A Unifying Calling

Audio Recording

Sermon Outline

Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Joined Together, Growing Together

Ephesians 4:1-6  (ESV)
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..

Sermon Outline
Within our broken and fractured world, God joins us together, calling us into life with Him. 

1. The Source of Unity

  • v4  “just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call”

  • vv5-6  “one Lord, one faith… one God and Father of all…”

  • v4   “There is one body and one Spirit”

2. The Task of the Unified

  • v3  “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”

  • v2 “humility… gentleness…patience…  love”

3. The Way of Union

  • vv1-2  “urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,  with all humility…”

  • v1  “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord”

Prayer of Confession
Our Father, who is over all, through all and in all: have mercy on us.  We are broken.  We are divided.  Instead of responding to your call we have walked away, insisting on our own ways.  We have been proud, harsh and impatient.  We have failed to love as we ought.  Forgive us.  We thank you for our one Lord, Jesus Christ, whose body was broken for us.  We are one living body joined by one Spirit with one hope.  Amen.

Questions for Reflection

  1. Where do you see division in the world?  How are you feeling or experiencing disconnection?

  2. Why is it so hard to find unity?  How are Christians one (or meant to be one) without losing individuality or diversity?

  3. How do we maintain the unity of God’s people?  What is necessary?

  4. Are you eager to see God’s people be unified?  Is this a conviction you have?  Why or why not?

  5. What does it mean to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called”?

  6. Why are humility, gentleness and patience necessary? 

  7. What is the source of your worth as a human being?  How should God’s call change how you view yourself?

  8. How is the possibility of what God calls us to hopeful?  How can that hope energize us?

Joined Together, Growing Together, EphesiansEmmanuel AdminEmmanuel Presbyterian ChurchUnity, Calling