Unity in the Body

"United We Stand"

Lucy/Linus

In a Peanuts cartoon Lucy demanded that Linus change TV channels, threatening him with her fist if he didn't. "What makes you think you can walk right in here and take over?" asks Linus.

"These five fingers," says Lucy. "Individually they're nothing but when I curl them together like this into a single unit, they form a weapon that is terrible to behold."

"Which channel do you want?" asks Linus. Turning away, he looks at his fingers and says, "Why can't you guys get organized like that?"

"United We Stand"

During July 1942, seven months after the United States entered World War II, magazines nationwide featured the American flag on their covers. Adopting the slogan United We Stand, some five hundred publications waved the stars and stripes to promote national unity, rally support for the war, and celebrate Independence Day.

July 1942 was a critical month on the American home front. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, followed by a series of U.S. defeats in the Pacific, left many feeling demoralized, vulnerable, and afraid. The government was in desperate need of a plan to boost morale and raise funds for the war. After a brief surge in response to Pearl Harbor, war-bond sales had dropped dramatically.

As war production expanded, bringing economic recovery to some industries, others, like publishing, were threatened by material shortages and restrictions. The magazine industry's flag-cover campaign, allied with the Treasury's war-bond program, was a direct response to the uncertainties of the time.

For magazine publishers, displaying the flag was a way to prove their loyalty and value to the war effort. For the U.S. government, the campaign was an opportunity to sell bonds and boost morale. The magazines brought home a message of patriotism and ideals worth fighting for.

The United We Stand campaign of July 1942 is just one example of how the American flag served to rally and inspire the nation during World War II. In a variety of forms, on the battlefield and the home front, the flag expressed ideas about what it meant to be American during a time of war. It symbolized the ideals the nation was fighting for, and it called on Americans to support those ideals through service and sacrifice.

Background

What did Paul encourage us with his letter to the church in Ephesus? What did he think was worth fighting for and uniting under? It wasn't the American flag, it wasn't to sell bonds, and it wasn't war, and it definitely wasn't to choose the TV channel we want to watch, that's for sure.

Pastor Brent has taken us through three chapters of Paul's ideas. He's taken us through God's eternal purpose for our lives, His amazing power to make us alive in His Son Jesus, how we are One in Christ, Jesus' unification of Jews and Gentiles, what the before and after Christ picture looks like, and the depth of the Father's love for us.

Now, after hearing what Christ did to hold up his end of the bargain, lets go over our part. UNITED WE STAND! DIVIDED WE FALL!

Chapter 4 is the turning point in his letter ... we've heard many passages of theology ... its time for us to turn our orthodoxy into ortho-praxy!

Definition of Unity -

The state or quality of being one

The state or quality of being in accord; harmony

Singleness or constancy of purpose or action; continuity: "In an army you need unity of purpose

Ephesians 4:1-16 says: Believers should have harmony in their commitment to Christ and their use of spiritual gifts.

BODY

1) United We're Called (v1-3)

1Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. 3Always keep yourselves united in the Holy Spirit, and bind yourselves together with peace.

God has chosen us to be Christ's representatives on earth. In light of this truth, Paul challenges us to live lives worthy of the calling we have received - the awesome privilege of being called Christ's very own.

This includes being humble, gentle, patient, understanding, and peaceful. People are watching your life. Can they see Christ in you?

How well are you doing as His representative?

Let's go over the five words Paul uses to describe one who lives a life worthy of their calling.

Humble - marked by modesty in behavior, attitude, or spirit; not arrogant or prideful

Putting Christ first, others second, and self last

Knowing self, accepting self, and being self

God - not against knowing self and giftings; BUT against thinking too highly of self

CAN THEY SEE CHRIST?

Gentle - considerate or kindly in character; friendly and tender.

Is not weakness

Is power under control (Moses, Jesus ...)

Is submission in relation to others - all for the sake of Christ

CAN THEY SEE CHRIST?

Patient - tolerant, persevering, constant; capable of calmly awaiting an outcome or result; bearing or enduing pain, difficulty, and annoyance with calmness

who can see that defeat is only temporary setback

No deterrent by discouragement or disappointment

How well are you doing as His representative?

Understanding - A disposition to appreciate or share the feelings and thoughts of others; sympathy.

To bear with one another; all with love

To put up with the other person's faults and character flaws, knowing that we have