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The Unity of the Spirit

Text: Ephesians 4
23 January 2011

(I) OUR CALLING

“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called.” Ephesians 4:1

1. Our calling to be God’s people

a) Fellow citizens with the saints ( Ephesians 2:19a )

b) Members of the household of God ( Ephesians 2:19b )

c) Being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord ( Ephesians 2:21 )

2. Comprehending the significance of our Calling in Christ

a) The rich blessings of God outpoured ( Ephesians 1:3-14 )

b) The glory of our spiritual inheritance ( Ephesians 1:18 )

c) The awesome power of God working in us ( Ephesians 1:19 )

d) The profound thought of being God’s workmanship ( Ephesians 2:10 )

(II) WALKING WORTHY OF OUR CALLING

“With all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:2

1. A special ministry of the Holy Spirit

a) The work of uniting God’s people

b) This work is aptly called “the unity of the Spirit”

c) Features of this work

i) Through teaching

ii) Through reminding

iii) Through guidance

2. Our part in keeping the unity of the Spirit

a) Lowliness of heart

b) Gentleness of spirit

c) Longsuffering in disposition

d) Bearing with one another in love

e) Endeavouring to do our utmost to keep the unity of the Spirit

(III) SEVENFOLD FEATURES OF ONENESS

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Ephesians 4:4-6

1. One body

2. One Spirit

3. One hope

4. One Lord

5. One faith

6. One baptism

7. One God and Father