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Articles, Bible studies, and sermons that contain Ephesians 4:4:
Ephesians 4:4-6
Excerpted from: Are You Part of the Spiritual Unity?In these three verses, the word "one" appears seven times, underscoring the need for perfect oneness within God's church. Seven is the number of perfection and completion. Unity is oneness, a state of harmony and accord, and the quality or state of being made one. Paul emphasizes and establishes through repetition the word one as the essential principle of unity.
We know we must be practical, but we cannot be practical unless we know how to be practical according to God's will, and why we should do so. And I notice the order in which oneness, that is, unity, is structured by Paul here. He starts with the church, then the Holy Spirit, then the Son, and ends with God the Father. Why did he list them in this order? Why does Paul seem to reverse the order of importance here? Because he is primarily concerned with practical application at this point.
He begins with the church, a fellowship of baptized members who share God's indwelling Holy Spirit. He begins with us to show that we have a responsibility to conform to God's way of life, one marked by consideration and concern for the common good. Then Paul takes us to a higher level, the church as a body with Christ as its head, and finally, the head of Christ is the Father. His process is practical, and not only does it make sense, but it also works.
Paul shows us that we are who we are and what we are because of the work of Jesus Christ in us through God's Spirit, by our receiving of the Holy Spirit. But our receiving of the Holy Spirit would not be possible if it were not for the Son and what He has done. And the Son would not have come were it not "for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son." And this makes perfect sense, and is practical.
So the apostle Paul is determined to show us that there is no room for argument about the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. That unity already exists. It is spiritual, certain, and firm. The words "there is" at the beginning of verse 4 make this truth clear. "There is one body."
The words "there is" are not in the original but were supplied by the translators, and these words were added to enhance the clarity of the thought, which is obvious here. In other words, the words "there is" remind us that Paul is not appealing to us to form unity. He is not appealing to us to form unity. Rather, he is telling us that this unity already exists spiritually and is asking us not to break it, but to endeavor to keep it and safeguard it.
In reminding us of who we are as members of the church, Paul uses the analogy of the one body. He often uses this analogy throughout his epistles to explain church doctrine. In the second chapter of his epistle to the Ephesians, Paul compares the church to a nation when he calls them fellow citizens with the saints. He also says Christians are members of the household. In other words, the church is a family.
Ephesians 4:3-6
Excerpted from: The Purpose of the ChurchThe church is a spiritual organism united by what every part has in common, and this is what has drawn us together. That organism is not confined to one corporate organization, but it exists anywhere these elements that bind us together are found. So, He can make a statement “where two or three gather together in My name that I am in the midst of them.” I would not explain that any further because that really has a more specific application than it does to the body of Christ It has do with settling dispute among the brethren, but it does indicate that where those who have Christ’s Spirit who are united in Him in a common cause—in common purpose, in a common work, for a common reason—they are part of that body.
Ephesians 4:4-6
Excerpted from: Government (Part Seven)So, he is showing that spiritually there is a unity. It is men who are divided. But we have to endeavor to make this unity occur. And God, knowing how difficult it is going to be, gave gifts to the church. Those gifts are in the form of men—ministers—that He gave to the church. (We will get back to that, a little bit later.) The ministry has been given, by God, to this Body to bring us to a common body of beliefs (doctrine). What you believe is what you act on! That determines what we are going to do.
Ephesians 4:4-6
Excerpted from: The Wonderful Ordinance of Water BaptismBaptism is the greatest step a person can take. And, true baptism—that is, one that is genuine and valid in God's sight—is an once-in-a-lifetime step.
It is God who ordained the baptism ceremony and its deep significance. And God's word reveals that unless the right ministers of God with the right understanding carry out baptism in the right attitude, with the right knowledge, in the right manner, it is not honored and recognized by God.
Ephesians 4:3-6
Excerpted from: Let the Saints be Joyful in Glory!Turn with me to Ephesians 4, verse 3. Now in contrast, Babel is the center of Satan's kingdom and of human rebellion. It ignores God and the true bond of union, therefore, it is the city of confusion. As Babel's sin disunited the people, the Spirit of God given on Pentecost unites God's church in peace.
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Taking Our Lead From God
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Parable of the Ten Virgins (Part One)
Parables of Matthew 13 (Part Two): The Parable of the Sower
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Forging the Canon
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The Measure of Christ's Gift
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God's Spiritual Harvest
Lessons From Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim
Unity and Godly Diversity in One Body
Numbers Don't Lie
Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part Seven)
Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part Ten)
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Psalm 133
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Endeavoring to Keep the Unity
Understanding Unity
The Mystery of the Church
The Father-Son Relationship (Part Eight)
Purpose-Driven Churches (Part 4)
Themes of I Corinthians (Part 2)
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