WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.800 I deal with the subject of unity. 00:00:04.099 --> 00:00:12.540 And unity is something that is profoundly difficult to human nature. 00:00:12.540 --> 00:00:15.700 ! There's a reason for that. 00:00:15.700 --> 00:00:16.399 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.179 And I'm going to take a look at the portion that relates particularly to what we're going 00:00:34.179 --> 00:00:35.539 to be talking about this morning. 00:00:35.939 --> 00:00:38.560 It says there in verse 6, 00:00:38.560 --> 00:00:42.679 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the 00:00:42.679 --> 00:00:48.280 eye, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, 00:00:48.500 --> 00:00:52.620 and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. 00:00:52.619 --> 00:01:00.939 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked, and they sewed 00:01:00.939 --> 00:01:04.039 fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. 00:01:05.239 --> 00:01:11.859 And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the 00:01:11.859 --> 00:01:19.560 man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord among the trees of the garden. 00:01:19.560 --> 00:01:22.560 And that's what we're going to do. 00:01:22.560 --> 00:01:25.460 Turn your Bible now to Ephesians chapter 4. 00:01:27.100 --> 00:01:28.799 Ephesians chapter 4. 00:01:33.560 --> 00:01:35.000 And join me in prayer. 00:01:39.579 --> 00:01:49.099 Father God, it is our rich privilege this morning to gather together in Your name, 00:01:49.560 --> 00:02:01.659 to hold Your Word, and to prize it, because this Word that we have is Your revelation of truth 00:02:01.659 --> 00:02:10.500 to us, and it's sufficient that the man of God can be thoroughly furnished for every good 00:02:10.500 --> 00:02:10.920 work. 00:02:10.919 --> 00:02:18.799 And as we hold the Word this morning, we are glad to express our dependence upon the Spirit 00:02:18.799 --> 00:02:25.719 that we might both comprehend the Word and then apply it in daily living, that Christ, 00:02:27.199 --> 00:02:35.079 who is our Lord and Savior, might be manifest to others and His name glorified. 00:02:35.080 --> 00:02:40.360 Lord, we ask Your help, and we pray this in Jesus' name. 00:02:41.200 --> 00:02:41.520 Amen. 00:02:43.160 --> 00:02:47.580 I read that passage in Ephesians...actually, I read that passage in Genesis chapter 3 to 00:02:47.580 --> 00:02:53.020 kind of lay the groundwork to help you understand that as we go into this subject of unity this 00:02:53.020 --> 00:02:59.100 morning, and we're going to be looking more at the larger picture of what the passage has 00:02:59.100 --> 00:03:02.540 to deal with than the seven statements, and there's a reason for that. 00:03:02.539 --> 00:03:07.840 I'm going to make the assumption that you are reasonably well-versed so that when you see 00:03:07.840 --> 00:03:13.739 a passage such as this that says, one Lord, one baptism, one faith, etc., those are not 00:03:13.739 --> 00:03:20.259 words that need to be dealt with in a great sense in terms of understanding and insight. 00:03:21.139 --> 00:03:26.739 And we're looking this morning at the fact that as you look at the book of Ephesians, if 00:03:26.739 --> 00:03:32.120 you were to break it down and outline it in a very, very simple way, you would say that 00:03:32.120 --> 00:03:39.219 the first half of the book, chapters 1 through 3, deals with what Christ has done for us or 00:03:39.219 --> 00:03:46.300 in us, and chapters 4 through 6 deal with what we are to do as a result. 00:03:46.379 --> 00:03:51.840 Or to put it another way, you could say that in chapters 1 through 3, we see what the church 00:03:51.840 --> 00:03:58.420 is in Christ, and then we see in chapters 4 through 6 how the church is to act. 00:03:58.419 --> 00:04:08.439 And as we open up the subject of how the church is to behave, one of the challenges that we actually 00:04:08.439 --> 00:04:14.339 have is that as we read the Scriptures, we have a tendency to read the Scriptures with a highly 00:04:14.339 --> 00:04:21.099 individualized perspective and to think about the Scriptures as instruction to us exclusively 00:04:21.100 --> 00:04:25.100 or primarily as individuals. 00:04:25.100 --> 00:04:29.439 The fact of the matter is is that the Scriptures, most of them written as they were, and I'm 00:04:29.439 --> 00:04:34.320 referring to the New Testament and to the epistles that were written to the churches, they were 00:04:34.320 --> 00:04:40.200 not written to individuals, they were written to congregations together and their application 00:04:40.200 --> 00:04:47.960 was to all of the body of Christ, not just individual statements for individuals to enjoy. 00:04:47.959 --> 00:04:52.099 Now I'm not going to belabor the point this morning, but I do want you to recognize that 00:04:52.099 --> 00:04:58.659 as Paul wrote of the various challenges and difficulties that were taking place in individuals' 00:04:58.979 --> 00:05:05.379 lives, his counsel and his instruction were not given in individual terms, but were given 00:05:05.379 --> 00:05:06.120 corporately. 00:05:07.500 --> 00:05:12.639 As a matter of fact, is that every word of counsel regarding the various challenges that 00:05:12.639 --> 00:05:18.539 you find in books such as 1st and 2nd Corinthians and here in the book of Ephesians is all framed 00:05:18.539 --> 00:05:22.979 in the context, the larger context of the doctrine of the church. 00:05:23.919 --> 00:05:26.759 And no appeal is made directly to an individual. 00:05:27.120 --> 00:05:34.279 That is a profound thought and it is one that is very difficult for people to think about in 00:05:34.279 --> 00:05:35.560 our contemporary culture. 00:05:35.560 --> 00:05:42.540 So I want you to recognize this morning that much of the counsel of Scripture really comes 00:05:42.540 --> 00:05:50.579 to us as members of his body and in terms of our relationship to him and his bride. 00:05:51.939 --> 00:05:59.740 To put it in plain English, the call to a worthy walk, and that's really what we're dealing with 00:05:59.740 --> 00:06:09.079 in Ephesians chapter 4 on through 6, is not primarily a set of personal exhortations or commands, 00:06:10.079 --> 00:06:23.400 but it is instruction to the body of Christ collectively that this is how we as a unit are to conduct 00:06:23.400 --> 00:06:27.259 ourselves before an unbelieving generation. 