Unity Amid Diversity: Lesson 8, Nov. 12th - 18th

[Seraph1m]

SABBATH AFTERNOON

Read for This Week's Study:
Matt. 28:18-20, Rom. 12:6-8, 1 Cor 12:28-31, Eph. 4:1-16.

Memory Text:
"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Ephesians 4:4-6, NKJV).

We have reached the midpoint of the Epistle. The first three chapters set forth the theology of Christian unity, a unity that overrides all the divisive factors in humankind. The last three chapters deal with the practical implications of that unity in the life of a Christian. So, Paul moves from theology to practice, from exposition to exhortation, from what God has done to what we should do in response to what God has done for us. Our theology must inform our morality, and our morality must reflect our theology.

Thus, Paul now turns his attention to the kind of life believers should live in accordance with the great theological insight of the mystery of Christ. The Jew/Gentile unity is no myth but a reality that demands a "walk worthy of the calling" (Eph. 4:1, NKJV).

The Week at a Glance:
Why does Paul tell us to "walk worthy" of our calling? What does that mean? What kind of diversity will exist amid the unity that should be the hallmark of God's church? What are the gifts given to individuals in the church? How does Paul describe growth in Christ?

*Study this week's lesson to prepare for Sabbath, November 19.

 

[moicherie]

Why do i have a feeling we (the official church) will not see the irony of having this lesson?

 

[Seraph1m]

Why do i have a feeling we (the official church) will not see the irony of having this lesson?

It is interesting you should say that sis.

When Pastor Lee, our conference president, spoke on Tuesday night for Duponts 100th yr. anniversary he gave a bit of background on how the church was divided by one of the first GC conference presidents, back in the early 1800 or 1900's A. G. Daniels. Apparently, even though the members did not want to be segregated, the then president felt the need to move in the same direction as the country at the time regarding such policies. We have gotten a glimpse of the churches history all this week in services buiding up to tomorrows service. I can't recall who said, those who do not know history are destined to repeat it... not the exact quote but in any event... be blessed, we are off to church.

Shabbath Shalom

 

[Seraph1m]

... Paul now turns his attention to the kind of life believers should live in accordance with the great theological insight of the mystery of Christ. The Jew/Gentile unity is no myth but a reality that demands a "walk worthy of the calling" (Eph. 4:1, NKJV).

Eph 4:1
1I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, KJV


What vocation are we called to walk worthy of?

 

[StormyOne]

... Paul now turns his attention to the kind of life believers should live in accordance with the great theological insight of the mystery of Christ. The Jew/Gentile unity is no myth but a reality that demands a "walk worthy of the calling" (Eph. 4:1, NKJV).

Eph 4:1
1I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, KJV


What vocation are we called to walk worthy of?

Interesting... here is some words from Paul's letter to Ephesians....

Ephesians 3:7-10 I became a servant of this Good News through God's kindness freely given to me when his power worked in me. (8) I am the least of all God's people. Yet, God showed me his kindness by allowing me to spread the Good News of the immeasurable wealth of Christ to people who are not Jewish. (9) He allowed me to explain the way this mystery works. God, who created all things, kept it hidden in the past. {10) He did this so that now, through the church, he could let the rulers and authorities in heaven know his infinite wisdom.

From Paul’s perspective who is the church and what is it’s role?
The church reveals or makes known something about God. God's anifold wisdom (manifold literally means multicolored) reveals his plan. Wisdom (the word is Sophia which means applied knowledge).

Paul’s states that God’s intent is that NOW through the church (united jews and gentiles)the rulers and those heavenly authorities will know the wisdom of God, or the plan of God. When God brought together Jews and Gentiles in the church, this unity vindicates God’s wisdom. Ephesians 3:6 That also means that the lack of unity in the church thwarts the intent of God to make clear his ultimate plan.....

Who is "the church?" Neither Gentiles nor Jews, can be the church of Jesus Christ without the other. We fulfill God’s purpose and ratify his wisdom together.

What are the implications of Paul’s perspective?
All divisions are broken. All the isms that make the church what it is are thwarting the wisdom of God.

We cannot legislate this type of surrender. It has to be God-directed.

Now think about this.... if the Paul was writing that Jews and Gentiles together comprised "the church" and that God was using the church to reveal His plan.... how can we defend the various divisions we have long lived with?

We usually defend our continued division in 3 ways:
Reason
Experience
Tradition

Interesting I think....

 

[Seraph1m]

The first items that came to mind, prior to reading the verses given, were the following verses:

Jhn 13:35 — By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Jhn 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

Genuine unity starts with selflessness and a willingness to love without reservation. That is after all the example that Christ Jesus left us.

 

[StormyOne]

Genuine unity starts with Christ...

 

[Seraph1m]

Genuine unity starts with Christ...

I can see that...

 

[StormyOne]

Genuine unity can ONLY be accomplished through Christ... it cannot be mandated (thats called conformity), it cannot be forced, it can only happen via love... and God is love....

 

[moicherie]

So we have no love hence our dilemma?

 

[StormyOne]

So we have no love hence our dilemma?

something like that.....

 

[Seraph1m]

In the lesson for Sundays the following is noted:

Walking Worthy (Eph 4:1-3)

In the first three chapters, Paul talked so much about what God has done in Christ for us. Now, as a result, he tells us to "walk worthy" of our vocation, and he tells us how we should do that. What are the five graces foundational to Christian character, and what is your understanding of what each one means? (Eph 4:2,3)

Thoughts?

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