Christ Chapel Bible Church Pulpit MinistryDr. Mark BaileyJuly 8, 2018

EPHESIANS 4:1-16Unity in Community

1. __________________ is a prerequisite for genuine unity in the church. (vv. 1-3)

It takes the fruit of the Spirit to maintain the unity of the Spirit.

2. ____________ is a reality to preserve, not a future to establish. (vv. 4-6)

7 facets to unity: ONE ... BODY

SPIRIT

HOPE

LORD

FAITH

BAPTISM

GOD AND FATHER OF ALL

3. _________________ is an assignment for which God has uniquely gifted people to accomplish. (vv. 7-12)

Those who were _____________________________ – HISTORICAL: apostles and prophets (cf. Eph 2:20)

Those who are still _______________________ – CONTEMPORARY: evangelists, pastors and teachers

4. ___________________ is the ultimate goal for every functioning member of the body of Christ. (vv. 13-14)

Unity of Faith

Maturity toward Christlikeness

Purity in Truth

5. ___________________________ is the means by which the body becomes all that God desires. (vv. 15-16)

A community known for its compassion and commitment

A community known for its growth and godliness

A community known for its efforts and effectiveness

CHRISTOVER ALL

The Formation of the Church The Function of the Church CHAPTERS 1—3 CHAPTERS 4—6

God Salvation Church Unity Integrity Victory

The work of the Trinity is vital for the work of the ministry.

1. Read Ephesians 4:1-16. Of the five main points of the sermon, which caused you to pause and consider whether you ‟walk in a manner worthy of the calling” (v. 1), and what are you doing in response?

2. In verse 12 Paul says the reason the people of God are given gifts is to ‟equip the saints for the work of the ministry.” What does he say is the work of the ministry? Why doesn’t Paul tell us to direct our gifts toward the world or those living around us instead?

3. Spiritual gifts are not given primarily for the benefit of the individual, but for the edification of the entire body (vv. 12-16). What happens to the individual who attends worship but never engages in the body of believers? What happens to the church in that case?

4. What percentage of your time and effort is spent outside the church versus in the church? What reasons do you give for not engaging in the church body except on Sundays for worship?

5. Are all conflicts in the church wrong? If not, how can we know that we are fighting for the right cause and not for sinful reasons?

SERMON BLANKS: Humility, Unity, Ministry, foundational, functional, Maturity, ConnectivityCOMING UP AT CHRIST CHAPELHere’s a glimpse at what you need to know for thisweek. Like to plan ahead a little more? Pick up a copyof The Source at a stand around campus or near theexits, or visit www.ccbcfamily.org/events. They’reyour source for everything going on at Christ Chapel.

THERE’S A BIG SALE AT THE BOOKSTORE TODAY. Stop by the first floor of the Link Building to catch the major markdowns happening today—select books, DVDs and more are now $1 to $10.“HOW PEOPLE CHANGE” STARTS TONIGHT. If you’d like to spend this summer diving deep into the transformative truth of Jesus’ work on the cross and how it targets our hearts, core desires and motivations, sign up for the class which starts at 6:30 p.m. in Link Classroom North at www.ccbcfamily.org/events. You’ll learn how true change comes about in yourself and how to help others pursue the same.PICK UP “NIGHT LIGHTS,” THE LATEST ALBUM BY CHRIST CHAPEL MUSIC! Made for kids, this new album features music from Kids Kamp 2018 plus other songs the whole family will love. Buy it today in The Perk, stream it on Spotify or download it from iTunes, Google Music or Amazon.LADIES, INVITE A FRIEND TO SUMMER SALAD LUNCH. On Wednesday, July 18, we’re getting together for good food and a great story at 11 a.m. in the Oak Room. Come meet Jessica Koiner who will be sharing how God has continued to pursue her through failures and valleys. You’ll leave encouraged that God is for you no matter the circumstances. There’s no need to sign up—just bring a salad to share along with a friend who needs to hear about God’s love. Kids Care is available by RSVP for ages 0 to 11 at www.ccbcfamily.org/KidsRSVP.THERE’S A TA ETHNE MISSIONS LUNCHEON NEXT SUNDAY, JULY 15. Despite threats and persecution, people are coming to know Jesus all across East Asia. Come for lunch next week at 12:15 p.m. in the Oak Room and hear about it from a missionary who is part of the movement, actively training leaders in the region. Kids Care is available for ages 0 to 11 by RSVP at www.ccbcfamily.org/KidsRSVP through this Thursday, July 12.SAVE THE DATE FOR COUPLES RETREAT 2018. Married couples, plan now to get away for a weekend together this Sept. 21-23. The Couples Retreat is an opportunity to pull back from the craze of normal life, take a deep breath and spend time one on one. You’ll hear some short, practical teachings from Doug and Patty Cecil on ways to deepen your relationship through prayer and Bible study, plus you’ll have lots of time to hang out, relax and go on a date. Learn more and register at www.ccbcfamily.org/events. The cost is $295 per couple.DOWNLOAD THE CCBC APP. Available from the App Store and Google Play, our app keeps you in touch while on the go with sermon archives, staff contacts, a way to submit prayer requests, an ESV Bible and more.

SERMON DEVOTIONAL STUDY

CHRIST OVER ALL

Unity is a reality to preserve, not a future to establish.

The unity of which Paul speaks here is not one we should strive to create, but rather strive to preserve. This unity exists by divine design and creation. We share a common faith, being saved in exactly the same way (Rom 3:19-30, 4:1-16; Gal 2:16). We have but one baptism (1 Cor 12:13; Rom 6:1-11). As such, we all have one God and Father, the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. With so much in common, we can see why Paul would speak of unity which already exists in fact, and which needs to be preserved and promoted.The unity we share in terms of our position is also to be shown in our practice. The first step to resolve conflicts with others is to judge your own selfish focus. The main enemy isn’t the other person but your own sinful, selfish flesh, and it will destroy you if you don't defeat it. James says (4:1), “Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?” Unless you recognize the magnitude of this battle and the frightening fact that the enemy is you, you won’t understand how serious your problem is. Jesus said (Lk 9:23), “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” The decision to judge your own selfish focus is not optional for believers. Putting self to death is a daily responsibility.

Close by praying for the unity of the church, and for your own role in that unity.

“The first measure of a church is, in my estimation, a check of what has been called its ‘body life.’ Weare to some extent arriving at the goal of a New Testament church when those who have the equipping gifts are doing just that, and when the saints are carrying out the work of the ministry. To the extent that any member is not involved or isfailing to carry out his task in the body, the body is in poor health. Find out your place in the local churchand get involved. There is the growth which you willexperience as a vital part of the body and from making use of the truth which you have learned (cf. Mk 4:24,25). There is the joy of being able to see God at work. When our Lord Jesus turned the waterinto wine in John chapter two, it was only those whowere involved by filling the water pots who knewwhat our Lord had done (Jn 2:9). There is fellowshipand intimacy in working with other Christians which cannot be experienced in any other way.”—BOB DEFFINBAUGH

“This spiritual unity is more difficult to keep than organizational unity. It is easy to exercise authority, to discipline, to rule, to excommunicate those who agree not with us, but it is difficult to preserve love,respect, faith, humility, mutual honor one of another,which is necessary in a spiritual unity. The latter becomes a matter of self-discipline, in which most of us are lacking. We are always willing to discipline others, but very unwilling to discipline ourselves.”—H. J. OCKENGA

“We’ll never build unity around unity, but we can build it around Jesus.”—MICHAEL KOULIANOS

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