Rooted In Your Wealth 14

Josh Owens

Clear Springs Baptist Church

Rooted In Our Wealth • Sermon • Submitted 7 months ago • Presented 7 months ago

Ephesians 4:4–6

0 ratings

· 1 view

Notes

Transcript

Have Confidence In Our Unity

Text: Ephesians 4:4-6

Introduction

It is unfortunate that many outside the church/Christianity will look at churches, denominations, conventions, all who claim to be Christian and will conclude that there is nothing unified about it. In view of the fact that not all individuals or church are truly Christian, there is unity among true gospel churches and genuine believers.

1) Our Unity In Function

A. One Body

a. Paul is referring to a local body; the church is local.

The body which is being addressed here is the local body of believers at Corinth.

This comes to light when you read in other places regarding the “body.”

Colossians 1:18 “18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”

Colossians 1:24 “24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:”

When you study out what a church is; a local body of baptized believer, you then understand it is EACH LOCAL BODY who represents the BODY OF CHRIST.

This was a body of baptized believers (address in a moment).

b. Consider the implications of the church being the body of Christ.

a. Vital part of representing the body of Christ.

I believe many would consider a greater faithfulness, service and sacrifice in the church if considering the body of Christ.

We not only represent the body, but our involvement brings about our treatment of it.

Jesus came with an outward focus.

B. One Spirit

This reminds us that we can declare we are saved, but unless we have His Spirit, we are NOT HIS — Romans 8:9 “9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”

Example: You can ask someone if they had accepted Christ as their Savior and they sometimes respond with, “Yea, I’ve went to church all my life.”

There is only ONE Spirit that unites us. There are many which are in operation to divide us.

Can you imagine if all of us where following different spirits?!

1 John 4:1–2 “1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:”

Sadly, not every believe is surrendered to God’s Spirit at all times.

The Holy Spirit is not someone you need to be misinformed about or go on being ignorant about.

Example: Charismatic movement… “Holy Spirit come down on us.”

He does not come down on you, He dwells within you.

We we gather, He comes with you and therefore we are never outside of His presence.

C. One Hope of Your Calling

Who is looking for your BLESSED HOPE to return?

Titus 2:13 “13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;”

In spite of all the doctrinal differences in END TIMES, all believers have a common hope.

They may be divided as to when, but unified on that fact He is coming.

WE ALL have this hope!

Turn to: John 14:1–3 “1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

2) Unity In Our Confession

A. One Lord

This is equal to saying, “I AM FOREVER SAVED.”

This must be a genuine heart felt confession!

Romans 10:9 “9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

What happens when this confession becomes real to you?

Quote: “This confession turns our lives over to Him and makes Him our center, sum, and circumference for salvation, sovereignty, and security.” John Phillips, Exploring Ephesians & Philippians: An Expository Commentary, The John Phillips Commentary Series (Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp., 2009), Eph 4:5.

Many will confess this in formality only — (turn to) Matthew 7:21–22 “21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?”

This confession is real only for those who want to know Him, trust Him and obey Him.

B. One Faith

Illustration — Have you ever asked some, “Are you sure?”

This “one faith” is us claiming that, “YES, I am sure.”

Jude 3 “3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”

Paul is talking about the foundation stone of “the faith.”

Acts 2:42 “42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

This “one faith” speaks to all that Christ is:

He is revealed in scripture:

He was the one prophesied about:

He was rejected, accused, crucified, buried, rose agin, ascended, sat down, sent the Holy Spirit, Head of the church and is COMING AGAIN!!!

WHAT A SAVIOR WE HAVE!!!

C. One Baptism

Paul is speaking about water baptism. How do we know this?

Give the fact Paul has left talking about the Spirit’s work and he is writing to a local church.

The unscriptural “infant baptism” had not yet been invented.

There was only one that the ordinary believer would consider here; Baptism of believers by immersion.

While this is a wonderful confession, by nature it is a separating one.

It effectively separates the believers from the world.

Many instances, this will be a huge test of faith.

Could lose their job, family, friends and even one’s life!

It is a very loud confession!

Telling the world, “I AM UNASHAMED OF IDENTIFYING WITH JESUS’ GOSPEL.”

My life has already been made new and belongs to Jesus.

3) Unity In Our Family

When you look at the physical home, you don’t always find a biblical unified family; one father, one mother, same parents of their children.

However, when you look into God’s family, there is always the same loving and ever present Father.

Who was the one who taught us this? JESUS.

Luke 2:49 “49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?”

Matthew 6:9 “9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.”

The story of the prodigal son

Jesus died on Calvary with those words, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”

Prior to Jesus’ ascension — Acts 1:4 “4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.”

Of all the metaphors is scripture about God the Father, nothing can compare to that of FATHER.

A. Paul draws our attention to the FATHER’S POWER

Aren’t you thankful you rise every day to a Father who is sovereign over all?

No government can overrule Him

B. Paul draws our attention to the FATHER’S PURPOSE

“through” comes from “dia” that denotes any cause by means of which an action passes to its accomplishment.

Acts 15:18 “18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.”

In other words, God knows what He is doing, where He is going and how He will accomplish all His purposes.

Now, this thought of God’s purposes is attached to his fatherhood.

When God allows things to become difficult wherever you are in life, always remember, YOUR FATHER is working out a glorious purpose THROUGH YOU.

No greater example than of Jesus’ suffering.

It appeared for a short time that the world had trumped God.

God was simply ONE HIS WAY THROUGH.

C. Paul draws our attention to the FATHER’S PRESENCE

“in” = being or remaining within; primary idea of rest and continuance.

We know the Spirit dwells within — 1 Corinthians 3:16 “16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”

We know Jesus dwells within — John 15:4 “4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.”

READY FOR THIS… THE FATHER DWELLS WITHIN!

The Trinity dwells within the believer! Jesus said, “I and my Father are one.”

Conclusion

Whenever you feel like everything is falling apart within you, just remember who holds you all together; your great Father, Savior and Holy Spirit. Remember, you are connected to a BODY who loves you and is here for you.