EPHESIANS 4:1-62006 Teaching by Jerry B Simmons

Teaching Transcript: Ephesians 4:1-6

You are listening to FerventWord, an online Bible study ministry with teachings and tools to help you grow deeper in your relationship with God. The following message was taught by Jerry Simmons in 2006. As we've been studying through Ephesians, I've mentioned it several times, but once again, chapters 1 through 3.

Chapters 1-3 of Ephesians tell us, Paul goes into great detail and great lengths to tell us all that God has done for us, all that He has provided for us, all of the wonderful ways that He has blessed us and made us a part of His body, and what He has done in raising us from the dead, all the work that He has done for us. Now, this morning we start out in chapter 4, and chapters 4-6 now begin the last half of the book, which

Paul uses these last chapters to tell us what our response should be. And it's important to make sure that we keep this priority because God is the initiator. He is the one who has done all of these great and wonderful, awesome and mighty things for us.

And so our lives are to be lived in response to that great love that he has poured out upon us. In verse 1, Paul says, I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called. He starts out by saying the word, therefore, pointing back now to all that God has.

All that Paul has been saying about all that God has done for us. And if I may take a moment to remind you, what has God done for us? In chapter 1, we learn that he blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. We learn that he chose us in him that we should be holy and without blame. We learn that he predestined us to adoption as his sons.

We learn that he made us accepted in the beloved, that he redeemed us, that he forgave us, that he made known God's will to us, that he gave us an inheritance, that he gave us the Holy Spirit as a guarantee, that he gives us wisdom and the knowledge of him, that he gives us the hope of heaven, that we are his inheritance, and that he has exceedingly great power working on our behalf. In chapter 2 says,

We learned that we were dead. We once walked according to the course of this world, but he made us alive because he is rich in mercy and has great love for us. We learned that he raised us up and that he seated us in the heavenly places and made us his workmanship, his masterpieces, work of art, and laid out before us good works for us to walk in them. We learned that we were strangers and without hope.

In seeking God or coming to God. But that Christ brought us near by his blood. We learn that he abolished the law of commandments. That he made us one body. He reconciled us to God and gave us access to the Father. He made us members of God's household and is making us into a dwelling place for God.

Then in chapter 3, Paul said, for this reason, because of all these things that God has done, I'm praying for you that you would have more of God in your life. And that's what we looked at last week. And then chapter 4, now he says, for this reason, therefore, walk worthy. Since God has done all of this for you, and I am praying for you that God would even be to a greater degree as a part of your life,

Now, your responsibility, Paul says, my responsibility, what we should do, our appropriate response should be to walk worthy of the calling with which we were called. It's important that we keep this order and this priority. We do not walk worthy so that we may be called. In other words, we don't be on good behavior so that God might call us. But instead, God has already done this great work and he's done all of this for us.

And so our response is to walk worthy and to walk in the way that he has called us to, that we might live the lives that he has called us to live. God is the initiator. He is the one who sent his son to die. He is the one who blessed us and raised us up. He chose us, redeemed us, and forgave us. Not because of how great we were or because we walked worthy, but simply because he loves us. And so our response is,

to God for his great love for us. Paul says the right response, the appropriate response is to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called. This word walk, it means more than just putting one foot in front of the other, but it refers to a regulation of your life or the way that you live your life. Paul is saying live your life

in a manner that's worthy of the calling that you have received. Now, he shared this with other churches as well. In Philippians 1, verse 27, Paul tells them, let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ. In Colossians 1, verse 10, he tells the Colossians to walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing him.

In 1 Thessalonians 2, verse 12, he tells the Thessalonians to walk worthy of God who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. And so looking at this, we understand we're to walk worthy. Now, to walk worthy, as we reflect on that and think about that, we understand it's a very high standard. How do I walk worthy of this calling?

With which I've been called. Now that's why it's so important to learn what God has done for us. Chapters 1 through 3. He is the one who raised us up. And he made us his workmanship. He laid out good works before us so that all we have to do is walk in them. In other words, God has already enabled me. He's empowered me. He's given everything to me.

