The Light of Unity – Ephesians 4
On the Lighter Side of life:
Can you imagine yourself to being the nun that is sitting at her desk grading these papers all the while trying to keep a straight face and trying to maintain her calm and posture!
PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE WORDING AND SPELLING. IF YOU KNOW THE BIBLE EVEN A LITTLE, YOU’LL FIND THIS HILARIOUS! IT COMES FROM A CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEST. KIDS WERE ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS. THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS ABOUT THE BIBLE WERE WRITTEN BY CHILDREN. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN RETOUCHED OR CORRECTED. INCORRECT SPELLING HAS BEEN LEFT IN.
1. IN THE FIRST BOOK OF THE BIBLE, GUINESSIS. GOD GOT TIRED OF CREATING THE WORLD SO HE TOOK THE SABBATH OFF.
2. ADAM AND EVE WERE CREATED FROM AN APPLE TREE. NOAH’S WIFE WAS JOAN OF ARK. NOAH BUILT AND ARK AND THE ANIMALS CAME ON IN PEARS.
3. LOTS WIFE WAS A PILLAR! OF SALT DURING THE DAY, BUT A BALL OF FIRE DURING THE NIGHT.
4. THE JEWS WERE A PROUD PEOPLE AND THROUGHOUT HISTORY THEY HAD TROUBLE WITH UNSYMPATHETIC GENITALS.
5. SAMPSON WAS A STRONGMAN WHO LET HIMSELF BE LED ASTRAY BY A JEZEBEL LIKE DELILAH.
6. SAMSON SLAYED THE PHILISTINES WITH THE AXE OF THE APOSTLES.
7. MOSES LED THE JEWS TO THE RED SEA WHERE THEY MADE UNLEAVENED BREAD WHICH IS BREAD WITHOUT ANY INGREDIENTS.
8, THE EGYPTIANS WERE ALL DROWNED IN THE DESSERT. AFTERWARDS, MOSES WENT UP TO MOUNT CYANIDE TO GET THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.
9. THE FIRST COMMANDMENTS WAS WHEN EVE TOLD ADAM TO EAT THE APPLE.
10. THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT IS THOU SHALT NOT ADMIT ADULTERY.
11. MOSES DIED BEFORE HE EVER REACHED CANADA. THEN JOSHUA LED THE HEBREWS IN THE BATTLE OF GERITOL.
12. THE GREATEST MIRICLE IN THE BIBLE IS WHEN JOSHUA TOLD HIS SON TO STAND STILL AND HE OBEYED HIM.
13. DAVID WAS A HEBREW KING WHO WAS SKILLED AT PLAYING THE LIAR. HE FOUGHT THE FINKELSTEINS, A RACE OF PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN BIBLICAL TIMES.
14. SOLOMON, ONE OF DAVIDS SONS, HAD 300 WIVES AND 700 PORCUPINES.
15. WHEN MARY HEARD SHE WAS THE MOTHER OF JESUS, SHE SANG THE MAGNA CARTA.
16. WHEN THE THREE WISE GUYS FROM THE EAST SIDE ARRIVED THEY FOUND JESUS IN THE MANAGER.
17. JESUS WAS BORN BECAUSE MARY HAD AN IMMACULATE CONTRAPTION.
18. ST. JOHN THE BLACKSMITH DUMPED WATER ON HIS HEAD.
19. JESUS ENUNCIATED THE GOLDEN RULE, WHICH SAYS TO DO UNTO OTHERS BEFORE THEY DO ONE TO YOU. HE ALSO EXPLAINED A MAN DOTH NOT LIVE BY SWEAT ALONE.
20. IT WAS A MIRICLE WHEN JESUS ROSE FROM THE DEAD AND MANAGED TO GET THE TOMBSTONE OFF THE ENTRANCE.
21. THE PEOPLE WHO FOLLOWED THE LORD WERE CALLED THE 12 DECIBELS.
22. THE EPISTELS WERE THE WIVES OF THE APOSTLES.
23. ONE OF THE OPPOSSUMS WAS ST. MATTHEW WHO WAS ALSO A TAXIMAN.
24. ST. PAUL CAVORTED TO CHRISTIANITY, HE PREACHED HOLY ACRIMONY WHICH IS ANOTHER NAME FOR MARRAIGE.
25. CHRISTIANS HAVE ONLY ONE SPOUSE. THIS IS CALLED MONOTONY.
Thesis: We are to live our lives in a manner that is worthy of our calling from God and that is rooted in the unity of the Spirit.
Introduction:
Josh McDowell writes, in his book, Answers to Tough Questions Skeptics ask about the Christian Faith:
Lest anyone think this isn’t something marvelous, we’d like to give you this challenge. Find ten people from your local area having similar backgrounds, who speak the same language, and are all from basically the same culture. Then separate them an ask them to write their opinion on only one controversial subject, such as they meaning of life.
When, they have finished, compare the conclusions of these ten writers. Do they agree with each other? Of course not. But the Bible did not consist of merely ten authors, but 40. It was not written in one generation, but over a period of 1,500 years; not by authors with the same education, culture or language, but with vastly different educations, many different cultures, from 3 continents and 3 different languages, and finally not just one subject but hundreds.
And yet the bible has a unified theme. There is complete harmony, which can not be explained by coincidence or collusion. The unity of the bible is a strong argument in favor of its divine inspiration.
Contributed to Sermon Central by: Steve Malone
Unity illuminates the light of Jesus Christ and it draws attention to the person of Jesus Christ and His message. When there is a consensus on certain subjects people are drawn to its teaching. When people rally around a cause united as one then things happen and people are drawn in. So it is with the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Illustration:
Have you ever wondered what makes the difference between a spotlight and a laser beam?
How can a medium-powered laser burn through steel in a matter of seconds, while the most powerful spotlight can only make it warm?
Both may have the same electrical power requirements.
The difference is unity.
A laser can be simply described as a medium of excited molecules with mirrors at each end.
Some of the excited molecules naturally decay into a less excited state.
In the decay process they release a photon, a particle of light.
It is here that the unique process of the laser begins.
The photon moves along and “tickles” another molecule, inviting another photon to join him on his journey.
Then these two photons “tickle” two more molecules and invite two more photons to join the parade.
Soon there is a huge army of photons marching in step with each other.
It is this unity that gives the laser its power.
A spotlight may have just as many photons, but each is going its own independent way, occasionally interfering with other photons.
As a result, much of its power is wasted and cannot be focused to do any useful work.
However, the laser, because of its unity, is like an army marching in tight formation and is able to focus all its power on its objective.
Contributed to Sermon Central by: A. Todd Coget
Paul speaks of the importance of the lighthouse of unity to the Ephesian church in chapter 4 and what that should look like.
Scripture Text: Ephesians 4:1-31:
1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
7But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8This is why it says:
“When he ascended on high,
he led captives in his train
and gave gifts to men.”
9(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until 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.
14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
17So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
20You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26“In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27and do not give the devil a foothold. 28He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
T.S. – Paul writes to this church and to New Life about the importance of having the light of unity in our lives so that we can live a life worthy of the calling we have received from the Lord. This calling requires that we choose to follow the lighted path of unity in His community so that we draw the lost in from the world.
I. Unity does become a lighthouse for the world.
a. Video clip from “Yours Mine and Ours”
i. Shows the power of the light of unity!
b. It will draw the lost in from the vast sea of sin and godlessness. Where there is no unity then there is darkness.
i. Unity always becomes a laser beam of light to a lost and dark world. The darkness of disunity will always lead people to sail their ships into rocks and cause the tragic catastrophes of ship wrecks and loss of life.
ii. Too many people are drowning in the sea of humanity and in the depths of disunity.
iii. Unity will always light the way to the Father but disunity will push people away from the Lord and cause many people to shipwreck their lives.
c. Unity was one of Jesus’ priorities and one of his major concerns for the Body of Christ – His prayer in John 17:20-23: 20“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
d. The Message states it this way: “I’m praying not only for them But also for those who will believe in me Because of them and their witness about me. The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind— Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, So they might be one heart and mind with us. Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.
i. I find it utterly amazing that with death breathing down his back and the cross in the very near future Jesus was concerned the most about unity in His community.
ii. He wholeheartedly wanted the church to be one, together, intertwined with each other. This was his primary prayer and concern for the church. Jesus knew the principle all to well that if you can divide them then you can conquer them. Jesus still today cries out for unity in His community. He knows if Christians could live a life of unity then the world would be a better place. I believe the Gospel would be impacting more people if the church as a whole would unite.
