Unity

Introduction

A. Relationships are challenging. Even the best of relationships have difficulties from time to time. Good marriages take work. Friendships are encouraging when time is spent together. Strong relationships tend to go through ups and downs. It is a challenge to remain in a one-sided relationship. The person who frequently demands his or her way may find themselves with less than ideal relationships. It is no different in congregational life. So many different personalities and perspectives requires something from all of us. God in his wisdom brought all kinds of people together. He provided what was necessary to provide a new way of thinking for everyone. We come together based on our new leader---Jesus.

B. It is in Jesus that spiritual blessings are found. It is in Jesus that we are all forgiven. It is in Jesus that we find meaning and purpose. It is because of Jesus that we all say the same words---Jesus is Lord. But the reality is that differences remain. In the first three chapters of Ephesians, Paul demonstrated the foundation of what makes us this new body---this new building---this new people whose Lord is Jesus. But in the next three chapters, Paul is going to describe how this new people live in relationships and conduct in life. We begin today with a look at how we are to live with one another in congregational life. It is challenging. It isn’t easy. It demands something from each one of us.

C. We start with this truth---our desire is that God be seen through us. Paul’s prayer at the end of chapter 3 was that we would be so full of God that God’s glory would be seen through us. This is what we must keep in mind. Because we worship and serve the same God then our minds are continually set on making sure that we reveal him in all we do and say. This is especially true when things are challenging and difficult---when people are challenging and difficult. But through Paul God has instructions about how to live in harmony with each other in both difficult and good times. Let’s be encouraged.

Filled with God

A. There are two things I want you to see before we dissect the text. In verse 1, Paul writes that we have received a calling. This calling is to be God’s people. We have been called out of sin and spiritual death through grace. This calling means that we have been provided the blessing to be the kind of people that God intended us to be from the beginning (2:10). This calling means that we reveal God’s multifaceted wisdom (3:10).

B. The second thing to notice is in verse 3. The unity of the Spirit is already present. Our job is to maintain the unity that God has already established. Jesus’ death and resurrection broke down the barriers. Unity is the result. This is God’s gift to us. We are to maintain the unity. We do not have to create it. We have to do what is necessary to hold on to it.

C. With those two things in mind, Paul says there are four characteristics that we must have in order to live lives consistent with our calling and to maintain our unity.

1. Humility. In Paul’s day this word was always used in a negative way. By the end of the 2nd century when this word was used it always brought ridicule. It is a word that denoted weakness in Paul’s day. While today, humility---the idea of not being impressed by your own view of self-importance---is appreciated in some circumstances, it is not a virtue that is often ignored and rarely pursued. Humility is to intentionally take a lower view of self in relationships. In Philippians Paul uses the same word with the description “to values others above yourself.” This is the idea of at least being equally concerned that others’ views matter as much as our own views.

2. Gentle. Politeness. Meekness. Any of these words will do. Being kind and gracious to others even when circumstances might seem to suggest that such is not needed. It is treating others well even when they do not treat us well. Paul is writing about congregational life. It is being kind when others aren’t kind. It is choosing to respond in kind ways even when an unkindness has offered.

3. Patience. Bearing up under provocation. No retaliation. No revenge. Suffering long when another mistreats you. While the thought “you can’t treat me this way” or “I don’t deserve to be treated this way” may come to mind when a brother or sister hurts you, Paul says that in order to maintain our unity we are to be patient. We are to bear up under the provocation. We are to take the mistreatment without seeking to hurt the other person in response. This is not to suggest that we do not correct, but we do not respond with the intent to hurt the one who has hurt us.

4. Bearing with one another in love. Loving endurance. In simple terms Paul writes that we are to put with annoying people. There are people who are annoying. Habits, traits, eccentricities, manners, words---annoying. We understand this idea. We know we don’t annoy but some do. But Paul says this is not out of tolerance. We love. We seek what is best for that person, although that person’s ways are annoying. This is real stuff. Congregational life is difficult and challenging at times. We are so different that we might even say negative things about each other. “He gets on my nerves.” “You know how she is” said with a rolling of the eyes.

5. But here is the key. The view that matters is what matters to God. So in humility we are less concerned about getting our own view heard and more concerned that God is seen. In gentleness we choose kindness because we see God in that person and we want them to see God in us. We are patient because we want the person who hurt us to see God’s glory. We lovingly put up with all the annoyances of others because we are so full of God that we just want to love the person as they are with their annoyances.

D. This isn’t easy. This takes something that comes from God. But let’s use this opportunity to be reminded that we are “one” with God and each other. Jon is going to come and lead our thoughts as we join together at the table.

We Choose What to Focus On

A. Relationships are challenging. There are times for all of us of ups and downs when it comes to relationships. Paul writes that we need to be eager to keep our unity. And he says there is something that holds us together---peace. Like ligaments attached to a bone; our bond that holds us together is peace. With intent and effort we maintain our unity through peace. We find ways to be together in peace.

B. Relationships are challenging. So often we focus on the differences in relationships. Paul writes about the importance of being reminded of those things that bring us together. Without introduction or elaboration, Paul lists seven items which we have in common.

1. One body---we belong to the same body; the body of Christ; the church.

2. One Spirit---we all possess the Spirit who serves as a seal of more to come; the Spirit through whom God dwells in his people; the Spirit who lives within us.

3. One hope---we share with eager expectation God’s plan being fulfilled. We were without hope (2:12) but now through the work of Jesus our hope is firmly established. One day we will together see God face to face.

4. One Lord---we join together knowing that Jesus is Lord.

5. One faith---we have all come to believe and accept the one gospel. We are sinners and God through Jesus has brought us into relationship with Him.

6. One baptism---we have all shared in the same experience; immersion in water to have our sins forgiven.

7. One God---we believe and know the same God. We submit to the same God who permeates all there is about us.

C. We must all have the same attitudes to maintain unity---humility, gentleness, patience, and loving endurance. It isn’t about us and our preferences; it is about God. We do not exist for our own benefit. We exist so that God is seen. So that God looks good. The calling we have received is the same call that has gone out to millions before us. It is the call to live in such a way that God is seen. It is a call to live in such a way that people are impressed with God not with us.

1. Years ago, a former minister was trying to make this point. He said that when he visited people about becoming members at Park, he wanted to know what they had to offer to the ministries at Park. He was skeptical of those who kept asking what can you do for me. Our world has it backwards and if we aren’t careful we will slide into this world’s thinking. What do we have to offer to the consumer is the wrong question. The right question is what are we doing to call people to live in such a way that God is seen rather than us.

D. Second, we must focus on what draws us together rather than what drives us apart. This is what Paul did. Seven items which focused on commonalities rather than differences. All of the items are things which cannot be provided from human resources. When we focus on human resources then we will degenerate into preferences. We focus too much on what we perceive is lacking rather than what God has done. This focus is because of our consumer mentality. We shop. We evaluate. We consume. But God has called us to see things differently. We practice humility, gentleness, patience and loving endurance so that the God who gives us our unity can be seen and praised. Invitation.

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