UNITY IN THE BODY OF CHRIST

SCRIPTURE READING:  (EPHESIANS 4:1-16)

1.     As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

2.     Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love.

3.      Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit---just as you were called---

4.       one Lord, one faith, one baptism;

5.       one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

6.      But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

7.      That is why it says:

“When He ascended on high

He led captives in his train   (Apostles Creed, p. 137)

and gave gifts to men.” (Psa. 68:18)

8.     (What does “He ascended” mean except that He also descended to the lower earthly regions?

9.       He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens,   in order to fill the whole universe.)

10.     It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets,  some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,

11.       to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

12.        until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

13.         Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves,  and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.

15.   Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 

16.   From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. 

INTRODUCTION

When the Lord brings a Christian man and a Christian woman together, for the service in His Kingdom, they augment each other in such a way that their personalities form a complete circle often filling in the weaknesses of one with the strengths of the other and visa versa.  In our marriage, Sharon has a lot of finesse with accounting.  Jokingly, I call her my “little bean counter”.  On the other hand, I have a distain for working with numbers.  That does not mean that I cannot, it just means that I am uncomfortable with handling money.  Sharon is introvert; she thinks and feels deeply.  I am extrovert; I am out there…some place.  My strength is in the verbal area.  But there is one number that I love, that is ONE.  You don’t suppose that is why I have the last name Bar-One?

One of the most moving passages of Scripture is Christ’s prayer just before His arrest and crucifixion.  Facing death, Jesus prayed not only for Himself, but also for His disciples and for us. 

His most urgent request on our behalf involved a number: “[I pray] that they may all be ONE,

 as You Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in us,

that the world may believe that You sent Me” (John 17:21).

SERMON: Now let’s look at this morning's Scripture Reading:

(EPHESIANS 4:1-16)

1.     As a prisoner for the Lord, then,

·        I urge you

·        to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

To what has He called us?

1.     Be completely 

·        humble and gentle, (I confess that I am a mixed bag

when relationships with people call for humility and gentleness)

·        be patient, (Learning patience is a life long process in the dealing with the nature of life on this earth, and the people who dwell here, including one’s self.  Some people are abrasive, but----look at the second half of verse 2)

·         bearing with one another in love.

 How dare I, as your pastor, lose patience with you when I myself am a deeply flawed individual? As Husbands, we need to take a deep look in the mirror of God’s Word before you criticize your wives. Wives do not look for perfection in your husbands or your children without looking in the mirror of the Word of God. What right do we have to criticize others when we ourselves are far from perfection? Having said that, there is an exception.  When it has become known that one has betrayed faith by behaving in such a manner as to violate the Way of life prescribed by the Word of God, we must deal Biblically with that person.

If we do not keep our own house clean, how do we expect the world to accept our Gospel?  To say one thing and to do or tolerate the opposite is spiritual anarchy. Everyone is doing his own thing.

Having said that, forgiveness should always follow sincere repentance. (You do remember the origin of the word “sincere” don’t you?)

 Discipline has a place in the Christian community.  The pastor himself is subject to a code of conduct as he or she relates to members of the congregation and to the community at large. 

This is one of the issues that we need to get straight; that Good church discipline is one of the foundation stones that need our attention. If the foundation’s integrity is compromised, the whole building is in danger of falling in on itself. The same applies to a congregation that tolerates foul play.

Watch out for those who brag about their humility.

Our liberty in Christ, like our unity in Christ, stands on the shoulders of responsibility that is Biblically based. 

2.      Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit

·        through the bond of peace.

The Bible says, “a gentle answer turns away wrath” (Prov. 15:1).

I acknowledge that there are some brothers and sisters who we must approach like one would walk on eggshells (very delicately). When I first started teaching in Christian Schools, I was thrust into a situation where I suddenly became assistant principal of a school. One day when the teachers met to discuss some behavioral problems, I made the comment that some children are naturally compliant while others will not listen to instructions and you almost have to “hit them between the running lights with a two by four just to get their attention.”  I meant to inject a little humor into the conversation, but I heard a gasp as one of my tender young kindergarten teachers fled the meeting in tears.  I stood there with my mouth wide open. She would not talk to me for a long time. Obviously, I had offended her.  I had no idea of her sensitivities. To say the least, I was quite taken aback by her reaction.  I still, to this day say some things that set people off.  If I have said something to any of you that offends you, I apologize. Please let me know. Remember, my occupation for twenty-four years did not refine my gentler side.

Some verbal expressions or words or even sights and smells are powerfully and emotionally charged for some people.

Verse (4) There is one body. We are the Body of Christ. Romans 12:12 says,” Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members, do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.  We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. 