To me that I need in order to walk worthy of the calling which I have received. And that's what Paul has been explaining to us in chapters 1 through 3. He's given us everything. We just have to actually walk in it now and use those resources that he's given to us. The work that he's done in us. Like the disciples, we have received a call. Jesus has called out to every single one of us, come and follow me. And so we are called now.

to follow Christ. What is a follower of Christ called? Disciple is one, but Christian, how we're normally referred to, right? Christian. They were first called Christians at Antioch, the book of Acts tells us. Christian, it means Christ-like. And so you and I, who say that we are Christians, we bear the name of Christ. And we say, I'm a Christian. We are saying, I am Christ-like.

And Paul says, walk worthy of that name by which you are called. You say you're a Christian, you're Christ-like. Walk worthy of being called like Christ. Now, looking at our own lives, this seems impossible, I hope. Impossible. How can we walk the same way? How can we live our life worthy of the name of Christ? How can we live our life worthy of going like Christ?

But that is exactly what we are called to do because God has given us everything we need to live our lives worthy of this call. To live our lives like Christ.

And the rest of Ephesians, Paul will be sharing with us many aspects of how we are to walk worthy of God's calling. In chapter 4, verse 1, he tells us to walk worthy. In chapter 4, verse 17, he tells us to not walk as other Gentiles in the futility of their minds. In chapter 5, verse 2, he tells us to walk in love. Chapter 5, verse 8, he tells us to walk as children of light.

In chapter 5, verse 15, he tells us to walk circumspectly. Many different ways that we are to walk. In the rest of Ephesians, chapters 4 through 6, he'll be sharing with us how we are to live our lives since God has done all of these wonderful things for us. He'll tell us in chapter 5 how we're to relate to our spouses. He'll tell us how we're to relate to our parents and to our employers.

He'll tell us in chapter 6 how we're to fight spiritual battles. So many great lessons for us to learn. But do you know what Paul starts out with? Here in chapter 4, he's got all these great things in store. Husbands and wives, this is going to be really good. Okay, spiritual warfare, this is important. This is how you're to walk in the light and walk circumspectly. And what does he start out with? He starts out with unity.

The first area, Paul says, here's what you need to work on. Here's an area that you need to walk worthy in. It's the area of unity. With the whole range of the Christian life and so many topics that he could cover, Paul chooses unity to be his first subject. Check out verses 2 and 3. How are we to walk worthy? He says, with all lowliness and gentleness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit alive.

And the bond of peace. The unity of the Spirit. Now, this topic of unity, Paul will continue on, even as we'll study next week in verses 7 through 16 of chapter 4. But he starts out here and he tells us we are to walk in unity. And he gives us the recipe for unity, really, in five areas that we are to walk that will create and develop unity within the body of Christ. Unity. It's something that is unique.

definitely needed within the body of Christ. As Christians, as members of the household of God, we are to be united, bonded together in peace as brothers and sisters in Christ. How do we do this? Well, Paul gives us the first thing here at the beginning of verse 2. He says, Isn't that a word you love? Lowliness.

What does lowliness mean? Well, it means humility, lowliness of mind, or the real estimate of ourselves. Now, lowliness is not going around and telling people how stupid we are. You know, I'm so stupid, I'm lowly. It's not telling people how worthless we are and walking around, oh, I'm nothing, I'm no value at all. That's not lowliness. Lowliness is a real estimate of ourselves, an accurate, accurate view of

of ourselves. Lowliness. Sometimes it's hard to have an accurate view of ourselves, right? That's why everybody likes to watch American Idol so much, right? Because all these people, they don't have accurate views of themselves and it's pretty obvious, right? No, I'm a good singer, I promise. Everybody tells me, I know, I'm a good singer. Okay. An accurate view of yourself. This is what lowliness is all about.