1. This characteristic is always common in any revival the community of believers is united. There are no divisions in the Body of Christ. Thigpen states it well when he says, “The Christian Community that can’t overcome its divisions can’t expect to grow up” (Discipleship Journal, issue 101, pg.36). He goes onto add “The heart of God is broken with grief over His fractured family.” Dissension and disunity have hindered more revivals and squelched more revivals than we could imagine.
2. The seekers are not looking to be apart of another organization that is battling over irrelevant issues. They just say, “If you can’t even agree on the truth among yourselves, how could you possibly teach us the truth?” It’s so sad that those who call themselves Christians become stumbling blocks to the seekers. They push people away rather than draw them in by the love and unity that Christ preached lived and died for.
3. Don’t deceive yourself people are watching --they are looking for a community with unity.
T.S. – Unity is a lighthouse to the world and when unity is present in the Body of Christ it will change the dark world around it. We must remember unity is a very important ingredient for the church of Jesus Christ.
II. How important is unity to a community?
a. If we do not have unity of thought in a society then we would end up with complete mayhem.
i. If we do not have unity of thought then we could even disagree on how to measure time! Think about this!
1. To one person it’s 1 pm but to another they say its 3 pm. They decide to meet for lunch at 1pm but neither will agree on what is really 1pm so both refuse to cooperate and they are never able to meet because they are not unified in agreement on a definition of time itself.
a. Seems ridiculous right – it could happen as a matter of fact it has happened!
b. For example in “In 1752 the British government instituted a calendar reform which required that September 2 of that year be dated September 14, with the result that many people imagined that eleven days had been taken off their lives, and rushed to Westminster screaming, "Give us back our eleven days!” - Alan Watts, "The World is your Body"
i. The government decided not to redefine time and leave it as it is.
b. Unity affects every dimension of life in a society:
i. If we were not unified on being committed to following traffic signs then we would have an unbelievable series of car wrecks and deaths.
1. If everyone did their own thing at the traffic signs could you imagination the mayhem?
a. You could not trust a person to stop at the red light because it is all about what they feel is right or wrong!
i. To them red means go and green means stop – besides there argument is whoever said that these colors mean stop and go its all up to the person to decide for themselves if green means go and or red means stop.
ii. If we were not unified on the proper behavior in public then could you imagine what we could see on a daily basis from liberated others?
1. If people felt like not using restrooms – could you imagine?
a. Believe me this was a major issue in India and it was disgusting.
i. No unity on proper public behavior imagine the possibilities?
2. Public displays of nudity?
a. Would be like they are in Europe!
3. Public displays of sexual immorality?
a. CBS - In January, 2005, we asked you to join us in filing formal complaints against CBS and their affiliate stations for broadcasting Without A Trace, complete with an extended teen-age orgy scene. Within days, 165,997 AFA on-line supporters had filed formal complaints with the FCC.
This week, the FCC announced it agrees with you and is fining 111 CBS stations $32,500 each for broadcasting this indecency. This is the largest fine ever against the networks and their stations.
In addition, the FCC reaffirmed a $550,000 fine against CBS for Janet Jackson’s "wardrobe malfunction" at the 2004 Super Bowl.
4. Public acts of rape?
5. Public displays of child pornography?
iii. If we were are not unified on a consensus of public behavior what would happen!
1. Theft!
2. Murder!
3. Abuse!
4. Child abuse!
5. Fighting!
6. Verbal abuse!
7. ???????
iv. A Scripture text in Judges shows how low mankind can go without the light of the unity of God’s truth:
1. Throughout the book of Judges we here about the condition of Israel: “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.” (Judges 17:6)
a. What did they do?
i. They offered there children up for child sacrifice!
ii. They rapped others and abused others in public mobs.
iii. Homosexuality and other perverse sexual acts of immorality run wild in public not just ion private.