·        If a man’s gift is prophesying let him use it in proportion to his faith. What does the gift of prophecy look like? A prophet is one who is gifted to foretell what is to happen in the future, but also to interpret the teachings of the Scriptures. And also, one who gives insight into biblical realities of things that are hidden behind the scene.  The last was my experience.

·        Jesus Focus Ministry. One day many years ago when I first started teaching school, I was teaching the sixth grade, I had a young boy in my class who kept disturbing the class with obnoxious behavior. As his teacher, he really tried my patience.  I felt like taking him by the seat of his pants and throwing him out the window.  I just could not get my lesson plan off the ground.  After school, I related the problem to the principal. I asked the principal, “Is there any way I can get him removed from my class?”  I was genuinely frustrated. The principal and I prayed for him.

That evening my wife and I went to a very special meeting with a group of mature Christians.  There was a lady there with a Spiritual Gift “of knowledge”. Out of a clear blue sky. . . she went to a lady and stood before her making motions with her hands as if she were sewing something.  She said, “you and your friends are making a patch work quilt and there is one patch that doesn’t quite fit in and you are tempted to throw it away. God says don’t throw it away, but incorporate it into the quilt.” Now she was speaking metaphorically, (That means to take one reality and relate it in kind to another reality). Can you guess what that other reality was?  If not, I will tell you.  In this woman’s circle of friends, there was one woman who had a hard time fitting in. This woman was tempted to exclude her from her circle of friends.

After that encounter, the gifted woman went to a gentleman and started moving her hands like she were playing a trumpet.  She told him that he had a trumpet in his attic and it was very dusty. God told me to tell you to get it out and start playing it for the Lord.  I heard him say, “How in the world did she know about my trumpet.”

      Then she came to me and started moving her hands like she was polishing something. She said to me, “You sir, are a polisher of tarnished vessels.  You have a vessel that is so tarnished; you want to throw it out the window. Don’t do that, but continue to polish that vessel until it shines and is of service to God.

 I was so dumb-founded I could not speak. 

That is some of what a prophet of God does.

Moving along. . . . next phrase. . .

Romans 12:7 says, “If it is serving, let him serve; What do deacons do? Someone said, I guess they are supposed to “deac” or something. What does that mean?  The word Deacon means to serve. How?

·        Purpose of deacons: Acts 6:1-4 says, “In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.  Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.  We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

·        Qualification of deacons: 1 Tim. 3:8-12 Deacons, likewise are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.  They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.  They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. 

A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well.”     

·        if it is teaching let him teach; 

·        if it is contributing to the needs of others let him give    generously. Our expression of this is the VEM food pantry and our denominational offerings, disbursing of fellowship offering funds and various acts of mercy that are done in secret to help those in need.

·        if it is leadership, let him govern diligently. Learn to be a Servant Leader like Jesus--Seven principles of servant

   leadership:

1.    Servant leaders humble themselves and wait for God to exalt them (Luke 14:1, 77-11; Prov. 15:33)

2.       Servant leaders follow Jesus rather than seek a position (Mark 10:32-40).

3.       Servant leaders give up personal rights to find greatness in service to others (Mark 10:45).

4.       Servant leaders can risk serving others because they trust that God is in control of their lives (John 14:4-11).

5.       Servant leaders take up Jesus’ towel of servanthood to meet the needs of others (John 13:12-17).

6.       Servant leaders share their authority and responsibility with others to meet a greater need (Exo.18:23; Matt.28:18-20).

7.       Servant leaders multiply their leadership by empowering others to lead (2 Tim.2:2; Acts 1:8; 6:7).

·        if it is showing mercy let him do it cheerfully.  Importance of Attitude.     

verse (4) and one Spirit---Paul says in Philippians 2:1-2-

“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ,

·        if any comfort from his love,

·        if any fellowship with the Spirit,

·        if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being likeminded,

   having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

·        just as you were called---

·        in one hope when you were called--

·        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 to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

8. That is why it says:

“When He ascended on high

He led captives in his train   (Apostles Creed, p. 137)

and gave gifts to men.” (Psa. 68:18)

9. What does “He ascended” mean except that

·        He also descended to the lower earthly regions?

10. He who descended--

·        is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens,

·        in order to fill the whole universe.)

11. It was He who gave some to be apostles,

·        some to be prophets,

·        some to be evangelists,

·        and some to be pastors and teachers,

12.  to prepare God’s people for works of service,

·        so that the body of Christ may be built up

13.    until we all reach unity in the faith

·        and in the knowledge of the Son of God

·        and become mature,

attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 

14.  Then we will no longer be infants,

·        tossed back and forth by the waves,

·        and blown here and there by every wind of teaching

·        and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. (personality cults)

15. Instead, speaking the truth in love.

·        we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

16. From Him the whole body,

·        joined and held together by every supporting ligament,

·        grows and builds itself up in love,

·        as each part does its work.