Preserving the Unity of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:3-6)
Unity is a cherished ideal, especially within a community of faith. This sermon explores the profound truth that Christian unity is not merely an aspiration but a spiritual reality already gifted by God, which we are called to actively protect and display.
The sermon argues that true church unity is a spiritual reality given by God, which believers are commanded to diligently preserve. This preservation requires a shared commitment to sound doctrine, godly living, and a humble pursuit of peace through virtues like compassion and forgiveness.
Overview
This sermon examines the essential internal system of unity within the church, drawing primarily from Ephesians 4. The preacher emphasizes that while unity is not a virtue in itself, the diligent pursuit and protection of it are vital for a healthy church, much like internal discord devastates a family. He shares personal anecdotes of past divisions to illustrate the fragility and preciousness of this unity.
The core of the sermon establishes a theological foundation for unity, explaining that it is a supernatural reality already given to believers. Citing Ephesians 4:4-6, John 17, and 1 Corinthians 12, the preacher explains that believers are one body, united by one Spirit, one Lord, and one God and Father. Jesus' prayer for unity in John 17, he argues, was for this organic, spiritual oneness of shared eternal life, which became a reality at Pentecost.
However, this God-given unity must be diligently preserved, and it is not at the expense of truth or holiness. The sermon directly confronts false ecumenism that ignores sound doctrine or overlooks sin. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 1 and 3, and 2 Thessalonians 3:6, the preacher asserts that true unity is built on a common understanding of Scripture, an agreement in mind and judgment, and a commitment to godly living. He stresses the need to confront error and unrepentant sin for the sake of the church's health and true unity.
The sermon concludes by outlining the practical path of peace necessary for preserving unity, using Colossians 3:12-14 and Romans 15:5-6. This path involves putting on virtues like compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, bearing with one another, and forgiveness, all fueled by love. The preacher reiterates that discord often stems from either ignorance of truth or sin, and believers are called to diligently pursue peace to glorify God.
Key points
- Unity is a critical internal system of the church, requiring diligent preservation (Ephesians 4:3).
- Causes of disunity include pride, self-centeredness, anger, bitterness, competitive spirit, power plays, vengeance, and envy.
- The spiritual unity of believers is a divine reality, founded on one Spirit, one Lord, and one God and Father (Ephesians 4:4-6).
- Jesus' prayer for unity in John 17 refers to a supernatural, internal oneness of shared divine life, not merely surface-level agreement.
- True unity is built on sound doctrine and godly living, not by ignoring doctrinal error or overlooking iniquity.
- Churches must confront heresy (Titus 3) and unrepentant sin (2 Thessalonians 3:6) to maintain biblical unity.
- Preserving unity practically involves compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, bearing with, and forgiving one another (Colossians 3:12-14).
In John MacArthur's words
“If there is anything that devastates a family, it is internal discord. It’s shattering.”
“The goal is unity – unity – unity – unity.”
“You will not achieve biblical unity apart from sound doctrine, and apart from godliness, holiness and the dealing with sin.”
Outline
- I. The Essential Pursuit of Unity (Ephesians 4:3)
- A. The devastating impact of internal discord
- B. Personal experiences with church disunity
- C. The goal: diligently preserving the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace
- II. The Divine Foundation of Unity (Ephesians 4:4-6)
- A. One Body, One Spirit, One Hope (Ephesians 4:4)
- B. One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism (Ephesians 4:5)
- C. One God and Father of all (Ephesians 4:6)
- D. Jesus' prayer for supernatural unity in John 17
- E. The reality of spiritual oneness through the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:11-13)
- III. The Parameters of True Unity
- A. Unity built on truth, not confusion
- B. Unity built on holiness, not iniquity
- C. Rejecting false ecumenism that ignores doctrine or sin
- D. Confronting error and unruly life (Titus 3, 2 Thessalonians 3:6)
- IV. The Practical Expression of Unity
- A. Agreeing and speaking the same thing (1 Corinthians 1:10)
- B. Avoiding fleshly jealousy and strife (1 Corinthians 3:1-4)
- C. Standing firm in one spirit and mind for the faith of the gospel (Philippians 1:27)
- D. Having the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus (Romans 15:5)
- E. The 'tuning fork' of truth for common understanding
- V. The Path of Peace for Preserving Unity (Colossians 3:12-14)
- A. Putting on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience
- B. Bearing with and forgiving each other, as the Lord forgave us
- C. Above all, putting on love, the perfect bond of unity
Scripture references
- Ephesians 4
- Ephesians 4:3
- Ephesians 4:4
- Ephesians 4:5
- Ephesians 4:6
- Romans 8
- Titus 3
- 2 Thessalonians 3:6
- John 17
- John 17:1
- John 17:21
- John 17:23
- 1 Corinthians 12
- 1 Corinthians 12:11
- 1 Corinthians 1:10
- 1 Corinthians 3
- 1 Corinthians 3:1-4
- Philippians 1
- Philippians 1:27
- Romans 15
- Romans 15:5
- Romans 15:6
- Colossians 3
- Colossians 3:12
- Colossians 3:12-14
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
Insights
Unity within the church is a spiritual gift to be diligently preserved, not merely created.
Our common life in Christ forms a deep, supernatural unity with one another.
True agreement among believers blossoms from a shared understanding of truth.
Questions & answers
What is the primary message of this sermon?
The sermon's primary message is that unity in the church is a spiritual reality that God has already provided, and believers must diligently work to preserve it by embracing truth, holiness, and a lifestyle of peace and forgiveness.
Why is unity so important for the church?
Unity is vital because disunity devastates, much like internal discord shatters a family. It cripples the church, dishonors the Lord, and causes a forfeiture of blessing, hindering the church's ability to glorify God effectively.
What kind of unity is Jesus praying for in John 17?
According to the sermon, Jesus is praying for a supernatural, internal unity rooted in sharing common eternal life and the indwelling of the Spirit. It's an organic oneness that approximates the essential unity between the Father and the Son, not merely surface-level agreement among Christians.
Does the sermon suggest that all doctrinal differences should be ignored for unity?
No, the sermon explicitly rejects this idea, calling it 'false, unbiblical, and displeasing unity.' True unity, it argues, must be built around sound doctrine and not ignore error or accept heresy.
How can church members practically pursue and maintain unity?
Practically, members pursue unity by cultivating a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, bearing with one another, and forgiving each other. These virtues, bound together by love, are essential for walking the path of peace.
What are common causes of disunity mentioned in the sermon?
The sermon lists pride, self-centeredness, selfishness, anger, bitterness, a competitive spirit, personality attractions, power plays, vengeance, and envy as common sins that destroy unity in a church.
Flashcards
Turn your pastor's sermon into notes like this
Record at church or paste a YouTube link. Sermon Notes gives you summaries, scriptures, flashcards, and a daily devotional from your own sermons.
More from John MacArthur
Related on similar themes
Source
Unofficial AI summary for study purposes. Watch the full sermon on Grace to You. Sermon Insights is not affiliated with or endorsed by the pastor or church.