Foundations of Fellowship:
There is One Faith
Ephesians 4:4
Introduction
Imagine walking through a city where every street corner boasts a shrine. Marble temples stretch toward the sky. Statues of gods and goddesses line the marketplaces. Smoke from sacrifices drifts upward like incense to the heavens. People chant prayers to Artemis, Zeus, Roma, and even the emperor himself. That city was Ephesus—one of the largest, wealthiest, and most religious cities in the Roman Empire. Some called it the “First and greatest metropolis of Asia.” In Paul’s day, it had a population of around 200,000. Only Rome and Alexandria exceeded Ephesus in size and grandeur. Ephesus had several temples to various gods, but the famous temple to Artemis (Roman ‘Diana’) was one of the wonders of the ancient world. Artemis was acclaimed as ‘Queen of Heaven’. Twice a week, processions of devotees took place through the city. Images of the goddess adorned local coins, a month of the year was named after her, games were held in her honor, and she was revered as the divine guardian and benefactor of the city.
Into this religious mix, Paul writes, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Eph 4:4-6)
We may not have statues of Artemis on our street corners, but the idols are still there—career, success, self-expression, science without God, spirituality without truth. Our culture says, “Believe whatever works for you.” Scripture says, “There is One Faith.”
Stott: “The Christian message is not a vague ideal or a mere philosophy. It is rooted in historical facts and centers in Jesus Christ. All true Christians agree on this.” —John Stott
1. The Definition of Faith
Faith is not….
-A Feeling. Our faith is not detached from our feelings, but feelings alone will come and go. One can have a feeling of faith and have no relationship at all with Christ.
-A Belief. James wrote, “Even demons believe and tremble” (James 2:19). Faith includes belief, but it extends beyond belief.
-Faith is not blind. It’s true that we never come to a place where we know everything, but we can know some things. Our faith isn’t entirely a leap into the dark. We have the Word of God to help us.
Biblical Definition of Faith...
Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
Elements of Faith:
-Confidence - We have put our trust in God. We trust that God is reliable and we place our lives in his hands.
-Hope - Biblical hope is certainty, being sure. Reliance on what the Bible teaches us about God and our relationship with him.
-Mystery - things we do not see, but believe to be true. This is not blind, the evidence is in the Scriptures. There are things we cannot know - and we trust God.
Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” There is a Maintenance aspect of faith - seeking! We remain steadfast throughout our lives.
What does Paul tell us in Ephesians about Faith?
2. Qualities of the One Faith in Ephesians
The Object of Faith is Jesus
Ephesians 1:15 …your faith in the Lord Jesus…
The Goal of Faith is Jesus
Ephesians 4:15 “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”
The Effect of Faith is Inclusion
Ephesians 1:13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit…
The Purpose of Faith is Salvation
Ephesians 2:8 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God…”
The Blessing of Faith is a relationship with Christ.
Ephesians 3:17 “So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through
faith….”
The Unity that Faith Produces
Ephesians 4:13 “until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”
The Help that Faith Offers
Ephesians 6:21 “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”
3. How Can I Grow Strong in Faith?
Hear From God’s Word!
Romans 10:17 “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”
Live Out Your Faith!
James 2:17-18 “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.”
Focus on Obedience!
Romans 1:5, 17 Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. …The righteous will live by faith.”
Empower Your Faith in Prayer.
Luke 17:5 “The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’”
Those are simple ideas but the more we do them, the more strength they give us - they multiply our faith! Never give up!
Conclusion
Paul’s simple statement that there is “One Faith” reminds us… In a culture that calls us to have faith in ourselves, our ability, intelligence, our strength - God calls us to have faith in Him. In a world where there are multiple religions that call upon multiple gods in a wide variety of beliefs - we are called to One Faith in the One Lord.
The One Faith in Christ leads us to many blessings, calling us to grow closer to Christ, be saved by Christ, and join together with others who belong to Christ. We grow in this faith through the Scriptures, living out the truths of our Christian calling, and making faith in Christ the guiding feature of our lives.
Today, you are encouraged to hear our text in your own life.
Be a part of the one body - the church!
Be empowered by the one Spirit when you obey the Gospel!
Be hopeful because God is at work in our lives.
Be committed to the one Lord Jesus Christ.
Be filled with the one faith expressed in Scripture.
Next week we will talk about the one baptism!
If you have never obeyed the gospel—this is the time to act. Be part of the one body. Be filled with the one Spirit.
Come to the one Lord. Embrace the one faith.
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Discussion Questions
1. What comes to your mind when you hear the word “faith?”
2. READ Acts 19:24-28. What does this story tell us about the
culture / environment of Ephesus? How does that compare
to our culture / environment today? How does this help us
understand the seven “ones” of Ephesians?
3. Hebrews 11:1 speaks of faith as “confidence” and
“assurance.” What is the difference between belief and
biblical faith? Can someone “believe” in God but not have
faith according to Scripture?
4. Read Hebrews 11:6. What does it mean to “earnestly seek”
God? How is this part of genuine faith?
5. Ephesians 4:13 says we are to “reach unity in the faith.” What
kind of unity is Paul talking about? How does “one faith”
contribute to unity in the church?
6. Ephesians 2:8 says we are saved by grace through faith.
Why do both grace and faith matter in salvation? Can you
have one without the other?
7. Romans 10:17 says faith comes from hearing the word. What
are some practices that help strengthen your faith through
Scripture?
8. Romans 1:5 mentions the “obedience of faith.” Why is
obedience essential to real faith?
9. If someone asked you, “What is the Christian faith?”—what
would you say in one or two sentences?
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Resources
One: Unity in the Spirit - sermon series by Scott Bayles https://sermoncentral.com/sermon-series/one-unity-in-the-spirit-sermon-series-from-scott-bayles-23779
There Is One - sermon series by Roger Hasselquist
https://sermoncentral.com/sermon-series/there-is-one-sermon-series-from-roger-hasselquist-23269
Seven Ones Equal Unity - sermon series by David Owens https://sermoncentral.com/sermon-series/7-ones-equal-unity-sermon-series-from-david-owens-23678
Bruce, F. F. The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians. Eerdmans, 1984.
Copeland, Mark. The Significance of Being a Christian. https://executableoutlines.com/topical_series/significance-being-christian/sig_03.html
Fox, Michael. Complete in Christ. Xulon Press, 2007.
Hutchens, Gary. What Is Faith Not? http://www.churchofchrist.com/articles/what-is-faith-not1987045
Liefeld, Walter L. The IVP New Testament Commentary Series: Ephesians. InterVarsity Press, 1997.
Ferguson, Everett. The Church of Christ: A Biblical Ecclesiology for Today. Eerdmans, 1996.
Simpson, E. K. Commentary on the Epistle to the Ephesians. Eerdmans, 1977.
Stott, John. the Bible Speaks Today: The Message of Ephesians. InterVarsity Press, 1979.
Wright, N. T. And Michael F. Bird. The New Testament in Its World. Zondervan, 2019.