Now, Jesus in Matthew chapter 11 verse 29 says, Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

If you learn how to be gentle and lowly like Jesus, you will find rest for your souls. But the important thing to note here is Jesus says, I am lowly in heart. Now, did Jesus walk around, you know, shuffling his feet with his head down, saying, I'm so stupid, I'm so worthless, I'm of no value? No, Jesus did not do that at all. In fact, Jesus...

was very confident in who he was and what God had called him to be because he had an accurate view of who he was and who God had called him to be. And so Jesus is our example. Since it's his name that we are called by,

We can look at him to see the example of how to live in lowliness. Now, again, he didn't go around pouting, saying, I am nothing. But what he did do, and this is what lowliness is, it's an acknowledgement of absolute dependence. Lowliness is an acknowledgement of absolute dependence. Realizing who I really am. Realizing what I really am without God.

And if you need a reminder of that, check out again Ephesians chapter 2. We were dead in our trespasses and sins. We were walking according to the course of this world. We were without hope in this world without Christ. And so realizing who I am, acknowledging who I really am is this idea of lowliness. Having an accurate understanding that I am nothing without God. That I need God in every part of my life.

In John chapter 5, verse 19, Jesus says, Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of himself but what he sees the Father do. For whatever he does, the Son does in like manner. So in John 5, verse 19, we find the model. Jesus saying, I can't do anything of myself. He had an accurate example.

view of himself, acknowledging his absolute dependence on God. I can only do what God enables and empowers me to do. And so the first step for us to walk in unity and to walk worthy is to have a lowly heart, an accurate view of ourselves, understanding who we are and the position that we hold in Jesus Christ.

The second thing Paul will go on to tell us there also in verse 2, he says gentleness with all lowliness and gentleness. Now, this is the other word that Jesus used in Matthew 11, 29. He says, I am gentle and I am lowly in heart. Gentleness, it's also translated meekness.

Now, it's often said that meekness is not weakness, but it's strength under control. And that's a good definition of meekness. But there's even more to it than that. I'd like to read to you just a brief excerpt from Vine's dictionary of biblical words and what he has to say about this idea of meekness. He says, first towards God, it is that temper of spirit that

So he says, here's what meekness is. First in the aspect of God, and he'll deal with the aspect of us dealing with one another in a moment. But first towards God, he says, meekness is understanding. It's that realization that God is good.

And so whatever he allows and whatever he takes me through, I'll just accept it without disputing or resisting. I'm not going to fight God on it. I'm not going to use my own strength and my own power to try to get myself out of the situations that he allows me to go through. But I am simply going to receive from him the things that he allows to come into my life.

Because he is good and he means the best for me. And so it's this power that I could probably do something about. I could try to run away. I could try to get myself out of situations or deal with certain problems. But rather than do that, I'll allow God to do the work. And I think of David as a wonderful example of this. Who all that time while Saul was chasing him, David knows I'm supposed to be the king. God anointed me but would not take it upon himself.

Simply received what God had given to him, trusting God's goodness, and allowed God to do the work. That is meekness. Now, Vines goes on to say, this meekness is also such in the face of men, even of evil men, out of a sense that these, with the insults and injuries that they may inflict, are permitted and employed by him, speaking of God, for the chastening and purifying of his elect.

So Paul's little mind says, not only is it towards God, just receiving from God the situations and problems and the things that he takes us through, just realizing, okay, God's in control and he's good. He's got great plans for me. I'm going to let him do this work. But also when it's people around me that are inflicting pain or injury, that instead of retaliating or using my strength to fight the battles, I just allow God. I receive it.

Knowing that God is in control, that he is on the throne, and that he is using it to chasten, to purify his elect. Lowliness is an absolute dependence upon God. Gentleness is an absolute trust in God. He is on the throne. He is in control. And so I'm okay with whatever he allows to come my way. I will not argue it with him. I'll simply trust him.

That he's using it for his glory. I'm not going to try to get myself out, but simply trust that he'll pull me through according to his power. Jesus modeled this for us as well before Pilate. Remember in John chapter 19 verse 11, where Jesus is standing before Pilate and Pilate's trying to explain to Jesus, don't you know I have the authority to put you to death or let you go? And Jesus tells him, you could have no power at all against me unless it was given to you from above.

