Unity in Diversity: The Church as God's Temple
Summary
In Ephesians 2:20-22, Paul presents a profound image of the Christian church as a holy temple, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone. This metaphor illustrates the church as a living, growing structure, where each believer is a unique stone, chosen and shaped by God to fit perfectly into His divine plan. The diversity among believers is not a hindrance but a testament to the creative power of God, who unites us through the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in this unity, convicting us of sin and bringing us to the same truth. It is through the Spirit that we are able to see and receive the Gospel, transcending our natural limitations and differences. The Spirit leads us to the same foundational truths about Christ, ensuring that our unity is not based on superficial agreements but on a shared belief in the core tenets of the faith.
Moreover, the Spirit unites us to Christ, making us living stones in this spiritual edifice. This mystical union with Christ is what gives us life and purpose within the church. The Spirit also dwells within each believer, producing the same fruit—love, joy, peace, and more—promoting unity and harmony among us. The diversity of gifts given by the Spirit further enriches the church, as each gift, whether great or small, is essential to the body of Christ.
In a world that often values uniformity and conformity, the church stands as a testament to the beauty of diversity within unity. We are called to embrace our unique roles and gifts while recognizing our shared identity in Christ. This unity is not a product of human effort but a divine work of the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live out our faith in love and service to one another.
Key Takeaways:
- The church is a living temple, with each believer as a unique stone, chosen and shaped by God to fit perfectly into His divine plan. This diversity among believers is a testament to God's creative power and His ability to unite us through the Holy Spirit. [02:20]
- The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, bringing us to the same foundational truths about Christ. This shared belief is the basis of our unity, transcending our natural limitations and differences. [23:06]
- Our union with Christ is a mystical one, making us living stones in the spiritual edifice of the church. This union gives us life and purpose, as we are all part of the same body, with Christ as the head. [37:33]
- The Spirit dwells within each believer, producing the same fruit—love, joy, peace, and more—promoting unity and harmony among us. This fruit is essential for true unity, as it fosters love and peace within the community. [39:24]
- The diversity of gifts given by the Spirit enriches the church, as each gift is essential to the body of Christ. We are called to embrace our unique roles and gifts while recognizing our shared identity in Christ. [42:18]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - Introduction to Ephesians 2:20-22
[00:50] - The Church as a Holy Temple
[02:01] - Living Stones in God's Building
[03:24] - Unity and Diversity in the Church
[04:51] - The Privilege of Our Position in Christ
[06:14] - The Principle of Unity
[08:17] - Unity Without Uniformity
[10:36] - Individuality in the Church
[12:22] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[14:57] - God's Work and Our Response
[17:48] - The Spirit's Role in Unity
[21:41] - Conviction of Sin by the Spirit
[29:07] - Receiving the Truth Through the Spirit
[33:38] - The Spirit's Guidance to Truth
[37:17] - Union with Christ
[39:10] - The Fruit of the Spirit
[42:01] - Diversity of Gifts
[44:38] - Conclusion and Call to Unity
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 2:20-22
Observation Questions:
1. How does Paul describe the foundation of the church in Ephesians 2:20-22, and what role does Jesus Christ play in this foundation? [00:11]
2. What metaphor does Paul use to describe the church, and how does this metaphor illustrate the relationship between believers? [00:50]
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the Holy Spirit in the unity of the church? [17:48]
4. How does the diversity among believers contribute to the church's unity, according to the sermon? [14:39]
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean for believers to be "living stones" in the spiritual edifice of the church, and how does this concept affect their identity and purpose? [02:20]
2. How does the Holy Spirit's role in convicting believers of sin contribute to the unity of the church? [21:59]
3. In what ways does the diversity of gifts given by the Holy Spirit enrich the church, and why is this diversity essential? [42:18]
4. How does the sermon explain the concept of unity without uniformity within the church, and why is this important for believers to understand? [08:17]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your unique role and gifts within the church. How can you better embrace and utilize them to contribute to the unity and growth of the church community? [43:07]
2. Consider a time when you felt convicted by the Holy Spirit. How did this experience bring you closer to the foundational truths about Christ, and how can you share this with others? [21:59]
3. Identify a specific aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.) that you want to cultivate more in your life. What practical steps can you take this week to develop this aspect? [39:24]
4. Think about a situation where you encountered diversity within your church community. How did you respond, and what can you do to better appreciate and celebrate this diversity in the future? [14:39]
5. How can you actively participate in fostering unity within your church, especially when faced with differences in opinions or practices? [08:17]
6. Reflect on your personal relationship with Christ. How does understanding your mystical union with Him influence your daily life and interactions with others in the church? [37:17]
7. What specific action can you take this week to support someone in your church community who has a different gift or role than you? How can this action promote unity and appreciation for diversity? [42:18]
Devotional
Day 1: The Church as a Living Temple
The church is depicted as a living temple, with each believer being a unique stone, chosen and shaped by God to fit perfectly into His divine plan. This metaphor highlights the diversity among believers, which is not a hindrance but a testament to God's creative power. Through the Holy Spirit, God unites us, allowing each stone to contribute to the beauty and strength of the whole structure. This unity in diversity is a powerful witness to the world of God's ability to bring together people from different backgrounds and experiences into one cohesive body. [02:20]
1 Peter 2:4-5 (ESV): "As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
Reflection: Consider your unique role in the church. How can you use your God-given talents and experiences to contribute to the unity and growth of your spiritual community today?
Day 2: The Spirit's Role in Convicting and Uniting
The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in convicting us of sin and bringing us to the foundational truths about Christ. This shared belief is the basis of our unity, transcending our natural limitations and differences. The Spirit leads us to the same truths, ensuring that our unity is not based on superficial agreements but on a shared belief in the core tenets of the faith. This divine work of the Spirit allows us to see and receive the Gospel, uniting us in a profound and lasting way. [23:06]
John 16:13-14 (ESV): "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when the Holy Spirit convicted you of a truth about Christ. How did this conviction change your perspective or actions, and how can you remain open to the Spirit's guidance today?
Day 3: Mystical Union with Christ
Our union with Christ is a mystical one, making us living stones in the spiritual edifice of the church. This union gives us life and purpose, as we are all part of the same body, with Christ as the head. Through this union, we are empowered to live out our faith, contributing to the church's mission and growth. This connection with Christ is not just a theological concept but a living reality that shapes our identity and actions within the church. [37:33]
Colossians 1:17-18 (ESV): "And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent."
Reflection: In what ways do you experience your union with Christ in your daily life? How does this union influence your decisions and interactions within your church community?
Day 4: The Fruit of the Spirit in Promoting Unity
The Spirit dwells within each believer, producing the same fruit—love, joy, peace, and more—promoting unity and harmony among us. This fruit is essential for true unity, as it fosters love and peace within the community. The presence of the Spirit and the fruit it produces are vital for maintaining the unity and health of the church, allowing us to live out our faith in love and service to one another. [39:24]
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: Which fruit of the Spirit do you feel is most evident in your life right now? How can you cultivate the other fruits to promote unity and harmony in your relationships?
Day 5: Embracing Diversity of Gifts
The diversity of gifts given by the Spirit enriches the church, as each gift is essential to the body of Christ. We are called to embrace our unique roles and gifts while recognizing our shared identity in Christ. This diversity is not a source of division but a means of strengthening the church, as each member contributes to the whole with their unique abilities and perspectives. By valuing and utilizing these diverse gifts, the church can effectively fulfill its mission and reflect the fullness of God's creativity and love. [42:18]
1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (ESV): "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone."
Reflection: What unique gifts has the Holy Spirit given you? How can you use these gifts to serve your church and community, and how can you encourage others to do the same?
Quotes
The Apostle gives us a general description of it then he has taken us into the detailed description he's told us about the foundation and it's absolutely vital in connection with any building and then he has gone on to tell us something about how the building takes place and in particular we have been looking at our several places as Stones living stones in this great edifice that is thus being built up. [00:58:44]
There is nothing on Earth which is in any way comparable to being being a member of the Church of God oh you see he goes on reminding them you therefore he says are no more strangers and foreigners you were there you were like that you were without god without hope in the world but you're no longer there you've been brought nigh indeed you've been brought into this amazing position that you are now stones in this building that's going to be a habitation for God. [04:23]
The Holy Spirit I say is the guarantor of this the holy spirit is always the executive in the work of Salvation this chapter this second chapter of Ephesians is of course a great exposition of Christian Redemption we started with the hopelessness of men we then see the work of the Lord Jesus Christ course it all centers on him and he's done the work by him his blood by his cross by his death. [18:19]
The Holy Spirit does a very thorough work you see we're prepared as you remember for this building before we are brought to it it was done away in the Quarry somewhere and it's a very violent work it's a very humbling work but thank God it's a thorough work we find ourselves as one in and one in Failure one in deadness spiritually one in hopelessness one in Despair and it's the holy spirit that does that. [25:34]
The Holy Spirit lives in us and works in us we produce the fruit of the spirit and look what it produces in all of us love you can't have Unity without love or you can have a mechanical Coalition you can have some product coming out of a machine all stuck together but that isn't life that isn't true Unity that's the mere absence of differences this is a vital living unity and it's love. [39:24]
The spirit leads to the same truth and therefore the unity of the church is not a Unity based upon an absence of belief it is the unity that is born of the same belief he shall guide you says Christ into all truth and what is the truth well he again himself has expounded it when he says this the spirit he says shall not speak of himself which means he shall not speak about himself he shall glorify me. [34:00]
The Holy Spirit and he alone who convicts us all of our sins that is his first work but it's a very vital bit of work in connection with this Unity we could never be brought together were it not for this for by nature and as the result of sin we are all self assertive we are proud We Are boastful we can always explain our own deficiencies while we denounce the same in somebody else. [21:54]
The Holy Spirit is The Giver of all the gifts oh I needn't keep you Paul has said it all so perfectly in that let me use the term that brilliant argument in 1 Corinthians 12 where he ridicules this idea of comparing and contrasting the gifts and of envying and despising he says look here you've got no gift but that has been given to you there are diversities of gifts but it is the same spirit. [42:18]
The Holy Spirit does something even more wonderful than that he unites us to him he joins us to him we become parts of him we've been emphas EMP izing that in these three verses are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the Chief Cornerstone in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth into un Holy Temple in the Lord. [37:33]
The Holy Spirit is as essential in the greatest brain the world this morning as he is in the most ignorant hot and tot there is no difference it is a spiritual truth and it is a truth that can only be made acceptable to us by the operation of the Holy Spirit upon us the natural ability cannot receive it thank God there would never be Unity amongst Christians and in the church were it not for this. [32:48]
The Holy Spirit lives in us and works in us we produce the fruit of the spirit and look what it produces in all of us love you can't have Unity without love or you can have a mechanical Coalition you can have some product coming out of a machine all stuck together but that isn't life that isn't true Unity that's the mere absence of differences this is a vital living unity and it's love. [39:24]
The Holy Spirit is the one who is prod using this great edifice as a habitation for God and that is how you and I come into all this and are involved in all this but we must look at this in detail in order that we may see how wonderful it is and I say again that there is nothing which is more glorious in experience or in life than just this there is no Miracle which is in any way comparable to the miracle of the Christian church. [20:04]
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