September 27, 2026

A Living Unity

Message Notes

Notes on Ephesians 4:2

Humility

Humility says, “I don't have to win all the time.” That’s hard for us to even say…especially when we believe we are right on a subject. And on occasion you might actually be right, but biblical humility doesn't mean pretending truth
doesn't matter.

It doesn't mean that every opinion is equally valid. It doesn't mean we abandon conviction. Humility means that you
and I can hold a conviction without believing that we are the center of the universe.

It means I can say: “I believe this strongly, but I recognize that I am still a sinner saved by grace. I know I can’t see everything and know everything perfectly. I still need to listen. I still need to learn. I could….be wrong.” That’s humility.

Gentleness

Gentleness means I don't have to crush someone simply because they disagree with me. We live in a culture that often believes the strongest argument is the most aggressive argument. But Jesus was gentle.Mountain View, gentleness isn't weakness. Gentleness is strength under control. It means I can disagree without attacking. I can confront without humiliating. I can speak truth without becoming cruel. And that's desperately needed in the church.

Patience

Paul says, “Be Patient.”  That’s an imperative…that’s a command.  If God has already given the church unity why do we need patience? Because sanctification takes time.

You are not finished. And neither am I. God is still working on all of us.  We are all baking in the oven of life at a different pace. Can we not all agree that we all grow/mature in some area more quickly than others. That happened in school all the time…some info clicked quick and some things I’m still waiting for it to click…and I’ve been out of grad school for thirty-two years. So Paul knows, if we're going to live together as a church family, we're going to need patience . . . lots of it.

A Prayer of Unity:

Father, thank You for Jesus. Thank You that when we were far away, You brought us near. Thank You that when we were divided, Christ made us one. Thank You that our unity doesn't depend on our ability to agree about everything. Thank You that it doesn't depend on our personalities, our preferences, or our circumstances. It depends upon Jesus.

Father, forgive us for the times we've valued being right more than we've valued loving one another. Forgive us for
the times we've allowed disappointment to become bitterness. Forgive us for the times we've allowed disagreement to become division.

Teach us anew to walk in humility…patience and gentleness.  Teach us to bear with one another in love. And Father, for Mountain View, I pray that You would continue to make us a church that walks worthy of the calling You have given us. When things are easy, keep us humble. When things are difficult, keep us faithful.

When we disagree, keep us loving one another. When we experience loss, keep us trusting. And when we don't know what to do, remind us that Your Son, Jesus, is still Lord.

As we come to this Table, help us remember the price that was paid for our unity. The body that was broken. The
blood that was shed. The cross has reconciled us to You and to one another. And may we leave this Table more committed—not to our preferences, not to our agendas, not to ourselves—but to Jesus and to His church. We are truly one because of Him. And we pray this in the name of Jesus.

Amen.

The Pause Questions

Question #1: Am I living “a life worthy of the calling” I have received?

Read Ephesians 4:1

When disagreement or disappointment comes, does the way I respond reflect who I am in Christ—or does it reveal that
I have made my preferences more important than my calling?

Question #2: Where do I need to grow in “humility, gentleness, or patinece” toward someone with whom I disagree?

Read Ephesians 4:2

What would humility, gentleness, and patience look like in the way I speak, listen, or respond to that person?

Question #3: Who am I being called to “bear with…in love”?

Read Ephesians 4:2 again

Is there someone whose personality, perspective, actions, or past hurt has made it difficult for me to love them? What would it look like to give them grace rather than distance?

Question #4: Am I making every effort to “keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace”?

Read Ephesians 4:3

Am I protecting unity—or protecting my preference? Is there something God is asking me to do, say, forgive, release, or pursue in order to be a peacemaker and better preserve the unity of my local church family?

Question #5: How should the seven “ones” of verses 4–6 change the way I see someone with whom I disagree?

Read Ephesians 4:4–6

We share one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father. As you reflect on
each word, what is greater about what we share in Christ than what currently separates us?

[If this is used in small groups]

Don't leave this discussion with only something new to think about. Leave with something biblical to do.

The key is “make every effort.”

Ephesians 4:3 (NIV)

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

What effort is God asking you to make to maintain the unity of His Church?

Questions Mentioned During the Sermon:

    Was I protecting unity or protecting my preference?

    Have I allowed personal disappointment to become division?

    Am I bearing with people?

Message Recording