Jesus here acknowledges God's on the throne. He gave you the power. He gave you the authority. And so I'm entrusting myself to his hands. Come whatever may. That is my stand. So lowliness, gentleness. The next one we see also in verse two, long suffering. Another word we treasure and really enjoy. Long suffering. It means patience. It's a self-restraint of the mind.

before it gives room to action or passion. This describes the person who has power to avenge himself or herself, but does not exercise that power. Someone who holds back, able to strike and able to inflict the wound, but holds back and does not. It comes from two words in the Greek, the word for long and the word for temper. So as opposed to short tempered,

He says we're to be long-tempered. It's the opposite of being angry. It means that we don't hastily retaliate or promptly punish. It's often associated with mercy because it's holding back and not giving the punishment or the retaliation that is deserved or due. It's not saying only in unjust areas, don't lash out when it's not right, but even where

The judgment, the penalty, the punishment, the infliction of pain is demanded or necessary or required or justified. It's the holding back, the long suffering, even though you could justify it. Now, you know how it is. Those times when you're on the freeway, right? And you want to stick your head out the window and say, you big dummy! You know, you've been there. I'm sure you've done that. In fact, I think someone did that to me this morning on the way to church. Yeah.

We'll apologize. Thanks. Well, I was hoping he would. He repented. No, I'm just kidding. He repented. Just kidding. You know, Jesus in Hebrews 4.15 tells us that he was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. So, Jesus had those times, I'm sure, looking at those Pharisees when he wanted to say, you big dummies, would you just listen? Would you just pay attention? Would you just be quiet now and hear what God has to say? But Jesus never did such a thing. Now,

Being long-tempered, of course, as we look towards the crucifixion, he was struck by the guards. They pounded the crown of thorns on his head. They nailed him to the cross unjustly. He did nothing deserving death. And at the end of it all, he said, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. That's long-suffering. The judgment was justified. He could have had an attitude of judgment. He could have retaliated or promptly punished Jesus.

But he held back and he suffered long. And that is the same attitude, the heart that you and I are to walk in. The last thing that we see in verse 2, the fourth thing that we are to walk in, to walk worthy of the calling with which we are called, is we're to walk in love. Paul says, bearing with one another in love. Bearing. Now, this word bearing, it means to hold up, to bear with, to suffer with.

Often it means a delay of punishment. It's very similar to this word that we just looked at, long-suffering. But it's choosing to put up with others because we love them. Now, of course, Jesus continually does that with us. Continually puts up with us because he loves us. He doesn't have to put up with us and all the things that we give him.

But he does because he loves us. He also did it with his disciples. And we've seen many times all the problems and things, situations that the disciples caused. He did it when he was being crucified. He bore with it. He endured it because of his love. And so it's talking about the motivation of love and having this loving heart. The same that Christ had.

Well, has towards us and had towards those that were crucifying him, had towards his disciples, this love that covers a multitude of sin. This love that suffers long and is kind. 1 Corinthians chapter 13 describes this love for us. To walk worthy of the gospel were to walk in lowliness, in gentleness, long-suffering and bearing with one another in love. This also speaks to us of forgiveness. Forgiveness.

Putting up with and forgiving the sins of others, even though they're against us. Forgiving others just as Christ has forgiven us. The fifth and final part of the recipe for unity that Paul gives us is found in verse 3. And it's eagerness to keep unity. He says in verse 3, endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit and the bond of peace.

It means to make haste, to give diligence, or to exert oneself. Eagerly, diligently, dying to ourselves to bring unity is what Paul is saying here. Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit means to earnestly, eagerly,

die to ourselves in order to bring unity or to keep the unity. And this is what Jesus did. Remember in Ephesians chapter 2 and 3, that's what it talks about. He died. He gave his own life so that he might bring unity, might make the two one, Jew and Gentile, that we might approach God in the same way, become one family, one body, one temple, a dwelling place for God. For us, Paul is telling us,

Rather than allowing or causing division within the body, we are to die to ourselves. Die rather than divide. Something we should practice. And so why don't you look at the person next to you and tell them, it doesn't have to be my way. You guys hesitated on that one. I know it's difficult. It doesn't have to be my way. Paul says it's important to die to ourselves. That we set aside our own desires.

