Ephesians 4:3-6
Intro: When we study the church, we cannot miss the sad fact that there are many divisions and denominations. Even within denominations there are divisions. There are some good reasons for different denominations. But we should be sad that the body of Christ has experienced this type of fragmentation. Even in light of the situation in the church today, we must hear the apostle Paul when he encourages and pleads with Christians: 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NKJV) By the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. How can a church—a church with so many diverse personalities—achieve harmonious feelings and one mind? I believe the answer lies in our scripture text for today. Ephesians 4:3 (NLT)3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. As this verse tells us, we are to each one work, exert, put forth an effort toward unity in the Holy Spirit by binding ourselves together with peace. Peace that comes from God. Believers are to work at keeping the peace so that they can stay bound together in the unity of God's Spirit. Jesus Christ has broken down all walls and barriers existing between men. There is one essential for serving Christ that must be stressed among God's people: cooperation—a nature and willingness to serve together. The point is this: when a person comes to Christ, the Spirit of God enters his life and binds the person to all other believers. There is a great spiritual bond of peace wrought by the Spirit of God between all believers. All divisiveness, differences, and prejudices are set aside; and a spirit of love, peace, and unity exist. There are seven basic reasons why we should walk worthy and strive to keep the peace and unity of God's Spirit in the church.
1. Ephesians 4:4a For there is one body There are neither two bodies nor several bodies of believers. However, in this imperfect world, there are many different denominations and churches. But note what God is doing: God is creating only one body of people who trust and follow His dear Son. There is no way a believer can be in conflict with another believer unless he is walking after the flesh and is in a backslidden condition. There are just some things that are contrary to love and joy and peace that hurt and damage the body.
2. Ephesians 4:4b and one Spirit, There is only "one Spirit." The same Spirit that dwells within one member of the body dwells in all members of the body. It is God's Spirit that causes a man to be born again. God’s Spirit is not divided. Acting independent of the body is of another spirit, for there is only One Spirit creating the body of Christ.
3. Ephesians 4:4c just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. Every genuine believer has the same hope: the great day of redemption. It is to be a new world created perfectly for Christ Jesus and His people. Life in the new heavens and earth will be a life of love and joy and peace—a life of oneness and unity and brotherhood—all perfected. What God is after is for us to live as we shall live in the future. Our future lives in the new heavens and earth are to be the pattern for the way we live together now.
4. Ephesians 5:5a There is one Lord, Every believer has bowed before the same Lord to become His subject and to receive His orders. As His subjects, believers are unequivocally instructed to live as one as He said.
5. Ephesians 5:5b There is only "one faith." There are neither two faiths nor several faiths. The point is this: every believer has come to God in the very same way—by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior. Faith in Him is the only way, the only true faith. Therefore, standing before God and having come to Him through the same faith, there is no room for any differences.
6. Ephesians 5:5c There is only "one baptism." All believers have given public witness to their faith by submitting to the ordinance of water baptism. Each has been identified as being members of the same body because each has been initiated through the same ritual. Therefore, having entered the church through the same ordinance, we should not become divisive. Divisiveness denies and brings shame to the meaning of the ordinance. It shows that our sincerity in being baptized was lacking, greatly lacking. It shows that we care little for Christ and for our baptism experience, for the great ordinance which initiated us into the church.
7. Ephesians 6:6 There is only "one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.” If there is only one God and Father of all believers, how then could He be leading two believers to stand toe to toe against each other? The answer is obvious: He could not. One or both believers are following their own fleshly carnal ways. Someone is not following the only God and Father and will have to stand before Christ's bema (the enclosed space surrounding the altar seat of Christ) and be judged for their actions.
Invitation: We must be saved by Jesus to love one another and have unity and peace with one another. Have you confessed your sins to Jesus and asked Him to save your soul from hell and for heaven? If not, the bible says your eternal destination will be hell. Be wise and make the right choice, choose heaven. Your decision will last for an eternity!
