WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:09.560 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.080 --> 00:00:10.620 Join us. 00:00:12.759 --> 00:00:16.760 It's the heart of what we're going to be talking about together this morning. 00:00:17.359 --> 00:00:19.480 We're in Ephesians chapter 4. 00:00:20.059 --> 00:00:24.280 Ephesians 4, we've hit the midway point of the book of Ephesians. 00:00:24.580 --> 00:00:28.699 And this morning we're actually at a hinge point in Ephesians. 00:00:28.699 --> 00:00:34.060 And thus far, as we've gone through, we'll do a little bit of review. 00:00:34.619 --> 00:00:39.740 What's happened in the first three chapters is that Paul has given us this rich theology 00:00:39.740 --> 00:00:44.600 where he's extolling the grandeur of God's love and grace. 00:00:44.799 --> 00:00:49.679 He's explaining the life-transforming reality that through Jesus, 00:00:49.859 --> 00:00:56.840 those of us least deserving of being in God's presence are connected to God by faith. 00:00:56.840 --> 00:01:04.820 Those of us labeled enemy are now seated at the king's table with name tags that say connected to Jesus. 00:01:06.079 --> 00:01:14.260 Paul has explained how all the power, all the work, all the glory for this are all God's. 00:01:14.840 --> 00:01:18.080 Because we're saved by grace alone, he says. 00:01:18.079 --> 00:01:22.980 And so he's talked about how being connected to God connects us also to each other. 00:01:23.340 --> 00:01:27.560 Jews and Gentiles in the same family, one temple being built up. 00:01:27.799 --> 00:01:32.400 Because what's most important about them, remember, is not their personal religious pedigree. 00:01:33.060 --> 00:01:35.180 It's the fact that they're connected to Jesus. 00:01:35.439 --> 00:01:37.359 That's what's most important. 00:01:37.359 --> 00:01:43.359 So some of the richest theological teaching in all of the Scripture on the grace of God, 00:01:43.620 --> 00:01:47.000 on the process of salvation, on the nature of the church. 00:01:48.280 --> 00:01:49.680 And then we hit chapter 4. 00:01:50.620 --> 00:01:56.359 Listen to what Paul's going to do as he makes all that great theology, practical theology. 00:01:57.200 --> 00:01:58.700 Ephesians 4 at verse 1. 00:01:58.760 --> 00:01:59.879 Hear God's holy word. 00:01:59.879 --> 00:02:07.859 I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 00:02:08.219 --> 00:02:13.400 with all humility and gentleness, with patience bearing with one another in love, 00:02:13.759 --> 00:02:17.579 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 00:02:18.419 --> 00:02:23.960 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, 00:02:23.960 --> 00:02:28.460 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, 00:02:28.540 --> 00:02:31.800 who is over all and through all and in all. 00:02:33.180 --> 00:02:39.680 The grass withers, the flowers fade, but these words of our God will indeed stand forever. 00:02:40.159 --> 00:02:40.800 Pray with me. 00:02:45.020 --> 00:02:47.100 Father, as these are your words, 00:02:47.640 --> 00:02:51.600 and as what we need is to hear from you rather than from a man, 00:02:51.599 --> 00:02:53.939 we ask that you would speak. 00:02:54.960 --> 00:02:57.099 Would you speak to our hearts clearly? 00:02:58.599 --> 00:03:02.539 Would you take eyes that are easily blind and allow them to see? 00:03:04.000 --> 00:03:08.359 Would you take hearts that wander after other things and give us a heart for you? 00:03:08.479 --> 00:03:10.599 Renew our affections after Jesus. 00:03:12.060 --> 00:03:13.599 Would you do that by your Spirit? 00:03:13.740 --> 00:03:15.120 We ask in Jesus' name. 00:03:15.979 --> 00:03:16.280 Amen. 00:03:16.280 --> 00:03:16.419 Amen. 00:03:18.340 --> 00:03:22.060 I still remember holding my first child in the hospital. 00:03:22.780 --> 00:03:25.219 I remember being overwhelmed with joy, 00:03:25.460 --> 00:03:26.560 thinking things like, 00:03:26.699 --> 00:03:31.120 how in the world could I love a little baby like this so much? 00:03:31.699 --> 00:03:32.939 And also thinking, 00:03:33.219 --> 00:03:35.479 I think this changes everything. 00:03:36.379 --> 00:03:37.699 I had no idea. 00:03:38.560 --> 00:03:41.159 Listen, I love my girls. 00:03:41.539 --> 00:03:43.860 And what I'm about to say does not change that. 00:03:43.920 --> 00:03:45.420 It's bad when you start this way, isn't it? 00:03:45.419 --> 00:03:47.019 And something bad is coming. 00:03:47.339 --> 00:03:49.539 This doesn't take away from that at all. 00:03:50.780 --> 00:03:54.659 But they've changed everything about my life. 00:03:54.739 --> 00:03:56.099 That's what happens, right? 00:03:56.399 --> 00:04:00.439 We love them so much and, not but, 00:04:00.739 --> 00:04:03.899 and it's often hard to remember life without them. 00:04:04.699 --> 00:04:08.339 Christy and I have had this happen several times on a vacation or a date 00:04:08.339 --> 00:04:09.719 where it's just the two of us. 00:04:09.719 --> 00:04:12.680 And we try to think back only seven years for us. 00:04:12.780 --> 00:04:16.420 And what did we do in the evenings back then? 00:04:17.060 --> 00:04:18.339 How did we make decisions? 00:04:18.660 --> 00:04:21.100 Like, what did we talk about when that happened? 00:04:21.319 --> 00:04:25.040 And what happened was that everything changed. 00:04:25.779 --> 00:04:29.540 The reality of becoming a parent changes not just your tax filing, 00:04:29.699 --> 00:04:30.819 but everything, right? 00:04:31.360 --> 00:04:33.639 Sleep schedules are altered. 00:04:33.639 --> 00:04:36.800 Your daily plan is changed. 00:04:37.360 --> 00:04:40.919 You suddenly follow school rezoning decisions very closely. 00:04:41.099 --> 00:04:42.039 Where are we going to be? 00:04:42.139 --> 00:04:43.279 Where will the kids be? 00:04:43.620 --> 00:04:46.079 Eating out for dinner is so much more complicated. 00:04:46.180 --> 00:04:48.579 It was already hard enough to decide where you wanted to go, 00:04:48.680 --> 00:04:49.979 but now you're also asking, 00:04:50.579 --> 00:04:53.419 where are the kids going to be able to make it through the meal 00:04:53.419 --> 00:04:56.839 without being too disruptive so we can get in and get out? 00:04:56.879 --> 00:04:58.139 And what will they like to eat? 00:04:58.139 --> 00:05:02.139 You have to live all of life as a parent, right? 00:05:03.539 --> 00:05:08.339 Many of you have also experienced the life-altering reality of parenthood. 00:05:08.899 --> 00:05:13.319 Some of you have felt or seen the impact of a lifestyle-altering diagnosis. 00:05:14.180 --> 00:05:16.560 The reality, for example, of having an allergy. 00:05:17.620 --> 00:05:20.500 That means not just a line on my medical form, 00:05:21.019 --> 00:05:24.639 but it means every grocery store and restaurant I go to, 00:05:24.639 --> 00:05:29.240 I need ingredient lists and details about what I can and can't eat. 00:05:29.459 --> 00:05:32.819 It means now nothing with peanut butter near me or no milk products. 00:05:32.959 --> 00:05:35.159 I don't know how some of you manage it, honestly, 00:05:35.639 --> 00:05:36.939 if I couldn't eat peanut butter. 00:05:37.599 --> 00:05:42.199 But you have to start thinking about everything you do in light of that. 00:05:43.860 --> 00:05:47.159 Every moment you live as someone with the allergy 00:05:47.159 --> 00:05:49.819 or whatever it is that you're dealing with. 00:05:50.680 --> 00:05:53.199 Some of you have felt life being altered 00:05:53.199 --> 00:05:55.079 when you put on glasses for the first time 00:05:55.079 --> 00:05:57.360 and all of a sudden you saw everything differently. 