We reach a turning point in Paul's letter.  With increasing intensity and excitement he has been describing the marvelous mystery of what God did by sending Jesus into the world to offer New Life and Forgiveness to ALL nations of the world.  Last week we saw this come to a mighty crescendo with the doxology the end of chapter 3.  Today he turns to the 'so what question'.  What difference does this make in the way in which we live?  Unity and Holiness are held up as marks of true Christian faith.  Today's passage particularly emphasizes unity.  The following outline summarizes our conversation last Sunday:
I. CHRISTIAN UNITY DEPENDS ON OUR CHRISTIAN LIFE (EPH. 4:2-3).
Christian unity depends on our:  •HUMILITY •GENTLENESS •PATIENCE •TOLERANCE
II. CHRISTIAN UNITY EMERGES FROM THE UNITY OF OUR GOD  (Eph. 4:4-6)
There is:  •One BODY •One SAVIOR, •One HOPE, •One LORD, •One FAITH, •One BAPTISM •One GOD One FATHER.
III. CHRISTIAN UNITY IS ENRICHED BY THE DIVERSITY OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS.  (Eph. 4:7-12)
•APOSTLES •PROPHETS •EVANGELISTS •PASTORS, TEACHERS
IV CHISTIAN UNITY REQUIRES OUR GROWTH IN MATURITY(Eph. 4:13-16)
To grow in maturity we must: •Have a better knowledge of the SON  OF GOD and have Him as an example of perfect man (v.13) •Be careful with the "WINDS  OF  DOCTRINE  " (v. 14) Follow the TRUTH in love and COOPERATE with others (v.15-16)

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Our passage today builds to a strong crescendo as Paul becomes overwhelmed with the reality of what he describes.  Up until this point he has been speaking in increasingly excited terms about what God did by sending Jesus into the world.  'For this reason...' he begins our section today - and then proceeds to offer up what I consider to be one of the most beautiful prayers in Scripture.  He wants us to know with certainty a) that we have the Presence of Jesus within us; and b) that the love of Jesus which is beyond measure is yet available to us to know in increasing measure!  May this be our experience!  To Him be all Glory!
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Here in the early part of chapter 3 we sense that Paul is feeling overwhelmed at the privilege he has been given to be a messenger of the Good News of what God had done through sending Jesus into the world.  He uses very diminutive language as he says, 'though I am less than the least of all the Lord's people, this grace was given to me...'  His privilege was to preach to the Gentiles (the nations) the boundless riches of Jesus, a mystery which was kept hidden for ages past, but now has been revealed.  In reading this language, one really senses Paul expressing what a privilege it is to be a messenger of such a Good News story!  May we also stand in awe of the clarity of the message and may we too feel privileged to participate in the same Good News as a part of the Church which displays the manifold (many-sided) wisdom of God (v. 10-11).  May this sense of privilege provoke in us a response of praise and obedience. 
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For the purposes of this blog we are jumping into the Ephesians series at chapter 2 verse 11.  Many commentators see this passage (2:11-22) as the 'key and high point' of the whole letter!  Paul writes here about the mystery of the establishment of the Church in the world.  The language is powerful and unmistakable - through sending Jesus into the world, God has made it possible for all nations (both those of Jewish heritage and the Gentiles, i.e. all other nations of the world) to equally have access to the Father through the work of Jesus, by one Spirit (check out verse 18).  His purpose?  To create one new humanity that would become a holy temple where the members of this Church become living stones who are built together to become the very dwelling place of God on earth.  These are remarkable truths that ought to provoke a response of worship, thanksgiving and obedience in those who pay attention.  May we be a part of that number! 
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