Lessons from Apostle Paul; Unity in the body of Christ
Ephesians chapter 4:1-4:6
Introduction-
This morning we are beginning a new series called lessons from Apostle Paul.
We will be looking at practical applications of God’s Word, discipleship, behaviors, basic Christianity, and how God can take situations in our life and work them for good.
Obviously not all happening today- This morning, we are looking at unity in the body of Christ.
Ephesians 4:1-4:6
Illustration
One day after a rousing sermon on church unity, the pastor standing at the back door greeting people, a little girl came to the pastor and said, “Mr. Pastor”, why are there so many abominations, the pastor chuckled at her mispronunciation of denominations.
Perhaps that would be a better word to describe the division that exists between so many churches.
God instituted the church- it is called the church of Christ for a reason.
No one denomination has bragging rights on being the church. (repeat)
The church founder is Jesus Christ!
MT. 16:18
“And I say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.”
It is obvious that Christ is the builder or founder of the New Testament Church and He calls it His church.
Any church not founded on Jesus Christ is not His Church.
David in the Old Testament said, “except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain.”
Timothy goes on to tell us that the house of God is the church of the living God.
If the Lord didn’t build it, they labor in vain.
If the Lord did build it, the gates of Hell shall not prevail and tear it down.
The foundation of the church is Jesus Christ,
Apostle Paul says, “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
Any church built on a name or religion doctrine, or form of government that is built on a wrong foundation will not stand.
If it is not built on Jesus Christ- it is not Christ church.
The Bible tells us in 1 Peter that the spiritual makeup of the church is to be lively or living stones. That is each one of us that makes up the body of Christ.
The church is founded on Christ and lived out in living stones(members) that are worshipping Christ.
So why would God bring a bunch of people from all walks of life together in what
He calls the church?
Why do you attend church? People or Christ?
Do you understand that the church is God ordained? It is a God thing!
Do you understand that the church was not established so that all of your needs are met?
So that you are entertained and made to feel good.
Don’t get me wrong- the church meets needs, the church works very hard at providing a worship experience that is enjoyable and beneficial. But that is not it’s priority.
The church functions for 4 reasons.
Glorify Jesus Christ (worship)
Evangelize the lost (fellowship)
Instruct and edify believers (discipleship)
Observe the ordinances (Baptism, Lords Supper)
How did we get so messed up?
Researchers indicate that the majority of protestant evangelical congregations in the USA shared at least 90 % of the same beliefs. That is good!
There is little disagreement over the basic elements of Christianity such as Jesus life, death, and resurrection. The foundation of the church.
Is it possible for the body of Christ to be in unity? Yes!
As long as the foundation that we share is Jesus Christ.
Peter says
1 Corinthians 1:10- (NKJ)
“Now I plead with you brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same things, and that there be no division among you, but you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”
The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthians made it clear that division and disharmony in the body of Christ was not acceptable- in fact, his expectation of the church was “that you speak the same thing, that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind.”
How does that happen?
(1) Making sure that the church you attend has Jesus Christ as the foundation of the church
(2) You hold to the fundamental truths of the death, burial, resurrection of Jesus Christ, and that as a believer one day you believe that you will be resurrected and live with Jesus for eternity.
The other issues are different expressions of the body of Christ.
Each denomination living out their own interpretation of worship, discipleship.
You have to go where you are comfortable.
The common denominator is Jesus Christ.
The cornerstone is Jesus Christ.
Our salvation is in Jesus Christ.
Jesus needs to be the object of our preaching and our teaching.
He is the object of our worship.
The purpose of our services.
The meaning of our very existence.
We can worship with believers of like-minded faith.
Together the body of Christ can move forward in unity and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Okay, let’s pull this closer to this congregation.
How do we maintain unity?
We define who we are- we are Nazarenes!
We hold to the truths and bylaws and teachings as we know them.
We are not Methodist, Lutheran, Assemblies of God- nothing wrong with any of those denominations, but that is not who we are.
The way that unity is maintained is that no denomination begins to serve up a smorgasbord of religions.
It creates in that congregation that they are not truly a part of any doctrine because they have created their own.
Back to the text,
Our calling is too Christ and His church
Glorify God
Evangelize the lost
Be a Disciple and mature in Christ
Fellowship
Our responsibility is like the early church where the Jews welcomed the Gentiles into a relationship to each other and to God.
God made provisions for those in the church to live and work together in unity and to grow in maturity.
Unity and diversity- good
Division- bad!
He accomplishes that by showing us 3 virtues of a church in unity.
(1) (v2) “Be completely humble and gentle.”
These two characteristics are the heart of Jesus Christ. Jesus says learn from me for I am humble of heart .
Humility is essential to unity
Pride is the destruction of unity
Jesus Character is to serve. Those who are humble and gentle will have a servants heart.
There are times we must stand and fight.
There are times we walk away
There are times that you rely on the Lord to deal with it.
Having the heart of the Lord will direct us on which way we should go.
Illustration-
Corrie Ten Boom was asked if it was difficult for her to remain humble. Her reply was simple. When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday on the back of a donkey, and everyone was waving palm branches, and throwing garments in the road, do you think for a moment that the donkey thought that was for him?
To be like Jesus id to put God first!
To be like Jesus is to put others before yourself.
Gentleness is a tricky word- often we think of it as a weakness.
God’s definition is strength under control. Godly control.
Being completely humble and gentle, and (2) Be patient, bearing one another in love.
What does that look like?
That means that we understand people are human and understand that there will be conflict, but that we are not looking for it or enjoying it when it happens.
Apostle Paul spends 3 chapters in Philippians talking about being humble believers and correctly handling conflict.
Be of the same mind( 11Xs)
Humble yourself – (several times.)
Put into practice the character of Jesus-
It is one thing to preach unity and it is another to practice it when conflict comes to your door.
Be patient!
Be as patient as you would like someone to be with you.
Understand that everyone is not at the same spot in their journey with the Lord.
Bearing with one another in love-
If we truly believe in the forgiveness of our sins, we cannot forget to forgive those who trespass against us.
Patience is longsuffering attitude towards aggravating people.
The kind of attitude that God must have for each one of us. Amen.
Phil 1:27-
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel.”
(3) (v3)” Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
Believers have a responsibility to keep unity as far as it is up to them.
Listen,
Leaders have a responsibility to the word of God and if correction is needed, it should be done in the love of God and to the protection of those that God has entrusted to this body of believers.
But we are to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit of God.
Closing,
As the church, we are to be more like Christ everyday and accomplish those things that the church should accomplish.
#1- Glorify God
#2- Reach the lost
#3- Disciple and grow together
That is the responsibility of every believer here who professes Jesus as Lord.
Unity in Christ demands that each one of us grows and matures and actively takes part in the calling each one of us has.
“No longer children, tossed to and fro against all the winds of misfortune, all the blasts of the evil one.”
That is why small groups are important
That is why Sunday school is important
Regular attendance is important
That is how a diverse body like the church achieves unity that God desires.
Be grown up
Become more like Christ
Maturity
Loving each other.
Every body working together- pun intended
Amen.
Live in peace, and be holy. Hebrews 12:14: “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy ” Seek to let the Spirit of Christ influence your aims, attitudes, and actions.