00:06:27.259 --> 00:06:33.819 With that in mind, I want us to take some time and think carefully about the subject of unity, 00:06:33.959 --> 00:06:37.899 because that's really what Paul is talking about here in the first 16 verses. 00:06:38.079 --> 00:06:42.039 He's concerned that the church at Ephesus understand the subject. 00:06:43.939 --> 00:06:45.079 There in verse 1, he says, 00:06:45.180 --> 00:06:49.339 I therefore, a prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you've been called 00:06:49.339 --> 00:06:53.399 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 00:06:53.399 --> 00:06:58.019 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace. 00:06:59.879 --> 00:07:03.979 And that's the foundation for the verses that we're going to look at this morning. 00:07:04.099 --> 00:07:08.459 And so let's talk a little bit about the matter of unity. 00:07:09.739 --> 00:07:18.060 And as we discuss the subject of unity, I think you understand that unity is something that is not well appreciated, 00:07:18.060 --> 00:07:22.540 or it is not something that is often illustrated in our contemporary culture. 00:07:22.800 --> 00:07:25.180 We see our nation getting balkanized. 00:07:25.240 --> 00:07:26.040 And what do we mean by that? 00:07:26.139 --> 00:07:31.240 I mean, breaking up in little factions and little groups and arguments on this side and that side. 00:07:31.280 --> 00:07:34.939 And all you have to do is read the news, or better yet, 00:07:35.000 --> 00:07:38.040 all you have to do is decide which channel you're going to watch on TV. 00:07:38.300 --> 00:07:39.779 And guess what you get immediately? 00:07:39.779 --> 00:07:42.259 You get one side or the other. 00:07:43.719 --> 00:07:49.639 Instead of thinking about the larger subject of who we are as a people and what we have been put here to do, 00:07:49.899 --> 00:07:53.579 we find individuals broken up in their little factions and their interests. 00:07:55.659 --> 00:08:01.899 And the passage that we're looking at here brings about a foundation for us that we need to understand as absolutely essential. 00:08:01.899 --> 00:08:09.819 So when we think about biblical unity, I want you to recognize this morning that biblical unity is the creation of God. 00:08:10.579 --> 00:08:13.439 Biblical unity is the creation of God. 00:08:14.719 --> 00:08:22.819 He has made us one through His Son, and that is the recurring theme of Ephesians chapter 1 through 3. 00:08:22.939 --> 00:08:23.959 Let me say it again slowly. 00:08:24.500 --> 00:08:29.199 We have been made one through the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:08:29.199 --> 00:08:35.819 Is unity something that boils out to the fact that we all like the same things? 00:08:35.980 --> 00:08:36.960 And what's the answer? 00:08:37.759 --> 00:08:38.700 It's not. 00:08:41.480 --> 00:08:47.879 I don't know why, but I periodically invite other people in the office to enjoy my lunches. 00:08:48.059 --> 00:08:52.879 Now, they've always said that I'm not willing to share my wife's macaroni and cheese, and that's true. 00:08:53.240 --> 00:08:56.100 But I try to share things like sardines and rice. 00:08:56.100 --> 00:08:57.100 I get no takers. 00:08:57.100 --> 00:09:07.500 I've tried to share, you know, some of the curries that can, you know, you can light a match after you've had a bite or two. 00:09:07.740 --> 00:09:09.180 And I get no takers. 00:09:09.500 --> 00:09:10.000 There are a lot. 00:09:10.440 --> 00:09:12.440 Raw oysters, I'm really into those. 00:09:12.540 --> 00:09:14.060 Those are things that I enjoy. 00:09:14.320 --> 00:09:22.080 And I want you to understand that we have unity in the office despite the fact that they really have different attitudes towards the food I eat. 00:09:22.080 --> 00:09:28.000 Unity is not just, well, we all agree on what the menu should be. 00:09:28.379 --> 00:09:29.660 Unity is something more than that. 00:09:29.720 --> 00:09:38.879 It's the work of God in creating us out of the depravity and brokenness of our hearts and drawing us to the cross and making us one. 00:09:38.879 --> 00:09:46.580 And we see this in a pointed way in the passage over in chapter 4, verse 3, where he says this, 00:09:47.039 --> 00:09:54.340 that we are to be eager to maintain the unity of the bond of peace, or in the bond of peace. 00:09:54.639 --> 00:09:57.480 And this unity, it really comes out of the work of God. 00:09:58.059 --> 00:10:00.179 I want you to recognize something else in relationship. 00:10:00.179 --> 00:10:08.459 Unity, biblical unity, flows from each believer being interconnected to his body. 00:10:09.059 --> 00:10:10.179 Think about that with me. 00:10:11.079 --> 00:10:13.599 Scripture often refers to the church as a body. 00:10:13.719 --> 00:10:17.059 In fact, it is the second most common term, I think, that is used. 00:10:17.159 --> 00:10:19.919 The first one has to do with the fact that we're family members. 00:10:20.019 --> 00:10:21.479 And family members are connected. 00:10:21.559 --> 00:10:22.239 Is that not right? 00:10:22.240 --> 00:10:27.659 How many of you recognize that because of your relationship with certain members, biologically, 00:10:27.940 --> 00:10:36.000 that you do things and put up with things and work through things probably differently than you do with other people in the neighborhood or in your community? 00:10:36.100 --> 00:10:37.139 It's because you're what? 00:10:37.580 --> 00:10:38.200 You're family. 00:10:40.779 --> 00:10:43.879 Scripture also refers to us as being part of his body. 00:10:44.960 --> 00:10:50.899 And if you were to think about that in clear terms, you'd go back, for one, to Ephesians chapter 1, verse 23. 00:10:50.899 --> 00:10:52.620 And there it says this. 00:10:52.720 --> 00:10:55.659 It says that speaking of the church, it says, which is his body. 00:10:55.740 --> 00:10:57.699 The church is his body. 00:10:58.939 --> 00:11:01.480 And each believer is part of the larger whole. 00:11:02.439 --> 00:11:06.759 And over that body is the head, namely Jesus Christ. 00:11:08.319 --> 00:11:17.399 In relationship to this matter of biblical unity, it may also remind you that biblical unity really flows from believers being persuaded of their divine relationship 00:11:17.399 --> 00:11:20.860 and organic connection to Christ and to one another. 