Walk Worthy, Maintain Unity Ephesians 4:1-6

Don’t forget what God has done! Ephesians 2:4–10 (ESV) 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

The response to God’s Love Paul spends three chapters telling us of the wonderful things God has done for us. – He tells us these things in the form of truths (doctrine). – He tells us these things as outbursts of praise, hymns and doxologies. The second half we are encouraged as to how we ought to respond to what God has done for us.

Ephesians 4:1–6 (ESV) 4 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.

Behave consistently with your call 4 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called “Therefore” – in regards to everything I previously said about God’s love and grace towards you. “Urge you” – not a command. His life is testimony.

Behave consistently with your call 4 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called “walk worthily of the calling to which you have been called” – Ethical appeal to behave in a manner consistent with your calling. – “call” – your position in Christ. If you have been called to be a soldier, behave worthy of a soldier. If you’ve been called to be a teacher, behave worthy of a teacher. You have been called to be carry the name of Christ, behave worthy of one wearing the name of Christ.

In light of what he has done, our actions should be … 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, “for by grace you have been saved” – It’s not of yourselves. – It’s a gift of God. – Not of works, – Lest anyone should boast. You’re not better or more deserving than anyone other Christian. We all received it by God’s grace.

In light of what he has done, our actions should be with… 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, “Humility” – lowliness. Opposite - “considering yourself more highly than you ought or better than others” (experience, knowledge, wisdom, talent, spirituality, etc.)

In light of what he has done, our actions should be … 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, “… with gentleness” – meekness. Not using your advantages (strength, knowledge, position, etc.) to overpower. Carry the burden of the sins of our brothers.

In light of what he has done, our actions should be … 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, “with patience” – long suffering. Not quick tempered, quick to judgment, “makes allowance for others’ shortcomings and endures wrong rather than flying into a rage or desiring vengeance.”

In light of what he has done, our actions should be … 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, “bearing with one another in love” - bear with one another’s weaknesses and failures in the midst of tensions and conflicts and putting their interest before your own.

Work at maintaining Unity 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. “eager” – Imperative Make haste, do it now, “to be zealous, active,...” Requires the graces of humility, gentleness, etc. The Spirit has done it, we either mess it up or maintain it.

In the bond of peace 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Peace is the bond in which unity is kept. Unity and peace is not: – Obtained by sacrificing the fundamental truths of the Gospel. – Ecumenicalism. Paul follows this with seven theological “ones”.

One Body of Christ 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— Eph. 2:14–16 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

One Spirit 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— The one Spirit brings unity and cohesion to the body by his indwelling and animating activity. Believers are members of the body by virtue of the work of the Holy Spirit.

One hope 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— Eph. 1:9–10 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

One hope 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— Eph. 1:18 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

One Lord 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, “One Lord” – only one Jesus. 1 Cor. 8:6 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

One Faith 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, Not: one faith for the Jew and another for the Gentile. Faith in Christ is the only faith. John 14:6 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

One Faith 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, Gal. 1:6–9 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

One Baptism 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, Not a baptism for Jews and a different one for Gentiles. Gal. 3:27–28 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

One God and Father of all 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. All? All people? All things? Or, All Christians? Climax – God is one Not many gods, only One God and Father Eph. 3:14–15 14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,

One God and Father of all 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 1 Cor. 8:5–6 5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

One God and Father over all 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Over or above all – As Creator God is over all things – As governor God is over all people. – As our Father through Jesus Christ he is over his selected people.

One God and Father through and in all 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Through all and in all – God is present in his creation, working in and through it. – God is intimately involved in the affairs of men. – God works though and in his church/children.

There is but one God, not many. There is but one Lord, not many. There is but one Spirit, not many. There is but one body of Christ, committed to and under the control and guidance of the same Father, Lord, Spirit. We have been called into the same Body, same Hope, same Faith, with the same baptism. We, therefore must zealously seek to maintain the oneness (unity/peace) of our calling with a spirit of humility, gentleness and bond of love.

Grasping firmly and reverantly to foundational teachings of the faith, diligently maintain unity with a spirit of humility and gentleness.