It doesn't have to be our way so that we can create unity within the body of Christ. So many times we can cause division simply because we want it to be our way. You know, it's my way or the highway. But Paul says, no. Endeavor. Exert yourself to keep the unity and the bond of peace. That there would be peace and harmony within the body of Christ. Even if it means dying to yourself, do it eagerly. Do it earnestly. Now,

The first thing that Paul chooses to deal with in the whole realm of our Christian life is unity. Because there is such a great need for us as a body to be united. We're all in this together, trying to walk worthy of the calling with which we were called. And we need one another, as we'll see next week as well. We only grow as the body comes together in every part.

does what God has called it to do. And every part does its share and use the gifts. That's how we grow. As we come together, united as a body, that is where we are strengthened and encouraged to walk worthy of the calling with which we are called. We're all in this together. And so Paul says, what you need to do is not divide and have divisions and have separations and segregations, but you need to come together in unity and

so that you may walk worthy of the calling with which you were called. Now, there's several scopes of unity that we can look at as far as the impact. Of course, there's the universal body. That is, every believer alive on the face of the earth. It also includes every believer that has ever lived or will ever live. Together, corporately, we make up the body of Christ. The whole church, past, present, and future,

No matter what denomination, it's all believers in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. That's the universal body. But it also applies to the local body, which is wherever God calls you to fellowship. That's for many here. This church, this body, we're called to be united together, to walk in unity, that we would be one body, that we might be able to grow and to walk worthy of the calling with which we were called together.

Also, of course, it speaks to us personally and our relationships with others, whether they be within this body or outside of this body, whether it be family or friends. These are the characteristics or aspects that we are to have. Gentleness or lowliness, gentleness, long-suffering, love, and an eagerness to die to self to keep the unity. Paul here wants us to know it's important. First things first, here's the priority.

Learn to love one another and live with one another. Walk worthy by being united together as a body, as the body of Christ. Now, of course, in order for there to be unity, there has to be some common ground. There has to be some foundation for us to stand on that we may stand united. And so he gives us the foundation here in verses 4 through 6.

He says, 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 all, who is above all and through all and in you. This is the foundation. This is the means by which we are able to unite with one another. We can differ on many things and have different opinions and different ministries, different callings. We can have all kinds of different things. But these things...

These are what we unite around. This is the foundation upon which we can stand united. The body, the one body, of course, is the body of Christ. The one spirit is the Holy Spirit. The one hope of your calling is heaven, eternity with God. The upward call that Paul refers to in Philippians.

One Lord is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. One faith is the gospel message, the major doctrines that we adhere to and believe. One baptism, that is what was given in Matthew 28, baptism in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And then one God and Father of all. These seven things are crucial to our unity as believers. Now, if these things are not there,

if one or all of them are not there, there cannot be unity. As Christians, we are not called to be united with everyone, but we're called to be united with those who are a part of the body of Christ, those who have these characteristics, those whose foundation is these same things. Now, there's very many religions in this world, but these are the areas where they differ, and these are foundational. And so there cannot be unity where these things differ.

Are not in line with what the Bible teaches. And that is what we believe. One body of Christ. Paul, remember in 2 Corinthians chapter 6. Says, don't be unequally yoked. If someone is not a part of the body of Christ. There cannot be this unity that Paul is talking about. Now we are to still have the same characteristics. Gentleness and lowliness and love. But there will not be the unity within the body.

With those who are unequally yoked. Those who are not part of the body of Christ. There cannot be unity. We cannot be united together. We can be around each other, acquaintances. We can share with them the love of Christ. But we're not to be unequally yoked. One spirit. Of course, this is referring to the Holy Spirit. But there's other spirits as well. 2 Corinthians chapter 11, Paul warns us of that. Watch out for the other spirits and the deceiving spirits and the spirits of this world.

