Scripture: Ephesians 4:3-6

C.I.: A Godly Lifestyle, Part 2

Last week we saw how you could take a bunch of different items, mix them together, add heat – Heaven!
Today we are going to focus on “…preserving the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
For today we will discuss how it is possible to have spiritual unity – when we all follow the Lord’s directions!

I. Divine Directions for Spiritual Unity, (Ephesians 4:4-16)

A. Going the Right Way Down God’s “One-Way” Street, (v. 4-7)

1. The other way may be more exciting, but there is only one correct way to go down a one-way street.
a. There are 7 “ones” in vs. 4-7. – If we are going to “preserve the unity…” – must obey them all.
1) “One Body” = church (Eph. 1:22-23a), - made up of those who have been reconciled (2:16),
for whom Jesus is its Savior (5:23).
2) “One Spirit” = Holy Spirit – Received upon acceptance of the gospel (1:13), empowered by
the Spirit (3:16), filled with the Spirit (5:18).
3) “One hope” = Salvation – We know/full certain knowledge of our hope (1:18), we used to
have no hope(2:12).
4) “One Lord” = Master – It is Jesus (1:3), our every earthly submission is given as unto Him
(5:22: 6:1, 7).
5) “One faith” = (we don’t all “believe” the same – but we believe the same thing) = System of
justification - to be saved (2:8), and it is by this we are protected from Satan (6:16).
6) “One baptism” = Places us in the body (I Cor. 12:13), we receive the Spirit (Acts 2:38), are
saved when B. (I Pt. 3:21), puts us into Christ (Gal. 3:27), faith is a prerequisite (Mk. 16:16)
7) “One God & Father… - He blesses us with every spiritual blessing, (1:3).

b. We owe it to each other – to follow these “7 ones” given to us by God!
1) They have been given to us - so that we may be one – (Jn. 17:20-21).
2) As we take pains to live this way – we are being, “…diligent to preserve the unity…,” (v. 3).

B. Listening to the People Who Can Fold the Map, (vs. 11-13)

1. God has “gifted” His church - with men who will follow His directions.
a. (vs. 11-12), “And He gave some as apostles and some as prophets and some as evangelists….”
1) The church was built upon the inspired word came through the apostles & prophets.
2) (Eph. 2:19-20), “You are of God’s household, having been built upon the foundation….
3) Notice that the work of evangelists & pastor-teachers is NOT to do the work – but to equip US to do the work of the Lord.
4) So if we are going to spiritually “grow up” – then we need to be listening to those who can
help us mature – (Heb. 13:17), “Obey your leaders & submit to them for they keep watch...”

b. Several weeks ago – our pastor-teachers encourage all of us to attend Sunday’s Bible classes.
1) This is not done to make numbers look good or inflate any egos. – These classes help each of
us grow in our own spiritual maturity.
2) (v. 13), “…until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.”
3) When we are all fully equipped – we will be unified – in the work of the Lord!
4) It is vitally important – that all of us listen to those – who have traveled God’s 1-way street!

C. Staying on Course as We Travel God’s Way Together, (vs. 14-16)

1. If we follow the directions God has given - we will ALL be much safer!
a. (v. 14a), “As a result, we are no longer children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine….”
1) Most of the times I have gotten lost when driving – it always started the same way. – It began with someone saying to me, “Let me tell you about a short cut I know….”
2) The same thing is true spiritually. – People are looking for an easier way to do God’s will.
a) Example: “One church is as good as another”
b) “ : “One faith is as good as another”
c) “ : “One baptism is as good as another”

b. (v. 14b), “…by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming.”
1) “Trickery” = kubos (cube, dice) – deceitful people load the dice against us!
2) But if we follow the “7 ones” & only listen to the men who have demonstrated maturity in following the path – WE WON’T BE LEAD OFF TRACK!

c. (v. 15), “…but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up into all aspects into Him, who is the
head, Christ.”
1) Instead of listening to those who would deceive us – we should rather be a people who will
listen to truth – and who will only “speak the truth”!
2) But let us be sure - to speak in a way so that people will be willing to listen, …in love!
3) As we do this, we will grow ourselves and help others grow – to become more like Jesus.
a) Thus it comes back to a question - we always told our children to ask themselves, “What Would Jesus Do?”
b) So we owe it to each other – to speak only truth – and always to do so in love!!!

d. (v. 16), “…from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint
supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” – (Notice: Growth occurs when ALL are involved!)
1) Therefore, when all of us are going the right way – and when all of us are following the
guidance of the men whom God has appointed – and when each one of us is seeking to
remain on the path God has laid before us – WE WILL BE SPIRITUALLY UNIFIED!!!

CONCLUSION:

1. If you are a member here at Golden – How’s it going?! – Are you still on course – or have you gotten
side-tracked somewhere?
2. If you are not a Christian (according to God’s 7 “Ones”) – wouldn’t today be great time - to begin going the right way with God? (Baptism Slide!)