00:05:57.680 --> 00:05:59.959 You didn't realize you could actually see the person over there 00:05:59.959 --> 00:06:02.060 or the sign on the road was something you could read. 00:06:02.519 --> 00:06:03.719 And all of a sudden, there it is. 00:06:03.800 --> 00:06:05.060 Everything looks different. 00:06:05.620 --> 00:06:08.480 Or you're coming out of school and you got a job for the first time 00:06:08.480 --> 00:06:10.599 and you thought it was just going to be a job, 00:06:10.699 --> 00:06:13.159 but now your schedule is completely altered. 00:06:13.300 --> 00:06:15.060 Your relationships are different. 00:06:15.240 --> 00:06:18.419 Your flexibility seems to be gone overnight. 00:06:19.039 --> 00:06:21.319 All of life has changed. 00:06:21.319 --> 00:06:24.420 We all know what it means to have one particular reality 00:06:24.420 --> 00:06:27.120 that alters the rest of life. 00:06:27.319 --> 00:06:31.360 To live the rest of life in light of one reality. 00:06:32.800 --> 00:06:36.300 That's what Paul is going to say in the second half of Ephesians. 00:06:36.800 --> 00:06:38.740 All this glorious theology, 00:06:39.079 --> 00:06:42.159 all these wonderful truths that I've been talking about 00:06:42.159 --> 00:06:44.879 actually alters all of life. 00:06:45.459 --> 00:06:47.500 It's doctrine with a purpose. 00:06:48.819 --> 00:06:49.779 Look at verse 1. 00:06:49.779 --> 00:06:51.079 What does he say? 00:06:51.619 --> 00:06:54.339 I, therefore, a prisoner of the Lord, 00:06:54.479 --> 00:06:57.639 urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling 00:06:57.639 --> 00:06:59.099 to which you've been called. 00:07:00.099 --> 00:07:00.539 Therefore. 00:07:01.979 --> 00:07:04.179 Therefore, he says a great word, therefore. 00:07:04.679 --> 00:07:08.039 Walk in a way, because of all of the things that you've heard, 00:07:08.299 --> 00:07:10.500 walk in a way that fits with that. 00:07:10.799 --> 00:07:13.879 Live a life that fits with the reality of who you are 00:07:13.879 --> 00:07:15.679 and what God has done for you. 00:07:15.680 --> 00:07:19.459 In light of all the wonderful good news that I've told you about, 00:07:19.740 --> 00:07:22.019 here's what your life should look like. 00:07:22.860 --> 00:07:26.259 That word translated worthy is not do enough, 00:07:26.379 --> 00:07:28.740 be good enough, try hard enough, 00:07:29.319 --> 00:07:32.420 but it's telling us to live in a way that's fitting, 00:07:33.240 --> 00:07:37.899 that's appropriate, that's commensurate with the reality of who we are, 00:07:38.139 --> 00:07:39.960 with the calling we've received. 00:07:40.060 --> 00:07:41.280 What fits with this? 00:07:41.279 --> 00:07:45.219 Live in a way that fits with what God has done, 00:07:45.279 --> 00:07:48.699 the salvation that you have been given by His grace. 00:07:49.739 --> 00:07:52.099 Interestingly, in the first three chapters of Ephesians, 00:07:52.159 --> 00:07:54.639 you know how many commands Paul gives to the church? 00:07:55.359 --> 00:07:58.919 Three full chapters, 50-some verses, one command. 00:07:59.779 --> 00:08:02.639 In chapter 2, he tells them to remember some things. 00:08:03.259 --> 00:08:03.679 Remember. 00:08:03.799 --> 00:08:05.719 That's the only command they get for three chapters. 00:08:05.720 --> 00:08:09.900 The commands are going to start coming fast and furious now. 00:08:10.320 --> 00:08:13.120 As you think through the next three chapters of Ephesians, 00:08:13.340 --> 00:08:14.780 Paul's going to say things like, 00:08:15.120 --> 00:08:15.380 Submit. 00:08:16.160 --> 00:08:16.600 Obey. 00:08:17.080 --> 00:08:17.500 Love. 00:08:18.040 --> 00:08:18.560 Put on. 00:08:18.740 --> 00:08:19.580 Stand firm. 00:08:19.920 --> 00:08:20.580 Be kind. 00:08:20.800 --> 00:08:21.060 Forgive. 00:08:21.720 --> 00:08:22.640 Do not get drunk. 00:08:23.000 --> 00:08:23.580 Keep alert. 00:08:23.860 --> 00:08:24.620 Speak truth. 00:08:25.700 --> 00:08:29.040 And many, many more we're going to hit in the next few weeks. 00:08:29.360 --> 00:08:32.220 He's about to tell us what life should look like 00:08:32.220 --> 00:08:34.139 in light of our new reality. 00:08:34.139 --> 00:08:38.319 And this is not unusual for Paul, if you know his letters, right? 00:08:38.699 --> 00:08:40.960 This is how Paul often operates. 00:08:41.120 --> 00:08:44.799 The truth he teaches always has practical implications. 00:08:45.919 --> 00:08:50.779 And likewise, he always roots his moral commands back in rich theology. 00:08:51.019 --> 00:08:54.340 In each letter, he tells both what is true, 00:08:55.340 --> 00:08:56.980 he does that first, 00:08:57.580 --> 00:09:01.259 and what to do next in light of that. 00:09:01.259 --> 00:09:05.679 Romans, for example, has 11 chapters of intense theology, 00:09:05.939 --> 00:09:07.360 wonderful doctrines. 00:09:07.600 --> 00:09:09.600 And chapter 12, verse 1 says, 00:09:09.819 --> 00:09:12.439 Therefore, in view of God's mercy, 00:09:12.539 --> 00:09:14.519 offer your bodies as living sacrifices. 00:09:14.759 --> 00:09:17.000 And there he goes telling us what it looks like. 00:09:17.860 --> 00:09:20.700 Galatians has four chapters on the doctrines of grace. 00:09:21.580 --> 00:09:23.159 And chapter 5, verse 1 says, 00:09:23.299 --> 00:09:25.460 Therefore, stand firm. 00:09:25.460 --> 00:09:27.680 This is not just Paul. 00:09:27.759 --> 00:09:29.200 This is the biblical pattern, right? 00:09:29.680 --> 00:09:31.360 That we've seen over and over. 00:09:32.139 --> 00:09:34.460 God's grace comes first. 00:09:34.920 --> 00:09:35.280 Always. 00:09:35.560 --> 00:09:36.500 God's grace first. 00:09:36.660 --> 00:09:37.620 And you never leave it. 00:09:38.080 --> 00:09:39.340 You never outgrow it. 00:09:39.440 --> 00:09:41.480 You never pass beyond it. 00:09:42.000 --> 00:09:44.300 It's not moving away from the doctrine, 00:09:44.440 --> 00:09:47.519 away from God's grace onto something else. 00:09:48.000 --> 00:09:51.360 God's grace motivates and empowers our behavior. 00:09:51.800 --> 00:09:53.080 That's biblical Christianity, 00:09:53.080 --> 00:09:55.040 because Jesus changes everything. 00:09:56.320 --> 00:09:59.759 The nature of his grace is that it meets us where we are, 00:10:00.400 --> 00:10:03.759 but it also doesn't leave us where we are, right? 00:10:04.060 --> 00:10:05.160 It meets us there. 00:10:05.259 --> 00:10:07.440 We don't have to clean ourselves up, look better. 00:10:07.820 --> 00:10:09.000 God's grace comes to us, 00:10:09.060 --> 00:10:10.700 but it's a transformative grace. 00:10:11.139 --> 00:10:13.060 One that doesn't leave us where we are, 00:10:13.120 --> 00:10:15.540 but makes us new and changes all of life. 00:10:15.539 --> 00:10:19.500 So it's vital that we keep our doctrine and our duty, 00:10:19.980 --> 00:10:24.039 our preaching and our practice connected to each other. 00:10:24.339 --> 00:10:26.559 Some of us love learning, right? 00:10:27.139 --> 00:10:29.819 We love the new book, another class to take. 00:10:29.919 --> 00:10:30.719 I'm excited. 00:10:30.860 --> 00:10:32.120 I can't wait to do that. 00:10:33.459 --> 00:10:35.919 But it never makes much difference in how we live. 00:10:36.279 --> 00:10:38.799 We can deliver a great lecture on love, 00:10:38.959 --> 00:10:40.959 but we don't show it much. 00:10:40.960 --> 00:10:43.000 And that's no good. 00:10:44.879 --> 00:10:47.620 Others of us haven't read a book since we were in school, 00:10:48.040 --> 00:10:50.540 and we only read the ones that were required then. 00:10:52.879 --> 00:10:54.220 But we scorn doctrine. 00:10:55.300 --> 00:10:57.460 We say it only matters how we live. 00:10:57.519 --> 00:10:58.280 Just be moral. 00:10:58.440 --> 00:10:59.639 Just love people. 00:10:59.780 --> 00:11:01.220 Isn't that really what matters? 