United: In Jesus We Trust

Big Idea

We live in the United States of America. But especially right now, we feel anything but united. It seems as if more divides us than unites us. For some of you, it may feel like you can’t say anything, do anything, or share anything without someone objecting to it or being offended by it. How can we find unity in a country so divided by politics, opinions, and historical scars?

In his letters to the Christians in Ephesus, Paul addresses many of these issues. He wanted to encourage the Ephesians to find their unity in Christ. He believed that the kingdom of Jesus had the power to break down the ethnic and social barriers to create a whole new humanity.

The Gospel of Jesus has the same power today to break down ethnic, social, and political barriers so that we can be a unified family of believers.

Series Breakdown

October 24/25, 2020: United in Christ

No matter who is in the White House, Christians pledge their ultimate allegiance to King Jesus. Paul tells us that Jesus is seated at the right hand of God, ruling over all things for the good of the Church. He did this to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
Sermon Text: Ephesians 1

October 31/November 1, 2020: United In Humanity

The Ephesians were divided based on race. There was a deep divide between Jews and Gentiles. Those divisions led to real hostility. But Jesus came to make the two groups one, breaking down the walls that divided them. Our society seems to be divided into at least two groups politically, racially, and socially. But Christ came to remove those barriers and make us all one. In Christ, we all become the one household of God in which God dwells with his Spirit.
Sermon Text: Ephesians 2:11-22

November 7/8, 2020: United Through Prayer

Because God has made us the unified children of God, we can now approach our Father with freedom and confidence. We ask God to help us all grasp the height, depth, length, and width of his love so that we can grow even closer to God and one another.
Sermon Text: Ephesians 3

November 14/15, 2020: United in Our Diversity

Our unity in Christ does not mean uniformity. The Church is the body of Christ and we are all unique members of his body. We all play a unique role in his kingdom. Our diverse gifts and callings allow us to complement each other so that we might all mature together.
Sermon Text: Ephesians 4

November 21/22, 2020: United in Purpose

God united to live new lives of love and service. We no longer live for our own personal and individual gain. Instead we are to live as “children of the light”. Our old life of sin and selfishness leads to division and pain. But when we live for the good of others, we become a united family of love.
Sermon Text: Ephesians 4:17-5:20

November 28/29, 2020: United Against One Enemy

We are not to fight against human beings. That just leads to more division and hostility. Our true enemy is the devil and all his dark forces that are at work behind all that is evil. We are to work together to find our common spiritual enemy with spiritual weapons.
Sermon Text: Ephesians 6:10-17