Christ is the Answer to Disharmony
(Part I-The Goal)
Text: Ephesians 4: 1-10
Thesis: “God’s answer to disharmony in the world is Christ. Christ is the only sure foundation for unity…Each member of the body of Christ must live faithfully with this grand result in mind.” (BBC, Ephesians, page 200)
- Paul writes, literally from a prison cell, on behalf of the Lord. (vs1a)
- In jail, Paul continues to faithfully carry out his duties.
- For Paul, to serve Christ was his life.
- Paul States, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)
- Paul “urges” all believers “to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” (vs1b-3)
- Paul reiterates throughout the letter to the Ephesians that to serve the King of Kings and Lord of Lords is a high calling.
- A believer’s lifestyle should reflect the nature of Christ.
- To “be” like Christ is to be: (vs2)
- “Completely humble”-not arrogant, but aware our righteousness is from Christ alone.
- “Completely gentle”-not weak, but controlled strength.
- “Completely patient”-not easily angered but able to give a measured response.
- We are called to “bear with one another in love”.
- “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8)
- Paul believes having harmony in the Church is a pre-requisite to having harmony in the world.
- “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit, through the bond of peace.” (vs 3)
- Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, from they will be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
- Peacemakers are controlled by the “Spirit” (vs3), troublemakers are controlled by the flesh.
- “You, however, are not (controlled) in the realm of the flesh (sinful nature) but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.” (Romans 8:9)
III. Paul proclaims the profound “oneness” we find in Christ in verses 4-6.
- We are included in the family of God.
- The Triune Godhead is one in Nature, three in Person.
- We are the “body of Christ”, God the Son.
- Paul personalizes our calling from Christ. (Vs 7-10)
- “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.”
- God explained to Paul that His grace is sufficient in a time of need.
- “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Cor. 12:9)
- A unanimous teaching throughout scripture is that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)