00:11:01.379 --> 00:11:03.000 But the Bible says no. 00:11:03.120 --> 00:11:07.180 Be good for goodness sake falls short of biblical Christianity, 00:11:07.179 --> 00:11:12.299 because it skips the heart and the relationship with God that God so desires. 00:11:12.500 --> 00:11:15.419 We've got to keep those two connected to each other. 00:11:16.059 --> 00:11:17.939 So that's what you're going to continue to hear 00:11:17.939 --> 00:11:20.079 as we go through the rest of Ephesians together. 00:11:20.620 --> 00:11:24.159 Paul is not leaving doctrine behind in order to get practical. 00:11:25.039 --> 00:11:28.539 Paul is explaining what a life lived in light of the truths 00:11:28.539 --> 00:11:30.779 that he's been teaching us looks like. 00:11:31.659 --> 00:11:34.379 It's one of the reasons you hear us talk a lot at Southwood 00:11:34.379 --> 00:11:36.699 about experiencing and expressing grace. 00:11:36.700 --> 00:11:37.960 That's our mission, right? 00:11:38.360 --> 00:11:41.320 Both experience God's grace and express it. 00:11:41.560 --> 00:11:43.640 That both of those are necessary together. 00:11:44.020 --> 00:11:49.520 We have to hear and receive and feast on God's grace for ourselves, 00:11:49.620 --> 00:11:52.340 and we have to share it with others. 00:11:53.220 --> 00:11:55.940 Either one without the other is anemic Christianity 00:11:55.940 --> 00:11:58.060 or no Christianity at all. 00:11:59.500 --> 00:12:02.759 That's why, for example, Sunday school and serving the poor 00:12:02.759 --> 00:12:04.320 are both important. 00:12:04.920 --> 00:12:06.100 They don't work against each other. 00:12:06.100 --> 00:12:07.379 They work together. 00:12:09.420 --> 00:12:10.779 So here's where Paul's headed. 00:12:12.120 --> 00:12:14.220 He's going to walk into your workplace. 00:12:15.159 --> 00:12:17.340 He wants to sit at your dinner table. 00:12:18.360 --> 00:12:22.700 He wants to talk about your relationships with the world around you. 00:12:23.779 --> 00:12:25.779 He wants to hone in on your speech, 00:12:25.779 --> 00:12:26.620 on your marriage, 00:12:26.620 --> 00:12:28.319 on your marriage, 00:12:29.100 --> 00:12:31.519 on our church life. 00:12:32.720 --> 00:12:33.659 And one at a time, 00:12:33.699 --> 00:12:35.519 he's going to work his way through some of those things 00:12:35.519 --> 00:12:38.220 because Jesus changes everything, 00:12:38.339 --> 00:12:39.000 all of them. 00:12:39.679 --> 00:12:42.120 And when we say that in 21st century America, 00:12:42.120 --> 00:12:43.899 we get a little bit uncomfortable, don't we? 00:12:43.899 --> 00:12:50.439 We've individualized and privatized our religion so much at every chance we get. 00:12:50.440 --> 00:12:53.320 So that what we think is normal is this, 00:12:53.460 --> 00:12:55.060 that religious people say, 00:12:55.120 --> 00:12:57.020 Jesus changes Sunday morning. 00:12:58.300 --> 00:12:59.820 The super spiritual, 00:13:00.080 --> 00:13:02.680 the really the most religious friends I have 00:13:02.680 --> 00:13:03.100 would say, 00:13:03.220 --> 00:13:04.560 Jesus changes Sunday 00:13:04.560 --> 00:13:09.100 and one hour of every other day of the week. 00:13:09.100 --> 00:13:11.000 But the Bible says, 00:13:11.120 --> 00:13:13.100 Jesus changes everything, 00:13:13.340 --> 00:13:15.159 every moment of every day. 00:13:15.420 --> 00:13:17.740 He's not a side dish to fill out your life. 00:13:18.340 --> 00:13:20.480 The truth of Jesus is life altering. 00:13:20.639 --> 00:13:22.100 Everything changes now 00:13:22.100 --> 00:13:24.560 because he's redeeming and renewing all of it, 00:13:24.820 --> 00:13:25.720 all of life. 00:13:26.120 --> 00:13:27.000 All of it is his. 00:13:28.259 --> 00:13:29.480 Just like becoming a parent, 00:13:30.540 --> 00:13:31.279 having an allergy, 00:13:32.259 --> 00:13:33.040 getting a job, 00:13:33.680 --> 00:13:35.320 everything changes now. 00:13:36.320 --> 00:13:37.920 And I'll be honest with you and myself, 00:13:37.919 --> 00:13:41.059 there are a lot of days I'm really not sure I'm up for that. 00:13:41.679 --> 00:13:42.959 I'm really not that interested. 00:13:43.120 --> 00:13:43.459 In fact, 00:13:43.579 --> 00:13:45.879 I don't have the bandwidth for it. 00:13:46.459 --> 00:13:47.479 I feel like I just, 00:13:47.659 --> 00:13:49.799 I don't have the time or the energy 00:13:49.799 --> 00:13:52.919 to stop and think about how Jesus shows up here. 00:13:53.019 --> 00:13:53.179 I just, 00:13:53.399 --> 00:13:54.899 there's some things that need to get done. 00:13:55.199 --> 00:13:57.620 I know some things that are really important to me 00:13:57.620 --> 00:13:59.819 and I just don't really care 00:13:59.819 --> 00:14:02.279 to stop and to put in the effort to think, 00:14:02.399 --> 00:14:05.199 what does Jesus have to say about my marriage 00:14:05.199 --> 00:14:06.500 or my money 00:14:06.500 --> 00:14:07.759 or my job? 00:14:07.919 --> 00:14:10.419 Anybody else ever felt that way? 00:14:11.120 --> 00:14:12.899 Am I the only one that sometimes feels like, 00:14:13.039 --> 00:14:13.159 man, 00:14:13.179 --> 00:14:14.039 there's just so much 00:14:14.039 --> 00:14:15.919 and I already know most of what I need. 00:14:16.399 --> 00:14:18.620 I don't really need to know what Jesus says about this. 00:14:18.679 --> 00:14:19.979 Can I just do some things? 00:14:23.079 --> 00:14:25.000 But Jesus won't share his glory 00:14:25.000 --> 00:14:26.379 with my idols. 00:14:28.120 --> 00:14:29.579 Jesus won't allow me 00:14:29.579 --> 00:14:31.899 to talk like a Christian on Sunday 00:14:31.899 --> 00:14:35.079 and ignore him on Monday 00:14:35.079 --> 00:14:36.659 and avoid what he loves. 00:14:36.659 --> 00:14:39.699 Jesus loves me too much 00:14:39.699 --> 00:14:41.439 to let me shipwreck myself 00:14:41.439 --> 00:14:43.659 by leaving him out of my life. 00:14:44.179 --> 00:14:45.379 He doesn't want me to miss 00:14:45.379 --> 00:14:47.379 what he created and redeemed me for. 00:14:47.620 --> 00:14:48.980 He wants to see me flourish 00:14:48.980 --> 00:14:50.860 and honor him in all of life 00:14:50.860 --> 00:14:52.019 for his glory 00:14:52.019 --> 00:14:54.199 because it's also what's best for me. 00:14:54.779 --> 00:14:55.740 That's why he says, 00:14:55.740 --> 00:14:57.860 I urge you to walk in a manner 00:14:57.860 --> 00:14:58.919 worthy of the calling 00:14:58.919 --> 00:14:59.759 to which you've been called. 00:14:59.940 --> 00:15:01.299 I know what's best for you. 00:15:01.399 --> 00:15:03.019 I'm calling you to something. 00:15:03.519 --> 00:15:04.980 Walk in a way that fits 00:15:04.980 --> 00:15:06.899 with the great gifts I've given you, 00:15:06.940 --> 00:15:07.940 with the great things 00:15:07.940 --> 00:15:09.740 that I've done for you. 00:15:09.740 --> 00:15:12.740 So buckle up. 00:15:13.360 --> 00:15:14.600 Ephesians part two. 00:15:15.840 --> 00:15:16.960 Practical theology. 00:15:18.019 --> 00:15:18.539 Subtitle. 00:15:19.139 --> 00:15:20.200 Paul the theologian 00:15:20.200 --> 00:15:22.139 becomes Paul the meddler. 00:15:25.740 --> 00:15:28.299 Today, in the rest of our passage, 00:15:28.419 --> 00:15:29.620 he begins with one area 00:15:29.620 --> 00:15:31.139 that's already been a big theme 00:15:31.139 --> 00:15:31.779 in Ephesians. 00:15:32.460 --> 00:15:33.340 It's unity. 00:15:34.399 --> 00:15:35.180 He wants to start 00:15:35.180 --> 00:15:36.460 by talking about unity. 00:15:36.680 --> 00:15:38.120 He's going to begin right here 00:15:38.120 --> 00:15:39.159 in the church 00:15:39.159 --> 00:15:40.559 and he's going to say, 00:15:40.679 --> 00:15:41.899 Jesus has already 00:15:41.899 --> 00:15:43.360 united you to each other. 00:15:44.319 --> 00:15:45.740 Now live out the unity 00:15:45.740 --> 00:15:47.219 that already exists. 