There's only one true spirit. That is the Holy Spirit. There's many religions and philosophies that are based on man's spirit and not the Holy Spirit. And we cannot be united in that sense. But with those who have the spirit, because Romans tells us that whoever has the spirit of God is a son of God.

With them, we can be united. One hope. Our hope is heaven. Eternity with the Lord. It's not reincarnation or whatever else you can come up with. No, there's one hope. There's one goal. That's eternity with God. That is our hope. And with those who have that same hope, we can be united. One Lord. Of course, this speaks of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Now, this is a major one. John, actually, in 1 John, tells us that it all boils down to this. Your position, your stance on Jesus Christ.

Because if you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, then everything else, that'll come in line. You believe that Jesus Christ, being God, came and died on the cross for us. All the other doctrines, they'll match up as well. The central figure, the central point of Christianity is that Jesus Christ, being God, died on the cross for our sins. So those who believe that Jesus Christ is a great man or a great teacher or philosopher cannot be united.

It's not Jesus Christ, the archangel, or Jesus Christ, the brother of Lucifer. It's Jesus Christ, the son of God. And upon that belief, we can be united. One faith, the gospel message. Any other message, we must separate ourselves from. Again, 2 Corinthians 11, Paul tells us, watch out, there's different gospels. Other ways by which people say you can make it to heaven this way. There's other ways. There's only one way. Jesus said, I am the way.

And so there's only one gospel message. That's through his son, Jesus Christ. One baptism. The baptism in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is commanded by Matthew 28. Now there's one baptism. That means, okay, well, so you're baptized at the Baptist church or the Methodist church or whatever. That doesn't matter. But it's being baptized into the name of

The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Identifying yourself with God, believing the gospel message, his death, burial, and resurrection. Because that's what baptism symbolizes. And that makes you a part of the body of Christ. You're representing in baptism what has already taken place spiritually and that you've been baptized into the body of Christ. And then finally, one God and Father of all. It's not many gods, but it's a specific God. The God of

And father of all, the creator. Again, 2 Corinthians 11, verses 3 and 4, Paul tells them, I fear, I have a great fear. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you may well put up with it. Paul tells the Corinthians, I'm afraid. You might give in. You might fall prey to those who preach another Jesus, another spirit, or a different gospel.

And so Paul gives us these seven things. This is the foundation. Now, those who have this as their foundation, we can be united. It doesn't matter what denomination they're in. It doesn't matter what part of the world they live in or what color their skin is. None of that matters. It doesn't matter the way they drive or anything. The things that matter are these seven things. And if anybody has these seven things, we can be united with them. These things are not negotiable.

But if they're there, there can be unity. There should be unity. There must be unity. It's our response, the appropriate response for what God has done for us. Now, when there is something personally between us and someone else, something between us and someone else in the body, these things should be the things that we're able to be united on. Whatever differences we may have, you know, there's some doctrines. It doesn't matter. We can have different opinions, different interpretations, different

Of certain portions of scripture. Different opinions as far as how ministry should be done. Or what time service should start. What color the carpet should be. There's been so many churches that have split. And been torn apart. Over some of the simplest things. I was reading about a church in Louisiana.

that has a roof that's on one side it's green and on the other side it's red because there was a division in the church. They had to redo the roof and they couldn't come to agreement on the color that they would have it. And so they were about to split and start just two separate churches when someone suggested, well, why don't we make half of the roof green and the other half red? And so that's what they did and they were able to be united. But, you know, to the rest of that community, it speaks to them that,

Of the disunity within the body of Christ. We're not able to fellowship and to be family.

As we're called to be. To have a love for one another like Christ loved us. And so Paul says this is so important. Jesus said, remember, the rest of the world will know that you're my disciples by your love for one another. By your ability to dwell together in unity. Even though you have different walks of life and different tastes and different personalities and different characteristics. But these are the foundational things that you can be united. That the rest of the world may know this.

