Read Ephesians 4:4–10
Questions from the Scripture text: What six things does Ephesians 4:4-5 tell us all believers have in common? Upon what final commonality does Ephesians 4:6 focus, and what does it say about Him? What was given to each believer (Ephesians 4:7a)? Who measured out gifts to each (verse 7b)? What does Ephesians 4:8 quote from Psalm 68? What does Ephesians 4:9 teach from the “he ascended” (cf. Psalm 139:15)? To where has He ascended (Ephesians 4:10a, cf. Ephesians 1:20–21)? What does He do from there, verse 10b, cf. Ephesians 1:23, Ephesians 2:19)?
Next week’s Call to Worship, Prayer for Help, Song of Adoration, and Prayer of Confession all come from Ephesians 4:4–10, so that we will see that we are singing God’s thoughts after Him with Your Hand, O God, Has Guided.
We live in an age of human arrogance, human confidence in the human spirit. It is an age that celebrates diversity of purpose, diversity of thought, diversity of ethic. The days are evil (cf. Ephesians 5:16)—as the apostle calls it, “the present evil age” (Galatians 1:4).
But our Lord Jesus has descended to endure life in this world. He lived a perfectly obedient life, then died a victoriously sacrificial death—defeating Satan, sin, and death.
With us, the ascended Lord shares the spoils of His victory. When the church speaks the same things, believes the same things, and comes to the same judgments (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:10), we are enjoying the victory of our Lord Jesus. Unity in the body of Christ, and in His Spirit, and in the sure hope of being called to be like Him, which we at last shall be (Ephesians 4:4). Unity in subjection to Him, belief in Him, and being united to Him as signified/sealed in baptism (Ephesians 4:5). Unity in living for the glory of God, out of love unto our heavenly Father, enjoying life in dependence upon Him and fellowship with Him (Ephesians 4:6).
But how can the church be brought to such doctrinal (theology), ethical (morals), teleological (purpose) unity? By the Lord Jesus’s gift of His Word through both men by whom He caused it to be written and by whom He still causes it to be ministered unto this unity (Ephesians 4:11-13).
The Lord Jesus is guiding His church until at last we come to glory and attain to that heavenly unity. As we study His Word and seek that it would master our lives, we pursue a piece of heaven on earth. And this is worth losing that humanistic arrogance and pluralism that marks the present evil age.
What are some ways that your thinking or living have been more mastered by the Scripture lately?
Suggested songs: ARP1 “How Blessed the Man” or TPH416 “Your Hand, O God, Has Guided”
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