00:15:47.860 --> 00:15:48.860 That's what he's going to tell us 00:15:48.860 --> 00:15:49.779 in the rest of this passage. 00:15:49.899 --> 00:15:51.579 Look at verses four to six. 00:15:53.279 --> 00:15:55.240 He's reminding us of what's true. 00:15:55.399 --> 00:15:56.259 There's one body, 00:15:56.819 --> 00:15:57.459 one spirit. 00:15:57.899 --> 00:15:59.159 You were called to the one hope 00:15:59.159 --> 00:16:00.100 that belongs to it. 00:16:00.439 --> 00:16:01.019 One Lord, 00:16:01.360 --> 00:16:02.039 one faith, 00:16:02.339 --> 00:16:03.059 one baptism, 00:16:03.600 --> 00:16:04.959 one God and Father of all 00:16:04.959 --> 00:16:05.959 who is over all 00:16:05.959 --> 00:16:07.220 and through all and in all. 00:16:07.220 --> 00:16:09.379 That's not what he hopes 00:16:09.379 --> 00:16:10.519 will happen one day. 00:16:10.620 --> 00:16:12.480 That's already true, right? 00:16:12.879 --> 00:16:14.180 He's reminding us of that. 00:16:14.320 --> 00:16:16.540 Seven times there's that one. 00:16:17.340 --> 00:16:19.139 What you share in common, 00:16:19.279 --> 00:16:20.540 what you all have 00:16:20.540 --> 00:16:22.100 because there's one of it 00:16:22.100 --> 00:16:23.420 is more important 00:16:23.420 --> 00:16:24.320 than your differences. 00:16:25.560 --> 00:16:26.940 You're in one family 00:16:26.940 --> 00:16:28.139 because having Jesus 00:16:28.139 --> 00:16:29.220 for your brother 00:16:29.220 --> 00:16:30.639 means you have the same father 00:16:30.639 --> 00:16:31.779 and are indwelt 00:16:31.779 --> 00:16:32.899 by the same spirit. 00:16:33.180 --> 00:16:34.420 It's what Jesus does 00:16:34.420 --> 00:16:35.759 when we're connected to him. 00:16:35.759 --> 00:16:37.620 He makes us family. 00:16:38.240 --> 00:16:39.480 Remember how Paul told us 00:16:39.480 --> 00:16:40.899 he did that back in chapter two? 00:16:41.620 --> 00:16:41.980 Jesus, 00:16:42.360 --> 00:16:44.019 Jesus himself is our peace. 00:16:44.559 --> 00:16:45.360 He is the one 00:16:45.360 --> 00:16:47.019 who's made us both one, 00:16:47.379 --> 00:16:48.039 took the two 00:16:48.039 --> 00:16:49.539 and made them one. 00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:51.779 He did it 00:16:51.779 --> 00:16:53.419 by breaking down in his flesh 00:16:53.419 --> 00:16:55.039 the dividing wall of hostility. 00:16:55.539 --> 00:16:57.100 He was creating in himself 00:16:57.100 --> 00:16:58.100 one new man 00:16:58.100 --> 00:16:59.259 in place of the two, 00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:00.480 so making peace 00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:02.419 and reconciling both of us 00:17:02.419 --> 00:17:03.740 to God in one body 00:17:03.740 --> 00:17:05.000 through the cross 00:17:05.000 --> 00:17:05.940 where he killed 00:17:05.940 --> 00:17:07.259 the hostility. 00:17:08.039 --> 00:17:08.740 He preached peace 00:17:08.740 --> 00:17:09.740 to those far off 00:17:09.740 --> 00:17:10.819 and those who were near 00:17:10.819 --> 00:17:12.000 and through him 00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:12.839 we both 00:17:12.839 --> 00:17:14.160 have access 00:17:14.160 --> 00:17:16.039 in one spirit 00:17:16.039 --> 00:17:17.440 to the Father. 00:17:18.579 --> 00:17:20.339 Jews and Gentiles, 00:17:21.339 --> 00:17:22.920 those who've known Jesus 00:17:22.920 --> 00:17:23.940 a long time 00:17:23.940 --> 00:17:25.400 and those who met him yesterday 00:17:25.400 --> 00:17:27.059 are one. 00:17:27.420 --> 00:17:29.079 They have one father. 00:17:29.220 --> 00:17:30.779 They're in the same family, 00:17:31.099 --> 00:17:32.440 especially through the cross. 00:17:32.440 --> 00:17:33.860 That's what Jesus did for us, 00:17:33.900 --> 00:17:34.039 right? 00:17:34.100 --> 00:17:35.240 He made this true. 00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:37.740 So the call for the church 00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:38.640 here in our passage 00:17:38.640 --> 00:17:39.820 is not to fabricate 00:17:39.820 --> 00:17:41.140 togetherness out of nothing, 00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:43.019 to try to act like 00:17:43.019 --> 00:17:43.580 there's something 00:17:43.580 --> 00:17:44.700 we have in common, 00:17:44.860 --> 00:17:46.220 but rather to reflect 00:17:46.220 --> 00:17:47.620 what's already true. 00:17:47.900 --> 00:17:49.180 We're in the same family, 00:17:49.320 --> 00:17:50.160 like it or not. 00:17:50.759 --> 00:17:51.620 You may get to choose 00:17:51.620 --> 00:17:52.140 your friends, 00:17:52.299 --> 00:17:54.279 but family is family, 00:17:54.400 --> 00:17:54.660 right? 00:17:55.860 --> 00:17:57.120 We're already connected, 00:17:57.700 --> 00:17:59.759 but do we act like it? 00:17:59.759 --> 00:18:02.200 Does the way we live 00:18:02.200 --> 00:18:04.839 reflect the biblical reality? 00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:06.779 That's the question for us. 00:18:08.180 --> 00:18:08.799 Paul says, 00:18:08.879 --> 00:18:10.039 I'll tell you what it looks like 00:18:10.039 --> 00:18:11.859 when you practically live out 00:18:11.859 --> 00:18:13.319 that Jesus has connected you 00:18:13.319 --> 00:18:13.980 to each other 00:18:13.980 --> 00:18:15.420 in the same family. 00:18:16.119 --> 00:18:17.960 You're eager to maintain 00:18:17.960 --> 00:18:19.279 the unity of the Spirit 00:18:19.279 --> 00:18:21.079 in the bond of peace. 00:18:22.640 --> 00:18:23.900 You long for that. 00:18:24.019 --> 00:18:25.160 You work for that. 00:18:25.259 --> 00:18:26.200 You're eager. 00:18:26.200 --> 00:18:28.680 Eager to maintain. 00:18:28.799 --> 00:18:29.000 Notice, 00:18:29.140 --> 00:18:29.880 not create it, 00:18:30.039 --> 00:18:30.759 but maintain 00:18:30.759 --> 00:18:31.880 what already is true, 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:33.140 the unity of the Spirit. 00:18:33.380 --> 00:18:34.259 That sounds a lot like 00:18:34.259 --> 00:18:35.500 our last membership vow, 00:18:35.580 --> 00:18:35.960 doesn't it? 00:18:37.759 --> 00:18:38.740 We're promising 00:18:38.740 --> 00:18:40.000 to study the purity 00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:40.779 and the peace 00:18:40.779 --> 00:18:41.519 of the church, 00:18:42.039 --> 00:18:43.480 to work proactively 00:18:43.480 --> 00:18:44.380 and intently 00:18:44.380 --> 00:18:45.539 toward her unity. 00:18:46.299 --> 00:18:47.039 We're eager, 00:18:47.180 --> 00:18:49.039 not just don't sow discord, 00:18:49.299 --> 00:18:50.160 although that's 00:18:50.160 --> 00:18:51.059 certainly important, 00:18:51.200 --> 00:18:52.180 but positively, 00:18:52.360 --> 00:18:53.019 we're supposed to be 00:18:53.019 --> 00:18:54.200 working towards peace, 00:18:54.740 --> 00:18:56.180 longing to see it come. 00:18:56.200 --> 00:18:57.220 in our relationships. 00:18:57.519 --> 00:18:57.799 How? 00:18:58.559 --> 00:18:58.840 How? 00:18:58.900 --> 00:18:59.920 What's that going to look like? 00:19:01.220 --> 00:19:02.380 With all humility 00:19:02.380 --> 00:19:04.720 and gentleness. 00:19:04.920 --> 00:19:05.519 Verse 2. 00:19:07.100 --> 00:19:08.039 With all humility 00:19:08.039 --> 00:19:08.799 and gentleness. 00:19:08.900 --> 00:19:10.039 That only makes sense 00:19:10.039 --> 00:19:11.680 when your salvation 00:19:11.680 --> 00:19:12.980 is all of grace. 00:19:13.500 --> 00:19:14.100 Be humble. 00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:16.620 Think less of yourself 00:19:16.620 --> 00:19:18.500 because you make much 00:19:18.500 --> 00:19:19.720 of Jesus. 