Eph 4:14-16 One Faith

# One Faith
## Ephesians 4:14-16

[Dolomites, Italy. Joshua Earle](https://unsplash.com/photos/8MbdD0pHXGY "caption")

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## Choose His Kingdom, Journey Together
1. One *Calling* [(v1-3)](# "ref")
2. One *Body* [(v11-13)](# "ref")
3. **One Faith** [(v14-16)](# "ref")

[Venray, Netherlands. Michael Coury](https://unsplash.com/photos/DiKkJKvDi64 "caption")

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# What does it mean to be **mature**?

>>>
+ old? educated? experienced? sober? 
+ mature Christian:
  + **grounded** in Word
  + **pursuing** Christlikeness
  + **growing** in unity

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## One Faith [Eph4](# "ref")
1. Sneaky **Schemes** [(v14)](# "ref")
2. Seeking the **Saviour** [(v15)](# "ref")
3. **Sinews** of Supply [(v16)](# "ref")

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until we all reach **unity** 
in **the faith** 
and in **the knowledge** of the Son of God

and become **mature**, 
attaining to the whole measure 
of the **fullness** of Christ.

[Ephesians 4:13 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ same **sentence** as v11-13 prior:
+ **roles** given by God: word + people
+ for **service**, to **build** up
+ goal: **unity** + experiential **knowledge** of God's faithfulness
+ ⇒ **maturity** (complete, finished, perfect)

---

Then we will no longer be **infants**, 
tossed back and forth by the **waves**,

and blown here and there 
by every **wind of teaching**

and by the **cunning** and **craftiness** 
of people in their **deceitful scheming**.

[Ephesians 4:14 (NIV)](# "ref")
[Ships Running Aground in a Storm, Ludolf Bakhuizen, ~1690](https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ludolf_Bakhuizen_-_Ships_Running_Aground_in_a_Storm_-_WGA01131.jpg "caption")

>>>
+ "tossed": surging waves
  + "blown": carried
  + e.g., baby sleep advice
  + ships need an **anchor**
+ "cunning of men": dice, sleight of hand
+ "crafty" (πανουργίᾳ): capable/ready for anything
+ "scheming": method, strategy
+ "deceitful": plane/t, wandering, aimless, go astray, vs truth, misled

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## Providence (JMS)

For further reading:

+ [Apologetics Index](http://www.apologeticsindex.org/416-jung-myung-seok) 
+ [A Study of Denominations](http://www.astudyofdenominations.com/denominations/providence/)
+ [Korea Exposé](https://www.koreaexpose.com/cult-jms-leader-and-convicted-rapist-gains-freedom/)
(secular investigative journalism)

</div><div>

![JMS, from their own website](https://sermons.seanho.com/img/fig/jungmyungseok.png)

</div></div>

>>>
Jung Myung Seok (Joshua)
+ splinter from Unification church ("Moonies")
+ numerology: Messiah
+ "always smile": life is good, hardship is only mental
+ Love Principle: Eve fell due to sex; women redeemed via sex w/JMS
  + in jail in Korea since 2009, 3 counts rape (100s of accusations)
  + "religious injustice", "persecuted Christians"

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# Am I **anchored** in God's Word or **blown** by winds of teaching?

>>>
+ listening to ministry of **Word**
  + apostle prophet evangelist
+ training from ministry of **mentorship**
  + pastor teacher

---

## One Faith [(Eph4)](# "ref")
1. Sneaky *Schemes* [(v14)](# "ref")
2. **Seeking the Saviour** [(v15)](# "ref")
3. *Sinews* of Supply [(v16)](# "ref")

---

Instead, speaking the **truth in love**,

we will **grow** to become 
in every respect the **mature body**

of him who is the **head**, that is, Christ.

[Ephesians 4:15 (NIV)](# "ref")
[Samuel Scrimshaw](https://unsplash.com/photos/2oFdVd00xOg "caption")

>>>
+ "truth": not **sincerity** / honesty
  + **God's** truth: know Word
+ "truth": be **people** of truth
  + not only "speak": **priorities**, thinking, action
+ **active** vs "blown" passive
  + not kids who passively receive **instruction**
  + active **role** in own growth
  + **choose** to permeate life w/God's truth
+ in **love**: not to tear down
  + e.g. **bullies**' insecurity
+ grow into the **Head**
  + singular vision to **pursue** Christ
  + learn His **heart**
  + walk in His **footsteps**:

---

If anyone wishes to **come after Me**, 
he must **deny himself**, 
and **take up his cross** and **follow Me**.