00:11:20.860 --> 00:11:32.860 Biblical unity flows from believers being persuaded of their divine relationship and organic connection to Christ and to one another. 00:11:33.860 --> 00:11:37.279 It's not something that is natural to the heart of man. 00:11:37.279 --> 00:11:48.360 It is something that rises out of an understanding of who we are and what relationship we have to Christ and what relationship we have with one another. 00:11:48.360 --> 00:12:02.860 It is no accident that the Holy Spirit took three chapters to explain the wonder of his grace that took miserable, wretched, rebellious sinners 00:12:02.860 --> 00:12:07.659 and saved them and put them together into his body. 00:12:07.659 --> 00:12:20.719 And it is on the basis of that incredible union and that incredible power that was at work that we are reminded then that we are to get along and actually be in unity together. 00:12:20.720 --> 00:12:28.060 Now, it follows, and I think it's important to recognize this, and I think you need to think with me about this, 00:12:28.680 --> 00:12:33.759 that if biblical unity is so important to Christ and important to God, 00:12:34.960 --> 00:12:45.060 we should not be surprised if Satan goes out of his way and couples with the carnal mind to oppose unity at every hand. 00:12:46.460 --> 00:12:48.360 And I think it's important to recognize. 00:12:48.360 --> 00:13:01.399 The Bible never pictures the believer as spiritual soloists or lone rangers floating about, you know, high-o, silver, and away, 00:13:01.620 --> 00:13:06.240 and that seems to be the phraseology in some people's lives, sporadically away and away and away. 00:13:06.659 --> 00:13:15.560 The Bible pictures us as being organically connected together and one person being part of a larger group by the providence of God 00:13:15.560 --> 00:13:17.700 placed in a place to do a work. 00:13:18.360 --> 00:13:27.899 I guess I'd have to say that when history writes an epitaph for evangelical Christianity in America, 00:13:28.019 --> 00:13:32.100 probably one of the things that they would say was its undoing. 00:13:32.100 --> 00:13:39.080 was the modern phenomenon of detached and floating individualism within Christian circles. 00:13:40.080 --> 00:13:52.300 I believe firmly that lasting relationships that are founded upon the relationship with Christ 00:13:52.299 --> 00:13:59.299 are things that make for long-lasting productivity in people's spiritual lives. 00:14:00.120 --> 00:14:09.479 And if that is true, then you need to understand that it's natural that the enemy of our souls would do everything he can to try to unhinge that. 00:14:09.539 --> 00:14:10.359 Would you agree with that? 00:14:10.360 --> 00:14:21.200 You've heard me say this, and it's so profoundly true, that individual wildebeests, here we go back to the Serengeti plain, 00:14:21.300 --> 00:14:23.279 and some of you are thinking, where is he going with this? 00:14:23.600 --> 00:14:24.560 But here's the deal. 00:14:25.279 --> 00:14:28.080 Solo wildebeests are lion's lunches. 00:14:28.180 --> 00:14:28.960 Do you understand that? 00:14:28.960 --> 00:14:32.759 And I've watched that over and over again in the lives of believers. 00:14:33.100 --> 00:14:37.060 As they begin to detach from the body of Christ and slip off into the dark, 00:14:37.420 --> 00:14:44.080 they end up being unintentionally caught and snared by Satan. 00:14:47.480 --> 00:14:52.960 Well, in case you didn't figure it out by now, I am an enthusiast for the local church. 00:14:52.960 --> 00:14:57.780 If you ask me one of the things that I am, I'm a lover of the bride of Christ. 00:14:58.800 --> 00:15:04.580 I can say that with passion, and I can say that with scriptural conviction, 00:15:05.120 --> 00:15:08.139 and I can say that because of personal experience. 00:15:10.120 --> 00:15:13.080 Let's think now of the foundation of biblical unity. 00:15:13.600 --> 00:15:14.940 We talked about the nature of it. 00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:16.240 God's the one who puts it together. 00:15:16.360 --> 00:15:17.639 But let's talk about the foundation. 00:15:17.639 --> 00:15:21.740 And let me have you note several recurring words. 00:15:21.899 --> 00:15:23.379 We're in Ephesians chapter 4. 00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:27.879 And I have to confess that on Wednesday, 00:15:28.939 --> 00:15:30.439 I remember Thursday was what? 00:15:32.460 --> 00:15:34.679 It was the 4th of July, and I wasn't in the office. 00:15:34.819 --> 00:15:37.759 I was booking it to be ready for Sunday by Wednesday. 00:15:37.960 --> 00:15:41.659 And I actually, by Tuesday, I had put together what was going to happen. 00:15:41.939 --> 00:15:43.399 And I came in Wednesday, and I said, 00:15:43.460 --> 00:15:44.759 I think I'm going to have to change this one. 00:15:44.759 --> 00:15:50.720 I've got actually probably three sermons on Ephesians chapter 4, verse 4 through 6. 00:15:50.960 --> 00:15:52.960 And we're not going to have all three of them today. 00:15:53.259 --> 00:15:55.960 In fact, you're just going to have to get on with it and do your own study. 00:15:56.840 --> 00:16:03.319 Having said that, I want you to look at the larger picture of what we find in this passage. 00:16:03.319 --> 00:16:08.259 And one of the things that I want you to recognize is Paul uses some recurring words, 00:16:08.360 --> 00:16:09.299 and they're signals. 00:16:10.659 --> 00:16:13.259 He uses the word one seven times. 00:16:13.259 --> 00:16:15.500 One, one, one, one. 00:16:15.620 --> 00:16:16.779 He just keeps on saying it. 00:16:17.039 --> 00:16:19.379 And each one is connected to a theological truth. 00:16:20.639 --> 00:16:24.399 Furthermore, he uses, and we come towards the end and look at verse 6, 00:16:25.080 --> 00:16:29.159 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. 00:16:29.340 --> 00:16:35.059 So you've got two sets of really strong words that Paul just kind of tags again and again and again. 00:16:35.259 --> 00:16:36.580 He wants to be sure you get it. 00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:38.299 One, one, one, one, seven times. 00:16:38.500 --> 00:16:40.879 And all, all, all, all, four times. 00:16:40.879 --> 00:16:41.600 What's he saying? 