Unity & Maturity

Unity and Maturity
October 18 2009


Romans 15:1-6; Ephesians 4:11-13
Our destination as Christians is to a unity and maturity of all Christians (the whole body) and we should constantly be moving towards this goal.
vs.14: unity brings a solid foundation in the truth so we wont get 'dooped' by imposters.
vs 15: unity also brings knowledge and our beliefs which help us to speak to each other in love. It also brings a maturity in all areas of our life (emotionally mature and complete people)
vs 16: the body of the bride of Christ can move when every part is in agreement.
How do we get there? Agreement
1. Respect: *Eph. 4:1* (understanding the blessings you have) a realistic understanding of grace and a life that displays that
2. Humility:*4:2* your measure when you are compared with someone greater than you (it is not going to benefit agreement to try and compare yourself to those beneath you so that you feel better about yourself)
3: Patience: *4:2* the ability to endure hardship on the path to progress (disagreement and disloyalty happens when we are impatient)
4: Effort: *4:3* doing your best to do your part even if you have to change (adaptation in order to create peace for the agreement)
5: Equality: *4:4-6* consistent rights and expectations in spite of gifting and position (lack of equality will disrupt any unity- it does not matter how great or small we view the gift everyone should have the same expectations placed upon them from the pastor to the person who cleans)
6: Gifting: *4:7-8* recognition and appreciation of talent and ability, and the responsibility attached with it (low self esteem makes it difficult to agree; jealousy appears when you dont know your own gift)
7: leadership: *4:11-12* humans walking in proper authority that is both ordained and deserved (you have to have both and that brings about confidence in said leader)
No one is free & delivered (reached the pinnacle) until everyone is free (it is like a plague and just because you do not have it does not mean that you can not catch it if someone still has it.