Sermons on Ephesians 4:1-13:

A Safe Place To Come Close

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Sep 11, 2019

Humility and gentleness are keys for creating a church fellowship where people feel safe to come close to one another.

Last week we started with the dilemma of two porcupines on a very cold night, who needed to snuggle up close to each other to stay warm. But the closer they got the more they pricked each other with their quills, so they pulled apart. But the more they pulled apart, the colder they got. So it ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6, Matthew 11:28-29

Bearing With One Another In Love

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Sep 11, 2019

All of us have needed to have people be patient with us when we were slow to grow and learn, working through a deep wound in our heart or just having a bad day. One of the best ways to help our churches and all their members is to learn to be patient with them, bearing with them in love.

I don’t get to do it very often anymore, but I love fishing. I grew up near a muddy little lake where you could catch bullheads and bluegills almost any time you tried. But catching fish is only part of the joy. Two years ago we vacationed up in Minnesota. The first evening we went out to a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6, 1 Thessalonians 5:14

Maintaining God's Unity

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Sep 11, 2019

When God's church is unified in love, wonderful power flows. But too often the flow is blocked. We need to learn to maintain the unity that God provides for us.

We lived for 7 years up in Winthrop Harbor, the Cornerstone of Illinois. Our house was 6 blocks from the Wisconsin border and about 2 miles from the Lake Michigan shoreline. We were maybe 5 miles from the Zion Nuclear Plant. We had several good friends who worked there. This week I’ve been ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6, James 5:16, Romans 15:7, Colossians 3:16, Romans 12:10  (view more)  (view less)

Be One! Be Different!

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Sep 11, 2019

No one is useless in the church. The Holy Spirit gives everyone some gifting that they can contribute. The church needs you.

This is a bit embarrassing to say, but I have this thing about doing the Tribune’s crossword puzzle each day, and I couldn’t finish Saturday’s and it’s bugging me. Maybe you can help me out. Then I can focus on our sermon text. Can you help me for a minute? I got most of it already. This should ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:7, Ephesians 4:11-16

Together We Grow Stronger Series

Contributed by Stephen Sheane on Sep 17, 2019

In Christ our growth is specialized, supported and specific.

TOGETHER WE GROW STRONGER I heard the story of a guy who went to a Raptors game. The tickets he got were terrible, upper level way in the back, so he could hardly see a thing. He noticed that there was an empty seat court side right in the center so he made his way down to the empty seat. When ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Proclaimer’s Appreciation

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Oct 7, 2019

October is the season of the year which is set aside to appreciate those who have the Christ apportioned gift of pastor. The truths in this message will set your heart in good order for pleasing the Lord.

Proclaimer’s Appreciation Honoring Those Who Teach The Word of God According to the Book of Ephesians chapter four, Jesus gave pastors to the Body of Christ to prepare them for works of service, so they mature in their faith and be unified in the work of the Lord. Pastoral Appreciation month has ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16, 2 Timothy 4:12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"you Don't Have To Go To Church To Be A Christian" Series

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Oct 7, 2019

This common reason for not coming to church shows two fundamental misunderstandings: 1) what is a Christian and 2) what is church. Help someone see that being a Christian means being part of a church.

People are not going to church as much as they used to. I could give you the statistics, but I don’t think that I need to because you’ve probably personally observed or experienced it yourself. You may have seen it with your own family members, your co-workers, your friends, in the conversations ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:23-25, Ephesians 4:11-13, John 8:31-36

Denomination: Lutheran

The Church Is God's Team

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Oct 11, 2019

United in Jesus Christ, all Christians are on the same team...God's team. We stand united in mission to the world through Jesus Christ regardless of what our denominational title may be or if we are Protestant, Orthodox or Catholic. We all proclaim and live out the commands of Jesus Christ.

