Today we are starting a series that will be based on this passage in Ephesians. We are going to think together about unity in the church and what binds us together. Paul says that unity is so important, that we are to pursue it “making every effort.”
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In his book The Peacemaker, Ken Sande speaks of this verse and says this about Paul’s admonition to “make every effort.”
“The Greek word that is translated ‘make every effort’ in this passage means to strive eagerly, earnestly, and diligently. It is a word that a trainer of gladiators might have used when he sent men to fight to the death in the Coliseum, ‘Make every effort to stay alive today!’ So too must a Christian agonize for peace and unity. Obviously, token efforts and halfhearted attempts . . . fall far short of what Paul had in mind.” - Ken Sande
This business of unity within the church is a matter of life or death.
A. Without unity, Christians die spiritually.
The giant sequoias of California have very shallow root systems. A tour guide pointed out that their roots extend just barely below the surface. It sounds impossible because we all know trees need deep roots to withstand drought and wind, but sequoias are most unique. They only grow in groves where their roots intertwine and their limbs interconnect with each other. When strong winds blow, they hold each other up. (Readers Digest, May 1989, pg. 48)
This is the way the church is designed. Without the help of others to keep roots firmly planted, with no support from others the individual Christian will soon fall. Like sequoias, we grow tall when we stand together and support each other.
B. Without unity, churches die literally.
“The worst threats the church has ever encountered have come more from within than without. External pressures are like water on a grease fire – causing the church to intensify and spread. Internal strife and bickering are like AIDS – sapping the strength and vitality from the Body.” - Pastor Russell Brownworth
C. Without unity, unbelievers die eternally.
When the British and French were fighting in Canada in the 1750s, Admiral Phipps, commander of the British fleet, was told to anchor outside Quebec. He was given orders to wait for the British land forces to arrive, then support them when they attacked the city. Phipps’ navy arrived early. As the admiral waited, he became annoyed by the statues of the saints that adorned the towers of a nearby cathedral, so he commanded his men to shoot at them with the ships’ cannons. No one knows how many rounds were fired or how many statues were knocked out, but when the land forces arrived and the signal was given to attack, the admiral was of no help. He had used up all his ammunition shooting at the “saints.”
Likewise, when there is no unity in the church, believers can become so inwardly focused on their differences with one another that we forget our mission and purpose, which is to call men, women, boys and girls to faith in Christ. Indeed, a church that is fussing and feuding is not going to present a very positive, powerful or convincing witness.
Therefore, for our sake, for our church family’s sake, and for a lost world’s sake, we need to make unity among us a priority. With that having been said, what are some things Paul tells us here about unity?
1. Unity is a work of the Spirit.
The unity we are to strive for is a unity that comes about as we yield our lives individually and collectively to the Holy Spirit.
It has been pointed out that the Christian life is an impossible life to live. Yet, this impossible life is what we have been called to.
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” - Ephesians 4:1-2 (NIV)
Notice that last line, “bearing with one another.” This line alone illustrates the impossibility of the Christian’s calling. Implied in this command is the idea that as we share life together as brothers and sisters in Christ, we will find that we will often “rub each other the wrong way.” Inevitably, I will do something that will offend you and you will do something that will offend me. Yet, despite this fact of human nature, we are called to share life together, to worship together, to work together, to walk together. That’s impossible!
Thankfully, the one who calls us is faithful, and will enable us, by His Spirit to do what He has called us to do (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
“What is impossible with man is possible with God.” - Luke 18:27 (NIV)
“If you look to man, you will get what man can do; but if you look to God, you will get what God can do.” - Anonymous
If we look only to ourselves, we cannot overlook that offense, we can’t allow for the differences that bother us about others, and we certainly can’t forgive. But as we look to God, we can be enabled to forgive, we can be enabled to love, we can be enabled to worship, work, and walk, even with those folks that sometimes “rub us the wrong way.”
2. Unity is something to be maintained.
Paul tells us that this unity is something we are to strive to “keep.” In other words we should look to that which binds us together and focus on those things as opposed to those things where we differ.
“In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.” - Rupertus Meldenius (Lutheran Theologian)
Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin played for the Miami Dolphins and had every reason as teammates to be friends, but they were not. Incognito harassed and bullied Martin. He called him a racial slur in a voicemail played by every media outlet in the country. He threatened to kill him and his family. Incognito claimed all of this was just locker room talk. It is supposedly the way guys talk to one another in the NFL.
Apparently, Martin didn’t get the memo. Martin left his lucrative job citing emotional issues and fearing for his life. Though we don’t know all the details, it appears as if Martin had some culpability, as well. He was too passive in dealing with Incognito’s threats. He should have expressed how troubling Incognito’s threats were to him. These two men had more reasons to get along than to have a toxic relationship.
Consider all the reasons they had to be friends.
They were both football players. On the same team. Had the same coach. Both were offensive linemen. Both played on the same side of the line. Both were starters. Both wanted to win. Both are big dudes. Both were millionaires. Yet somewhere along the way one or both of them forgot all that they played for the same team.
Likewise, Christians get into trouble with one another when we forget what we have in common. Paul tells us here in our text what the
essentials are that we should find unity in.
(Verses 4-6) Seven “cords” - we share a common community - “one body”; a common communion - “one Spirit”; a common confidence - “one hope”; a common commitment - “one Lord”; a common confession - “one faith”; a common conversion - “one baptism”; and a common connection - “one Father.”
“In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.” - Rupertus Meldenius (Lutheran Theologian)
3. Unity is manifested by peace.
This peace that Paul speaks of is not a peace associated with compromising truth. As we’ve already pointed out, unity comes as we come together around the essentials of our experience with God through faith in Christ. On these things we must never compromise.
But the peace of which Paul speaks of comes from living out that which we have in common. Again, I want to refer to the book The Peacemaker and the words of author, Ken Sande:
“Peacemaking is an attitude expressed through action. The heart of this attitude is the joy and thankfulness that come from fully understanding the gospel of Christ. Jesus died on the cross in our place to release us from the penalty and ongoing slavery of sin. He gave his life to buy our forgiveness, earn our freedom, and bring us back to God. Now he wants us to pass this priceless gift of reconciliation on to others in the form of personal peacemaking: ‘As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you’ (Colossians 3:12-13).” - Ken Sande
Conclusion: As followers of Christ, let’s recognize the importance of unity and strive to: lean on the power of the Spirit; look to those things which we share in common; and live out the Gospel in our relationships, then we will have peace within ourselves; we will have peace within our church; and others in the world around us will be helped to be at peace with God.
“I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another. By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves].” - John 13:34-35 (Amplified)
