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Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church · Sermon study sheet

Walking in Unity (Ephesians 4:1-6)

Bryan Schneider · April 18, 2020

Ephesians 4:1-6

sharonrpc.org/sermons/walking-in-unity-ephesians

Summary

  • The ethical commands of Ephesians 4-6 flow from the saving truths of chapters 1-3, so Christian unity depends on grace rather than legalism or willpower.
  • Walking worthily of God's calling includes humility, gentleness, patience, and bearing with difficult people in love.
  • Life together in the gathered church is a furnace of sanctification because believers must serve, instruct, encourage, admonish, sing with, and build up one another.
  • Christians must zealously guard unity without ignoring sin or sacrificing truth; love either covers a lesser offense or addresses actual sin directly and gently.
  • The seven grounds of unity are one body, Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism, and God and Father—not personality, preference, or institutional convenience.
  • The Spirit enables redeemed rebels to repent of selfishness and walk together in the humility, gentleness, patience, and love of Christ.

Reflection and discussion

  • Am I trying to produce church unity apart from the saving grace and identity established in Ephesians 1-3?
  • Where do pride, harshness, impatience, or self-interest disturb my relationships in the church?
  • Whom am I called to bear with in love rather than avoid?
  • Has distance or online participation tempted me to treat church chiefly as content consumed for myself?
  • Is a current grievance something love can cover, or an actual sin I should address directly and gently?
  • Have I spoken about an offense to others instead of speaking to the person involved?
  • How do the seven grounds in Ephesians 4:4-6 reframe a present disagreement?

Key terms

Worthy walk
Conduct fitting the gracious calling already received from God, not conduct intended to earn that calling.
Humility
A lowly estimate of oneself before God that considers others and follows Christ's self-emptying service.
Gentleness
Meek strength that refuses harshness and treats others with the mildness displayed by Christ.
Long-suffering
Patient restraint of anger while continuing to bear with another person in love.
Unity of the Spirit
The God-created oneness believers are commanded to preserve through peace, truth, repentance, and love.

Notes and prayer