Our First Calling: Guarding The Unity

Minister:
Date: AM
Text: Ephesians 4:1-6
Psalters: 226, 338, 238, 369
Sacrament of Baptism
  1. The walk of every Christian is to fit or harmonize with the vocation wherewith you are called.
    1. We are called out ones (the church) who are to display the glory of God (3:21).
    2. A worthy walk is a life which is suitable to, matches and does not clash with what we believe (cf. Titus 2:1).
    3. So important that Paul “beseeches,” i.e., urgently asks, implores.
  2. God is glorified first when His Spirit’s unity is preserved.
    1. A unity made by the Spirit is first spiritual (internal), but it does express itself visibly and externally.
      1. It is a unity of the Holy Spirit, not a unity made by man.
      2. This unity is experienced only by those in whom the Spirit dwells and enlightens.
    2. The unity of the Spirit makes for “one body.”
    3. The end of the Spirit’s work is to lead us to the “one hope of your calling” (cf. 1:18; 13b with 14a).
    4. Together we have one God the Father and one Lord Jesus Christ (I Cor. 8:6).
    5. Our “one faith” is the faith by which we are righteous together.
  3. Our duty with respect to this unity is to d our utmost to guard it against breaking.
    1. “Endeavor is to make every effort, diligently and urgently.
    2. We are to guard or preserve the unity against all the efforts to destroy it.
    3. The manner is with “all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love.”
    4. The unity of the Spirit is bound together in peace.