00:16:42.799 --> 00:16:55.019 He wants us not to miss the fact that biblical unity, this oneness, is a significant and serious business. 00:16:56.620 --> 00:17:00.419 Furthermore, I want you to understand that biblical unity is really based on the Godhead. 00:17:00.419 --> 00:17:05.299 And this is something that you may not see immediately in the passage, but recognize. 00:17:05.420 --> 00:17:10.299 And this is a little trick, not trick, but it's a little principle to Bible study. 00:17:14.200 --> 00:17:18.420 Bible truths are not just kind of scattered around sporadically and irresponsibly. 00:17:19.259 --> 00:17:21.279 There is an organic unity to the Scriptures. 00:17:21.279 --> 00:17:26.019 And in that our God is triune, and what do we mean by that? 00:17:26.059 --> 00:17:29.660 We mean God the Father, God the Son, God the Spirit, three in one. 00:17:30.740 --> 00:17:37.339 You will find often that theological and doctrinal truths come together in that organic unity of the Trinity. 00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:43.839 And so as we are looking at this passage, Paul, as he teaches us about our unity in the body, 00:17:43.839 --> 00:17:50.839 he can't help himself but draw it together and say, and remind yourself that God is one. 00:17:54.079 --> 00:18:03.419 And so we find this unity that in its discussion of its theological foundation or the truth that it rests on, 00:18:03.799 --> 00:18:10.519 we find that Paul can't help himself but remind us of the unity of the Godhead. 00:18:10.519 --> 00:18:20.720 And as you look here, we find that these principles that we're looking at are all connected to the triune God, 00:18:20.819 --> 00:18:25.759 beginning first with the Spirit, and then the Lord Jesus Christ, and then finally God the Father. 00:18:26.180 --> 00:18:30.319 And you find there in verse 4 there's one body, one Spirit, just as you're called to one hope, 00:18:31.000 --> 00:18:32.240 talking about the Spirit of God. 00:18:33.680 --> 00:18:37.220 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, talking about the Lord Jesus, 00:18:37.220 --> 00:18:40.200 and one God and Father, talking about God the Father. 00:18:40.519 --> 00:18:44.740 And it's instructive as we look at this to remind ourselves that at the heart of all we do 00:18:44.740 --> 00:18:48.480 and how we live out our life is our view of God. 00:18:50.440 --> 00:18:54.859 If He is at the center of our life, 00:18:55.359 --> 00:19:00.119 then His values and His glory will shine through. 00:19:00.359 --> 00:19:03.420 Let me say that again slowly because I think so many people miss this, 00:19:03.420 --> 00:19:06.200 and their lives are reflective of the fact they've missed it. 00:19:06.200 --> 00:19:18.319 The heart of all that we do and how we live out our life is reflective of our view of God. 00:19:18.440 --> 00:19:23.600 People get to see who you believe God is by the way you act. 00:19:23.599 --> 00:19:32.779 I had an individual say to me not too long ago, 00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:36.199 I'm having trouble trust God. 00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:44.359 And one of the advantages of lasting relationships is sometimes you can set a phrase or a statement like that 00:19:44.359 --> 00:19:47.199 against the context of, you know, 20 years of experience, 00:19:47.200 --> 00:19:51.860 and you say, well, you know, I'm not sure that you're really having a problem trusting God. 00:19:54.740 --> 00:19:57.340 Now, what pastor would ever say anything like that? 00:19:58.059 --> 00:19:59.440 Here's what I said to follow up. 00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:04.039 I think your bigger problem is you're not convinced you're not God. 00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:13.480 Let me play that out for you so you can understand it. 00:20:14.519 --> 00:20:19.099 People who have a high degree of problem with anxiety and worry 00:20:19.099 --> 00:20:26.139 are really expressing a legitimate theological truth about who they worship. 00:20:27.819 --> 00:20:28.980 What do I mean by that? 00:20:28.980 --> 00:20:35.180 If you are the sum of the world you live in, 00:20:36.079 --> 00:20:39.180 and you're concerned about all the different things happening in it, 00:20:40.019 --> 00:20:44.059 it's understandable that you would be anxious because guess what? 00:20:44.660 --> 00:20:49.420 You have a lot of empirical evidence that you really can't handle any detail. 00:20:50.799 --> 00:20:55.259 So if you're the center, it's reasonable for you to be worried and anxious. 00:20:56.660 --> 00:20:58.180 Be anxious for nothing. 00:20:58.980 --> 00:21:01.839 What does that verse presuppose? 00:21:02.740 --> 00:21:06.720 It presupposes that you know God's on the throne, that He is in control. 00:21:07.460 --> 00:21:07.779 Right? 00:21:10.960 --> 00:21:15.460 For I have said, I'll never leave you or forsake you. 00:21:17.059 --> 00:21:18.240 I want you to think about this. 00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:23.799 The way we act reflects our true theology. 00:21:24.940 --> 00:21:26.400 All of God's people said, Amen! 00:21:27.700 --> 00:21:28.220 Good. 00:21:28.980 --> 00:21:30.819 I caught you on that one. 00:21:30.900 --> 00:21:31.339 Okay, okay. 00:21:31.559 --> 00:21:31.940 Here we go. 00:21:33.299 --> 00:21:37.380 Unity, being organically connected to church, 00:21:37.460 --> 00:21:39.420 and walking in a manner that honors Christ, 00:21:39.799 --> 00:21:42.819 is all really connected to who we believe is God. 00:21:45.779 --> 00:21:50.059 Unity, and being organically connected to the church, 00:21:50.140 --> 00:21:51.880 and walking in a manner that honors Christ, 00:21:51.880 --> 00:21:55.640 is all connected to who we really believe is God. 00:21:55.640 --> 00:22:03.700 I believe one of the reasons for the anemic spirituality of contemporary Christianity 00:22:03.700 --> 00:22:11.780 is because so many contemporary believers really see themselves as independent free agents doing their own thing. 00:22:11.779 --> 00:22:20.200 And as a result, they're caught up more engaged in a dance troupe, or a drama group, or a Bible study group, or a baseball team, and so on. 00:22:20.200 --> 00:22:24.380 The body of Christ is a secondary issue in their lives. 00:22:26.039 --> 00:22:29.480 I mean, it's not where they get their means of fulfillment. 