"Forces Combine"

Series: Talking Through Ephesians

Unite Around Our Common Faith

Watch

Read

Whether you grew up loving the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Charlie's Angels, or the Avengers, something special happens when forces combine around a common goal. What one team member can't do alone with their unique abilities, they can easily accomplish when they work together. They're unstoppable unless somehow they're weakened from within.

Good news: you've made it to the last half of the Ephesian letter! While the first three chapters felt poetic and grand, in Ephesians 4:1-16, Paul — Christ's prisoner — puts all his prior praise and prayer into practice. After introducing his audience to four Christlike qualities of humility, gentleness, patience, and loving forbearance (Eph. 4:2), we learn to put these virtues into action as we unite around our common faith.

The Big Idea

Though we all bring something unique to our role in the church, Jesus calls us to join forces and grow stronger together in love. There’s so much that could divide us, yet "There is one body and one Spirit ... one hope ... one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all" (Eph. 4:4-6). And in God's oneness, we're glued to each other in the "bond of peace" (Eph. 4:3).

Calling back to a Hebrew song, Paul reveals how the Lord equips his "host of captives" with gifts to use in his service (Ps. 68:18; Eph. 4:7-8). Though our contributions differ, they all serve the greater purpose of building up Christ's church to be more like him as mature disciples (Eph. 4:11-14).

We fight a crafty enemy who tries to trick us at every turn (Eph. 4:14). But as our bond with Christ and his followers grows, the more we hold firm to the truth and draw strength from each other (Eph. 4:15). We're unstoppable when each of us uses our abilities for the greater good!

The Big Question

Do you hold the body of Christ together in your work?