Introduction

Good morning, beloved family of God. It is indeed a joyous occasion to gather here today, to be in the presence of our Lord and Savior, to share in the fellowship of His love, and to learn from His Word. We are here not by accident, but by divine appointment. Each one of us has been called, chosen, and set apart for such a time as this.

Today, we are going to turn our attention to a passage from the book of Ephesians, penned by the Apostle Paul during his imprisonment. Even in chains, he had the courage to write about unity, diversity, and love. The words he wrote then still echo loudly today, reminding us of our shared calling, our shared faith, and our shared love in Christ Jesus.

Harnessing Humility for Unity

Humility is a virtue that is often misunderstood. It is not about thinking less of ourselves, but rather thinking of ourselves less. It is about recognizing our own limitations, acknowledging our dependence on God, and valuing others above ourselves. This kind of humility is a powerful tool for unity.

In the passage we read, Paul urges us to be completely humble. This is not a suggestion, but a command. It is a requirement for living a life worthy of our calling. But why is humility so important? Why does Paul place such a high value on it?

The answer lies in the nature of unity. Unity is not about uniformity. It is not about everyone looking the same, thinking the same, or acting the same. Unity is about harmony. It is about different parts working together to create a beautiful whole. This kind of unity requires humility. It requires us to set aside our own desires, our own agendas, and our own egos for the sake of the body of Christ.

Humility is also a key ingredient in maintaining peace. In the same passage, Paul tells us to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Peace is not just the absence of conflict. It is a state of harmony, a state of mutual understanding and respect. This kind of peace is only possible when we approach each other with humility. When we are humble, we are more willing to listen, more willing to understand, and more willing to compromise. This fosters peace and promotes unity.

Furthermore, humility allows us to appreciate the diversity within the body of Christ. Paul reminds us that there is one body, but many parts. Each part has a unique role to play, a unique contribution to make. This diversity is not a cause for division, but a reason for celebration. It is a testament to the creativity and wisdom of God. But to appreciate this diversity, we need humility. We need to recognize that we are not the whole body, but just a part of it. We need to value the contributions of others, even if they are different from our own.

Finally, humility is essential for growth. Paul tells us that the goal of our calling is to become mature, to attain to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. This is a lifelong process, a journey of transformation. And humility is a crucial part of this journey. It is what allows us to recognize our need for growth, to accept correction, and to learn from others. Without humility, we become stagnant. We become complacent. We stop growing.

Honoring Diversity in the Body of Christ

As we turn our gaze from the humble heart, we find ourselves standing before the vast panorama of diversity within the body of Christ ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO