This Sunday I am preaching on Ephesians 4:1-16. Part of the passage goes like this: "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."
I really have been focusing on how the exercise of roles, which are gifts from God, builds up the church, leading people to greater spiritual maturity. Stuck in the middle of this passage, however, is this phrase "unity in the faith" and I am wrestling with what that looks like in reality. When a church is unified in faith what do they do? What do they not do? What do they appear to be?
What do you think? Anyone have a concrete illustration to share?
Jeff
2 comments:
Reflecting on your blog, I have been studying Richard Foster and others Renovaré series. In Foster’s book, Streams of Living Water, he writes about William Seymour in the Charismatic Tradition. Seymour led the Azusa Street revival which helped begat the Pentecostal movement.
What I knew about Azusa Street was the external signs of the spirit, speaking in tongues, worship, and growing numbers. What Foster highlighted was the interracial reconciliation, equality and acceptance of ministry gifts, and a focus on genuine love of God and one another.
In the Ephesians 4 passage, it seems to me that unity of the Spirit is the key (v. 3) which leads to oneness and unity of the faith. So for me, an important sign in this area is God’s Spirit moving in such a way, that humans credit God for the outcomes.
At Norristown, it was easy to see the results of God’s Spirit bringing together of lots of people the world says should not be together.
What would Central and Faith look like if we genuinely lived in the unity of the Spirit, unity of faith?
Keep up the good work,
Mercy and Peace from Christ,
Jim
Jeff-
Read your blog and am looking forward to hearing God's word from you again.
I don't have an answer to your question, I just know that Unity is something to strive for, but wonder if it can be attained due to our human nature.
Is conflict, or differing ideas; lack of unity or are we on a different level when we speak of unity?
Just thoughts and questions...
My thoughts and prayers are with you as you continue to prepare for your mesage on Sunday.
Donna
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