Series: Fully Alive - A Study of Ephesians
Sermon Recap
Ephesians 4:1–16 calls us to live in a way
that reflects the calling we have received in Christ. This means walking in
humility, guarding unity, and using the gifts God has given us to build up the
church. We are not saved to sit on the sidelines, but to grow into maturity and
help others do the same. When each person plays their part, the body of Christ
becomes stronger, more unified, and a clearer picture of Jesus to the world.
Ephesians 4:1-16
Unity in the Body of Christ
[1] I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord,
urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been
called, [2] with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one
another in love, [3] eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of
peace. [4] There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to the
one hope that belongs to your call — [5] one Lord, one faith, one baptism, [6]
one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. [7] But
grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
[8] Therefore it says, “When He ascended on high He led a host of captives, and
He gave gifts to men.’ [9] (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but
that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? [10] He who
descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might
fill all things.) [11] And He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists,
the shepherds and teachers, [12] to equip the saints for the work of ministry,
for building up the body of Christ, [13] until we all attain to the unity of
the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the
measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, [14] so that we may no longer
be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of
doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. [15] Rather,
speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the
head, into Christ, [16] from whom the whole body, joined and held together by
every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly,
makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (ESV)
The
Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001
by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Ephesians
4:1-16.
Closing Thoughts
Ephesians 4 shows us that when the body of
Christ is healthy (marked by humility, love, and truth) it reflects Jesus in a
powerful way. As a group, this means we commit to protecting unity, using our
gifts to serve one another, and helping each other grow in Christ. We don’t
compete or compare; we contribute. And as each person plays their part, the
group becomes a place where people are equipped, encouraged, and sent out to
live on mission, showing the world what it looks like to follow Jesus together.
END