00:19:20.180 --> 00:19:21.640 When the focus of your heart 00:19:21.640 --> 00:19:23.340 is on what He had to do 00:19:23.340 --> 00:19:25.279 to rescue someone like you 00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:26.160 from yourself, 00:19:27.160 --> 00:19:29.139 you begin to be humbled. 00:19:30.119 --> 00:19:31.759 You do begin to think 00:19:31.759 --> 00:19:32.879 of yourself less 00:19:32.879 --> 00:19:34.299 and can therefore be gentle 00:19:34.299 --> 00:19:35.460 rather than harsh 00:19:35.460 --> 00:19:36.740 with others. 00:19:38.019 --> 00:19:39.399 Think about the connection there. 00:19:39.460 --> 00:19:40.279 Who is it that you speak 00:19:40.279 --> 00:19:41.019 harshly about? 00:19:42.019 --> 00:19:43.139 Be honest with yourself. 00:19:43.200 --> 00:19:44.000 When you're by yourself, 00:19:44.099 --> 00:19:44.899 when they're not around 00:19:44.899 --> 00:19:45.940 and you let your hair down 00:19:45.940 --> 00:19:47.839 and you say what you really feel, 00:19:48.379 --> 00:19:51.319 who gets the harsh criticism? 00:19:51.319 --> 00:19:55.319 Think of that person. 00:19:55.439 --> 00:19:56.500 Think of the words you say. 00:19:57.259 --> 00:19:58.599 Isn't it because, 00:19:58.839 --> 00:19:59.919 at least in the area 00:19:59.919 --> 00:20:01.339 that you're criticizing them, 00:20:01.419 --> 00:20:02.599 you feel superior? 00:20:04.559 --> 00:20:06.419 More worthy, perhaps. 00:20:07.379 --> 00:20:08.700 You wouldn't say it, 00:20:08.779 --> 00:20:09.480 but honestly, 00:20:09.639 --> 00:20:10.240 more holy. 00:20:11.700 --> 00:20:12.799 Can you believe 00:20:12.799 --> 00:20:14.019 what she said 00:20:14.019 --> 00:20:15.399 about her kids, 00:20:16.619 --> 00:20:17.779 about her friends, 00:20:18.480 --> 00:20:19.379 about her church? 00:20:19.380 --> 00:20:21.700 Can you believe 00:20:21.700 --> 00:20:22.800 what they decided 00:20:22.800 --> 00:20:24.520 about Sunday school, 00:20:25.200 --> 00:20:26.680 about schooling their kids, 00:20:27.660 --> 00:20:28.360 about VBS? 00:20:29.660 --> 00:20:30.800 Can you believe? 00:20:31.160 --> 00:20:32.540 Can you believe 00:20:32.540 --> 00:20:35.500 implies you can't believe it 00:20:35.500 --> 00:20:37.300 because you're better 00:20:37.300 --> 00:20:38.960 than they are. 00:20:40.040 --> 00:20:41.620 You would never do, 00:20:41.840 --> 00:20:42.140 think, 00:20:42.400 --> 00:20:43.840 say such a thing. 00:20:43.839 --> 00:20:46.259 What brother or sister 00:20:46.259 --> 00:20:47.679 are you treating harshly 00:20:47.679 --> 00:20:49.119 because you've forgotten 00:20:49.119 --> 00:20:50.039 you're no better 00:20:50.039 --> 00:20:51.379 than he is? 00:20:52.859 --> 00:20:54.119 Paul reminds us 00:20:54.119 --> 00:20:55.480 that in this regard, 00:20:55.659 --> 00:20:56.399 walking in a manner 00:20:56.399 --> 00:20:57.619 worthy of the calling 00:20:57.619 --> 00:20:58.619 we've received 00:20:58.619 --> 00:21:00.240 involves deep humility, 00:21:00.639 --> 00:21:02.539 knowing who we really are. 00:21:02.740 --> 00:21:03.639 You're not the one 00:21:03.639 --> 00:21:05.000 who figured it out first, 00:21:05.079 --> 00:21:05.339 right? 00:21:06.000 --> 00:21:07.000 You were dead 00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:08.399 and he made you alive. 00:21:08.759 --> 00:21:10.279 That's how the call worked. 00:21:10.419 --> 00:21:11.659 That calling we received 00:21:11.659 --> 00:21:12.359 came that way 00:21:12.359 --> 00:21:13.319 to a dead person 00:21:13.319 --> 00:21:15.059 that God made alive. 00:21:15.339 --> 00:21:16.539 The good works you've done 00:21:16.539 --> 00:21:18.219 were planned ahead of time 00:21:18.219 --> 00:21:18.899 by him 00:21:18.899 --> 00:21:20.119 for you to walk in them. 00:21:20.219 --> 00:21:21.819 All the glory goes to him, 00:21:22.059 --> 00:21:23.219 so don't think you're better 00:21:23.219 --> 00:21:24.799 than your brother or sister. 00:21:25.619 --> 00:21:26.199 Jesus thought 00:21:26.199 --> 00:21:27.299 they were valuable enough 00:21:27.299 --> 00:21:28.319 to die for. 00:21:30.000 --> 00:21:30.719 Have you decided 00:21:30.719 --> 00:21:31.619 they're worth less 00:21:31.619 --> 00:21:32.799 than you? 00:21:32.799 --> 00:21:37.519 So making every effort 00:21:37.519 --> 00:21:38.619 to live out our unity 00:21:38.619 --> 00:21:40.000 looks like humility 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:41.099 and gentleness. 00:21:42.460 --> 00:21:43.220 And then Paul says 00:21:43.220 --> 00:21:44.159 it looks like patience 00:21:44.159 --> 00:21:45.079 and love, 00:21:45.159 --> 00:21:46.339 the end of verse 2. 00:21:47.440 --> 00:21:49.159 The idea behind the word 00:21:49.159 --> 00:21:50.399 for patience here 00:21:50.399 --> 00:21:52.139 has a long-term perspective 00:21:52.139 --> 00:21:53.879 that one would be 00:21:53.879 --> 00:21:54.899 long-suffering. 00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:55.819 I love how Pastor 00:21:55.819 --> 00:21:56.819 Sinclair Ferguson 00:21:56.819 --> 00:21:57.960 says it. 00:21:58.019 --> 00:21:58.339 He says, 00:21:58.339 --> 00:21:59.099 this is taking 00:21:59.099 --> 00:22:01.099 a long-term view, 00:22:01.240 --> 00:22:02.599 especially when things 00:22:02.599 --> 00:22:03.240 go wrong. 00:22:03.699 --> 00:22:04.759 That's really what 00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:05.399 it has in mind. 00:22:05.500 --> 00:22:07.179 It assumes disappointment, 00:22:08.119 --> 00:22:08.659 offense, 00:22:09.480 --> 00:22:10.139 conflict, 00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:12.099 but it urges us 00:22:12.099 --> 00:22:13.939 to bear with one another, 00:22:14.119 --> 00:22:15.679 to stay in relationship 00:22:15.679 --> 00:22:16.740 rather than bail, 00:22:17.000 --> 00:22:18.299 to suffer hurt 00:22:18.299 --> 00:22:20.519 but respond with blessing 00:22:20.519 --> 00:22:22.319 time and again. 00:22:23.259 --> 00:22:24.399 And that requires 00:22:24.399 --> 00:22:25.699 a long-term perspective, 00:22:25.819 --> 00:22:26.220 doesn't it? 00:22:26.220 --> 00:22:27.660 It doesn't make sense 00:22:27.660 --> 00:22:28.259 in the moment. 00:22:28.559 --> 00:22:29.299 It requires 00:22:29.299 --> 00:22:30.559 a long-term perspective 00:22:30.559 --> 00:22:32.980 because when I'm acting 00:22:32.980 --> 00:22:33.960 ugly to you, 00:22:34.620 --> 00:22:36.079 you have to believe 00:22:36.079 --> 00:22:37.259 that Jesus is 00:22:37.259 --> 00:22:38.620 making me beautiful 00:22:38.620 --> 00:22:41.140 or else you're done 00:22:41.140 --> 00:22:41.559 with me. 00:22:42.740 --> 00:22:43.579 In the moment, 00:22:43.660 --> 00:22:44.000 I'm ugly 00:22:44.000 --> 00:22:45.860 and you see it 00:22:45.860 --> 00:22:46.380 and you know it. 00:22:46.579 --> 00:22:47.339 You have to believe 00:22:47.339 --> 00:22:48.460 Jesus is making me 00:22:48.460 --> 00:22:48.940 beautiful 00:22:48.940 --> 00:22:51.779 because when I hurt you, 00:22:52.420 --> 00:22:53.880 you have to actually 00:22:53.880 --> 00:22:54.799 believe that 00:22:54.799 --> 00:22:56.419 Jesus is going 00:22:56.419 --> 00:22:58.099 to heal all that hurt 00:22:58.099 --> 00:22:59.759 rather than it feeling 00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:01.639 better to hurt back 00:23:01.639 --> 00:23:02.799 in the moment. 00:23:03.480 --> 00:23:05.119 A longer-term perspective. 00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:07.279 Because when I continue 00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:08.579 to be that kind of person 00:23:08.579 --> 00:23:09.779 you can't stand, 00:23:10.579 --> 00:23:11.559 you have to believe 00:23:11.559 --> 00:23:12.740 that I'm more family 00:23:12.740 --> 00:23:14.359 that you're stuck with forever 00:23:14.359 --> 00:23:16.779 than a friend you can drop 00:23:16.779 --> 00:23:18.339 at no cost to yourself. 