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Ephesians 4 apttoteach.org “1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of Ephesians 4:4-6 the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Lesson #15 Limits of Unity 1. Our unity is a PRIORITY 11/05/2017 and calls for TOLERANCE. 1

Ephesians 4 “4 There is one body and one Spirit, body, Spirit, hope, Lord, just as also you were called in one faith, , God hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.” Lutheran

Methodist, Baptist, 1. Our unity is both Presbyterian, , Episcopalian, DEFINED and LIMITED by many issues. Muslim, Buddhist,

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Healthy believers build 3. Conflicts are INEVITABLE. Christian comm unitv 2 Thessalonians 3:6 without compromising its y “Now we command you, brethren, in the name 1. 2. of our Lord Christ, that you keep aloof from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you distinct diverse received from us.” standards “body life” 1 Corinthians 11:19 1 Corinthians 5:9 Titus 3:10 “For there must also be factions “I wrote to you in “Reject a factious among you, so that those who are my letter not to man after a first approved may become evident associate with and second among you.” immoral people;” warning” 8 9

“Lower your expectations The church in Corinth of earth. This isn’t heaven, so don’t expect it to be.” Not engaged in Too engaged in Max Lucado

“Divorce is an earned Culture Wars Civil Wars right only after you have (Figh.ng (Figh.ng done everything possible worldly Chris.an to save the marriage.” values) diversity) Dr. Phil McGraw 10 11 When & how When & how When & how When & how should I should I should I should I forebear? confront? forebear? confront?

Celebrate Forebear Confront Celebrate Forebear Confront When must I disturb the peace? “When should I . . ?” “When must I . . ?” “When can I . . ?” Idolatry (beliefs) Immorality (behaviors) I am a - when the King or the - when the Body of Christ I go along I take a stand Gospel is displaced by is being disrespected or to get along peacemaker on everything anything else! damaged! 12 with grace & truth 13

4. There is a CONTINUUM Managing conflict Sacrificial between what we celebrate love and what we condemn. Acts 15 Honest “1 And some men came down from Judea and respect began teaching the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you Empathetic projection cannot be saved.” 2 And when Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and Celebrate Cultivate Tolerate Criticize Condemn certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue.” Defensive withdrawal • Conflicts should be expected. John 19:11 Irresponsible • Communities should communicate. “he who delivered Me to selfishness you has the greater .” Physical • Respected leaders should arbitrate. abuse 14 15

Acts 15 “7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, . . .” “12 All the people kept silent, and they were Max Lucado listening to Barnabas and Paul . . .”

“19 (James speaks) Therefore it is my judgment that - ” “conflict is “22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the inevitable, elders, with the whole church -” but combat “28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us -” is not.” • Mature believers need wisdom to apply what has been revealed. • Leaders convince more than coerce. 16 17 Acts 15 Ephesians 4 (Paul and Barnabas had different opinions with respect to the “15 but speaking the truth in love, we trustworthiness of John (Mark) as a companion in ministry) are to grow up in all aspects into Him, “39 And there arose such a sharp disagreement that who is the head, even Christ, 16 from they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. 40 But whom the whole body, being fitted Paul chose Silas and departed, being committed by and held together by that which every the brethren to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he was joint supplies, according to the proper traveling through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.” working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the • Sometimes creative alternatives are building up of itself in love.” needed to manage differences. • It’s not winners and losers but wise Healthy believers manage and otherwise. conflicts with grace and truth. 18 19