1. Judges 19:22-30 we see one of the most disturbing stories in the whole Bible.
a. I read this story and it made me sick to my stomach.
b. But this is what happens when there is no unity!
i. When there is no light- no focus on the ways of the Lord.
ii. When there is no spiritual leadership from God.
2. Proverbs 14:12 states: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”
c. Scripture shows what happens when there is no light of unity. We are encouraged over and over in Scripture to follow the unity of the Spirit of Jesus through His word.
i. Psalm 133:1 states, “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!”
1. An American missionary was traveling across Korea by train. At a busy station an old man boarded and sat across from Him. The man was Korean and he addressed the American in his native tongue.
The Missionary responded in the only Korean phrase that he knew which was "I DON’T UNDERSTAND".
A few minutes later the Korean tried again, but the missionary could only say " I DON’T UNDERSTAND"
The Korean then tried a third question, only this time the American recognized a familiar word YESU which means JESUS.
The American pointed to himself and said YESU
the Old man did the same thing with a smile of delight on His face.
The Korean then unwrapped the bundle he was carrying. It was a large Korean a Bible
He turned to a page and pointed to a place that he wanted the American to read.
Remembering that oriental Bible are written from back to front . The clergy men took his own Bible and counted the number of books and chapters from the back to the place that the old man had pointed to .
The old man had pointed to Mark 3:35 "Whoever does the will of God is my brother"
The American searched for a suitable reply. He counted out and pointed to it in the Korean Bible. It was Psalm 133:1 "Behold how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity" The Korean man read it and smiled in agreement
and for the rest of the journey, these two men, ages apart in culture were brought together in a remarkable friendship as they pointed first to one verse and then to another. Their separate Bibles had a common language of the Spirit.
The word of God is a universal appeal and it can direct you as it has directed me -- Contributed to Sermon Central by: George Rennau
ii. Romans 15:5: “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus.”
1. Scripture commands the faithful to follow spirit of unity as we follow the light of Jesus Christ.
iii. Colossians 3:14: “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
1. The light of Love and God is Love is to be the light of unity for us and our church.
T.S. – The light of unity is important because it reflects the light of God to a lost world. Therefore we must commit to creating and environment that is centered in the Spirit of unity.
III. We need to achieve the divine light of unity by doing the following:
a. By our faith filled life – there is in the faith calling the lighthouse of unity because we are all united together in the oneness of God.
i. 1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
1. Paul tells the Ephesians church to keep the unity!
a. Guard it – make it a priority in your church and in your personal life.
b. Make sure you “Live a life worthy of the calling you have received.”
2. Paul then reminds them that unity is what we are all about. We are all united together in the call of God and in the things of God!
a. We are one body – which is to be unified!
b. We are one in Spirit – which means we all follow the same Spirit!
c. We have one hope – this hope is rooted in our relationship with Jesus.
d. We have One Lord – not two or three! But one and this should unite us.
e. We have all answered the call to one faith.
i. Not multiple beliefs one faith filled focus which is centered in Jesus.
f. We have all been baptized into one Baptism – See Romans 6
g. We serve one God not many gods.
h. We all are the family members of one Father
i. In essence he is saying we are blood relatives because of the blood of Jesus flowing through our lives.
ii. We do not have multiple fathers – we have one heavenly father.
3. When we explore all the unity in the “one things of God” and then chose to participate in all the “one things of God” then this should drive us to be united together in the bond and the seal of the Holy Spirit.
b. By our knowledge of the Son of God is unity birthed in our lives with others in the Body of Christ.
i. The knowledge of the reality of the Son of God in our lives is what brings the brightness of the light into the lighthouse of God’s kingdom.
ii. Knowledge is the act, fact, or state of knowing something. It means we have perceived or grasped a truth with our mind. It is a time of learning that has birthed spiritual enlightenment.
1. Listen to Paul’s thoughts: 11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until 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.