WITHIN EVERY HUMAN HEART LIES THE YEARNING TO BE LOVED, AFFIRMED, UNDERSTOOD, AND USEFUL. I BELIEVE THERE IS NO OTHER PLACE IN WHICH TO HAVE THESE DESIRES FULFILLED THAN WITHIN THE BODY OF CHRIST, THE CHURCH. THERE IS NO SAFER PLACE ON EARTH IN WHICH TO USE ONE’S GIFTS, TALENTS AND ABILITIES THAN ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:4-11, Galatians 6:10, Ephesians 4:4-7

Denomination: Free Methodist

The Enigmatic Concept Of Spiritual Unity

Contributed by Dr. Phillip Paschal on Oct 17, 2019

The United Body of Christ

THE ENIGMATIC CONCEPT OF SPIRITUAL UNITY EPHESIANS 4:1-3 The opening of chapter 4 marks the principal transition of the entire Epistle. As is his custom in other writings, Paul turns from the doctrinal to the practical. Paul recognizes the value of spiritual unity in the church because he had a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Blessed Are The Peacemakers Series

Contributed by Lanny Smith on Feb 22, 2022

Our "default setting" seems to be to find ways NOT to be at peace. But Jesus tells us that God is pleased when we do.

Friction points * Ex: [IMAGE of toilet paper rolls up and down] What’s the correct way to install the paper roll in the bathroom? * Silly, but it is an example of a situation where people can get into conflict with one another. * There are a lot more important friction points in life. They are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:9, Proverbs 27:6, Colossians 1:19-20, Ephesians 4:3, James 3:17-18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Living A Life Of Goodness And Peace And Joy In The Holy Spirit (How Christian Ought To Behave)

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Feb 24, 2022

To preserve the unity and influence of the church, believers must offer mutual acceptance in non-essentials of the Christian faith. They should also resist the temptation to judge one another or condemn one another for what we believe about non-essentials tenets of the faith.

Sermon “Living a Life of Goodness and Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit” Scripture Lesson: Romans 14:1-17 “Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. 2 For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:1-19, Luke 6:37, Romans 12:18, Ephesians 4:2-3, 2 Corinthians 13:1, Colossians 3:15, Hebrews 12:14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

Endeavoring To Keep The Unity

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 16, 2022

“The nearest thing to heaven on this earth is a church full of people who love the Lord, and each other.” I believe we all will concur with that statement.

The Psalmist must have also felt this way, because he said in Psalm 133:1, “How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” But if it is true that a church full of people who love the Lord and each other is the nearest thing to heaven on this earth, it must also be true ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:3-4

Denomination: Baptist

Part Iii: Unity Of The Spirit - Level 3 Series

Contributed by Louis Posthauer on Mar 26, 2022

What does the term “Unity of the Spirit” really mean for Christians? In Parts I & 2 we presented insights into this uniquely Christian concept: unity of the Spirit. Level 3 unity is far from the western church.

Introduction to Part III What does the term “Unity of the Spirit” really mean for Christians? In Parts I & II we presented insights into this uniquely Christian concept: unity of the Spirit. We are endeavoring to arrive at a practical understanding which is meaningful to our daily walk. We ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:44-45, Acts 4:32, Ephesians 4:3-6

Unity, Maturity And Service

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Aug 6, 2018

There is no organization more powerful than the Church—it is ordained in Christ and for His glory.

Each week at the meeting of a local Rotary club, a different member gave a brief statement about his job. Eventually it was the minister’s turn; he stood up and said: "I'm with a global enterprise. We have branches in every country in the world. We have our representatives in nearly every ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16

Denomination: Other

Gifted (Part Eleven) Series

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Aug 6, 2018

We've covered prophecy, serving, teaching, encouragement, giving, leadership, mercy, the messages of wisdom and knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, discernment, tongues, apostle and evangelism. We finish the serieswith pastor and administration.

GIFTED (part eleven) We've come to the end of our spiritual gifts series. We've covered many gifts on our journey: prophecy, serving, teaching, encouragement, giving, leadership, mercy, the message of wisdom and the message of knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, discerning between the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:16-21, 1 Corinthians 12:27-28, 1 Peter 5:1-4, John 21:15-17, 2 Peter 1:5-8, Ephesians 4:11-16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