00:23:18.339 --> 00:23:20.740 Have you ever had 00:23:20.740 --> 00:23:21.379 that conversation 00:23:21.379 --> 00:23:22.019 with your kids? 00:23:23.019 --> 00:23:23.899 If you've got more 00:23:23.899 --> 00:23:24.679 than one kid, 00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:25.740 you may have had 00:23:25.740 --> 00:23:26.439 this conversation. 00:23:26.579 --> 00:23:27.159 I, of course, 00:23:27.240 --> 00:23:27.579 haven't, 00:23:27.699 --> 00:23:29.679 but you've said to them 00:23:29.679 --> 00:23:30.699 something like, 00:23:31.119 --> 00:23:32.740 hey, y'all are sisters. 00:23:33.839 --> 00:23:35.339 Don't treat your sister 00:23:35.339 --> 00:23:35.919 that way. 00:23:36.720 --> 00:23:38.199 You shouldn't speak 00:23:38.199 --> 00:23:39.099 that way to anybody, 00:23:39.259 --> 00:23:40.359 but especially not 00:23:40.359 --> 00:23:41.000 your sister. 00:23:41.139 --> 00:23:42.119 She'll be your sister 00:23:42.119 --> 00:23:42.699 forever. 00:23:44.179 --> 00:23:44.379 I mean, 00:23:44.439 --> 00:23:45.379 you may move 00:23:45.380 --> 00:23:46.140 and your friends 00:23:46.140 --> 00:23:46.680 may move 00:23:46.680 --> 00:23:48.020 or you may develop 00:23:48.020 --> 00:23:49.260 a new group of friends, 00:23:49.480 --> 00:23:51.520 but she'll always 00:23:51.520 --> 00:23:52.540 be your sister. 00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:54.000 Right? 00:23:55.040 --> 00:23:55.880 That relationship 00:23:55.880 --> 00:23:56.720 is valuable. 00:23:56.860 --> 00:23:57.720 It's lasting. 00:23:58.280 --> 00:23:59.560 That's the long-term 00:23:59.560 --> 00:24:00.420 kind of view 00:24:00.420 --> 00:24:01.820 in all of our relationships 00:24:01.820 --> 00:24:02.620 with each other 00:24:02.620 --> 00:24:04.760 that being patient 00:24:04.760 --> 00:24:06.600 and bearing with one another 00:24:06.600 --> 00:24:07.840 in love calls for. 00:24:08.660 --> 00:24:09.480 In Christ, 00:24:09.800 --> 00:24:10.800 these really are 00:24:10.800 --> 00:24:12.280 your brothers and sisters. 00:24:13.120 --> 00:24:15.000 You really will be with them 00:24:15.000 --> 00:24:15.920 long-term. 00:24:17.200 --> 00:24:18.660 And when I say that already, 00:24:18.740 --> 00:24:19.460 all the objections 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:20.640 in your head are starting. 00:24:20.980 --> 00:24:21.539 Oh, yeah, 00:24:21.599 --> 00:24:22.700 that's sweet and nice, 00:24:22.819 --> 00:24:24.099 but biological family 00:24:24.099 --> 00:24:24.559 is different 00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:25.700 from spiritual family. 00:24:25.779 --> 00:24:26.559 Don't make it seem. 00:24:26.819 --> 00:24:28.059 I know those objections 00:24:28.059 --> 00:24:29.400 because I've heard them 00:24:29.400 --> 00:24:31.200 and because I've thought them. 00:24:32.640 --> 00:24:34.079 But I say to you, 00:24:34.920 --> 00:24:35.680 the biblical, 00:24:36.339 --> 00:24:37.380 spiritual reality 00:24:37.380 --> 00:24:38.460 is more true 00:24:38.460 --> 00:24:40.380 and longer lasting 00:24:40.380 --> 00:24:42.539 than the other. 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:43.859 You have one Savior. 00:24:43.859 --> 00:24:46.399 And so you have one Father. 00:24:46.679 --> 00:24:48.259 And it really does matter 00:24:48.259 --> 00:24:49.500 that they're your brothers 00:24:49.500 --> 00:24:51.199 and sisters forever. 00:24:52.479 --> 00:24:53.559 And that's really hard 00:24:53.559 --> 00:24:54.519 for us to think about 00:24:54.519 --> 00:24:56.059 in a Bible Belt culture 00:24:56.059 --> 00:24:57.639 where there's churches everywhere 00:24:57.639 --> 00:24:59.259 and our culture says 00:24:59.259 --> 00:25:00.299 church is something 00:25:00.299 --> 00:25:00.939 you approach 00:25:00.939 --> 00:25:02.399 as a consumer commodity. 00:25:02.959 --> 00:25:04.259 You go look down 00:25:04.259 --> 00:25:05.339 the menu of churches 00:25:05.339 --> 00:25:06.059 in your town 00:25:06.059 --> 00:25:07.319 and find the one 00:25:07.319 --> 00:25:08.599 that is most, 00:25:08.679 --> 00:25:09.879 where the people there 00:25:09.879 --> 00:25:11.319 are most like you 00:25:11.319 --> 00:25:12.899 and it best serves 00:25:12.899 --> 00:25:13.659 your needs. 00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:15.319 That's what church is, 00:25:15.399 --> 00:25:16.439 our culture says. 00:25:17.879 --> 00:25:19.119 Very rarely do you hear 00:25:19.119 --> 00:25:20.139 people talking about 00:25:20.139 --> 00:25:20.759 wanting church 00:25:20.759 --> 00:25:21.480 to be a place 00:25:21.480 --> 00:25:22.059 where you find 00:25:22.059 --> 00:25:23.480 hard people to love. 00:25:24.059 --> 00:25:25.000 When you hear that, 00:25:25.059 --> 00:25:25.980 it's not a compliment. 00:25:26.179 --> 00:25:27.200 Usually it's a complaint, 00:25:27.359 --> 00:25:27.599 right? 00:25:28.399 --> 00:25:29.980 That's what it means 00:25:29.980 --> 00:25:31.119 when we say it now. 00:25:31.720 --> 00:25:32.319 Oh, man, 00:25:32.419 --> 00:25:34.200 I don't fit with them. 00:25:34.720 --> 00:25:35.339 They're hard. 00:25:35.399 --> 00:25:35.899 They're difficult. 00:25:35.900 --> 00:25:39.160 Who are you unwilling 00:25:39.160 --> 00:25:40.300 to admit to yourself 00:25:40.300 --> 00:25:41.920 as family forever? 00:25:43.820 --> 00:25:44.820 Here's what we do. 00:25:46.060 --> 00:25:47.140 Instead of being eager 00:25:47.140 --> 00:25:47.900 to maintain 00:25:47.900 --> 00:25:49.240 the unity of the Spirit, 00:25:49.380 --> 00:25:50.420 we harbor bitterness 00:25:50.420 --> 00:25:52.200 rather than forgive, 00:25:52.300 --> 00:25:52.660 don't we? 00:25:53.680 --> 00:25:54.440 God says, 00:25:54.820 --> 00:25:55.480 same family. 00:25:56.200 --> 00:25:57.380 Don't live at odds 00:25:57.380 --> 00:25:57.920 with someone 00:25:57.920 --> 00:25:59.280 I've connected you to. 00:25:59.660 --> 00:26:00.519 Bear with them 00:26:00.519 --> 00:26:01.340 when they fail. 00:26:01.960 --> 00:26:02.560 Be humble 00:26:02.560 --> 00:26:04.160 because you'll fail next. 00:26:05.900 --> 00:26:07.960 Instead of being eager 00:26:07.960 --> 00:26:08.580 to maintain 00:26:08.580 --> 00:26:09.840 the unity of the Spirit, 00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:11.000 we care only 00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:12.040 about our own church. 00:26:13.420 --> 00:26:13.740 Listen, 00:26:13.840 --> 00:26:14.300 this passage 00:26:14.300 --> 00:26:15.860 isn't anti-denominations. 00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:17.019 That's not what it's saying. 00:26:17.120 --> 00:26:17.720 It doesn't say 00:26:17.720 --> 00:26:18.640 we'll all think 00:26:18.640 --> 00:26:19.759 and act the same 00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:20.660 about every issue. 00:26:21.060 --> 00:26:22.259 But it does say 00:26:22.259 --> 00:26:23.640 same family 00:26:23.640 --> 00:26:25.640 to other Presbyterians, 00:26:26.340 --> 00:26:27.680 to Baptists, 00:26:28.440 --> 00:26:29.180 to Methodists, 00:26:29.360 --> 00:26:31.280 to non-denominationalists, 00:26:31.340 --> 00:26:32.400 to Pentecostals. 00:26:32.980 --> 00:26:33.759 Do you remember 00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:35.100 what's most important 00:26:35.099 --> 00:26:36.199 Paul says? 00:26:36.679 --> 00:26:37.379 Are you able 00:26:37.379 --> 00:26:38.679 to major on the majors 00:26:38.679 --> 00:26:39.779 so that you can love 00:26:39.779 --> 00:26:40.299 and work 00:26:40.299 --> 00:26:41.599 and cheer for others 00:26:41.599 --> 00:26:43.359 who go to another church? 