 |
 |
|
walk in unity - forebear in love Daniel Patz, Lead Pastor Grace Church, Sunday Worship Ephesians 4:1-6 August 9th, 2009
INTRODUCTION I want to begin by reminding you that we live in a broken down world. Everything is somehow tainted because of the fall. Sin is in the world and this world has been subjected by God to futility. And this includes relationships. I want you to just take in these statements from Tim Lane in his book – “Relationships: A Mess Worth Making” “A Biblical Lens on Relationships” (pp. 9-13, Tripp and Lane - Relationships) § You were made for relationships § In some way, all relationships are difficult § Each of us is tempted to make relationships the end rather than the means § There are no secrets that guarantee problem-free relationships § At some point you will wonder whether relationships are worth it § God keeps us in messy relationships for his redemptive purposes § The fact that our relationships work as well as they do is a sure sign of grace § Scripture offers a clear hope for our relationships TEXT Ephesians 4:1-6 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. Lets begin in verse 1: WALK – Paul is concerned that we walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which we have been called. Christians are to act and live like Christians. “What I believe is not what I say I believe, what I believe is what I do.” WALK IN UNITY - Look at verse 3… walk in a way that is eager to maintain unity. § “Eager” – make every effort – exert much energy § “maintain” – not make, but maintain – our unity comes from outside of ourselves we don’t create it § “of the Spirit” – by the Holy Spirit We need to be a church that walks in unity and therefore we need to work really hard and suffer even to maintain unity. HOW? Look at verse 2. “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love”
Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. (4) Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Not thinking so high of our spirituality or opinions and views. Open to the fact that our ideas are not all wise. When we realize that we are children of grace and sinners we must be humbled.
Jesus called himself meek. He said that the meek will inherit the earth. Having the right to something but giving it up for someone else.
Enduring people in a messy relationship and not just jumping ship. We should all be thankful that this is an attribute of God.
This presumes that people are difficult – sinners We are called to live in messy relationships We are called to live close enough to each other than this command makes sense WHY? - verse 4-6 (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. We need to know that we are brothers and sisters and we are part of the same body, have the same Father, call out to the same Lord, will enjoy the same hope, and are united by the same person. We are family. This is not only a why but a how? Because of our unity in the three persons of the Godhead we have hope that unity is possible. We can because of who we are in God. We are children of grace which means we all have been forgiven, empowered and promised deliverance. CONCLUSION “1. Let’s avoid gossiping. 2. Let’s identify evidences of grace in each other and speak them to each other and about each other. 3. Let’s speak criticism directly to each other if we feel the need to speak to others about it. 4. Let’s look for, and assume, the best motive in the other’s viewpoint, especially when we disagree. 5. Think often of the magnificent things we hold in common. 6. Let’s be more amazed that we are forgiven than that we are right. And in that way, let’s shape our relationships by the gospel. Because of Jesus’ work for us we can grow in this. |