2. We have this knowledge of Jesus and it should compel us to live together in a state of unity with each other.
a. In insinuates – forgiveness of each other because of Christ.
b. No anger toward each other because of Christ
iii. Listen to what the knowledge of Jesus should do for us in unity:
1. 14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
c. By our spiritual maturity we should have attained the commitment to the light of unity in our lives.
i. Spiritual maturity is the willingness to follow the light where ever it will lead us. By being willing to sacrifice our lives for the sake of the kingdom of God reveals that we are spiritually mature in the things of God.
ii. Spiritual maturity means we know the truth and we follow the truth!
iii. We know the way of truth and we live the way of truth!
iv. We see the impact of unity and we live the way of unity.
d. By receiving into our lives the fullness of Christ.
i. When we choose to embrace all of Jesus this then gives us the determination to follow the light of unity all the way to Heaven.
1. Our priorities change:
a. Our thinking changes.
i. We no longer think like the world thinks!
b. Our actions change.
i. We no longer act like the world acts:
1. No more anger
2. No more lies
3. No more stealing
4. We choose to work
ii. We no longer talk like the world talks
1. No more unwholesome talk
2. No more slander of others
3. No more words filled with bitterness toward others
e. By love is the light of unity brightened.
i. Love is the ability to work side by side with others along the journey of life.
ii. It is the willingness to work together and to sail the great ship in the right direction as the light leads the way.
f. By works of service unities light is enhanced.
i. To work means we have a willingness to work at unity. We are committed to keep the ship on course through the calm times and through the storms of life.
g. By living by truth the light of unity is aglow.
i. Truth is the divine insight of unity and it will direct us through the un-chartered waters of life. It is directly linked to the light in the lighthouse of unity.
1. God’s truth will always keep us from being ship wrecked in the un-chartered sea of life.
h. By forgiveness is unity set ablaze for all to see.
i. Forgiveness is the mindset of unity and it says, “We will do this together and nothing will separate us.”
1. When you can divide then you will conquer.
a. Satan compels us and tries to force us to not forgive!
b. When he convinces you to not forgive someone else then he changes your divine mindset!
ii. Recently, a survey was made of 200 married adults in regards to forgiveness (1). The researchers were wondering how one’s ability to forgive others would affect their marital satisfaction and personal well-being. The results were astounding! This research suggests that there is a huge relationship between marriage satisfaction and forgiveness. In fact, it appears that as much as one third of marriage satisfaction is related to forgiveness. Not only does the ability to forgive impact the marriage relationship, it was significantly related to personal emotional distress. As forgiveness ability went up, individuals reported fewer symptoms of depression, anxiety, and fatigue! These results are powerful and suggest that all counselors, both secular and faith-based, should be helping people develop the skill of forgiveness. (Peter J. Larson, New Forgiveness Research Jan 27, 2003) Contributed to Sermon Central by Michael Raisbeck
Conclusion:
Charles Swindoll gives us some interesting advice when he states:
When you live in darkness, you not only have no ray of light, you don’t even know where home is. That is the way it is for the majority in the world. Some folks are born, raised, and die in cultures that have never seen their first flashlight of hope. Imagine it! When the truth of that hits me, I find myself a little impatient with Christians who do nothing but shine lights for themselves. They even have what we might call flashlight parties where they just shine the light on each other. Lots of light! Too much light to be hoarded! Jesus says to shine for the world. Shine your light into the darkness; that’s where it is really needed. Spend less time in your own little well-lighted all Christian world and more time there in the darkness (63)!
The truth is our culture has been engulfed in darkness. Our county here has way too much darkness in it and we are the ones who need to be the light in it.
Jesus tells us we must let our light shine. Light will draw attention from those in darkness. They will move toward the light. Just like mariners follow the lighthouse we can be a lighthouse in this bay for the Lord. The truth is if we have the light of unity in our church then we will draw attention to Jesus and His message.
So we have to let the light of Jesus shine if we want to lead others out of darkness!
Ephesians 5:8-14:
8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10and find out what pleases the Lord. 11Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14for it is light that makes everything visible.
The truth reflected in Ephesians and God’s Word is this:
No God – No Light – No sight – result is death!
Know God – Know light – Know sight – result is eternal life!
