UNITED IN CHRIST
A study in the book of Ephesians
What God Has Done for Us – Ephesians 1:3-14
Humans naturally divide against each other, but God's ultimate plan is to bring all things together in unity. Toward that end, God has chosen us, redeemed us, and sealed us with his Spirit.
How to Achieve Unity – Ephesians 2
God has moved us from death to life and from destruction to royalty, and he has done it on the basis of his grace. Since no one has room to boast, he has been able to make unity where previously there was hostility.
Why Bother with Unity? — Ephesians 3:8-19
If unity among Christians is real whether we acknowledge one another or not, why bother trying to embody our unity? Paul explains that we work for visible unity because it brings glory to God.
From One Unity to the Next — Ephesians 4:1-14
Paul identifies two types of unity: unity of the Spirit and unity of the faith. The first is a present reality created by God which we must work to maintain; the second is a future reality which we hope to attain. So how can we work toward unity of the faith without compromising unity of the Spirit? It requires humility, gentleness, patience, and tolerance. Beyond that basic posture, Parker shows that this task fall first and foremost on the shoulders of church leadership.
Off with the Old, On with the New — Ephesians 4:17-32
One essential step toward a visibly unified church is taking seriously the call to discipleship. We must take off the old self and instead put on postures of the heart like honesty, industry, generosity, and kindness.
Filled with the Holy Spirit — Ephesians 5:15-21
If we are going to live out our unity in Christ, we must learn to be responsive to the Holy Spirit. Paul gives us four responses the Spirit creates in us, and thus four ways we may open ourselves to the Spirit.
The Two Shall Become One – Ephesians 5:22-33
If we are going to live out our unity in Christ, we must learn to be responsive to the Holy Spirit. Paul gives us four responses the Spirit creates in us, and thus four ways we may open ourselves to the Spirit.
A Strange War Indeed – Ephesians 6:10-20
In this final message on a book about peace and unity, we are called into battle. We fight by not fighting, and put on God's own armor by approaching one another in faithfulness, fairness, peace, and confidence.