00:22:29.720 --> 00:22:32.120 It's just one of those things they do on Sunday. 00:22:32.119 --> 00:22:49.299 In every case, a low view of God leads to a low view of how important it is for an individual to be bound up in kingdom relationships. 00:22:49.299 --> 00:23:10.639 A low view of God leads to a low view of how important it is that an individual is bound up in kingdom relationships. 00:23:14.079 --> 00:23:16.019 You may not like the statement, 00:23:16.019 --> 00:23:21.039 and if it causes a little angst, 00:23:22.039 --> 00:23:23.700 here's my singular appeal, 00:23:25.200 --> 00:23:29.359 that you argue your rebuttal with me scripturally. 00:23:33.180 --> 00:23:35.500 One of the passages that kind of sticks in my mind, 00:23:35.639 --> 00:23:37.720 and it's one of those that I live by a little bit, 00:23:38.879 --> 00:23:39.619 Shulamite woman. 00:23:39.879 --> 00:23:41.000 How many of you know the story? 00:23:41.220 --> 00:23:43.039 In the Old Testament, Shulamite woman, okay? 00:23:43.039 --> 00:23:48.539 Here, when the prophet, I think it's Elijah, Elijah, Elijah, I think it is. 00:23:49.000 --> 00:23:51.039 Elijah says, hey, can I bless you? 00:23:51.079 --> 00:23:52.779 Remember, she'd been so nice to the prophet, 00:23:53.000 --> 00:23:55.139 and he thought, well, let me help her out. 00:23:56.680 --> 00:23:59.779 So he calls her in, says, hey, can I do anything for you? 00:23:59.879 --> 00:24:00.759 Here's what she says. 00:24:01.619 --> 00:24:02.559 This is a good one. 00:24:03.559 --> 00:24:05.180 I dwell among my own people. 00:24:05.680 --> 00:24:06.519 That's all she said. 00:24:07.539 --> 00:24:08.319 Do you know what she was saying? 00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:14.220 I have all I need in the relationships that God has given me 00:24:14.220 --> 00:24:16.779 in my family construct. 00:24:29.139 --> 00:24:33.299 Another point that I want to make is that biblical unity rests on biblical truth. 00:24:35.159 --> 00:24:37.960 Biblical unity rests on biblical truth. 00:24:39.039 --> 00:24:41.960 That's really what we're looking at in verses 4, 5, and 6, 00:24:42.019 --> 00:24:44.299 and you're wondering, why did you take so long to get there? 00:24:45.279 --> 00:24:46.319 Here's the reason. 00:24:50.200 --> 00:24:54.759 Many people today do not see themselves 00:24:54.759 --> 00:25:00.000 as really organically connected to the bride of Christ. 00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:10.279 Biblical unity rests on biblical truth. 00:25:10.380 --> 00:25:12.200 Let me read these statements to you. 00:25:12.339 --> 00:25:16.940 One body, one spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 00:25:17.180 --> 00:25:19.819 one God and Father of all, 00:25:20.640 --> 00:25:24.240 who is over all and through all and in all. 00:25:24.240 --> 00:25:26.940 Man, that is dynamite. 00:25:28.259 --> 00:25:36.339 Second, I want you to understand that unity has no disconnect from scriptural truth. 00:25:36.339 --> 00:25:41.399 In fact, when there is a disconnect from scriptural truth, 00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:46.419 there is a breakdown in the effectiveness of honoring God 00:25:46.419 --> 00:25:49.559 and allowing the Scriptures to do its job. 00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:51.859 Our unity is not the result. 00:25:51.859 --> 00:25:52.979 And I want you to understand this. 00:25:53.379 --> 00:25:54.639 In the fellowship of saints, 00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:56.799 our unity is not the result of compromise, 00:25:57.279 --> 00:26:01.839 but is the power of God orienting our hearts individually 00:26:01.839 --> 00:26:06.740 towards His central person and glory. 00:26:08.339 --> 00:26:08.919 I don't know. 00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:11.579 How many of you remember science class when you were growing up 00:26:11.579 --> 00:26:15.159 and the teacher would bring in iron filings 00:26:15.159 --> 00:26:17.819 and throw them out on a piece of glass or something like that? 00:26:17.819 --> 00:26:19.019 Does anybody besides me remember? 00:26:19.579 --> 00:26:21.559 It's the little bit of science I remember. 00:26:24.059 --> 00:26:24.179 Okay. 00:26:25.279 --> 00:26:28.519 You know, those iron filings are all over the place, everywhere, you know? 00:26:28.559 --> 00:26:32.819 And then what does she do to convince you of the power of the magnet? 00:26:32.899 --> 00:26:33.379 What does she do? 00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:34.480 Under the piece of glass, 00:26:35.720 --> 00:26:36.779 she kind of gets it to the right, 00:26:36.839 --> 00:26:38.639 and suddenly what happens to all those iron filings? 00:26:41.099 --> 00:26:41.879 They're on point. 00:26:42.839 --> 00:26:43.799 There's not a one of them. 00:26:44.099 --> 00:26:46.079 Not a one of them is a deviant. 00:26:47.819 --> 00:26:51.419 Because they know the magnets around. 00:26:58.700 --> 00:27:02.159 Now, before I go, 00:27:03.159 --> 00:27:04.439 where are you going? 00:27:04.579 --> 00:27:05.179 I'm staying here. 00:27:05.779 --> 00:27:07.539 But before I leave this point, 00:27:08.460 --> 00:27:09.379 you may be wondering, 00:27:09.859 --> 00:27:12.460 why are there so many diverse denominations 00:27:12.460 --> 00:27:15.259 and sincere beliefs among Christians? 00:27:15.259 --> 00:27:15.500 Christians? 00:27:16.879 --> 00:27:18.640 It's hard for me to admit this, 00:27:18.740 --> 00:27:20.960 but my sister is a Presbyterian. 00:27:23.160 --> 00:27:23.879 Hi, Michelle. 00:27:27.299 --> 00:27:28.579 You know, people ask me, 00:27:28.940 --> 00:27:30.920 so what are you? 00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:32.539 I say, well, 00:27:33.259 --> 00:27:34.140 the truth of the matter is, 00:27:34.180 --> 00:27:37.480 is I'm a quasi-charismatic, 00:27:37.680 --> 00:27:39.440 Reformed Baptist. 00:27:39.440 --> 00:27:42.799 And that always launches people into, 00:27:42.980 --> 00:27:44.100 what do you mean by that? 00:27:45.720 --> 00:27:49.620 And I have enough trouble being Tim Kenoyer, 00:27:49.720 --> 00:27:52.360 let alone a quasi-reformed Presbyterian Baptist, 00:27:52.460 --> 00:27:52.920 whatever, you know. 00:27:53.039 --> 00:27:54.279 So here's the deal. 00:27:57.559 --> 00:27:59.720 Believers who know Christ 00:27:59.720 --> 00:28:02.539 hold to core beliefs 00:28:02.539 --> 00:28:05.240 across the broad spectrum. 