00:26:45.619 --> 00:26:46.599 And then perhaps 00:26:46.599 --> 00:26:47.659 the epidemic problem 00:26:47.659 --> 00:26:48.599 in my generation 00:26:48.599 --> 00:26:49.219 in America. 00:26:50.179 --> 00:26:51.319 Instead of being eager 00:26:51.319 --> 00:26:52.159 to maintain 00:26:52.159 --> 00:26:52.740 the unity 00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:54.079 of the Spirit, 00:26:54.419 --> 00:26:55.139 we're not living 00:26:55.139 --> 00:26:55.599 at odds 00:26:55.599 --> 00:26:56.500 with other Christians. 00:26:56.819 --> 00:26:57.059 Why? 00:26:58.079 --> 00:26:59.079 Because we're not living 00:26:59.079 --> 00:26:59.839 with other Christians 00:26:59.839 --> 00:27:00.379 at all. 00:27:01.339 --> 00:27:02.639 Because that's become 00:27:02.639 --> 00:27:03.539 the new thing, right? 00:27:03.539 --> 00:27:05.779 I'm not leaving Jesus. 00:27:06.819 --> 00:27:08.099 The institutional church, 00:27:08.180 --> 00:27:09.000 on the other hand, 00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:10.920 is quite another matter. 00:27:11.420 --> 00:27:12.180 We disconnect 00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:13.299 in a split second 00:27:13.299 --> 00:27:14.519 rather than doing 00:27:14.519 --> 00:27:15.339 the hard work 00:27:15.339 --> 00:27:16.440 to stay engaged. 00:27:17.079 --> 00:27:17.799 And that can happen 00:27:17.799 --> 00:27:18.379 at any age, 00:27:18.460 --> 00:27:19.460 but those of us 00:27:19.460 --> 00:27:19.920 who are younger 00:27:19.920 --> 00:27:20.480 are really, 00:27:20.599 --> 00:27:21.339 really good at it. 00:27:22.440 --> 00:27:23.339 We usually think 00:27:23.339 --> 00:27:23.920 we know better. 00:27:25.059 --> 00:27:25.819 And those of us 00:27:25.819 --> 00:27:26.519 in the church 00:27:26.519 --> 00:27:27.319 need to begin 00:27:27.319 --> 00:27:27.960 by admitting 00:27:27.960 --> 00:27:28.559 that they have 00:27:28.559 --> 00:27:29.879 some really valid concerns. 00:27:30.579 --> 00:27:31.559 They often offer 00:27:31.559 --> 00:27:32.940 really true critiques, 00:27:33.039 --> 00:27:33.419 don't they? 00:27:34.039 --> 00:27:35.460 They look at the church 00:27:35.460 --> 00:27:36.559 and they love Jesus 00:27:36.559 --> 00:27:37.740 and many churches 00:27:37.740 --> 00:27:38.779 are full of people 00:27:38.779 --> 00:27:39.480 who've lost 00:27:39.480 --> 00:27:40.819 their passion for Jesus 00:27:40.819 --> 00:27:42.500 if they ever had it. 00:27:43.319 --> 00:27:44.000 Who've lost 00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:44.659 the priority 00:27:44.659 --> 00:27:45.720 of gospel ministry 00:27:45.720 --> 00:27:46.839 and seem content 00:27:46.839 --> 00:27:47.879 just to make themselves 00:27:47.879 --> 00:27:49.279 comfortable and peaceful. 00:27:49.799 --> 00:27:50.899 So I see why 00:27:50.899 --> 00:27:51.839 the Jesus-loving 00:27:51.839 --> 00:27:53.259 individualist wants out. 00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:54.519 Why would I sit 00:27:54.519 --> 00:27:55.720 in there with them? 00:27:57.399 --> 00:27:57.960 And to be honest, 00:27:58.059 --> 00:27:58.700 God doesn't want 00:27:58.700 --> 00:27:59.759 the church to stay 00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:00.640 stuck there either. 00:28:01.460 --> 00:28:02.720 He calls us to repent 00:28:02.720 --> 00:28:04.120 and regain the love 00:28:04.120 --> 00:28:05.120 we had at first, 00:28:05.420 --> 00:28:05.819 right? 00:28:07.799 --> 00:28:08.279 But, 00:28:09.380 --> 00:28:11.140 unity does demand 00:28:11.140 --> 00:28:12.759 that we not give up 00:28:12.759 --> 00:28:13.380 on the church 00:28:13.380 --> 00:28:15.480 even at her worst. 00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:16.720 Why? 00:28:18.160 --> 00:28:19.480 Because God hasn't. 00:28:20.900 --> 00:28:22.279 God says to those 00:28:22.279 --> 00:28:23.380 in the church, 00:28:23.720 --> 00:28:24.600 same family, 00:28:25.180 --> 00:28:25.960 even the ones 00:28:25.960 --> 00:28:26.819 that don't seem 00:28:26.819 --> 00:28:27.640 to get it, 00:28:27.640 --> 00:28:28.420 and the church 00:28:28.420 --> 00:28:29.920 may be ugly at times, 00:28:30.060 --> 00:28:32.200 but she's Jesus' bride. 00:28:32.640 --> 00:28:33.880 When we disengage 00:28:33.880 --> 00:28:34.680 because of our 00:28:34.680 --> 00:28:36.460 perhaps accurate critiques 00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:37.759 of the church, 00:28:37.860 --> 00:28:38.620 we too miss 00:28:38.620 --> 00:28:39.580 the biblical vision 00:28:39.580 --> 00:28:41.200 of humble and gentle, 00:28:41.980 --> 00:28:43.600 patient and loving 00:28:43.600 --> 00:28:44.759 community 00:28:44.759 --> 00:28:47.200 of what it really means 00:28:47.200 --> 00:28:48.800 to be family. 00:28:50.640 --> 00:28:51.700 But you might be thinking, 00:28:51.820 --> 00:28:52.660 I'd never choose 00:28:52.660 --> 00:28:53.660 to be in a small group 00:28:53.660 --> 00:28:54.100 with them. 00:28:54.259 --> 00:28:55.100 They're so awkward. 00:28:55.099 --> 00:28:57.639 And how could I ever 00:28:57.639 --> 00:28:58.539 trust her again 00:28:58.539 --> 00:28:59.119 after the way 00:28:59.119 --> 00:29:00.299 she betrayed me? 00:29:02.059 --> 00:29:03.139 Theologian D.A. Carson 00:29:03.139 --> 00:29:04.659 says this about the church. 00:29:04.799 --> 00:29:05.039 He says, 00:29:05.139 --> 00:29:05.559 ideally, 00:29:05.819 --> 00:29:06.659 notice that word, 00:29:07.179 --> 00:29:07.599 ideally. 00:29:08.119 --> 00:29:09.199 This is the way 00:29:09.199 --> 00:29:09.799 it should be. 00:29:11.099 --> 00:29:12.039 The church is made up 00:29:12.039 --> 00:29:13.079 of natural enemies. 00:29:13.939 --> 00:29:14.939 What binds us together 00:29:14.939 --> 00:29:16.359 is not common education, 00:29:17.099 --> 00:29:17.439 race, 00:29:17.599 --> 00:29:18.299 income levels, 00:29:18.480 --> 00:29:18.879 politics, 00:29:19.119 --> 00:29:19.799 nationalities, 00:29:19.939 --> 00:29:20.339 accents, 00:29:20.619 --> 00:29:21.019 jobs. 00:29:21.019 --> 00:29:22.900 Christians come together 00:29:22.900 --> 00:29:24.599 because they've all 00:29:24.599 --> 00:29:26.579 been loved by Jesus himself. 00:29:27.000 --> 00:29:27.639 They're a band 00:29:27.639 --> 00:29:28.779 of natural enemies 00:29:28.779 --> 00:29:30.039 who love one another 00:29:30.039 --> 00:29:32.740 for Jesus' sake. 00:29:33.400 --> 00:29:33.920 Ideally, 00:29:34.759 --> 00:29:36.039 that's what the church is. 00:29:36.099 --> 00:29:36.539 That's the way 00:29:36.539 --> 00:29:37.519 it's supposed to be. 00:29:37.859 --> 00:29:38.619 That's why Jesus 00:29:38.619 --> 00:29:40.279 called Jews and Gentiles 00:29:40.279 --> 00:29:41.539 together into his church, 00:29:41.599 --> 00:29:41.799 right? 00:29:41.960 --> 00:29:42.819 That wasn't an accident. 00:29:43.059 --> 00:29:44.160 He wasn't forced to. 00:29:44.559 --> 00:29:45.859 Why did he make it that way? 00:29:46.079 --> 00:29:47.160 Why did he bring together 00:29:47.160 --> 00:29:48.779 a band of natural enemies? 00:29:48.779 --> 00:29:50.339 Because how else 00:29:50.339 --> 00:29:51.339 could they display 00:29:51.339 --> 00:29:52.420 the love of God? 00:29:53.539 --> 00:29:54.720 How else could they 00:29:54.720 --> 00:29:55.420 show the world 00:29:55.420 --> 00:29:56.920 the love of a God 00:29:56.920 --> 00:29:58.700 who sacrificed himself 00:29:58.700 --> 00:30:00.980 for his natural enemies? 