Introduction: What is Unity? How does Maturity affect Unity? Where does Diversity connect with Unity and Maturity?
In the fourth chapter of Ephesians, the apostle Paul, led by the Holy Spirit, discusses these three absolutely necessary elements in every New Testament Church (Eph 4:13-16).

1. What is Unity built around? (Eph 4:13) – “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”

The word Unity is ἑνότης, (hen-ot-ace’), which means oneness, or it can mean unanimity. Did you notice that the text says, “Till we all come into the unity of the FAITH”? So we may conclude that “the FAITH”, i.e. sound CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE is the key to Unity in the Church.

Furthermore, this DOCTRINE is built upon knowing Jesus Christ personally and His teachings. Did you look back in the text and see this point? Unity in the Church should be built around the Truth of God’s Word.

2. How does Maturity connect to Unity? (Eph 4:13-15) – “….. unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.”

The word “cunning” is κυβεία, (koo-bi’-ah) playing with dice, gaming, hence trickery, sleight. He goes on to say “craftiness” which can mean shrewdness. In other words, believers need to be aware of false teachers who twist the Scriptures to make it say what they want it to say instead of letting the text speak for itself as it is written historically, contextually, grammatically, and doctrinally. So a Christian who is growing in his or her FAITH in Christ by studying and applying the Truth of the Word of God should be becoming more like Jesus in order to better relate to other Christians.

3. Where does Diversity fit in the other two parts? (Eph 4:16) – “From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”

While we have our differences and preferences, we should have some non -negotiables based on Truth instead of our feelings. Then we can exercise genuine Christian love.

Introduction: Do you feel like complaining or rejoicing? I love the Scripture in the letter to the Philippians.

“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4).

And again, here is another great Word to believers:

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1Thess 5:18).

Why should we rejoice?

1. Our name is written in the lambs book of life (Luke 10:18-20)

2. Our citizenship is in heaven (Phil 3:20,21)

3. Our new life is in Christ (Col 3:4)

4. Our sins are forgiven (Eph 1:7)

5. Our joy is in the Lord (Neh 8:10)

6. Our hope is in Jesus Christ (Tit 2:13)

7. Our victory is already won by Jesus Christ (1Cor 15:57)

8. Our strength comes from Christ (Phil 4:13)

9. Our peace is in the Lord (Psa 29:

10. Our Faith comes from the Word of God (Rom 10:17)

Conclusion: What do you think about that? It should give us reasons to rejoice!

Introduction: Truth. What is truth? Where is truth? How can I know the truth?

Solomon wrote, “Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding” (Prov 23:23).

1. Truth is Jesus! (John 14:6) – “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Without Jesus being the Truth, there is No knowing, without Him being the way, there is No going, and without Him being the life, there is No growing!

2. Truth came thru Jesus Christ! (John 1:17) – “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

Jesus brought truth. He embodies the word – that which is revealed and not concealed. Do you want to know the truth?

3. Truth sets us free! (John 8:32) – “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

The Truth about ourselves, our sin, and our Savior sets us free! Are you free?

4. Truth can be spoken in love! (Eph 5:16) – “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.”

This passage speaks of both unity and maturity. Furthermore, it discusses diversity. Are you mature in the Lord?

Conclusion: Would you buy the truth? Will you sell it?

Truth changes lives!

Truth dispels lies.

Truth is God’s Word.

Love it, learn it, and live it!

Introduction: How can we really love our Mothers? Here are a few ways practical ways:

“Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise. That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth” (Eph 6:2-3).

5. Love your Mother by respecting her!

7. Love your Mother by honoring her!

Conclusion: Whether you’ve had a good or bad mom, thank God anyway for His great love and forgiveness in your life. Be willing to forgive her. Make restitution with her if at all possible. Focus on her good qualities and the things she has taught you. Talk with her about Jesus and heaven.

If you will follow these suggestions on How to Love your Mother, it will honor our Lord and bless your Mom!

Introduction: Mothers are special! God made them with multiple abilities. We are told women have more nerve endings than men. {That’s why my wife says I’m getting on her nerves!!} But on another note, Solomon writes about a godly woman {You might wonder if she ever sleeps?}.

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life” (Prov 31:10-12).

1. She’s a compliment! 

2. She’s constructive! (Prov 31:13-17) – “She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.”

3. She’s consecrated! (Prov 31:28-30) – “Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.”

Conclusion: What a woman with balance! Her priorities are fixed. Her mission is clear. Her influence is powerful!!

No wonder she’s called a priceless jewel in the hand of the Lord.

“Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing” (Matthew 24:46).

1. Fulfill our Purpose! (Matt 24:42,43) – “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.”

Watching and waiting while serving is the ultimate goal.
Are you serving? Will you serve the Lord until He comes?

2. Fight with Passion! (Matt 24:44,45) – “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?”

We’ve been entrusted with much. Our Lord has delegated His will on earth to His servants. Much is given…..much is required.

3. Forthtelling to Prepare! (Matt 24:47,48) – “Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming.”

Jesus is not willing that any should perish. He will descend from heaven in a day when many will not be expecting. Therefore, we must stay ready! Are you ready? Are you preparing others to be ready?

Introduction: If we used the same PASSION in serving our Lord as we do other things, it would make a huge difference! Are you PASSIONATE about having the privilege of being a part of God’s plan and purpose for the world? If so, watch out for being “weary in well doing”!

1. Weariness can zap us of our PASSION! (Gal 6:9) – “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

Doing good and working hard thru serving the Lord can get a CHRISTIAN tired. Are you tired? Do you need renewing?

2. Worthlessness can zap us of our PASSION! (1Cor 1:26-29) – “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.”

Remember our worthiness is not dependent upon our performance. Instead, it is dependent upon our relationship with Jesus Christ and His worthiness that He imputes to us.

3. Worldliness can zap us of our PASSION! (Rom 12:2) – “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

We must be in the world but we do not have to be of the world.
The problem is not when a ship is out in the water. The problem is when the water gets in the ship!

4. Waywardness can zap us of our PASSION! (Rev 2:7) – “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”

Although the CHRISTians in Ephesus were busy they had become backslidden. Therefore, Jesus called them – along with us – to repent and return to their first love. Have you slipped alittle bit? Do you need to return to your first love?

Introduction: If you want to be great, learn to be a “servant”! Those are the words of Jesus Christ. In fact, He came to seek and to save, but also to serve.

1. Jesus demonstrated Servanthood! (John 13:4-5) – “He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.”

Get the picture. Just before laying down His life for the sins of the whole world, Jesus sets the example by getting a towel and washing the feet of the disciples. Then he explained to them that they were to go and do the same. 

“Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” (John 13:13-15).

Have you washed anybody’s feet lately?

2. Jesus described Servanthood! (Matt 20:25-28) – “But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

After mildly rebuking the mother of James and John who requested that her sons sit on the right and left hand of Jesus in His kingdom, He revealed His purpose for being in the world, namely, to give His life for the redemption of mankind. But at the same time, He would influence countless millions by setting the example of servanthood. 

Are you being a servant?

Conclusion: Our world has reversed the secret to being great. Instead of counting how many people are serving us, Jesus made it clear that we should be serving others. You want to be great in the eyes of our Lord? Learn to serve others.

Introduction: According to the Word of God, we were all in darkness. Until, Jesus brought us into His light. Remember. Light dispels darkness. The light emanates from God – for God is light (1John 1:5).

1. Darkness Hides! (Eph 5:8) – “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.”

Instead of hiding in the dark, as believers we are to come out into the light. Are you attempting to hide in the darkness?

2. Light Reveals! (Eph 5:13) – “But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.”

The word “reproved” is ἐλέγχω, which is pronounced – el-eng’-kho. It means to expose, or convict. In this case, it describes the process of bringing to light. The Holy Spirit turns on the light. Light reveals truth. Light uncovers lies. Jesus calls us to come to the light.

Introduction: Walk outside. Listen. You can hear the buzz of thousands of insects called Cicadas. Is this apocalyptic? While it is not a direct fulfillment of Bible Prophecy, there is a parallel with both the Old and New Testament.

1. Locusts in the days of Moses! (Ex 8:12-15) – “And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up upon the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail hath left. And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all that night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts. And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of Egypt: very grievous were they; before them there were no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be such. For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left: and there remained not any green thing in the trees, or in the herbs of the field, through all the land of Egypt”

Out of these terrible plagues God sent an east wind and these locusts consumed the Egyptian’s crops. Locusts, unlike cicadas, devour everything – trees, crops, etc. Do you believe that God can still send judgments upon the earth? What about today?

2. Locusts like creatures in the tribulation! (Rev 9:3-5) – “And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.”

Technically speaking, this will be during the tribulation – a terrible time on earth when Jesus Christ pours out His wrath in the form of trumpet judgements. While cicadas are not a fulfillment of this prophecy, it is a reminder of this horrific judgment that is yet to come. Therefore, as CHRISTians we need to be warning others today to flee from the wrath to come. Are you doing that?