Church unity is very important. The church's job is to refresh the saints and reach the lost.
Transition- We were dead now we have an inheritance. A prayer of gratitude for the people.
Ephesians 4:1 (ESV) "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,"
Paul is reminding them that he is on house arrest in Rome. He was a "Prisoner for the Lord" He was winning guards for the Lord, even some from Caesar's house came to know the Lord. Paul was setting an example for the Lord. Paul was leading from the front. We are supposed to walk in a manner of your calling. There is a standard that we should live up to. (The teacher already gave you an A, so act like it!). God called you and saved you by grace. He has set you apart to do the work.
Ephesians 4:2-6 (ESV) "with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 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 all, who is over all and through all and in all."
I. Why unity matters.
1. It pleases God.
Psalm 133:1 (ESV) "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!"
What touches a parent the most is when their children get along and love one another. God is no different.
2. It is essential for effective work.
Philippians 1:27 (ESV) "Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,"
We should be encouraged by one another's success.
3. It's a testimony to who we serve.
John 13:34-35 (ESV) "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
Ephesians 5:2 (ESV) "And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
One way we demonstrate we love God is to love one another.
II. Where does unity come from?
Ephesians 4:3 (ESV) "eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
III. It's all from God.
The Spirit gives and we are to preserve. Three persons in one God. They are part of the one but all different. The Spirit gives life, the Son is the foundation, the cornerstone, the Father over all/through all and in all. 3 persons, 1 God...total unity.
John 17:20-21 (ESV) "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 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."
IV. Common Faith
The Old Roman Creed is found in a Greek letter written in 341 and is the forerunner of the Apostles Creed. This creed was used orally as a second-century baptismal confession and "Rules of Faith"
"I believe in God the Father almighty; and in Christ Jesus His only Son, our Lord, Who was born from the Holy Spirit and the One Virgin Mary, Who under Pontius Pilate was crucified and buried, on the third day rose again from the dead, ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of the Father, whence he will come to judge the living and the dead; and in the Holy Spirit, the holy Church, the remission of sins, the resurrection of the flesh, [life everlasting]."
All Christians should agree with this creed. We should have unity with other churches. There are times for separations, but we should all agree about the character of God. We should agree with the authority of the Scriptures. We should agree with the seriousness of sin. We at OBC should get along.
1. One Body
1 Corinthians 12:12-13 (ESV) "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body-Jews or Greeks, slaves or free-and all were made to drink of one Spirit."
This is a universal truth.
2. One Hope
Titus 2:11-13 (ESV) "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, "
When the Lord returns all of God's people will rejoice.
3. One Faith
Jude 3 (ESV) "Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints."
4. One Baptism
By spirit at salvation or by water. Brought in to the body of Christ.
V. How do we preserve unity?
1. Humility
Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV) "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
2. Gentleness
One of the fruits of the spirit. Show kindness
3. Patience
Another fruit of the spirit. Do not write people off.
4. Bearing with one another in love.
Tolerate others. Live in harmony with others.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (ESV) "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
The "Love" verses is not only important for marriage, but for all Christian living. Continue to try to love one another. Demonstrate love and humility.
Romans 15:5-7 (ESV) "May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God."
