Unity, Knowledge, And Maturity In Christ

Unity, Knowledge, and Maturity in Christ

Ephesians 4:1-16

Introduction: The Call to Walk Worthy

Imagine for a moment that you're standing in front of a mirror. Not just any mirror, but one that reflects not your physical appearance, but your spiritual walk. What would you see? Would you see someone walking worthy of the calling you've received in Christ?

This morning, we're going to take a look at one of the most powerful passages in all of Scripture—Ephesians 4:1-16. The apostle Paul, writing from a Roman prison, pens these words with an urgency that should grip our hearts today. He begins with Eph 4:1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,

Notice that word "implore," Paul isn't casually suggesting. He's pleading, urging, entreating us to walk worthy of our calling. But here's what I want you to understand right from the start: this is not about individual achievement. This is not about you climbing some spiritual ladder all by yourself. Christian maturity is a corporate journey. It's something we do together, as the body of Christ.

And I want you to notice that this worthy walk is connected with some very essential qualities: Eph 4:2-3 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, [3] being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Humility, gentleness, patience, tolerance for (or bearing with) one another, and pursuing unity—folks, these are not optional extras for the Christian life. They are the very foundation of walking worthy.

Today, we're going to explore three interconnected themes that flow through this passage: Unity, Knowledge, and Maturity. And here's a very beautiful truth we'll discover—that you cannot have one without the others. They're woven together like a three-strand cord that cannot be easily broken.

So, let's begin with the foundation—unity in the Spirit.

1. The Foundation: Unity in the Spirit

In verses 4-6, Paul gives us what I call the "seven ones" of Christian unity. Eph 4:4-6 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; [5] one Lord, one faith, one baptism, [6] one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

Seven times Paul uses the word "one." This isn't coincidence—this is emphasis. This is Paul saying, "Church, you need to understand what binds you together!" One body—we're not many bodies competing with each other. We're one body with many members. One Spirit—the same Holy Spirit who indwells me indwells you. One hope—we're all heading to the same destination, the same glorious future with Christ. One Lord—Jesus Christ is Lord of all, not just Lord of some. One faith—we share the same core beliefs, the same gospel truth. One baptism—we've all been baptized into Christ, identified with Him in His death, burial, and resurrection. One God and Father—the same God who created us, redeems us, and sustains us.

Now, here's what I need you need to understand: unity is not the same as uniformity. God did not create us to be clones of each other. We have different personalities, different backgrounds, different gifts, different perspectives. And this is all by design! But underneath all those differences, we share the seven foundational "ones" that make us truly one in Christ.

Think about it this way: an orchestra has many different instruments. The violin doesn't sound like the trombone. The flute doesn't sound like the timpani. But when they all play together under the direction of one conductor, following one score, they create beautiful harmony. That's what Spirit-empowered unity looks like in the church.

But let me be honest with you—unity doesn't just happen automatically. Notice verse three says we must be “diligent to preserve” to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." That word "diligent" means making every effort, being engaged in working at it. Unity requires intentionality. It requires us to bear with one another in love, to be patient with each other's weaknesses, to forgive quickly, to assume the best about each other's motives.

Church, we live in a world that's more divided than ever. Political divisions, racial tensions, economic disparities, generational gaps—the world is tearing itself apart. But the church is called to be different. We're called to demonstrate to a watching world that people who are radically different can be radically united because of the one Lord we serve.

Now, let's move from the foundation of unity to the provision for growth.

2. The Provision: Gifts for Growth

Eph 4:7-8 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. [8] Therefore it says, "WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN."