Unity in a Divided World

Text: Ephesians 4
The church is called to maturity and unity in truth — not tossed by every new trend.

I. A Culture Built on Division

• Division dominates society — politics, social media, even churches.
• Everyone’s shouting; no one’s listening.
• Paul writes to a divided church of Jews and Gentiles learning to live as one.
• His message: unity is not optional — it’s the mark of spiritual maturity.
• A divided church cannot reach a divided world.

II. Walking Worthy of the Calling (vv.1–3)

• The Christian life isn’t about demanding rights but fulfilling a calling.
• Unity begins with humility — pride divides, humility unites.
• Four foundation stones of unity:
  1. Humility – Seeing yourself accurately before God.
  2. Gentleness – Strength under control.
  3. Patience – Enduring without giving up on others.
  4. Bearing in Love – Refusing to let offense outrun forgiveness.
• Unity requires intentional effort — “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit.”

III. One Body, One Spirit, One Lord (vv.4–6)

• Paul lists seven pillars of unity:
  • One Body
  • One Spirit
  • One Hope
  • One Lord
  • One Faith
  • One Baptism
  • One God and Father of all
• Christian unity is rooted in shared salvation, not shared preferences.
• We are united by Christ’s work — not by human compromise.
• God’s unity transcends culture, class, and opinion.

IV. Gifts for Building Up (vv.7–16)

• Every believer is gifted by Christ for ministry — no spectators in the body.
• Leadership roles (apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, teachers) exist to equip the saints, not to perform for them.
• The purpose of ministry gifts: maturity and unity in faith.
• Immature believers chase trends and emotional hype.
• Mature believers stand firm in truth, speak the truth in love, and grow into Christ.
• The church grows strongest when each member serves faithfully in their gift.

V. Putting Off the Old, Putting On the New (vv.17–32)

• The world says, “Be true to yourself.” Paul says, “Put off your old self — it’s corrupt.”
• Transformation includes:
  • Renewed mind (v.23)
  • New self created after God’s likeness (v.24)
  • Practical fruit: truth, righteous anger, honest work, edifying words, kindness, and forgiveness.
• Unity depends on relational holiness — how we speak, act, and forgive.
• You can’t build unity while clinging to the old self.

VI. Connecting to Today’s World

• Politics: Christ unites beyond red or blue — one Lord, one faith, one baptism.
• Race & Culture: The church must model reconciliation, not mirror hostility.
• Trends & Denominations: Stop chasing fads; grow up into Christ.
• Online Division: The Spirit calls us to gentleness, patience, and forgiveness.
• The church should be the one place where grace silences chaos.

VII. What Kind of Church Will We Be?

• Will we reflect the chaos of culture or the character of Christ?
• True unity is built on humility, maturity, love, and truth — not personality or preference.
• When we speak the truth in love, we grow together under Christ, the Head.
• Unity doesn’t require sameness — it requires submission to the same Lord.
• The world is watching — our love for one another validates the message we preach.

Closing Scripture:
Ephesians 4:15–16 — “Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body… builds itself up in love.”