00:30:02.619 --> 00:30:03.519 He wanted to be 00:30:03.519 --> 00:30:04.139 in relationship 00:30:04.139 --> 00:30:04.879 with them enough 00:30:04.879 --> 00:30:05.980 that he sent his son 00:30:05.980 --> 00:30:07.039 to the cross 00:30:07.039 --> 00:30:08.059 for people he should, 00:30:08.539 --> 00:30:09.379 by all regards, 00:30:09.460 --> 00:30:10.220 have had nothing 00:30:10.220 --> 00:30:11.299 to do with. 00:30:12.279 --> 00:30:13.359 And so he sets us up 00:30:13.359 --> 00:30:13.920 in the church 00:30:13.920 --> 00:30:15.899 and designs the church 00:30:15.899 --> 00:30:17.099 to be a place 00:30:17.099 --> 00:30:17.879 where we find people 00:30:17.880 --> 00:30:18.700 we'd otherwise have 00:30:18.700 --> 00:30:19.940 nothing to do with. 00:30:20.420 --> 00:30:21.140 And he says, 00:30:21.780 --> 00:30:23.300 be eager to be connected 00:30:23.300 --> 00:30:23.860 to them. 00:30:24.520 --> 00:30:25.940 Work hard on it. 00:30:26.540 --> 00:30:27.360 Be patient. 00:30:28.040 --> 00:30:29.340 Bear up with one another 00:30:29.340 --> 00:30:31.140 when you rub against each other 00:30:31.140 --> 00:30:31.860 the wrong way. 00:30:32.820 --> 00:30:34.000 The church is the place 00:30:34.000 --> 00:30:35.300 where we have the chance 00:30:35.300 --> 00:30:36.160 to be patient 00:30:36.160 --> 00:30:37.520 as God has been patient 00:30:37.520 --> 00:30:38.140 with us. 00:30:38.580 --> 00:30:39.880 To love and bear 00:30:39.880 --> 00:30:40.560 with one another 00:30:40.560 --> 00:30:41.000 in love 00:30:41.000 --> 00:30:42.760 as he has stuck with us 00:30:42.760 --> 00:30:44.280 and continued to love us. 00:30:44.680 --> 00:30:46.340 It shouldn't surprise us 00:30:46.339 --> 00:30:47.299 when that is needed 00:30:47.299 --> 00:30:48.299 to stay connected 00:30:48.299 --> 00:30:49.000 to each other 00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:49.639 in the church. 00:30:50.099 --> 00:30:51.259 That's not shocking. 00:30:51.500 --> 00:30:52.159 That's the way 00:30:52.159 --> 00:30:53.179 he designed it. 00:30:53.519 --> 00:30:54.799 It's hard. 00:30:55.259 --> 00:30:56.079 It's needed 00:30:56.079 --> 00:30:56.819 that we bear 00:30:56.819 --> 00:30:57.500 with each other. 00:30:57.619 --> 00:30:58.439 It's needed 00:30:58.439 --> 00:31:00.259 that we suffer long, 00:31:00.379 --> 00:31:01.319 that we're humble 00:31:01.319 --> 00:31:02.199 and gentle. 00:31:02.679 --> 00:31:03.919 And it's not easy. 00:31:05.079 --> 00:31:06.259 But it's worth it. 00:31:07.480 --> 00:31:08.879 Unity may not sound 00:31:08.879 --> 00:31:10.480 real exciting to you. 00:31:10.679 --> 00:31:11.639 I just want to go hear 00:31:11.639 --> 00:31:13.000 about unity today. 00:31:13.240 --> 00:31:13.939 That'd be good. 00:31:14.000 --> 00:31:15.220 That applies to my life. 00:31:15.220 --> 00:31:15.660 Unity. 00:31:17.079 --> 00:31:18.720 You'd probably rather hear 00:31:18.720 --> 00:31:20.200 something on marriage 00:31:20.200 --> 00:31:21.559 or the armor of God 00:31:21.559 --> 00:31:22.799 and we're getting there. 00:31:23.500 --> 00:31:24.200 Those are coming. 00:31:26.180 --> 00:31:27.180 But while it may not 00:31:27.180 --> 00:31:28.240 seem real important to us, 00:31:28.279 --> 00:31:29.079 it was at the top 00:31:29.079 --> 00:31:29.880 of Jesus' list 00:31:29.880 --> 00:31:30.600 for his followers, 00:31:30.720 --> 00:31:31.120 wasn't it? 00:31:31.980 --> 00:31:33.220 When Jesus prayed, 00:31:33.319 --> 00:31:34.259 what did he want 00:31:34.259 --> 00:31:35.299 for those who would 00:31:35.299 --> 00:31:35.980 believe in him? 00:31:36.100 --> 00:31:37.500 He came before the Father 00:31:37.500 --> 00:31:38.620 pouring out his heart 00:31:38.620 --> 00:31:39.160 in the garden 00:31:39.160 --> 00:31:40.100 in John 17. 00:31:40.240 --> 00:31:40.779 Do you remember it? 00:31:41.620 --> 00:31:42.920 He prays for them 00:31:42.920 --> 00:31:45.019 that they may all be one. 00:31:46.060 --> 00:31:47.460 It gets close to using one 00:31:47.460 --> 00:31:48.160 as many times 00:31:48.160 --> 00:31:49.100 as Ephesians 4, 00:31:49.160 --> 00:31:49.680 but not quite. 00:31:50.259 --> 00:31:51.180 Just as you, Father, 00:31:51.279 --> 00:31:51.779 are in me 00:31:51.779 --> 00:31:52.720 and I in you, 00:31:52.900 --> 00:31:54.460 that they also may be in us. 00:31:54.940 --> 00:31:55.320 Why? 00:31:55.779 --> 00:31:56.800 Why does he want us 00:31:56.800 --> 00:31:57.320 to be one? 00:31:57.460 --> 00:31:58.440 So that the world 00:31:58.440 --> 00:31:59.120 may believe 00:31:59.120 --> 00:32:00.279 that you have sent me. 00:32:01.500 --> 00:32:02.960 The glory you've given me, 00:32:03.039 --> 00:32:04.000 I've given to them. 00:32:04.500 --> 00:32:05.779 That they may be one 00:32:05.779 --> 00:32:07.080 even as we are one. 00:32:07.420 --> 00:32:08.160 I in them 00:32:08.160 --> 00:32:08.940 and you in me, 00:32:09.620 --> 00:32:10.900 that they may become 00:32:10.900 --> 00:32:12.019 perfectly one. 00:32:12.220 --> 00:32:12.560 Why? 00:32:13.640 --> 00:32:14.720 So that the world 00:32:14.720 --> 00:32:15.660 may know 00:32:15.660 --> 00:32:16.800 that you sent me 00:32:16.800 --> 00:32:19.240 and that you loved them 00:32:19.240 --> 00:32:21.000 even as you loved me. 00:32:22.800 --> 00:32:23.300 Oneness, 00:32:24.660 --> 00:32:25.019 unity, 00:32:25.519 --> 00:32:26.519 so that the world 00:32:26.519 --> 00:32:27.360 will believe 00:32:27.360 --> 00:32:29.000 Jesus is God 00:32:29.000 --> 00:32:30.500 and that he loves them. 00:32:31.580 --> 00:32:32.120 Don't you want them 00:32:32.120 --> 00:32:32.640 to know that? 00:32:33.600 --> 00:32:34.340 Don't you want the people 00:32:34.340 --> 00:32:35.040 you care about 00:32:35.040 --> 00:32:36.580 to know Jesus is God 00:32:36.580 --> 00:32:37.500 and he loves them? 00:32:37.840 --> 00:32:38.920 The one thing 00:32:38.920 --> 00:32:39.780 we're called to 00:32:39.779 --> 00:32:40.440 so that people 00:32:40.440 --> 00:32:41.779 will see and believe 00:32:41.779 --> 00:32:43.440 that a holy God 00:32:43.440 --> 00:32:44.779 loves sinful, 00:32:45.139 --> 00:32:46.279 hostile people, 00:32:46.599 --> 00:32:47.440 that that would be 00:32:47.440 --> 00:32:49.019 the truest story of all 00:32:49.019 --> 00:32:50.859 is loving each other 00:32:50.859 --> 00:32:52.079 like that. 00:32:53.500 --> 00:32:54.099 Church, 00:32:54.839 --> 00:32:56.480 Jesus has connected you 00:32:56.480 --> 00:32:57.519 to each other. 00:32:58.599 --> 00:32:59.519 He's picked 00:32:59.519 --> 00:33:00.559 your family. 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:02.519 Now live out 00:33:02.519 --> 00:33:03.639 the unity 00:33:03.639 --> 00:33:05.460 that already exists. 00:33:06.059 --> 00:33:06.440 By this, 00:33:06.559 --> 00:33:07.480 all men will know 00:33:07.480 --> 00:33:09.700 that you're my disciples. 00:33:10.779 --> 00:33:11.779 If you formally 00:33:11.779 --> 00:33:12.519 stay together 00:33:12.519 --> 00:33:13.460 in one denomination, 00:33:15.019 --> 00:33:15.360 no. 00:33:16.299 --> 00:33:17.220 If your church 00:33:17.220 --> 00:33:18.000 never splits, 00:33:19.860 --> 00:33:20.279 no. 00:33:21.039 --> 00:33:22.400 If you always look, 00:33:22.720 --> 00:33:23.500 sing, pray, 00:33:23.640 --> 00:33:24.160 and minister 00:33:24.160 --> 00:33:25.539 exactly the same way, 00:33:26.400 --> 00:33:27.940 no. 00:33:28.640 --> 00:33:30.200 If in all the diversity, 00:33:31.099 --> 00:33:31.900 all the mess, 00:33:32.480 --> 00:33:33.599 and all the brokenness, 00:33:33.599 --> 00:33:35.859 you still love 00:33:35.859 --> 00:33:37.219 one another. 00:33:40.359 --> 00:33:40.919 Father, 00:33:41.059 --> 00:33:41.759 forgive us. 00:33:45.799 --> 00:33:47.079 We don't long 00:33:47.079 --> 00:33:47.599 for that 00:33:47.599 --> 00:33:48.619 as much as we long 00:33:48.619 --> 00:33:49.139 for getting 00:33:49.139 --> 00:33:50.099 what we want, 00:33:50.639 --> 00:33:51.939 for having things 00:33:51.939 --> 00:33:52.379 our way.