People, Love, & Truth.

What does a local congregation need in order to be a faithful church of our Lord? It needs three components: people, love, and truth. These three elements are seen in Paul’s plea for unity in Ephesians 4:4-6. Let’s learn these today.

I. ONE BODY

A. “One body” is a reference to the body of Christ, also known as  according to Eph 1:22-23 and Col 1:18.

B. “One” body can only mean that there is one group of .

Romans 12:4-6; 1 Cor 12:12-31; Eph 1:20-23; Col 1:18; Matt 28:18; 2 Tim 2:10; Acts 2:47

II. ONE SPIRIT

A. Unity in the church is only possible if it is based on the , who revealed the to us through His inspired writers.

B. There is only one way to interpret (2 Peter 1:20-21). But there are multiple ways to interpret the (requires judgment).

1 Cor 2:11; Eph 3:3-5; John 16:7-8; John 8:32

III. ONE HOPE

A. Hope is the very reason we are , why we .

B. Our hope is not about being . It is about .

IV. ONE LORD

A. “One Lord” means that there is only one who can . Matt 6:24, 23:9

V. ONE FAITH

A. Romans 10:17 + Hebrews 11:6 means there is only one set of , only one of faith, from God about how to be loyal to Him. We cannot just. 

John 13:35; Matt 7:21; Rom 12:2

VI. ONE BAPTISM

A. Paul includes baptism in this list as part of the essential elements necessary for h. If baptism were not necessary to be part of that , (as some teach), then why is it included in the list?

VII. ONE GOD AND FATHER

A. Throughout history (and even today) people have believed in as different protectors and providers, as well, as being territorial. But, according to the Bible, there is only one God, because there is only of the entire universe, Who protects and provides for all.