That you are of God. So what do we do? How do we keep ourselves and this body united? We walk in lowliness and absolute dependence upon God. Walk in gentleness and absolute trust in God. We walk with long-suffering, not retaliating or punishing. We walk in love, choosing to put up with others because of our great love for them. And then fifthly,

We walk with eagerness to keep the unity by dying to ourselves, not enforcing or insisting that it be our way. That's how we're to walk. Difficult? Yes. Possible? Yes. God has given us every resource, everything we need, and who he is and the power that he's given to us. Remember Paul's prayer last week, Ephesians chapter 3, verses 14 through 21? As we look at this this morning, we could say, man, this is difficult. How do I...

Trust God in all those situations and not retaliate and not react. And put up with those who are next to me that really bug me. Paul says, I'm praying for you, remember? I'm praying for you that he would strengthen you with might in the inner man through the power of his spirit. We need to be strengthened with might that we may be able to walk in unity. He says, I'm praying for you that Christ may dwell in your heart through faith. We need Christ in our heart. We need Christ as a part of our lives.

We need him to be the focus that we may walk in unity. Paul says, I'm praying for you that you may know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge. And remember, the love of Christ teaches us to love him, but then it also teaches us to love the person next to us because of his great love with which he loved us. And then fourthly, Paul says, I pray that you may be filled with the fullness of God. Wherever we lack, which is lots of places, he fills it up, meets the need, takes care of it. And so God has equipped us

He's done all these wonderful things for us. Therefore, let's walk in unity. This morning, it's a perfect opportunity to now approach the Lord's table and to come together for communion. Because the Lord's table, speaking of the one Lord that unites us and unifies us, the one Lord that makes us brothers and sisters in the Lord. As we partake of communion this morning, we are being united, being one with the Lord.

but we're also being united and one with one another as we partake together as a family with our focus on Jesus Christ. And we can lay everything else aside and love those around us and love our family and our friends, even those that bug us because of this one man, Jesus Christ, and what he did for us. And so this morning, the worship team is going to come forward and lead us in worship.

The guys are going to pass out the bread and the cup. And I would ask you just to allow the Lord to speak to you and minister to your heart in this area of unity. You know, if there's areas where there's not loneliness or gentleness or long-suffering or love or a dying to self, God's given you everything. The way that He wants to work on this is for you to give it to Him. And so as they're passing out the bread and the cup, meditate. Allow God. Give it to God. And allow Him to work in your heart.

Ask him to give you the strength that you might walk in unity, that we as a body might be able to grow, and that you might walk worthy of the calling with which you were called. Lord Jesus, we thank you for the wonderful gifts that you've given to us. Lord, in predestining us and calling us and blessing us with every spiritual blessing, God, making us alive when we were dead, Lord, giving us hope and bringing us near by your blood.

Oh, Lord, you've done so much for us. And so, God, as we prepare our hearts now to partake of communion, I ask, Lord, that you would search us and know us, that you would reveal ourselves to us, Lord, that we could see these areas that are problems in our lives and that we could ask you and allow you to deal with them. So, God, work in our hearts, we pray. Magnify your name in our hearts. Lord, we ask that you would unite us this morning as we partake together, remembering what you've done for us. The bread...

reminding us of your body that was broken for us, and the cup reminding us of the blood that was shed. Lord, may our love for you outweigh all of the other problems and situations that we have with others. Lord, as we look at you and remember what you've done for us, Lord, may you teach us to walk in unity and to have love for one another. Lord, as we approach this ordinance that you've given us, to remember you dying on the cross for us, we cannot help

but have an accurate view of ourselves. We need you, God. We're desperate for you. So, Lord, as we commune with you this morning, meet us here. Fill us with your Spirit and minister to our hearts. In Jesus' name we pray. Let's worship the Lord. We pray you have been blessed by this Bible teaching. The power of God to change a life is found in the daily reading of His Word. Visit ferventword.com to find more teachings and Bible study resources.