Sermon Tone Analysis

UNITY

*Ephesians 4:1-16*

 

Introduction:  *2 Chronicles 30*.

I.

Definitions

     A.

UNITY — oneness, harmony, agreement.

Unity was apparent on the day of Pentecost when the believers “were all with one accord in one place” (Acts 2:1).

The church is a unity in diversity, a fellowship of faith, hope, and love that binds believers together (Eph.

4:3, 13).

/ Nelson's new illustrated Bible dictionary/

     B.

the quality or state of not being multiple *: *oneness;  a condition of harmony *: *accord /Merriam-Webster/

*     *C.

ἑνότης (from “hen,” one): a state of oneness; /unity, oneness/.

Only in Ephesians 4:3, 13* *

*          *Syn.: /súndesmos/, that which unites, a bond; /desmós/ (1199), bond.

Ant.: /diastolé//̄/, a variation, difference; /diamerismós/, disunion, division; /schísma/, schism, division; /diaíresis/, diversity, division.

D.

ὁμόφρων: pertaining to being of the same mind or having the same thoughts as someone else, /like-minded, with similar thoughts/.

τὸ δὲ τέλος πάντες ὁμόφρονες ‘in conclusion, all should be like-minded’ 1 Peter 3.8.

In some languages it may be better to speak of ‘having the same attitudes’ or, idiomatically, ‘having thoughts that follow the same path.’

Only in 1 Pet 3

ὁμόφρων: /like-minded, united in spirit, harmonious/

     E.

יַ֫חַד :  unitedness.

1. as substantive only 1 Ch 12:17 יִהְיֶה־לִּי עֲלֵיכֶֹם לֵבָב לֳי֑חַד I will have a heart toward you /for unitedness/, i.e. my heart shall be ready to become one with yours.

2. /in union, together,/ a. /together/, of community in action, place, or time;

     F.

Three irreducible components, things we must have in order to become a unified leadership team:

          1.

Doctrinal purity –

              a.

Agreement with our church’s statement of faith

              b.

Agreement over what areas are nonessential, and therefore, allow for freedom of interpretation.

2.

Sincere and warm friendships - genuine appreciation and respect for one another.

3.

Philosophical purity - basic agreement on our priorities and methods (Are we seeking what God wants or trying to maintain our traditions?)

Osborne, L. W. (1989).

/The unity factor : Getting your church leaders working together/.

II.

Importance

     A.

*John 17:20-21*   Jesus prayed for it

     B.

*I Corinthians 1-4*   Division is sinful

     C.

The church cannot grow until it is united

     D.

The leadership must be allowed to lead

 

III.

*Ephesians 4:1-16*

     A.

ταπεινοφροσύνη: the quality of humility, /humble attitude, humility, without arrogance./

B.

πραΰτης:  /gentleness, humility, courtesy, considerateness, meekness/

     C.

μακροθυμία: a state of emotional calm in the face of provocation or misfortune and without complaint or irritation, /patience/.

D.

ἀνέχομαι: to be patient with, in the sense of enduring possible difficulty, /to be patient with, to have patience, patience/.

To continue to accept as valid or true, /to accept, to receive/.

AV translates as “suffer” seven times, “bear with” four times, “forbear” twice, and “endure” twice.

*1* /to hold up/.

*2* /to hold one’s self erect and firm./

*3* /to sustain, to bear, to endure/.

Each other in love

     E.

τηρέω: to cause a state to continue, /to cause to continue, to retain, to keep.

/To continue to hold in custody, /to guard, to keep watch, custody.

/To continue to obey orders or commandments, /to obey, to keep commandments, obedience.

/

     F.

The seven areas of unity

          1.

One body

          2.

One Spirit

          3.

One hope (confidence and promise)

          4.

One Lord

          5.

One faith

          6.

One baptism

          7.

One God

     G.

Servants to help unite

          1.

Apostles

          2.

Prophets

          3.

Evangelists

          4.

Pastors, elders, bishops

          5.

Teachers

     H.

These train the saints to serve; busy people tend to work together

     I.

All leads to maturity where unity is complete

     J.

Emphasizing Jesus develops unity

 

IV.

*I Peter 3:8*

A.    ὁμόφρων: /like-minded, united in spirit, harmonious/

         1.

Unity does not mean uniformity; it means cooperation in the midst of diversity.

The members of the body work together in unity, even though they are all different.

Christians may differ on /how/ things are to be done, but they must agree on /what/ is to be done and /why./

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1989).

/The Bible exposition commentary/

          2.

*Rom 12:16, but Rom 15:5; 1 Cor 1:10; 2 Cor 13:11; Phil 2:2; 4:2*.

Both Paul and Peter want their readers to “think alike,” not in the sense of holding identical opinions, but in the sense of being agreeable and sensitive to each other’s concerns (Acts 4:32), and so united in a common spiritual bond.