2021.08.22 - DISUNITY IN THE CHURCH WILL KILL THE BRIDE OF CHRIST

Text: Ephesians 4:1-6 Opening Statement: Over the last 18 or so months I have spent considerable time trying to get clarity on how Christ’ church would ever survive or move forward in a way that glorifies God, exalts Christ, and sees His bride sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Church, in this moment of time, in this very place, I am concerned that we have allowed the past to keep us trapped, we have allowed the present to replace our spirit of faith with a spirit of fear, and we have all but lost hope for the future. ARE YOU A FELLOW PRISONER OR A BAIL BONDS MAN Are you a fellow prisoner taking all these pains for the sake of those that are lost and doomed to eternal punishment in hell, Are you a fellow prisoner giving it your all, pouring yourself out to spread the message of Hope, or are you by your life, words, actions, and dark whispers into the ears of others the bail bonds man trying to “free your fellow prisoner” and render them ineffective in the kingdom of God? I. Walk Worthy According to Your Call A. What are we called to? i. In short, each one of us—that is if you consider yourself a Christian—have been called to the Gospel. But the immediate effect the Gospel has is not the expected result nor is that immediate result the actual thing we are called to. B. How to walk worthy i. Walking worthy is not being a busybody, a gossip, a slanderer, one that complains all the time or one that argues. If you come to church whether you part of the worship team or a teacher, or just a pew warmer, if you constantly argue and fuss at others you are not walking worthy of the thing to which you have been called. C. Humility & Gentleness i. Based on the entirety of scripture I much prefer to define humility as ‘acknowledging our lack of anything good in ourselves and embracing complete dependence on God for everything.’ D. Patience, Tolerance, & Love i. This means to forgive one another as Christ has also forgiven you! You were called to the Gospel and to