*(see [01:13:38])*

5. The sermon said, “The church flourishes when we stop comparing and competing, and instead collaborate, honoring the diversity of gifts and callings among us.” Is there someone you tend to compare yourself to? How can you shift from comparison to collaboration?
*(see [01:25:34])*

6. Paul warns about the danger of a “hard heart” leading to alienation from God. Are there signs in your life that your heart is growing hard or cold? What practical steps can you take to keep your heart tender toward God and others?
*(see [01:32:53])*

7. The sermon ended with an invitation to “walk out our identity, not as the world does, but as those who are seated with Christ.” What is one specific way you can live out your identity in Christ this week—in your family, workplace, or community?
*(see [01:34:17])*

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Close in prayer, asking God to help each person receive His grace, walk in their true identity, and contribute to the unity and maturity of the body of Christ.

Devotional

Day 1: Unity in the Spirit: Our Shared Identity in Christ
The call to unity is not a striving to create something new, but a call to maintain what God has already given us through Christ. Our unity is rooted in our shared identity as children of God, members of one body, filled with one Spirit, and called to one hope. This unity is a divine gift, not a human achievement, and it is the foundation for our life together as the church. When we remember that our worth and calling come from being seated with Christ in heavenly places, we are empowered to walk out our identity with humility, gentleness, and love, eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. [01:12:47]

Ephesians 4:3-6 (RSV)
"…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, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all."

Reflection: Who in your church community do you find it hardest to feel united with? What is one step you can take this week to pursue peace and unity with them, remembering your shared identity in Christ?


Day 2: Grace for Each: Embracing Our Unique Measure
God has given each believer a unique measure of grace, not for status or hierarchy, but for serving and building up the body. This serving grace is a spiritual enablement, distributed intentionally and diversely, so that every person is essential and valued. Pride builds walls and isolates, but humility opens us to receive more of God’s grace and provision. When we posture ourselves in humility, we become channels for God’s grace to flow, both to us and through us, empowering us to serve in the way He has designed. [01:16:19]

Ephesians 4:7 (RSV)
"But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you sense God inviting you to lay down pride and embrace humility, so you can receive and share more of His grace?


Day 3: Equipped to Build: The Purpose of Spiritual Gifts
Jesus has given gifts to His people—not just abilities, but people themselves—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, to equip the saints for ministry and build up the body of Christ. These gifts are not about self-promotion or platform, but about restoring, empowering, and mobilizing every believer to walk in their calling. The goal is maturity and unity, as each person functions in their grace, contributing to the growth and health of the whole church. Comparison and competition have no place; instead, we celebrate the diversity of gifts and the collaborative nature of God’s kingdom. [01:24:52]

Ephesians 4:11-13 (RSV)
"And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."

Reflection: What is one way you can use your unique gifts or abilities this week to encourage or build up someone else in your church family?


Day 4: Growing Up: From Spiritual Infancy to Maturity
Spiritual maturity is not measured by gifting or charisma, but by our capacity to love and our willingness to speak the truth in love. Paul contrasts spiritual infants—easily tossed about and vulnerable to deception—with mature sons and daughters who are grounded in Christ, connected to the body, and growing together in love. Each part of the body is needed, and when every member functions properly, the whole church is strengthened and built up. True maturity is marked by interdependence, not independence, and by a commitment to grow together into the likeness of Christ. [01:29:59]

Ephesians 4:14-16 (RSV)
"So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every joint with which it is supplied, when each part is working properly, makes bodily growth and upbuilds itself in love."

Reflection: Where do you notice spiritual immaturity or defensiveness in your own life? What is one practical step you can take to grow in love and truth this week?


Day 5: A Tender Heart: Walking Out Our New Identity
The life God calls us to is marked by a soft, yielded heart—a heart of flesh, not stone. Hardness of heart leads to alienation from God and others, but God desires to tenderize our hearts so we can walk in our true identity and calling. This means guarding our hearts, tending the fire of our first love, and surrendering daily to Jesus. As we receive all that Christ has won for us, we are empowered to live as heirs, walking out our calling with passion, humility, and dependence on Him. [01:34:17]

Ezekiel 36:26 (ESV)
"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."

Reflection: What is one area of your heart that has grown hard or cold? How can you invite God to soften and renew your heart today?

Quotes

``Hear this though, like, this is the rhythm of grace, that first you receive, and then you respond. You're accepted, and then you're empowered. As the Chinese missionary said, Watchman Nee, this is our little book, Sit, Walk, Stand. He put it, it cannot be too strongly emphasized that all true spiritual experience begins from rest. [01:01:36] (29 seconds)  #rhythmOfGrace Edit Clip

To be proud is to be actively resisted by God. God's opposition in this instance is not punitive. It's protective. He resists what destroys us. Pride is not confidence, but it's independence. It says, oh, I've got this without you. It's the fruit of that tree. Self -effort. But God confronts pride in us, not to humiliate us, but to invite us back in to dependence. Dependence on Him and dependence on one another. To be humble positions you to receive a generous outpouring of grace. No way. Unearned favor and empowerment. [01:15:57] (56 seconds)  #graceFlowsDownhill Edit Clip

I also want to note at this point that you don't need to compare your gift to somebody else. You've received a measure of grace. And it fits you. It fits your calling. Don't fight against it. Like, fight God. Good luck. But the church flourishes when everybody walks in the grace that they've been given. Not trying to copy each other's portion. Not trying to look the same. You know, comparison is an enemy to contentment. It is an enemy to unity. The kingdom is not about competition. It's about collaboration. God doesn't copy and paste our callings. [01:25:04] (43 seconds)  #unityInDiversity Edit Clip

In fact, unity is not uniformity. It is produced by our shared identity and does not lead to some sort of conformity but to diversity. And when we all function in our grace, this maturity is not measured by performance but measured by Christlikeness. And mutual interdependence. Right? The goal of apostolic leadership is to work yourself out of a job. Right? Every believer becomes a minister. Woo! Leadership in the church is not about domination but about facilitation. Right? The facilitation of other people's growth, of other people's function. It is to activate the church, not to control it. [01:25:58] (54 seconds)  #facilitativeLeadership Edit Clip

So Paul urges us to grow up from spiritual infants not walking out in our inheritance to mature sons and daughters, reflecting our alignment with the Father's nature, functioning in love and truth. Nepios tells of whose you are, but huios speaks of who you're becoming. Nepios is an heir, he cannot access the inheritance until he has come of age or matured. Spiritual maturity is not marked by gifting or charisma, those are grace gifts, but rather is marked by one's capacity to love. [01:28:51] (41 seconds)  #matureInLove Edit Clip

The image of the body joined and held together by which every joint supplies speaks of our spiritual interdependence, functional unity, organic growth from Christ who is the head. The Passion puts it this way, it says, all our direction and ministries will flow from Christ and the body joined together and continually connected will increase and be built up in love. So every part of the body needs to function properly for the whole body to reach its full potential. [01:29:32] (35 seconds)  #spiritualInterdependence Edit Clip