00:28:05.240 --> 00:28:10.640 My sister and I, 00:28:10.960 --> 00:28:12.000 though we may differ 00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:14.480 on some nuanced differences, 00:28:15.259 --> 00:28:17.359 we believe 00:28:17.359 --> 00:28:19.599 Christ came into the world 00:28:19.599 --> 00:28:20.380 to save sinners. 00:28:22.440 --> 00:28:23.460 And we know 00:28:23.460 --> 00:28:25.759 that no one comes to Christ 00:28:25.759 --> 00:28:29.400 except they are burdened for their sin 00:28:29.400 --> 00:28:30.579 and they realize 00:28:30.579 --> 00:28:32.400 the despair of their state 00:28:32.400 --> 00:28:34.400 and they call upon the name of the Lord. 00:28:34.400 --> 00:28:35.780 And what it says in Scripture 00:28:35.780 --> 00:28:37.019 is whosoever believes, 00:28:37.420 --> 00:28:40.320 what shall have everlasting life. 00:28:43.040 --> 00:28:44.160 Now, it is true 00:28:44.160 --> 00:28:45.259 that at Thanksgiving dinner 00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:46.620 we don't discuss baptism. 00:28:48.200 --> 00:28:50.160 But we get along. 00:28:51.480 --> 00:28:51.700 Okay. 00:28:55.500 --> 00:28:57.160 And I am not troubled 00:28:57.160 --> 00:28:59.860 by these differences. 00:29:00.940 --> 00:29:02.560 I view them in some senses 00:29:02.560 --> 00:29:04.120 as being familial differences 00:29:04.119 --> 00:29:05.500 much like the fact 00:29:05.500 --> 00:29:07.319 that in your family 00:29:07.319 --> 00:29:09.219 you probably do some things 00:29:09.219 --> 00:29:10.819 different than we do 00:29:10.819 --> 00:29:11.479 in our family. 00:29:11.659 --> 00:29:12.619 You probably have 00:29:12.619 --> 00:29:13.979 some dietary differences. 00:29:14.239 --> 00:29:15.439 I think you all should eat 00:29:15.439 --> 00:29:16.159 the way we do, 00:29:16.379 --> 00:29:17.139 but you know, 00:29:17.239 --> 00:29:17.719 you don't 00:29:17.719 --> 00:29:19.119 and I still think you're good. 00:29:19.599 --> 00:29:20.439 You know what I'm saying? 00:29:20.479 --> 00:29:21.539 It doesn't bother me. 00:29:21.739 --> 00:29:23.819 And I think we get arguing 00:29:23.819 --> 00:29:25.559 about things that really 00:29:25.559 --> 00:29:26.719 don't have any bearing 00:29:26.719 --> 00:29:27.319 on eternity. 00:29:27.439 --> 00:29:27.839 One of the things 00:29:27.839 --> 00:29:29.179 I happen to really have enjoyed 00:29:29.179 --> 00:29:30.119 over the years 00:29:30.119 --> 00:29:31.219 is going consistently 00:29:31.220 --> 00:29:32.839 to the Basics Conference 00:29:32.839 --> 00:29:33.720 with Alistair Begg. 00:29:33.779 --> 00:29:34.460 He's amillennial. 00:29:34.920 --> 00:29:36.579 He is reformed. 00:29:36.680 --> 00:29:38.200 He's different than I am. 00:29:38.420 --> 00:29:39.799 But every time we go up there 00:29:39.799 --> 00:29:41.019 he has one Baptist, 00:29:41.200 --> 00:29:41.880 one Anglican, 00:29:41.920 --> 00:29:43.440 and one Presbyterian preach. 00:29:44.220 --> 00:29:45.600 And there's a three-day conference. 00:29:46.440 --> 00:29:48.220 And what they preach about 00:29:48.220 --> 00:29:49.500 is Jesus. 00:29:50.380 --> 00:29:51.620 And they preach about 00:29:51.620 --> 00:29:53.819 the supremacy of the Word. 00:29:53.819 --> 00:29:55.559 And I come back 00:29:55.559 --> 00:29:56.279 from that thing 00:29:56.279 --> 00:29:58.000 with my heart on fire. 00:30:02.099 --> 00:30:02.899 And frankly, 00:30:03.039 --> 00:30:03.579 I just really 00:30:03.579 --> 00:30:05.619 get into these little 00:30:05.619 --> 00:30:07.119 petty familial discussions 00:30:07.119 --> 00:30:08.559 as I get older 00:30:08.559 --> 00:30:09.679 that are less important. 00:30:10.659 --> 00:30:10.819 Now, 00:30:11.960 --> 00:30:14.779 there are personal differences, 00:30:15.500 --> 00:30:17.279 but they are not 00:30:17.279 --> 00:30:18.960 to become points of contention. 00:30:19.419 --> 00:30:19.839 Let me give you 00:30:19.839 --> 00:30:20.939 two illustrations of this. 00:30:21.019 --> 00:30:22.159 One is Harry Ironsides, 00:30:22.160 --> 00:30:22.800 who was a pastor 00:30:22.800 --> 00:30:25.440 at Moody Church 00:30:25.440 --> 00:30:26.440 in Chicago. 00:30:27.140 --> 00:30:28.980 This was before airplanes. 00:30:29.380 --> 00:30:30.140 And this was when 00:30:30.140 --> 00:30:32.640 in order to go from Chicago 00:30:32.640 --> 00:30:33.640 to the West Coast 00:30:33.640 --> 00:30:34.420 where he was preaching, 00:30:34.980 --> 00:30:37.180 he had to get in a train 00:30:37.180 --> 00:30:38.460 and ride in a train. 00:30:39.019 --> 00:30:40.700 And the morning broke 00:30:40.700 --> 00:30:41.960 and he was riding along 00:30:41.960 --> 00:30:43.240 and he opened up his Bible 00:30:43.240 --> 00:30:44.240 and began to read it. 00:30:44.460 --> 00:30:45.800 And along comes one person 00:30:45.800 --> 00:30:46.019 and says, 00:30:46.080 --> 00:30:46.720 what you reading? 00:30:46.960 --> 00:30:47.380 And he says, 00:30:47.400 --> 00:30:48.400 I'm reading my Bible. 00:30:48.620 --> 00:30:49.220 The person said, 00:30:49.279 --> 00:30:50.420 can I sit down with you? 00:30:50.420 --> 00:30:53.140 And they read the Bible together 00:30:53.140 --> 00:30:54.400 and they discussed it. 00:30:55.440 --> 00:30:56.140 A second day, 00:30:56.200 --> 00:30:57.039 the crowd had grown 00:30:57.039 --> 00:30:57.940 fairly substantial. 00:30:58.500 --> 00:30:59.480 Harry Ironsides 00:30:59.480 --> 00:31:00.640 was a very influential 00:31:00.640 --> 00:31:01.660 godly man. 00:31:01.900 --> 00:31:03.320 The crowd had grown large 00:31:03.320 --> 00:31:04.820 by the time 00:31:04.820 --> 00:31:06.039 they reached the station. 00:31:06.840 --> 00:31:07.539 And one lady 00:31:07.539 --> 00:31:08.720 who was a very pronounced 00:31:08.720 --> 00:31:10.920 German accent person, 00:31:11.019 --> 00:31:11.480 she comes and says, 00:31:12.039 --> 00:31:13.580 what denomination are you? 00:31:13.579 --> 00:31:16.539 He said, 00:31:16.960 --> 00:31:17.199 well, 00:31:17.399 --> 00:31:20.019 I am the denomination 00:31:20.019 --> 00:31:21.199 that David was. 00:31:23.339 --> 00:31:24.079 She says, 00:31:24.139 --> 00:31:26.339 what denomination is that? 00:31:27.299 --> 00:31:29.019 And he recited the passage 00:31:29.019 --> 00:31:30.319 in Psalm 112 00:31:30.319 --> 00:31:31.879 where David says this, 00:31:31.960 --> 00:31:33.500 Psalm 119, verse 63, 00:31:33.619 --> 00:31:33.919 he says, 00:31:34.519 --> 00:31:35.779 I am companion 00:31:35.779 --> 00:31:37.899 to all them who fear you. 00:31:39.939 --> 00:31:41.319 That's who we're part of. 00:31:41.319 --> 00:31:43.299 Another illustration, 00:31:43.480 --> 00:31:44.419 and I really like this one, 00:31:44.480 --> 00:31:45.259 is George Whitefield 00:31:45.259 --> 00:31:46.099 and John Wesley 00:31:46.099 --> 00:31:46.779 represented 00:31:46.779 --> 00:31:49.599 two radical perspectives. 