August 8 Sermon Discussion Guide
Sunday we continued our exploration of the Apostle Paul’s thoughts from the beginning of Ephesians 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. 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.
In verse 1, Paul admonishes his audience to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which they had been called. Last week we considered how this might include thinking critically about how we might faithfully represent our God and his kingdom to the world. And as we continue reading this section, Paul gives us his view on how we might live in a worthy manner: unity.
In verses 4-6 we discover that unity is our fundamental reality. When we have been reconciled to God, united with him through Christ, we are necessarily united with the rest of his body. Unity is not an option we can add on to the spiritual life if we feel inclined. It is the intrinsic nature of the body of Christ.
And yet, Paul is careful to urge the Ephesians to pursue unity. In John 17, Jesus prays that those who follow him would be one.
If unity is our fundamental reality as the church, why would Jesus pray for it?
Why would Paul go to such great lengths to urge it?
Because our lives don’t always visibly demonstrate the fundamental reality that is ours in Jesus Christ. And that visible representation, the outward expression of our invisible reality is important. As Jesus prays in John 17, one of the goals of that unity is that the world might believe.
Beginning steps for moving toward unity:
1. Acknowledge that Jesus wants his body to be unified.
2. Seek to maintain it. Think about practical ways you can work to maintain the unity of the
Spirit in the bond of peace. Think about your unique temptations that lure you into division,
separation and isolation.
3. Paul says to be eager to maintain it. Ask God to birth in you a desire for unity and grief over
division and hatred.