In Sunday’s message, “The Urgency of Unity,” we explored Ephesians 4:1-16 to see  that unity is a declaration of the gospel’s power. Unity between diverse peoples is something unnatural to Adam’s race, but not to Christ’s. In Christ, we are a new humanity.

As those who are redeemed to God, but in the process of begin redeemed in our practical faithfulness to God, we still need to hear the command to “walk in a manner worth of the calling to which [we] have been called…eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit” (Ephesians 4:1-3).

Paul Tripp, in his book, How People Change, asks a helpful question to encourage us toward unity: “What are some common obstacles that hinder redemptive relationships from developing in our lives?”

Here are Tripp’s eight suggestions mentioned in Sunday’s sermon:

• The busyness of life, keeping relationships distant and casual.
• A total immersion in friendships that are activity and happiness based.
• A conscious avoidance of relationships as too scary or messy.
• A formal commitment to church activities, with no real connection to people.
• One-way, ministry-driven friendships in which you always minister to others, but never allow others to minister to you.
• Self-centered, “meet my felt needs” relationships that keep you always receiving, but seldom giving.
• A private, independent, “just me and God” approach to the Christian life.
• Theology as replacement for relationship. Knowing God as a life of study, rather than the pursuit of God and his people.

Visit the Messages section of the site for additional sermons on Biblical Eldership, Church Membership, and biblical help in Conflict.