00:31:50.119 --> 00:31:50.859 George Whitefield 00:31:50.859 --> 00:31:52.379 was reformed 00:31:52.379 --> 00:31:53.059 in his thinking, 00:31:53.839 --> 00:31:55.079 believed in the sovereignty 00:31:55.079 --> 00:31:55.519 of God 00:31:55.519 --> 00:31:56.019 and election, 00:31:56.519 --> 00:31:57.399 and John Wesley 00:31:57.399 --> 00:31:58.460 was very much, 00:31:58.579 --> 00:31:59.079 you know, 00:31:59.500 --> 00:32:00.359 free grace 00:32:00.359 --> 00:32:00.639 and, 00:32:01.139 --> 00:32:01.279 well, 00:32:01.359 --> 00:32:02.319 both free grace, 00:32:02.460 --> 00:32:03.619 but talking about 00:32:03.619 --> 00:32:04.599 the will of man 00:32:04.599 --> 00:32:06.059 and freedom of man's will, 00:32:06.179 --> 00:32:06.539 et cetera. 00:32:06.539 --> 00:32:08.299 And there ended up being 00:32:08.299 --> 00:32:09.779 somewhat of a dispute 00:32:09.779 --> 00:32:11.579 between John 00:32:11.579 --> 00:32:13.119 and George Whitefield. 00:32:16.159 --> 00:32:17.559 And here is what 00:32:17.559 --> 00:32:18.599 George Whitefield did 00:32:18.599 --> 00:32:19.420 when he recognized 00:32:19.420 --> 00:32:20.099 that the dispute 00:32:20.099 --> 00:32:21.220 was gaining traction. 00:32:21.899 --> 00:32:22.639 He wrote a letter 00:32:22.639 --> 00:32:23.639 to John Wesley, 00:32:23.799 --> 00:32:24.319 Arminian, 00:32:25.059 --> 00:32:25.559 Wesleyan, 00:32:26.099 --> 00:32:29.079 and he pled with John 00:32:29.079 --> 00:32:30.359 that their differences 00:32:30.359 --> 00:32:32.480 not destroy their communion 00:32:32.480 --> 00:32:35.180 or their brotherly love. 00:32:35.180 --> 00:32:37.539 He pled with John. 00:32:37.620 --> 00:32:37.880 He says, 00:32:38.000 --> 00:32:38.240 listen, 00:32:38.380 --> 00:32:39.620 let us both offer 00:32:39.620 --> 00:32:40.519 free grace 00:32:40.519 --> 00:32:41.700 through the blood of Christ 00:32:41.700 --> 00:32:44.240 and not belabor 00:32:44.240 --> 00:32:45.120 our differences. 00:32:45.340 --> 00:32:47.200 Grumping and stumping around 00:32:47.200 --> 00:32:48.759 about those differences 00:32:48.759 --> 00:32:49.920 will do no more 00:32:49.920 --> 00:32:51.560 than create division 00:32:51.560 --> 00:32:52.279 and turmoil 00:32:52.279 --> 00:32:53.299 in the body of Christ. 00:32:53.740 --> 00:32:55.019 And it's unprofitable. 00:32:58.539 --> 00:32:59.740 So as you think about 00:32:59.740 --> 00:33:01.279 the subject this morning, 00:33:01.799 --> 00:33:02.840 I want you to recognize 00:33:02.839 --> 00:33:04.779 that prioritizing 00:33:04.779 --> 00:33:05.939 biblical unity 00:33:05.939 --> 00:33:07.099 is important. 00:33:07.919 --> 00:33:08.980 It really is. 00:33:10.779 --> 00:33:11.339 First, 00:33:12.359 --> 00:33:14.459 a persistent lack 00:33:14.459 --> 00:33:15.379 of sensitivity 00:33:15.379 --> 00:33:16.899 to biblical unity 00:33:16.899 --> 00:33:18.379 may be an indication 00:33:18.379 --> 00:33:18.919 of the fact 00:33:18.919 --> 00:33:19.779 you don't know Christ. 00:33:21.980 --> 00:33:23.459 You may know about Him 00:33:23.459 --> 00:33:24.599 as a historical figure, 00:33:25.339 --> 00:33:27.399 but really is He your Savior? 00:33:27.539 --> 00:33:28.279 Because going back 00:33:28.279 --> 00:33:28.859 to the illustration 00:33:28.859 --> 00:33:29.959 of the iron filings, 00:33:30.279 --> 00:33:31.399 if Christ is the one 00:33:31.400 --> 00:33:32.060 who is the center 00:33:32.060 --> 00:33:32.700 of your life, 00:33:32.940 --> 00:33:34.500 then your relationship 00:33:34.500 --> 00:33:35.600 to other people 00:33:35.600 --> 00:33:36.600 is affected 00:33:36.600 --> 00:33:38.440 by that relationship. 00:33:40.920 --> 00:33:42.019 Biblical unity 00:33:42.019 --> 00:33:42.840 is important 00:33:42.840 --> 00:33:45.160 because He put us together 00:33:45.160 --> 00:33:46.400 for His glory 00:33:46.400 --> 00:33:48.519 and He intends for us 00:33:48.519 --> 00:33:50.340 to be in relationship 00:33:50.340 --> 00:33:51.540 first with Him 00:33:51.540 --> 00:33:53.360 and then with one another. 00:33:54.480 --> 00:33:55.440 And when we are 00:33:55.440 --> 00:33:56.740 in right relationship 00:33:56.740 --> 00:33:57.420 with Him, 00:33:57.720 --> 00:33:58.500 then our relationships 00:33:58.500 --> 00:33:59.180 relationships 00:33:59.180 --> 00:34:00.420 with one another 00:34:00.420 --> 00:34:02.519 are not discolored 00:34:02.519 --> 00:34:04.819 or marred. 00:34:07.960 --> 00:34:08.519 Second, 00:34:08.679 --> 00:34:09.300 and I speak 00:34:09.300 --> 00:34:10.539 with a certain amount 00:34:10.539 --> 00:34:12.079 of caution here, 00:34:13.579 --> 00:34:14.380 an indifference 00:34:14.380 --> 00:34:16.219 to the organic unity 00:34:16.219 --> 00:34:17.820 of the body of Christ 00:34:17.820 --> 00:34:20.380 is reflective 00:34:20.380 --> 00:34:22.139 of a diminished view 00:34:22.139 --> 00:34:23.059 of God 00:34:23.059 --> 00:34:24.360 and His Word. 00:34:25.719 --> 00:34:26.320 So let me say that 00:34:26.320 --> 00:34:27.260 again slowly. 00:34:28.720 --> 00:34:30.940 A diminished view 00:34:30.940 --> 00:34:33.900 of the importance 00:34:33.900 --> 00:34:36.059 of the organic unity 00:34:36.059 --> 00:34:36.920 of the body. 00:34:38.280 --> 00:34:39.200 I'm connected. 00:34:40.320 --> 00:34:41.200 I dwell among 00:34:41.200 --> 00:34:42.000 my own people. 00:34:42.400 --> 00:34:43.019 Do you follow that? 00:34:43.820 --> 00:34:45.420 This is my body. 00:34:45.720 --> 00:34:45.900 No, no. 00:34:46.320 --> 00:34:47.120 Say that again. 00:34:47.400 --> 00:34:48.539 This is His body 00:34:48.539 --> 00:34:49.500 and I'm a little part 00:34:49.500 --> 00:34:49.820 of it. 00:34:49.820 --> 00:34:49.900 But 00:34:49.900 --> 00:34:55.940 I cannot imagine myself 00:34:55.940 --> 00:34:59.000 today 00:34:59.000 --> 00:35:01.380 being disconnected 00:35:01.380 --> 00:35:02.900 from the body 00:35:02.900 --> 00:35:03.380 of Christ. 