Four Requirements For Local Church Unity | Ephesians 4:3

Scripture

• Ephesians 4:3

About this sermon

ntroduction: Local church unity exists on a foundation larger than that unity — it’s experienced when we do more than proclaim our commitment to unity —we aim at what unity requires. And what is true for the church’s unity is true for all genuine Christian unity. What is true for the church’s unity is true in our homes. Unity exists on the foundation of the chief ambition that belongs to the Christian life. We aim to live in a way that accords with our unity in Christ because it glorifies God — it is a part of the life worthy of our calling. Unity exists on the foundation of character — internal virtues. The Christian life is lived from the inside out. Godly attitudes lead to godly behaviors. The experience of unity requires a heart that allows for unity. Humility Gentleness Patience And then those qualities are particularly manifested in the forbearance that is explained by the love of God and demonstrates the love of God. These are the internal fruits produced by the Spirit of God necessary for a congregation to live in peace. BUT HAVING SAID THIS, WE MUST NOT BE CONFUSED TO THINK THAT UNITY IS NOT A CONSCIOUS PRIORITY. WE LIVE OUT OUR UNITY IN CHRIST WHEN UNITY MATTERS TO US — WHEN IT IS PURSUED LIKE A PRIORITY. Knowing that unity requires more than simply aiming at it does not negate the fact that we must aim at it. It requires MORE than just being mindful of it, but it INCLUDES being mindful of it. And that is what our verse tonight makes plain. Tonight, we think about making unity a priority. We think about Four requirements for the preservation of church unity. • UNITY REQUIRES SINCERE PASSION Unity requires a sincere desire for unity. Unity requires a zealous pursuit of unity. Now, before I talk about the desire and effort on display in this verse, I want to think about what the desire pertains to. • THE UNITY GOD HAS GIVEN US “The unity of the Spirit” What does Paul have in mind? I agree with those who see this genitive τοῦ πνεύματος (of the Spirit), referring to source or origin. I say this because what he’s speaking of already exists. We are called to MAINTAIN it, not CREATE it. This is not something we produce; this is something the Spirit of God created. This is the unity that our Lord prayed for. ESV John 17:11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. ESV John 17:20 "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 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. I also understand the genitive as one of source or origin because of what follows our verse. What follows are a series of statements about all the ways that we are FACTUALLY AND OBJECTIVELY unified. ESV Ephesians 4:4 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. So, the unity that Paul is referring to is the unity that SALVATION has produced, THE SPIRIT OF GOD has granted to us IN JESUS CHRIST. Because that unity exists, he is calling us TO ACTION. • THE ACTION CALLED FOR The action that is called for, then, is PRESERVATION. τηρεῖν – to keep (to preserve, to maintain). BDAG – “ⓒ of holding on to someth. so as not to give it up or lose it (Diod S 17, 43, 9 τὰ ὅπλα, the shields; τὴν ἀρετήν Did., Gen. 87, 4. Cp. τ. τὰ μυστήρια … καὶ ἐξειπεῖν μηδενί Hippol., Ref. 5, 27, 2) τὴν ἁγνείαν Hm 4, 4, 3. τὴν ἑνότητα τοῦ πνεύματος Eph 4:3.” WE HAVE A UNITY GRANTED TO US BY GOD’S MERCY TO US — NOW WE ARE TO TREASURE THAT IN A WAY THAT IS REFLECTED IN OUR TREATMENT OF EACH OTHER AND OUR COOPERATION WITH EACH OTHER. • THE ZEAL FOR THAT ACTION So, God has created this unity, and we are to live in a way that values that and is careful to preserve that (guard it), but what I also want us to see is that this is something we HAVE SINCERE ZEAL FOR. “being diligent” (LSB)

Topics

• Church & Fellowship
• The Church