[...] For what does it **profit** a man 
to **gain the whole world**, and **forfeit his soul**?

[Mark 8:34,36 (NASB)](# "ref")
[Plattenkogel, Gemeinde Krimml, Austria. Lukas Budimaier](https://unsplash.com/photos/6cY-FvMlmkQ "caption")

>>>
+ "deny": not lord of own life
+ "cross": die to **sin**
  + "it is **finished**" on cross
  + this sin does not **define** me
+ "follow": disciple
+ **maturity**: knowing lots? **capable**?
  + Humbly walk w/God as **child**

---

Unless you are converted 
and **become like children**, 
you will not enter the **kingdom of heaven**.

Whoever then **humbles himself** as this child, 
he is the **greatest** in the kingdom of heaven.

[Matthew 18:3-4 (NASB)](# "ref")
[Legenäsgatan, Borgholm N, Sweden Jon Flobrant](https://unsplash.com/photos/C2PvO6dOORY "caption")

>>>
+ Greatest **aspiration**: walk with our **Saviour**

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# Do I **aspire** to **childlike** faith in Christ?

>>>
+ what is **maturity**?
+ what are my **goals**? 1-yr, 5-yr, 20-yr
  + definition of **success**

---

## One Faith [(Eph4)](# "ref")
1. Sneaky *Schemes* [(v14)](# "ref")
2. Seeking the *Saviour* [(v15)](# "ref")
3. **Sinews of Supply** [(v16)](# "ref")

>>>
+ anchored in **Word**
+ walk **humbly** w/our God
+ joined w/**body** of Christ
  + even when it **limits** my personal freedom

---

From him the whole body, 
**joined** and **held together** 
by every **supporting ligament**,

**grows** and **builds** itself up in love, 
as each **part** does its work.

[Ephesians 4:16 (NIV)](# "ref")
[Arieseni, Romania. Brigitte Tohm](https://unsplash.com/photos/DtHTWqkgBZc "caption")

>>>
+ beautiful music, living plant, sturdy house
+ "joined" (συναρμολογούμενον): **harmony**
  + diff bg, personality
  + "each part": **each + every** portion in energy
  + **treasure** differences
  + highlights our common **confession** in Christ
+ "held" (συμβιβαζόμενον): solid **basis** / footing together
  + not easily **shaken**
+ "ligament": connection, sinew
  + **constrains** range of motion
  + prevent **injury** to self/others
+ but more: "supply" (ἐπιχορηγίας):
  + provide every **need**
  + **sponsor** chorus/dance group
+ much **easier** to be lone Christian, but
  + much **harder** to grow in Christ

---

... by every **supporting ligament** ...

>>>
+ e.g.

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And let us consider how to **stir up** one another 
to **love** and good **works**,

not neglecting to **meet together**, 
as is the habit of some,

but **encouraging** one another, 
and all the more as you see 
the Day drawing near.

[Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Nancy, France. Rémi Walle](https://unsplash.com/photos/UOwvwZ9Dy6w "caption")

>>>
+ "stir up": prod, poke sharply
  + purpose: **love** in **action**
+ "meet": physically, if possible
+ "encourage": in light of imminent return

---

# What **sinews** of **supply** in the church have I been **resisting**?

>>>
+ or sharp poky sticks

---

Then we will no longer be **infants**, 
tossed back and forth by the waves,

and blown here and there 
by every **wind of teaching**

and by the **cunning** and **craftiness** 
of people in their **deceitful scheming**.

[Ephesians 4:14 (NIV) (p.1/3)](# "ref")

---

Instead, speaking the **truth in love**, 
we will **grow** to become 
in every respect the **mature body** 
of him who is the **head**, that is, Christ.

[Ephesians 4:15 (NIV) (p.2/3)](# "ref")

---

From him the whole body, 
**joined** and **held together** 
by every **supporting ligament**,

**grows** and **builds** itself up in love, 
as each **part** does its work.

[Ephesians 4:16 (NIV) (p.3/3)](# "ref")

>>>
1. Sneaky **Schemes**
2. Seeking the **Saviour**
3. **Sinews** of Supply

---