00:35:04.119 --> 00:35:04.880 Let me tell you 00:35:04.880 --> 00:35:05.159 something. 00:35:06.599 --> 00:35:08.300 I have sweet 00:35:08.300 --> 00:35:10.619 relationships 00:35:10.619 --> 00:35:11.900 in the biological 00:35:11.900 --> 00:35:12.820 family that God 00:35:12.820 --> 00:35:13.860 has made me part of. 00:35:13.980 --> 00:35:15.000 But unless the grace 00:35:15.000 --> 00:35:16.579 of God intervenes, 00:35:16.820 --> 00:35:17.700 not every member 00:35:17.700 --> 00:35:18.480 of my family 00:35:18.480 --> 00:35:19.260 will be in eternity 00:35:19.260 --> 00:35:19.760 with me. 00:35:21.440 --> 00:35:22.440 But I, 00:35:23.360 --> 00:35:24.539 connected as I am 00:35:24.539 --> 00:35:25.280 to the bride 00:35:25.280 --> 00:35:25.920 of Christ, 00:35:27.120 --> 00:35:29.260 know that I will 00:35:29.260 --> 00:35:30.280 see you again 00:35:30.280 --> 00:35:30.960 in eternity 00:35:30.960 --> 00:35:32.400 and I will serve 00:35:32.400 --> 00:35:33.660 gladly and joyfully 00:35:33.660 --> 00:35:35.560 with you here 00:35:35.560 --> 00:35:36.860 because someday 00:35:36.860 --> 00:35:38.940 we will be together 00:35:38.940 --> 00:35:39.280 again. 00:35:39.560 --> 00:35:40.580 And Tim Kenoyer 00:35:40.580 --> 00:35:42.140 regularly reminds 00:35:42.140 --> 00:35:43.080 himself 00:35:43.080 --> 00:35:45.140 of men 00:35:45.140 --> 00:35:45.880 such as Bob 00:35:45.880 --> 00:35:46.600 Charrington, 00:35:48.060 --> 00:35:49.019 Bill Driscoll, 00:35:50.120 --> 00:35:51.120 Hal Burchett, 00:35:51.119 --> 00:35:53.400 men who were part 00:35:53.400 --> 00:35:54.179 of the bride 00:35:54.179 --> 00:35:54.799 of Christ 00:35:54.799 --> 00:35:55.900 and significant 00:35:55.900 --> 00:35:56.839 in relationship 00:35:56.839 --> 00:35:58.019 and communion 00:35:58.019 --> 00:35:58.739 with me 00:35:58.739 --> 00:35:59.880 and an encouragement 00:35:59.880 --> 00:36:01.000 in my pursuit. 00:36:03.199 --> 00:36:04.000 Beloved, 00:36:04.880 --> 00:36:07.500 to have a low view 00:36:07.500 --> 00:36:10.019 of the significance 00:36:10.019 --> 00:36:10.799 and the importance 00:36:11.319 --> 00:36:12.519 of the body 00:36:12.519 --> 00:36:13.359 of Christ 00:36:13.359 --> 00:36:15.440 should give you 00:36:15.440 --> 00:36:15.960 pause. 00:36:15.960 --> 00:36:22.519 Ephesians chapter 4 00:36:22.519 --> 00:36:24.940 verse 4. 00:36:27.079 --> 00:36:28.420 There's one body 00:36:28.420 --> 00:36:30.900 and one spirit 00:36:30.900 --> 00:36:33.019 just as you were 00:36:33.019 --> 00:36:34.280 called to one hope 00:36:34.280 --> 00:36:34.940 that belongs 00:36:34.940 --> 00:36:35.720 to your call, 00:36:36.800 --> 00:36:37.579 one Lord, 00:36:38.519 --> 00:36:39.460 one faith, 00:36:40.179 --> 00:36:41.119 one baptism, 00:36:41.960 --> 00:36:42.539 one God 00:36:42.539 --> 00:36:43.579 and Father of all 00:36:43.579 --> 00:36:44.679 who is over all 00:36:44.679 --> 00:36:45.360 and through all 00:36:45.360 --> 00:36:46.019 and in all. 00:36:54.059 --> 00:36:54.980 If you're not 00:36:54.980 --> 00:36:55.659 part of the body 00:36:55.659 --> 00:36:56.319 of Christ, 00:36:57.719 --> 00:36:59.799 Christ Jesus 00:36:59.799 --> 00:37:00.719 came into the world 00:37:00.719 --> 00:37:01.920 to die for sinners 00:37:01.920 --> 00:37:04.059 and he offers 00:37:04.059 --> 00:37:04.880 you salvation 00:37:04.880 --> 00:37:09.000 and the alienation, 00:37:09.380 --> 00:37:11.079 the emptiness, 00:37:11.079 --> 00:37:14.159 the fear of judgment 00:37:14.159 --> 00:37:17.360 cannot be taken away 00:37:17.360 --> 00:37:20.739 apart from calling 00:37:20.739 --> 00:37:21.460 upon the name 00:37:21.460 --> 00:37:21.920 of the Lord 00:37:21.920 --> 00:37:22.360 and saying, 00:37:22.519 --> 00:37:23.619 I am a wretched sinner 00:37:23.619 --> 00:37:25.319 who deserves judgment. 00:37:26.420 --> 00:37:27.920 Yet I hear what you say, 00:37:28.360 --> 00:37:29.739 Jesus died for me 00:37:29.739 --> 00:37:30.840 and I want him 00:37:30.840 --> 00:37:31.719 as my Savior. 00:37:34.920 --> 00:37:36.440 And if you are here today 00:37:36.440 --> 00:37:37.699 and do not know Christ, 00:37:37.699 --> 00:37:40.480 I would plead with you. 00:37:42.359 --> 00:37:43.619 Be reconciled. 00:37:45.299 --> 00:37:46.019 Let's pray. 00:37:50.699 --> 00:37:51.559 Father God, 00:37:51.859 --> 00:37:52.639 this morning, 00:37:53.679 --> 00:37:56.019 there's so much 00:37:56.019 --> 00:37:56.819 in this passage 00:37:56.819 --> 00:37:57.899 that is fitting 00:37:57.899 --> 00:37:59.419 and valuable 00:37:59.419 --> 00:38:00.219 to the believer 00:38:00.219 --> 00:38:02.899 to make a difference 00:38:02.899 --> 00:38:04.000 in the way we live 00:38:04.000 --> 00:38:04.679 and act 00:38:04.679 --> 00:38:05.460 and walk 00:38:05.460 --> 00:38:07.860 and how we glorify 00:38:07.860 --> 00:38:08.720 the Lord Jesus 00:38:08.720 --> 00:38:09.420 together. 00:38:12.780 --> 00:38:14.280 And I rely upon 00:38:14.280 --> 00:38:14.940 your spirit 00:38:14.940 --> 00:38:15.960 to take your word 00:38:15.960 --> 00:38:17.900 and to make a difference 00:38:17.900 --> 00:38:19.079 in people's lives. 00:38:20.440 --> 00:38:20.960 Believers, 00:38:21.119 --> 00:38:21.920 that they would grow 00:38:21.920 --> 00:38:22.760 in their affection 00:38:22.760 --> 00:38:23.579 for you 00:38:23.579 --> 00:38:24.920 and their willingness 00:38:24.920 --> 00:38:25.679 to be part 00:38:25.679 --> 00:38:26.639 of the body of Christ 00:38:26.639 --> 00:38:27.619 to serve together 00:38:27.619 --> 00:38:29.460 for your glory. 00:38:30.659 --> 00:38:31.740 And unbelievers, 00:38:31.860 --> 00:38:32.519 that this morning 00:38:32.519 --> 00:38:34.320 by your incredible kindness, 00:38:34.320 --> 00:38:35.740 you would draw them 00:38:35.740 --> 00:38:36.780 to see the misery 00:38:36.780 --> 00:38:37.539 and the bankruptcy 00:38:37.539 --> 00:38:38.500 of their state 00:38:38.500 --> 00:38:39.640 and they would call 00:38:39.640 --> 00:38:40.340 upon the name 00:38:40.340 --> 00:38:41.539 of the Lord Jesus Christ 00:38:41.539 --> 00:38:42.660 in whom alone 00:38:42.660 --> 00:38:43.480 is salvation. 00:38:44.840 --> 00:38:45.559 We ask this 00:38:45.559 --> 00:38:46.559 in your precious name. 00:38:47.100 --> 00:38:47.360 Amen.