Sunday, September 20, 2015 pm
STUDIES IN EPHESIANS (21)
THE BASIS OF OUR UNITY (3)
Ephesians 4:4-6
Tonight we continue our study of Ephesians.
Currently we are dealing with Paul’s admonition for unity to
these brethren.
In vs. 1-3 he describes the attitude that will promote godly unity.
In vs. 4-6 Paul describes 7 basis of unity.
We have discussed 4 of these and the significance of the number
one (“one and only one” - unity.
What “one” means for one basis it means for the others – for
example – there is “one Lord”, “one Father” and “one Spirit” – typically
we understand what “one means” with these.
But what about the others?)
We have discussed the “one
body” – the church, and the three persons of the Godhead – Lord (Jesus),
Spirit and Father. Tonight
we will examine the other 3 qualities here described.
a.
Hope means an earnest
expectation of something yet to be received.
It is actually a factor in why we
live to serve Him. It is a
factor in why we endure what we do, why we give up things and activities
in this life, and why we are willing to suffer hardships if need be.
Our hope is for salvation and an eternal home in heaven when this life
is over. Col. 1:5-6 speaks of the
hope which is laid up in heaven for us.
1 Peter 1:3 describes how God has begotten us again “to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
Hebrews 6:18-19 – this hope is our anchor.
In Acts 23:6 as Paul appears before the counsel (Sanhedrin) he defends
himself saying, “concerning the
hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged.”
Romans 5:1-5 notes how we rejoice in hope of the glory of God (2) and
how tribulations can produce our hope.
b.
“Just
as you were called in one hope of your calling” – this hope is
related to our calling. The
calling is a reference to the invitation to obey the gospel – 2 Thess.
2:14 speaks of how He called us by the gospel.
c.
How does this promote unity?
i.
This is unity of desire!
We are together for the same
purpose, we have hope of the same reward – to get to heaven where we
will spend all of eternity together.
ii.
It is a hope that we can
SHARE together – as opposed to competing with one another (i.e. Let us
think the opposite of the candidates hoping to be president and how they
are devouring one another)
iii.
Often times, unity of a
cause can bring people together that in other circumstances they might
not even know of each other.
There have been times when unity of cause has brought enemies together
and changed their relationships with one another.
(In the Bible think of Paul – before and after).
iv.
Our hope ought to bring
us together to do the work we need to do as His church and in reaching
lost souls.
v.
Consider how we must get
along here if we are to get along in heaven.
1 John 4:20-21 in blunt language talks about how imperative it is
that we love our brethren.
Galatians 5:15 warns us to not “bite and devour one another” lest you be
consumed.
vi.
Earlier in Ephesians
Paul prayed that they would understand this hope - Ephesians 1:18 as
Paul prays for them he desires that, “the eyes of your understanding
being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling,
what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,”
In Ephesians 2:12-13 where Paul is addressing how in Christ both Jew and
Gentile have been brought together (united) notes that Gentiles
previously were strangers of the covenants of promises, “having
not hope and without God in the world.
“But now in Christ Jesus
you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
d.
Do we have “ONE hope”?
How are we letting that help us be united?
a.
Faith here means a
system of belief. The term
“faith” can be either subjective or objective.
i.
By subjective we mean
one’s personal convictions – each of us need to have our own faith and
“by faith” we serve God regardless of others around us (Hebrews 11:6,
1 John 5:4 – “our faith”)
ii.
Objective faith means a
standard or system of belief as mentioned above.
Romans 1:17 speaks of how the righteousness of God is revealed
from faith to faith. That is
we learn of His righteousness in His word (objective – i.e. “the faith”)
and it produces in us OUR faith (subjective).
b.
Faith in this text is
the word of God. Is that not
what Paul has been emphasizing he revealed to these brethren?
Ephesians 3:3-6 speaks of Paul revealing the “mystery” so that
they might understand that truth was available to all – Jew and Gentile
alike. Implied is
their need to believe the same thing!
That is the ONE faith.
c.
Jude 3 speaks of
contending for “the faith which
was once for all delivered to the saints.”
Acts 6:7, as the word of God spread “the
number of disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of
the priests were obedient to the faith.”
Galatians 1:6-12, 23 – Paul warned of going after another gospel!
As he recounts the nature of his preaching and his results we
find he was now preaching “the faith
which he once tried to destroy.”
d.
How does this promote
unity?
i.
We need to be united in
doctrine and beliefs.
1 Corinthians 1:10, Philippians 2:1-2 – we are to be like-minded and of
one mind.
ii.
Doctrinal agreement
brings us together for the same cause.
iii.
It also helps us to
stand united AGAINST that which is false.
We stand with each other and defend one another when attacked by
those outside or those teaching error.
iv.
Doctrinal division
divides. We can see the
ugliness of division – whether it be personalities or doctrinal.
While scripture discourages disputes over trivial matters (see 1 & 2
Timothy) – even they drive wedges between brethren, sometimes much more
so when there is disagreement over major issues.
e.
Some say that the “one
faith” is our personal, subjective faith.
i.
But that is not a real
basis for unity in truth.
While it might promote peace between us – the word of God always suffers
in such situations.
What good is unity, if God’s word is rejected to achieve it?
Yet this is a very real dilemma today.
ii.
Further, as you examine
the seven basis of unity in our text – the others are objective – ONE in
which there is agreement as to what it is.
a.
The Bible mentions
several different baptisms –
i.
Holy Spirit – not
received by all. WE find it
in Acts 2 and 10 and those that received it were a very small number.
It was accompanied with speaking in tongues, etc.
ii.
Fire – Luke 3:16 -
possibly the wrath of God in judgment against those who reject Him.
iii.
Suffering – Mark
10:38-39, Luke 12:50 – both texts refer to the suffering Jesus was
enduring, including the impending cross ahead of Him.
iv.
Moses – 1 Corinthians
10:1-2 - directed toward Israel only in the wilderness.
It is a TYPE of the baptism that saves us.
v.
John the Baptist – A
baptism of water (Matt. 3:11, Luke 3:3, John 3:22-23.
He was beheaded (Mark 6:14-29) and his baptism was brought to its
completion with the work of Jesus. Incidentally, we learn this from Acts
19:1-6 which happened in EPHESUS!
NOTE that text as we determine the ONE baptism – vs. 4
b.
The baptism here is
water baptism for salvation.
i.
Water baptism is an act
that brings about our salvation - Acts 2:38, 8:35-39, Mark 16:16
ii.
It also brings us
together and promotes unity – 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Galatians 3:26-27.
iii.
Ephesians 4:20-24 Paul
speaks of them putting off the old man and putting on the new man.
Consider this in light of Romans 6:3-6.
c.
How does this promote
unity?
i.
Unity in practice and
unity in how we receive forgiveness of sins.
ii.
Remember that prior to
Christ coming – at best there were different standards for Jews and
Gentiles. Now there was ONE
standard and ALL needed to accept it.
iii.
Furthermore, true
baptism unites us with Christ Jesus Himself as we noted above.
iv.
If we cannot agree on
HOW we are saved, how will he have unity concerning ANYTHING else?
And
thus we see the basis for our unity.
This unity is crucial for the body (the church) to function
properly. May we strive to
achieve this unity as the Lord’s body here.
The world needs to see this type of unity.
Will we do our part?