Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 6, 2019

Body Language

Ephesians 4:1-16

When Christ’s body is nourished by and conforms to Him, it manifests a maturity which results in unity.

-note the transition from doctrine to duty

1. Unity depends on conformity (1-2)

• a worthy walk: one people, set apart
• five qualities: humility, gentleness, patience, forbearance and love

2. Unity flows out of the unity of God (3-6)

• spare no effort!
• repetition of “one”
• visible appearance and invisible reality

3. Unity receives enrichment through diversity of gifts (7-12)

• from all of us to each of us
• does not always mean uniformity
• saving grace and serving grace
• given by the ascended Christ (Psa. 68:18)
• five lists with at least 20 gifts in the NT
• five gifts here: apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers
• immediate and ultimate purpose

4. Unity requires the maturity of believers (13-16)

• “…conformity to Christ in the context of relationship to the corporate body.” (Stott)
• three senses of unity
• doctrinal instability marks the immature
• the balance of truth and love
• the emphasis upon the Head

5. So What?

• Though with a scornful wonder men see her sore oppressed, by schisms rent asunder, by heresies distressed, yet saints their watch are keeping, their cry goes up, “How long?” And soon the night of weeping shall be the morn of song. (S. Stone)
• perspective on love: the overflow of joy in God that gladly meets the needs of others (Piper)
• Seeking the path of least resistance is what makes rivers crooked.
• “If I have more truth on my lips than grace in my heart, I damage the body.” (J. MacGorman)